Waited too long - kids too old for WDW

[LBIJim]

It could be that mom thinks the kids are too old, or it might be that the kids (especially the 15 year old) told her they're too old, that they'd rather do something else. It's not uncommon for teens to be "too cool" for Disney.

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.!

Yeah, we waited too. Our kids were the exact same ages as yours on their first trip. If anything, we should have waited even longer. Had a good time overall, but geez, one minor hassle after another. Moody, whiny, etc. Thankfully it was only four days.

Probably should have waited until they were "too old." Those trips went much smoother.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

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.

Yes, I think some that have never been think that way. Sad.

But I am 44 & my son is 18, we have been going almost once a year, every year, since he was in 1st grade & you are NEVER EVER too old for Disneyworld (or Universal- GOT to plan a trip for that one to see Diagon Alley)--- You are always a kid at heart !!!!!

 

[pigletto]

Not only are my kids not too old at 10 and 17, my 17 year old dd has said several times when she's married and has her own kids we can do yearly trips as a big giant family. I am pretty sure this hypothetical plan involves me paying for everyone too.

 

[Toadlover]

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.

This will be my kids' third trip and they'll be 13, 15, and 17. Definitely not too old!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We live in California and go to Disneyland at least every other year. This year we're going twice - went last month and are going again right after Christmas. Our boys are 19 and 15. They love it and are always up for a Disney trip. It's a common destination for our friends, many of whom have teens and older kids. Lots of families with kids on break from college are going this summer. DS15 was just telling me how many of his friends are posting on Facebook and Instragram from Disneyland.

 

[MyDarlingDisneyDear]

I can actually understand where the vet is coming from. WE are WDW fanatics having taken our DD the first time when she was 2. At 14, she is just as excited as when she was 5! However, that excitement comes from KNOWING what WDW IS and what it has to offer. At 10 and 15, not having had WDW as tradition, I can see the kids thinking they are "too old" for Disney. And I can see the vet being worried about spending thousands of $'s only to have a sullen 15 year old the whole trip.

 

[DisneyMim]

You are never too old for Disney. We've been going forever and have been DVC members since 1991. Our kids have been going since they were very little and think of it as their second home. Just the other day my son (who has not been for over a year due to his schedule) told me he misses it and wants to go. I think it's so sad that people think it's only for kids. For me it only got better as my kids got older. Yes the trips are not the same, but I enjoy them more. There are no grandbabies yet, but I am hoping for them!! When they come along we will continue to use our DVC membership to take everyone. For us it's a family vacation. Disney just happens to be where our second home is.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[EMode]

Why is it sad? Not everyone has to feel the love for WDW, whether its because of their age or anything else. If they aren't interested, they aren't missing anything about the place.

 

[mousefan73]

Generally too old to have fun, no!! There are rides for all ages.


Too old to believe in pixie dust, Mickey Mouse is real, real princesses yes. To be honest as a tween I would have thought character meet and greets dorky. I do it now as my kids are little and I like the photo opps.

 

[saskdw]

Not a chance your kids are too old! They are the perfect age!

A lot of people look at me funny when I say this but, IMO WDW is no place for little kids!

I honestly do not see why anyone would take a 3 yr old to Disneyworld. It's just too crowded, too much, too overwhelming and they will have no memory of it when they get older. Because of the smaller scale and convience of getting in and out and the number of close hotels I would say Disneyland is much more suited to little kids.

At 10 your child is the perfect age. We first went when our son was 13 and have gone every year since. Last year we didn't bring him and now this year he wanted to come, he's 19 now.

 

[luisov]

Last year I went to DL with my whole family (I'm 21, my brother 24 and sister 16) and we had a really good time. Of course the trip had a different focus than that of families with young children, but in our opinion, you're never too old for Disney. Plus, Disney has rides for everyone.

 

[loislane]

I made my first trip when I was 38 - does that mean I was too old to go??? Heck no! DH and I went for our honeymoon and 2 years later, we bought our blended family of kids. They were 15, 11, and 6 (turned 7 during the trip) at the time. They LOVED it - and we went back again 2 years later when they were 17, 13, and 8 (turned 9 during the trip - lucky duck!)

I get sad when I hear people think Disney is just for little kids - it's for the young, the young at heart, and everyone in between!

 

[Mrsjvb]

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 12 my first trip. DH was 30.

'old' is a state of mind.

however, if you do not grow up with Disney movies then I guess you'd never be all that excited about going

 

[siskaren]

Why is it sad? Not everyone has to feel the love for WDW, whether its because of their age or anything else. If they aren't interested, they aren't missing anything about the place.

But we don't know if the kids aren't interested. We only know that the mother thinks that 10 and 15 is too old for Disney. I got the impression that the mother has never asked her kids if they would be interested in going to Disney, but just assumed they wouldn't be because of their ages.

 

[momofboyz3]

Every one is different....,
My boys went the first time last year: ages 13, 13 & 9. One of my twins is very serious, he plays basketball and unfortunately hardly laughs. The other twin is silly, and a bit immature he has also had some health issues he has overcome. The 9 yr old plays football and is too cool for everything.
I'm a single mom and decided to book a week long trip without getting their input.
For that one week ended up being the best week ever. My boys laughed, had fun, went on all the rides, ate ice cream every day and enjoyed lobster & steak (we don't eat like that normally). My serious son hugged Duffy & all my boys enjoyed taking photos with the charecters at garden grill. They have since asked if we can go again (which I am thinking about for 2015)
I think it all just depends on the kids, the family. This was the perfect place for us. And I can see us going for many years to come.

 

[Deanie1]

We first went to DL when our boys were 8 and 5, leaving our baby with family. We then went to WDW 3 times as a family - DS12, DS10 and DD6. Again at ages 16, 14 and 10 and lastly at 18, 16 and 12. Our oldest son didn't really want to go but we made him - LOL! Since then, our sons go on long backpacking trips all over the world. They ask me, "Don't you want to go someplace real?" Yes, I do and I did spend a couple weeks with each of them backpacking in Asia but my DD and I still love to go to WDW. It is safe and it is easy. My husband stopped going when the boys stopped. I am considering a solo trip next time but I know it will be a bit lonely.

 

[aimeebarb]

Has the mom been? I think people that don't have much experience with Disney have that opinion about kids being too old. I personally have never been, but after everything I've learned, I can't wait to go!

 

[Aurora0427]

Every one is different...., My boys went the first time last year: ages 13, 13 & 9. One of my twins is very serious, he plays basketball and unfortunately hardly laughs. The other twin is silly, and a bit immature he has also had some health issues he has overcome. The 9 yr old plays football and is too cool for everything. I'm a single mom and decided to book a week long trip without getting their input. For that one week ended up being the best week ever. My boys laughed, had fun, went on all the rides, ate ice cream every day and enjoyed lobster & steak (we don't eat like that normally). My serious son hugged Duffy & all my boys enjoyed taking photos with the charecters at garden grill. They have since asked if we can go again (which I am thinking about for 2015) I think it all just depends on the kids, the family. This was the perfect place for us. And I can see us going for many years to come.

I love this! What a great trip!

 

[niffer5150]

how can you be "too old"? sure you may not be into riding dumbo but wdw has a vast array of activities to appeal to the older crowd. my dd will be 15 on our next trip and she's stoked for the food and down time. she's already talking about a food and wine festival trip for when she's old enough.

i really think people who believe disney is for little kids really haven't done any actual research. it can be as "Adult" as you want to make it.

 

[dmband]

I think a lot has to do with how adventurous your family is and what you have done in the past
My kids have been lucky enought to goto Disney many times, my youngest just turned 3 and has been 2 times already. My oldest is almost 10 and "wild", for him a lot of Disney is childish and tame
He would never pass up a trip but since he has been a lot and the rides to him are not super exciting I can see where he will not care much as a teen