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

[2disneyboys]

OP -- That's a shame. It won't scar the kids to NOT go to Disney, but I hate the reasoning behind it.. not that they CAN'T, it's they wont. I hate it when people make a judgement about a place without even researching it a little (I deal with that ALL the time from my DH"s family and with my Dad & evil stepmonster oh, I mean stepmom )

My first trip to WDW was when DH & I were 24 - and I was preg. w/ DS1 at the time. As kids, my dad would never have taken us, vacations are for what ADULTS want to do. and since Dad was "in charge" that was that. Plus there were a lot of us and not much $$$ so even if he had wanted we still would not have been able to go. In fact, in 2007, because of Dad's attidude, DH & I not only took our two DS's to WDW, but we also took my younger DsS and DsB (same ages as my oldest DS) because Dad and evil stepmother would never have given up "their" fun to take the kids, so they would have never gotten to go otherwise.. (Yes, I"m 25 years older then my youngest siblings.. try being preg w/ your 1st child as Dad's girlfriend is preg with his #7and #8...Now THAT will scar you. sorry I disgress... sore topic I guess

 

[Colleen27]

People have all sorts of funny quirks when it comes to travel. My grandfather believed there was so much to see and do in our beautiful home state that there was no reason to travel elsewhere, and he never did. He also had a deep mistrust of flying, so that would have kept him close to home regardless. My mother didn't inherit a bit of his stubbornness, though - we traveled every summer when I was a kid, even when money was tight. Sometimes it was camping or staying with family, but I got to visit 18 states before I turned 18 because my mom has always loved traveling.

Its too bad the parents aren't taking their kids' desires into account in deciding where to travel, but the kids will have plenty of adult years to travel where ever their hearts desire.

 

[lirija]

I can sympathize with all the PPs about people assuming something without finding out the facts. I have many friends and some family that assume we must be rich or something and they will never be able to afford the trip. These are all average middle-class, mostly college educated people with careers. They just made their minds up that they can't afford it and even though I try to explain that is can be inexpensive if planned properly, they resist simply because it wasn't their idea. I gave up some time ago...no need to push things on people and create sore subjects with those you love anyway. To each their own...

I just wish there was 1 family I could convert I am a "more the merrier" person, and I love to do multiple-family vacations

 

[Leajess99]

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."

I can honestly say that I was very stressed about going to Disney before we made our first trip last year. I had read reviews talking about long waits in the bathrooms, etc and I already hate crowds so while it was a place I had always wanted to go, it was a place I really didn't want to go if that makes sense. I learned that as long as we go in the off season I am able to handle it. I so want to go again now but we are heading back in October. Just 6 1/2 months to go.

Also, you handled the discussion very well.

 

[cathyce2]

My DSis is in this group. Her kids are 8 and 5 and are huge fans. They have tons of Disney toys, clothes and every movie but the are waiting for the kids to be "old enough to appreciate it". I think they can't get past comparing Disney to a local theme park which is mostly thrill rides. If they ever do go I'm afraid they will be disappointed because the kids will be sceptical about the characters and the rides not thrilling enough. I've tried to explain all the things they would enjoy while they are young, but they just don't "get it".

 

[sanibelsettler]

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.

LOL, that would be sad. The world is full of real wonders and museums, etc., and WDW is top of your list. Children don't NEED to go to disney. It is a frivolous want, at best.

 

[puffkin]

Its too bad the parents aren't taking their kids' desires into account in deciding where to travel, but the kids will have plenty of adult years to travel where ever their hearts desire.

While I get what you (and many others) are saying on this thread, I don't think kids deserve or are owed a Disney vacation. The parents are the ones going to work every day, and they should get to choose a vacation that THEY want to go on. The kids can pick the vacation when they are old enough to pay for it!

My parents did not view vacations as a priority. My dad (and brothers) are very into hunting/fishing so our few vacations were geared to that. Basically, if he couldn't tow the boat there, we didn't go. My dad also works 60-80 hours a week for large parts of the year, so his vacation choices always won. Do I wish we had gone....sure. In fact, one year we did get the choice of Disney vacation or above ground pool, and we kids chose the pool. DH also never went as a child. His family also did not view vacations as a priority.

We went on our first trip at 21 and 23 in 2001. We both are completely hooked and are now AP holders and DVC members. We have been down 11 times since with two trips planned this year. DS has been there 4 times in 2 1/2 years. And, now my mother is hooked. She has tagged along with us twice before DS was born and every trip since. She also is an AP holder now and purchased her own DVC points. My dad still has no interest, so mom comes with us to Disney and he goes on his hunting trips and everyone is happy.

My SIL is not in a financial position to take her two girls who want to go so bad. We took the older niece a few years ago when she was 7, and we are planning to take the younger niece this December when she is 8. We are glad to give them that experience!