DLP when your kids aren't into characters anymore

[DLPdaft]

Just having a ponder on this rainy Sunday afternoon .....

We've been going to DLP since DD was 5 years old. She's 10 now, will be 11 on our next planned visit. Its likely she just won't be that bothered about collecting character autographs/meeting characters, and she's still not into big thrill rides (thank goodness because I'd be using a lot of chicken exits ).

So my question is, for those who do it - whats a trip to DLP like with no/minimal character chasing?
I'd imagine the next time we go will be June 2012, midweek. In the past this has been a lovely and quiet time to go (and I'll be avoiding all European holidays). 3 or 4 nights, 4 days in the parks, probably staying offsite.

 

[elstoleno]

My little brother was 10 on our last trip, so he didn't really want to meet many characters (just the main faves of his - stitch, woody, buzz etc) so that didn't take up much time.

We went on more rides than on previous trips, and didn't stop to see the character express on every passing so while people were watching and getting signatures, we were off queueing for rides :]

Alot more shopping time too!
On our last trip, I wore some terrible shoes on the flight and could hardly walk for the whole trip, and even with that slowing us down and us having to take time to sit in videopolis and watch a few cartoons every few hours, we still got everything done - and this was only 4 days in August when it was packed!

I think you'll get everything done that you want to do, maybe even 3 times!

 

[Roon]

It's certainly much more relaxed. Just go to the rides that are liked and not try to go and see everything as it's been done. I did find though on our last trip that DH and DS were happy to go back to the hotel when I was still raring to go. They weren't interested in Parades and It was me wanting pics with characters. This is why we haven't been back since Halloween 2009.
Next year if the boys have got their tickets to the Olympics I am going on my own as they have just outgrown it which is such and shame. xx

 

[Donald Ducks wife]

ive not done it yet, but maybe it will be a good time to enjoy nice meals, as she will be that bit more grown up, and want to try new things. Maybe someplace like plant hollywood, and maybe try some non-alcholic cocktails, and she will feel like the bee's knee's, being treated like a grown up!

 

[DLPdaft]

Roon I think deep down thats whats concerning me - that she'll outgrow it altogether, whereas I just can't imagine not going to DLP at least once a year .

We do like re-doing rides and shows on a trip, and we always have a table service meal to relax over once a day. Looks like it will be even more rides then .

As she gets older, timing of trips will also be an issue, and having done one weekend trip which was busy on the days either side of it too, neither of us really want to repeat that - having to plan so much more than when its quiet and you can more or less just do what you want when you want.

Why can't DD stay 7 forever ??

 

[Ware Bears]

So my question is, for those who do it - whats a trip to DLP like with no/minimal character chasing?

Very relaxing!!

Roon I think deep down thats whats concerning me - that she'll outgrow it altogether, whereas I just can't imagine not going to DLP at least once a year .

But she may never outgrow it, Elaine. I've got 3 DDs - the eldest who's now 19 is a total Disney geek and is still first in line to wait for parades, fireworks and photos with characters!! I can say hand on heart that she's never going to tire of Disney holidays! My other two who are now 16 and 14 aren't as besotted as they once were but are still quite happy to be going at the end of the month. I'll report back on how much they enjoyed it when we get back!

I'm relieved we no longer have to 'character chase' - it was fun on the first few trips and I've got all their autograph books stashed away in their memory boxes but it's nice to be getting our character fix from just a meal these days.

Here's hoping you'll still be having lots of mum and daughter trips for quite a few more years yet.

 

[DLPdaft]

Here's hoping you'll still be having lots of mum and daughter trips for quite a few more years yet.

I hope so too - maybe all is not lost just yet, so far today she's found Bambi and Jungle Book 2 on the TV to watch .

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

I wish I had a mother who was into Disney or at least 'got it'. I'd love to be able to share it with her like you guys.
But if it helps, I'm nearly 22 and there is no chance that I'm growing out of it anytime soon.

 

[Rosie]

It's quite sad being the only one in the family who needs a Disney trip each year & wants a hug from the characters!
My kids are mid teens now & DD will go with me but DS won't & despises character meet & greets.
Make the best of each stage - there's still loads of fun stuff for older kids and maybe we'll have to form a DLP buddy scheme for those of us whose kids/mums/partners aren't as thrilled as they should be at visiting!!

 

[Lisa_C]

Just wanted to say, my SON is 15 and he still LOVES Disney!! He's been going since he was four, but I must admit, we space out trips to once every 18 month so it's all new each time we go. I would hate to over water it and loose him as a Disney buddy!!

He got very upset last year because he was trying to meet Donald (we decided that we would join in the autograph thing as it's not usually something we have time for), but certain nationalities thought they had the right to push him out of the way each time he stepped forward. Donald noticed him and took his hand (DS is a very patient child and wouldn't have dreamed of pushing back) then led him away to a corner and made a real fuss of him. Minnie did the same, and his face in the pictures says it all!! So Pixie Dust was sprinkled and he still loves meting characters

We do tend to look forward to eating out though, we like to plan our meals so we have a good sit down each day, but these are not usually based around character meals. We like the buffets!!

 

[jothp]

I am starting to worry about mine growing out of it too. Oldest dd is 8 and still loves it at the moment but she has already started complaining that legoland is boring so I'm just wondering how long it will be until disney is boring too

 

[DLPdaft]

Ah we're maybe worrying over nothing at all jothp - after all, you and I still love it don't we?

I like Alton Towers for a day out - but once a year is enough for me and DD, theme parks are not the same as Disney, are they .

 

[jothp]

No not quite the same as Disney but my thrillseeker DD's will happily go when Disney is not available.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I really wouldn't worry about this.

Like Ware Bares - I have 2 older ones, 17 and 14 and we were talking about going back this October as they loved it last year.

Youngest DS is only 6, and he does like the characters but has never really been into getting autographs. If we happen to be near a character, he likes to get a photo, but not to the extent of queueing for ages or chasing them about.

We still watch the parade and enjoy our character meals and meets inside the hotel each morning. I still buy a disney plush each christmas for them which even Mark, the 'rockstar' displays proudly in his room - along with glass figures etc. Toy Story 3 often finds its way into his room too Abbey got a Lotso for her birthday last week and was over the moon!

If you've done a good job brainwashing them - which I think most of us have - then they'll never lose the Disney bug.

 

[DLPdaft]

If you've done a good job brainwashing them - which I think most of us have - then they'll never lose the Disney bug.

love it - operation brainwashing continues!!

 

[jillrobinson]

I'm sure everything will be fine, Liam and I are really looking forward to our trip, he's 12 and surprised me the other day by saying he's quite happy to just look around at all the details, obviously I've done a good job there. OH and my eldest are totally different although both enjoy the trips, they don't see DLP the same way as I do and I think Liam does. They're answer to a possible trip was "Again !!! We've done it to death!"
Having a trip with older kids is good fun, you don't have to queue for characters but you still come across them now and again when they're not being mobbed and IMHO these unexpected meets are far more fun, BTW I had my pic taken with more characters last visit than the boys did.
You don't have to rush back for bedtime I love the village and sitting in the sports bar with a Mojito under a patio heater (it's always cold when we go lol) is one of my favourite bits of the holiday, oh and a Cosmopolitan at Cafe Mickey as we do still like to have a character meal. I enjoy the evenings, it's not a case of the park's closed early, back to the hotel room.
Shuttle buses aren't such a hassle and you don't have to carry the supplies to the park you need for little ones.
BTW we're not really into the thrill rides either but still find plenty to keep us occupied.

 

[KatyTheFairyPrincess]

A lot of kids seem to "grow out" around 10 and then re-find the magic a few years later Theres a definite age gap between the kids we get at work buying things for themselves (I'm a CM for the Disney Store). I think when they realise they are growing up and adulthood is rubbish, they try and re-discover their youth

 

[jillrobinson]

I think you're right Katy and I think most of it comes from peer pressure and the need to fit in and be cool. All my eldest DS ever wanted to do when he was little was get on the stage, as soon as he was old enough he got into local Panto company, local theatre group and junior amateur dramatics, he was a member of the school choir and church choir - he started Comprehensive and dropped the lot.
Now at 17 he tells me he wouldn't mind getting involved in drama again

 

[DLPdaft]

thanks Jill (and everyone else), it does reassure me that its maybe just not going to happen with DD, and she'll be happy to be with me on DLP holidays for years to come .