How likely my boys will lose interest in Disney ...

[jenjersnap]

... as preteens and teens?

We're discussing a DVC purchase. I know that DH and I will continue to go when our kids are grown but if we have DVC we'll be wanting to take family trips to WDW at least every other year. I figure we'll split it up between Universal but will the Disney portion be outgrown at a certain point?

If you have boys in that age group, can you let me know how they feel about Disney trips?

 

[LegoMom3]

I have three boys - the oldest is 11 and is constantly asking when our next trip is! I see no end on the horizon to his enthusiasm. Of course he loves Rock-n-Roller Coaster, Mission Space, Space Mt., and the like, but he also enjoys character meals, photo ops, Spaceship Earth, and just BEING at Disney. However we no longer make him go on It's a Small World...!

 

[msmayor]

My son turned 13 six months ago, and Disney remains one of his favorite places. He cannot wait to return next summer for our big family trip.

I've found that both my kids, (daughter 16 along with my son) enjoy the fact that they can BE kids there. Last trip, my daughter wandered with me through the World of Disney store trying on Princess crowns and oohing/aaahing over princess dresses. This would NEVER happen at home.

I think what makes Disney a special place for them is that my DH and I give them the freedom to be kids. They get to choose what to do, and if its riding Its a Small World three times in a row, we do it. We treat the trips more as pure family time than "We need to see everything so lets get MOVING".

We eat ice cream for dinner and tell goofy jokes. In general, we simply enjoy being together. The fact that we're in Disney, doing Disney things, just makes it more magical.

A priceless moment occurred while we waited near the Wilderness Lodge boat dock for our fireworks cruise to pick us up. We had about a half hour, so we hung out by the beach. A tether ball pole was there, and both kids just started playing. For 20 minutes they laughed and smiled together, just enjoying the moment. That's what makes the magic for us.

 

[jakenjess]

My son is 12 and loves Disney as much as ever. We're leaving in two days to go back, and he can't wait. I always try to make sure we do two or three things we've never done before to help keep it fresh and exciting. And then of course there are the old favorites that no one ever gets tired of!

I also have a nephew who has always been a huge Disney fan, and he's 23!

 

[kjetjl]

My 4 year old wants to live at Disney "Foreber!" (not a typo)
My 7 year old son loves it.
My almost 13 year old acts like he doesn't like it and actually told me he wasn't as excited as he used to be when we went last month. But he had a great time and even admitted he wants to return next year.

I think you might need to adjust what you do.....we do the dining plan and my son really likes getting to order off the adult menu. He gets steak and other things he doesn't normally at home. We also make time for the more thrill rides...
I still make him ride It's a Small World with the family. He actually told me that riding It's a Small World and watching his 2 year old brother's reaction was the best part of the trip!!

Also, the water parks are a big hit. We actually enjoy them as much as the MK,AK, MGM and Epcot.

I think there is enough to keep all ages entertained at WDW.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

My boys are 9 and almost 11 ..... they can't wait for each trip. We recently bought DVC and luckily see no end on the horizon!

 

[eliza61]

... as preteens and teens?

We're discussing a DVC purchase. I know that DH and I will continue to go when our kids are grown but if we have DVC we'll be wanting to take family trips to WDW at least every other year. I figure we'll split it up between Universal but will the Disney portion be outgrown at a certain point?

If you have boys in that age group, can you let me know how they feel about Disney trips?

My sons are 13 and 16 and have yet to out grow it. Where headed down in a few weeks to celebrate my youngests 14th birthday. My Dh and I took a trip last March by ourselves now we can't wait until my sons go off to college, than we can have our dvc all to ourselves. I took a girls only trip last year, it was a blast. I think I can come up with a thousand ways to use my dvc with or without the kids.

 

[donac]

I have all of you beat. My sons are 17 and 22 and are very excited about the trip we have planned next year. I think they are hoping for a segway tour since they are both old enough. They are also looking forward to going off by their own and maybe with their cousins if it can be arranged. We have been talking about where we are going to stay and where we are going to eat.

Ds2 just said the other day that this might be our last family vacation since ds1 will be graduating college next year.

The big reason for this trip is for my dh and I to celebrate 30 years of marriage, getting one boy out of college (knock on wood) and another one out of high school and into college.

 

[thedizwizkid]

trust me they won't .It would take them until they were at least 10.

don't worry I am 2 months away from being 11
and I am a Disney FANATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LovePug]

I'm quite envious of you all! Although not a boy, my DSD (14 in 2 weeks) has told us she would rather not go with us in January. She's all "been there, done that and needs a break". We gave her complete freedom to make her own decision on this. We also told her that she still has time to change her mind. She's waffling a bit at the moment...

 

[Snowysmom]

My sons are 18 and 22. We just came back from a trip in June and they loved it. I hope they never lose their love for Disney. It also gives them a chance to spend time with each other. They sometimes go off together to go on rides that DH and I don't ride or to explore the resort.

 

[kimsuenew]

My 16 year old is counting down the 300+ days until our next trip. It has been about 4 weeks since we came home and he still is talking about it! Look at how many adults, even older ones, go to WDW without kids. There is something for everyone!

 

[disneyc]

Although I'm not a guy, I'm 13, and I get MORE excited about each trip, not less! I LOVE Disney...there's something for everyone. They will LOVE the roller coasters and all the neat rides.

I agree with msmayor. It's a place where teens (and adults!) can be kids.

 

[rwrocksme]

Your sons will love Disney forever, as long as you change how you travel as they age. When they are teens, you may need to give them a little more freedom, ix-nay Chef Mickey's and do more of the water parks, etc. Of course, I'm 15 and insist on riding Winnie The Pooh every time we go, so what do I know?

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

Sorry to be the lone voice of dissent...I have an 18 yo and a 21 yo - both boys. We purchased DVC 2 years ago. Did many trips prior to purchase. My boys just do NOT get excited about going to WDW any more.

I've heard from folks that it is a phase - from 16-25'ish kids typically lose interest...it comes back when they get out on their own, realize cost of vacations, and/or have families of their own.

In the mean time, I'm thoroughly enjoying using the points for myself. And sometimes I even take my husband with me (he plays golf).

Who needs the kids? LOL....

 

[TheDizMom]

My DS posted for this thread too and he thinks you'll be fine. I think his enthusiasm for anything Disney has to do in part with ours. He is also so into Mickey , there isn't a Mickey cartoon he can't tell you the date it was made and what it's about. He could also tell you anything you might want to know about Walt, and has aspirations of working in the animation department at Disney when he grows up . When we moved into our new house last year he was almost 10, and he wanted his bedroom to be Mickey themed . He wears Mickey clothing on a regular basis, and is always looking for new Mickey things to collect. His enthusiasm is something we foster and hope he always has. That being said I wouldn't be surprised if at some point he feels like enough is enough at least for a time. I look at it this way, even the most jaded person can't help but have a good time once they get there . If you think you'll use it then go for it, and if I remember correctly you can use it for other places besides Disney scared1: ) if they go through a period of less then enthusiastic participation.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Who needs the kids? LOL....

 

[dixipixi]

My 14y/o DS still loves Disney....but...he's gotten to where he likes to keep it "just between us". We're going in February and he's looking forward to it, but when DH asked if he'd like to bring a friend along he said no because he just wanted to enjoy it with us. I later had to tell DH to back off and quit asking him because I knew what he meant.

He wants to go with us and enjoy himself and not worry about being "cool" or doing something silly in front of a friend. He's into the thrill rides now, but he does IASW and Peter Pan "just to keep mom happy"

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

My oldest DS is 14 and a freshman in HS and he still loves going to Disney. I can't really see that changing as he's always asking when the next trip will be. When he was little, MK was his favorite park, now Epcot is his favorite, but he still enjoys it all. WDW has so much to offer all ages, I think your kids will be fine to go every year or every other year throughout their teenage years.

 

[dbarker]

My older DS20 still has not lost interest in WDW.