Too old for Disney?

[Sillyminny40]

My dh's pal just told him our three teen boys are too old for WDW> they have been 3 times before and cannot wait. They want to do every ride many times plus get photos taken with characters.
So, how do you respond to someone who cannot see the magic and joy that we do?

 

[SydneyFalco]

Hey, don't jump all over him. I was that guy not long ago. I had assumed until this year that my two sisters would not want to plan a group family vacation because most of their kids were deep into the teens now. I was wrong, and we're currently planning.

I don't know why I presumed teens wouldn't like it. I'm childless, for one, so that probably didn't help. (I was even forgetting how much I enjoyed going as a teen back in the day.) But in my case, I guess--I can't say about your DH's friend--it just seems that with all the types of electronic entertainment, the complex and open stimulation available to kids today through various media (not to mention what seems like much freer and more open boy-girl relationshops than when I was a kid) and, well, just teenage jadedness in general, I guess I just thought there was this "null space" of a sort that existed between the onset of puberty and whenever it is that adult life finally gets boring and set (roughly 12-25, I guess) that isn't condusive to Disney.

Looking back, I was never "without the magic" as a teen, but I've always considered myself much "younger" than my age group. Never very cynical, always much more sentimental. Those are qualities sometimes hard to spot in SOME modern day teens.

 

[Jenvenza]

You are never too young and never too old for Disney.

 

[Debbs]

My husband is like that. We were at Disney for Christmas 2007. Every trip to Disney is a big hassle. He doesnt want to go. Our kids are now 16 and 9 and love going on the rides. I'm not a ride person but I still love Disney and the atmosphere. I'm planning on taking them to Disney myself this year so that they can enjoy the rides once again.

 

[LadyShea]

In my experience people either get it or they don't. I have always felt the Disney magic, even as a teen when I went to Disneyland on my own using my own money.

I would respond simply "Our kids love it, we love it, so we go there".

 

[DISNEYNV]

My first trip to Disney was when my brother and I were teens and we had the best time! We got to plan where we wanted to go and what rides we just had to go on. We thought Epcot was awesome and we really appreciated the parks and the overall vacation. Our parents let us go off on our own at times and we thought that was great. Teens nowadays would even get more out of it I think..with the Internet for planning and cell phones to stay in touch.

My hubby took his first trip to Disney with me when he was in his twenties! And now we take our kids there for great family vacations!

I say that you are never too old for something that you love!

 

[ocalla]

We get the other famous line of "...Your going to WDW AGAIN?" "Aren't you tired of THAT place yet?"

Just smile at them and keep on planning, some people just don't get it!!!

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

Well, I must say the title caught me off guard...really? Too old for Disney?? NEVER!!!
I have older friends of mine (a couple in their late 50's) who saw me going to Disney all the time and always questioned why I kept going back. I convinced them to go to WDW and experience it for themselves and then they could tell me what they thought. In the planning process they were worried that they were investing their money in a trip they could possibly hate because they were older and not going with kids, but when they got back, they started planning their trip for the next year. They have been going every year for the past 4 years and already have next years trip planned: Now THEY are getting the same question: Why do you keep going back to THAT place???
You're never too old for Disney...

 

[TxTink :)]

Disney really is for all ages... from my nephew's 1st trip at the age of 2 months to my DH's 90 year old grandmother- we all have an absolutely blast and look forward to it every year

 

[tinkerlisa]

You're never too old for Disney! I will go as much as I can until I die! My sister is 14 and looking forward to going(I hope). My mom is almost 53(this friday) and is going for the first time with us! I have an aunt who is almost 60 and goes just about every year. It used to be her and hubby and kids but now her kids are grown and just she and her hubby go. they did a grand gathering with all their kids(3), the kids spouses(2, one of their daughters is divorced) and grandkids(6 at the time).

My hubby is one of "those people" but what he refuses to admit is once he gets there, the magical pixie dust that Tink spreads gets him and when we get on the plane to go home, he says "wow that was a great vacation" and he talks about next time.
For us we dont go often and when i suggest it he says "disney again?! why not Hawaii?" and I always respond: " believe it or not, its cheaper to go to Disney World than Hawaii!"

 

[dyna]

Those that don't get it I quit tryin to convince a long time ago....

My DD 18 LOVES disney but she's afraid to tell her friends she still likes going to DW because they might laugh at her, I'm glad she doesn't tell them they might want to come with us lol disney is OUR time to spend with DD just DH an I we don't get enough of that at home.

 

[natnelliesmom]

Our local highschool does a Disney World trip every few years. So... Disney is for all ages!
-Sarah

 

[michael's mom]

I would just tell them that you enjoy going and that your kids love it as a pp wrote. I get all the time about going there so much. I always respond with "I just love it down there and there's so much to do, I can sit by a pool or go out and play. Why go anywhere else?" Some people just don't get Disney and you'll never convince them to...go, enjoy, and bottom line, who cares if they think your kids are too old! You will have the opportunity to see your children (as we know they are still children) having fun as children should do!

 

[disneydad78]

I dont know why ,,my BF will not take his kids to WDW,,I get so up set,,,I know the girls would love it,,he says his parents never took him,,so he is not going,,his girls want to go so bad,,16 and 11 ,,it kills me,,my kids have gone twice and we are planning on goig every other yr,,help me ,I EVEN lose sleep because he doesnt get disney,,He says aw its filling their pockets with ,money.....I just tell him its the best thing in the world....your never to old for WDW!

 

[DWFan4Life]

No one becomes old as much as Disney is concern. I'm more excited than my kids if we have a trip on Disney.

 

[powellrj]

My oldest DS decided was too old at 15 and at 25 still won't go back, on the other hand my middle DS who is 17 wants to go to WDW on the college program.

My oldest DS was married in June and his DW has never been to WDW, but it looks like we will be the ones taking her because he still hates going!

 

[rwrocksme]

I sometimes take guidebooks out of the library, and this one librarian makes fun of me about it. When I get upset, I remember my motto:

"You cannot guide those who do not wish to be lead."

And then, I say something to the effect of "Have you tried the bean dip?"

(Alternatives include "It's so hot/dreary/wet/cold today" and "How 'bout those Yankkes?")