Have we spoiled our kids?

[CapeCodFam]

Me too! just like cnids Idreamed of going to WDW when I was a kid. I even did several book reports on Mr. Walt Disney(my ds8 also did a report on Mr. Disney with a soda bottle version of him and got the full 25 points=100%)when I was a kid. We were unable to afford WDW there were 8 kids in my family. We had just enough to get by. Well I am married to a Disnut with three Disboys(2,6,8).The older two will be going on there 4th trip this dec. little guy on his third. If my kids are spoiled then so am I!
Me and My DH wouldn't have it any other way. I see it as we are all very fortunate. We only have one life and we might as well live it.

Spoiled and proud of it!
Joy

 

[FOV]

We surprised our kids last year for ds's 5th birthday. We wanted to take him to Universal/IOA to meet Spiderman because he was a HUGE fan.

We never told him a thing - and on the day we were flying to Florida we told the kids we were going to the beach (as an excuse for the duffle bags in the trunk.) When we got to the airport and announced our plans our son said "So now we can't go to the beach?" Mind you - we live 5 minutes away from the beach and go at least 3 times per week in the summer!

By the time we landed in Orlando the kids were more excited but I don't think I will ever spring something like that on them at the last minute again. Now they get just as much enjoyment out of anticipating our trips and they get involved in all aspects of planning.

 

[riopooh]

We surprised my son (and ourselves, actually) when he was 5 1/2. He had no idea what to expect at any part; first airplane, first palm tree, first big rides, first characters. His favorite part - calling his cousins back in NY to rub in that he was in a t-shirt and they were still cold! At first he was overwhelmed by it all but after a few days we turned off our commandos and on his kid speed (playing in Donald's boat forever, eating Mickey bars on a bench, pool time).

He's now a Disney pro - 2nd trip included little sister & he is now looking forward to bringing 5 cousins (newbies) and aunts & uncles & grandparents who haven't been there in over 20 years. Our trip is six months away and now that I've got all the accomodations planned, he is starting on the itinerary. First ride - Buzz Lightyear - he told me "that all ages will enjoy it!"

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I think of it as family quality time. No computers, PS2 and the phone for 10 days. It's just when I was a kid my parents couldn't afford these big trips. Not to mention WDW didn't open until my sister and brother were ages 11-16. This is my trip too, sometimes I enjoy it more than my 2 DD.
I know if it were just my husband and I we would still be going to WDW.

 

[Mandalou]

Thankfully, my two DS's (8 and 5) still love going to WDW. They've gone almost every year since they were born. We're going again in November/December with my DH's parents and the kids are still so excited to go. (It doesn't hurt that all year I talk about how great our last trip was, show them pictures of our trips, and play the WDW Vacation Planning DVD over and over again.)

Because I have such a love of WDW, I have to always make sure I'm making WDW plans that the whole family will love -- not just me. I know that the day MAY come when they didn't want to go to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. (Oh, it hurts to say that.) Of course, if that day does ever come, I guess I'll be going by myself. . . I'm hooked!

 

[eeyore kelly]

I'm a planner and taught my kids to be one too. we asked them if they would like to go to WDW, and then started planning. I thought after the intial happiness, it would go back to hum drum, but I am surprised how they still talk about it. They talk about character meals, rides, Mickey bars etc. They have designed family shirts and their own autograph books. I think if I would have surprised them they would have been too shocked to give me the response I would have wanted.

But to answer the OP's question, No I don't think you spoiled you kids, i think they needed "sink in" time.

 

[frannn]

DH and I have been going to WDW annually since our honeymoon in 1999. In 2000, we took my DDs (they were about 11 and 7). They had a good time, but ended up staying with their dad instead of coming with us in the trips that followed. Last year, we took only our DD1, who had a GREAT time, which helped us to have a GREATER time. We are going again in a few weeks, and DD11 has decided to come with. We are also taking DD2. DD2 loves Mickey and watching all the planning videos, as well as looking at the photo montage on the computer. She loves , but is too young to understand a surprise. DD11 actually begged to come with us this time. We told her she could if she earned it with good behavior, grades, etc. She has been doing great! Each day, we have been taking a short walk, and discussing the meals, daily parks, etc. She has had more fun planning with me than DH (thank goodness!). So, there is something to be said for included the kids in the planning. The surprise for her will be her entire luggage, in which I packed everything new, including a bunch of fun surprises. I already gave her the treats I bought for her carryon- mini radio, WDW electronic handheld game, sunglasses, mad libs, etc. I just hope the actual trip isn't a letdown for her after all the build up we've been giving it!