How do you handle the nonbelievers?

Monkee Girl

Well-Known Member
I would just continue to take my kids if they wanted to go, and go by myself if I could!! Going solo is pretty awesome!!! ;)

I pretty much agree. If they don't like it, then don't bother with them on the topic. It will just be annoying for you and annoying for them. The football analogy is a perfect example.

My sister is a huge horror movie fan. I hate them and she keeps wanting me to go see things with her and it drives me nut. I prefer Hobbits and Jedis. I don't like them so stop trying to force me to watch them! lol

Has he always gone on trips with you? Have you done other destinations besides Disney? Maybe he is just tired of Disney wants to go somewhere else for a change? If not, go by yourself and let him be his scroogie non Disney self :D
 

Michelle

New Member
Original Poster
I agree that you can't convince someone to like it, but what if they did previously? I do go by myself, and yes, it's great to do, although a bit lonely. And it attracts negative attention. I've also taken one of the kids a few times. We're doing a family trip for the first time in 3 years this summer and I'm so hoping my husband will change his mind...my son with autism really enjoys the parks, we've tried non-Disney vacations and he is so much more anxious and frequently non-cooperative. He's been to WDW since he was a baby.
 

Michelle

New Member
Original Poster
Yes, we came to that agreement a few years ago. We went to Hawaii...and didn't get to see half of what we went to see. The child wouldn't even get out of the car half of the time. It's my turn this time, I choose WDW, and he is still unhappy, but we agreed we'd take turns. My kids are going to be 15 and 11 this summer, and I want to enjoy their childhood while I can. My youngest is just getting brave enough for Haunted Mansion and Pirates!
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I can't offer much in the way of advice as DH recently gave me the whole "I like, but don't love WDW" talk. I'm just trying not to push it and plan in other non-WDW vacays or short trips for him. I've also made it clear that while we'd love to have him with us, we don't want to force him into going to WDW and we won't be hurt if he opts out of going with us.
 

bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
Different strokes for different folks... If someone doesn't like Disney, I don't view their opinions as bad or wrong. I actually can totally get why people don't like Disney even if I love it. It's not for everyone. I can understand how 14 straight years of Disney vacations could get old, especially given the price increases though I sympathize with the strife it's causing between you and your husband. Sometimes things just get tired if you've done them again and again.

Think it's really good you keep alternating who gets to pick. And honestly, make sure to keep a positive attitude on the non-Disney vacations. No offense, but no vacation generally results in getting to see all you wanted. Reading your paragraph about Hawaii just struck me as you only focusing on the negatives of that vacation. So why should your husband be expected to focus on the positives of your pick if you can't with his? Just my thought based on your post.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Tell them that they have never experienced it with me, lol.

In all seriousness, I can't force someone to like something even though I've made it my life. I don't like dogs. Or horses. I like individual dogs, but that's on an individual basis; I find the species as a whole irritating. I do not like horses. Too many bad experiences with them, lol. There are people who like CERTAIN Disney films, but not the company or experience as a whole.

Of course, I do find it ridiculous if they haven't been at all and just refuse to go on principle. I don't like dogs or horses, but I have spent time around them and have come to that conclusion from experience. The ones who don't go on principle I just can't take seriously.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
my son with autism really enjoys the parks, we've tried non-Disney vacations and he is so much more anxious and frequently non-cooperative. He's been to WDW since he was a baby.
Interesting how you say that. My autistic brother has been going to Disney since he was a baby and actually comes home saying more things, talking more, coming up with new stuff...basically, he makes progress by going to Disney! He does okay on non-Disney vacations, such as Hilton Head Island, though when we went to Hawaii he was a bit more anxious, but handled it well. We've gotten him so used to travelling, though.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
We went to Hawaii...and didn't get to see half of what we went to see. The child wouldn't even get out of the car half of the time.
Neither would I, lol. I much preferred to just be swimming or chilling. I found the sightseeing to be boring unless you handed me the camera, which was infrequent because my mother monopolized it. Teens in general just aren't for sightseeing. Thankfully I was 17 when we went and had the option of staying behind at Aulani, an option which I did take at one point.

I assume you meant the child with autism, though. My mom went to an autism day last Saturday, and she learned new experiences or change can be 10 times more frightening for a child with autism. So it may have been that he was just scared IMO. But if he does better at WDW, then that's where you need to take him. Or Disneyland if you can afford it and change it up. That might actually be good because the autistic child can see something new (if you haven't taken him there already) but familiar. It might take off some of the anxiety from travelling to strange places, and eventually you might be able to take him someplace different. Take your kids to Disney, and if you think the autistic child can handle it, go with your husband someplace else at a different time and leave the kids home.
 

jw24

Well-Known Member
Well, coming from a family where I'm the only Disney fanatic in my entire family, I never bring up the discussion of Disney vacations because I know my entire family won't enjoy it. If I did bring up for a possible family vacation, my parents would argue our family has gone enough times and that there's nothing new to see even though I've seen first hand how much the parks have changed year after year. Basically, I've learned there's no point in playing against a stacked deck or in other words, make your argument against people who will not side with you 100 times out of 100. Plus, I really wouldn't want a family vacation with them anyway. As much as I love them, there is just far too much drama that occurs on every family vacation and WDW would bring out the absolute worst for sure. I'll go on solo trips to Disney World for the rest of my life if I have to. Setting your own schedule and not having to compromise or feel being held back by others is a lot of fun.

But in all seriousness, like everyone said, Disney World is not for everyone. Some enjoy it and make trips every year if they can while others don't. You shouldn't force it on because ultimately, everyone's likes and dislikes are solely based on their personal feelings and opinions, not someone else's. Well, I'm not a parent but all I can say is: Try to emphasize that you know your husband's dislike but also say this vacation is not about him, it's all about the children and making them happy. Do not talk in a tone that says, "It's my way or the high way" because that will make it worse but rather say how you and your children would really appreciate if he would come and make it a great experience for all of you. Most importantly, tell him it's ultimately his choice. If he complies, great. But if he really doesn't want to go, don't force him to go and say you will hold no grudges or hard feelings if he says so.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Please do remember that the poster has a child with autism and this impacts vacationing decisions (as well as decisions in every day life!). IMO it's a legitimate, non-selfish reason as she would be willing to go elsewhere, but really can't. So please, suggest something that would put her child first!:)
 

bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
Please do remember that the poster has a child with autism and this impacts vacationing decisions (as well as decisions in every day life!). IMO it's a legitimate, non-selfish reason as she would be willing to go elsewhere, but really can't. So please, suggest something that would put her child first!:)
Except that isn't what she asked... Just sayin'. She also didnt say she wouldn't be willing to go elsewhere, and clearly the family has vacationed other places. Though I again very much sympathize about the added anxiousness of her child. But at the same time, obviously that is also a decision her and her husband made to try elsewhere together. It was a deal they both agreed upon.

I feel with your post like you are suggesting/scolding anyone who says "it's ok for people to not like Disney or not want to go to Disney 14 years in a row" because that suddenly means we didnt think of her child. It's an "I'm holier than thou" approach. But for instance, a really unhappy parent who is tired of Disney and wants a change occasionally might not necessarily be best for the child either. Just one example I can think of for why encouraging continuing to alternate who picks is a good idea, especially with a family member who doesn't enjoy Disney.
 

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