Sad comment from a mom I work with

[DisneyDotty]

I love the Outer Banks and I love Disney. Can't we all just get along?

Actually, we should rejoice in those who vow to never take their family to Disney--one less group to stand behind in the ride lines!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with "active/learning" vacations such as the Outer Banks (not exactly sure where they are -- but I'm sure they are beautiful), National Parks, museums, historic sites, etc. I've enjoyed those vacations my entire life.

Additionally, I see nothing wrong with a WDW vacation -- whether one considers it "active/learning" or not. I've also enjoyed holidays at DLRP and WDW.

However, I see little difference between the attitude of the woman who somehow suggested that her Outer Banks vacation was somehow better than a WDW vacation and those who have responded with anger and bitterness towards her attitude. We each have our favourite places to go on vacation. I like most all things Disney (I've yet to get my head around a Disney cruise, however - but that's just me) and I'll be hitting my 3rd Disney location worldwide in 10 months when I go to DL in July, but it's not the only place for my family and I to vacation. Disney does not have a stranglehold on the ability for "magic" filled holidays and it distresses me to a certain degree when I read individual's posts that somehow suggest that the magic can only happen when Disney is involved.

I know many people of all different ages who have never been to WDW -- and they are perfectly healthy and well-adjusted individuals. They have no desire to go to a place like WDW -- they (and their children) would rather spend their precious family time together in places such as the Outer Banks, the National Parks, museums, historic sites, etc.

I am an historical re-enactor -- I get to spend many weekends of my life at many historic sites in both Canada and the United States. The children I have encountered there are among the most intelligent, creative and active children I have ever met. Most of them have never been to WDW -- somehow I think they will survive just fine.

 

[techmonkey]

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'm an outerbanks native...

The islands have changed alot in the last 20 years, but if you want to "get away" there simply is no better place. Hatteras Island is a national park from the Oregon Inlet bridge south, with over 70 miles of shoreline. Part of that park is the Pea Island National Wildlife refuge, which is one of the "Charles Kuralt trails"...a must see if you're in the area. It's where the migratory birds nest in the spring and layover in the fall. Absolutely beautiful.

It truely is a beautiful place. There are many learning expreriences and activities to do there. My Great Great grandfather was a lightkeeper on the island. Your friend may have come across a bit harsh, but it really is a wonderful place to visit...until the realtors find a way to develop it all that is...

The northern end (Nags Head, etc) is fairly developed, but if you go south on highway 12 on Hatteras Island you will see sights that I guarantee you have only read about. Unfortunately, the island is so narrow that a good NE breeze will make the only road in or out unpassable to passenger cars. The ocean will litterally blow over to the sound with a good NE wind.

Those are just the "natural" things to see. Lets not forget that the Wright Brothers chose Kitty Hawk / Kill Devil Hills as the site that they would eventually make the first powered flight from.

That said, my kids are going to WDW this summer. We see the 'banks' all the time

 

[lovethattink]

Perhaps you can mention to her that many schools in Central Florida take their students on field trips to Epcot! The 2nd graders at my son's school went to Epcot when they were studying China and the 3rd graders ate at the Rain Forest as a field trip. In order to take these kids on these field trips year after year, the teachers have to prove to the administrators that it is educational.

 

[KayseyKritter]

I grew up my whole life in Pennsylvania, where its an 18 hr drive to get to Orlando. My parents never took me to Disney at all. I went finally when I was 19 with my Aunt, her 2 kids, and my grandparents. They were all at Disney before. Now this year, my parents decided it was time for a family vacation to Orlando, so now I'm going with my parents, 7 year old sister, 3 year old nephew, sister, and brother-in-law. My little sister has never been to Florida, so it will be a new experience for her and my nephew. Its just sad though that some parents think it is uneducational for kids. DS is going to use disney journal pages found on the 'net to use for a class assignment, so kids can learn something.

 

[Dutchmom23]

But this is an active and learning vacation!!! You learn about world cultures, animals and their habitats, budgeting, time management, etc. You are active in participating in shows, swimming, walking, etc. I think this is just someone justifying their choices.

 

[angeleigh]

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?"

LOLOLOLOL

 

[DisneyPhD]

I'm an outerbanks native...

The islands have changed alot in the last 20 years, but if you want to "get away" there simply is no better place. Hatteras Island is a national park from the Oregon Inlet bridge south, with over 70 miles of shoreline. Part of that park is the Pea Island National Wildlife refuge, which is one of the "Charles Kuralt trails"...a must see if you're in the area. It's where the migratory birds nest in the spring and layover in the fall. Absolutely beautiful.

It truely is a beautiful place. There are many learning expreriences and activities to do there. My Great Great grandfather was a lightkeeper on the island. Your friend may have come across a bit harsh, but it really is a wonderful place to visit...until the realtors find a way to develop it all that is...

The northern end (Nags Head, etc) is fairly developed, but if you go south on highway 12 on Hatteras Island you will see sights that I guarantee you have only read about. Unfortunately, the island is so narrow that a good NE breeze will make the only road in or out unpassable to passenger cars. The ocean will litterally blow over to the sound with a good NE wind.

Those are just the "natural" things to see. Lets not forget that the Wright Brothers chose Kitty Hawk / Kill Devil Hills as the site that they would eventually make the first powered flight from.

That said, my kids are going to WDW this summer. We see the 'banks' all the time

Hey Tech Monkey, where are you from? My father grew up spending his summers on Ocracoke Island. His mother was born there and his uncle lived there (and his father owned serval houses there.) I haven't been in a few years since 2002, but look forward to going this summer with my whole family. Infact my Aunt and Cousin still live there (cousin owns a restaurant now.) Boy has it changed, but it still is a great place to escape and while it has changed and developed alot, it is has it old charm. I can't wait to show my DD's it this summer and play on the beach.

We call it out anti Diseny vacation, . Both are lots of fun. I must admit my WDW are much more active then my Ocracoke ones. We spend a lot of time relaxing while on the Island.

 

[carolfoy]

One of the UK tv companies did a programme a while ago called 'holiday swaps' a while back, they took a family who were WDW nuts and got them to swap with a family who were definately of the opinion that their kids were never going to be the 'wdw kind' and went on holidays with 'a learning experience' anyway their particular holiday for this time was on a working cattle ranch, the WDW family really got stuck in and had a whale of a time at the ranch, just really came across as the sort of family who were open to new experience and the 'anti-wdw' family spent the first day walking around MK moaning, then the kids woke up and had the BEST time, the parents were trying their hardest to put the kids down and disagree that this was FUN but in the end the magic broke through. after their 2 weeks they were hooked although their ending report they said they 'would only go agin if they really had to' but you could tell they were trying to save face for the cameras.
YAY the magic won!!!
but we know that anyway, right?

 

[MinnieM3]

We have NEVER thought of WDW as an educational vacation, but we've found out that it IS!

Our DD19 and DS16 don't talk much about what they "learned" at Disney, but little DS5 and a half just soaked stuff up like a sponge....things we had no IDEA he was learning from being at WDW.... each park had all kinds of stuff. He really was listening and watching and learning!

His big thing now is all he's learned about the countries at EPCOT and asking his little playmates if they know that the okapi is related to the giraffe. When he first told me that I was like, "What? HOw do you know that?" He was actively listening on the safari ride, unlike Mom who must have vegged out at that moment!

Whether you like it or not, you CANNOT say Disney is a bunch of rides adn walking. It IS an active/learning experience! Just ask Kevin! (i swear he knows more now than most Travel Agents regarding Disney!)

 

[MrsJ Henry]

By no means was I saying that there is anything wrong with her choice to take her family to the Ourter Banks. It is wonderful there. There are many places all over the world that are great vacations. My point to it all was only her snobbish attitude about WDW. ( and saying that she would NEVER take her children THERE)
Sorry if I was confusing with that.

 

[Lizzybee]

I just thought her characterization of WDW as an inactive and uneducational place was absurd and definitely uninformed. I agree the Outer Banks are nice too.

 

[drakethib]

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!

I was kind of wondering the same thing.

Lets see, one place to see a bunch of different cultures, Innovations, Spaceship earth,...scratching my head.... Nothing about learning there.

 

[homedad]

techmonkey, we plan on going to the outbanks this summer(no kids! they are stay withing grandparents in SC, any suggestions on areas to concentrate on, this will be first time without children in almost 5 years>, Just was to relax, talk and eat...thanks in advacne for any help
Then in October the whole family is going to WDW, except in-laws who don't get it.

 

[cowtownmom]

Perhaps you can mention to her that many schools in Central Florida take their students on field trips to Epcot! The 2nd graders at my son's school went to Epcot when they were studying China and the 3rd graders ate at the Rain Forest as a field trip. In order to take these kids on these field trips year after year, the teachers have to prove to the administrators that it is educational.

WOW! School field trips to WDW! What a great way to learn and a fun way to go to school!!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

techmonkey, we plan on going to the outbanks this summer(no kids! they are stay withing grandparents in SC, any suggestions on areas to concentrate on, this will be first time without children in almost 5 years>, Just was to relax, talk and eat...thanks in advacne for any help
Then in October the whole family is going to WDW, except in-laws who don't get it.

Hey home dad, I see you live in R.H. We live in Royal Oak, and as I said before my father was rasied on the outer banks. (Ocracoke Island, the one place you can't drive to,you need to take a ferry boat.) We go every year (mostly) but haven't for a while since he as been sick. He is feeling better and we are all going again. Infact I will be there most of July this year. I am not sure what we were thinking being away from home so long with young kids, but I am driving with my older parents to help them and they want to go for a while. Most people around here have never heard of the outer banks of N.C. (while most people in on the east cost has.) Do you know where you are staying?

My best friend lives in R.H. so we are out there a lot. We go to the Lifetime Gym in R.H. offten since the outside pool is so great!

 

[lovin'Mickey]

We do both!!!! We go to Disney and stay in hotels...... there is no better lesson in life then learning to deal with people...lots of them ...all different kinds...which Disney offers. Also they learn that they do not get there way all the time.. that they have to wait in line.....I believe it teaches them to be more understanding of waiting there turn. And in the summer we camp!!! We play with bugs and swim and go to learning places. If there was ever a place to learn it would be Disney........... Number one lesson " life is short live it up!!!!" Enjoy each other as a famliy...in the end it is all that matters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[homedad]

DisneyPhd , we moved from R.O. to Rocester when our first child toys overran the house. We loved it there, but it was time to go. We haven't picked a place to stay in the Outer Banks and would be open to any suggestions. We will not have our 2 children as we are leaving them with the grandparents in South Carolina. I was thinking of a quiet B@B or condo in a lower congested area. PS That Lifetime is very nice, we might join just for the babysitting feature......lol

 

[DisneyPhD]

DisneyPhd , we moved from R.O. to Rocester when our first child toys overran the house. We loved it there, but it was time to go. We haven't picked a place to stay in the Outer Banks and would be open to any suggestions. We will not have our 2 children as we are leaving them with the grandparents in South Carolina. I was thinking of a quiet B@B or condo in a lower congested area. PS That Lifetime is very nice, we might join just for the babysitting feature......lol

That is very common, instead of moving up north, we are moving up (putting on a new 2nd floor instead of a bungalow.) It has been 10 months now and we are getting close to being done!

If you want a very quiet laid back place with out a lot of comericalism then Ocracoke Island is a good place you have to take a fairy to get there. PM and I will tell you more about it. When are you thinking of going? We go to WDW in 5 days, Ocracoke in July.

Mary

 

[mareed]

If you want a very quiet laid back place with out a lot of comericalism then Ocracoke Island is a good place you have to take a fairy to get there.
Mary

LOL about taking a "fairy" to get there. I know you meant ferry, but I can't help but picture hitching a ride on Tinkerbell!