Waited too long - kids too old for WDW

[Jenn55]

DH talked to our vet about boarding our dog during our trip to Disney World. She lamented that she had wanted to vacation there with her children but waited too long and now they are "too old". DH asked how old they were and she replied 15 and 10. DH noted that we were going with ours, ages 14 and 17, but she didn't waver from her conviction that hers were too old. Do you think that is common belief, that once someone's age hits double digits, they are too old for Disney? How sad.

I don't think so at all.. I think it depends on the family tho. We went when I was 2 and my sister was 7.. It was more of a trip for her cause she got more out of it and remembered it. Then we went when I was 15 and my younger sister was 10. For me it was a great trip but to be honest it was a meh trip compared to touring England 2 years before. I took my son for the first time when he was almost 9. And we're going back in December 2015 when he'll be almost 10. Personally I'm looking forward to taking him when he's an older teenager cause he hates rollercoasters and I love the, so I'm hoping he'll grow into them the older he gets and we can do them together!

 

[melissapealo]

Let's leave the 10 year old out of the discussion. No way is that "too old". As for the 15 year old, while that is certainly not too old, it is an age when a child might want to take other types of vacation. If a family can only take one "significant" vacation a year, and the family has to allocate its time and resources as best as it can, it would not be irrational to think that a 15 year old might want to do something else. My daughter grew up in a "Disney pretty much every year" household. But by her teen years, she wanted to check out places like Rome, Paris and Hawaii. We were lucky enough to toss some Disney trips in as well. But had we been limited to one vacation a year, our trips to WDW would have been the ones to get dropped. Not because she was "too old" per se. But because other places interested her more. So it isn't really a matter of whether someone is "too old". That probably never happens. It is more a matter of what one prefers to do. And interests change with time.

I agree with this. Although my cousin went to Disney last year for the first time with her daughter that was 9 at the time and they did have fun. This year however when they asked their daughter where she wanted to go the reply was back to Myrtle Beach. She would rather spend vacations on a beach and in the water than at Disney. I don't believe anyone is ever too old however everyone including children have their own opinion of what their ideal vacation is.

 

[Glenn]

I wonder if Disneys marketing adds to this feeling. Seems so many of the adds tend to show that little princes of 8 with mom or grandma. Or when it does show a brother & sister again its showing the cute princess and her little brother. So they do tend to push the little kid idea. My fist disney trip was to DL as part of my HS senior trip. We all spent spent our free time over in the park during the evenings. Oh how so long ago.

 

[MeanestMomEver]

My oldest visited WDW at ages 5, 17, 21, and 27
My middle visited at ages 3 months, 13, 17, 18, 23 (and visited DL and Disney Paris!)
My youngest at ages 10, 13, 15, 19

So the only "little" kid experience we had there was really with the 5 year old who was mostly interested in getting a balloon and playing with her Minnie Mouse wallet. And she sort of liked the parade, speedway, tea cups and Dumbo. But now she barely remembers being there at that age.

As teens, they enjoyed getting their photos taken with Princes (oh my, that was funny) and princesses, absoultely every attraction, hanging at the pool, shopping, dining experiences, parades, shows, fireworks, etc.

As young adults, they love doing everything, seeing shows, tours, trivia, the history, animation, learning about the development and imagineering and appreciate the family time. And...an occasional adult beverage for the legal ones.

Honestly, I think we all have MORE fun because we can split up and go in different directions when we want. None of us are EVER at a loss for things to do and enjoy.

In my opinion, if the kids have any appreciation for Disney at all, and have ever enjoyed any of the movies, they are going to have fun. But if they arrive thinking, or being TOLD "this is for babies" the suggestion that they may not enjoy it could become reality.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Keeping in mind that I don't have any children ... My very first trip to WDW was in 1993 ...... the year that I turned ..... 40! I have been going every year since then. I absolutely LOVE WDW ..... and I hope to go at least once per year for the rest of my life!

 

[Planogirl]

I was a grownup when I first went to WDW. I agree that no one is ever too old!

 

[mfp]

While I agree that WDW is for all ages, it does make a difference when you are first introduced to it. I did not go until I was 16 yrs old (my brothers were 12 and 13). We liked it, but it was definitely not, "magical." We stayed off site too and it was kind of a long drive each way. DH and I went for our honeymoon (his first time) and we had a great time. We made it a point to take our kids from preschool age and it was VERY magical for them. They were into all the characters, the rides, etc.. So, I can see ppl's point when they say that it's, "too late." It's late, so it won't be the same enchantment as it is for a very young child, but it's still fun to go, even if it's later on. For me, it's been cool to see the enchantment from my kids' POV. I wish I would have had that experience as a young child, but my parents just weren't those kind of parents to do trips for kids, all of our trips were geared toward what they wanted to do and we just got dragged along. The only reason we went to WDW when I was 16 was b/c another family we knew was going, so my mom and us kids went with them. My dad refused to take time off of work, since he wasn't interested in kid stuff and didn't feel like it was worth his time to go.

 

[Tonyz]

My two trips in elementary school were bascially heaven on earth. Probably the two best weeks of my life. Then I be a *shudder* teenager and lost the magic. The one trip I took in high school was bascially me not appreciating Disney as much as I should have. But in college it was like a flip of a switch and I was a little kid again with my undying love for WDW firmly intact... And I had an incredible time last year. Might have even appreciated it more in terms of food, details, theming, etc.

Bottom line... High school might not be a great time to take kids but just wait a couple years. There comes a time when we stop worrying about what everyone thinks about us... we all become kids again who tear up when they see that castle for the first time.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I think its hilarious how people start by saying that children are "too young" to go to Disney because "they wont remember it" but then when they hit 10 they are now "too old for Disney" because " Disney is for kids"




I mean, honestly.... Disney is for everyone and anyone. Anyone can be a kid at Disney!

 

[Holstar]

Our girls will be 16, 13 and 10 when we take them for the first time... and they're definitely not too old! They're all super excited, and because they're a little bit older, they love getting involved in the planning... helping us pick restaurants, plan days etc.

And, I'm 25... and I'm every bit as excited too!

It really depends on the child, if they're 17 and hate disney, they're going to have a terrible time. If they love Disney, or love rides, then they'll have an awesome time no matter what age they are!

 

[Tonyz]

Our girls will be 16, 13 and 10 when we take them for the first time... and they're definitely not too old! They're all super excited, and because they're a little bit older, they love getting involved in the planning... helping us pick restaurants, plan days etc.

And, I'm 25... and I'm every bit as excited too![/

Edit... Let's move on!

 

[Holstar]

25 with a 16 year old?? Damn you must have some Disney magic in you keeping ya going!

Hahahahahaha! They're my nieces

 

[Tonyz]

Hahahahahaha! They're my nieces

I was trying so hard to format a post that wouldn't be offensive! But something seemed off!!

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

You're never too old for Disney. I love vacationing there. My previous trips were when I was very young so I can't remember much of them, so my real joy for Disney comes from the trips I've taken in my teens.

 

[Holstar]

I was trying so hard to format a post that wouldn't be offensive! But something seemed off!!

Not offensive at all... I've been up since 5am on a Sunday, it gave me a little laugh!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I was trying so hard to format a post that wouldn't be offensive! But something seemed off!!

Me too!... I was like.. wait 25-16= ..... 9!?

 

[Tonyz]

Me too!... I was like.. wait 25-16= ..... 9!?

Hahaha glad I wasn't the only one!

 

[tiggertabi]

I went for the first time when I was 21. I fell in love. Never too old!

 

[Minniekins]

I think its hilarious how people start by saying that children are "too young" to go to Disney because "they wont remember it" but then when they hit 10 they are now "too old for Disney" because " Disney is for kids"




I mean, honestly.... Disney is for everyone and anyone. Anyone can be a kid at Disney!

That's exactly what I was gonna say, lol! Disney is for all ages, with different fun experiences at the various ages. There is magic for all ages, different ages find the magic in different ways, but it's there and waiting for all!

 

[nene0182]

Our family became Disney lovers at 37,30 & 10. Never too old!