How has your Disney experience changes as kids get older?

[gtpoohbear]

I would say that the biggest change for us over the years is that it has become a much less laid-back type of vacation. When DD was 4, we would only spend a few hours each day in the park. The rest of the time was swimming, character meals, and just generally relaxing. As she has gotten older, it's more about the rides. And we have become more likely to stay in the park from open to close, barely stopping to catch our breath as we dart frantically from one ride to the next.

What has been tricky is balancing her changing wants with our younger DS's, who would probably benefit more from our originsl style of touring. So we do have to split up quite a bit.

But I don't think one ever really outgrows WDW. Some people just like it more than others, and done people may go through a short phase where they aren't as interested, but cone around again a few years later.

 

[chartle]

For my DS, age 5-9 was pure WDW. Top choice all of the time.

This year, it became Universal Studios and then WDW.

In a few more years, I'm thinking Devil's Cove (below) will move to the top of the list, then Universal, then WDW.

And I'm going to have to hide the keys to the cabin cruiser.

May i ask what Devil's Cove is? Looks like spring break on boats.

 

[mom2rose&john]

I love all the stories on how your experience has changed over the years with your kids. That is a great idea to give them input on how they want to spend their day and I will give them a little more freedom in the parks.

Magpie, I love love love the picture of your son playing "patty cake". It reminds me so much of my son. He will refuse to admit those type of thing are fun but the look on his face is pure joy.

Again, thanks for the assurance that no matter how old you are there will always be the joy of Disney during each phase of life.

 

[tsme]

For us it depended on the child. When our DS was 13, he was starting to not really be into Disney. The last time he went to Disney with us, he was 16 and a grumpy nightmare. Now, our DD loves Disney, she's 12 now and I don't see her outgrowing it. As they get older, it gives you a chance to do things that you couldn't do when they younger, like some of the bigger rides, staying up late, watching some shows, etc. I would say as long as your children want to go, then go. But if one does not want to go, leave them at home with the grandparents (if they don't mind). That's the lesson I learned with my DS. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Our kids never out grew Disney, we have and still take our regular trips. They are still great fans and now the grandkids are following the same path.

AKK

 

[Cee]

Check out my picture to the left. They're in their 30's.....I can't shake 'em!

 

[dpswift]

I think a lot of times it is more the frequency of trips than the ages. As others have said there are different things for different ages. DS and I went on yearly trips when he was young sometimes bringing another sibling along. The only one that did not have a great time was when we took my oldest DS who was 19 or 20. He spent the entire time at the pool eating.

My step mother told me that she took yearly trips with her son and when he was about 17 he and his friend were more excited about playing shuffleboard at his grandmothers senior center.

The vacation will be great. You just need to accept that it will be different than previous trips. DS has gone back and forth on his love for SM on early trips he rode Dinosaur several times each day now it is a one and done ride.

 

[mombrontrent]

For us it is spending less time in the parks. The kids like to hit the headliners and see the fireworks still but no meet and greets and less shows (I basically drag them in). Also thee older they get the later we start the day and the later we finish the day. It is hard to get a teen out of bed! Plus we stay out much later then we used to, it is no problem for the kids to out past midnight, even our youngest who is 8 loves late nights, we just sleep in longer the next day.

The girls like to browse shops and shop. All the kids like hanging out at the resort pool. We spend multiple days at the water parks, in fact they enjoy Disney water parks more then the theme parks. We will spend an evening at Disney Quest or play a round of mini golf. For our upcoming trip we are trying to decide if we should spend an evening at either hoop-de-doo or La Noube?

 

[seelyt2]

We've been going just about every year since DS was 11 (now 17), and DD was 5 (now 13). Back in the day they ate it all up and were totally good; happy to be at WDW and fine with being with mom and dad. DD13 still is. DS17 has recently gotten a bit bored and wants to venture out on his own in the parks. When he was 15 (he's very responsible, I'd like to add) and we were staying at Bay Lake Towers, and we would let him stay at MK (his favorite park) until midnight without us and come back (or go over early without us) so long as he checked in on the hour. When he was 16 he went with his marching band from school (without us) and had a blast. This last time (17), he was bored; I mean really bored and this is a kid who still loves all things Disney. He watches Disney rides and parks on YouTube, reads the blogs, listens to podcasts, etc., He's just past hanging out with mom and dad. On this latest trip he met up with 2 friends who were down and wanted to hang out with them but was nearly miserable with us. Miserable is probably pushing it, but judging by the pictures of him with us vs. him with the girls....well, their pictures showed all the fun and smiles; you know what I'm saying. DD13 is still fine hanging out with her parents (luckily), but I'm sure that's going to change before too long.
As for rides, the kids have moved on to more adventurous rides/coasters while DH and I still tour the same and are really thrilled when it's the four of us together in the parks.
The kids suggested we take a little break from WDW for a few years, though. This summer is a Disney cruise to Alaska, and next year we're going to try Disneyland. Then we'll probably try WDW again thereafter, but DS will be a sophomore in college by that point! It will be interesting to see if DD wants to hang with us or if DS will want to join us. We'll see!

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Our son hasn't out grown Disney. His first trip post infant was when he was 8. Ever since he has had input on some of the planning. He is now 18 and is looking forward to the next trip. He even asked if he could bring one of his frineds on our last trip in '13. They had a blast. He never was into the meet n greats with characters. Its all about the rides and the food for him.

 

[Laketravis]

May i ask what Devil's Cove is? Looks like spring break on boats.

That's a typical summer weekend in a particular cove on our lake

 

[Newsies]

Hiya. 17-year-old here on the other side of the spectrum. I always wanted to go to WDW, but never got to go while growing up until I was 14 in 2010. I went back last year (at 17 years old) and loved it even more. I think because my sister and I grew up wanting to go to WDW so badly, we never grew out of it. Both of my parents also love the World dearly, so that also helped.

 

[Pookasaurus]

One of the hard things about coming home for me is always that while we will return, it will never be the same. Reading this thread and knowing that while that is true it is still wonderful helps with that (in a bit of a post trip funk, 2nd full day back lol).

So while we're there I try to take a ton of photos, video, and step back and just take my kids and the trip in and commit a feeling to memory a few times a day. I also spoil my kids rotten while we're there. I know its unlikely that on our next trip Mickey will be my youngest's hero or that he will want every single Mickey stuffed animal he sees in a new outfit and Pluto, too.

At the same time, my older son has known for a while the characters are people in costumes, yet meeting them and waving to them was one of his favorite parts of the trip.

While I know Disney will always be special, I love the magic of experiencing it through a little one's eyes.

 

[7KLucky]

It just keeps getting better. My kids ages are listed in my signature so I won't bore you with the details, BUT....... a trip to Disney is what my 18yr old has been begging for as a graduation present. He is almost as excited as my 4yr old. He loves the faster more thrilling rides at Universal AND he giggles with glee when his honey pot bounces like Tigger, and he flies over neverland in his boat.
The focus is on family and fun together.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

My son on the last trip we took him on (have been there without him since) was 16. He enjoyed the parks some, but he also chose to stay in the room a few days. I think it was partially the heat of August and partially the fact that it was not thrilling for him.

My daughter was 17 on our last trip. She still loves it and enjoys it. She has learned to appreciate it for the nostalgia, fun and amazing theming. She still loves thrills too, but she *gets* Disney more than my son does.

Now this year in October, DH and I are going for our very first solo adult only trip! But we had to promise my daughter a trip for her college graduation in order to get away with going without her.

 

[Marshypooh]

I am so very lucky, and so very thankful, that my two daughters have never outgrown WDW. They are now 28 and 25, college grads, and employed part-time. While they were teenagers, and still now, we all stay together as a family. About the only time we separate is maybe they want to ride EE or ToT a second time late evening while my husband and I sit and relax on a park bench. We eat all meals together with the exception of they like to go to dinner at Boma at AKL while hubby and I dine at Jiko. They still love meet-and-greets and character meals, all shows and rides. They love to shop and still collect memorabilia. Depending on the length of the trip we will do other activities if we have time such as mini-golf or horseback riding. My family enjoys the beach but we don't like water parks, so we have never been to BB or TL. I know the water parks are must-dos for many families with pre-teens and teens, but mine just never cared for them. We went to Disney Quest once while they were teens. We had a fun time but all agreed it was a one time experience for us. As the girls got older they started to appreciate the design and details of the resorts and parks so much more. They also love the dining and trying new foods and restaurants. Yes, it does get so much more expensive.

Everyone's children will have different personalities, tastes, and preferences. Talk things over with them, let them choose activities, dining experiences, etc. And as others have said, if they decide they no longer are interested in WDW, you can now enjoy the wonderful experience of adult-only trips.

 

[SabbyR]

When my kids were little it was about the characters and the rides. Then it was less about the characters and more about the rides. Now we are going for my dds grad trip in a couple months. She picked Disney World. I asked her why since she really loves to travel and explore new countries and culture. I really thought shed pick going back to Europe. She told me "its the feeling mom, nothing else matters, no bad stuff or unhappiness there, just Happiness. Dad wears dumb hats, and doesn't have meetings, you cry at the parades, we spend two weeks laughing, and with all the bad stuff in the world nowadays and all the decisions in my life now, its nice just to be a kid and look around and just relish in the happiness and memories that are there. Its like a safety net mom." I paraphrased that she said it much nicer.

Disney is our happy place. Its our families place to forget everything else and just focus on how much we love each other. Im grateful my kids see that as they grow.

 

[RustManFan]

October 2013 I took my DD (34) and DS (31) to DL for the first time. We had a blast! It was my birthday trip and we were able to look back at the memories of our WDW times together. We also rode some of the things now closed at WDW.... Mr. Toad has always been a favorite!

Here they are and very happy about it... of course all 3 of us used to be able to fit in 1 car



In 2016 I am taking my DS to WDW. He hasn't been since 2000 so there will lots of new. Helps if you enjoy each others company and can each contribute to the planning

 

[bcinohio]

My two boys have been going since they were 2 yrs old. They are about to turn 21 & 18. We are booked in April for my youngest son's marching band trip. They love to go. They would go a number times a year if we had the money. They both want to move to Florida so they can go all the time. I hope they strike it rich and buy a house there so I can go and visit a lot.

 

[monorailmom]

Well we are in MA, and when it snows we love watching our old videos of the kids when they were little at Disney World. Obviously, loads of time between shoveling for that today and again tomorrow!

One thing I said to my husband: we were watching our kids laughing at their younger selves: one was afraid of the water slide at the CR, my son was walking around WS with his Sorcerer Mickey hat on and his fanny pack...so cute. While I will always treasure these moments when they were little, we still have this much fun now! It's just different fun. They love to have a say in the planning. They love the resorts! Our oldest 2 will be 21 on our next trip, and can't wait to try their first Grand Marnier Orange Slush. They love Disney trivia and history.

The magic is still there.