How can I convince my dad to come with us??? About This Page:

[SARH7]

Anyone ever had this problem?? How have you overcome it???

Here's the situation. I would really love to take a trip to WDW with both my parents (just mom and I went last year) and possibly my brothers if they can afford it. I know my dad would LOVE the rides and attractions once he got there, but we have the hardest time convincing him to go. He is not a planner type of guy, especially when it comes to vacations. He likes to relax...doesn't like to have to be in a certain place at a certain time...likes to do what he wants to do. And then there's the money aspect. I think he has a hard time justifying the cost for park passes. I don't think he fully understands (even as much as we've shown him pictures and videos) what you're getting when you go to Disney...it's not like going to Six Flags or something! I don't think he understands that it's SOOOO much more than that.

My mom loves Christmas and I am dying to take her to see the decorations at WDW. She was upset that everything was down for our trip, which was Jan 8th-13th of 07. My ideal plan is to go the end of November or first week of Dec of 09 or 10.

[Carousel96]

We can't get my inlaws to commit to going with us, either. My FIL won't go anywhere he's not in total control of his circumstances.
So no advice from here, just that it works out.

[MMMD]

Have your children ask him. That might work. Also show him some of the attractions on Youtube. You might also want to sit down with him and go over his objections one by one and see if you can overcome most of them. Maybe if he can relax at the resort most of the time he might be more inclined to go, for example.

Good luck I know how hard it is to change someones mind if they are adament. You are so right though, if he went he'd realize WDW is not just an amusement park.

[GinaButtrfly]

Does he like to golf? Fish? Maybe some of the "other" stuff that is available will be the thing that gets him going. Maybe certain dining experiences or just lots of relaxing poolside photos? Try a new angle, not just the busy noisy rides and attractions. That'll come later.

[Danielle Harmon]

My dad is the same way. We saved up and took him. Now...he's hooked (hahahahaha...my "evil" plan worked).
I agree with having the grandkids ask him. No granddad is going to give up such a magical time with his grandkids when they are asking. Just amke sure he gets involved (as much as he is comfortable with) with making reservations for hings he'd like to do. I'll bet a fishing trip with the kids would be a magical time for him, or even just sitting by the pool. Try getting him to watch one of the free vacation planning DVDs, that may help...ya have to see it to believe it.

I hope it works out for you, and him. Good luck!

[4Disney2]

My mom is the same way. This is how I got her last time and had a great time!
Try this:
Tell him how important it is for the rest of the family that he comes. Not to worry about park passes etc, just to come and stay in the resort with all of you, you will go his pace and wishes, that much you want him to come. Also, how he can relax in the pool etc. If money is a concern tell him no park passes for him, he can just stay in the resort etc (but once he gets there he would want to come) Tell him that him coming will be the biggest wish coming thru. Hope it works, keep us in the loop! Wish you the best!!!

[saxgirl2003]

my mom and i r having the same problem!!!

My dad is in a wheelchair and cant do most of the rides cause his disabilities,

but i know he would have fun just being with family and my boyfriend would be with us too.

The point of us going is just out the ? to him cause he thinks everyone will laugh at him cause he is there in a wheelchair.

He can do the smooth rides and rides that can have wheelchairs on the boats (jungle cruise).

any advice? does anyone think he wouldnt have a good time cause of being in a wheelchair?

advice please.

[Nova]

saxgirl2003 we took my Dad in a wheelchair his last trip. He was terminal and only lived a month after the trip. Your Dad could ride many rides, not the jungle cruise though. The safarie ride at Animal kingdom you can take a wheel chair right on if necessary they have a special boarding place and all. There are so many wheel chairs down there no one will even notice tell him I promise that. My Dad loved Disney and when I told him that he was terminal he had cancer his first words were I want to go back to Disney one last time. He only live 3 months from the time he was operated on till he passed away. It was a pleasure to push him around in that wheel chair to give him his last wish let me tell you. Tell Dad I said he will be missing out on such a wonderful trip. They have things set up for wheelchairs even the bus system is very good.

[Steph K]

I had the exact same problem with my BF, hes coming with me and my family, i used the negging approach..only joking. His biggest issue was he thought it was just for kids, so i got a couple of his friends who had been to back me up when i said it wasnt, i showed him some of the POV rides that are on youtube as he loves big rides, we are also planning on going to see tampa bay lightning play as hes a huge hockey fan...he really liked the idea of getting to see the american standard of ice hockey...our standard is like childs play in comparrison. Im sure if your dad has any hobbies you will be able to find something and lets face it, anything we can do...disney does better!

hope this helps!

[SARH7]

Thanks for the advice...I like the kid angle!!! I know he would have a hard time telling dd5 that he does not want to go to WDW with her!! LOL!!

[saxgirl2003]

we will try to convince my dad to go.

He has diabetes and has had many surgeries so he can barely walk.

But last yr i had trouble convincing my BF to go too. But when i told him that we were going to Busch and Universal he said "make the ressies". "I wanna go". It was to celebrate my 21st bday.

We want to go in dec to celebrate my mom and dad's 30th anniversary, but he says its impossible.

He has Bipolar so sometimes he wants to go and sometimes he doesnt.

i mean when he is in a good mood he says he would rather disney world over going to the PRICE IS RIGHT.

thanks for the advice. we saw alot of wheelchairs last may when we went.

I just feel that he would have a good time being there with the family.

[janicelovesmickey]

good luck on getting your father to go, and no one would laugh because he is a wheelchair, that would be horrible if ppl did that. Tell him there are lots of people in wheelchairs/evc's etc...
I am always trying to get my mom who is 79 to come with us, even if its for a long weekend, but she wont! Even though she would enjoy Epcot.

[RobDVC]

Tell him about all the magical decorations at the resorts, and all the neat holiday shows.

[4Disney2]

I took my mom (she is 85) and put her in wheel chair. She actually got LOTS of attention and she Loved it. No worries, she enjoyed the shows and things she could do but the best thing was being able to take a family picture with her in it!! I told her who much that meant to me - I recommend to anyone that is planning to go to WDW with anyone with Disabilities to get WDW - Open Mouse - is an excellent book. I am reading it because in November we are going to WDW and DCL with my 85 Yr old Mom. Every month I tell her how much this will mean to us and that I am reading a book that helps me plan and make it comfortable and enjoyable for her. I tell her it will not be the same without her. I hope and pray for all those that are trying to get their loved ones to come with them that it can happen, after all is a ...

Wish that might come true!!!!

[nutterbutter]

I just added my dad into my vacation plans yesterday! So I'll give my input. My dad NEVER goes on "vacation" He suffers from PTSD (he is a Vietnam Vet) and can't handle alot of stress and crowds. I didn't even ask him to go when I planned, I just assumed he wouldn't want to until my son started asking if mamaw AND papaw were going. That made him feel bad, and me too, so I started working my magic. First off, we are staying in PO Riverside. I told him how it was spreadout and quiet and on the river and that there were fishing tours and quiet pools etc. We are also going in Sept, which is low crowds AND I told him my passporter would tell me which restaurants were loud and which were quiet. I also explained that he could do "family" stuff or just hang out at the resort and still not be bored. I explained the transportation system and how if the day got too long or loud, then he wouldn't be ruining anyone's day by hopping on the bus back the to room for some rest. That was the winning point, b/c he said he would love to go as long as he knew that he wouldn't have to run like crazy everywhere! LOL Sometime, you just have to spin the experience to fit the person, and they see it in a different light. I did and I'm going on vacation w/ my dad for the first time ever and I'm 30 years old!