Let the teens sleep or not?

[Webbie]

My answer would depend on what your definition of "family" vacation is. I know when I went to WDW with teenagers they would grumble about getting up early but then would agree it was the best strategy. Family vacation for us is together not having teenagers take off on their own all day. I don't see a family vacation as everyone taking off to do their own thing all the time.

 

[salmoneous]

I want them to have fun but how much fun is it getting to a park at 11am? Should I just let them do their own thing or get them up and out in the morning?

They are 15. I think that is old enough for them to decide for themselves what is and isn't fun. Now obviously it's appropriate for a parent to stop a 15-year from doing something that the kids think is fun. But to force a 15-year old to do something because you think that's what they will find fun???

One thing I can pretty much guarantee you - being forced by her mother to get up early and go to the parks is something she will *not* consider fun.

Now if your concern is you and your desire to have your family all together for the day - well then, yes, you might want to make her get up. But if you are genuinely concerned with her happiness, the answer is easy.

 

[DisneyMim]

We've been going to Disney since our kids were very young and our vacations have changed with the times. They are now older and none of us get up early any more. We do stay out very late though. We've always let our kids set the pace as my husband and I always think of our family vacations as FAMILY vacations and really hubby and I don't care about getting to a park early, BUT we've been there done that so many times that it isn't important for us to see it all every trip. I really think that this is the reason why our kids still want to be with us. We always knew things would change, but I never knew that it actual would get BETTER as the kids got older. If you really want to get up early, I would say that some days both the parents get up and out early and other days sleep in. Teens really love to sleep and I have found that they are much happier if they get to sleep in. After all they have to get up for school, etc. all year. Also, Disney transportation is great. They can do some things by themselves. Just have cell phones ready. Talk and plan before you go and I'm sure you will all have a wondervul vacation!!

 

[gris gris]

When I was 16 my grandparents took me, my sister & cousins. We were 16, 14, 13 & 10. We flew & switched planes on our own many times previously with me as the leader, and when we got to Disney our grandparents let us go on our own at night. Of course this was 15 years ago, but I was mature and knew how to take care of my family. Anyhow I think your teens could probably use some time to themselves and letting them sleep in and make responsible decisions on their own is fine. Like someone else said, I guess it depends on your description of a family vacation, but I really think some time apart is okay too. Makes things more relaxed and less stressful, not arguing about what time to get up and who is going to be where. Have fun!

 

[dgaston]

Muffy, we give DS assigned meeting times for meals, generally lunches. I was crushed this past Christmas when all three children (2 adults and DS 17) chose not to go to a Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch (their all time fav character). I find that allowing older teens to create their own schedule works better for me. When he is with me, DS won't wait in a line longer than 15 minutes. Over Christmas week he found some teens from one of the bands performing in WDW and waited over an hour for Haunted Mansion! I feel positive about the decisions he makes at WDW, and really enjoy knowing that he'll show up for "family time" especially when food is involved. We also keep in touch with cell phones. We let everyone pick a favorite restaurant for at least one meal. Gee my pick was the Lilo and Stitch breakfast...hmm...that one didn't work!

 

[bopper]

I think I would do a mix of sleeping in and getting up early. We like to do two park days in a row, and then a sleep in/pool day. That way both parties get some of what they like. Tell the DD friend what is expected of her. Also explain that you can get more done by being there early.

 

[wendy1974]

You know their maturity level so you know if they could be trusted to get to the Park of choice at a set time and meet you. I say have them get up with you at 8 on the first morning and go to a Park. That will give them a chance to see how crowded it can get by 11 (although if you're going at an off time there may be no lines). Then on the second day I would let them sleep in if they still want to and if they are responsible enough to be able to meet you at a designated area and a set time then I would let them sleep in the rest of the trip.

 

[Disneyrsh]

One thing I can pretty much guarantee you - being forced by her mother to get up early and go to the parks is something she will *not* consider fun.

.

Well, hey, then she stays home with Grandma for the week

 

[mommyintn]

Oh to have the problems of your kids sleeping in! My problems with both sons ages 6 and 3 is that they think they live on a farm!! If only Disney opened at 6:30am we'd be set. Hope it all works out.

 

[WL Fan]

We'll be going with a 16 and almost 18 year old, and I guess I see it as "their" vacation too. If they want to sleep in, fine, we'll meet them for lunch.

Just as long as they're in the room by 12, after all, some of us like to be there for the rope drop!

 

[Pryncess'mom]

Have you spent any time with teenagers who need sleep?????

But really, we have always done family vacations, and family time is important. but a happy family often needs a little down time. We let our boys do their thing in the mornings. They don't want to do Snow White and IASW again and again with their 8 yo sister. They did everything with her the first two times she went. Now they have their own likes and they go do that, while DH and I take DD. We meet for meals and shows and spend at least a couple hours together each day. This trip, the boys (DS - 18 & DS - 15) actually have their own ADR's. They want to try places that DH or I don't want to go to. I'm OK with this. But, dH and I are kinda laid back. We have found that by giving them the ability to make up their own minds, we often spend more time with them, and it is quality time because they want to be there with us.

I also know there is a difference between boys going around by themselves and girls alone. Now when DD gets to be 15, maybe my tune will change

Right now though, we have confident sons who usually make good choices.



deb

 

[ntengwall]

As a mom, I am all about logical consequences. Let them sleep in the first day or so and then when the get to the parks and see that they may not be able to ride the really popular rides they might change their minds

 

[Ilovestitch]

If they sleep in- are they planning on staying out late?

My bf and I usually make it to the parks between 10-11am but we usually stay out til 2am or so

 

[Tigger1]

I have 5 children from 15 to 24. The oldest and the youngest gt up before I did the last trip. I felt so lost not going to the park with my youngest. The next trip I will be sure to get up and go with her and meet dh later.

The 3 middle children wake up when ever they wake up. Usually getting to the park 12 or 1 pm. They still return at night before I do. I used to think it was such a waste of ticket. Actually they are the ones that make use of the Disney resort living room. I figure why demand they do their vacation like I do. We do meet occasionally in the evening and do a few rides or watch a show. Everyone is happy.

My only stipulation is not to go to pleasure island. We have Disney tranportation so downtown Disney is not so bad.

Tigger

 

[Deb & Bill]

Ask them if they would rather sleep in and wait in long lines (you said you were going in the summer) or would they rather, get in a bunch of rides and then head back to the pool and maybe a nap in a lounge chair?

If the friend has never been to WDW before, waiting in long lines and missing out on a lot of rides could convince her never to go again. But if you show her how to make the most of her day, she will love you forever.

 

[Piecey]

Just went with my brother (We're 18 and 21, yeah I know it's not 15.. but my point is sorta the same)
My brother and I are sleep-a-holics.
As I've already spent a week in Disney World this year I decided to just RELAX and go with the flow..

Most of the time we were still asleep at 11 and probably didn't ever get to a park before 1.
We still had a great time, AND we were there Christmas Week.
We had plenty of time to do what WE wanted to do.

 

[xmelissax]

I say let them. When we went we didn't wake up till 10:00 every morning, 2 days we got up even later and we still got in everything we wanted to do and had tons of fun. Besides that way everyone will get to be doing what they want so there won't be complaining from any ends.

 

[LordAthens]

I would personally let them sleep in if they'd like. While it's sacralidge to say, not everyone's idea of vacation is getting up at the crack of dawn to hit Disney. I know when my girlfriend and I go to WDW, between work and some charities we both deal with, the LAST thing we want to do on our vacation is getting up at 8 in the morning, every morning. It's our vacation, we want to relax! We usually get to the parts around noon or 1 and leave (obviously!) at close. Sometimes we head down to DTD or over to Jellyrolls, sometimes we don't.

As someone else mentioned, being forced to get up when they don't want to (it is their vacation too) certainly isn't going to make their vacation any better. I know from personal experience that for that very same reason, is why I stopped going on vacation with my own parents. It just wasn't fun anymore.

As for some of the people saying 15 is to young to be walking the parks without and adult, please think about this. In just 1 year (in most states) she will beable to drive a 2000+ lb 4 wheeled vehicle unsupervised. I don't know of many (if any at all) 15 year olds that are not responsible enough to walk a theme park by themselves.

 

[outtonight]

Please let them sleep!

I remember all of the times I went to WDW with my mother, who is notorious for waking up at 6 AM every morning of a vacation.

When she'd try to prod me out of bed at 7 or 8 AM, it really made me cranky. Remember, the teens are on vacation too! Waking up at the crack of dawn only incites the feeling of getting ready for school, and who wants to be on that wavelength while at Disney? In the mornings I'd be tired and grumpy, and even though that feeling would dissipate when I got to the parks, it would return in even fuller force the next morning.

I say, let them choose when they want to get up; if they see after the first day that it's not worth it due to the long lines, then they'll probably ask you to wake them up the following day. However, they may be fine with it (I always was!), and pick being well-rested over getting an hour of wait-less rides.

 

[Nancyg56]

You know your family. I found that when my kids were teens, that the freedom that I gave them was rewarded with more time with me. If you are comfortable with their ability to get around, then I would let them sleep in and meet you later. If there are times that it is important to be together early, that is part of the plan. You may find that they just wanted to know that they could stay behind if they chose, and will want to be with you more because yougave the choice. Good luck.