DS-5 doesn't want to go to WDW??? what to do?

[hollyb]

I have been following this story for a little while. I am so glad he wants to go now. I can relate to your original problem, my DS did not want to go on vacation last year either. Come to find out I was making me crazy with all the talk leading up to the vaction that he was so overwhelmed by it all. In the long run he did go and had a great time.

So now that we are plannning the kids first trip to Disney we only talk about it in passing once a month or so.

Go and have a GREAT TIME!!!!!!

 

[brymolmom]

Other things you might want to avoid:
Philharmagic - (which is a bummer - dd3 hates it but I think it's one of the best made attractions in all the parks) - a lot of 'in your face' stuff
Stay away from Fantasmic at MGM- very scary for the young.

 

[Dawn414]

I thought the poster that said kids change was right on the money. We took my twins DD (3) and DS (3) to SeaWorld shortly after their 3rd birthday. They didn't really enjoy it (which totally bummed me out). We went back again in September (we get in for free) and they LOVED it. So, I guess you just never know.

GOOD LUCK...

 

[disneymomof6]

this is all so interesting...

I have 6 kids and my second oldest son.... age 15 said he didnt want to go... we leave feb 8.... I asked why... he said he didnt know.... I said well thats not a good enough answer.... I asked him again a few days later and he still didn have an answer so I told him it would be a good thing for him to discuss with his therapist when hes an adult.... how his parents abused him by making him take a week vacation from the 30 below weather to orlando to spend at disney.... This coming from a straight A.... very well behaved child that I have never had to so much as raise my voice at.... it was all ODD but I cant very well leave him behind and make him think that it didnt matter to me if he was there or not.... I dont want family pics that I have to look back at and see a missing child.... kids dont get that choice at my house!!!

If it was my 5 year old.... I would have said.... it means a lot to mom and dad and my siblings that you are apart of this and it would make our trip less enjoyable if you arent there so do us a favor and just go for our sake!!

 

[bkfree]

Our first trip in 05 mine were 3 and 5 and theme park novices, so we really did not know what they would and would not like. My daughter loved everything, from the Barnstormer roller coaster to the Haunted Mansion to Bug's life and everything in between. The only thing she did not like was the Fantasmic SHow at MGM, she said too many evil characters. My son, who has PDD, actually loved everything except the Barnstormer and screamed the entire ride.(Live and Learn) but he laughed continuosly at the Haunted Mansion and Bug's Life. We found on the other rides as long as he got a look at what we would be sitting in, he was fine.
Our friends with us had a 3 year old who would ride anything she was tall enough for but screamed like a banshee at any character that came within 20 yards of her.
We leave on Sat, for trip two and mine are so excited that only one ride they are not tall enough for, but asked to skip Fantasmic.

 

[orljustin]

This is the oddest original post, with the most sensible resolution I think I've read here.

 

[POOHBEARSMOMMA]

Hi...newbie here...been lurking for awhile, getting tips for our trip next month (ssh..it's a surprise). I have a very similar situation. My 5yo son also has NO desire to go. We also thought of leaving him home, however, which would make for a definite easier trip...however, I can't do that..it's a family vacation & w/out him it's just a family of three (incomplete). I'm hoping (& praying) that he will be okay...does not like characters nor rides (although he likes disney movies, etc.). My DD (who's 8) will be super excited & will ride absolutely everything..she's my thrill seeker. I hope everything goes well & your son enjoys himself. I think you are making the right decision & understand exactly where you are coming from...I really dont' think it has anything to do w/ "letting a 5 year old make the decisions" as I do NOT let my children make decisions, but when your child is telling you "I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO DISNEY", ya gotta at least entertain the ideal? Good luck to you, I'm sure he'll love it when he's actually there (hopefully mine does too).

 

[flying_babyb]

find something he loves. hes young yet, get him into a animal. I know where I was a little girl my father dragged me this stupid carnival. He knew I didnt want to go at all, so before hand he bought me a stuffed bear. We started wacthing movies and stuff on bears. Well, that became my new obbsession. I spent my whole time at the carinval looking for bears and bear related things insted of being unhappy. Im not saying this will work for your boy but it may be worth a try. Pick a aminmal or somthing at disney. Is he like most boys and train obsessed? Mabye you can tell him about the secret disney train (monorail) and center his experance around it. make up a ticket, map that sorta thing, to give him somthing to look forward to that he knows he will enjoy.