Just Back .... Mixed Feelings

[firsttimerw2]

We (grand gathering group of 10) just got back Friday from a 6 night 7 day trip -- we went in 2007 as well. This time just didnt seem the same -- the first time we went our youngest was 18 months -- this time he was 3.... While I do believe he had a good time, he was saying he wanted to go home day 2 and was scared of the dark loud rides. We pushed ourselves too much I believe -- we would get up early and do the Extra Hours and go all day non stop -- to be honest we were ready to come home too..... It just didnt seem as magical and in no way a relaxing vacation -- What did i do wrong??? I loved Disney World in 2007 -- this time I could have done without it.....

 

[Disney grandma]

Where did you stay? I know when our entire family goes, we spend time at the resort and we definitely don't go from early to late with the younger granchildren. We also do not stay together all the time as a group, it is just too difficult. We would go our own ways, maybe call sometime during the day to meet up for a ride or lunch, and then usually a night meal together. It's too bad you feel you didn't enjoy your vacation. I think sometimes when you try too hard to fit everything in it adds to the stress. A couple hours "downtime" is important and this could be time spent at the pool, relaxing in the room or browsing through the gift shops.

 

[Mith]

We ran into a similar thing with our kids on a previous trip. The first time we went to WDW, the girls were 4 and 1. It went awesome. The 2nd trip they were 6 and 3 and it was disappointing- they wanted to spend all day in the hotel room, complained about being tired, hot etc. It took a few days for us to adjust our expectations for the trip and after that it went a little better.

It gets better, hang in there! Last year the girls were 9 and 6 and they were awesome! We were at rope drop for 12 straight days and often stayed 10-12hours in the parks. They were tireless and we had a fantastic trip!

 

[MariDisney]

I can imagine how tired everyone must have been with morning til night touring. We've found it best for us to go to a park at rope drop (not an EMH park) and take a break in the afternoon. I like to try to have at least 9 or so hours between arriving at the resort at night and being at a park the next day. Our motto is always "WDW will be here next time" so we don't worry if we miss something. We know we're coming back. I hope you give it another shot!

 

[BuzzSaw]

Where did you stay? I know when our entire family goes, we spend time at the resort and we definitely don't go from early to late with the younger granchildren. We also do not stay together all the time as a group, it is just too difficult. We would go our own ways, maybe call sometime during the day to meet up for a ride or lunch, and then usually a night meal together. It's too bad you feel you didn't enjoy your vacation. I think sometimes when you try too hard to fit everything in it adds to the stress. A couple hours "downtime" is important and this could be time spent at the pool, relaxing in the room or browsing through the gift shops.

I agree - I think some downtime during the day is critical. Hope your next trip is better.

 

[maganspikes]

We ran into the same thing also. Our son seven didn't like it as much either. He kept saying I wish I was on the cruise. He loved the Disney Crusie. He also loved the resort we stayed at but didn't care for the parks at all.

 

[noahdove]

I feel the need to take a break every afternoon, even if it's just to read a little and have a coke or pepsi.

 

[PrincessShea]

I'm gonna echo the sentiment that breaks are 100% necessary. I went with my boyfriend last year and we are in our mid 20's! We NEEDED those afternoon breaks. I cannot imagine how much more a little kid needs them. And there is nothing wrong with hanging out at the resort pool...memories can be made there too

 

[TallDaddy]

i will be there with my 2 kids soon. a bit worried about fatigue as well in the heat with all that walking. Will probably use the disney transit system to head back after lunch for a cool nap in room with them and then head back to park for latter aft

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

My group of 8 just got back and my nephew (4) was the same way. He just wanted to go back to the hotel to play with his souveniers. We were there at rope drop and stayed pretty much the whole day. We wanted to get to the parks early in order to ride the popular rides without a wait (this worked), but it was too long a day for the little one. However, I thought it would have been too time consuming to walk all the way to the Pop Century bus stop, wait for the bus, ride the bus, walk from the bus stop to the room, take a rest and then do the same thing all over again to get back to a park then again to go back to the resort at night. If we would have stayed at a monorail resort or an Epcot resort it would not be as time consuming to take an afternoon break at the resort.