Sad comment from a mom I work with

[MrsJ Henry]

I just had to come on here and vent a little. I knew this was the place where I would be understood.
My husband and I have no children but absolutley love WDW.
We are going again next week. I was talking to a woman I work with and she is going on vacation for the 5th time in a row to the Outer Banks in the carolinas. When talking to her about what we would be doing she said. " my children will NEVER see WDW" "We do active things and learning vacations."
I was speachless. I just thought this was a very sad comment for a mom to make . ( she has two young boys)

 

[DisneyPhD]

To each his own. My own DD is going on her 6th trip to WDW and she just turned 4 years old (and this isn't counting going to Vero Beach last May, but not Disney parks.) We love it, but fear we are spoiling her some. However there are worst ways to spoil a kid.

However I was rasied going to the outter banks of N.C. every summer for many weeks (my father used to live there during the summer, VB VA) I now call it my anti Disney vacation. The Island we go to has no chains (Mcdonalds etc..) on it at all. However it has changed ALOT since I was a kid and tons since my father was a kid. We are taking our kids there this summer (with my whole family.)


The point is most people have their favorite vaction spots they return to. Especailly familes. People should understand that. It is a little sad for her kids, but not so much because chances are if they did take them their parents would just moan and have a bad attitude about the money and comericalization and where is the magic in that? Belive me there is alot of active and learning things at WDW, but I look at it as her loss and more room for the rest of us who LOVE WDW!

But yes, we understand you here! Feels good doesn't it!


BTW I was just wachting a video from 2000 at Dixi Landing before hubby and I had kids, we were so relaxed and happy, it was amazing. I am so glad we went so many times before we had kids. I got the funny looks back then too. Now that we have young kids and DVC people have grown to accept it about us.

 

[O2BNWDW]

You just can't help some people. She is so misinformed.
My Bro and SIL took his family of three every year to the Outer Banks, but after taking them to the World last year I have ruined them. :
oopsies!

They haven't stopped thanking me yet LOL!!!!!

 

[CEDmom]

What the kids don't know won't hurt them. Honestly, haven't most of us taken our kids to WDW and/or DL well before they were really able to appreciate all there is to offer. I know we have. DD was 2 the 1st time we went. Her favorite part of the trip - playing in the hotel pool and getting ice from the machine . Forget MK and lots of character meals. We could have checked into an Econlodge and saved a bunch of $$.

I guess what's sad is that this mom has a completely wrong impression of WDW and is probably quite judgemental of people that go there. Don't educate her though - the less people that know about the magic the better it is for all of us.

Have a great time.

 

[Daxx]

Daxx's Wife here! I am willing to bet that your friend has never been to Disney either as an adult or a child. Daxx never went to Disney as a kid or an adult and didn't understand the whole Disney thing until we took DS. To Daxx, it was just another theme park - he had no idea. We've gone many times since that trip and Daxx now understands how great WDW is. And, he looks forward to our trips as much as DS and I do! So, I suppose if you've never gone as a child, you don't understand.

As a parent, I never say never b/c things happen, etc. And, to each his own. I'd be willing to bet that, one day, that family will go to Disney and it'll dawn on them! And, my guess is that those kids will learn about Disney and beg their parents to go!

Hey -- maybe you should have those kids to your house and show them the WDW vaca. planning video -- they'll be driving their parents nuts to go to Disney! Haha!!!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Hi again all
I think It was sad for me to hear since it was stated as if Disney was this terrible place with no value what so ever. Also, I remember growing up and loving the magical part of believing in make believe and how wonderful it can be. Why would someone see that as bad for their child? Just sad to me.
As a child my parents took me on many different kinds of vacations which was great.
I do believe that many people have no idea about what there really is at WDW. The funny thing is.... anyone that has come within 50 feet of me at work should know quite a bit about WDW.

Oh well to each his own. I know I took it kind of personally since it is my favorite place in the world.....

Also by the way her boys are not too young to enjoy it. They are 9 and 11 I think.

 

[crisi]

Hi again all
I think It was sad for me to hear since it was stated as if Disney was this terrible place with no value what so ever. Also, I remember growing up and loving the magical part of believing in make believe and how wonderful it can be. Why would someone see that as bad for their child? Just sad to me.
As a child my parents took me on many different kinds of vacations which was great.
I do believe that many people have no idea about what there really is at WDW. The funny thing is.... anyone that has come within 50 feet of me at work should know quite a bit about WDW.

Oh well to each his own. I know I took it kind of personally since it is my favorite place in the world.....

Also by the way her boys are not too young to enjoy it. They are 9 and 11 I think.

Its a shame to believe she needs to sound so judgemental. Its a "vacation one-upmanship." I completely understand why Disney isn't for everyone. We enjoy it, but I don't like the commercialism, the crowds. Every year we stand in line near at least one set of guests I wish my kids weren't exposed to - people swearing, smoking, teenagers misbehaving, inappropriate public displays of affection. Its very expensive. In short, it isn't perfect (nothing is) and I understand people who don't want to do it.

But whether its "oh, you don't register your two year old for swimming?" "Little Madyelyn is taking French AND Spanish," "Austin was potty trained at 15 months, it was so easy," or "We go on educational vacations" that parenting one-upmanship drives me nuts.

 

[mking624]

You know, I'm all for "active/learning" vacations. My husband enjoys historical sites and we're planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg. We don't have children right now, but we'd love to take them to places like that. My parents homeschool and take my younger siblings to historical sites as well so they can do some learning.

That said, it's a total misconception that learning is not possible at WDW. Take Epcot for example....talk about a total learning experience about different countries of the world! And that's only one of the many examples there are.

I think she also forgets, though, that kids need to be kids...and sometimes that means taking the kids to a place where they can run and have fun. Not every single vacation has to revolve around learning. They also need to go to places where they can let off some steam.

I feel bad for her children who have to live through her ignorance.

 

[Georgieut]

I just had to come on here and vent a little. I knew this was the place where I would be understood.
My husband and I have no children but absolutley love WDW.
We are going again next week. I was talking to a woman I work with and she is going on vacation for the 5th time in a row to the Outer Banks in the carolinas. When talking to her about what we would be doing she said. " my children will NEVER see WDW" "We do active things and learning vacations."
I was speachless. I just thought this was a very sad comment for a mom to make . ( she has two young boys)

My DH was born in NC and as a kid he went to WDW on many trips with his parents. Now I have not been to WDW since I was 6 months old born in CO and now being 30 I am looking forward to the trip with my DH DD 7 and 9 and my mom and grandma. My DH talks about his trips to the outer banks and the wonderful trips to WDW. This week we are heading to Sunset Beach NC to see his parents and get some golf in. Then less than 40 days later WDW here we come for my Kids trip of a lifetime. Your doing a great job! I love it here.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Yes the most disconserting thing was her condinsending tone, we are taking OUR kids to LEARNING vactaions. We love them more then parents who are lazy and take them to WDW! Talk about not getting the magic.

BTW where do people who live on the outerbanks go for vacations? WDW of course! Out at least that is what my family (cousins and such.)

 

[Dislifer]

I think any parent who never takes their children to Disney at least once should be reported to DCYS!!!

 

[GillieRose]

My sister in law is the same way. She will never take her kids to Disney. She believes it's to crowded and they should spend there time learning things. She did go when she was young. So I have no idea what crawled up her but and died.

 

[corndog]

"We do active things and learning vacations."

Ha! You don't know "active" until you've done WDW with my wife!!

 

[Lizzybee]

Hmmm gee I'm sure there's nothing active or educational about Epcot
The Outer Banks are nice and relaxing, and that's ok but it's kind of absurd to call them more active and educational than Disney where you can go to AK and see and learn about lots of animals, heavy emphasis on learning there. If that's not enough you can go to MGM and learn about different kinds of stunts and take a backlot tour. You can go to MK and discover magic and wonder. Then the motherload of all educational WDW experiences ...Epcot. It's filled with science and cultural learning experiences. I guess to each their own. I guess I'd understand more if they said they wanted a more relaxing and laid back vacation...then again if I wanted a "more relaxing laid back vacation, I'd just stay longer at Disney and spend more time lounging at POR!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

WDW isn't for everyone. I'm sure when my brother & his wife has kids she will resist going to Disney with all her might. And that's fine...it isn't sad and its not abusive. If the parents go to the Outerbanks to be active that's a fine and lovely vacation. The only problem I have with the statements is that it is clear the person is a snob...and an uninformed snob at that...but otherwise there is nothing wrong with doing the same thing year after year.

 

[DawnCt1]

I just had to come on here and vent a little. I knew this was the place where I would be understood.
My husband and I have no children but absolutley love WDW.
We are going again next week. I was talking to a woman I work with and she is going on vacation for the 5th time in a row to the Outer Banks in the carolinas. When talking to her about what we would be doing she said. " my children will NEVER see WDW" "We do active things and learning vacations."
I was speachless. I just thought this was a very sad comment for a mom to make . ( she has two young boys)

I can think of a few sarcastic comments to make, although that probably wouldn't enhance your working relationship. A couple come to mind however. "Five times to the outerbanks? Are your kids slow learners?"
"I do know that a WDW vacation is expensive and out of reach for many people" (said sympathetically of course) She was attacking your choice of vacation so I can certainly understand the desire to get even.

 

[crazymomof4]

My SIL is an outspoken anti-Disney person. Mind you, she has NEVER been to any Disney park, she just KNOWS that she hates it. I don't mind people having opininions on things that they have experienced but "don't knock it 'til you've tried it." I've had people make negative comments about WDW and when I pursued it they end up saying something like, "Well, it's just an over-priced amusement park anyway." To call WDW an amusement park is like saying Salisbury Steak and Filet Mignone are the same, both are steak.

I would have had to respond on the "active" part of her comment. In what way is WDW not an "active" vacation??????????? For cryin' out loud, I have to start a walking program 8 weeks before we go to get in shape just so I can have the stamina required for a WDW vacation. (And I am only 40 yo and relatively active on a daily basis (except for time spent on the DISboards, that is ) With the exception of meals and some attractions, you are on your feet all day long! On a beach vacation I spend a lot of time on a chair with my nose in a book! Very relaxing but NOT very active!

...........AND how is the outer banks a learning vacation, especially for the 5th time in a row? Are there THAT many museums and historical sites on those tiny strips of land? Or do the kids get a week long math lesson bc. she tells them to count the grains of sand on the beach. LOL
"Five times to the outerbanks? Are your kids slow learners?" Too funny!

Sorry for ranting, but I tend to be defensive about WDW.

Yes, you came to the right place for finding people who understand you!

 

[MrsPete]

IWhen talking to her about what we would be doing she said. " my children will NEVER see WDW" "We do active things and learning vacations."

I understand what she means -- she doesn't want her kids to spend their vacation standing in line, waiting passively for their next ride. Let's face it -- that IS a valid criticism of Disney. She probably doesn't understand that's not all Disney has to offer.

Here's what I see as the irony: I've been to the Outer Banks, and I don't see it as an active or a learning environment. You can body surf in the Outer Banks (it's extremely windy -- it's where the Wright Brothers flew their first plane), but beyond that, I don't see a whole lot of "active". And once you've visited the Wright Brothers' museum, the Elizabethan Gardens, and the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama, there's not much learning left either. That leaves the beach. Thus, her snobbery seems to be without merit; she's taking her kids to the beach, not a tour of Italian historical museums and sites.

 

[O2BNWDW]

My sister in law is the same way. She will never take her kids to Disney. She believes it's to crowded and they should spend there time learning things. She did go when she was young. So I have no idea what crawled up her but and died.

THAT made me Snort out loud!!!!

 

[ceecee]

WDW is not active???? She hasn't been with us!!!