10-year-old who HATES Disney - HELP!!!!

[d1gitman]

does she like amusement parks, carnivals, pools, waterparks, etc...

Maybe her impression of Disney is that it is just Princesses, Pixie Dust and all things sweet. I know of girls in my DS7's class that are just not into the traditional sugar n spice routine that is dumped on girls from birth. Maybe on the inside she is interested but on the outside is putting up a front because she has a certain perception of Disney.

On the other hand, it is possible for people out there to not like Disney.

I would say that you ought to talk to her sooner than later. Getting the promo videos from Disney travel might help. Let her watch it on her own terms if she seems disinterested at the time.

I think hitting her with a surprise trip might set the stage for a bad trip. I would definitely give her time to ease into the idea. I know that when my DS7 is resistant to new ideas about things, i have to back off and NOT try to convince him. I try some good old fashioned reverse psychology and often it works.

In the end, i would be willing to bet she will love it. There are plenty of things for her to do in order to feel non-Disneyfied and grown up.

 

[poeticdiabetic]

OK. She's 10. Have she ever been to WDW or a Disney cruise before? My sons don't like a lot of Disney cartoons that comes on TV, but they love going to the parks. And my eldest is 10. And thinks he's too cool to look at.

If it was me, I'll just take her. There's a difference between liking the Disney Channel or Disney movies and not liking Disney World. If there's a kid that doesn't like Disney World out there, that a kid in serious need of help.

But some kids are contrary and it's a play for attention, too. Just some thoughts.

 

[DanMedix]

A while back, a friend of mine had 2 boys (10 and 8 at the time) that went to WDW one time, and absolutely hated it! I quickly realized that a lot of this has to do with how they are raised, and what they're exposed to, not to mention their peers.

We're a Disney-friendly family (at least that's what I LIKE to call us...instead of Disney obsessed, like my SMIL likes to call me! LOL) , and we approve of the shows on Disney Channel and Toon Disney, as well as the movies. My kids are by no means limited to Disney entertainment, but it plays a big part.

Personally, if I was gonna to take a family member to WDW, and they didn't want to go, I certainly wouldn't take them prisoner. There's plenty of others out there who see its beauty and appreciate it for what it truly is. But, as for you, I would indeed recommend that you try to talk her into going WILLINGLY. If not....well, there's always plan B...

 

[Mschissl]

A ten year old girl who hates Disney???? NO WAY!!

There is only one thing you can do.....GET HER INTO COUNSELING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!

Just kidding...I hope you get lots of good ideas.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Since you are taking the Disney cruise ask her how she would feel about taking a cruise and see what reaction you get. I would order some planning material and maybe say to her that you guys are thinking of going next year and would she like to come along. And sit down with her and show her the different things there are to do there. And if you can let her pick what resort she would like to stay at that may help her warm up to the idea. I think if you can get her motivated that may help but I would keep it a surprise.
Look on the travel channel and see if there are any reruns of Samantha Browns trip to disney and watch it with her.
Keep me posted!

 

[kaffinito]

Well, you are up against, it aren't you?

I had been to WDW when I was a kid in '73, and was never really a Disney fan per say. I had seen some of the movies like Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, but I didn't really like Disney. Neither of my kids had seen a Disney movie and neither one of them even thought they liked Disney. So when we went last year for a trip, they had to have a course in Disney 101. They were also very involved in planning the trip, and are this year too. It helps. They have gone from a "Mickey is stupid" attitude to "Mickey is awesome!"

Let her know before the trip so she can look at the planning dvd's and watch online videos of the rides. She'll catch on! Good luck!

 

[tecdavidt]

I know it is hard to believe some people just can not stand anything Disney but your niece is one of them. If she said she would give a Disney vacation away even if she won one tells you she is not interested in Disney. I wouldn't force her to go and I would not try the surprise route knowing that she is not a Disney fan. Your vacation will not be a "happy trip" knowing her attitude about Disney. If I was in your shoes I would not take her.

Now you might try inviting her to go along with you and see how she reacts. Her answer might be different knowing her parents would not be going along. A surprise is setting you, the gift giver, up for disappointment.

Kathy

 

[catne]

I'd ask her, in advance...if she's not sure, have her watch the planning DVD or some of the travel channel Disney specials to see if she might be interested (does she like amusement parks at all?) But if she says no, then don't take her. Why wreck your fun with someone who truly doesn't want to be there? Find someone who wants to go, or donate the value of the girl's trip to Make A Wish. They will have no trouble using the money to a good cause; they have lots of kids who want to go to WDW before they die...

 

[nataliela]

Downplay the magical- fairy taleness part.

Up play the Thrill rides and coolness factor.

I would show her a map and possibly videos of the thrill rides on youtube to show her that Disney isn't all about princesses!


Let us know how this turns out!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Just tell her you're going. Don't make a big deal out of it or try to get her all jazzed. Once she gets there, she'll have fun. The idea of springing it on her is kind of good, I think. A surprise is always exciting!

You might consider going to Universal. They've got a lot of stuff the kids like.

Good luck!!

 

[Darcy03231]

I definitely would not surprise her. Both of my children have been to WDW multiple times and don't want to go back. Neither one is interested in it anymore and DH hates it. He'll never go back. To get my fix I'm taking my 4 y.o. niece this fall. Not all kids or adults are into WDW. If she's adamant about not going I wouldn't insist on it as she might just ruin the trip for the rest of you.

 

[catne]

I definitely would not surprise her. Both of my children have been to WDW multiple times and don't want to go back. Neither one is interested in it anymore and DH hates it. He'll never go back. To get my fix I'm taking my 4 y.o. niece this fall. Not all kids or adults are into WDW. If she's adamant about not going I wouldn't insist on it as she might just ruin the trip for the rest of you.

sounds like the kids got the mutant gene from your DH...too bad you couldn't have had him tested before marriage....

 

[theresak]

She'll love it once she gets there. I thought that Disney was just another amusement park, like Six Flags. Why on earth would we travel two days when we can just drive up to Great America?? Ohhhh, what a difference!

She will love it.

 

[02AggieGirl]

Got an update Lastprincess?

 

[HunnyPots]

It sounds to me like she is trying to impress someone with her "worldliness" and maturity. It happens.
When we flew into Orlando last week my 17 year old son had the "pleasure" of sitting next to a very worldly 12 year old girl. It was so obvious she was trying to impress him by saying things like how babyish disney is and stuff like that. Imagine her suprise when he told her how awesome he thinks disney is! She changed her tune pretty quickly!

 

[Narnia]

My 3 older son's don't want to go to disney! Odd but when I asked the stated it was for girls! try to tell them otherwise was really pointless Next year we are going to florida. They are lookin forward to universal and seaworld which they see as boyish. I figure when they are out of the "eww girl" stage then i'll take them to disney.The boys are 11,9,7 and they would completely ruin the magic so I'm leaving them at home(I know bad mom!). Will I feel sad they are not coming yes(I'll get over it) ,will I have fun yes ,will they grow up us! It'll just be a while. I'm going anyways even if they don't want to!

 

[Nomi]

I agree with HunnyPots, she probably is trying to act like a 'cool (read -snobby) teenager/adult'. As a teenager myself, I can report that with the majority of 17 - 18 year olds I have ever come in contact with would give an arm and a leg to go to Disney World (Heck, make that 0-100, excluding those 'too cool' ages). The exeptions are people who have never gone to any disney park. Just tell her that all the cool kids love disney.


My little sister was the same way. Before going to Disneyland, my 13 year old little sibling acted like going to Disneyland was soooooooooo lame, and how it would be sooooooo horrible and it was for babies, ect.... And what do ya know, she loved it and is so very excited to go again.

But if you think she is going to raise a stink the whole trip, just don't bring her. Maybe the threat of not going to Disney will bring her around.

 

[Freyja]

If it was me taking her, I wouldn´t surprise her. I´d tell her beforehand and try to get her involved in some of the planning. I´d also try to focus on some of the non-character things at Disney. The WS and the Living Seas (maybe dine at Coral Reef) in Epcot, the Sci Fi and Lights, Motors, Action in DS´s (maybe ToT), etc.

 

[MAF]

She sounds like she is trying to act "too cool" for Disney. A lot of impressionable kids will act like they have never heard of something even though they have, and pretend to hate something because it is the cool thing to do.

 

[Southerndisney]

I agree, don't suprise her. Play up the thrill rides and the cruise to the Bahamas.