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

[bytheblood]

Perhaps once she goes to WDW her point of view will change.

Maybe she really does not HATE it. HATE is an awfully strong word from a 10-year-old about a "concept" so-to-speak.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

Wow.


Seriously, thank you for all of your great advice!!!

To the people who mentioned Universal.......HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can't get me to step one foot in that park again. I'm a Disney Snob.

I guess that's how the universe balances itself out...giving me a niece who thinks she hates Disney!!

I think that a lot of you ARE right: she is influenced by her peers, that Disney is uncool and babyish. And her parents aren't into Disney. So we're going against the grain, so to speak.

But does anyone have any ideas on how to SURPRISE her? Because she IS going, and I have no doubt that she'll enjoy herself, but I need some creative DIS ideas on how to surprise her. I was thinking along the lines of a treasure hunt, ending with her watching the Planning DVD. Any similar and/or other ideas are welcome!!!!!

Thanks!

 

[Ashes8380]

I definitely would not surprise her! I think if you do that, she may feel like she got "tricked" once she got there. What I would do is tell her all about the things at Disney that are similar to other popular vacations (ex. six flags, other theme parks, beach,etc..) like ToT, all the mountains, mini golf, HM and PotC, etc... If she's into animals, I would try and sell AK to her big time - I know lots of girls that age are into animals. I think if you can convince her that WDW isn't just for babies, then she'll at least give those things a a chance and work from there.

I do not think that suggesting things like CRT or character breakfasts, princesses, fantasyland type attractions, etc. is a good idea - it will just "prove" to her that WDW is for little kids and she'll become more resistant. and it's not like Hannah Montana or High School Musical have a HUGE presence in the parks if she really hates them that much.

 

[cindy_k]

Travel Channel is running some Disney World shows. You may want to record them to show her.

For your Suprise plan.
I would use Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Test Track, Kilmajaro Safari, and Rock N Roller Coaster hints.

I think that would stress that Disney isn't just for little kids and it isn't just about Mickey Mouse.

Have a good trip.
Cindy

 

[WDSearcher]

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.

I don't think we can assume that she will. Some kids just don't. That said, as long as the OP plans with that in mind, the vacation can still be successful. As long as no one is forcing this girl to enjoy herself and they just roll with the punches, they'll be fine. And truly ... plan to spend one day doing whatever the 10YO wants, even if that means sitting by the pool or finding the nearest mall. Knowing that she has "her day" waiting for her will make all the difference.

And yeah ... she may get to the parks and say, "Wow ... how cool is this!?" But I don't think it's a guarantee, particularly if she's so adamantly sure she hates all things Disney. Kids are stubborn at this age. She could just decide to hate it because everyone tells her she won't.

 

[yaksack]

lobotomy time.

 

[WDSearcher]

But does anyone have any ideas on how to SURPRISE her? Because she IS going, and I have no doubt that she'll enjoy herself, but I need some creative DIS ideas on how to surprise her. I was thinking along the lines of a treasure hunt, ending with her watching the Planning DVD. Any similar and/or other ideas are welcome!!!!!

Thanks!

Why are you so set on SURPRISING her, when you know going in that she's already NOT pre-disposed to being excited? You could do a whole bunch of lead-up, where she's having fun with the treasure hunt or whatever, and then she finds that her "prize" is a trip to Disney World ... something SHE DOES NOT WANT. It's like your husband making you follow clues on your anniversary, and you follow these clues all the way through the house, getting closer and closer to the "surprise," only to discover that the "big gift" is a new ironing center. What a letdown!

Instead of surprising her, why not just tell her that you're planning a vacation to WDW and you plan on taking her along and you'd appreciate her help in the planning. If she's playing the "I'm too cool for Disney World" card, pretending to be more mature or whatever, then play into that. Sit down and make a list of her favorite things, and then talk to her about how those things translate to Disney. Does she love animals? You've got DAK. Is she a beach person? You can rent Sea-Rays. Is ice cream her favorite food? Beachs & Cream. You get the idea. Tell her to write down everything she really really likes, and then tell her that you bet that you can find something at WDW to match every single one of her favorite things. And then do it.

Something like that -- where the planning is part of the process -- will help her feel more grown-up and allow her to change her mind if she wants, but to not have to admit that she's all of a sudden interested in Disney. She can still say, "Well ... I really hate all the Disney cartoons," but she can add on, "but this Animal Kingdom place sounds pretty cool" and not feel like she was snowed into something.

If you just HAVE to suprise her, save that for the actual trip. She's a beach kid? Great ... one day during the vacation, surprise her with a day at a water park, dinner at Beaches & Cream, and a surfing lesson. Call it "The Day We Wear Swimsuits All Day" or something equally silly, and make it special. But truly ... surprising someone with something they don't want will be a let-down for you both!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

I agree with PP - I don't think you should try to surprise her when you tell her about it. She's already indicated what her response will be - you're not gonna get an OMG reaction. Your gonna get an I-hate-it reaction.

I agree with all the advice about involving her in the planning - get some info on DisneyQuest at DTD. Get info on all the thrill rides, restaurants. Explain how much you like Disney as an adult and that you are taking her on the "adult" Disney tour (there's no way to say that that doesn't sound wrong! )

 

[eliza61]

. She does not know she's going yet - we want to surprise her. However, we were MORTIFIED to learn that she hates all things Disney!!!

This includes, but is not limited to, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, and pretty much every Disney cartoon ever made.



HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me ask you, why are you mortified? Why just because we love and are obsessed with Disney do we feel every one else on the planet has to be?

My niece also hates all those shows (along with me), would not mind it if Hannah Montana falls off the face of the earth and her and her girlfriends actually have "Hannah Montana sucks" T-shirt. (Don't know if I like that, but that's besides the point).

That's the one thing I'm not so crazy about the dis, we get all up in arms if some one is not crazy about wdw.

Op, simply tell your 10 year old that you guys have a great family vacation planned and while it is to wdw she'll probably have a great time anyway.

 

[eliza61]

:

To the people who mentioned Universal.......HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can't get me to step one foot in that park again. I'm a Disney Snob.

Thanks!

So it's alright for you to hate universal but it's not alright for her to hate Disney. That's why God created vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Every one gets to like what they like.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

It sounds like she may be like my DD - not really into the Disney channel and Disney movies. BUT she loves WDW for the thrill rides, the great hotels and pools, fun dining experiences, etc.

I agree with the PPs who suggest involving her in the planning and letting her watch the DVD and look over maps. She may not have the right idea about what WDW has to offer, and once she sees what is involved, the excitement will kick in.[/U]

My DD14 sat at the dinner table the other night and said in her whiniest voice ever "I don't want to go to Disney!!!!!" She absolutely refuses to do any of the planning, watch any of the shows or DVD. I did happen to leave one of my Disney tour books out on the kitchen counter one morning and found her reading it. I didn't say a word and kept my cool. She turned to me when she got to the page that talked about the Pooh ride at MK and said "Ohhhhh, it's Pooh!" I pointed out that we will be eating breakfast with Pooh and her response was an excited "Really!". Mind you this was prior to her whining at the dinner table this week but I know there is a Disney lover in there somewhere. She also saw that I was making autograph books for her younger siblings (DS12 & DD7) and asked where hers was. I told her that I thought that she thought she was too old. DD14 grunted and walked away. I still don't know what that meant but I will casually clarify sometime soon.

So I think you have to take the attitude that they need to give it a shot but not push them. The more you tell some kids they are going to like something the more determined they are going to hate it.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

So it's alright for you to hate universal but it's not alright for her to hate Disney. That's why God created vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Every one gets to like what they like.

And I HATE strawberry ice cream.

The problem with her hating Disney is that she's GOING to Disney.

But I do think perhaps some of you are right about NOT surprising her. I'm still in that mentality because that was our original plan, before we found out she didn't like it.

I thought about having a girl's day with her and paint her nails and do her makeup or whatever while a Disney movie plays in the background. And try to gauge her reaction. She's a tomboy, but she LOVES the idea of Libby Lu at the mall and getting her nails and makeup done (Bippity Boppity Boutique, anyone?).

Keep the ideas coming. But she also hates Indiana Jones. "Not as cool as National Treasure." (which she denies is a Disney movie!) She doesn't like Pirates of the Caribbean either (I think it scared her). And since we're only there at WDW 4 days, we can't do stuff like DisneyQuest unfortunately. But I have a feeling she's really going to like Buzz Lightyear SR Spin and the new Toy Story ride - she loves video games!

 

[NJBILL]

I would not keep it a surprise, and not push the issue too much..and my guess will be once she sees the Castle..she will be ok...Good Luck.

 

[poeticdiabetic]

My question is this: Why would anyone HATE an amusement park? I mean, there's this little kid's park in Atlanta called "American Adventures." The only thing that is even remotely thrilling about that park is the Tilt-a-Whirl. Oh, and that slide where you ride down on potato sacks.

But my kids don't HATE that park. If you gave them free tickets, they'll go and ride about two rides, over and over again. But they don't complain that they HATE going.

If you gave them tokens to go to Chuck E. Cheese, they'll go. And try to have fun.

My whole adage is simple: Go and make it fun, even if it's not your preference. And be glad that someone thought enough of you to pay your fare to go. Repay that kindness by attending and not complaining. That's what I teach my kids. And that's what I expect from anyone that I'm paying good money to entertain. Call me a hardliner...

 

[mousetravel]

I'm not trying to sound mean or anything, but if you try to get her excited about this trip and she's still not liking it, let the in laws deal with her. I would not let my trip be ruined by her. I would try some things the other posts have mentioned, that's about all you can do. You and your husband can split up from the group anyway & do your own thing.

One suggestion that I haven't seen on here: Can you get some brochures from someone (the ones you get at each park)? Maybe if she sees what the parks have, she'll see it's not all "baby stuff". You can also order maps from the Disney website.

 

[eventsdj]

I planned a mom-son trip, and my son (who was 16) was not so enthused to spend the week driving through Colorado with his old mom... (whos 34).
So, after the first 2 days of a semi-pout, I said to him
"I don't care if you like this or not, this means alot to ME, and you will not ruin MY trip. So put on a happy face, weather you like it or not"

And he did, and we had a good time.

We went to disney 8 months later, .... and left him home. He was very happy.

 

[AJKMOM]

And I HATE strawberry ice cream.

The problem with her hating Disney is that she's GOING to Disney.

But I do think perhaps some of you are right about NOT surprising her. I'm still in that mentality because that was our original plan, before we found out she didn't like it.

I thought about having a girl's day with her and paint her nails and do her makeup or whatever while a Disney movie plays in the background. And try to gauge her reaction. She's a tomboy, but she LOVES the idea of Libby Lu at the mall and getting her nails and makeup done (Bippity Boppity Boutique, anyone?).

Keep the ideas coming. But she also hates Indiana Jones. "Not as cool as National Treasure." (which she denies is a Disney movie!) She doesn't like Pirates of the Caribbean either (I think it scared her). And since we're only there at WDW 4 days, we can't do stuff like DisneyQuest unfortunately. But I have a feeling she's really going to like Buzz Lightyear SR Spin and the new Toy Story ride - she loves video games!

My question is: Why does she HAVE to go if she doesn't want to? I thought she was going with you-her aunt- and your parents-her grandparents. You should really be prepared to leave her behind if she really doesn't want to go.

The idea with the Universal analogy is that since you hate Universal, you don't go there. You hate strawberry ice cream (me too ), you don't eat it. Just wondering why you are making her go if she doesn't want to. A ten year old could really ruin your trip.

 

[daisax]

But I do think perhaps some of you are right about NOT surprising her. I'm still in that mentality because that was our original plan, before we found out she didn't like it.

I'm definitely with the "don't surprise her!" crowd. Maybe somebody has the link to the video clip of the Mom doing the Big Reveal to her 3 kids that they're going to WDW, and the gigantic thud and wailing and gnashing of teeth that followed. Not the way you want to begin a fun time.

I'd stress that you're going to ______, you really would like her to come along, and that you need her help to plan a fantastic trip in which everybody gets a day of their choice. And have the books/DVDs/Travel Channel specials handy. If one of you is into challenging rides and the other isn't, you can stress that you'd love to have somebody to ride Mission: Space with, or somebody who likes to get up early or stay up late, or somebody to do something on the cruise ship with.

It's a tough age, because they're trying so hard to be grown up, that selling them on a place where you "become a kid again" kind of goes against the grain. So I'd stress the more adult features (save the fact that she MUST do It's a Small World for the kitsch factor until you're in the park and she's relaxed into the atmosphere!)

If nothing else, she's going to have an experience she's never had before, and one that she will be able to make up her own mind on. And she can tell all her friends she went on a cruise (doesn't have to say which uncool cruise line), and she can roll her eyes and throw around phrases like "they dragged me on a cruise to the Caribbean!" which should earn some coolness points.

I will say that I was never a huge Disney movie fan. I grew up in the horrible Don Knotts era, so the only good Disney movies were the occasional releases of the classics, which I liked well enough. There was a resurgence with The Fox and the Hound when I was in jr high, and I saw some of those, and then the more recent classics with my sister's kids when they were young, but I honestly don't think you need to have any particular attachment to Mickey and Minnie and Donald -- my affection for them now is based on their presence at the PARKS, not in film.

 

[Mauldita]

bump

 

[jkid721133]

The orphanage sounds like a viable option for your child!!!