You might have seen the meme that rolls around on social media that states all good relationships need someone who hates pickles and someone else who loves them. I’ve always had a chuckle at this one, as it fits most successful relationships I know of. Agreeing on things makes it a little easier, but what happens when something so near and dear to your heart leaves you on opposite sides of the fence? My husband and I are not equal when it comes to loving Disney. He has just enough to tolerate it all, and I have enough love for both us and others combined. Luckily, our two teenagers landed firmly on my side of this Disney fence, and I have some backup! However, for many years, our travel time was a compromise, and I am going to share with you a few ways that you might help your partner, travel buddy, or significant other to get on board with a little Disney time on your next vacation.
Pitch Your Disney Trip as a Stopover
A specific Disney vacation can be a daunting thing, even for the most dedicated of Disney fans. Unless you have the financial standing to take everyone’s perfect holiday, it might be hard to dedicate all of the vacation funds to something that isn’t for everyone. Try reframing your thinking from a Disney vacation to a Disney stopover on the way to or from a secondary destination that is more your mutual speed. A two-park-day visit to Disneyland on your way in or out of LAX is a great way to get your Disney fix while also planning a more compromised experience in the bigger picture. Don’t forget the international parks as well, as these are often in places that are conveniently located for commercial flight stopovers.
Streamline Your Trip With a Solid Plan
State your case with a solid plan that includes a bit of everything, including some aspects they will enjoy; I’ll get to this in a moment. Having a plan will help the person you want to take to Disney see that you are focused and passionate about your trip and also give them a chance to help shape the final plan to be something you both like, hopefully. If you do choose to go forth with a stopover, make sure to include the whole plan so that they feel buoyed by Disney only being a small part of it. With more of the details in front of them, they might see that there is more fun to be had than just another trip to Disney might sound.
Photo by Héctor Vásquez on Unsplash
Avoid Their Most Disliked Aspects of Disney
If your partner says things like, I just don’t want to sit around and watch parades all day, then do yourself a favor and avoid it. Chances are, you aren’t going to convert your travel buddy into the ultimate Disney lover by forcing them to see and do the things they have no interest in. If it won’t be a deal breaker for you but might make all the difference for them, try skipping the parts of Disney that make them most uncomfortable. When visiting Walt Disney World, if your partner doesn’t want to do the whole castle and princess thing, consider spending your one or two days in a different location like EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Both offer a unique experience that will still tick your Disney box.
Find Ways to Spark Their Interest
The Disney Parks have so much to offer that many people don’t realize how easily you can incorporate other interests into your trip. For instance, if your other half is a hardcore foodie, be sure to pay attention to some of the excellent dining experiences you can enjoy while you are there. Getting them involved in the planning process to look at menus and make reservations will help make them feel included. If they are a golf expert, consider splitting up for a period of time. You get to stay and see that parade, and they can tee off at the same time.
Show Your Appreciation
When someone who loves you can see how much a particular thing means to you, they usually want to go out of their way to help facilitate that. While your partner may not be the most enthusiastic person to experience Disney with, try not to be frustrated with them. Showing up for you is their way of engaging, so be sure to show your appreciation in return. You might need to be the one that provides the energy for this trip and be prepared to return the favor when your other half announces they want to do something unique and exciting that you can’t muster the excitement for.
Those are just a few of the ways that this Disney-lover has managed to compromise on vacation time with her non-Disney-loving husband! What are some of your tips on how to create amicable holiday plans that tick everyone’s boxes?
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
