Parents, at what age does the "Magic" change going with your children?..

[funshipm174]

My wife and I are planning another WDW adventure for Sept 2010 and I'm getting a little down thinking about it. We went with our son for the first time when he was four years old in 2001. The next trek there we pulled him out out of school in November 2005 (Jersey week) when he was eight years old (our favorite trip !).
Next was November 2009 (Jersey week again!)when he was eleven years old. And now we are planning our next WDW adventure and I'm sitting here realizing he will be thirteen years old on this trip.The strange thing is that we are fortunate enough to be able to do other vacations like cruises and visitng other cities to tour and see ballgames, but that doesn't bother me.It's going to WDW for some reason that it hits me.
What is bittersweet to me is knowing he is growing up a wonderful person inside(the important thing), and does well in school, but that on our next trip, my wife and I will probably not see those wonderful reactions and smiles and excitment from him as he goes to WDW a teenager. I hope we get some of those expressions and excitment on our next trip there, but I don't see how that could be the case. I know the important thing is that our family is together and enjoying the park, but I'm hoping for those facial expressions one more time.


So I ask.....at what age does the "Magic" change going with your children?..



Thanks

[mouseman41]

I really don't think the Magic ever changes. It might be different over the years, but being there with your children at any time at any age is Magical and memorable. We are taking all our kids in December(ages 13-22-25) and they are just as excited to go as when they were young children. There are so many memories to share. My oldest daughter has moved away to another city and my son has been in Iraq in the army so I don't know who is more excited them or me. I think the real Magic is being with your family. Enjoy your trip my friend!

[BillSears]

My DD is 25, hasn't happened yet. We still enjoy our trips together...but we do have trips apart also.

[KSDisneyDad]

I just went with our 14, 11 and 7 year old sons. Our first trip, the oldest two were 5 and 3.

It's fun to watch our 14 year old help our 7 year old with an autograph, ride attractions together, trade his own pins with the CMs, stand up for a picture with Donald and hold his little brother's hand to help him out.

I think there's something about a trip to Disney that is magical no matter what the age.

[rhw]

Wow, you really got me thinking. We have gone most every year since the kids were 5 and 7. There are still expressions and great times but maybe just not on the same things that got the reactions when they were younger. Wish I could tell you it stays the same, but it doesn't. That doesn't mean our trips were any worse or better, just different. Now that they are adults, we don't do the parades, fireworks or characters anymore. Each trip we do something different and make wonderful new memories. This last trip we stopped at the Caricatures in Animal Kingdom and had a blast with them interacting with the artists while being drawn. It wouldn't have been the same had they been younger and had the drawing done. And, I did get great pictures of their expressions. We had the kitchen sink and did the Backstage Magic Tour...Priceless. The magic lives on!

[Noelle]

I wholeheartedly agree it doesn't change. They just experience magic from new sources. We took our oldest daughter for the first time when she was 7. She's 16 now and she's been 11 times in 9 years. Everytime we go she had just as much fun. The past two trips we had just started taking her to the Adventurer's Club. It was something that my husband and I loved but taking her was special to see her as a young adult enjoying it so much. (Note: we always took her to the early show and were out before 9:30 so that it was not too mature for her.) She started wanting to try Victoria and Alberts with us. So we started by taking her to Bistro de Paris and the Party for the Senses. For her 15th Birthday, we took her the first seating at Victoria and Alberts and she love it. She still talks about it all the time and the best food she's ever had. Now that she's older I look forward to taking some of the tours with her. I can't wait to do the Segway thing.
We take different vacations too. But somehow when we are at WDW, it's the most special place to all of us. My little daughter is 9 now and we're starting to branch out to do new things with her too. I have always wanted to see the Behind the Seeds tour. So I have that booked for our upcoming trip. She's just starting to like some of the more adult rides - SPLASH MOUNTAIN HERE WE COME!!!
Both girls still collect signatures so we still have to stop because 'OMG - it's Dark Wing Duck!' or whatever other character that they are sure they don't have in their multiple autograph books (which I am always positive we DO have their signature somewhere) Luckily, some things never change.

[picktails]

Totally agree it doesn't change. Taking DS16 & DD13 for our third Jersey week this November, and have been taking them both every other year since they were born. They are just as excited for this trip, maybe even more that when they were younger because there is so much they want to do!

DS can FINALLY do the Segway Tour he's waited for since he noticed it at age 12!
DD loves to shop and try new foods!

It just changes - they stay up late & sleep in, so we're out at night more - actually kind of fun!
We split up at times when we can't agree, but that just lets everyone get in everything they really want to do. It definitely becomes a more relaxing vacation.
No worries!

[funshipm174]

Everyone, thaks sooo much for the postings. It's good to hear from people who have been down that road that the magic, albeit different,m is still there!



AARRGGHH!!!

[TheGoofster]

Originally Posted by funshipm174

My wife and I are planning another WDW adventure for Sept 2010 and I'm getting a little down thinking about it. We went with our son for the first time when he was four years old in 2001. The next trek there we pulled him out out of school in November 2005 (Jersey week) when he was eight years old (our favorite trip !).
Next was November 2009 (Jersey week again!)when he was eleven years old. And now we are planning our next WDW adventure and I'm sitting here realizing he will be thirteen years old on this trip.The strange thing is that we are fortunate enough to be able to do other vacations like cruises and visitng other cities to tour and see ballgames, but that doesn't bother me.It's going to WDW for some reason that it hits me.
What is bittersweet to me is knowing he is growing up a wonderful person inside(the important thing), and does well in school, but that on our next trip, my wife and I will probably not see those wonderful reactions and smiles and excitment from him as he goes to WDW a teenager. I hope we get some of those expressions and excitment on our next trip there, but I don't see how that could be the case. I know the important thing is that our family is together and enjoying the park, but I'm hoping for those facial expressions one more time.


So I ask.....at what age does the "Magic" change going with your children?..



Thanks

Wow, we are in a very similar situation. We will also be going Sept. 2010, and my son will have just turned 13 as well. Our last (and so far only) WDW family trip was in Dec. 2007, when my kids were 10 and 7. They were both young enough to fully immerse themselves in the whole Disney experience. This next trip, however, I know that my son won't be as gung-ho as he was last time. He'll be at that age where it isn't quite so cool to admit that you are having a good time (my daughter will be 10, but she's a Disney nut through and through so I'm not worried about her).
One of my goals for this upcoming trip is to not try and force my son to enjoy the Disney magic like I would want him to. If he wants to get an autograph we'll do it, if not, not a problem. If he wants to be in a picture in front of a ride - great. If not, that's OK as well. I really want him to have the best time possible, even if that means missing out on some of the magical things that I would really want him to do.
I do agree with others that it doesn't have to be any worse of a trip, but I also do think that seeing Disney through the eyes of a child, and the eyes of a teen is quite different. Just be prepared to let your son experience it in whatever way he finds the most enjoyment in, even if it means missing a few magical moments.
Since we'll be there about the same time, who knows, maybe we'll run into each other. I'll probably be wearing a Dis Shirt (with my Goofster name on it), and sporting a lime green Mickey on some part of my body (even if it does embarrass my son).

[tinkslite]

We are celebrating the start of his Freshman year with a Family Trip to the World! (8 Days, btw)
The Magic is still there for him. He has kissed Minnie on the nose at either the Land or the World every year since he was 18 months old (what a growth chart!). This year he'll have to bend over to do it, because he is 5'10"!
He loves DisneyQuest and strongly recommends it to your 13 year old son, if he is at all interested in "gaming."
He is also a WaterPark fan, and loved the water coaster style ride at Typhoon Lagoon, last year. This time he is planning to take the early morning surfing lessons.
He loves pin trading.
Several of his online "identities" and "passwords" are disney related. He is a Peter Pan at heart, I guess. I am glad that the Pixie Dust hasn't all been swept away with adolesence!

[scottish mum]

My son is also going to be 13 on our next trip, oct 2010, he has been going since he was 4. I think the magic will still be there just for different experiences. I am looking forward to him making the magic for his younger sister as she has always been really shy and nervous of the characters and he says that he's going with her to help her be brave.
I think as long as nothing is forced on them the magic stays.

[Pixiedust34]

I'm 40 and WDW is a very magical place for me!

I just returned from a 10 day trip with a 13 yo and almost 11 yo. The magic is still there for the kids! It's not the same magic as when they were younger, but it's still magic. My kids have outgrown the autograph book stage, but still do some character photos. They love the attractions and shows! Wondering around World Showcase is enjoyed by all! They share the excitement with the little things, like spying a Hidden Mickey. They look forward to a good afternoon splash at the pool. My ds is old enough and kind enough to offer his seat on the bus to younger kids/older people, and that's magic to me to see him do that on his own.

I actually think it's more fun to go to WDW with older kids. They can stay up later than younger kids and have more endurance skills. They are more independent, taking care of themselves at buffets and getting their own food and trays in food courts. They enjoy the thriller rides with the same passion a 3 year old enjoys Dumbo! At the pool, they are old enough that we (dh and I) can enjoy a drink together in the shade while they swim or use the slide nearby--we no longer have to be "right there" in the water. It's still fun to see their type of magic through their eyes.

I'm looking forward to going to WDW next year with a 14 and 12 year old.

[pepe of ohio]

It only gets better. Our daughters first trip, she was 18 months, she's now 27 years old, son was 6 years old and he's now 37 years old. They still have the love for Disney and we, now as grandparents, get to see the magic in our grandsons and granddaughters eyes. Our twinkle has not faded, after 42 trips were headed to trip 43 and can't wait, 22 days to go. They make it when they can and invite us along, we get to be young again and forget all our aches and pains and step out of reality for a short time, that's our magic.

[Cruz91]

Originally Posted by pepe of ohio

It only gets better. Our daughters first trip, she was 18 months, she's now 27 years old, son was 6 years old and he's now 37 years old. They still have the love for Disney and we, now as grandparents, get to see the magic in our grandsons and granddaughters eyes. Our twinkle has not faded, after 42 trips were headed to trip 43 and can't wait, 22 days to go. They make it when they can and invite us along, we get to be young again and forget all our aches and pains and step out of reality for a short time, that's our magic.

This is exactly how we want to be when we get older. Our first trip was when our kids were 4 and 22 months. They are now 7 and 4 yrs and have 7 trips under their belts (8th scheduled for Oct). We enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day we spend at Disney, and so far we are all still as in-love with the place as we have ever been. I only pray I am healthy enough for long enough to go back and re-live the magic through my grand-children's eyes... you know... in another 30 years or so!

[TiggerD]

I do not think the Magic ever leaves. Our sons were 5 and 11 the first time we took them to Disney and to watch them was wonderful with all the reactions and smiles. Well those two sons are now married with children of their own and they are still Disney fanatics. Our oldest and his family go with us every time we say we are planning a trip and our youngest is so into the Disney still that his house has Disney themed rooms including the nursery for our newest addition who is only a month old. Disney never leaves our hearts and we look forward to seeing it through the eyes of our grandchildren each time we go. Next trip 13 days away with our 6 and 2 yr old grandsons and our son and his wife.