How to keep husband happy at WDW?

Jacquellie

Member
My husband doesn't want to go to disney. He's too serious and political - he's somehow against it because it's big business and fake. He has never been. he sees pics and i know he just sees mickey mouse and thinks its all just for kids. I ADORE Disney and am desperate to go back. I think it's really romantic and imagine us with our wee baby girl at AKL, relaxing, eating and having fun. Anyone got advice for pleasing a grumpy old stick in the mud? I actually think his problems are deep seated - I think he's somehow afraid of letting go and also guilty because no one he knows can afford to do something so fancy. We can't really, we live in Scotland, but I'm saving up like mad.
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Promise to take him to Rose and Crown every day?
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SMS55

Well-Known Member
I agree with Mouse. Find something adult that he likes. Fishing, golf, drinking, etc. Let him do some of that. Part of it will require you to just convince him to go with an open mind. You have to convince him it's not targeted at kids but at families. If he gives it a chance he'll have a great time. He'll escape all the drama and b.s. of daily life while he's there. If money is a problem consider a moderate or value resort too. Save some money there especially if you don't plan to be at the resort much.
 
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real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
My husband doesn't want to go to disney. He's too serious and political - he's somehow against it because it's big business and fake. He has never been. he sees pics and i know he just sees mickey mouse and thinks its all just for kids. I ADORE Disney and am desperate to go back. I think it's really romantic and imagine us with our wee baby girl at AKL, relaxing, eating and having fun. Anyone got advice for pleasing a grumpy old stick in the mud? I actually think his problems are deep seated - I think he's somehow afraid of letting go and also guilty because no one he knows can afford to do something so fancy. We can't really, we live in Scotland, but I'm saving up like mad.
Ach Lassie!... I bet your fae Fife...LOL...:joyfull: Lets get serious here..Up until 2004,we had been to most of Europe. From Spain to Italy,most of the Greek islands,( got married in Crete ) Turkey,Malta,etc..As far as USA,well New York and California and Las Vegas..Then one day,my beloved wife looked me in the eyes,and said," Lets go to WDW "..:eek: Whit!!! " Are you crazy " Well in 2004,we packed our cases,along with our,then, 6 year old son and had the most magical time we've ever had..The rest is history..2012 was our 5th vacation.Our next,all going well,will be 2015.. So what converted me.?.. Was it meeting the characters.Nope..Was it the rides..Nope..Was it the sunshine..Nope..Well what the hell was it,I hear you ask..:mad: You wanna know something..I don't know.Ive been bitten and smitten by a fairy and hypnotised by her pixie dust..Tell your hubby to give it a try,but beware...Ive yet to recommend it to a friend who hasn't come back and said " Damn you,Mr Hatter.I loved it.":happy:
 
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Mukta

Well-Known Member
This sounds like a project for @real mad hatter !

Welcome to the boards! My suggestion, fit in something grown up that he may really enjoy, that you would be shocked (SHOCKED!) to find at Disney. Dinner at Boma? Time on a boat? Fishing excursion? Drinks around the world? Think about what he enjoys, and chances are, they have something there.
This is great advice. I took my Mom to WDW. She doesn't like rides or theme parks. I had to tailor the trip to stuff she enjoys.
 
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Jacquellie

Member
Original Poster
This sounds like a project for @real mad hatter !

Welcome to the boards! My suggestion, fit in something grown up that he may really enjoy, that you would be shocked (SHOCKED!) to find at Disney. Dinner at Boma? Time on a boat? Fishing excursion? Drinks around the world? Think about what he enjoys, and chances are, they have something there.
Great advice. Thanks x
 
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Jacquellie

Member
Original Poster
Ach Lassie!... I bet your fae Fife...LOL...:joyfull: Lets get serious here..Up until 2004,we had been to most of Europe. From Spain to Italy,most of the Greek islands,( got married in Crete ) Turkey,Malta,etc..As far as USA,well New York and California and Las Vegas..Then one day,my beloved wife looked me in the eyes,and said," Lets go to WDW "..:eek: Whit!!! " Are you crazy " Well in 2004,we packed our cases,along with our,then, 6 year old son and had the most magical time we've ever had..The rest is history..2012 was our 5th vacation.Our next,all going well,will be 2015.. So what converted me.?.. Was it meeting the characters.Nope..Was it the rides..Nope..Was it the sunshine..Nope..Well what the hell was it,I hear you ask..:mad: You wanna know something..I don't know.Ive been bitten and smitten by a fairy and hypnotised by her pixie dust..Tell your hubby to give it a try,but beware...Ive yet to recommend it to a friend who hasn't come back and said " Damn you,Mr Hatter.I loved it.":happy:
Actually got a lump in my throat when I read your reply. That sounds so magical. That's what I hope for him, that he will get bitten by pixie dust. I suppose I showed him The Highlands and he fell in love with Scotland - and moved here - must have been bitten by a pixie midge! I'll put my faith in the faeries! X
 
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real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
Actually got a lump in my throat when I read your reply. That sounds so magical. That's what I hope for him, that he will get bitten by pixie dust. I suppose I showed him The Highlands and he fell in love with Scotland - and moved here - must have been bitten by a pixie midge! I'll put my faith in the faeries! X
May I quote two Disney sayings that I love.." Only those who are willing to see the magic,will find the magic." ..and " They are to types of people in Disney World.Those who get it,and those who don't.":happy:
 
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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
:DI agree with @vitani88 :D My DH likes, but does not love WDW, yet when I throw in things like - drinking around the monorail resorts, around the Epcot countries, etc.- he gets this gleam in his eyes ;) Still, it's not always practical to make a full day or evening of that when our girls are with us...so I try really hard to pick dining I think will help sway things in my favor.

Something else to consider is how he interacts with your daughter. Mind you- my husband was never anti-Disney and enjoys the freedom to go in and act like a big kid- so I didn't have as much ground to cover...but the girls and their Disney experiences kind of lure him into the magic a lot more and make him receptive to so much more of it. So, I wouldn't shy away from things like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table, etc. --- IF --- you think seeing his daughter beyond happy and experiencing it with her could possibly turn his opinion.

ex. here's my DH playing the role of Royal Nail Dryer at BBB. You'd NEVER catch him doing anything like this at home...but at Disney...all is good! :happy:
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zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
Serious and political, I'm a 60+ year old retired Army officer who my family describes as right of Attila the hun and I love Disney, My DW doesn't love it as much as me, and has to be forced to go, until we get there that is, then it hits her and she feels the magic too. Go if he doesn't feel the magic ditch him in a bar and go and enjoy your vacation.
 
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JCtheparrothead

Well-Known Member
I have the same issue coming up with a very good friend of mine that is coming down with his son (first time) and his wife (second time). And then there is us (499th time...I wish). He is a cynic, straight shooter, uptight, and a list of other issues and I took his visit as a challenge. The thing I find with all the people the come visit us for the first time n WDW is that overwhelming them does not help. You love the world because you have been there before but don't make their first time their last. Commando assault on the disney parks is fun...don't do that with a first timer (unless they beg you by the third day). Everyone on here is right. What does he like to do on other vacations. Let him help plan and get him involved and it will help out. Don't go to magic kingdom on Christmas Day and stay away from small world until the 4 th or 5 th day and you should be alright.

As for me well I have an uphill battle. My buddy's wife told him he was coming whether he likes it or not. I know that he has a fun side and I will use the best weapon i can get a hold of to pull that out of him....seven dwarves and their sharp pic axes. No really it's beer. And booze. But mostly beer.

Good luck on unleashing the inner child. We all have it in us, sometimes it just needs to be released again.
 
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JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Looking at the title... Well, I know one way :). I am now going to completely shut my mouth :).
Or threaten him in the other direction... I WON'T make him happy unless we go to Disney!!;)
But like others said, make ADR's at places you know he would love to eat at. Does he like driving? Arrange a Richard Petty driving experience. Something else that involves his hobby? Or add a side trip for him off property to something else that he might enjoy, ( Kennedy Space Ctr for ex. ) You'll get your major time Disney and he will get something else. Tailor the trip to get him hooked but definitely dont hurt your chances to enjoy the trip by trying to please only him, especially since you are traveling so far and the return trips might be far between.
 
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Jacquellie

Member
Original Poster
:DI agree with @vitani88 :D My DH likes, but does not love WDW, yet when I throw in things like - drinking around the monorail resorts, around the Epcot countries, etc.- he gets this gleam in his eyes ;) Still, it's not always practical to make a full day or evening of that when our girls are with us...so I try really hard to pick dining I think will help sway things in my favor.

Something else to consider is how he interacts with your daughter. Mind you- my husband was never anti-Disney and enjoys the freedom to go in and act like a big kid- so I didn't have as much ground to cover...but the girls and their Disney experiences kind of lure him into the magic a lot more and make him receptive to so much more of it. So, I wouldn't shy away from things like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table, etc. --- IF --- you think seeing his daughter beyond happy and experiencing it with her could possibly turn his opinion.

ex. here's my DH playing the role of Royal Nail Dryer at BBB. You'd NEVER catch him doing anything like this at home...but at Disney...all is good! :happy:
5674743308_d85fbb49f5.jpg
Inspired reply, thanks. He adores our daughter. And she loves Minnie Mouse. She'll be nearly 3 when we go. She'll look gorgeous in a costume so I'll get her one soon as we land to set the mood. Great stuff.thanks.
 
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Jacquellie

Member
Original Poster
Serious and political, I'm a 60+ year old retired Army officer who my family describes as right of Attila the hun and I love Disney, My DW doesn't love it as much as me, and has to be forced to go, until we get there that is, then it hits her and she feels the magic too. Go if he doesn't feel the magic ditch him in a bar and go and enjoy your vacation.
Very encouraging reply! Am starting to believe the magic might just work on him after all. X
 
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