He finally "gets it"!!!

[toniosmom]

I became a DVC member in 2008 and have been taking my DS6 on twice-yearly trips since then. Many times I feel like he doesn't really care about where he is -- he is more interested in swimming than actually going to the parks. I'm okay with that, but deep down was a bit disappointed that he wasn't really getting into the Disney aspect of it as much as I was.

Today, I had the TV on while he was playing on the computer and a Disney commercial came on. Suddenly he tells me that when he hears the Disney commercial, it makes him happy and he smiles. I was stunned. I honestly thought I had spoiled him and he was becoming a bit of a Disney "snob" (if there is such a thing). I actually got tears in my eyes. I am a single mom and all but one of our trips have been just the two of us. I am so happy (and a bit relieved) that I am successfully making happy childhood memories for him.

 

[laura-k]

That is so cool -
My son is 18 now ,I used to think he took it for granted but he has all his own
things that remind him of Disney and special times and special memories and things he likes to do first and weird little must see stuff at the resorts -
Mickey Bars and Dole whip floats and O"hana -
OH Ya he still spends a lot of time at the pool !
Different strokes -he he

 

[mjc2003]

I became a DVC member in 2008 and have been taking my DS6 on twice-yearly trips since then. Many times I feel like he doesn't really care about where he is -- he is more interested in swimming than actually going to the parks. I'm okay with that, but deep down was a bit disappointed that he wasn't really getting into the Disney aspect of it as much as I was.

Today, I had the TV on while he was playing on the computer and a Disney commercial came on. Suddenly he tells me that when he hears the Disney commercial, it makes him happy and he smiles. I was stunned. I honestly thought I had spoiled him and he was becoming a bit of a Disney "snob" (if there is such a thing). I actually got tears in my eyes. I am a single mom and all but one of our trips have been just the two of us. I am so happy (and a bit relieved) that I am successfully making happy childhood memories for him.

The true wonder of childhood, no matter how you slice it, is their ability to revel in situations that we otherwise see as mundane. I see my children enjoy the black and white TV in the Beach Club lobby while we wait for a table in the restaurant, and it's a not-so-subtle reminder that we sometimes (with all the right intentions) try way too hard.
Don't think you are not making memories for him. The reality is, the memories we make for our kids are not those we presuppose, but instead the ones they allow to happen organically.
I remember my mom telling me a long time ago that each of our vacations is a photo album, and we can't put the pictures in until they're taken.
The point is, if your DS enjoyed the swimming more than the parks up until now, then the swimming, to him, is the park! And soon he'll enjoy the parks more than the swimming. We can't decide how our kids have fun, only give them the chance to have fun.
Rest assured that if you've been taking him twice a year since 2008, you have most likely created more memories for him than you'll ever realize.

 

[kikiq]

But you are making memories for him, and even though it's now making him smile, there will be time when he will have more memories. When my oldest DD had her DD, she wanted to take her on IASW just like I took her younger sister when she was 6 weeks old. Who knew that she would remember that? So when my DGD was 6 weeks old, we went on IASW with her.

 

[Breyean]

We started going twice a year when our son was 9. They were still building OKW back then and to this day (he's now 26) he still talks about how much he loved going there. The best part to him was finding new paths and "secret" places to show us, even though they weren't always so new or secret. But for a kid his age, out exploring, it was magical.

He loved it so much when they offered the extension at OKW, HE bought it, saying he wants to be sure he can take his grandkids there.

 

[FigmentLady]

This post made me smile and made me think of the memories I have with my parents from when I was a kid. He will cherish those memories forever.

 

[bumbershoot]

The true wonder of childhood, no matter how you slice it, is their ability to revel in situations that we otherwise see as mundane. I see my children enjoy the black and white TV in the Beach Club lobby while we wait for a table in the restaurant, and it's a not-so-subtle reminder that we sometimes (with all the right intentions) try way too hard.
Don't think you are not making memories for him. The reality is, the memories we make for our kids are not those we presuppose, but instead the ones they allow to happen organically.
I remember my mom telling me a long time ago that each of our vacations is a photo album, and we can't put the pictures in until they're taken.
The point is, if your DS enjoyed the swimming more than the parks up until now, then the swimming, to him, is the park! And soon he'll enjoy the parks more than the swimming. We can't decide how our kids have fun, only give them the chance to have fun.
Rest assured that if you've been taking him twice a year since 2008, you have most likely created more memories for him than you'll ever realize.

I just love this whole post. So true.


For me, I lost a lot of my childhood memories when I went away to college and then my mom moved the entire household across the country (so I lost my childhood home, the ONLY one I knew, immediately after going to college). I remember that I *used to* remember lots of things, but now I don't.

But the tiniest things will hit me and I go back to kid-hood...one day I remembered that they used to sell some drink in an orange-shaped cup/bottle/thing at Disneyland (also WDW I've read). I spent the next 2 days in a daze, just thinking about that. I remember a red visor-hat that I got from Disneyland... And those are just about IT for in-park memories for me at Disneyland, but they are still STRONG, GOOD memories.

 

[Cee]

You absolutely are making happy childhood memories for him. Don't ever doubt that. Well done, mommy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

This is a nice story, and I think your son will have even more great memories as he gets older. Soon you will be able to take a friend along with him too when he no longer thinks it's cool to do the rides with Mom.

 

[nunzia]

My kids all remember our Disney trips as wonderful (what, they don't remember all the fighting on the drives, me swinging my arms toward the back seat to get them to STOP and that we ended up buying a Suburban so they could have their own ROW?? ) They all never stopped loving Disney, never didn't want to to ride with us, never thought Disney wasn't cool enough. Now it's all the grands that go and so far they all love it all too. I first went when I was 7 and I will never forget all the wonderful feelings I have of family times there..we went many times and we all took my grandparents on their 50th anniversary. You are doing good!! He will remember things differently than you do, but the special memories will always be there.

 

[Greysword]

Thanks, toniosmom! This is the true value of the Disney Vacation Club!

We can talk about price per point, annual dues increases, and whether the cost is viable to buy-in; however, the true value is being able to take our families on multiple vacations to Disney (either one) and share the magic with generations. This is the true value of DVC and it is priceless.

Also, he doesn't yet realize how many points he is going to gain with the girls for being a DVC member

...one day I remembered that they used to sell some drink in an orange-shaped cup/bottle/thing at Disneyland (also WDW I've read).

I remember these as well (Florida version). Good news; the Orange Bird is back (and it would be cool if the orange bottles returned as well)

- WDW Report: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/the-florida-orange-bird-returns-to-walt-disney-world/

- Discussion about it: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=79679

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Congratulations!

Have a wonderful lifetime of more memories.

 

[lilpooh108]

But the tiniest things will hit me and I go back to kid-hood...one day I remembered that they used to sell some drink in an orange-shaped cup/bottle/thing at Disneyland (also WDW I've read). I spent the next 2 days in a daze, just thinking about that. I remember a red visor-hat that I got from Disneyland... And those are just about IT for in-park memories for me at Disneyland, but they are still STRONG, GOOD memories.

Hey! Reading your post made me remember these! They were apple juice things in red apple shaped containers with green plastic tips, right! I remember those! They put these in ice bucket type of things so it look liked you were buying fruit off a fruit stand.

 

[toniosmom]

Thank you all for your kind and supportive words. As parents, we always wonder what kind of impact we are making in our children's lives. I was so thrilled that he was actually able to let me know in his own way that our trips make him happy. It just made my day/week/month.

 

[nunzia]

Hey! Reading your post made me remember these! They were apple juice things in red apple shaped containers with green plastic tips, right! I remember those! They put these in ice bucket type of things so it look liked you were buying fruit off a fruit stand.

FLASHBACK!!!!!!

 

[rhonimouse]

What an awesome story! Sometimes it is hard to know what our kids are thinking or what is important to them. I have 2 kids (14 yr old son, 7 yr old daughter) and they have grown up on Disney. We go at least yearly and have spent many holidays (Christmas and thanksgivings) there. I wondered if I had passed on my love of Disney to them or if it was just fun while we were there... Well, my 7 year old created a list of favorites for school and it topped her list, even more so~ I asked my 14 year old son his favorite part of being at Disney and he said walking down Main street together toward the castle! That is when I knew he really "got it", not any specific ride or show like would be the favorites at just any theme park, but the entire atmosphere of "just being there"!

We joined DVC and these moments make realize just how priceless of an investment I have actually made.

 

[Starshine]

Hey! Reading your post made me remember these! They were apple juice things in red apple shaped containers with green plastic tips, right! I remember those! They put these in ice bucket type of things so it look liked you were buying fruit off a fruit stand.

Oh wow, I remember now too!!! And weren't there grape ones too that looked like a bunch of grapes?

 

[lilpooh108]

Oh wow, I remember now too!!! And weren't there grape ones too that looked like a bunch of grapes?

Yes I think so! How funny. I do remember the grape ones. There were little bulb things shaped like grapes. I wonder if there were other flavors too?

And to the OP---your story is great! I know that my LO (2 yr old) appreciates our trips since she wakes up in the morning when we're on vacation and shouts PRINCESS! which in toddler speak is: "Mother, will you please take me to go see the princesses today?"