I just don't understand.....

[Bearvet]

DBIL and DSIL are going to Orlando in Feb and staying at DFIL's timeshare. They have DS4 and DD3 (almost) and they're NOT taking the kids!!! I just don't understand! I think the kids are the perfect ages - their DS is very into Power Rangers and all of the Disney characters. He would have no hesitation at all with the characters since he is very outgoing. Their DD is very into everything princess. They'll have a 2-bedroom condo all to themselves, so the kids would have their own room.

I think DSIL thinks it will be too much "work" to take the kids and plan to leave them with her parents. BTW, they do go on other trips without the kids, so it's not like they don't get away by themselves.

I think Disney is such a magical place and expecially so for young children who really believe in the magic (well, I guess we all do but you know what I mean). But it's so wonderful to experience Disney and see it through the eyes of your children. When I mentioned to DBIL (DH's brother) that I was surprised they weren't taking the kids, he said "Oh well, different strokes for different folks!". Of course, I dropped it right there.

I'm just surprised that people wouldn't take their kids to Disney with them (they will probably not go to parks while they are there, but will go to Pleasure Island, etc.). BTW, money is not an issue. What do you think? Would this surprise you?

 

[daisyduck123]

Well, it doesn't surprise me....because some people are like that..
but I would NEVER go to WDW without my kids. There will be plenty of time for that when they are older, grown, & gone.

I want to enjoy it with them while they are young.

 

[Allison]

No, my husband and I have done it. We had a wonderful time. We have taken the kids on other trips to Disney with us but it's nice to do an adults only trip too.

I agree with "different strokes".

It's not up to you to decide when the appropriate time is for them to take their kids.

 

[Sherri]

DBIL and DSIL are going to Orlando in Feb and staying at DFIL's timeshare. They have DS4 and DD3 (almost) and they're NOT taking the kids!!! I just don't understand! I think the kids are the perfect ages - their DS is very into Power Rangers and all of the Disney characters. He would have no hesitation at all with the characters since he is very outgoing. Their DD is very into everything princess. They'll have a 2-bedroom condo all to themselves, so the kids would have their own room.

I think DSIL thinks it will be too much "work" to take the kids and plan to leave them with her parents. BTW, they do go on other trips without the kids, so it's not like they don't get away by themselves.

I think Disney is such a magical place and expecially so for young children who really believe in the magic (well, I guess we all do but you know what I mean). But it's so wonderful to experience Disney and see it through the eyes of your children. When I mentioned to DBIL (DH's brother) that I was surprised they weren't taking the kids, he said "Oh well, different strokes for different folks!". Of course, I dropped it right there.

I'm just surprised that people wouldn't take their kids to Disney with them (they will probably not go to parks while they are there, but will go to Pleasure Island, etc.). BTW, money is not an issue. What do you think? Would this surprise you?

I'm with you on this one. I just don't get, yet I know of people who do this.
My thought is this, kids grow up so fast, each stage lasts just such a short time and its gone, sometimes people don't realize it.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I completely understand where they are coming from.

I wouldn't take an almost 3-year old and a 4-year old either.

Personally, I think 6 and 8 would be the "ideal" time to take them.

They are older and probably wouldn't have meltdowns like little ones do and wouldn't need afternoon naps and they would actually REMEMBER their trip, where almost 3 and 4 year olds won't.

I don't understand people who want to bring infants and toddlers - but like your DBIL said "different strokes for different folks."

 

[Allison]

I completely understand where they are coming from.

I wouldn't take an almost 3-year old and a 4-year old either.

Personally, I think 6 and 8 would be the "ideal" time to take them.

They are older and probably wouldn't have meltdowns like little ones do and wouldn't need afternoon naps and they would actually REMEMBER their trip, where almost 3 and 4 year olds won't.

I don't understand people who want to bring infants and toddlers - but like your DBIL said "different strokes for different folks."

Yep, to each his own. I would never take an infant or toddler either. But, of course, many people do. If they want to do it, I say good for them. I hope they have a great time.

My kids were 6, 10 and 13 on our last trip and it was wonderful.

 

[Beth76]

Well I can certainly understand going on a trip without the kids. Personally, if wasn't taking the kids, I would go someplace more relaxing. But I'm not a Disney fanatic. I suppose they want to enjoy it in a different way.

 

[pkasbohm]

I can understand where you are coming from. I have a friend that goes on vacation and NEVER takes her kid. I would love to get away without my kids but I would hate to miss having fun with them while they are young...I know that we can always get away without them when they are older and are to cool to hang with mom and dad.

 

[salmoneous]

It wouldn't surprise me at all. 4 is pretty young - 3 is really pushing it. Kids at that age get tired and cranky, and are often more interested in watching the lizards than in anything else. Sure the kids might enjoy meeting the character, but are they going to enjoy waiting in the long line to do so? If I had a $1 for every parent I've seen yelling at their small child for not having enough fun...

Look, let me be 100% clear here. I am NOT saying it's a bad idea to bring 3 and 4 year olds to Disney. I'm sure there are 100's of parents on the DIS who can post about how great it was for their kids at that age. For some kids its great - others, not so much. In these situations, I'm inclined to give the parents the benefit of the doubt. If they think it best for the kids to spend time with grandma rather than Disney, so be it.

 

[N&B'smom]

I guess I'm in the minority. We took our children for the first time when our DS was 5 and our DD (gasp!) was 13 months. Why should we say to our son that he has to wait to go to Disney until his sister is old enough to remember it? Just because a baby won't remember it doesn't mean they won't have a great time. My DD didn't take naps, she didn't get cranky and she loved every minute of it. One night we were walking through Epcot pushing her in her stroller and we looked down to see her rocking back and forth, wiggling her hips dancing to whoever that Celtic type band is (what's their name?), I can't remember. That's just one example, she enjoyed so much!! Then, I'm sure you're all going to fall off your chairs but we took them again when my DS was 7 and my DD had just turned 3! I know, shocking. Again, she doesn't nap, doesn't get cranky (I don't drag my family all over like lunatics afraid to miss something) and LOVES it all. We had the best time! She ate breakfast with Cinderella, got made over at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, got her picture in front of Cinderella's carriage, spent a couple days at the water parks, etc. My personal view is that the park is geared to ALL ages of children. (obviously most of you will think I'm nuts for saying that) While a newborn might not get too much enjoyment out of it, certainly as the children get a little older (in this case 13 months) they can really get some good enjoyment out of it. I will say this, I'm aware that my DD may be a bit mature for her age so I'm sure some younger children would not have had so much fun.

That being said, I have no problem with people who like to vacation alone, we do all the time, just not to Disney. That's a trip for the whole family as far as we're concerned.

Shelby

 

[Bearvet]

I keep picturing our favorite memory from MGM last year. As we walked past the Jo Jo's Circus character there was music playing. There was a little girl, maybe age 3 or 4 just dancing her heart out on the sidewalk. Just flinging her arms and spinning around and very into the music. Her mother was on a bench nearby filming every minute. People just stopped to enjoy watching her dance with total abandon. DS17 said it was the cutest thing he'd seen in a long time. By age 6 or 8 most kids tend not to lose their inhibitions and would never "live in the moment" like this little girl.

DS17 just submitted a picture to his high school yearbook from when he was little. He chose a picture from MGM when he was 3 years old - with a Ninja Turtle! I love that it shows what was popular at the time and that he's smiling ear to ear.

DBIL and DSIL DO get away plenty without the kids - with each other and on their own with siblings or friends. Now that my kids are older (17, 13 and 11), I'm so glad we experienced the magic with them when they were young. Now all they want is thrill rides .

I don't hold it against them, I just don't understand.

 

[N&B'smom]

What a cute story of that little girl dancing. It reminds me of my own. On our last trip (when she had just turned 3) she would dance CONSTANTLY! At Epcot there's a section of the ground that has little twinkle lights that you can see at night. My daughter danced around and around on those like a little ballerina. She thought it was a dance floor just for her. She looked so precious I remember getting tears in my eyes as we watched her.

I agree with what you said about being so glad you have the memories from when your kids were little. Mine are still 7 and 3 and we plan on going each year with them. I want to create so many wonderful memories that we'll be able to enjoy for many years to come.

Shelby

 

[ericamanda01]

If their not going to the parks then what's the big deal? It sounds like they just want some time alone.

 

[Brier Rose]

What I don't get are the people that say the kids need to remember the trip.

I just don't get it..why?

What is wrong with just having fun in the moment? They might not remember, but mommy and daddy would!

 

[pkasbohm]

I can understand where you are coming from. I have a friend that goes on vacation and NEVER takes her kid. I would love to get away without my kids but I would hate to miss having fun with them while they are young...I know that we can always get away without them when they are older and are to cool to hang with mom and dad.

 

[Buckalew11]

It wouldn't surprise me at all. 4 is pretty young - 3 is really pushing it. Kids at that age get tired and cranky, and are often more interested in watching the lizards than in anything else. Sure the kids might enjoy meeting the character, but are they going to enjoy waiting in the long line to do so? If I had a $1 for every parent I've seen yelling at their small child for not having enough fun...

Look, let me be 100% clear here. I am NOT saying it's a bad idea to bring 3 and 4 year olds to Disney. I'm sure there are 100's of parents on the DIS who can post about how great it was for their kids at that age. For some kids its great - others, not so much. In these situations, I'm inclined to give the parents the benefit of the doubt. If they think it best for the kids to spend time with grandma rather than Disney, so be it.

I don't think I have ever read a more perfect post on this board.
Perfect, perfect, perfect!!

 

[Poohnatic]

I can see both sides of this. Personally, I took my kids when they were 5 and 20 months for the first time. My younger son had been to WDW many times before he turned 5.

For us, a WDW trip is all about being with the kids (hubby and I each had a solo trip). It can be done with small children AND done well. People scoffed at me that I took my son so young, but he can recall things we only did on that first trip. BTW, my DH and I got married when my older son was 16 months old. My mom and sister insisted on taking him for the week, otherwise, we would have brought him to WDW with us.

That said, sometimes you need time AWAY from your kids. Would you question it if they were going to a different vacation destination? Probably not. Having two preschoolers, they deserve some alone time, and that's a great place for it!

Suzanne

 

[Luv'sTink]

I don't get it either.

DH was just offered from his company 2 nights and a dinner to three different area hotels or 3 days off paid as a bonus for a competition. We have never taken a vacation without DS, we decided together that he would take the 3 days and we would do something as a family. He is going to grow and be gone before we know it. I do not understand people who don't want their children except when it is convenient, don't get me wrong I think spending time without children is fine when kept to a minimum, but when people are taking every vacation and dropping the kids off at Grandmas or any other person who will watch them all the time, is ridiculous.

 

[inaminute]

I'll never judge a parent for how or where they decide to vacation--whether it's with or without their children. It's none of my business and they're in a much better position to decide what's best for their family.

 

[auntpolly]

If their not going to the parks then what's the big deal? It sounds like they just want some time alone.

That's what I was thinking.