How do you get excited planning a trip with older kids?

[pnelson]

We will be going again when my son is 13. As someone said in another thread, it just isn't like going with a 4 year old. I'm having a hard time getting excited for this trip and am feeling melancholy for the times when he was younger. I just don't know if he will be excited then, or if he will even like it. I feel like the "Best of Disney" is behind us because of the age of my son.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

The last time I went to WDW was 8 years ago when I was 17 (yikes!). I went with my brother and my parents. My brother was 14 at the time. He loved it! The two of us had a blast and went on all the rides together that we were too young to go on in previous years. We rode Alien Encounter together (this wasn't long after it opened) and he was sooo freaked out by it! I honestly think my chair was broken, because I didn't feel anything at all. Anyway, I don't think 13 or 14 is too old at all. About you getting excited about the trip: Just think of all the "thrill" rides the two of you can go on together!

 

[QJ411]

Hi,

We went w/ my dear little cousins in Dec. (7/girl and 14/boy) and of course, the little one packed her suitcase to the fullest (mostly w/ toys) and the 14 yr old (skater boy) only packed a few things and was not too excited. He wanted nothing to do w/ Disney and wanted to look for a skate park.

Once we got there, it was totally different, he went all the rides and even though he didn't SAY he was excited or said he was having fun, we could see that he was just as excited as his 7 yr old sister. (I guess he's at the age where he's too cool to like Disney).

Their parents also met us there and we all had a blast.

ENJOY, it'll be fun!

 

[Ashleigh]

The last time I went to WDW was when I was 15. I loved it and I will be going back in a couple weeks at the age of 20. Your son will enjoy different rides than the last time he went. I don't think he will much care for Dumbo this time... Also you might want to go to DisneyQuest if you have time. I love it there! Have a fun trip!
Ashleigh

 

[chrisp]

We will be going again when my son is 13. As someone said in another thread, it just isn't like going with a 4 year old. I'm having a hard time getting excited for this trip and am feeling melancholy for the times when he was younger. I just don't know if he will be excited then, or if he will even like it. I feel like the "Best of Disney" is behind us because of the age of my son.

LOL - Our family of 5 has been to WDW 15 times or so over the years starting when our oldest was 4. Our "kids" are now 24, 22 and 19 and they joined us for our last trip just this Christmas and it was fantastic. Some of our BEST times at WDW were when they were teenagers.

 

[tboss]

The last time we went, my oldest was 14 and my son was 8. They both loved it!

We are going back this year without the oldest. My son is now 19 and in college but said he definitely wants to go. We also have a 7yo that wasn't born when we took our first trip. So, this time will be with a 7 and 19 yo.

Don't worry. You will all have a blast!

 

[karmic]

I am excited about our up coming trip with DD17 and DS15. This is the first time we will feel comfortable letting them go off on their own. DH and I will be able to do things on our own that we haven't in the past.

 

[MinnieM21]

I've been going ever since I was about 4 or 5 (haven't been to WDW YET! going real soon!!! but been to Disneyland a million times), and I'm almost 19 now and I get just as excited or even more than when I was younger. Now that I'm older, I seem to appreciate everything more in the park. I think your son will probably be really excited about the trip but just not show it in a way that a 4 year old would. I guess it all depends on what your sons personality is like, whether he's at the stage where he wants to appear cool to his friends or things like that. I guess I enjoy it so much more than a lot of people my age because I don't get embarrassed to be with my parents. I hope that he enjoys his trip though!!

 

[tinkie]

Why don't you also take him for a day to Universal? Sometimes the older ones like that as well. Or a trip to discovery cove to swim with the dolphins?

 

[GaryWT]

My kids are 8, 12 and 15. There first trip they were 3, 6 and 9. I am actually looking forward to this trip more as we will not be carting piles of stuff around and no stroller to worry about. Th e15 tear is fine and will probably stand in line all day at TOt and the RRC.

 

[NMAmy]

My DD is 13 and we've made frequent trips to DL and WDW. I was a little disappointed because she wouldn't get involved with the planning like in previous years. I made the announcement to her and DH that if they weren't going to give me any input, I didn't want to hear any bellyaching once we got there about what I had arranged.

Well, we leave in 9 days. For the last few weeks, she asks me every couple of days how long it will be. She's finally gotten interested in our itinerary (and of course, it's not correct, but too bad for her!) She could have played along with me earlier! I'm glad that she's finally getting as excited as I am now.

 

[2minny]

I think you'll all have a blast, I went for the first time as a teen with my family. It was great for all of us, as I teen I even acted "silly" while there. There's a lot to do now too, mouse boats, that disney arcade thing in downtown disney, blizzard beach, etc. You'll have a great time!

 

[Kelly Nelly]

I bet that your 13 year old will have a wonderful time, I am 23 and I loved going to Disney in my teenage years. I gurantee that you yourself will have a better time as well because your kids are old enough to take care of themselves and you do not have to be with them 24/7, like you would with a 4 year old.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't have an answer for you, but I do want to tell you that I don't think your Best Days at Disney are behind you. We went in Nov. '01 DS, 22, hugged me and wanted to have our picture taken by the Winnie the Pooh murals by the ride. He kept talking about hearing the story and music to the Blustery Day, gosh I still get soft and mushy when I see the picture, of course he DID complain that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride wasn't there any more!

The best is yet to come, honestly!

Bobbi

 

[dgaston]

OK, I probably spoil DS15. When we hit WDW in April, we're hoping to bring along a friend, will spring for the week long marina package so they can drive water mice (I really like to do this too), and have some DisneyQuest tickets in reserve.

He does love Cindy's breakfast (especially when Jasmine is there--do you think he likes that costume?) and one of my favorite memories is the wide grin he had when driving the pontoon boat on our last Illuminations Cruise (no camera, but it's engraved on my heart).

He loves all the Disney mountains, RnR, and Tot, and will put up with a few slower things for us.

Hidden Mickey hunts are also great for him.

And he loves us trusting him to use Disney transportation by himself, so he can visit Pizzaplanet in MGM by himself!

 

[HunnyPots]

I agree, it isn't like going with a 4 year old - IT'S BETTER!
I took my then 15 yo dd and 12 yo ds last year and it was the vacation of a lifetime. Now granted, both my kids are Disney fanatics and neither is worried about being "cool". They had a ball with the characters and loved the theming of all the rides. We did character meals and they even did the autograph thing.

I always regretted not being able to take my kids when they were little, but a walk through Fantasyland on a hot afternoon cured me of that. There were crying children everywhere! And the parents were not too happy either

Disney magic is there for kids of all ages; take it where you can get it!

 

[Mymatisse]

We don't have any kids yet, but when I first went I was 10. It was a great age because unlike many of my friends who only went when they were very young, I remember the trip well, and could really appreciate it.

 

[kmgl78]

We went when my kids were 10 and 14 and again when they were 14 and 18. They are both ready to go again anytime I say the word!!!

Just do some advance planning on what they will enjoy - specific rides, good places to eat etc. It is great to take advantage of some of the excellent restaurants that they would have cared less about when they were younger (World Showcase in Epcot). We have had a lot of new experiences with the older kids that we could not have had when they were little.

Also, teenagers love water parks. Don't miss Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Also, Disney Quest at Downtown Disney is a big hit, and some of the live entertainment at Epcot is as well (such as the band that plays at Canada).

Have Fun!

 

[photobob]

We've been for times since 97 and each trip as the kids get older gets better. They are as excited to be there as they wee when they were younger if not more. The '03 trip they were 16 and 10 and we all had a great time. Can't wait until the next trip!

 

[CHIPSTER]

WE are taking several nieces and nephews this year (5 total) 2 have been there before when they were 5 and 10, now 10 and 15. They are way excited especially now that the 5 year old will get to run with the big dogs and do the roller coaster type rides and dark rides. Their 3 cousins have not been there yet (same ages) and so they are now doing some of the planning. First thing from the 15 year old was we're doing Chef Mickey's aren't we and Sci Fi. I was excited and so were they when they were small and the same applies this time. Can't wait.