Disowning DS

[james'mommy]

Horrors Today my DS stated me wanted to stay at a hotel that wasn't Disney. We did a little more digging and it turns out he wants to go some place other than WDW. Where did I go wrong. I made him watch playhouse disney. He never even saw Sesame Street. I force fed him Disney movies. We took him for the first time when he was 3. He loved it so much that we bought DVC. Okay the DVC was mainly for me but I used him as a selling point to DH. He's gone to Disney 11 times in the last 4 years. We already have 2 more trips planned.

It's not like we never take him places other than disney. This year we went to Cabo, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. And we only went to disney once this year. He's been to london, all over the caribbean, all over europe. alaska.

We've already decided to go to disney in May. I can't cancel that trip because I already borrowed dvc points. DH said maybe we can go somewhere else over the summer. DS has mentioned he wants to go to Ireland and London. I figure if the trip goes thu I'll let DS decide where to go.

 

[greenpea89]

To be honest, I would put the brakes on Disney vacations for a while. If you go to England then you can take the train or a quick flight to Paris for a couple of days and do DLP to get your fix but it sounds like your son has just kind of OD'd on it at the moment.

Personally, I would just eat the borrowed points if he really doesn't want to go and cancel the May trip. If your finances don't allow you to do that then I would go to Orlando and let him know that you need to stay DVC because that's the way a time share works and it's prepaid but he doesn't have to go to a Disney park.

See what he wants to do - NASA, Medieval Times, the beach, sports events. He may surprise you and be willing to do a day of Disney parks but it sounds like he needs a break. He's about seven right? Focus on his interests - is it knights? I know my son loved to go to the UK to see the castles at that age because he loved to read and hear about knights. Then, I would add Medieval Times to the mix and check around to see if a Renaissance Fair is going on close to Orlando. Maybe at his age he wants to spend more time at Universal or Busch Gardens. I would bend a little this time and curb the trips to once a year for a while. You can save more for your other trips and everyone will have more fun.

 

[snoopy5386]

To be honest, I would put the brakes on Disney vacations for a while. If you go to England then you can take the train or a quick flight to Paris for a couple of days and do DLP to get your fix but it sounds like your son has just kind of OD'd on it at the moment.

Personally, I would just eat the borrowed points if he really doesn't want to go and cancel the May trip. If your finances don't allow you to do that then I would go to Orlando and let him know that you need to stay DVC because that's the way a time share works and it's prepaid but he doesn't have to go to a Disney park.

See what he wants to do - NASA, Medieval Times, the beach, sports events. He may surprise you and be willing to do a day of Disney parks but it sounds like he needs a break. He's about seven right? Focus on his interests - is it knights? I know my son loved to go to the UK to see the castles at that age because he loved to read and hear about knights. Then, I would add Medieval Times to the mix and check around to see if a Renaissance Fair is going on close to Orlando. Maybe at his age he wants to spend more time at Universal or Busch Gardens. I would bend a little this time and curb the trips to once a year for a while. You can save more for your other trips and everyone will have more fun.

I don't think I'd let my 7 yo choose the family vacation.
Eating DVC points because my 7 yo doesn't want to go to Disney? I don't think so.

We also own DVC and I know we won't always go to Disney when we stay at our resort. I'm sure we'll always do a day or two in the parks but we'll also do sea world, universal, cape canaveral, etc. Would your son like any of those things?

 

[squirrel]

Wow, your son is a lucky boy. He has already travelled to many places.

I wouldn't let him change your plans for May. If at all possible maybe do another theme park or something other than all Disney on the May trip.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I may have missed it, but how old is your son? It could be that he is starting to learn the idea of protesting, you know how if a parent is very clean the child might start being messy, or if they are a political type family the child may start talking about anarchy. He could just be trying to get under your skin and if you love Disney then he will be antidisney just to test the waters. OR, he could just need a Disney break. Either way anytime we are planning a trip and one of kids complains then we explain that they are not grown, they are not paying and they have not choice in where we vacation. We do however give them options involving what we do, for example at WDW each child gets to pick one palce to eat, one ride they want to do and one character they would like to meet and we always do everthing we can to do them.

 

[santa's surpriz]

My dd got the idea of staying at the Best Western bc of some ads on disney channel. It was horrible bc when we drove down over the summer she pleaded evertime she saw one, she pleaded to stay there. Now as a joke my mom is getting me a Best Western gift certificate, ugh. Nothing against BW but they are all not as nice as the one at WDW.

 

[happymommy]

I was the opposite of your son! My folks took us once to the MK when I was 7 - the year that Space Mountain opened. It was just a long weekend trip, and we stayed at the CR.

I always wanted to go back to WDW, but my folks didn't really like it. It's just either not their thing, or they just don't see how much fun it is for kids. We went to the beaches in Florida usually over spring break growing up, but I mostly had to make my own fun, swimming or renting a bike and riding around (it was safe, when we were on Sanibel).

Now that I am all grown up, I've taken my kids many times as well. We've been scaling back the last few years, but did go for 5 days over this 2009 spring break, and a year ago in December. I'm considering this coming spring break, only because it'd be probably just me and the kids (DH doesn't love Disney and can't always get away). Many trips it's just me and the kids, so lots of places I'd rather not go without DH (DS has food allergies, and other health issues, so Disney is very easy to do, and relaxing for me).

Okay, so you have a trip planned in May? I'd go and have fun. Your kids are young I gather. I'd definitely then have a family meeting, and gather some ideas, then start to plan the summer vacation. But I wouldn't cancel your trip now.

 

[james'mommy]

There's no way I'm canceling my May trip. Eating 75 points is too much. And I can't cancel next December because it is a big family trip. We'll definately go some where other than Disney for our anniversary in May '11. We usually go away for his bday in August. DH is thinking maybe a cruise. Which would be fine as long as it's not the caribbean. I'm thinking maybe London/Paris. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[snowbunny]

Where did I go wrong.

He's gone to Disney 11 times in the last 4 years.

You answered your own question.

I wouldn't cancel a planned trip and eat points either. But I would strongly consider giving it a rest for a few years after that and either renting out my points and using that money to go somewhere else, or using points to stay elsewhere...Vero for example or an exchange outside DVC.

 

[dfchelbay]

There are so many things to do in Orlando. You can use your points to stay on property AND take your son to Kennedy Space Center, the ocean, Busch Garden, Sea World, Universal Studios, etc. He can see/do so many things beside WDW.

 

[greenpea89]

Just to clarify, I based my opinion on what I personally would do in this situation and to be honest I would skip the May trip without hesitation. If for some reason it was a financial issue then I would plan activities outside Disney for my family given the circumstances.

My understanding is that this trip isn't "the" family vacation but one of several vacations your family takes each year. Also, you have a long term commitment as DVC owners to return to Orlando in the future. I don't see it as a child dictating or choosing the vacation by accommodating his interests and requests. IMHO it's important to lay a foundation where your son enjoys visiting Orlando several times a year by finding things he really enjoys doing while he is there or he may begin to resent your trips to Disney as he gets older. Which isn't fun and isn't what you were hoping for, I'm sure, when you bought DVC. It's really a win/win for everyone because you get to try new things that you all may enjoy.

A quick note about the cruise, are you talking about the transatlantic cruise to London and then Paris? IMHO, with children (I have four) I think you get much more time in both cities if you simply fly and explore them from there. My children enjoy both cities very much and prefer to spend their time visiting their favorite spots as opposed to spending their time in transit but, that is, of course, a personal family decision. If your heart is set on a cruise my children prefer the Med just because there is more time spent off the ship (we do it on a sailboat instead of a cruise ship which is another interesting way to explore).

Since you mentioned your son has visited most of Europe have you give some thought to Asia? Japan has awesome castles and tons of fun things for kids to do (plus Disney for you too!). It's also a super easy destination with kids and appeals equally to both boys and girls. China, Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Bhutan are also terrific for kids. Easy, fun, and lots to do. You could stop in Hong Kong and do Disney there or you could transit through Singapore ("Asia Lite") where a new Universal Studios is opening in a couple of months. There are also some great cruises along the coast if you prefer to do a cruise (typically Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, HK). If you aren't comfortable with Asia a few of other suggestions that are my kids' favorites are Egypt, South Africa, and Turkey. They are each fascinating in their own way. We alway find something new and interesting to explore when we visit. Have fun planning!

 

[DawnM]

My kids also like Disney, but they are a bit burnt out as well. We have gone a lot this year.

I am trying to fit in one more trip before our APs run out in January, but everyone seems to be giving me a take it or leave it attitude (including DH). I have already paid for a condo that has to be used by June and is somewhat limited to location and I know we won't go to Orlando after our passes run out and by June when our condo week expires.

So, somewhat of a similar situation.

We really wanted to take a trip to Kenya this summer (where I grew up) but we are going to have to put it on hold for now as the cost is not what we can do at the moment.

We do plan to give Disney a rest for a while though after January.

In May we are going to D.C. Next July we may try to go to the Oregon Coast for a family reunion and to see friends.

Dawn

 

[Kat77]

This is ridiculous, something MUST be done. I think you have two options:

1) Start a strict Disney indoctrination program immediately (see the religion experts on example curriculums- try the Duggar or WWYD embarassing situation threads)!
2) Give this child away and adopt a new one who shares your Disney interests. I suspect you could arrange a child swap right here on the disboards with someone whose child is asking to go to WDW daily...



BTW, I mean all this in good fun!

 

[pjacobi]

This is one of the reason that I never bought into DVC. It's such as easy sell when your kids our toddlers. Disney is the perfect place for families with young kids.

Unfortuately, kids have a way of growing up. Now that my DD is nearly a teenager, there are so many other places that I would like her to see. I'm sure Disney will be included in the list of possible destination, but I'm glad we are not tied down to any long-term commitment.


-Paul

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

You answered your own question.

I wouldn't cancel a planned trip and eat points either. But I would strongly consider giving it a rest for a few years after that and either renting out my points and using that money to go somewhere else, or using points to stay elsewhere...Vero for example or an exchange outside DVC.

I was thinking the same thing. 11 times in 4 years is A LOT! Maybe lay off the Disney trips for a while.

 

[candielips]

This is one of the reason that I never bought into DVC. It's such as easy sell when your kids our toddlers. Disney is the perfect place for families with young kids.

Unfortuately, kids have a way of growing up.

Our children are DD 2 1/2 and DS 7 wks and this is why we plan on doing mostly just Disney vacations for the next few yrs. We figure we should get it in as much as we can before WDW loses its magic to them.
We already took our DD when she was not quite 2 & plan on returning this Sept for our DS's 1st trip.

To the OP. I would go in May but hold off on planning anymore WDW vacations for a while. If you give your DS a break for a bit, he will miss it. I would try renting out my points or saving them for a fabulous stay another time.

 

[ebtbmom]

OP, I see you live in Charlotte (I live in eastern NC). I recommend taking your son to Carowinds a couple of times. Once he experiences that poorly run and maintained amusement park he'll realize what makes Disney so great .

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

This is one of the reason that I never bought into DVC. It's such as easy sell when your kids our toddlers. Disney is the perfect place for families with young kids.

Unfortuately, kids have a way of growing up. Now that my DD is nearly a teenager, there are so many other places that I would like her to see. I'm sure Disney will be included in the list of possible destination, but I'm glad we are not tied down to any long-term commitment.


-Paul

I'm sixteen and I ADORE Disney, still. I understand why you wouldn't buy into DVC, though, its a very very longterm commitment.

But, I've also lived and traveled around the world, and I haven't gone that often to WDW (3 times).

 

[LlamaMamaof2]

I am in the same spot! We go once a year and the kids are starting to rebel. We also travel alot within the states and they would rather see other things. My kids are onlyl 4 and 7! It really hurts when I ask my 7 year old what her favorite vacation spot is and she says Tan-Tar-A!!! If anyone's been there, then you know there is no comparision..
The kids don't pick where we go so they get over it. We will probably not be back to Disney for a few years after our trip next month. Good luck.

 

[james'mommy]

OP, I see you live in Charlotte (I live in eastern NC). I recommend taking your son to Carowinds a couple of times. Once he experiences that poorly run and maintained amusement park he'll realize what makes Disney so great .

We have season passes for Carowinds. For some reason he refuses to ride the rides. We mainly go for the waterpark. The kid's just going to have to suck it up in '10. I'll only schedule 1 trip for '11. DH will like that too.