DD could care less about WDW!!!

[Desnik]

Say it isn't so!!!!!
Have I totally spoiled her that going to WDW is no big deal?!
DD is going to be 8yo. She turned down a trip for her B-day
We are going in May and she isn't excited at all. I try to get her involved with the planning and she doesn't want to. She even told me she didn't want to go. "Oh no not WDW again" A daughter of mine said that
My almost 3yo DS sees the Disney commercials and jumps up and down in excitment saying "I go, I go". He can't wait! I can't imagine going without her and I don't think DH would go for that. I could have her stay home with my mom. I'm afraid she'll ruin the trip for all of us if she doesn't want to be there. She is 8 going on 22 so I could just imagine the attitude. What can I do to get her excited for our trip? Any advice on what to do if you were me?

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

Oh, THE HORROR!

I don't even want to imagine one of my children acting in such a manner.....I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

 

[thelionqueen]

OMG!! I am so sorry!

 

[pezpam]

I'd ask her directly about what's up. Why doesn't she want to go? Is it because the trips are too hectic for her or because she just feels like she's done it all several times and would just prefer something new.... or maybe she's just hit that age where staying home with friends is better than family time away? Find out if there is something she thinks would make her feel more excited about going or if you get the feeling that she really needs/wants a non-Dis trip to break things up a bit.

I don't know...... My 8 year old talks to me all the time and it's still hard to read her some days. I do get the feeling that she (my DD) is at an in-between stage. She's too old for the kid-style Magic, but not old enough to appreciate that the Magic of Disney is a break from reality - she's not out earning money or stressed out over life's trials yet. Trips are about rides and the stuff she likes doing and she's even said that she doesn't want to live at WDW anymore (this was the dream at age 6) because then it wouldn't be special....... It's just an interesting age and every 8 year old is different.

Good thoughts!

 

[TheWog]

I don't think its the age to stay with your friends just yet. DS8 hasn't been to WDW yet, but is very excited and planning with us to go in November. He also gets very excited for his cruises and other vacations. Could be just her. Have you thought about mixing it up for her with a Disney Cruise Line 4 or 7 night cruise with a WDW stay?

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I looked back to see if you said 8 or 18! That is way young for that kind of attitude. No way would I not take her nor would I allow a bad attitude to run the trip. I would look for things she might think is cool such as a spa for kids service at the GF, or tea for lunch there one day. Show her that it is not just for little kids. I know you have tried to involve her in planning but I would try once more and then just drop it for now. Just say I am sure that you will find some things about this trip you will like. If you really think she will cop an attitude on the trip, set some clear guildline and consiquences for behaviors before you go. Try to give her some time one on one with one parent and away from her younger brother. Good luck and stand firm.


Jordans' mom

 

[pezpam]

Just to clarify, I didn't mean actually staying with friends in their home. The OP mentioned that she had the option to leave DD with her parents. I meant that some kids would prefer to stay home where they can play or meet up with friends and that that was something that might be bugging her DD. I wouldn't allow it at this age, but that's a personal call. I certainly remember taking trips to my grandmother's house every summer and reaching an age where I would have preferred to stay home instead of leaving friends behind..... in retrospect, I'm glad my folks said no to that idea.

 

[skiwee1]

My soon to be 7 y/o DD can take WDW or leave it anymore. She has been so many times that she doesn't get the big deal in it. I asked her the other day whether she would rather go to WDW this summer or go to the ocean and stay at the Holiday Inn. She couldn't decide so she told me to pick one! How can anyone think there is even anything to think about on that choice! Of course I picked us going to both but if I had to chose one then it would be WDW.

 

[debaudrn]

I'm so sorry. My DDs are 18 and 16 and can't wait until our next trip this August. They just informed me it will be over a year since the last trip by then. 17 months to be exact! My DS is 12 and he is just the same.
Debbie

 

[salmoneous]

I hope I don't get banned from the disboards for this, but...

There's also the possibility that your DD just isn't into Disney and you have to respect that. Of course, she has a responsibility to the family and shouldn't be allowed to sulk and ruin this trip for everyone else. But maybe you plan your next trip someplace different

 

[Magalex]

I always wonder about that situation with families that go all the time(more than once a year or even every year). We took our then 4.5 yr old DS in April 2005. When we got back I asked him a few days later if he would want to go again. He said "Not Disney again just went there" (this was from a 4 yr old). Talk about Panic But my DH and I figured it out later on is that we drove from PA and my DS didn't actually want to drive all that way. Of course at that age they still don't know "Time" So he didn't want to drive all that way back to WDW so soon in his little mind. We thought we might be going again in May 2006 but decided to work on household projects instead. We are going to Kings Island in Ohio for a very small summer break. They have Scooby Doo and a new Nick Universe opening 2006. He is very excited. We are planning on WDW again Thanksgiving 2007 at WL . We showed him the resort and he is super excited. He will be 7 (enough time between 4 and 7 years old). But maybe when he gets older we are planning on staying off site and mixing WDW with other Orlando attractions. I think the key is to mix up attractions too.

Magalex

 

[skiwee1]

I always wonder about that situation with families that go all the time(more than once a year or even every year). We took our then 4.5 yr old DS in April 2005. When we got back I asked him a few days later if he would want to go again. He said "Not Disney again just went there" (this was from a 4 yr old). Talk about Panic But my DH and I figured it out later on is that we drove from PA and my DS didn't actually want to drive all that way. Of course at that age they still don't know "Time" So he didn't want to drive all that way back to WDW so soon in his little mind. We thought we might be going again in May 2006 but decided to work on household projects instead. We are going to Kings Island in Ohio for a very small summer break. They have Scooby Doo and a new Nick Universe opening 2006. He is very excited. We are planning on WDW again Thanksgiving 2007 at WL . We showed him the resort and he is super excited. He will be 7 (enough time between 4 and 7 years old). But maybe when he gets older we are planning on staying off site and mixing WDW with other Orlando attractions. I think the key is to mix up attractions too.

Magalex

We do other attractions besides WDW. We go to US/IoA and also Seaworld. I will never stay offsite so that is out! I think my DD is just thinking of WDW as the norm instead of a special place. We go to WDW twice a year and those trips are 2 weeks each. I'm not about to change my Disney trips though so DD is just going to have to suck it up! There are worse things in life. LOL!

 

[llp479]

Our 3 dds, 12, 12, and 9 aren't always excited about going, but get into it when we get there. We always try to do at least one new thing every trip. Even with all the times we've been, there are still new places to eat, and believe it or not, new attractions to ride.

Can you get her psyched up about the new Everest ride at AK? I know that's the big one we're hoping will be in soft opening when we go in March. If not, it will wait for 2007, or the impromptu trip that will get added between now and then. There's always something new to look forward to.

We did a big trip Thanksgiving 2004 with my sister and her family. My then 13 year old nephew wasn't into the whole WDW thing at all. We also had an au pair from England going with us for the first time. We told him just to watch her as she experienced it for the first time. He ended up having a ball, just watching and interacting with her. Maybe you can get her excited to see how her little brother reacts, or even ask her to help you find things to do that he would enjoy, like she did when she was little.

Good luck!

 

[kat3668]

Will you adopt me...............

 

[Desnik]

LOL Kat3668!!!

Thanks everyone for some really great advice!

DH and I are really big Disney fans and don't see an end to our trips anytime soon. We are DVC members so it is so easy for us to induldge in our obsession! I think DD is at an age where I would not want to leave her behind on a family vacation.

I sat her down and talked to her about this today and she opened up to me and told me how she felt. It turns out she likes Hershey Park better!! We go there every other year and she said she likes their rides better! She doesn't know it but I was/am planning a suprise trip there in the summer. Anyway, she went on to tell me she does like going to WDW It's just she wants to do something different. She wants to spend more time at the pool and go to the community hall(we'll be at the BWV)and do arts and crafts. She also wants to do the adventures in cooking and albatross adventure. My mistake to think that since she is a kid, she'd want to be at the parks. Turns out the kid wants to swim on vacation, go figure!!LOL

I really appreciate all the advice, you all are great.