Oldest child getting tired of Disney!!

[Hikergirl]

She's trying to make it fair for her kids. DS13 went, what, 6 or 7 times before he decided he didn't like it anymore. IMHO, it isn't fair for a 13 year old to dictate vacations and the 3 year old miss out on her trips because big brother has gone already and is bored with it.

LOL, I wouldn't let a 3 year old dictate what an entire family gets to do.

 

[MamaBelle4]

LOL, I wouldn't let a 3 year old dictate what an entire family gets to do.

It isn't the three yo. Based on my understanding of OP's original post, everyone wants to but DS13. And it sounded like OP wanted to make sure the 3 yo got to go like her other kids. That isn't the 3 yo dictating it.

 

[Hikergirl]

It isn't the three yo. Based on my understanding of OP's original post, everyone wants to but DS13. And it sounded like OP wanted to make sure the 3 yo got to go like her other kids. That isn't the 3 yo dictating it.

Sure it is. If their reason for going is because they don't want the 3 year old to miss out, they are going for the 3 year old.
I wouldn't drag my 13 year old to somewhere they didn't want to go for a 3 year old. I'd plan a family vacation that everyone in the family can enjoy. The 3 year old has plenty of years to do WDW with the parents, especially with an older sibling who can be on their own for week in just a couple of years.

 

[isabellea]

Maybe visit Disneyland instead? We usually combine our WDW visits with a beach stay or a cruise. That way, my DH who is not a big Disney fan is happy.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Sure it is. If their reason for going is because they don't want the 3 year old to miss out, they are going for the 3 year old.
I wouldn't drag my 13 year old to somewhere they didn't want to go for a 3 year old. I'd plan a family vacation that everyone in the family can enjoy. The 3 year old has plenty of years to do WDW with the parents, especially with an older sibling who can be on their own for week in just a couple of years.

It is also possible that Mom wants to go as a family while she still can.

I don't see it as doing it just for the 3yo. I would see not going just to accommodate the 13yo as allowing him to dictate the vacation. Every family dynamic is different. If that's what you and OP would do, that's fine.

If DH and I wanted to go and our younger kids wanted to go but our oldest didn't, we would have her come with us anyway. You wouldn't. That's fine. Just giving my opinion.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

My other child is 10 and she really loves Disney too! We all do! We aren't making trips solely for the 3 year old at all. All of our favorite memories are from Disney. We always have a good time. Just last year the 13 year old had a great time.

I am looking into doing a day at Universal because we have never been. He likes Harry Potter and Jurassic Park so I'm hoping there will be appeal for him there.

Like I said we are also going to Cape Cod for a week this summer and are taking just him to DC next spring/summer. So it's not like we don't go other places too.

Thanks for the ideas! Disneyland is a good idea as none of us have ever been. Universal or another park in Florida is a great suggestion too! I asked him about staying with his grandparents but he said he wouldn't want to stay behind.

Problem with him lately is he never seem to wants to do anything. Even at home on weekends, he doesn't want to mini golf or go hiking or do anything he used to want to do. I suppose I'm new at dealing with this teenage angst.

 

[Hikergirl]

It is also possible that Mom wants to go as a family while she still can.

I don't see it as doing it just for the 3yo. I would see not going just to accommodate the 13yo as allowing him to dictate the vacation. Every family dynamic is different. If that's what you and OP would do, that's fine.

If DH and I wanted to go and our younger kids wanted to go but our oldest didn't, we would have her come with us anyway. You wouldn't. That's fine. Just giving my opinion.

Me too, that is what we are all doing here because that is what the OP asked for.

 

[Hikergirl]

My other child is 10 and she really loves Disney too! We all do! We aren't making trips solely for the 3 year old at all. All of our favorite memories are from Disney. We always have a good time. Just last year the 13 year old had a great time.

I am looking into doing a day at Universal because we have never been. He likes Harry Potter and Jurassic Park so I'm hoping there will be appeal for him there.

Like I said we are also going to Cape Cod for a week this summer and are taking just him to DC next spring/summer. So it's not like we don't go other places too.

Thanks for the ideas! Disneyland is a good idea as none of us have ever been. Universal or another park in Florida is a great suggestion too! I asked him about staying with his grandparents but he said he wouldn't want to stay behind.

Problem with him lately is he never seem to wants to do anything. Even at home on weekends, he doesn't want to mini golf or go hiking or do anything he used to want to do. I suppose I'm new at dealing with this teenage angst.

Its a hard age no doubt. I get what you are saying, but IMO when all of the family isn't enjoying something its time to find something else all will enjoy. To me a family vacation is for everyone, not just some of the family. So for me, it would be time to stop taking family trips to WDW.
I also understand your choice to continue to go and bring your oldest, there really is nothing wrong with that either. We all have to do what we feel works for our own families.
In the past have you let him plan any part of your trip? Maybe that would help? On our last trip we let our kids stay and hang out at the arcade, or in the room at the resort for a day. Would you be comfortable with that, or letting him wander the parks alone? Maybe some independence and freedom will help.

 

[maxiesmom]

No way would I give a 13 year old the power to decide where a family vacations. No. Way. Neither would I leave them behind. For us a family vacation is a family vacation.

OP--there has to be some things you haven't done before. A tour of some sort the whole family can do. Mini golf or a waterpark maybe? Bowling at Disney Springs? Renting a boat and going out on it. A fireworks cruise or a dessert party. Fishing. Renting bikes and riding around the boardwalk. Make a list of things you haven't done and let him pick one or two.

 

[Hikergirl]

No way would I give a 13 year old the power to decide where a family vacations. No. Way. Neither would I leave them behind. For us a family vacation is a family vacation.

OP--there has to be some things you haven't done before. A tour of some sort the whole family can do. Mini golf or a waterpark maybe? Bowling at Disney Springs? Renting a boat and going out on it. A fireworks cruise or a dessert party. Fishing. Renting bikes and riding around the boardwalk. Make a list of things you haven't done and let him pick one or two.

I want to clarify something that people seem to always misunderstand when this kind of thread comes up. The whole, letting one child dictate or have power over the family thing.
I don't give my 13 year old power over anything, but I do allow them to have a voice. They are a part of a family and as a family we make decisions about vacations together. I am not a dictator parent, I have let my kids have input into family vacations for as long as I can remember. There are plenty of things they have to do in every day situations that they don't want too because they have no choice. I have no problem letting them have a choice in going away somewhere. We discuss places and pick what works for all of us. Although dh and I get a final say, which is mostly because of finances, we still make sure its someplace we all want to go. No child dictates anything.

 

[kreckl]

It comes down to parenting....Of course there are many things to do at Disney, OP says they have even done a special tour for her son, that's incredible and she obviously cares what he thinks because she posted. I still would not force it and add in bowling or a boat ride to make it appealing. He may still have a good time if you go, but I don't think its unreasonable that he isn't all excited if he's been there many times already. Personally I would have the adults come up with a couple of vacation options you are happy with, one of which could be Disney. I also don't think the son is acting spoiled- he's not crying "take me to Disney!", he's being honest and I would respect that. There are many places to make great family memories.

 

[Westcoastwild]

We have been to NYC, Boston and Rhode Island as weekend trips. We are planning a trip with just him to Washington DC next summer, which he is excited about. We took him to Philadelphia when he was younger.

We are going to Cape Cod this summer (beaches) as well as Disney and are also planning on going to South Carolina next summer to visit family.

Thing with Disney is that we get large discounts due to being employees so we figure we should go as much as possible because you never know when that will no longer be available to you.

Perhaps I will talk to him more in depth about this. We usually try to do new things at Disney every time we go. This time we were going to do La Nouba. We've done mini golfing. We have taken our oldest on the animal kingdom safari trek tour, which he enjoyed.

Glad to hear it others have been through the same thing!!

The employee discount makes sense then. I'd get him more involved in the planning. Pick a few meals. If you can afford it, maybe let him pick the hotel. I don't know how you tour the parks, but possibly let him go off by himself and do his own fast passes occasionally. I don't think I'd leave him at home. If the money isn't taking away from your other vacations, then, well, I'd say a day at Disney still beats a day at school.

Other than that, consider adding more local stuff. Some cool state parks in Florida. And lots of places in driving distance.

 

[buzzrelly]

Tell him to suck it up. You're paying for this family vacation. When he has the money to pay for the vacation he can pick where to go. I wouldn't let a child have so much power over major decisions like family vacations. He should be thanking you and consider himself blessed that he gets to go on nice vacations. Learning to have a little gratefulness wouldn't hurt him.

 

[mjkacmom]

My other child is 10 and she really loves Disney too! We all do! We aren't making trips solely for the 3 year old at all. All of our favorite memories are from Disney. We always have a good time. Just last year the 13 year old had a great time.

I am looking into doing a day at Universal because we have never been. He likes Harry Potter and Jurassic Park so I'm hoping there will be appeal for him there.

Like I said we are also going to Cape Cod for a week this summer and are taking just him to DC next spring/summer. So it's not like we don't go other places too.

Thanks for the ideas! Disneyland is a good idea as none of us have ever been. Universal or another park in Florida is a great suggestion too! I asked him about staying with his grandparents but he said he wouldn't want to stay behind.

Problem with him lately is he never seem to wants to do anything. Even at home on weekends, he doesn't want to mini golf or go hiking or do anything he used to want to do. I suppose I'm new at dealing with this teenage angst.

Would he like to go hiking or mini golfing with his friends? I've been though 4 teens, hanging with the family is always the last resort (and we all really get along). My oldest was begging us to not make her go on a cruise when she was 14, she would miss her friends. Fortunately she met a lot more friends on the ship, and we barely saw her.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

He mostly plays sports or video games with his friends. To be honest his favorite pastime lately seems to be moping about anything and everything.

Would he like to go hiking or mini golfing with his friends? I've been though 4 teens, hanging with the family is always the last resort (and we all really get along). My oldest was begging us to not make her go on a cruise when she was 14, she would miss her friends. Fortunately she met a lot more friends on the ship, and we barely saw her.

 

[DaniMoon]

Tough age. I have a big gap between 1 and 2&3. So when we started going with 2&3, he was old enough to stay home (18). We would have taken him if he wanted to go, but he said no. He's not going again this trip. He has shown interest in our 2019 when we are planning to go to Universal. Some kids/people are not Disney lovers, with regard to visiting the park on a regular basis.

13 is also right on the edge of giving him a little independence at the parks. I don't know when I'd be comfortable going to the park and letting my kids sleep in and meet up with us later in the day. I'm sure it's different for every parent/kid.

 

[charmed59]

Could you send him to camp that week, while the family is at Disney? Perhaps he'd like some sport camp (Surfing?) or a computer or gaming camp?

 

[katyjeka]

We had the same issue but it was our third child and not the oldest. I will admit I was disappointed but it did open my eyes. This was years ago and at that point we had been going to WDW every year, sometimes twice, for many years. I actually felt guilty the first year we skipped Disney but it did open our eyes to new things. We have since cut down on our Disney trips and have discovered places we like just as well if not better. Disney will always be special to me but we have been to so many awesome places. We have decided to limit our Disney trips and explore as much of the world as possible before the kiddos leave.

 

[danielocha30]

I think is very normal for teens to feel this way when they had the luck to be at Disney every other year, is part of being a teenager to feel out of place, completely normal, and is because he been there so many times is not exciting anymore, and it's fine. teenagers are hard to please, maybe planning some independent park touring time for him might be appealing.

 

[mjkacmom]

He mostly plays sports or video games with his friends. To be honest his favorite pastime lately seems to be moping about anything and everything.

Sounds exactly like ds14, it's normal. He plays on 3 soccer teams, keeps him off of the xbox for a bit. It drives me nuts listening to him playing Xbox live with his friends on a beautiful day!