Why would you go to Disney World with a 9 year old?

[pnelson]

My boss just said this to me. He thinks at 9 years, my son is too old for Disney World. I know he's not, but he bummed me out. Is this my last chance to really enjoy Disney World with my son? I know after this trip, he will be a preteen if and when we ever return. No more characters or Fantasyland rides, no more autographs or cute pictures! I'm really bummed.

[disneyjunkie]

Don't listen to your boss. My son and I took our first trip to WDW last August, he was 9 years old at the time. He LOVED it. He was excited about all of the rides (except TT, RNR, SM, and AI), and enjoyed meeting the characters. One of his favorite things was the pool at the All Star Sports Resort.

"
One of my favorite memories was watching my son play in the fountain between World Showcase and Future World. We were there for over an hour!

I'm planning our second trip for next summer (he'll be 10) and our third trip for Dis Con 2 (he'll be 11). I don't think he or I'll ever be to old for Disney. Of course as he gets older the things he likes about Disney will change, but I'm sure he will still enjoy going.

I've found that when it comes to Disney, some people just don't get it.

[Jordan's MOM]

How sad that your boss feels that way. Don't belive him. My DS (9) is so excited about our trip in one month. I know a lot of that is because his mom is excited but he is still a kid and will be for a long time. Nine is a great age. My DS will ride EVERYTHING, from Dumbo to alien encounter.No strolers, he can sit still in nice resturants,rarely whines! I think nine is the perfect age!Enjoy the trip and your precious child.

Jordan's mom

[ksdave]

I just took my kids (DD, 11 and DS, 9) to USF/IOA and WDW in May. We also had our friends along with their DS, 9, and DD, 2. The three older kids had a blast at both USF/IOA and WDW. The boys probably had the best time at IOA since they love the wild rides, such as Dueling Dragons and Hulk. But, all of them had a blast at the three WDW parks we did, MK, EPCOT and MGM. They also really loved the horseback riding we reserved for them at the Tri-Circle D Ranch and the speedboats we rented at Poly. Both of my kids are still bugging me to take them back ASAP and I expect this will last all through their teen years if they are like their old man :D
I think if you show that you can let go and be a "kid", the real kids will do it too. Don't listen to the old grumps like your boss!!

[dwbakerjr]

Too old...? R U kidding me? We are going down for Christmas with all our kids this year (ages 7, 9, 16, and 23 (with her husband), and everybody is STOKED about the trip. Me? I'm on the downside of 50, and I don't think I'm too old yet...

Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror and Star Tours all rule....

hakuna matata and happy holidays to all....

DB.

p/s How old are you when you quit gasping at the 90 ft tall tree in Wilderness Lodge..?

[cheeringmom]

again in Feb. They are 14 (a VERY mature 14), 12 and 2 yr old. The older kids stod in line for all of the characters and got pics with them. They also loved the character breakfasts. My 12 yr old son "pretended" to be embarrased when was hugged by a character but he loved it. Go and have fun. And no one is topo old for Dumbo!!

[Jenn]

Don't you just hate people with their ignorant opinions?

I have heard the exact same statement except it was:

"Why would you take a baby?"
"Why would you take a 1 year old?"
"Why would you take a 2 year old?"

And so on.... she is 4 and 1/2 now and loved every one of her 7 trips so far. We went with our nephews (ages 9, 11, 13, & 14) in March and they had a ball and want to go back.

Ignore your boss!!!

I'm 30 and I can't get enough of the place!

[Snow Shoe]

A lot of people just don't get it. Age has nothing to do with the Disney Spirit. My son, 21 (yo), and myself were just at VB & WDW this past July. This next July we're all going back....son#1 24 yo and his wife, son #2 21yo, daugther 13yo my wife and myself. You can never get enough Disney!

[RANdisNEY]

I loved Jenn's comment about the questions "Why would you take a baby? 1 year old, etc." I think we've had children of every age at Disney World - 6 weeks to 18 (19 when we celebrate her birthday with dinner at Artist's Point on Christmas Day) and I've always been amazed how "every age" seems just right for the magic.

My youngest is more timid than some and I don't think he'll even be ready for Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, etc. until he's nine!

[dwbakerjr]

I JUST NOW got off the phone with a friend of my boy (another high schooler, age 17) and he and his Grandma (age way-over-17) are going to join us (fortunately we have a 2BR at BWV waiting). I gess they didnt realize that they're both overage......

DB.

[laurenk]

Really, people just don't get it. I have found people either LOVE WDW or don't. We always get"You are going again?" This trip we disscussed other options, but all of us decided to go back to the place we love, yes, again. My twins are 8, and are SO excited to get back. Everytime we go there are things we STILL haven't done or seen.
Have a GREAT trip!!!

[raidermatt]

Since my DS is only 3, I can't speak for him, but I can tell you that there hasn't been an age where I didn't want to go to WDW/DL...

I will say that its POSSIBLE your son MAY be a little less excited about WDW/DL during his teen years. But even if this does happen, it will be a phase. If he has the Magic in him, it will never go away. It will remain so he can pass it to his own children.

[sha_lyn]

I was just talking about this post with my massage thearpist and the receptionist at her office. They both agree anyone who would say what pnelson's boss said has never been to WDW. My best friend hates amusment parks. She will not take her 11yr old DS to any and thinks anyone who does is "dumb". Her aunt uncle and 2 grown cousins stat at FW every winter for 3 weeks and every yr they invite her and her DS to join them. Every yr she will say "he is too young". LOL she really thought I was nuts taking my then 2yr old DD. She was just talking about an ex coworkers of hers whos daughter is taking her 4 and 2 yr olds to WDW. She said "boy won't she be bored since they are too young to ride any of the rides". I just laughed.

[athurstance]

How sad .... for you boss that is. He obviously doesn't understand the disney magic. But that's his loss.
We all know better and my DS aged 9 will be going for the 2nd time this year. He is very excited as is his 7 year old brother. They love Disney.
As for being too old - we are taking both grandparents with us - both are in their 60s and still can't wait to get to Disney. Once the magic gets you....

Have a wonderful trip

Angela

[POOH&PIGLET]

Hey pnelson,
I have a suggestion. Take your boss with you to WDW and show him how wrong he is. :rolleyes:

[pnelson]

These are great replys everyone! They are really making me feel better! I've been a little sad anyways because my son is growing so fast! Everyone is right-People just don't get DW!

[catwho]

There is never a wrong age to go to Disney!!! Heck, my $81 yo grandmother says she wants to go with us next year (if she is still alive) (Her quote not mine but then she has said that for every year since she was 45!) We have taken our kids from the time they were 2 weeks in utero (didn't know it at the time) to current ages of 9, 6, 3. My 9 yo is the most excited. She can do everything this year. No height restrictions. She is so psyched. She loves Epcot, AK, and MK the best! (Oh and in that order)

Obviously, your boss hasn't seen the commercial of the family that is vacationing at WDW and they all are arguing about what to do next and the matriarch of the family steps up and says, "We are doing Tower of Terror!" Has your boss even been to WDW? If so he wouldn't have said that!!!

We too have wondered if we should try something different and then we burst out laughing wondering what instance of insanity we had just had!

You aren't the crazy one, your boss is!

:earsgirl:
45 more days!

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

DD was 8-1/2 and loved it! We didn't want to go when she was younger and wouldn't have any recollection in her own memory other than photographs. Now at 10-1/2 she can't wait to go again (she be 11-1/2 if we go as planned).

BTW. I was 10 on my first trip and 29 on the 2nd- I can't wait to go again either!

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. ........Your boss is an idiot, no, tell him he is uninformed. Unless you have gone five times, 9 is a great age. He/She will enjoy the characters, meals or otherwise. All the great rides, for all ages!! I think your boss needs to "growdown" , rather than growup! WDW is for al ages, if you believe in magic!

[supercarrie]

He will have a wonderful time! Ignore your boss! I am 15, and just went on my first trip in April, but convinced my parents to let us go back the first week in January! I LOVE WDW, and most of my friends that have been there love it too! WDW is a place for almost all ages, and he will most likely enjoy it throughout his teen years also!

[Pooh's Pal]

My DD went the 1st time at 6 with my mother and I.
Her and I went again with a friend of mine and her daughter (they were both 9-great time with the characters also at this age!)
Together we went again at age 10(still into the characters), did a cruise/WDW.
We went with a women I work with and her son, both at age 12 then(not really into the characters dinners etc. but loved the rides& fireworks)
Now we are going again in April and she will be 15 and her friend is going with us will be 16 & both have asked to do 1 character meal with me!??? Go figure! :confused:
Me and two teens! Oh My!
I'm sure your Ds will LOVE WDW!!!! I'm 49 going on 4 and just love it! :D

[ChiTownZee]

I just HATE :mad: when people try to classify who should be going to WDW in age categories!!! I have heard from everyone since DD was 1, why are you taking her, nothing for her to do, and my favorite "SHE WON'T REMEBER IT" That is the most ignorant logic I have ever heard!!! If you apply that to your childs upbringing, just lock them in a closet until their 7, If they're not going to remember it, why bother with holidays, vacations, leaving the house, or hugs and kisses for that matter! BAH on them!
We ALL have enjoyed every trip we've made, and for the record, I DO think she remembers! HA! If all goes as planned a Disney Cruise is coming as well as this years trip to WDW for my DD4! :D :D :D

[DVCajun]

One of the cool things about Disney is that there's something for everyone. If you're not into the characters, you'll love something else.

We just returned from a long weekend with our 9 mo. old DS who LOVED the characters. I'm going to post a topic about it. It's actually his second trip-- we went when he was 2 months old too. I loved both of these trips and wouldn't have considered leaving him behind. The characters really seem to get a kick out of babies and it was just a blast to show him off! :)

Of course, we hear the same thing that everyone else does-- "Isn't he too young?" "Didn't you just go there 6 months ago??" :) We ignore them.

You're never too old for Disney. It's MAGIC!!!!

Enjoy your trip!

[babytrey2000]

It sounds as if your boss just wants you to stay and work, not got to WDW. Either that or he is in need of professional help. Your 9 year old will truly love WDW with you! It will be one of those special memories throughout his life. You boss has hidden motives for being such a jerk, maybe he never got to go to WDW as a kid. Who knows? Bottom line-take your kid!!

[Carl]

but that is not too unusual. You'd be surprised how many people think that WDW is just like one of those little carnivals that come to the shopping centers. Come to think of it, though, 9 year olds and even teenagers love those too. Ask your boss what he really thinks goes on at WDW. There is something there for all ages.

[tinkerbell1967]

Go and enjoy!! My daughter is going to be 12 and still enjoys everything about Disney, even the characters. Heck, so do I and I'm 34!!

[WDWfanatic288]

OMG!

I took my FIRST trip when i was 9...and look at me! 15 and the most disney obsessed person in my family!(probably one of the most here on DIS...im a big one!)
like I went to Innoventions and the CM saw my email addy was WDWfanatic....... and started doing trivia I answered them like that(what does EPCOT stand for? HOw many bricks are in the castle? what was Cindys oringial name?0then he went to all the short cartoon questions b/c I dunno those...LOL


my bro is going to be 10 soon and has already said hes not doing Kid-cot(I am! :D) we stopped autograph books(can only do that for 5 years b4 it gets old)but he still loves disney...he cries everytime we leave

[MinnieGi]

I have to agree w/ everybody here - I bet you DS will love WDW at 9 and beyond. WDW has something special for every age and every trip. He may not be wild about the characters and autographs but then again he might!! I know as a school teacher of 9 and 10 year olds any kid who has a trip coming up to WDW is envied by the class!!

Go and have fun and bring some pics back for your boss of your DS smiling away at WDW!!!!!

[tink2dw]

My Dd 14yrs old,after watching me light up and laugh and joke with Mickey,said"I guess you can be ANY age and have fun!!" BINGO!! Life Lesson Learned!!!

[vicb]

The real question is "why WOULDN'T you go to Disney with a nine yr.old???????"

I am in four weeks and can't wait!:D

[LeahA]

I think Disney changes for different age groups. I think when the children are little they are fascinated with the charachters of their favorite movies, when they are a little older, I think they get fascinated with the rides. When they are teenagers I think they like hanging out, meeting other kids, doing some of the more daring rides, etc...

When they are adults, like us, they just like going, because it's a fun place to get away from it all!