How to keep husband happy at WDW?

[Jacquellie]

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.

 

[Jacquellie]

Celtic music: There is a fun band that plays in Epcot called Off Kilter. You two can dance and enjoy the bagpipes.

Restaurants - The food quality is best at the signature places like Citricos and Jiko, but I fear that he may find them a bit stuffy for his taste. I would recommend Sanaa and Marrakesh for spicy, non-stuffy eating.

The hotels around the Boardwalk/Beach Club hotels have surrey bikes you can rent. You can put your daughter in the back of those.

They also have boat rentals in that area.

There is a dueling piano bar called Jellyrolls. If you get a Disney sitter for the night, you two can go (21 and over only) and sing along to great music. The deluxe hotels have a babysitting service.

You can meet Marie from the Aristocats in the France pavilion in Epcot.

Go in September or February for the lowest crowds and better prices. If he doesn't have to wait in lines, he will like it more.

Buy a copy of the unofficial guide and read it yourself to see what else might appeal to him. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unofficial-Guide-Disney-World-Guide/dp/1628090006/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375288306&sr=8-1&keywords=unofficial guide to walt disney world 2014

Wow! Fantastic! This is a great help - that really is stuff he would love. Am welling up because I'm touched by the time and thought you have put in to helping me. And, good old WDW, it really does have something for everyone. Thanks so much x

 

[Mukta]

I'm happy to help! I just want people to love my beloved place as much as I do.

 

[Jacquellie]

Well, as long as you don't stay at the Grand Floridian, or eat at Victoria & Alberts, Citricos, or Narcoosees, then you should be fine RE the poshness. Plenty of slower non-thrill rides, especially good for your daughter as well. Going during the slower season of maybe September, or early December can help with crowds, pushing and heat (and December you can see Christmas decor!) As far as corporate and capitalism, maybe try camping at Fort Wilderness?

Smart cookie. Thanks. Hmmmm same thought occurred to me about FW cabins. I'm set on AKL but actually, the cabins might really do the trick.... Will think. Ta x

 

[Jacquellie]

I converted my ex-fiancé. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge which dazed him at first sight. On the first full day we went to MK, I thought the magic would grab him, and while it was a nice experience his response was, "eh, I could do this once every ten years." Then on the second day, we went to AK, and he said, "I could come back here in five years." Then on the third day at HS he said, "A good place to visit every other year, maybe." Then at EPCOT on the fourth day, having a frosty beer he said, "I would do this again next year!" and then....I took him golfing at one of the gorgeous courses at WDW and he said, "WHEN ARE WE COMING BACK?" He was hooked. He learned that Disney wasn't just the Magic Kingdom Park as some confuse it to be, but realized, it is a whole world. We went back to MK on the sixth day, where he became child-like and he finally found the magic. Sure golfing helped him relax too.

Hurrah! Am so happy for you and your success story - that's sooo what I'm hoping for!

 

[Jacquellie]

My husband would never go to Disney! He goes because he knows it makes me happy. He would rather stay home and sleep in front of the TV on the recliner. He will admit once he gets there he has a good time. I try to plan things I know he will like. Staying at the resort he likes, and eating where he likes. I also plan no park days to just relax around the resort and pool. What really helped was this year I bought him a scooter that fits in our trunk of the car. No more worries of getting a painful knee or back from all the walking! He now doesn't dread the trip so much!

Aha, aha, a scooter .... Am writing this down. X

 

[Jacquellie]

You guys are making this way too complicated. Just ask your husband to bend over and pull the stick out of his you know what!

In all seriousness and I might make some people mad but that's okay; Disney is meant for people who know how to let loose and get in touch with their inner child. The more child like the person can be, the better time they will have, whether it be in the parks or doing some other activities at the resort.

My wife wasn't all that thrilled about staying onsite and going to Disney prior to our first family trip with our boys 3 years ago. 3 years later and we will have done 3 week long trips (1 each year) and we are set for a Disney Cruise next year. I wasn't overly worried about her to begin with because I knew that she loved to play with our boys and would get down to their level (childlike), she just didn't understand the draw to Disney. Once we did our first trip, she was sold and has even stated to many of our friends that she doesn't understand why some people refuse to go or refuse to stay onsite for that matter. She loves being fully immersed by it all.

If your husband knows how to let loose and be a kid when its time he'll do great, if not, good luck but he may never crack. Don't mean to be the "Debbie Downer" but I just want to make sure that you know that some people, no matter how hard you try, will never be into the Disney magic. I wish you and your family the best of luck.

You're right of course, maybe he won't ever get it. Maybe I should call that plan b and get mentally prepared to be disappointed but not let it ruin my fun. But you reminded me - four years ago when we were courting, we played hide and seek in the park and he chased me with a branch. He was 45 then... He says that was our best times - when we were "playful" - his word. I shall use that word to try to remind him how young he can be... Thanks for your wisdom. X

 

[real mad hatter]

BEER

Put down the beer and stand back..You've already had a beer( #10 )

 

[jaklgreen]

When we first got married my hubby had never been and was not interested in going. He is not a fan of roller coasters and thought like most people who have never been that WDW is like a six flags. Well he know I loved it so much and went with me because he loved me and wanted me to be happy. He ended up really liking WDW and we have gone almost yearly for 17 years. Now that we have kids there are times where he is unable to go with us due to work or just wants to skip a trip, that is ok. My kids and I have gone without him and I take an annual trip by myself every Oct for the food and wine fest. Any spouse that can't put their personal feelings aside for a week to make their wife/hubby happy every once in a while is kind of a jerk.

 

[armyfamilyof5]

Looking at the title... Well, I know one way . I am now going to completely shut my mouth .

Shame on you Trotsky! One thing that might work in your favor is that you tell him it will make you really happy and when mama's happy everyone's happy! There are a lot of adult activities for him to pick from, there is also a Richard Petty driving experience if he's into that sort of thing, many excellent golf courses and more fine dining establishments than you would be able to enjoy in one trip. My husband enjoys his evenings in the hot tub with an adult beverage after a busy day and he most enjoys the children (and me) being so happy.

 

[smk]

My husband would never go to Disney! He goes because he knows it makes me happy. He would rather stay home and sleep in front of the TV on the recliner. He will admit once he gets there he has a good time. I try to plan things I know he will like. Staying at the resort he likes, and eating where he likes. I also plan no park days to just relax around the resort and pool. What really helped was this year I bought him a scooter that fits in our trunk of the car. No more worries of getting a painful knee or back from all the walking! He now doesn't dread the trip so much!

Ditto for my husband the first couple of times we went. I felt like I was dragging him there. Then we had kids and took them and he has been hooked ever since. This trip is all his, he is planning when and where we go, he is like an expert now. He plans down days, we swim and relax, and most of the days he plans revolve around MK and Epcot, so we never go commando style, that helps us both have a relaxing vacation.

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

Looking at the title... Well, I know one way . I am now going to completely shut my mouth .

Right??!?!? That's the first thing I thought of too!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Let him pick some restaurants, if he enjoys relaxing at the pool plan to do a lot of that. Maybe you could rent a car for the day and go somewhere off Disney property like Cocoa Beach, Sea World, Clearwater Beach, or Kennedy Space Center.

I guess I'm lucky my hubby loves Disney too, he is happy as long as I let him ride the Jungle Cruise as much as he wants!

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Put down the beer and stand back..You've already had a beer( #10 )

Everyone keeps forgetting the Brat

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Ach Lassie!... I bet your fae Fife...LOL... 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 ".. 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.. 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."

 

[KCheatle]

When we went in 2008, my DH was of the same mentality. I grew up going to WDW every summer, so it was programmed into me from a young age but he was super skeptical. After like literally 24 hours in WDW, he fell in love. The same exact story with my Sister-in-law. My brother loves Disney and she was super skeptical, but now she is equally as obsessed as my brother and I. My DH still questions the money we spend on these trips, but the second we get to the airport, he's in total Disney mode and loves every second of the trip. In fact, he usually spends more on souvenirs than anyone in the family: Mickey socks, boxers, undershirts, dishes, pillows, ... you name it, he'll buy it! Try and just get him there - and, really, get him to the Wishes/fireworks show. If he gets through that without falling in love, I'd be shocked!

 

[jim1051]

A couple things you have to do. Stay on property in as high a resort as you can handle. Either do a diningplan or save enough money so that is not an issue. Do a tour that shows some of the behind the scenes tech stuff so he can see how they accomplish the things they do. maybe golf, fishing or, parasailing ?Get a baby sitter one evening and have adult nite.

We first went in 1983 when our kids were young. I planned the trip because I hate amusement parks but we had to take the kids to WDW. LOL. When we were leaving that first time I said to my wife "when are we coming back?" Now we have 4 grand kids, belong to DVC and have been 20+ times.
5 times just my wife and I. If none of those ideas work just tell him to suck it up and go for the family.

 

[ILDisneyFan]

Let me know how it works out for you, I could use a few tips! I'm 33 and my boyfriend of 7 months who is 37 says, "Disney is stupid and it isn't his cup of tea." He knows that I LOVE Disney and he knew that I LOVED Disney before we started dating, did he think that once we started dating I'd like completely forget that Walt Disney World existed? WRONG! I'll invite him to come with us but if he doesn't want to go it's his loss, I'll go with my parents because they love Disney as much as I do! I just don't understand though how you can say that you don't like something if you've NEVER been there and I just wish he would give it a chance. He doesn't really express any interest to ever go anywhere which kind of worries me a little because I've been going on vacations every year since I was a little kid so it's normal for me. Well, enough about my problems, good luck to you and I hope you get your husband to enjoy Disney as much as you do!

 

[hull327]

Let's see. How can a wife keep a husband happy for a week...?

 

[real mad hatter]

Let's see. How can a wife keep a husband happy for a week...?

 

[Mr Toad]

Sorry..But I disagree..If he's never been,how does he know he won't like it..When my little darling asked me in 2004..I wasn't exactly jumping over the moon,especially when I saw how much it was going to cost us..A bit like food,you don't know if you'll like it till you taste it..Thats what happened to me..Now WDW is my favourite meal. I'd have it for breakfast,lunch,dinner,and supper.

Oh to be sure there are converts...just don't be too disappointed if he still doest like WDW...yes, some people just aren't fans and never will be.