Teenager losing interest

[DMKEDM]

My DS is a huge Disney fan...he's 23...I started taking him "regularly" when he was 6...at first, there were 3 years between trips, then 2, then annual, then 3 in two years...from the time he was 13, each trip I'd say "this is probably the last time he'll want to go to Disney w/his mother"...he still hasn't stopped wanting to go...(I'd say 3 out of 4 trips we bring one or more of his friends w/us; that probably does make a difference)

His first year of college (he's now in law school), he "bribed" me into buying DVC by solemnly promising to go to Disney w/me for T-giving every year for life (with both of us aware that "life happens" and there may be a T-giving some time in the future when he just can't)...

He has 1 1/2 years of law school left, and already knows where he's going (a law firm in NYC) when he graduates in May of 2012, so I know my Disney Days w/DS are numbered...at least for the 5-10 years after he gets out of school...but it won't be because he stops loving/wanting to go to Disney--it'll be because that's the life of a young lawyer just starting out...

In the meantime, I'm hanging on tight to my resolution to not buy any more points...I have one year left of "massive points use"...I've "grown" from 150 points to start in 2006 to my current 515, via 5 add-ons...and I'm now (again) completely out of points til Feb of 2012 (yes, that includes borrowing)...but if somehow I can get another trip (or two or more) between now & 2/1/12, I'll either get a transfer or rent points or book thru CRO...I won't give up even a minute of Disney time w/my DS!

After he's in the working world w/new (and greater) limits on his time to go to Disney, I'll "fall back" on more trips w/friends & other family...I may still need more points then, as I now have 3 families who love to go w/me and who I love to go with...

I guess it's really "individual" to each kid...but mine, in his late teens--tired of hearing me say "this is the last trip you'll want to take w/me, probably"--"cured me" by simply persuading me to buy DVC!

 

[adminjedi]

Just try planning a WDW trip without your kids and you will find out how much they want to come very quickly.

So True!!!
We take our kids (ages 17-27) on one long trip per year, and even then they comment it isn't fair we get to go several times a year!!!

 

[eliza61]

My sons vacationing has changed but not disappeared. They love being able to go off by themselves (although since they eat better with mom and dad, they usually do go off for long. lol).

We no longer do long 10 day trips and we're cutting back on the annual trips.

 

[RobDoc]

Our DDs went to WDW with us every 18 months from age 3 until they were in High School and College. While they did cut back on their Disney time for a few years, they now are going back with us every couple of years and also allow our grandchildren to come along.

Our daughters truly love going to Disney and also look forward to HH, where they have been coming since they were in middle school and now accompany us (along with our grandchildren) every summer.

Teens often get caught up in their own activities and ideas about what is fun, but in their hearts usually remember what is dear to them and that does come back to them as adults - even more so when they have children of their own (our grandchildren.

Seeing WDW thru the eyes of grandchildren is truly special and well worth waiting for their parents to grow beyond being teens - and they will!

 

[starbox]

I hope my teens lose interest eventually. I'm looking forward to using my points to travel with DH ALONE and having them be grown!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We went through a time where our oldest DS didn't want to go to Disney. He was about 17-18 at the time. It took him awhile but he getting back into it now - we're taking him with us this Dec. Our younger DS never lost his love of Disney. He has 2 small children now so it's difficult for them to travel but he's very jealous of his brother getting a trip this year and he doesn't.

 

[Kathi OD]

Giving them more freedom to do as they please while at the parks has made a big difference.

This! We bought DVC when our youngest was 14. Our other children were already out of the house. We allowed him to bring a friend (not on our dime) and made a plan. The first year the kids had to be in the same park as us. We had them check in with us several times a day and meet us for dinner often enough that leaving the park would have been out of the question. The next year there were fewer check-in times. Finally, they were on their own.

He'll be 25 in April...and is always asking if he can use some of our points.

My other kids are 33 and 31. They have always asked to either use some points or come along since day 1. Some years we oblige them, others we don't.

Every kid is different. I expect that mine are a little odd in that they never seemed to lose interest.

 

[disneylovin24]

Im 16 and still have not lost my love for Disney! I actually think one of my Dad's proudest accomplishments is being able to pass on his WDW love to me (shh, dont tell but I think I am now the bigger WDW nut).

 

[WDWMom]

Our DD is almost 20, went to WDW the first time at 2.3 and has been more times than she has had birthdays. She loves all things Disney, even helped us win a Disney trivia contest around the OKW pool since there were no rules about phoning a friend to help you. She is bummed she doesn't get to go down with us this year since her spring break is different than her brother's.

Our 2 boys are 14 and 16 (next week). While they do not breathe and eat Disney, the still enjoy our trips. We don't go into the parks much, lots of pool hopping, relaxing, the shoot hoops with other guys they meet, check out girls (oops, did I really say that ) at the pool, we really hang out as a family. It is great down time for us. We don't go commando at the parks and eat when we are hungry. We make it about family and I think that is important to them.

 

[nunzia]

My kids never lost the love of Disney and now that they all have bunches of kids of their own, they want to take them as often as possible...I'm very lucky, I know.

 

[Lost boy]

I think giving them more freedom is the key, we went down in Jan. with three of our four, 2 boys 18 and 20 and our daughter, 24 and her friend. We saw them once in a while but mostly they were on their own, and so were we, it was great.We started this when they were about 15 or 16, they have to be out of bed by 10, then the rest of the day is theirs to plan. Our oldest son is 27 and with todlers of his own he is hoping to find time to start comming down again.

 

[Finally DVC]

Add one more vote to the "let them do what they want" column.

DD17 and DS14 have never showed signs of Disney overload (thank goodness!) but a whole new dimension was added to their trips when we started letting them go off by themselves last summer. They love Disney even more now. DD and two friends will be staying at AKV for a HS graduation trip this summer and the've been counting the days since last summer when the plan was first hatched!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Add one more vote to the "let them do what they want" column.

DD and two friends will be staying at AKV for a HS graduation trip this summer and the've been counting the days since last summer when the plan was first hatched!

Perhaps you know this, my son asked me when would he be of age to use a villa on his own?

 

[La2kw]

Yep, both my teens spent the majority of their last 2 trips in the room. We don't take them anymore. They would much rather stay home and hang out with their friends.

 

[Pixieflip]

We almost have three teenagers...DS 16, DD14, DD who is almost 13 and DS9..... they beg for more days at WDW and any DVC! Doesn't matter how many days we are there, it's never enough! They've all been going since oldest was 20 months old, purchased DVC when expecting DS9 and haven't regretted it one minute.

However, there is wisdom in giving them freedoms as they grow older. And also compromising on other parks if you can. We've never done other Orlando parks, my thing is we can do thrill rides anywhere, we can't do Disney anywhere else! But if someone has their heart set on it, might be a good bargaining chip and if it makes the teen happy, that makes for a more fun trip for everyone!

 

[photobob]

My son lasted through his junior year of HS. My daughter who is 18 and a senior has shown no disinterest whatsoever.

 

[nexttripdisney]

Noooo, say it ain't so!

I can't imagine it. My older boys are not 13 and 14 and we've been letting them venture into MK by themselves for a few hours. They love the independence of being on their own (with cell phones, of course) and I feel comfortable that they are safe. (Yes, they are well-behaved).

Our kids LOVE Disney as much as I do and we're always looking to our next trip. Now my dh is a different story--I fear he is getting burned out.

We talk about our DVC ownership with the kids and how they'll be taking their kids one day. They are very happy that we have DVC.

 

[Dano1182]

I don't think my DD 10 will lose interest.
I am afraid that my DS 13 will soon.
He is excited for our april trip .
So we are good for at least one more year.
I think wea re OK becaues we really hang by pool mostly and do not go crazy at the parks.
They each get to pick one to vist duriong our stay.

 

[WDWMom]

We also give our teens lots of freedom. We stay at OKW mostly and our boys go shoot hoops every morning and lots of other times during the day if we are at the resort. We also let them hang out together going to DTD. We have yet to let them in the parks alone, but we go in with them and split up. Last year while at EPCOT, they wanted to leave and DH and I stayed. No problem there. They know their way around as they have grown up at WDW. DS once gave his grandpa the WDW tour and I think he was about 6

 

[Finally DVC]

Perhaps you know this, my son asked me when would he be of age to use a villa on his own?

One of the people checking in need to be 18. If everyone in the group is under 18, I think there is still a way they can still check in, but I didn't follow up on this too much since DD's group will all be 18. Per Member Services, you would need to have them fax you an "Unescorted Minor Release Document" that needs to be filled out and returned.

Hope this helps.