My daughter doesn't want to go to WDW

[disneysteve]

No, it isn't what you think. Our DD-15 is a Disney veteran, having now spent over 18 weeks of her life in Walt Disney World over the course of 16 trips. The problem is she is now in high school and the choral groups are planning a trip to Disney World in the spring. She isn't particularly excited about going with them. The trip is quite expensive (about $1,000 for 4 or 5 days) and the kids will be spending part of the time attending a music festival, so somewhat limited time actually in the parks. Plus, she'll be in a hotel room with 3 other girls, likely none of whom she is at all close with.

Having been to WDW so many times, and knowing that we will continue to go annually as a family, she just can't muster much enthusiasm for this trip, and we can't really blame her. The 3 of us can go for a week for just over $2,000. It seems quite a waste to spend $1,000 for her to go alone for a few days.

They are planning some fund raisers to help defray the costs, but still, I don't think she really cares to go, nor do we really care to send her. Has anyone else run into this with their own kids? Did you send them or not?

 

[Commando2319]

Not sure is this is the kinda of trip she needs to go on for school or not. Or should go just for the performing experience.

But maybe to inspire her, she could be the "Disney Expert" with her friends and school mates. I bet they'd be thrilled to have someone in their group who knew all of the inside tips of the trade. And she might enjoy being "the leader" in the park.

Good luck!

 

[disneygirl 17]

What about you going as chaperone?

 

[Ms. Belle]

My son went on a trip with the HS band to WDW last year when he was a junior; the band marched down Main St. The trip was very expensive and he didn't have as much freedom as he wanted. For instance, the chaperones decided the schedule for the day, and would take the kids to the designated park. Once inside the gates, the chaperones would take the kid's tickets so they couldn't go in and out of the park. I understand that they needed to control where the kids went and account for them, but one day, they spent 8 hours in DHS; my son was less than happy. He's a Disney veteran like your daughter and, quite frankly, the other kids didn't appreciate his knowledge of Disney or even care. He told me after the trip, that he was glad he had marched down Main St USA, but the rest of the trip was kind of a letdown for him. Oh and yes, he had to room with two other kids he barely knew.

Let your daughter know that it's not like going to Disney with your family. It will probably be a great experience, but she should adjust her expectations of what the trip will be like.

 

[Corwin]

...Once inside the gates, the chaperones would take the kid's tickets so they couldn't go in and out of the park.

So the kids couldn't get fastpasses, either?

 

[disneysteve]

My son went on a trip with the HS band to WDW last year when he was a junior; the band marched down Main St. The trip was very expensive and he didn't have as much freedom as he wanted. For instance, the chaperones decided the schedule for the day, and would take the kids to the designated park. Once inside the gates, the chaperones would take the kid's tickets so they couldn't go in and out of the park. I understand that they needed to control where the kids went and account for them, but one day, they spent 8 hours in DHS; my son was less than happy. He's a Disney veteran like your daughter and, quite frankly, the other kids didn't appreciate his knowledge of Disney or even care. He told me after the trip, that he was glad he had marched down Main St USA, but the rest of the trip was kind of a letdown for him. Oh and yes, he had to room with two other kids he barely knew.

Let your daughter know that it's not like going to Disney with your family. It will probably be a great experience, but she should adjust her expectations of what the trip will be like.

I think if she were marching down Main Street, or performing in the park, she'd be excited. Heck, if she were doing that, my wife and I would fly down to see it.

I had a teen patient last year who didn't want to go on her senior class trip to Disney for similar reasons. Apparently, the schedule was to keep the kids out ALL day. No down time so that they'd hopefully stay out of trouble. They had to be out of their rooms early, like 7AM and weren't allowed back in the rooms until 10PM. She said she had friends who went the previous year and hated it. They said they were so exhausted that they couldn't enjoy themselves. They were too tired to run around and do the parks.

DD is also not particularly social and doesn't make friends easily. Spending 4 or 5 days with a bunch of people she doesn't know well isn't her idea of a good time, and spending $1,000 for her to do so isn't my idea of a good time. She hasn't decided for sure but I have a feeling she'll be opting out of this trip.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Does she have to go? If she doesn't want to, I'd let her skip it.

When my son went with his school band, it was optional. Only about 150 of the kids went versus the whole band which was about 600 kids total between the 2 grades the trip was for.

The kids got to pick who they roomed with. They were out of the rooms by 7:30am and didn't get back until 11pm at night. They were exhausted but had alot of fun.

The group of 8 kids he hung out with at the park knew that he'd been tons of time and let him guide the group in the parks. He tells the funniest story of taking his group on It's a Small World (I'm surprised they listened to his suggestions after that one!). Their chaperone was also familiar with Fast Pass and would get FP's for the group, meet with them to hand them out so they were able to get on the rides quickly since the trip was over Memorial Weekend and crowded.

They played at DTD and did a great job. I was very glad he experienced the trip with his friends.

 

[Luv2Camp]

I had a teen patient last year who didn't want to go on her senior class trip to Disney for similar reasons. Apparently, the schedule was to keep the kids out ALL day. No down time so that they'd hopefully stay out of trouble. They had to be out of their rooms early, like 7AM and weren't allowed back in the rooms until 10PM. She said she had friends who went the previous year and hated it. They said they were so exhausted that they couldn't enjoy themselves. They were too tired to run around and do the parks.

This happened to my DD on two previous school trips. They went to Washington DC and NYC on separate trips, and they had the kids out of their rooms from early in the morning to late at night. My DD was so exhausted, she had a hard time enjoying the trip. When it came time for the school choir Disney trip, she opted not to go, and I don't think she ever regretted it. She gets to go with us on our regular trips, she didn't have to share a room with kids she didn't know, and she was allowed to rest and enjoy the trip!