Should I plan a different trip?

[100acreHiker]

There's no sense in taking your family on a vacation they aren't interested in just because you feel you should or shouldn't do something. That said, if down the road, your kids are about to leave home and the only place you've ever taken them in this big, amazing world is Disney World, an opportunity may have been missed. We go to Disney every year because we love it, but we also go to Alaska yearly to see family and Montreal because we can get there by car easily, and this year we're heading to Ireland and London to stay with friends. All these trips are not cheap for us and we aren't especially well-off, but traveling and seeing the world grows the mind and spirit like nothing else I've experienced. We go to Disney because it's fun to stay in the resorts and swim and go on the rides and take in the theming and escape the NY winter for a few days. It's awesome, I sort of live for it, but I don't expect it to lead to a profound experience for my kids.

 

[SaintsManiac]

OP, we had the same questions as a family and we decided to do Disney while DD is still in elementary school and we can allow her to miss a few days a year. We'll be doing a DL/Joshua Tree/Hollywood trip and a DCL trip in the mix, as well.

Once she gets to middle school and we're more limited on when we can go we will branch out to other places like D.C, Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, NYC, etc.

Right now she is still wild about Disney and I am working full time, so we can afford those trips. I plan to leave my job once middle school starts, so we probably won't be able to afford WDW at the rate things are going!

 

[RADOPT]

You should go on vacation where you and the kids want to go. While WDW is a fun and easy vacation, there is a big world out there that is also fun. NYC is not that bad, unless you are in Time square on Dec 30th like we where, while they where trying to sell tickets to the New Years party. Just make sure you read up on it. The subway was really easy and the line to go to the Statue of Liberity was insane, which I know so we did not try to go. There is also Boston, Philly (really fun and educational), the national parks, etc. Hawaii sound like a nice easy vacation. I do think repeat vacation are good for kids. We spent 2 weeks every year in Yosemite (blowning up gopher holes, swimming, fishing, hiking, getting ice cream one a week, etc.) for my first 13 years because that was all we could afford. After that we went other places (northern California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, Chicago, Denmark, Disneyland, etc.) places for vacation. While they were all wonderful in their own way, it is the vacations that we spent in Yosemite that hold the fondest memories for us.
Vacation is all about family time, connecting and making memories so make them where you want to be. Our children grow up so fast and too soon they are out making their own lives.

 

[KMarston]

I think you'd be surprised at how easy and enjoyable NYC is with a little planning. My son was 12 on his first trip and while I thought he wouldn't be the one to enjoy the touring, he absolutely loved it! Wasn't happy about the three hours I had planned to see the metropolitan museum of art, we dragged him out kicking and screaming 6 hours later! Wish we'd had 2 weeks there!! D.C. Is another awesome trip! We have never had a lot of vacation time because of my husbands schedule and he's also not a Disney lover (but he is a good sport and loves us enough to go every four years or so!) I take the kids alone most often!
I think it's important to see other things, it grows a child's world view! BUT... we (kids and I) always love WDW!

 

[champ1380]

Thanks for the tips...DL sounds like a great idea.

The kids still enjoy Disney all look fwd to it...they have expressed in Hawaii and a trip to NYC.
NYC doesn't sound great to me though as I'm a single dad and the city would be really chaotic by myself.

NYC is no more chaotic than Disney lol. You might need to approach it with the same level of planning as you would a Disney trip to make yourself comfortable, but it is definitely doable on your own. (I live in the suburbs and regularly take my 1, 4, and 7 year old into Manhattan by myself).

12 and 9 seem like a fun age for all sorts of travel. Old enough to do so many things, but young enough that they're still present, not wishing they were off with their friends or something (at least that was me at like 15). Hawaii is a great place, my husband and I did a cruise to different Hawaiian Island that was a blast. I can't wait till my kids are older to take them to Yellowstone.

I'm sure whatever you choose it will be great!

 

[gatorlisa]

While I love Disney, I think those ages are also great to branch out a bit and start to see more of the country (or world if you are so inclined). New York and DC are fun interesting places to visit, and not really that hard to navigate. Hawaii is one of my favorite places to go on vacation. Is your 9-year old a 4th grader yet? The National Park Service has a program called "Every Kid in a Park" where 4th graders can get a pass good for free admission for them and their family to National Parks and other public lands managed by the NPS. It's a completely free program and a great way to introduce National Parks to kids. My Disney trips are often just long weekends because like most Americans, I don't get a ton of vacation time, and much as I love Disney, I also want to see as much of the US as I can, and also want to visit places outside the US. In recent years, I've done a long weekend at Disney once a year and then taken longer trips to other places. This year we are thinking about finally doing a full week at Disney, but only because we have both been at our place of employment long enough to finally earn a 4th week of vacation, so we feel like we can do a week at Disney without sacrificing other things we want to do. If your kids are still enjoying Disney and that's where everyone wants to go, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there's also nothing wrong with taking a Disney break and choosing to explore other places. Whatever you choose, just enjoy the time with each other!

 

[bryanb]

Possibly a bit more expensive, but I definitely want to save up and take a trip to see Paris or Tokyo. Both are culturally vibrant cities that will broaden anyone's life experience and knowledge. You can always sneak in a day or two of Disney magic in either of those cities.

I know some people think it's sacrilege for an American to spend any days out of their vacation to visit an "American" theme park in a foreign land... but we're Disney fans and we get to see a different cultural take on Disney, and see how other countries experience similar things: from the food, language, and other nuances that were modified in translation. To be honest, I'd be curious to at least step into a McDonald's in every country that I visit just to educate myself on the same questions.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

To be honest, I'd be curious to at least step into a McDonald's in every country that I visit just to educate myself on the same questions.

I get what you're saying... Just don't EAT in a McDonald's in Paris with all the great food around you!!!

I was shocked when I was there how many Americans I overheard asking where the nearest McDonald's was... I just don't get it.

 

[bryanb]

I get what you're saying... Just don't EAT in a McDonald's in Paris with all the great food around you!!!

I was shocked when I was there how many Americans I overheard asking where the nearest McDonald's was... I just don't get it.

Totally agree. When visiting Paris, you absolutely must eat as the Parisians do. The Disboards analogy is that you don't go to the Epcot F&W Festival, and then order a hot dog and chicken strips.

I did make an exception in China, though, when I was there for work. After two weeks stuck in a small rural manufacturing town, the most delicious comfort I had was stopping in at the McDonald's inside the Walmart for a double cheeseburger and a Coke with ice.

 

[Hikergirl]

I like to mix it up, but so does my family. We have been to WDW several times and as the kids have gotten older it just doesn't appeal to them anymore. I love going to different places an letting them experience other things.

 

[johnsgrl]

Talk to your kids! I stopped taking mine to Disney when their reaction was "Disney, again?" accompanied by the dreaded teenage eye-roll. So we switched things up and visited other places. Now as adults they ask when DH and I are taking our next Disney trip and if they can tag along with their spouses/kids and why did I stop taking them in their teen years, sheesh!

 

[whiporee]

If you don't live out west, let me recommend a dude ranch in the Rockies. The air will be crisp, the wranglers will entertain the kids for you and they'll come home sore and tired. It'll cost about as much as WDW, but it's a unique experience. I did not expect to like it, but we've done it three times and it's my kids' favorite.

The other recommendation -- hire a captain and charter a boat in the BVI. All day swimming and snorkeling in one of the prettiest places on earth.

I suggest those things because you don't have to do a lot of the planning yourself like you would at NYC, and there's a degree of constant activity instead of just beaching (plus, Hawaii waves are scary. But that may just my Atlantic Ocean bias)

I think if you're wavering at ll about WDW, then do something else. It's a lot of money to spend for something you're worried might be boring. Maybe after you try something different, the idea of WDW will be more enticing.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

It feels like we've been hitting Disney hard lately, but we've only really been on huge multi-day trips as an entire family every other year, and it's been working out pretty well. 2018 will be the next one, then 2019 will probably be a week in Colonial Williamsburg, back to Disney in 2020 (possibly DL for that one). We've also done long weekends in Baltimore, Lancaster County, Hershey, DC, and NYC. I want to head up to New England at some point, and while I grew up down the shore and can't effing stand it any more, my kids would kill to spend a week in OCNJ, so that's on the table too.

I mean, I'm just another rando opinion on a message board, and only you and your family know what'll work best, but I think some of the non-Disney places you mentioned would be pretty manageable, OP! And no matter what, it sounds like you'd all have a good time together no matter where you went.

 

[starsweeper]

I would let your kids decide. Personally, we love our Disney but we also love taking adventures to other places that interest us. My kids are 10, 10, 6 & 5. We're going to WDW for spring break and again in 2019 or 2020 for Star Wars at DHS--after that we'll play it by ear. My kids get excited seeing me research new places and want to explore. My older daughter wants to see New Mexico (Albuquerque/Santa Fe/Carlsbad Caverns), Utah (5 national parks) and London; my older son wants to see Colorado (Rockies), Washington DC and Yellowstone again.

 

[Surgie]

Since you're asking, I would say another trip is too many at their ages. I agree with all the other posters who said to talk with your kids and show them other destinations. Travel Channel is a great resource.

I am a retired teacher. I grew up in a family that did not vacation but with our own kids, travel was a priority over newer cars or a bigger house. They learned so much on each trip (including two to WDW). We did not travel out of the country but traveled extensively within. They never tired of family trips. Now in their 30s with their own kids, my husband and I are able to treat them all to a family vacation every other year. Last year was 2 weeks on Maui and next year will be a week at WDW. The Disney vacation will cost significantly more than Maui did. We are grateful to do this and glad we instilled a love of travel in them. But no way would I have traded the travel experiences we had for more Disney trips.

Please go to NYC without fear if this is what your family decides. There are helpful planning forums like this one online for New York. New York is so easy to navigate. I think everyone needs to experience "real" attractions and museums. Words cannot explain the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. One needs to experience it. My kids remember climbing every step to the crown of Lady Liberty and looking for their relatives' names on Ellis Island.

I like Disney and am excited to go next year but the world is a much bigger place than that 47 square miles. Your kids are the perfect age to show them that.

 

[blemon]

I love going to NY. I don't live there but it's close enough that we go for a long weekend one or twice a year. I would be happy to share tips. Just send a message. I don't think you should be intimidated as a single dad with kids that age. There is so much to do and see that they both will enjoy. Just like Disney -- take breaks, make sure there is at least 1 activity per day for each of you -- and eat. So much good food.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I get what you're saying... Just don't EAT in a McDonald's in Paris with all the great food around you!!!

I was shocked when I was there how many Americans I overheard asking where the nearest McDonald's was... I just don't get it.

I agree but thought many of the cafes were Americanised ! I think when you do something too much then it becomes less special. I an glad I went to Disney for the first time since 2005 . But personally too much of a good thing is too much. Like eating too much cake.
I do not eat fast food. But I think try local food first and if that does not work then resort to american food.

 

[Nancyg56]

Since you're asking, I would say another trip is too many at their ages. I agree with all the other posters who said to talk with your kids and show them other destinations. Travel Channel is a great resource.

I am a retired teacher. I grew up in a family that did not vacation but with our own kids, travel was a priority over newer cars or a bigger house. They learned so much on each trip (including two to WDW). We did not travel out of the country but traveled extensively within. They never tired of family trips. Now in their 30s with their own kids, my husband and I are able to treat them all to a family vacation every other year. Last year was 2 weeks on Maui and next year will be a week at WDW. The Disney vacation will cost significantly more than Maui did. We are grateful to do this and glad we instilled a love of travel in them. But no way would I have traded the travel experiences we had for more Disney trips.

Please go to NYC without fear if this is what your family decides. There are helpful planning forums like this one online for New York. New York is so easy to navigate. I think everyone needs to experience "real" attractions and museums. Words cannot explain the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. One needs to experience it. My kids remember climbing every step to the crown of Lady Liberty and looking for their relatives' names on Ellis Island.

I like Disney and am excited to go next year but the world is a much bigger place than that 47 square miles. Your kids are the perfect age to show them that.

We did not vacation when I was a kid either, so planning time with my own children was important. Now as a grandparent, I treasure the vacations we have with our family and especially with my DGD. One thing I learned with her was how important it is to pay attention. She expressed an interest in the Science Museum, so that was "our thing", and as the two of us began long weekends in NYC she would choose the Museum of American History over others. Hmmmm.....I always discussed the exhibits and movies in each museum with her, and let her input guide us, so it was no surprise to me when she enrolled in the Ag program as a high school student. Environmental science and marine biology have drawn her since she was little.

If the adults in her life had dictated the vacation destinations because we thought we knew the best places to bring a child, we never would have fostered her love of science at that early age.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Maybe you could do both? Maybe do disney but stay off site for 1/2 the price and eat a little cheaper too? You could proably afford another small road trip with the savings. Beach club is $$$!

 

[LynnTH]

When my kids were smaller we went to Disney every year. (we do one yearly vacation). Then when DD was 6 and DS was 8 we went on a cruise with them. They loved it and we started alternating Disney and Cruises. They are 16 and 18 now and kind of Disney'd out. They asked if we could go to Mexico this year so we are going to Cabo over spring break in a few weeks. We are also going to Florida in July before DS goes to college but not doing Disney. More just hanging out at the Resort and may do SeaWorld or Universal and go to the beach one day. (trying to keep costs down). So, I would say try other things too. While I love Disney - I love cruises and other vacations too.