Vacation Wars

It’s that time of year again when a lot of families are hashing out their summer vacation plans. There are many choices:  beach, cruise, amusement and water parks, all-inclusive, maybe even a trip to a foreign country– for most families there is something for everyone.  But what to do when the family cannot come to an agreement?  Or should I say when my husband and I can’t come to an agreement?

I knew when we got married that my husband was a Disney fanatic.  He would go every year if I agreed.  We even went for part of our honeymoon.  He also knew when we got married that I am not, by any means, a fan of Disney World.  I can think of a hundred reasons not to go:  the heat, the lines, the people, the early mornings, the expense….I could go on and on.  I have never denied my husband or kids a trip to Disney; in fact we have been there several times over the years and have experienced it in all kinds of weather and in just about every season.  In fact, I have enjoyed watching my kids experience Disney over and over and again when they were little girls and the whole experience was “magical.”  The last time we visited Disney was November 2013 and when it was all over, I needed a vacation from that vacation.  So I knew it was coming…..I knew it was time for my husband to suggest another Disney trip, and I knew it would be this year.  Needless to say when we started the vacation talk a few months ago the first suggestion he had was, “Lets go to Disney for a few days”…cringe.  My immediate response was, “We can talk about this later,” as I joyfully envisioned myself lying on a beach somewhere in total relaxation listening to the waves crash while enjoying an adult beverage.

I am a beach person – always have been and always will be.  I love everything about it.  My husband…. not so much.  He is not a fan of the lotion and the sand and just laying around doing nothing in general.  Yet somehow we have always managed to agree on how we spend our vacations.  Until this year.  Every time he brings the subject up I’m busy…..doing anything else.  I have avoided this year’s vacation planning like the plague.  I may have even faked mental illness.  I’m hoping if I wait long enough all the rooms in every hotel in Orlando will sell out.  That may sound selfish and I’m not proud of myself, but I just want to relax without a million other people.  I don’t, by any means, expect to win this war (it’s three to one as my kids want to go to Disney too……traitors) but I’m not going down until my feet hit the sand.