To feel frustrated at my DH reaction to paid for holiday?

[Nala1982]

A relative of ours has won some money and paid for all the family to go to Florida. The family is so appreciative and excited all apart from DH. Despite the fact that it is our kid's dream holiday, DH says it is not his idea of a holiday and would we mind if he spent 50% alone away from the disney/water park bullshit we are planning. Yes, I do mind because this family member has paid for us to go and it's cost thousands - and also because I will need him to help me keep an eye on the 2 DC's.

His lack of enthusiasm is actually embarrassing me. The family member who paid has already mentioned that he does not seem interested at all. DH says he appreciates the thought but he would much rather do a cheap holiday to Spain. I am mortified.

Wow, ungrateful much? How terrible that someone else wants to treat his family to a holiday, how awful that it isn't exactly what he wants to do on his holiday, how dare anyone suggest he should be respectful and at least try to get into the spirit. After all, he might actually enjoy himself. 🙄

The idea of spending a week in a Disney park doesn't appeal to me. Nor would a cheap week in Spain. But if someone wanted to spend their hard earned cash on a holiday my child would really enjoy, then I'd thank them and go along, and set aside my "oh god I hate this" feelings and find the enjoyment in it.

If I were the OP and my husband was being arsey about it, I'd leave him at home. He can enjoy his cheap week in Spain himself.

60% of two weeks? So 8 days in Disney etc?

Wow he is SO not being unreasonable. 4 days is plenty.

Yes you can do Disney in 4 days, but there are lots of other parks which I think are better than Disney. Universal Studios is great and Seaworld was wonderful before the Black Fish documentary made it somewhere to avoid. The water parks are relaxing and great fun for everyone. I would say that spending 60% of the days in the parks and various activities is about right for 2 weeks and a first visit to Florida. Plenty of time for doing other stuff too.

Looking forward to those saying he is being a brat etc saying the same next time there is a thread about going away with in laws....

Cool I didn't always get along with my in laws but actually it's the holidays that brought us closer together. I'm not saying that this would occur with other people but I certainly didn't expect to enjoy my time away with them as much as I did. Especially since having kids who love spending time together. It can't be so bad for the OPs husband since he initially agreed to go without protest.

I thought I wasn't a Disney type of person but after some research, I've found that there really is something every person can enjoy there, if they try to enjoy their time there. But I'm not one who thinks everyone must spend all time together so hopefully it won't create a big fuss if he doesn't go along with everything.

Some things you do for the kids and Disney is one of them.

I agree. The kids love Disney, so we go.

Among theme parks, Disney is the best.

If it's a big extended family thing then how about sharing the childcare a bit so ALL the adults get time doing their own thing.

That's a smart suggestion cravingdairy

YANBU to feel frustrated. However, I think you can acknowledge that it's his idea of hell, and manage to let him not go into the parks on some days.
How lovely for you and the dc though

He's being a selfish git. I loathe Legoland with the heat of a thousand burning suns, but DS absolutely loves it, so my mother bought him an annual pass and we take him several times a year (annual pass costs less than two visits, btw, if anyone else wants to feel my pain!).

A lot of the side aspects of parenting are fucking boring. You do it because you are the parent. Nappy changes and night waking aren't exactly scintillating, either. Why the hell should he get to pool laze while you herd cats in Disney? And given it's even being paid for, his rudeness is breathtaking. What does he think he is, the adolescent son?

My family never had "Disney" money, our holidays used to fit in say water parks/petting zoos/safari park along with tank museums for dad and shopping for mum, which seems fair enough to me. Isn't that all your DH wants? Some of the stuff he wants to do could be good fun for the kids, just different to Disney.

DS wanted to do some rides together and I'd never been on a roller coaster so we had a family day out at Thorpe Park I think it was, or maybe Alton Towers?
We had a good day out and the DC loved it, but one day was enough for me!
We also had fun on a day out to a water park in Mallorja one year.

I thought I wasn't a Disney type of person but after some research, I've found that there really is something every person can enjoy there

I have been. I really enjoyed it. My DH on the other hand...

Blurry Everything you've mentioned is available at Disney... bar the tank museum, I assume . Yes it's the romantic, less authentic version, but they are there.

OP why did he say yes the holiday initially?

Did he not think it through before he accepted the offer?

cool yeah it's not for everyone, I agree. But I just hate how people initially dismiss it before trying!

Okay I've said enough on this thread, I'm out... before I'm accused of being a Disney rep or summink

Is Disney really the pinnacle experience of a childhood, it wouldn't even be in my top 25. That's seems to be the depressing success of massive companies brainwashing advertising.

You will be happy, even if you don't like it and it makes you miserable

I'll come with you! That would be my dream holiday!! I love Disney! Lol. I can understand your DH moaning at you a little but it comes off a bit rude that he is making it so obvious, he has obviously married in to your family, if my OH was so painfully rude to my family trying to do what they think is something nice for him, I would be fuming! They obviously didn't intend it to upset him. He sounds a bit selfish. I agree with some of the other posters, though, how about planning a few trips out of the parks, if it was me I would definitely want to visit New Orleans while I was there and Miami. I hope it gets worked out for you. X

Short of the weirdos people who get married at Disney and wear Minnie ears etc, I think it's safe to say that most adults are not the most natural Disney people. It's just another parental sacrifice.

That said, Disney does theme parks very, very well and it's not nearly as horrible as you might think - for example, if you're very organised you get the queue assignment first thing in the morning, you can actually ride all the famous rides. And not queue all day.

It is true that other adults will be there. What if he gives up his place and you take a good friend instead?

The one fact here is that it's the height of rudeness to accept what individually amounts to hundreds of pounds worth of holiday as a gift and then fuck off, or be there but clearly under sufferance.

I would not choose a Disney holiday, but if I'd been invited to one, and paid for and my DS wanted to go, I would go and suck it up. There will be something there for me to enjoy, even if it wouldn't be my first choice. Worst case scenario is that I read a book or (god forbid) talk to my relatives.

Your DH is essentially saying he'd like to duck out of the holiday he's been invited on, and get your family member to pay for a different holiday, one which DH would enjoy. That's not on. If DH doesn't want to go, he should withdraw, and you can use his place to pay for some babysitting help at Disney, or take someone else who is willing to muck in.

Poor, poor man.

How much choice did your DH really have OP? Was it a case of you come on this holiday or you dont get a family holiday because quite honestly that is what it sounds like.

I would be extremely unhappy to waste 2 weeks of leave on something like this.

OP. Are you in an onsite disney hotel? I'd assumed villa for a large group but then you mention hotel pool. If you are at a disney resort coming and going and everyone able to do their own thing will be so much easier as you can use the free disney transport (boat/monorail/bus)

What does your DH like doing? There is honestly a whole range of things not just rides. Like someone else has mentioned if you are there in Autumn there is a food and wine festival with chef demonstrations, food and drink to sample from around the world and nightly concerts from bands you have heard of. There are various water sports, behind the scenes tours eg there is one about gardening, some lovely signature restaurants if he is a foodie. Fireworks (is he into photography?)

disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/