Kids who love Disney but parents refuse to go (who have never been).

[Sillyminny40]

We were at our friends' the other night and did not bring up our recent WDW trip but another parent did. We just said it was a great week and left it at that as we knew the third family wants to avoid going there.The third family's ds10 said to her mom "See, families DO go and have a wonderful time why can't we?"

They responded that they are scared of crowds and lineups and I just closed it up saying "Our family plans it well so we go when it is not busy and know which rides to hit and when. But I totally understand your feelings."

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I bet that was awkard for you. As Disney lovers we usually like to sing it's praises and love to talk about our trips. You did well respecting their feelings - great job! I have a couple of friends that refuse to take their kids too, my neice and nephew never got to go (20 and 16 now) because of my sister in law. We go twice a year and they always bring it up at get togethers and my SIL just tells them I spoil my DD and I am being wasteful by going. I completely disagree as I go for me too- I love Disney!!!!

 

[duffy]

My parents refused to take us when I was a kid. They could never have afforded it. Too many kids.

I survived, and took my first trip as an adult with my husband and 2 older daughters. I've taken 3 trips as an adult. Sure, I wish I could have seen WDW as a kid, but, I survived.

 

[Pixieflip]

Not being able to afford it is one thing....being a stick in the mud is another!!! We have a stick in the mud in our family and while I won't go into detail I will just say that those kids never get asked what they want to do. They get paraded around the country and while educational vacations are fine (okay, I might really have fun, I'm kind of a social studies/history nerd) don't the kids EVER get to have a vote? Ugh! I just want to grab them and take them with us!! They'd probably have more fun with us anyway.

 

[DawnM]

Disney is NOT for everyone.

A friend of mine told me recently that they took their 11 year old son. This kid is quite the kid. He is into fishing and nature and would make a great game warden or reserve warden one day! But he hated Disney!!! He told his mom, "It was nice to see once and maybe someday I will bring my kids here, but next vacation can we go to the mountains/national parks?"

Just different strokes.

Dawn

 

[Sillyminny40]

Disney is NOT for everyone.
Dawn

You are so right there. Leave to us who love it there.
(We do do all the camping/fishing too and love that as well!)

 

[princesspaige]

I also never got to go as a child (to many (7) of us and lived to far away) and it didn't kill me. I think I have more than made up for it as an adult though...

I am totally brain washing my DD in all things Disney...isn't that what I am supposed to do??? Lucky for me, she has DH wrapped around her little finger so we will get to go lots.

 

[mjmoon]

Disney is NOT for everyone.

A friend of mine told me recently that they took their 11 year old son. This kid is quite the kid. He is into fishing and nature and would make a great game warden or reserve warden one day! But he hated Disney!!! He told his mom, "It was nice to see once and maybe someday I will bring my kids here, but next vacation can we go to the mountains/national parks?"

Just different strokes.

Dawn

Do you know if they stayed at Fort Wilderness? If not, that may have made all the difference in the world to the little man!

 

[Tigge50447]

We didn't travel when we were kids, my parents couldn't afford it and my mom doesn't like to travel. I went the 1st time when I was 21 and have been 7 times since. I even got my mom and dad to go with us for my son's 1st trip. They did like it and do want to go back at some point but are not coming with us this next trip.

some people are home bodies....

 

[mjmoon]

My first trip to Disney World was as an adult, when my inlaws flew me out to spend an extended weekend with them in their motor home at Fort Wilderness. I fell in love. As a kid Disney World, or any vacation for that matter, simply wasn't an option for our family financially. I survived. I can't even remember a time as a child giving it much thought.

Having said that, I will definitely consider my kid's feelings when it comes to planning vacations in the future.

 

[Tammy296]

My parents never took me and yes they could have afforded it if they wanted to. My parents just never spent much time with me anyway. I was always shuffled off to my grandparents while they were out having a good time. I asked them once why they never wanted to go. They just didn't want to deal with lines and people and thought of it just as "another tourist trap". Even getting my parents to go now as adults with their grandchildren would be impossible.

As an adult I took my first Disney trip less than 2 yrs ago. Every kid should visit Disney at least once in their lifetime. For the parents to see your kids smile like that certain smile...well it's worth any amount of money I've got!


Tammy

 

[jupers]

We went twice when I was a kid. Once, I was to little to remember, the other I went with my aunt and uncle who had the money to take me. I enjoyed it, but didn't know what I was missing till I was an adult. My parents weren't opposed just didn't have the money.

We didn't take many vacations at all, which is probably why I would rather spend my $ on a vacation than anything else. DH wants to kill me because rather than make home improvements I would much rather go away.

 

[ekatiel]

My parents could have afforded it, but never took me (despite my begging!). My Dad's answer was always the same, "The weather in Florida is just like the weather in Texas: Hot and Humid. We're going to Colorado." And, so, almost every summer, we did. Now that they've got grandkids their song has changed, though-- they are going with us in May, and it will be everyone's first trip ever! When they heard that DH and I were taking the boys, they decided they just couldn't miss the looks on the grandkids' faces when they saw WDW! I am making everyone t-shirts for the trip, and rest assured, I AM putting Grumpy on my dad's shirt !! Afterall these years, I just HAD to do it. . . --Katie

 

[mjmoon]

My parents could have afforded it, but never took me (despite my begging!). My Dad's answer was always the same, "The weather in Florida is just like the weather in Texas: Hot and Humid. We're going to Colorado." And, so, almost every summer, we did. Now that they've got grandkids their song has changed, though-- they are going with us in May, and it will be everyone's first trip ever! When they heard that DH and I were taking the boys, they decided they just couldn't miss the looks on the grandkids' faces when they saw WDW! I am making everyone t-shirts for the trip, and rest assured, I AM putting Grumpy on my dad's shirt !! Afterall these years, I just HAD to do it. . . --Katie

Even I wouldn't argue with that logic! I'm not sure you could pay me to go to Disney in the summer for that very reason. However, Disney is wonderful in the winter and there is no place I'd rather be during the winter months. I definitely would choose a northern or mountain vacation in the summer.

 

[Elmo888]

"The weather in Florida is just like the weather in Texas: Hot and Humid.

That's funny - DH feels the same way (also in Texas), so we just go during the winter months. He even said that when the kids are too old to take out of school, we'll just go without them! LOL!

ekatiel - I'm so excited for you - have a great trip in May!

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Ahhh... imho, I think not taking a child to WDW is depriving them of an important life experience. If a family can only take their child on one vacation ever, I would recommend it be to WDW.

My chemistry teacher believes that Walt Disney is the devil (blames Walt for people not wanting to kill deer... pffff). However, when I asked him if he was planning on taking his son to Disney, he said that he intended to - "I don't want him to be scarred for life."

 

[onemaybaby]

I have a friend who went to Disney last year and she hated it. (She brought her two kids with her and her sister, her husband took the two older boys to universal) She hated it, which although I have a hard time accepting, she proceeds to tell everyone she meets what a terrible place it! I tried to arm her with some valuable tips before she went but she didnt take my advice. (Like don't show up at 12 noon and not expect the place to be crowded) They were there almost the whole day and saw 2 or 3 things I think! I always tell her ..."would you go to Europe without a plan?? Well you can't go to Disney without one either!!"

 

[alexandria674]

When my boyfriend was a kid, his mom and dad ordered a free Disneyworld planner, they were going to go and everything. My boyfriend packed his bags weeks before they were supposed to go, he was so excited! Well, I guess my boyfriend's mother (although she planned it all) found out my boyfriend's sister did not want to go, she was going to be in a quincera ( I am not spelling it right, darn) So, for years, my boyfriend has always wanted to go but couldn't. So..he met me, a professed Disney lover and now next year we are set to do a loong vacation at WDW and the cruiseline.

 

[DISNEYNV]

My parents took my brother and I for the first time in our teens. We loved it and my parents go back just as much as we do! They wished they could have taken us when we were younger but couldn't afford it. We went on a lot of camping trips and it was fun when I was little, but give me a nice hotel room and DW parks anyday! Camping is not my thing but hen again Disney is not others. I just don't like it when friends or coworkers don't understand why we go to Disney year after year! They say we spoil our kids by taking them so many times. I think many feel that Disney is a once and done trip and that is that. I try to explain it to them, but if your not a true fan it just doesn't sink in. Disney is not for everyone but we love it and it is a family vacation that has great value, great ride a and shows, always changing, and there is enough to do and see to be able to go back year after year and enjoy every minute

I don't understand how families can just go to the same beach house and boring beach year after year either. My Aunt and Uncle do this with their family and it just is not our thing. Same as the Disney thing with us. It's whatever you and your family loves to do

 

[Kellytn]

My parents could have afforded it, but never took me (despite my begging!). My Dad's answer was always the same, "The weather in Florida is just like the weather in Texas: Hot and Humid. We're going to Colorado." And, so, almost every summer, we did. Now that they've got grandkids their song has changed, though-- they are going with us in May, and it will be everyone's first trip ever! When they heard that DH and I were taking the boys, they decided they just couldn't miss the looks on the grandkids' faces when they saw WDW! I am making everyone t-shirts for the trip, and rest assured, I AM putting Grumpy on my dad's shirt !! Afterall these years, I just HAD to do it. . . --Katie

K I almost spit my drink out reading that.

We grew up in FL so we went almost every year. I now live in TN and this year will be our first family trip DD's will be 3 and almost 5 and I can't wait to see the look on their faces! I find it very surprising when people I meet up here say they've never been. I was spoiled though living relatively close, just a 4hr drive.