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

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

MY girls went through this stage as teenagers. We took them to WDW and all they wanted to do was to stay at the hotel, order room service, and sit around by the pool. I was so mad at them - that was the last time we took them to Disneyworld. I thought they were acting like spoiled brats. Now, as adults, they don't even remember doing this. Their impression is that they always have loved Disney, and can't wait to go again. We're all really looking forward to a family trip next May to WDW - this time including our grandchildren!

 

[palmtreegirl]

We went every other year as a child and when I was a 16 my parents let both my sister(14) and I bring a friend with us. We didn't ask it was their idea, we had a blast! We went the week after Christmas and stayed at the Polynesian. We had our own room and basically hung out by ourselves, my parents did a package where everything was included meals, recreation etc.. That way they didn't worry about us needing a lot of money for stuff & we always checked in at night and had a few meals together.

I remember we went to the old Garden Grill(before it was characters) almost every night to eat because there were cute waiters, by the end of the week we had friends all over the world. We felt so cool. We had such a great time and so did my parents because they had some alone time.

I'll never forget that trip it was a blast!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

The horrors!

 

[CRB#33]

Originally posted by Stepharoonie!
The horrors!

Hi Bernie!!! Nice to see you! I'd be happy to do WDW with ya!! Teenager or no!

Thanks everyone. I'll wait a few weeks and then ask again. If not, I probably won't risk it.

Maybe this calls for a solo trip

 

[disykat]

Originally posted by grinningghost
I think TINKTWINS hit the nail on the head. What is it with kids these days??? If I had been offered a WDW trip as a teenager I would have been insanely happy. As it was, I went as an 11 year old and then not again until I was 25.

Is it that kids simply have more "stuff" now than we did? They don't crave WDW because of the internet and cell phones and everything else?

I don't think it has anything to do with "these days". My Disney trips have been at age 5, 7, 14, 25, 29, and 39. Guess which trip I don't remember fondly? I distinctly remember thinking it was all very disappointing at age 14. I had been excited about going until we got there and it just didn't measure up for me. IMO It's kind of like Christmas the first few years you don't believe in the jolly guy - It takes awhile to find the magic again.

I'd do something different with the kids and then find a time to go by yourself of with dh as a getaway.

 

[Pin Wizard]

At 9 my son didn't want to go to Disney any more. He prefers Universal since. But when we're there, I need my fix so the time gets split.

 

[Planogirl]

I didn't want to go to the store with my parents when I was a teenager, much less on a trip. In my case, it was just a short phase though.

Our 11 year old is still excited about WDW but just as excited about Universal. I think his focus is changing.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by CRB#33
I'm still waiting for them to let me know what they "really" want to do.

I think I'd just not do a vacation at all, then. At some point, they'll come around again and a vacation will be fun for all of you, but if they have no real desire to even offer suggestions, then skip it. Why spend the money? It could just be that, at this age, they want to hang out at home with friends instead of having to deal a vacation with mom. (And that's not because they don't like you anymore or anything ... they're just getting to that point where being alone with mom isn't cool. )

Maybe a couple of daytrips closer to home would be more enthusiastically received. And if not, then save the money until a time when you can all get excited about a destination.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

16 & 14????

We're 28 (me) and 22(my brother) and we still beg our mom and dad to take us!!!!!!!

 

[ScarlettO]

My sons stopped wanting to go to WDW at about 14...from then on,we started renting a Beach Condo, they brought friends, and DH and I could do our thing and they did theirs-maybe meeting one a day for a meal....we simply had gone to WDW "too much" and they were feeling "too mature" to constantly be with us at WDW.

Now that they are in College, DH and I have gone once- alone- to WDW and it was a blast.

 

[meeshi]

I feel your pain! I was planning on going back next November and when I mentioned it to my kids they were less than thrilled. They love the ocean and that's where they want to go. They want to go to Myrtle Beach next year so I guess that's where we'll go. I know it won't be long until they won't be going on vacations with us and I'd rather go somewhere they'll enjoy. I would not be happy spending so much money on a disney vacation and them wanting to stay at the hotel.

So I've decided that as much as I can't wait to go back to Orlando, I'm just going to have to wait until they are a little older. Then DH and I can go with our youngest.

 

[damo]

We only do Universal now. DS gags when the word Disney is mentioned. We all prefer Universal and its resorts.

 

[totalia]

They'll grow out of it lol. It's like the family vacations that they aren't into, not Disney itself. Once they are there, they will likely have alot of fun.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

My kids went through that too, about the same ages as yours. Mine were 18 & 16 at the time. My DS, the younger one, made the trip horrible for the rest of us, because he really didn't want to be there. DH and I have been going, by ourselves, the past five years....and I have to say IT'S GREAT!!! Unfortunately, we bought into DVC, last year, and now that we are staying in nicer hotels, they want to go. We all just got back, last month, and they said they want to go back next year.

If they really don't want to go, I wouldn't force the issue because you may be sorry. If you have someone to stay with them, at home, then you and your DH go without them....you will have a ball!

Good luck!

 

[acepepper]

I know how they feel. I've been twice now and if I never went again, I wouldn't be that bothered. Don't get me wrong, fantastic place but I wouldn't want to go over and over again.

Take them someone else. Living in the US, the options are limitless. You can have any kind of holiday you like without having to leave the country. I can't think of anywhere else in the world where that's the case.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

Well, if their grades drop you could always punish them with a trip to WDW. LOL

I wonder if they are missing their friends. Could each bring along a friend?

 

[Bojangles]

Try to look at their side...how many family vacations have been spent at WDW over the years? I can see how they would be tired of it. Why not go somewhere they want to go this time...

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I don't know where you live, but, one of our best family vacations was spent in the Poconos. We went rafting, one day, and did paintball one day. My kids were probably around your kid's ages, at the time. We all had a good time...well, except for the bruises from the paintballs!

 

[Poohbear123]

Needless to say, they got Disney-ed OUT! Me, I just started going without them, and been having a GREAT time ever since....now, my DD wants to go in Nov. with me, and take my Grandbaby who will be 1 than! Not a problem, I can hardly wait!

 

[Snowysmom]

Luckily my 2 DS's still like to go to Disney. We went last summer (they were 17 and 13.) Our next trip to WDW isn't until 2007 since older DS is in college and it will be a graduation trip for him and for younger DS from high school. On our trip before this one, older DS was 15 and he wasn't too thrilled and the trip was not the best. But last summer's trip was wonderful. This summer is a long weekend trip to Hersheypark. We'll see how that goes! It might be a good idea to either go somewhere else or just stay around home this time. Absence might make the heart grow fonder!