I now have a 10 year old..

[Happiest mommy]

Hello DISers, going thru the motions my older DD just turned 10 and my emotions are all over the place. It's been a wonderful Blessing seeing her grow but I can't help but feel an ache in my heart, she is growing up so fast or better yet where did the time go? I Blinked.. just yesterday she was 4 and holding my hand pointing to all the beautiful things I would have otherwise overlooked... Has she lost her Disney Magic?, we haven't been able to go but are planning a trip for 2016 and she is just too excited but when we go she will be 11 omg! 11!. Sorry to vent guys, but this was the only place I knew I would be understood am I crazy for feeling this way?

 

[sdoll]

My DS turns 10 on Monday. I can't believe how fast it has gone. He is really starting to pull away and gain some independence. I used to plead for a little alone time to use the bathroom by myself. Not gonna lie... It's not all it's cracked up to be! I try to remind myself that I have loved every age but it's hard watching them grow up so fast!

 

[smiths02]

My son just turned 9, and he really enjoyed this trip. It was as magical, but maybe not as "fantastical," if that makes sense. While he enjoyed watching the younger siblings with the characters, those weren't his thing. Instead, he really enjoyed Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom, Agent P, and pin trading.
For next year, we're considering splurging for the Family Culinary Adventure. Anyhow, you may splurge on a tour or fancy dinner instead of BBB and CRT, but it can still be precious.

 

[bushdianee]

I have a niece that I am basically helping to raise that is 9 and I have seen her mature so much this past year. I am her primary day care and have taken her to WDW 5 times. This year she wanted nothing to do with princesses except Anna & Elsa. She was all about Star Wars. So we did Star Wars weekend and she got to be in the Motorcade and do Jedi Training. We also tried some different meals rather than princess meals. We also did the Pirates and Pals cruise rather than BBB. At home she has been acting more grown up too, helping get meals and helping with her younger cousins who I have been watching quite a bit this summer. She is basically an only child as her only sibling is a half sister who is 32 and married with a child of her own. She has grown up so quickly.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Hello DISers, going thru the motions my older DD just turned 10 and my emotions are all over the place. It's been a wonderful Blessing seeing her grow but I can't help but feel an ache in my heart, she is growing up so fast or better yet where did the time go? I Blinked.. just yesterday she was 4 and holding my hand pointing to all the beautiful things I would have otherwise overlooked... Has she lost her Disney Magic?, we haven't been able to go but are planning a trip for 2016 and she is just too excited but when we go she will be 11 omg! 11!. Sorry to vent guys, but this was the only place I knew I would be understood am I crazy for feeling this way?

My oldest two (twins) are 13 and I truly understand how you are feeling. Even though there are moments that I wish I could stop the hands of time, I truly marvel at the young adults they are becoming and how our mother-daughter/mother-son relationships are evolving. When it comes to Disney World, find comfort in knowing that there is magic there for every age/stage of life whether it be toddler, tween, teen, newlywed, single adult, mom, dad, or grandparent. Disney has a way of bringing out the wonder of childhood in us and that's why so many of us continue to "want" to go as adults. We didn't go on our first family trip to WDW until my twins were 9 years old. On our second trip the twins were 11 and still very much enjoyed things like meeting characters and Pirates League makeovers. There is something special about that first Disney trip and I bet once you're there you'll see that in many ways your growing tween is still very much your little girl. On a side note, my DH had never been to Disney prior to our first trip and he was 35 at the time. At Disney he proudly wore his Mickey Mouse shirts and insisted on getting his own autographs and solo pictures with his favorite characters! I look back on those photos and in his eyes I see the wonder of a little boy that is still in there somewhere.

 

[Happiest mommy]

Thank you all so much for all your kind words I guess I wasn't ready yet to see my little girl all of a sudden so big if you can understand what I mean. You all inspire me with your stories and advice it's just so hard letting go she is truly a Blessing and a wonderful child, so Baby still always wanting to cuddle if only time could stand still just for a bit? I think 2Pirates2Princess explained it best when she said that's why we all continue to go to Disney, and that there is magic in every age and stage so true! just writing this makes me cry, Jeesh i'm a mess lol! thank you all again

 

[Mousemommy1]

That's exactly why we keep going to Disney every year....to keep the "kid" alive in all of us.

Our oldest turned 11 on our last trip, and will turn 12 on our next trip. I remember when she was 6 she wanted BBB for her birthday. This year she wanted a nice dinner at Via Napoli. She still loves Disney, just differently.

Our middle is 8.5 and still loving princesses and stuff. Hoping it lasts a little longer.

But, we had a surprise baby boy this year! He has already been once (twice if you include when I was pregnant) and he ensured us many years of Disney memories to come.

 

[SwimMom2]

Every time we do a Disney trip (WDW or latest, a cruise), I am suckered into a bounce back offer for this very reason.

On our next WDW trip/cruise, my kids will be 11 and 5. On our first trip post their births, they were 7 and 15 months. Where does the time go?

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Why did I read this thread? Excuse me while I go hug my five year old DS. I'm dreading the day he no longer is my velcro child. I'm not even willing to think about when he no longer thinks characters are cool.

 

[Baklava]

If it helps, mine is going to turn 18 just before our 2016 trip and he still hasn't lost the magic. Hand him a fastpass for Big Thunder and a Mickey Bar and he's utterly blissful.

 

[luvmy2sams]

My DD is 16 and DS turns 12 next week, and the Disney magic is alive and well. We usually go to Disney for two weeks at Christmas but we're taking a break this year. The kids are bummed and already planning how to squeeze in time at Disney before our Disney Cruise over Spring Break 2016. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at my kiddos without having flashes of their younger years from time to time. This is especially true right now of my DD because college will be here before we know it. I still see chubby cheeks and pigtails when she pulls out of the driveway each morning, but I also marvel at how our relationship continues to evolve. Time does fly!

 

[leahgoogle]

Yes! Time really flies! DS was 11 our last trip and it was his first time going to Disney. He loved it and can't wait to go back. There really is something for all ages there.

 

[xlsm]

My youngest will be 10 on Friday, and my oldest will be 12 on 8/8. The magic won't fade They are both so excited to leave tomorrow...the older one is just a little more subdued about showing it until we're actually there (he doesn't like flying.)

It's hard watching our babies grow, I totally understand. My oldest starts middle school this year and my emotions are crazy too.

 

[Mousemommy1]

My youngest will be 10 on Friday, and my oldest will be 12 on 8/8. The magic won't fade They are both so excited to leave tomorrow...the older one is just a little more subdued about showing it until we're actually there (he doesn't like flying.)

It's hard watching our babies grow, I totally understand. My oldest starts middle school this year and my emotions are crazy too.

Hugs! Our oldest starts middle school this year too. Such a kick in the gut, huh?

But, she still gets just as excited now as she did for her first trip when she was 5.

 

[Happiest mommy]

I love reading all your posts, thank you all so much! it feels nice to know that i'm not the only one feeling this way

 

[AshleeH]

My DS turns 13 in March - I will officially have a teenager! I'm so not ready for that. He's such a sweet kid and promises he won't act like a typical teen . He's still excited about Disney and I'm sure he'll help me plan our next trip when we hit that stage.

 

[luvmy2babies]

My oldest is 12 and is begging to go back. We started going when she was 7 and my son was 10 months. BBB at 9, 10 and 11 and is begging me to get us back there before she turns 13 (April) so she can do it one more time. Now that is as much the diva in her as it is a love for princesses; but she is still into meeting most of them. She still loves the little people rides which is helpful because her brother is little and no one else goes with us.

 

[Cadiewampus]

We went in May of this year. Me (55) DW (52) DS (22) DS (15). Did not really think much about characters when we hit MK but when my oldest son saw Chip and Dale he screamed like he was still 6 years old and ran over and hugged them and had a couple of pictures made. Sitting here typing this and remembering that day brings a tear to my eye.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We went in May of this year. Me (55) DW (52) DS (22) DS (15). Did not really think much about characters when we hit MK but when my oldest son saw Chip and Dale he screamed like he was still 6 years old and ran over and hugged them and had a couple of pictures made. Sitting here typing this and remembering that day brings a tear to my eye.

Reminds me of our older daughter last August -- she was 10 at the time...."so not into princesses"...however, if you could see the Photopass pictures of her with Anna & Elsa (especially Elsa), you would think she was meeting a huge celebrity -- the starstruck look in her face in those pictures is priceless.

 

[ELSA711]

My DD 11 is so excited for this year and next because there are so many new adventures she can do the older she gets.
Including Wild Africa Trek this year for my little animal lover!!!

She is counting down the days for Keys to the Kingdom tour but I tell her not to wish away her years!! There is plenty to see and do between now and then