Help! My kids don't want to do Disney next year

[3R1C]

My husband and I are crushed! We are "every other year" goers and next year is our scheduled year. Friends of ours (who we have gone with in the past) can not go next year and are waiting until the following year to go.

We had planned on going two years in a row - next year just our family and the following year with them, but our kids told us yesterday that they would rather just wait until we can all go together.

The years we don't go to Disney, we travel some place "new" for the kids and I respect that they want to explore other parts of the country, but I am torn because they are still only 8 and 11 and I'm afraid the "magic" will only last so long.

Should we stronly encourage them to go to Disney two years in a row, or just get my fix here until 2011 rolls around?

 

[msmayor]

Get your fix until 2011 rolls in. Trust me...the magic remains even for older kids.

We go every 4-5 years, and my kids (now 15 and 18) are just as excited about the place now as they were when they were 5 or 6.

Let them help you choose where to go next year. Involve them in the planning and they'll be excited about it. It will only enhance the family time you'll have together.

Disney will seem that much sweeter to all of you in 2011.

 

[susykt4]

Do the kids have a specific place they want to go rather than Disney? My kids were very much in favor of going elsewhere this year but my entire family ended up going so we went along as well. The kids obviously had a wonderful time. However, we only get one big vacation per year and they want to go somewhere else next time. (My kids are only 9 and 6, so a little younger.)

I remember being in 6th grade and NOT wanting to go back to Disney yet again! My parents took my two younger brothers to Disney without me several times when I was in 6th grade and up because I didn't want to miss school and activities with my friends "just" to go to WDW. I remember trips to NYC, Boston, Denver, Seattle and LA. I'm so glad I got to experience different areas of the country than just Orlando, no matter how great Disney is!

 

[rangermom]

Have you thought about going to Disneyland and the west coast. We did this in 2007 and loved it. We spent 2 days in the parks (should have done three) explored Hollywood and Universal Studios. We stayed at the DL Hotel the entire trip. Or you could rent DVC points and go to Hilton Head Island or Vero Beach. We also took a trip to NYC and went to the World Of Disney Store while we were there. It really gave us the Disney kick to keep us happy.There are ways to add Disney to your vacation without having to go to WDW. Though WDW does make it better.

 

[Starr W.]

We usually do 2 WDW trips per year(Thanksgiving/MLK weekend), Easter break at the Vero Beach Resort, then 2 non-Florida vacations in the summer.

My kids are 13 and 8, too much whining about travel and we suggest they stay with their Aunt. That whips them back into shape ASAP.

They really enjoy our beach trips and they loved Park City, UT last summer.

2010 we'll only be doing our annual T-giving trip, as we'll be going to Hawaii for 2 weeks next year. They are pretty excited about that, beaches and a lot of fun activities(hiking and zip lines).

My eldest realizes we are giving the opportunities that most of his friends don't have. I don't know how many of his teachers have wanted to stowaway in our luggage for our trips.

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

Maybe you can go to Orlando and try something different. This year we are staying at AKV (DVC members) and going to Universal Studio and Sea World the week before Christmas. We did this in June and my boys (2,6) loved it. By staying at Disney we were able to use the pool and still feel some of that Disney magic. The kids will love the different park and it can save money.

 

[3R1C]

Thanks for all the advice!

We have gone to Cape Cod, The Outer Banks, and this year we are going to Tennessee, so it's not like we don't get around.

It's great to hear that older kids still love to go. I think my husband is afraid that once the kids hit their teen years, they won't want to go anymore. I think you are right - the important thing is doing something together....at least I have my fellow Dis'ers to help keep me posted on their trips!!!

 

[Grendalynn]

What? There are other places to vacation to than WDW??

No really - we would love to go to WDW EVERY year, or at least until the kids are older, but I also want them to have experiences outside of Disney.... DH would go every year for 2 weeks if he had his way. If we had more money we would vacation 2x per year: do Disney and somewhere else, but since that isnt happening anytime soon, we will stick to the every 2 to 3 years...

I am not saying that I dont get the micky-itch ever year (or every week) but thats where DisBoards helps me with my Mouse obsession! My middle son would live at Wilderness Lodge if he had his way.....

 

[chrisw127]

Well, could always take a girls weekend and not worry about the kids. That way you get your Disney fix and they get to stay home and . . . well, wish they were at Disney.

The girls weekend I took in May to Disney was the best! It's pretty much kept me relaxed all summer.

 

[3R1C]

My DH and I have thought about going down ourselves, but I just don't know if I could go without the kids. I guess it would be a way to keep everyone happy...now I would just have to find a way to come up with the extra money!!!

 

[emh1129]

My DH and I have thought about going down ourselves, but I just don't know if I could go without the kids. I guess it would be a way to keep everyone happy...now I would just have to find a way to come up with the extra money!!!

I think that sounds like the perfect solution! You could have a romantic getaway with DH and then take a family vacation somewhere else with the kiddos.
Best of both worlds

 

[disneyatl]

Shoot - the magic is still there for me and I'm 37!

 

[Darcy03231]

I have kids that don't want to go back to WDW. We went yearly when they were young and according to them they're "Disneyed Out".

We've done cruises (which they love), all inclusive resorts in the Carribean (which they also love) an Orlando area vacation (Universal/IOA, Seaworld, Busch Gardens, Wet n' Wild, Ripley's and the Kennedy Space Center), the beach, and some travel around the US/Canada.

We did a week at US/IOA in April (stayed on-site) and did one day at WDW (all four parks in one day, just hitting the big rides) and that was enough for them.

To make matters worse DH doesn't like WDW either. Last year I took one of my nieces for her first trip. This year I'm taking another niece who hasn't been since she was 3 (she's now 11). That's how I get my fix.

 

[sk!mom]

I am torn because they are still only 8 and 11 and I'm afraid the "magic" will only last so long.

Should we stronly encourage them to go to Disney two years in a row, or just get my fix here until 2011 rolls around?

Sounds like the "magic" may already be wearing thin for them since they don't want to go.

We love Disney for a family vacation but usually have at least 3 years in between Disney trips since there are so many other places to travel.

Maybe they'll feel the magic a bit more if you wait.

 

[ktlm]

I think DL and the west coast is a great idea by the previous poster. I was out there last year for a business trip. You can easily do DL/CA in 2 days so you get your fix and then there are all sorts of other California things do do and places to go to keep the kids happy that they are doing non-Disney things. The beach is close. There are a ton of other options of things to do in Southern California in that area alone. Plus, San Diego is only an hour and a half drive away.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm a Disney nut, and would live there if I could. But if your kids just want to do something different, as a family I'd honor that. They're already saying they really want to go to Disney with the whole family in 2011, just not next year. If you push the issue, it could backfire with them never wanting to go again. Maybe use this opportunity to broaden your horizons. They're a great age for an All-american road trip, maybe go to washington DC,... obviously, the opportunities are endless. Use this as a chance for your whole family to plan a trip together; that's my opinion, anyway.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

I would respect their wishes, because you would hate to be the mother that "pushed" Disney on her kids, even though I might end up being that mom one day!
My advice is wait, and when you go, involve them. Do other Disney things that aren't park related. We went to Disney this past April and even though my DH was a little hesitant we had a blast. We took this trip WAY easier than others and had more pool time for the kids and more drink and relaxation time for the adults.
Do a round of mini golf, let each child pick a restaraunt for that day, go to a water park, etc.

And last but not least, understand that your children or DH may not have the same love for Disney that you have. I know...it's sad! LOL

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

A Disney-nut-family, that is what we are!! Because we bought a new business last fall, we have not been able to get away to go to THE WORLD since October, 2008. We are all having withdrawals, so I find it hard to have pity on anyone who may need to skip a year just to please the children. LOL, I am just kidding!!! However, we don't really give our children such power over decisions requiring us parents to spend hundreds of dollars. Until the kids are old enough to stay by themselves, they really will just have to go along with our decisions concerning vacations. No, we have not encountered either one of them saying they didn't want to go to WDW, but it will not be up for discussion whether or not we go, that is just the way it is!! I know, get the flame suit ready, but I don't care, that is just the way we parent. We are in charge, not the children!!

 

[LorilieMarie]

I would also respect their wishes. I love Disney, but it actually wears you out. The people I know that don't want to go to Disney are people who just want to relax on their vacation or see something new. You will still have a great vacation elsewhere - and like they said, It's all about being together as a family.

 

[Darcy03231]

A Disney-nut-family, that is what we are!! Because we bought a new business last fall, we have not been able to get away to go to THE WORLD since October, 2008. We are all having withdrawals, so I find it hard to have pity on anyone who may need to skip a year just to please the children. LOL, I am just kidding!!! However, we don't really give our children such power over decisions requiring us parents to spend hundreds of dollars. Until the kids are old enough to stay by themselves, they really will just have to go along with our decisions concerning vacations. No, we have not encountered either one of them saying they didn't want to go to WDW, but it will not be up for discussion whether or not we go, that is just the way it is!! I know, get the flame suit ready, but I don't care, that is just the way we parent. We are in charge, not the children!!

No flames, but just keep in mind that if you force a tween/teen into a vacation that they don't want to go on they can make the trip pretty miserable for the rest of the family. Then you've spent hundreds of dollars for a lousy trip. We've found its best to get input from all of our family members on vacation ideas and go somewhere the whole family will enjoy.