Can you still have "magic" with older kids?

[pnelson]

Reading about peoples magical experiences makes me sad because I feel like I missed out when my son was smaller. He is very hyper and has some emotional issues, so our earlier trips to WDW were less than magical, to say the least. We are going back this December. I know we will have a better trip because he is better behaved and more under control, but I feel it's too late at his age for him to really be "awed" by the characters, parades, etc. Has anyone experienced anything wonderful with their older children?

 

[safetymom]

My kids are teenagers and older but they still are awed by WDW. My middle child just loves Disney and 2 Christmas' ago she stated that she wanted to work at Disney. I told her some day maybe she would. Then several months later WDW came to her campus and she was accepted into the Disney College Program and got to work at WDW. She worked there for almost a year and she can't wait to go back.

There is magic in WDW for all ages.

 

[geffric]

Not sure what you mean by "older children".. mine are current;y 12 and 10... they still love WDW and enjoy al the aspects of it. No we don't ride Dumbo anymore but we also don't change diaper seither.. they still love parades and character dinning, although for the 12 year old's b'day, we were at Whispering Canyon and he didn't want anyone to sing Birthday song to him " it is it not Cool' . We still got pictures with characters at dining, they won't stnad in line and get pictures with them and have them sign autograph books. but we enjoy Ak and Epcot a lot more and spend time there enjoying the shows and excitment at WS.

Still magical to us

 

[HunnyPots]

We had our first WDW trip in June and my kids were 12 and 15.
It was the most magical vacation we've ever taken! Both kids loved the characters and we took so many great pictures with them. We even did two character meals and no one felt too old!
It was like once we were on Disney property, they were both five years old again - only with much better attention spans!

I used to think I'd missed out by not taking my kids when they were little, but after seeing so many children having less than magical days and many parents trying to force the issue, I was glad I was there with my big kids. No temper tantrums and no diapers to change! Yay!

 

[erinch]

we just spent a magical month in orland with our 7 yo princess dd and our 15 yo punk rocker son. It was even more special and precious because he's old enough to appreciate the details.

 

[TestTrackBoy]

I'm 16 and I love it! I act like it was my first time there. The fun has not worn off over the years, I think it gets bettet. Now I can understand why it's such a magical place. I always wanted to work at Disney World, and I still do to this day. Once I finish college in Orlando, I will be on to Walt Disney World. And some day you might see me working at Test Track!

 

[tc]

We first went to WDW when my girls were 10 and 12, they loved everything about it. We've been with them 5 times total, the last time this past January. They were 20 and 21. It was the most magical trip of all. They can appreciate so much. They both love children, and went out of their way to talk to little kids on the bus, in line, at restaurants. We had the best time making magic for other families. My oldest was invited to a "big sister meet" by a little girl (probably 3) on the bus to MGM. They just all started talking, and the little girl said she was meeting big sisters all over the world (literally). She had the whole meet planned. My daughter went along with this little girls fantasy, and had a great time talking about it. You can create magic with all ages. Now it's usually my husband and I that go, and it's always magical. I am looking forward to, someday, taking my grandkids, but, until then, I love the magic we create.

 

[mickeyc]

We have been going to WDW for over 17 yrs and needless to say we age. Since Disney can accomodate every age group we never had a problem doing the age appropriate activity. Since my son is in his early 20s we now go do more adult type activities, such as Jelly Rolls or the comedy clubs at Pleasure Island. This is in addition to going to the parks.

He also was in the WDWCP and had a great time. He is now in dental school in Florida and we plan to visit around Thanksgiving. I am sure we will spend one or two days at Disney. I should also mention we hooked his grandmother who is in her 80s on Disney and she can't wait to go back. Enjoy!!

 

[Disneylovers]

Our first trip, our DD's were 6 and 9 months old. When we go back in March, they'll be 16 and 10 1/2. Every trip is magical, because on every trip we can experience more with little DD. Older DD looks forward to our trips so much, she starts making our "itinerary" 6 months before we leave! So in answer to your question, yes you can have magic with older kids (heck, DH and I are definitely older kids!!!)

 

[InstImpres]

I still experience the magic as an adult. My DD8 teases me the trip makes me happier than her The magic is everywhere. I still love the parades, etc. and I cry every time I leave MK at the end of my trip even knowing I'll be back in less than a year (sometimes just a few months).

JMHO
Sandy

 

[Dan Murphy]

My only trip to the World wit hthe kids was in '99, they were 19 and 22 at the time. Check my spinner clipart (if site is up), or www icon below for pictures and you tell me if they had a good time.

 

[jeankeri]

We will be visiting this December and are so excited. My DS6 & DS8 are making lists of what they want to do. We have told them that we will come back in 2-3 years because you can't see it all. My question- is there anything I should suggest/put on my list that they will be in awe of @ 6&8 that will not impress @ 9&11? I want to make sure we capture the magic!!!

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

When DS went into the Marines at 19 we offered to take a family vacation anywhere he wanted, knowing things would be different after he graduated boot and family vacations would be far and few between. The only place he wanted to go was to see the Mouse. Mr. Macho Man wanted to go play at Disney. And yes, we went and had a great time. There is some magic when you pass the entrance gate that turns us all into kids.

We have taken the kids several times as teenagers and we have always had a wonderful trip...even when they didn't get along at home they were best buddies at Disney.

Have a great time!

Melissa

 

[MickeysMommy]

My first trip to WDW was in 1991 when I was 15 ~ and got hooked! In some aspects I think it might be better for older children as they can understand more things (EPCOT for instance) and still feel the "Magic" of MGM and Magic Kingdom...to this day, my favorite park is MK! Have a great time

 

[Kteacher]

we were just there in July with our kids- 11, 13 and almost 17. This was their 4th trip in 5 years. The oldest son still likes getting a kiss from Minnie ( I have the pictures to prove it ), and the 13 year old was twirling his napkin along with everyone else in Chef Mickey's. All 5 of us posed for the pictures on the rides- this was the almost 17 year-old's idea! I also bought Mickey ears with his friends' names on them as gifts ( they are like extra sons to me )- and these 'almost men" loved them Don't worry about kids being too old for "the Magic"

 

[ww52]

We made our first trip when the kids were 7, 3, and 2. We just took our sixth with the "kids" being 21, 17, and 16. It was just as enjoyable as the first - and more so in many ways since they are able to go off on their own. My oldest thought of not vacationing with us - until we decided we'd go to WDW one more time. I wouldn't tell him I heard, but he was singing the SpectroMagic song back at the hotel after a long and great e-ride night (another advatage of plder kids at the world.) Very different from his Cancun trip with his friends a while ago - yet in different ways he loved both.

The kids have promised to take us back for the 50th anniversary with whatever famileies they have at that time. WDW means a lot to all of us no matter the age.

 

[wendy1974]

The first time I visited WDW I was 5 years old, I am now 28 and in all the trips in between the magic has NEVER disappeared