Waited too long - kids too old for WDW

[ArwenMarie]

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.

I agree with this. And I think most boys age out of it earlier than girls (overall)

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.

I agree with this too. It's the difference between believing the characters are real or not. Kind of like Santa

 

[Marilou]

I waited til my kids were OUT of stroller age hoping that they would be old enough to have reasonable discussions to plan stuff or make sudden changes without meltdowns. They were 6 and 9 on our first trip.

On our last trip (last month!) they were 17 and 20 ...... and we ain't done yet!

If I had MY way...... I would go 3 times a year (1 longer trip, maybe 9 days to include a quick stop at Universal, 1 medium trip of 5-6 days and then 1 long weekend trip of 4 days) and I know my daughter (age 20) is in total agreement. My son (age 17) feels 2 trips a year would be enough.

Thankfully we are a close silly fun-loving family and my kiddos never went thru that sullen distant teen/tween stage. That could certainly make things tense on a WDW trip!

 

[BudgieMama]

I can understand it, though obviously don't agree.

We spent a long time wondering if people would think we were weird for going as two adults without any children... Took a lot of reading other people's experiences to figure we wouldn't look too out of place there!

 

[asmit4]

I can only speak for me- I was 8, the first time I went. I did NOT like it. I knew the princesses were fake, and I was into thrilling rides. By that time I was well over 48 inches and was already riding rides like the Magnum at Cedar Point.

I was so disappointed and bored that my parents ended up doing only 1 day at MK with me, and then doing the rest of our trip at Busch Gardens and Universal. If it wasn't a coaster I wasn't interested.

HOWEVER- as an adult? OMG. WHAT was I thinking???? I LOVE disney now. I feel the magic and tear up when I enter under the Disney sign. I cry at the dang bus video!

 

[dougsmom98]

My nephews went for the first time when they were in their early teens and it was not that magical for them. They had fun, but it wasn't "cool" for them to be there, the rides were not that thrilling, they definitely thought they were way too old for characters so, I can see why some people think they waited too long. My kids LOVE Disney - my boys are soon to be 16, 14, and 14, but the reason they love it has a lot to do with tradition. They have been going since they are 4, 2, and 2.

 

[Disfan1968]

Ages of people on our upcoming trip... 70, 71, 46, 40, 21 (male), 16 (male), 4, 3.

The two older boys really looking forward to the trip (have been before). Things they are most excited about...

Water Parks
Food

Would they like a few more thrill rides than Disney has to offer (ala Universal)? Sure. But that doesn't take away from their enjoyment of the things Disney DOES offer.

 

[EMode]

I think it really depends. If you are a family who has been going to WDW for years and you love it like no other place then it might be very hard for you to imagine someone thinking their kids are too old. I love WDW but I can relate to the OP. We've been going for years but my one ds 13 has reached the point where he is too old for what WDW offers, epsecially compared to other amusement/theme parks out there.
For a 15 year old, that isn't into all things Disney, WDW is going to be childish. Not saying they wouldn't be able to enjoy themselves but WDW is geared to kids or kids at heart, and there are many 15 year olds who are neither that. It really depends on the kid.

 

[Dwheels]

Too old for disney? U r never too old for disney!

 

[garanorymom]

Very tricky. Definitely not too old. But it will be a different experience than a trip with small children. We have been going about once a year since I was pregnant with our thirteen year old. We now have a thirteen and and eight year old, and while our last trip was still really fun, it was a different kind of fun. Money is really tight right now, and I have to admit the new FP+ system was more stressful than fun, so I think we will be taking about two years off in between trips this time. I think it will be even more noticeable next time with an almost fifteen year old and a ten year old. Pluses = no stroller, no giant bags of snacks/sweatshirts/etc, late nights in the park, everyone being able to ride, the kids helping plan the trip. Minuses = less "magic" ------ or at least a different kind-------there is something so wonderful, so innocent about a preschooler/young elementary child at Disney. Every character is REAL, they are really soaring over London on Peter Pan and traveling under the sea on Little Mermaid, there is truly magic around every corner and it is a precious gift to be able to watch as an adult. I remember the exact moment my oldest noticed the zipper on the back of Mickey's neck. He actually started to cry.

 

[Tomh]

I bet it is a common belief, but it is dead wrong.

DD was 14 by the time we got her to Disney for her first time, and she is an absolute addict now. DS was 4 on that trip, and he is equally excited about Disney World.

I know I was there a couple of times when I was younger, but the two trips that really stick in my mind, and the ones that really got me hooked on Disney happened when I was 14, and 18.

 

[kate_wdw]

I don't think that a 10- and 15-year-old are too old to have fun at WDW (I don't think anyone is too old to have fun at Disney), but (depending on the kids) they may be past the point where they are eager/excited to go (especially if they don't know much about it). Many people wouldn't pursue a trip to Disney if their kids weren't enthusiastic about it.

 

[Fivesacharm]

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.

Ummm no! Lol

 

[DisneyFan2013]

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 was 16 the first time I went to Disney, and I still enjoy it now that I'm an adult. I think Disney is for everyone.

 

[whiporee]

All that said, it's an expensive trip, and if her kids have a cynical streak, they may be too old. If you take out the character meets and the idea of getting totally immersed in something -- and if you separate yourself from the idea of Disney -- I can see it being a scary thought for a parent to spend that much on something the kids might not like.

We've had a good time going to WDW for the last five years, but I can tell you I do sort of look forward to the time they'd rather go to a beach in the Bahamas instead.

 

[Hmbldr]

10 and 15... what an awesome age for a first visit! I was 10 when I first DL and 14 for first visit to WDW. Hooked! we just returned from a trip with our boys, 17, 19, 24. Great trip. The only problem here is the mindset of the vet. She is missing out on creating wonderful family memories. Feel sorry for her kids if she doesn't go. They only get older and then move along on their own way. Too late then.

Enjoy every day!

 

[DVCMomBLT]

I think there is an "age gap" where you are too old to appreciate the kiddie nature of WDW, and also too young to appreciate older aspects of it. I think there is a gap between 14-20 for many kids. However, they may be too "old" for Disney at 16, but just old enough for it at 22. So, I don't think that there is a point of no return. I just think there can be an age where its not a great trip for some.

 

[luvmy2boyzz]

On my first trip to Disney I was 37 and my kids were 7 & 9. We've been back 3 times since and I just planned a last minute trip for my sons HS graduation! He is now 18. My party consists of 18 yr old son his 18 yr old gf and my 15 yr old son. We are ALL excited!

 

[TinkSassy]

My favorite trip I was 12. I think it depends on the kids and if they can appreciate the magic.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

My kids are all teenagers/tweens now and I think they get even more out of Disney as they age.

I think they are more excited about our next trip than ever before!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think there is an "age gap" where you are too old to appreciate the kiddie nature of WDW, and also too young to appreciate older aspects of it. I think there is a gap between 14-20 for many kids. However, they may be too "old" for Disney at 16, but just old enough for it at 22. So, I don't think that there is a point of no return. I just think there can be an age where its not a great trip for some.

My experience as a parent says that's often exactly true. It was in our case. And now, we're taking DS/DDIL/DGDs (2yo and 4yo). I think DS is more excited about this trip than DGD are!