If you've been in DVC for years...

[flipflopmom]

Does Disney hold the same magic, especially for your older kids? This has been on my mind so much since we made our decision to buy in. Our kids are 2 and 9, and thankfully, they GOT IT. Our 9 year old's best friend came back from her first trip a month before our trip and they had a great time, but I doubt they'll go back anytime soon. The parents said it was a lot of fun, and they were glad they had gone, but you could hear the "but" in their voices. We came back saying it was the best week of our lives! Our oldest talked about experiences, their kids talked about rides. I know you guys know what I mean what I say we got the magic.

I wonder how going every year will affect that. Granted, our daughter says she never wants our week in a beach house again, she wants Disney, and I know our 2 year old will be thrilled for years, Dh and I will go with or without them, but I kind of worry that once she hits the too cool for school teen years she'll have a change of heart..... She started off complaining about eating with the Princesses, changed her mind during planning, and during the trip, the photos don't lie. Her eyes were as lit up as the 2 year old.

Thanks for reading this wordy post! Any input is appreciated!:hug:

[KPH500]

We've only been members for just under a year but still have gone to WDW quite frequently in the past.

Our youngest son is 12 ... guesstimating he's been to WDW eight times, most recently last month. He totally 'gets it'. While some people see WDW as an amusement park, those of us that get it realize that couldn't be further from the truth. Our trips have changed very much over the years from chasing down Buzz & Woody at MGM (hey, it was still called MGM back then) to a more laid back approach.

For example, Typhoon Lagoon takes the place of Mickey's Toontown, parasailing over Bay Lake instead of standing in line for character meet & greets, dinners at places like Fulton's or Tutto Italia have taken the place of grabbing something quick on the fly from Pecos Bills.

If you adapt and change your vacation style as your kids grow and change I don't think you'll have a problem.

Just my two cents. :)

[Chuck S]

I grew up near Disneyland, and went several times a year as long as I can remember. It never "got old" for me.

[cj9200]

We joined in 1996 so it has been a while. The magic is still there and we always look forward to our trips. Saying that, the way we tour the parks has changed. I let our annual passes expire and the last two trips were focused on other things. The most recent trip we only spent two days (out of seven) going to parks. Still had a great time.

[GGOOFY1]

We have been members since '93 and my kids still get it. They are looking forward to our next trip "home" There was a time there while DD and young DS were involved in High School activities (cheerleading, skating, baseball, hockey and friends), that consumed their summer that they lost interest. :confused3 But, when we had a baseball tournament at Wide World of Sports, and they starting running around the world with their friends that the interest was renewed:worship: Last summer we had a GV at OKW and DS brought 6 of his friends for their HS graduation. Now they keep bugging me to go back:woohoo:
So even though they are lead off track :scared1:, they will come "home" again!!!:love:

[Granny]

My daughters are now 20 & 18 years old, and still look forward to our WDW trips. Clearly though, it is a different type of anticipation as they now look forward to it in a similar way that they would look forward to any trip. But honestly I'd say that yes, the magic does wear off a bit for them.

Like others on this thread, we tour the parks less each year. We enjoy the resorts and the other non-park amenities of the area.

My guess is that we have built some great memories for my daughters, and they will "rediscover" the magic when they have children of their own and can see WDW anew through their excited eyes.

[BeccaG]

I grew up near Disneyland, and went several times a year as long as I can remember. It never "got old" for me.

For what its worth, I also grew up near Disneyland. Got my first pass in high school because my friends had passes, none of them Disney enthusiasts like myself, but because it was a fun outing. In college I was a cast member at the park, I then honeymooned in WDW and took my family back as DVC members in 2007. When I took a few days "away" before our youngest was born, we spent our time at Dinseyland. So I guess, to answer the OPs question, Walt's parks can maintain their magic for your kids as they grow older, but as others have said, it kinda depends on the kid!!

[DeeCee735]

We've been members since 2000 and have gone up to 3 times in a 12 month period. My kids are 20 (twins). My DH really doesn't like to fly, so we've been driving down once a year as a family, up until last January, when we finally got the guy on the plane. He LOVES it when he's there, however he only goes once a year, but I get there every chance I get, about 3x a year. I've taken my friends and cousins and it's awesome!

As far as the magic and my kids....my DD took her friends down on their spring break and they had a blast. Both my kids are bringing friends this coming January trip. They both LOVE being there, and they look forward to being able to travel their with their friends (and not us :goodvibes)in the future! The magic is very much alive and well for us.
I think I'm going to need more points! Some for their separate trips, my separate trips and the family trips! Whew!

As for myself, the magic will never fade! I love it so much I'm hard pressed to branch off and go anywhere else. I know I should, I just don't really want to:confused3

We felt we would love it from the day we bought in, and that hasn't diminished at all! Enjoy your many years of vacations to come.

[leanne2255]

We've been members since 1999, but even before that, we traveled to WDW every year. The magic never wore off on my DD's, ages 19 and 23. My oldest, became a cast member in the Career Start program and would still be working there if the economy had not turned bad when it was time to hire on full time.

My DH and I travel there alone now, and the girls still want to come with us. Jobs have gotten in the way for them, and they do not always have the time or money to come along.

We will be grandparents in October and my DD is already looking forward to bringing her son to WDW to start the circle all over again.

[goofy4tink]

Let's see....bought DVC in '03. In the past 12 months I've been to WDW...twice in Sept (Labor Day and then for the closing of PI), then a night before our Disney cruise in early Dec, then 5 nights after our cruise, April for 5 nights, heading back in two weeks for a week, then back in Dec for 12 days..nope, never gets old for me.:thumbsup2

[flipflopmom]

Thanks everyone. I felt very fortunate that my DD got it this year. I was really worried. I see there being so much to do and see, we won't have seen it all when our contract expires when I am 81! It's a gamble to buy in early in their WDW times, but I would hate to spend money staying somewhere else, then buy in. I've seen "wish I'd done it sooner" soooo many times!

[La2kw]

Does Disney hold the same magic, especially for your older kids? This has been on my mind so much since we made our decision to buy in. Our kids are 2 and 9, and thankfully, they GOT IT. Our 9 year old's best friend came back from her first trip a month before our trip and they had a great time, but I doubt they'll go back anytime soon. The parents said it was a lot of fun, and they were glad they had gone, but you could hear the "but" in their voices. We came back saying it was the best week of our lives! Our oldest talked about experiences, their kids talked about rides. I know you guys know what I mean what I say we got the magic.

I wonder how going every year will affect that. Granted, our daughter says she never wants our week in a beach house again, she wants Disney, and I know our 2 year old will be thrilled for years, Dh and I will go with or without them, but I kind of worry that once she hits the too cool for school teen years she'll have a change of heart..... She started off complaining about eating with the Princesses, changed her mind during planning, and during the trip, the photos don't lie. Her eyes were as lit up as the 2 year old.

Thanks for reading this wordy post! Any input is appreciated!:hug:

DD17 is done. She has no desire to go back after 20 plus trips. DS18 likes it a bit more, but is off to college so will be too busy for a while to join us.

That said, DW and I are looking forward to future trips without them. I know we will miss them, but we have lots of great memories of them growing up at WDW. I think we will probably start doing a few exchanges as well.

[littlestar]

Our grown kids still like the Disney resorts, but they insist upon a car because they don't care for the quality and price of most of Disney's restaurants and they like to shop at the outlets.

They absolutely don't like being trapped when it comes to Disney food quality or slow buses. With all of our visits through the years to Orlando, they also have favorite local restaurants they adore - like Flippers Pizza, so I think that's another reason why they insist upon a car. We've been staying at onsite Disney resorts since the early 90's, and became DVC members in early 2002.

Something that has become a must for our grown daughters is Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween party. They pretty much go to it every year - they love it.

Our girls still adore staying on Disney property for the escape and theming it provides, but they also have some favorite offsite properties, too, and other destinations they enjoy visiting - like Hilton Head and Hawaii.

[stitchineeyore]

Members since my birthday in 1999 (great present from DH, yes?) Kids are now 21 and 27. 27 year old son is so-so, but he's coming for Halloween with the family. 21 year old daughter will probably be a disney "lifer"; still goes every year on her college spring break (we get a 2 BR and she brings friends). DH and I are going for my birthday a month from today. We have done just about every exchange there is, and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. The magic has never gotten old for uspixiedust:

[disneynutz]

What gets old is watching Disney make profit decisions that affects the magic that Walt and Company created so many years ago.

The things that made WDW unique are slowly disappearing and generic everything is their new motto. Disney used to focus on the Guest experience, now they focus on increasing attendance and charging extra. :sad2:

[SusieBea]

We joined in '93. Our daughters were 8 and 11 at that time. For several years, we went at least twice and sometimes 3 times a year. It was good because there was something that everyone enjoyed: parks, pool hopping, golf, eating, shopping. Now I am the only one who still wants to go. My DH says he is "parked out" although I remind him of how much he enjoys the golf there. My older daughter and SIL have been "too cool" for Disney, although now that they have a 9-month-old son, some interest is re-developing. Our younger daughter is in the hospitality industry and that has taken away some of the magic for her even though she does not work for Disney. Soooo, all of our experiences are different depending upon the complexions of our families. And, I do see the experience coming full circle when grandchildren arrive. Good luck to you.

[Deb & Bill]

We joined in 1997 and have been every year since then. At first we went once a year, then got more points and went twice a year (My husband did the marathon or half marathon at least four times in a row). About two or three years ago we sold some of our contracts and started going once a year. Next year we won't go at all and we'll bank our points for summer 2011. We'll go to the beach for two weeks in 2010.

We still look forward to going, but it is getting easier to increase amount of time between trips. Once our son goes to college, we'll probably use the points to go for F&W festival or Flower and Garden Festival (since they are moving the dates for that one) instead of late spring/early summer.

[ransom]

The main boredom danger of any repeated activity is getting stuck in a rut. So if you go to WDW and stay at the same resort every time, tour the parks the same every time, etc., then it will undoubtedly get old quicker than if you change things up. The great thing about WDW is that there's so much there, beyond the parks. As others have mentioned every single resort is a world unto itself, worthy of exploration and of spending time just sitting and enjoying its unique ambiance.

So my advice would be to change things as your children age. Let your oldest make more and more decisions about how she wants to spend her time as she gets older, and make sure your younger one gets the same experience as he gets older.

Even your tastes will change over time. Most of us end up spending a lot more time at the resort as we continue visiting WDW. You may find that you like hanging out by the pool, or cooking elaborate meals, or exploring the area outside WDW.

So as long as you let it flow naturally, and do what each of you wants to do on each trip, then I think you'll continue to enjoy WDW and your DVC membership for many years to come. :)

[Quilter007]

Hmmm.....we just got back from using our developer points at SSR. We're from the west coast so this is only our 3rd trip to WDW. Our 1st DVC trip. I have to tell you, it was a disaster. I just got off the phone with the DVC member satisfaction team and I think all they are going to do is log my complaint. Our home resort is VGC. Hopefully once we stay there we'll like it. If not, we'll put the points on the resale market as soon as Disney sells out. Our best trip to WDW was the first one where we stayed off property at a Marriott. The second one was at the Poly. Frankly, based on our experience, we don't how Disney manages to get people to come back for a second hotel stay in Florida! We've stayed at the Disneyland hotel & loved it! Anyway we're staying on the West Coast until younger DS is old enough to go on the sunrise safari thing at the animal kingdom DVC, then we'll do the concierge level thingy and if that goes badly, there will not be a fifth try!!!! We'll just go to Cocoa Beach, the Space Center, golf & eat key lime pie until we explode!

Hey -- the DVC Member Satisfaction "try to make me feel better without doing anything for me guy" did tell me that Space Mountain is getting the California ride insides not just a facelift so at least y'all will have a real Space Mountain ride. The first time we rode the Florida Space Mountain ride, DS asked, "Mommy, why did they bother with seat belts on this ride? Is it broken?"

[lah3hh]

We have been members since July 1998. I say it all the time, one of the best decisions I have made in my life other than marrying my lovely DH...:hug:

Our DD is now 22 and has been receiving the DVC benefits since she was 11. Maybe we are a little different than some on the boards. We don't just do WDW with our points. I know, hold the eggs you want to throw at me...but we do HHI, VB, DCL (10 cruises in 11 years, not bad huh!) and even exchanged out when it was II to Las Vegas, Bay Habor Michigan, New York and Hawaii. On top of the variety of locations and ways we have spent our points we have done WDW more times than I need to count. We love it there and find ourselves taking a relaxing vacation at the World and most folks don't say that after a trip to WDW. We don't do comando style park days anymore and many times don't go to a park at all. I know, crazy by most standards but not according to what seems to be the DVC standard.

I don't think your children will get tired of anything you do as long as you provide variety and age 'appropriateness'(is that a word??) as they grow and change.

I have had more wonderful vacations with my daughter and husband over the past 11 years and honestly look forward to as many more as I can take...did I ever say I love my DVC?? :love:

[palhockeymomof2]

We have been taking our kids on yearly trips to WDW since they have been born..my son..now 21 was 3 months old on his first trip....we purchased DVC in 2001..and have been going twice a year since....our "kids"..now 21 & 18..still love going...but now it's with girlfriends and boyfriends..so a 2 br villa.....the time of year we visit has changed also to reflect their school schedules.......and since my son turned 21 last Sept.....the food & wine festival is a must do....instead of breakfast in the castle...:yay:.....and when they both graduated from high school....they each stayed 5 days at the Boardwalk in a studio with friends as their graduation gift...their idea not mine

[eliza61]

Our trips have changed. We don't go for 10 days every year like we did when we first brought in. Now we some times go for 5 day trips. Also dh & I will go by ourselves now that my kids are college bound and a teen. I've taken my girlfriends for an "old broads" getaway weekend.

We enjoying knowing we don't have to go every year (next year, we want to go the Yellowstone and the grand canyon). We do skip some years.

I also agree with disneynutz, I'm not lovin alot of the changes the world has done to bring more folks into the parks. Dining plan has made food generic and uninspiring so we find ourselves eating off site more and more. cutbacks in little things like live entertainment and preshows make us sad.

[Goofy DVC]

Members since 93 and still going strong. DD 22 and DD 20 are still in to Disney. For a time, it appeared as if they were becoming too cool for the mouse.But for whatever reason, that never happened. Our oldest DD went to BCV this past January with 5 of her GFs from college and had a BLAST. DW and I went to SSR this past March and the girls called often, just to make sure we were ok:lmao: When the oldest called one time, I told her that I couldn't talk because it was too hot at the pool, and I needed to get in the AC.She told me she hated me and hung up, only to call back an hour later.The 20 yo, protested saying she was the only one in the family who didn't get to go this year. So, as a result ,we are all going in mid August.:goodvibes

[minster22]

We have only been Members for about 6 years but have been going regularly to WDW since our 1st trip in 1986, my son was 8 on that first trip. He is going to be 31 @ the end of this month. He loves going to WDW just as much as an adult as he did when he was young...maybe more. It has allowed us some very special times together...I just met him at BW for a quick, last minute trip in May this year(he does not live close by....we see each other in Florida more some years than in each others homes!) A couple of years ago, we took DH's family, sisters, nieces and nephews.....we had one of the best trips ever.For us, the tone of trips to WDW has changed....no more commando touring, lots of resort lounging....great dining and general moseying around. As we have all grown older , we appreciate our time in the magic of Disney more than ever....we are lucky to have this beautiful place to spend our vacation time!

[rentayenta]

We only joined DVC this pas May however, I grew up 10 minutes from Disneyland and would go weekly, if not almost daily during the summers. Not only did the magic of Disney stay with me but it is alive and well and being passed on to my children. Even my Disney muggle DH is a believer now. pixiedust:

[AnnaS]

We bought in 2000. We have more or less taken yearly trips to WDW.

We have also cruised every other year. So far each cruise has also been with my friend (DVC member) and has three kids same age, same gender.

They are now 23, 21 and 16. We celebrated my dd's 16th last August. I invited three of her friends and my sister.

My oldest son invited two other friends on one trip.

This year my oldest and my middle one are going on their own (separate dates) with their girlfriends.

My oldest last night just asked me when are the new ships coming out. He told me (laughing) to make sure I have enough points/banked to include him (who knows probably his girlfriend too).

We have also gone now where it might be two/three or four of us. Gotta change it a bit here and there and go with they flow as they are older.

For us adults, it's more about spending relaxing time at the resort and less time at the parks. There are so many restaurants we have yet to try and we have not yet stayed at all the dvc resorts.

We officially exchanged this year (DH and I only trip) and going back to WDW end of the month (DH and I w/my brother (also dvc member) and his family.
My dd will be down there at the same time with her girlfriend celebrating her friend's 16th birthday.

I would not worry about it now. They might still love it or get tired of it (including you). Let's hope Disney keeps the magic there and we still hold it too.

[photobob]

My son quit going with us starting his senior year in high school. We did take he and his fiance with us in 2008 and they had a great time with us and we are sending them to Vero Beach for their honeymoon this coming weekend! My soon to be 17 yo daughter loves going and wants to go to WDW for her senior trip with friends, I don't think she'll ever tire of going.

[dairyqueenmom]

I think you have nailed it on the head with your comment on your children talk about experiences. My oldest will be 13 very soon and has been going almost every year since she was 5, and she still continues to love going.

I think your friends are of a different mind set then DVC members, they go once, have fun, but don't quite understand the magic that has taken hold in us.

My kids love the planning, my 10 year old this year has taken over making our Disney Trip binder. She love the rides still, but also loves the experience.

I know I will continue to go long after my kids have grown and I look forward to taking my grandkids. That is was makes DVC perfect for us.

[Goofy&Sleepy]

We've been members since 01 (before DD7 &DD4)were even born. They have gone 2-3 times a year & aren't tired of it...yet. DD7 came to my work the other day & someone said "I hope you don't ever have to work in an office like your mom" --I turned to her & asked," tell them where you are going to work"...without missing a beat she said, "probably at Disney as a vet at AK"--I still hope she'll be an imagineer....

I try to get the kids to notice all the details &not think of it as just an "amusement" park. :scared1:(sorry DD4 needed to see that one).

Of course, we bought in "planning" to go other places when the girls got older so we'll see.....me, I'm happy planning the next trip as soon as one is over..

[DVC Mike]

I don't see me getting "tired" of taking Disney vacations for quite some time, but I'm sure it will happen eventually.

[eliza61]

I don't see me getting "tired" of taking Disney vacations for quite some time, but I'm sure it will happen eventually.

I don't think it's a matter of "getting tired", for us it's a matter of wanting to see other places. I would love to be able to see the world and go to Disney. :rotfl:

[jade1]

Does Disney hold the same magic, especially for your older kids?

It does for ours, been going over 10 years (maybe 20 plus trips) and they still couldn't wait for XMAS last year (date is wrong on the first pic). They were single digit age when we started.:wizard:

These kids actually skip to the rides-not even kidding (I have video).

Self explanatory really.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/jademn/WDWXMAS08052.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/jademn/WDWXMAS2008208.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/jademn/WDWXMAS2008214.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/jademn/WDWXMAS2008227.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/jademn/WDWXMAS2008232.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/jademn/WDWXMAS2008342-1.jpg

[kim_d]

We have been members since 2002. Our children are 6.5yo and 4.5yo- DVC babies in the sense that they have always been members so they don't really have anything to compare it to and since they are relatively young Disney is their first choice for a vacation destination.

We have 305 points so a decent amount but certainly not enought to bind us to Disney for all our vacations as the children get older. I imagine we will bank some points and go every other year and visit Universal and such more as the kids get older and allow them to bring friends. Or add a trip to Vero in the mix to make it a WDW/beach vacation or hopefully visit DL (we are east coast) or DVC Hawaii eventually.

So while we do see our vacation habits changing, DH and I still see DVC as part of the equation.

[GoofItUp]

jade1 - I love those pics! (And wish I could still jump that high!)

DH and I have not yet bought in to DVC, but are looking at doing so soon. One of the things we've discussed is if we (& the kids) will want to go to WDW for 50 years. I've got so many different trips I want to take - some with extended family - of course, yearly treks with my boys as they grow up (2 yrs and 10 months old now) - trips that include inviting people to come with us that might not ever get to go - letting the boys invite friends - eventually, when the kids get older, DH & I only trips - that I can't imagine a time when I won't want to go. And, with such varied experiences each time, I can't imagine that my DH or kids will get tired of it. Plus, we definitely will take advantage of HHI, VB, Hawaii, and wherever else might come up.

This thread has got me back on the "I want to own DVC NOW!" bandwagon. When you think about the next 50 years of vactioning with family and friends, it's hard to put a price tag on it.

Anyways....I know this doesn't answer the OP's request for those who have already owned a while and experienced this, but reading about where you all are now - and the memories and experiences you have had and are still making with your family - just struck a chord with me and I had to post!

[MKCP84]

We bought into DVC in 2000. Our DDs are now 16 and 13. I have asked them a couple times in the last couple of years if they are ever sick of going to WDW and their reply is "No Way". We like to try staying at the different DVC resorts, or trying different restaurants, or seeing different shows or doing different tours. The magic is still going strong.

[Disneypirate85]

We do vary things up from trip to trip to not get stuck in a rut. But I have also noticed a change in the kids, in a good way, This last trip was just with 2 of them 16 and 12. We spent more time in the resort and just relaxed together and talked, yup just talked like old friends laughed and just hung out! Course we still went to the Parks but not for as long as usual being in DVC the next trip is just a few months away. Now seems like all the employment ideas for there adult hood is Disney related, Culinary or Resort management even something with Cruise lines....Shawnpirate:

[Checkers]

:)My DH & I have owned DVC (OKW) since 2000. We have traveled extensively before purchasing and now the only place my DH wants to visit is WDW! We have a grown married daughter and 3 grandchildren and have had the privilege of taking them many times. Our grandchildren (except for the 6 mo. old) have been to WDW many times with us and for the first time they will be going in a few weeks without us (we have another trip planned for Sept. just DH & me) and I am going to be pea green with envy the whole time they are gone! They all love everything Disney (my sil is lukewarm but is enjoying it more since the kids were born) and I am trying to keep the "addonitis" at bay ;).

Since we go more often, as stated earlier, our trips are more relaxing and we enjoy the resorts immensely. We also love to take extended family as well and will be doing just that next May when we will be celebrating my DGD's 7th birthday. I can't see any of us getting tired of going but perhaps when the children get older we will only go every-other year and then enjoy a longer stay.

[Disneypubgal]

Bought into DVC in 1997 while I was still a single gal and actually worked for the mouse... Spent the next 6 years traveling to Disney with my parents, sister and friends... including a bachelorette weekend at BCV for my sister's wedding. In 2003 I married my husband who was hardly the Disney type... with the birth of our little girl in 2005 ... it seems as though Disney is our primary and favorite vacation spot. We own at BW and SSR, but always try and change up resorts to keep things fresh... Like some of the other posters we definitely do not commando the parks.. we spend 2-3 hours at a time once or twice a day and go to WDW 2-3 times per year.... Next year we are planning a grand gathering with the whole family... should be interesting!

[starbox]

We've owned DVC for four years now - but our kids have been doing Disney since they were 3. (DS is 13, DD is 11) The way we do Disney has absolutely changed, but their love for it has not.

On our last trip, we all realized that we're kind of "done" with MK - it's nice once a trip for nostalgia, but they find it kind of boring to be honest. BUT - they appreciate Epcot and DHS in a way that they never did before.

[katmittens]

We bought into DVC in in 2000, DS was 16 and DD was 13, they are now 25 and 22, I think the math is correct. We have been going to Disney since my son was three years old. Once we bought DVC it was two and three times per year. DH and I will be there alone in Oct. for F & W. Kids are mad they can't go. DS starting his new job as a lawyer:woohoo: and DD is finishing her last year of college (she is going to be an art teacher):teacher:We will be going in January for a week with the kids. They still love it. We have taken DD's friends one year and now her boyfriend goes with us. Circumstances change but we still love going.
I agree with a previous post, DS loved to get pictures and autogragps with the characters, now it is a beer at Rose and Crown since he fell in love with England when he studied abroad at Oxford. We still like some of the things we always did, like our first ride at MK is still on Dumbo, (people must think look at those people on Dumbo, It must be their first trip :rotfl:)and we still have some popcorn on the train at MK popcorn::at the end of a long day. But now we also golf, and shop at outlets, and do more tours like Segway, etc. Some traditions we keep and some things change. Some restaurants we never miss and some we have grown tired of, but we still love our time there to relax and be a family.
I too am looking forward to the day when I have some grandchildren to take, but not too soon. DH and I like to travel alone also, and we have never done Disney alone except for our Honeymoon, so our trip in Oct will be different without the kids. We have done Vero without the kids and really enjoyed it. We would love to try HH, but can never get in. Maybe someday.

[dianeschlicht]

We have been members since '97. Our "kids" were already adults, but our youngest was early 20's and he is our biggest Disney fan. Our "kids are now 34 and 40 and yes, they still go with us occationally. Of course, the difference, is that now they have to pay their own travel expenses....or they would be there as often as we are.

[BarrerasFamily]

My wife and I "grew up Disneyland" and we still thoroughly enjoy both all the parks. My 7 year old has been going to both coasts since... well very young and she still loves it.

[jodifla]

I grew up about 90 minutes to WDW. I've never counted how many times I've been, but it must be over 100 by now, since I've gone every year multiple times and the park has been open 37 years.


No, I don't get tired of it. I like just going and soaking up the atmosphere.


And now that we own DVC, we like just handing out at the different resorts. But since we have a DS, now 7, who is just now really getting into the rides, and guess I'll be doing the ride thing for some time to come.

[edk35]

DD17 is done. She has no desire to go back after 20 plus trips. DS18 likes it a bit more, but is off to college so will be too busy for a while to join us.

That said, DW and I are looking forward to future trips without them. I know we will miss them, but we have lots of great memories of them growing up at WDW. I think we will probably start doing a few exchanges as well.

Our ds15 almost 16 says the same thing. Matter of fact he was almost done after Nov. 08's trip and was REALLY DONE after Jan. 09's trip but we managed to spark the interest again for our July trip. However once again.....a few time on this trip....he was once again DONE. I think we have burned him out. Our dd 18 still enjoys it a lot but she even complained a bit in Nov. and Jan. Mostly because of missing a couple of days of school in Nov. and one in Jan. Our 10 year old ds still loves everything about WDW. On this past trip......our 15 year old spent more time at the water parks, resort gym, pool. He skipped some TS meals too. I think if we brought a friend of his...he would like going much better. I think this was his 15th trip and our dd's 17th...and 8 of those trips were between Jan. 07 and July 09. SO A LOT OF DISNEY.

We are going to start venturing out more...trying HHI, Vero and even stepping outside of Disney and trying RCI.. I know we will continue to go to WDW but we are planning on taking a year off. My next plan is to take our youngest son to the MVSHP in Oct. 2010 before he gets any older. That might be a just us or maybe dh will tag along too.

I think as kids get older....their desires change...but like some people posted......there are lots of things to do at WDW that don't even involve the 4 parks. My teen boy loves to take the searaycers out too. We enjoy the resort pools and having non park days. As your kids grow and change....so will their vacation styles. :goodvibes

[CindeBella]

We've been coming to Disney for years. Our kids ages are 12 (almost), 9 and 6. They still love coming. My daughter, 6, isn't a fan of the princesses any longer but still loves Disney. I think she will come back to the princesses later as now she feels she is "too big" for them.
We don't spend as much time at the Magic Kingdom. Instead we go to Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom. My husband and I love coming to the Food & Wine Festival in the fall, just the two of us, for a few days.

There is so much to do and so much for everyone no matter the age ~ boat rentals, parasailing, golf, the activities at DD and water parks included. My kids love the parties ~ halloween and Christmas.

We just purchased a Boardwalk DVC today. I wouldn't have done it if I felt my kids wouldn't be interested.

[ScottOKW2K]

We bought DVC in 2000. We've probably done 30+ trips and we have no end in sight yet. We did have one trip some years ago where we tried to do too much, and tried to spend every available day of our vacation at Disney. Since I was trying to "save on points" we resort hopped tooo much - stayed at separate resorts for the first, middle, and last weekends. Too much moving ! Definitely not a relaxing trip.
We find that we enjoy each trip more and more. Like others have said you find new experiences to try, new places to eat, and a few of the old favorites go by the wayside. You start looking forward to the hew rides and attractions but still honor your old favorites.
Our attraction to Disney and DVC has not waned due to time but has actually increased.

[Ron from Michigan]

We still love our DVC. We just came back in April from another fantastic family vacation. Our whole family enjoyed 7 days at OKW. We had our daughters 30 & 24 and there husbands plus our 16 year old daughter. And the highlight of our trip our 2 year old grandsons first WDW trip. So we still love our DVC.

[Coach81]

Been members for just a few years.. as of this Christmas we will have visited the World 3 times!!!! We went for our annual February Mardi Gras trip.. went back for our first ever Summer trip in May/June.. and in a few months we will return for our first Christmas Trip to Disney!!!

We can easily see ourselves enjoying at least one trip every year to Disney for the distant future. We love it.. and are very happy with our DVC!!!

Good luck with your decision!

[tmgandolph]

We have been members since July 1998. I say it all the time, one of the best decisions I have made in my life other than marrying my lovely DH...:hug:

Our DD is now 22 and has been receiving the DVC benefits since she was 11. Maybe we are a little different than some on the boards. We don't just do WDW with our points. I know, hold the eggs you want to throw at me...but we do HHI, VB, DCL (10 cruises in 11 years, not bad huh!) and even exchanged out when it was II to Las Vegas, Bay Habor Michigan, New York and Hawaii. On top of the variety of locations and ways we have spent our points we have done WDW more times than I need to count. We love it there and find ourselves taking a relaxing vacation at the World and most folks don't say that after a trip to WDW. We don't do comando style park days anymore and many times don't go to a park at all. I know, crazy by most standards but not according to what seems to be the DVC standard.

I don't think your children will get tired of anything you do as long as you provide variety and age 'appropriateness'(is that a word??) as they grow and change.

I have had more wonderful vacations with my daughter and husband over the past 11 years and honestly look forward to as many more as I can take...did I ever say I love my DVC?? :love:


This is why I bought DVC. While I agree that it might not be the best use of the points to take cruises and trips using RCI, that is what we want to do. Our newborn twins will hopefully grow up to catch the Disney and the cruise bug! Love the just about a cruise a year part! :thumbsup2:
Thanks for your post. We hope to follow in your foot steps and do various things, Europe, cruises, Mediterranean cruise would be spectacular...SeaWorld's Discovery cove looks great!

[dianeschlicht]

What gets old is watching Disney make profit decisions that affects the magic that Walt and Company created so many years ago.

The things that made WDW unique are slowly disappearing and generic everything is their new motto. Disney used to focus on the Guest experience, now they focus on increasing attendance and charging extra. :sad2:

Exactly, and that's why we aren't going as often or for as long as we once did. There's no longer a unique experience or the fantastic food and service we once thought was so "Disney".

[vakamalua]

We have been DVC members since 1995 when OKW WAS the DVC. Our son was five then and is now 19 years old and about to enter his sophomore year in college. We have made incredible memories by using DVC for MANY trips to the "world" (as my son still calls it) and in many other ways and places--Vero Beach, Hilton Head, WDW hotels, Disneyland California, Tokyo Disney, DCL cruises, and Concierge Collection.

Over the years, we have sometimes taken family or one of my son's friends (most recently GIRL-friend :love: ), but usually Disney trips are for Ohana (family). I'm happy to say that my son still thinks of WDW as a second home and never seems to tire of going back. We have lots of quirky "traditions"--for example, lunch at Olivia's is always our first stop, going to MK only at night, getting pictures with characters we haven't seen before, etc.

I can't say how your children will feel in 10 or 15 years, but we've found that the DVC experience isn't about how many points we used, how much we got to do or whether the food was great; it's been about spending time together, laughing together and having adventures (some familiar, some exotic--Tokyo Disney!) as a family. We hope to keep having DVC adventures as a family for a long time; in fact, we're looking at maybe using DVC points for a ABD trip to China next year.

And, with my son in college, my husband and I now also have a chance to slip away for a few DVC memories all on our own. :love: