Anyone else buy DVC anticipating years of fun for their kids and then

[BWVDenise]

find out that the kids don't really like the parks? They love the resorts and other activities, but when it comes to the parks-- they're miserable! We are even talking about selling, since the park passes are so expensive and the kids don't enjoy the parks anyway... not sure yet, just talking. But I was wondering if anyone else has bought and then become "DISenchanted." Thank goodness they love Hilton Head!

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

You didn't mention how old your kids are.
If they are young...have you tried to find out what it is they don't like in particular?
Sometimes kids get tired and then the magic doesn't shine through.
Older kids can get bored....I will relate a story about mine...who started going to Dis when she was still in my tummy. (She is now 23)

We took one of her friends with us to WDW when my D was in 3rd grade. They were running amok trying to get on as many rides in as short a time as possible. So i told them that the real magic of Disney lie in the things that other people didn't notice. I challenged them to actually READ about Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse instead of rushing through it, for example...and at Epcot, when they said they were BORED...I told them that i expected them to LEARN something in every exhibit and yes, there would be a TEST....you see, we were letting them ditch school, so I had a little leverage. Bless their hearts...they really did make an effort and I think they learned to appreciate more of the 'secret' things about Disney.

I was wondering tho, if the last time I went with D, now 23...if she wasn't humoring me a little bit in going to Disneyland. Not sure, but I think Im going to ask her if she wants to go in with me on some DVC points....so we will find out!

I'm sorry that your kids aren't as happy with the parks as you hoped they would be. I wonder if something freaked them or bugged them about the parks or if they are at an age (and time) when thrill rides are the only thing that appeals. BUt hey...if you decide to sell...I AM trying to BUY!!!!!
(just kidding)
I hope its just a stage they are going through...but if not, just think how much fun it will be someday to take your grandkids there as babies!

Colorado Belle

 

[CherCrazy]

I bought DVC for ME!! If my kids are happy, then that's just an added bonus.

Actually, my kids are all older now... 16 - 23. They really enjoy the Disney water parks even more so than the parks. We also, I think, overdid Disney for a while on family vacations, plus add in their Senior Class trips to Disney. They have a great time on cruises...we've done a few non-Disney cruises to give them some different experiences.

Their last time to Disney was 2001 in California. DH & I went to SSR in Nov by ourselves. Some of my kids are actually starting to ask about going again. Couldn't believe my ears!!

Maybe you can start trading out points to other destinations. Travel is a wonderful gift...with DVC you can visit so many incredible places!!

 

[dyingtodisney]

We bought DVC before my kids had ever been to the parks so I was THRILLED to find out they fell in love as much as I did as a kid. We are getting ready for our 3rd trip in less than a year and they can't wait!

 

[Sherri]

My kids like Disney but in doses. at 12 and 13 they are looking for fun rides so we also go to Island of adventure and they also like universal. We are going in March and doing the whole Disney thing, but come summer we will go to what I mentioned above plus sea world.
My kids do love the beach, so I am hoping our week at VB will be something they enjoy. How old are your kids? If they are younger now then maybe Disney is something they will love as they get older.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

I'm thankful that my kids still love WDW and the parks. We started going to WDW when DS was 5 and twin DDs were 3. They are now 18, 16, 16, and are very excited to be going on a school band trip in March.

We are definitely ride people. We've even made two trips from CT to Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH, to do the roller coasters. We can't wait for the new world's tallest , fastest RC at Six Flags in NJ to open this year. Here is the link FYI for Kingda Ka: http://www.sixflags.com/parks/greatadventure/index.asp

The kids do have some friends who won't do rides. I'm glad my kids are not like that.

 

[spiceycat]

are they teenagers - if so that is the problem - it will pass.....

until it does - go to florida - enjoy the resorts (they have a lot to offer) and take them to IOA - see if they like that better.

there are ton of other things to do in the Orlando/kissimmee area that don't include WDW.

get more information from
www.floridakiss.com
or
www.orlandoinfo.com
or both

so don't go to WDW on your next couple of trips - I bet your children will change their minds....

 

[Plus4206]

My boys lost interest in Disney as they entered their mid-to-late teens. BUT... then my oldest DS used our points to take his GF to VWL during his senior year of college spring break. Ta Dah.... they are now married and looking forward to purchasing their own points in a couple years.

 

[BWVDenise]

are they teenagers - if so that is the problem - it will pass.....

No, they are younger. 10, 8 (almost), and 7. You are right though, there are other things to do. I guess I'm just disappointed that they aren't into it. We are going to Sea World in June, so I'll see if they enjoy that more.

 

[spiceycat]

might be overload.

if you can - don't go to SW - try the smaller things around - the zoos, the parks, enjoy the swimming pools.

sometimes kids can be overload - and WDW can make that much, much worst.

do little things. enjoy the flowers and animals at the WDW resorts.

 

[littlestar]

My kids love the Disney resorts (they are 24 and 20). The parks they occasionally like to go to. They prefer laying around the pool and getting a tan. They also like the outlet malls (they are girls and like to shop).

I think sometimes people try to run too much on Disney vacations. Bike riding, playing basketball, swimming, playing family games, and going out to eat at Disneyworld are our personal favorite things to do. Don't get me wrong, I like Disney parks. But, that's not why I bought and keep our DVC. And when given the choice, our girls prefer Disney resorts - not off site. They don't even want to go to ORlando if they can't stay with Disney. Spoiled, huh?

 

[Sherri]

I have to say last summer we spent endless amount of time and money at the outlets. Both my kids LOVE that. Its a fun thing to do in the evening to get out for a while. We also try to miniture golf and the kids loved the dinner show we went to. I do think for the most part people try to do Disney things while staying at Disney. But you are right there is so much more to it then just that. The pools are fun.
Does anyone know if they rent tennins equipment at BWV or do we need to bring our own?

 

[Plus4206]

I know this is OT but I just have to ask: What is the attraction of outlet malls. They are all the same and they all lead you to believe the prices are great. When I'm on vacation.... outlet malls are not on my to-do list.

 

[littlestar]

Our girls really like the Disney outlets. We don't have any Disney outlets in Indiana. They love buying stuff for a fraction of what the parks charge.

 

[Cinderelli]

My kids are only 8, 9, & 11. Our last family trip was almost a year ago (3/2004). On that trip they loved Community Hall at BWV more than going into the parks. I think because we live so close (4-5 trips a year), they were burned out. Now I could go every weekend, but I guess I'm the only DisNut in the family.

My DH and I are going back for our 15th Anniversary in May and are excited about an Adults Only trip.

We're planning on doing the cruise in 2006.

Then, we'll do a big park thing again in 2008.

We also plan to make New Years Eve a tradition at WDW. We only have to go for just a few nights and hit all of our favorites. DVC lets us do this in ultimate style.

I think the options are there to be able to take a break from the parks and still enjoy your membership. I know I enjoy just reading these boards and planning all kinds of trips in my mind for the next ??? how many years?

Have fun,

Lissa

 

[Cruelladeville]

My kids got bored with Disney while in their teens, so when I bought my first DVC contract, I expected that DH and I would use it just for us. Imagine my surprise when DVC rekindled their interest! They are now 27 and 24, and they love the pools, outlet malls, water parks, Pleasure Island, etc. We spend lots of time together, and they seem to look forward to that. The parks aren't the important thing. Last time they each showed up with their double decks of playing cards, so we could spend at least one night playing euchre, shanghai, or even double deck solitaire(we have 4 games going at once). It's the family time that's important.

 

[Alexander]

What is wrong with spending time at the resorts? We actually do more of this than the parks. For example: we bought 7 day park hoppers with 4 options on them last April (2004). We stayed five nights in April, and three nights in May. We still have 5 days for the parks and 2 days for the options left! These will get us through both our Feb. and April trips this year (a total of 12 nights)!

We love to hang out at the resort pools, rent boats, etc. The parks are not actually the draw to WDW for us. It's great that they are there so we do have something to do should we ever become bored, but it's not the draw for us.

 

[OneMoreTry]

My kids definitely get tired of the parks. So does my wife.

We can't do daily parks. Next trip will involve lots of Off site entertainment. Actually, next trip will be to HH. AFter that we may do a Christmas trip with the cousins to WDW. With cousins they like everything.

I'm also planning a trip to a GV and allowing the older kids to each bring along a friend. I just have to work out who pays for park tickets!

 

[Granny]

They love the resorts and other activities, but when it comes to the parks-- they're miserable!

Don't sell your DVC! I think it's time to look at adopting some additional kids that'll go enjoy the parks with you!

 

[Luckytoon]

My hubby & I were all geared up for real park hopping & pushing the magic member hours, only to find we had 2 reluctant kids, 8 & 11 y/o. Bummer!

Fortunately, we had other adults along, so were able to trade off babysitting. But after getting a bit ticked, we finally decided that our kids' (who are in an intense private school) definition of vacation is different than ours. They really needed that time to chill. Next time I think we are going to do a week split between OKV & Vero Beach (what is the abbreviation for that one???)