Teenagers and not wanting to go to WDW anymore...advice?

[tidoublegger]

Well, sounds like my house!! I have 3 kids (ds 18, dd 16 and ds 13) from my 1st marriage and Dh had one from his (dss 10) and we have a 5 year old dd together.

I am done with nursing school in Dec. and am planning a "graduation gift to me" trip to WDW in March. My oldest isn't planning on going due to either school or work, dd 16 won't miss a week of school in her junior year and just 3 weeks ago, ds 13.5 decided that spending a week with his then 11 and 6 year old siblings would be torture! So, they will be with their dad and my dh, the 2 youngest and I will be going to WDW without the oldest 3! It's their decision and although I'll miss them, I don't want to drag them if they don't want to go.

Well, I guess my graduation gift is getting less and less expensive!

 

[deirdrefitch]

This happened to us this year! First year we did not go to WDW and Universal! DS 19 and DS 15 said it was too boring. My DH and I are having withdrawl. I am crossing by fingers, and hoping after a break, they will be ready to go next summer! If not, maybe DH and I will have to try it alone!

 

[crazelion]

I know if went WDW every It would be boring. It does matter if I was a teenager or not. I like going different places for vacations. It so much to see US why limit or yourself to WDW.

I know I dieing to Mytle Beach.

 

[mom2boys]

my DD mentioned scuba diving in Austrailia

Perhaps you could scuba dive closer to home. The Carribean isn't much futher than Florida. Dr. Phil sent his "family in crisis" to a really cool scuba school - but I don't remember the details.
What about a cruise? Or the FL Keys?

 

[vernon]

Is it Disney? Orlando? or "family vacations" that they are not so keen on?

There are so many other things in Orlando to do that I'm certain you can come up with a compromise that means you get to do the things you'd like and so would they. You mention thrill rides, have you visited Busche Gardens in Tampa? They have some excellent thrill rides as well as a lot of other less stressful attractions. Are they both girls? I would have thought the attractions of the numerous malls in the area would be a selling point. If they like the idea of scuba diving you could put a visit to Discovery Cove into the mix, I know it's not scuba but it is an experience of a lifetime and I found for a parent to watch your teens swiming with the dolphins is an opportunity (possibly the last) to see the child in the soon to be (already convinced they are) adult. My teen enjoyed a recent trip to Key West where we did snorkling on a reef south of the Keys. Another option (for a summer trip) maybe one of the "camps" they run at SeaWorld. One or both of them may like to go on a 4 or 5 day course at SeaWorld ( or the Keys) while you have some time at Disney. Here's a link to Seaworld "adventure camp" programs. http://www.seaworld.org/adventure-camps/swf/resident/individual/index.htm . My DD did one of these when she was 14 and had a blast. At Easter I think you could consider snorkling with manatees in Crystal river heres a link to one of the dive companies http://www.aviewofamerica.com/Florida/Watersports/BirdsUnderwater/birdsunderwater.htm

Maybe they just want a "chill" holiday round the pool or beach, again you can combine both in Florida so you get a little time at WDW and they get the beach/pool time they want.

You can put ideas to them and make it more attractive, but ultimately if they don't want to go there's little point in wasting the money on a vacation that they'll be miserable on.

 

[Lynn CC]

We went every year with DS who is now 17 until he got sickof it. We haven't gone as a family since Feb. 2001.
I miss those family vacations, but if they are going to be miserable there why bother.
We even offered to let DS plan the whole trip we would go along with his schedule, but he says he remembers every little detail there and he really looks forward to relaxing at home and going to his activities on his vacations.
Some kids simply don't think that spending time at Disney is the Ultimate way to spend their vacation, I guess I can understand that.

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.mickeynews.com/Columns/DisplayColumn.asp_Q_id_E_315

 

[Lewski709]

First, maybe ask them later when they haven't just gotten back from a vacation. If they still don't want to go, find someone to watch them and go without them!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Its getting harder and harder with the ds 16,14 and 12 as we go every year. DS 14 says the MK is too "kiddy" for him. So we give them alot of their own space with ds 16 usually in charge. The usually go to DQ. Can't get them out of there. They also love the water parks. Cant get them out of the TL wave pool either. We do some family dinners together and give them money for their own time too. It makes them feel a little more independent. This time DH and I got to have about 3 meals alone too so that was good. At the swan they like the grotto pool and playing water volleyball and they like the poly volcano pool slide and the arcade challenge days there. Also I ask them all to pick one restraunt, its usually rainforest for little ds and the other 2 like espn. Also maybe a fishing trip again next time since only oldest ds can drive the sea raycers alone now due to the new rules. Also maybe the adventurers club and comedy club next time. The ds arent in to shopping for anything, just food and fun.