How I Got My Grumpy Soldier to Love Disney

Our DisneyAddiction Began as Vacations for the Kids

My husband and I have 3 kids, and like a lot of other parents we wanted to give our kids the happy memories that can only be found at the most magical place on earth. After the first trip, I was hooked! Of course, our son, the only child at the time, had a great time, but it was me who found my new happy place.

I found Walt Disney World to be a magical escape from reality where I could just let loose and have fun! In Disney I get to not only enjoy my children, I get to essentially become one of them. Disney got me hook, line, and sinker, and I have the collection of ears to prove it! My husband, however, was not exactly sold…

That hard candy shell that the Army built up on his exterior was just not sold on the magic. He appreciated the joy that Walt Disney World brought to me and his kids, but he was just along for the ride. Maybe it’s because I am annoyingly persistent, but over time I noticed things starting to change.

The Start

It started slowly with the parades. He insisted that “the kids” had to see it. Yeah, not buying it, buddy. Then he started joining in our queue games finding the easter eggs, especially in Haunted Mansion. The big winner ultimately was the food. My husband follows that old cliche about men finding love through their stomachs.

Then, one day while sitting at home discussing the next family vacation I suggested something different for vacation to make him happy. But he said that he wanted to go to Walt Disney World!

*Cue my shock, awe, surprise, and subsequent celebration*

I knew it! He admitted to “liking” Walt Disney World, but I knew it was more than that.

The Finish Line…

While he was on deployment I busted him!

We share a YouTube account and I noticed that someone was watching Disney Vlogs without me. It was him! Busted!

As a military family, we don’t get much time to ourselves, so for each Disney vacation we purchase the 4 day Disney Military Salute Tickets for our children and 5 day Disney Military Salute Tickets for ourselves to enjoy an adult-only Disney day!

Disney Armed Forces Salute Information

Be sure to check back for a future article on how to have a Disney Date Day during your Disney vacation!

Now, the two of us plan the vacations together and the kids are just along for the ride! We’re picking restaurants to try and experiences for us to enjoy along with our kids.

The military trains our men and women to be skeptical of everything, and tends to breed a cynicism that makes it hard to enjoy such a pure place like Walt Disney World. Here’s my message to everyone – Give yourself permission to be happy. Skip down Main Street USA! Wear the ears! Walt Disney World isn’t just for kids. Members of the military know better than everyone that the world can be a very ugly place. Disney is a happy escape from that!

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• Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
• The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide 
• Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist 
• Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide

• Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
• Dining Overview Page
• Transportation Overview Page
• Technology Overview Page
• Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort