Waited too long - kids too old for WDW

[Eoywin]

I was 9 for my first trip and I loved Disney from the moment I saw the Castle.

I was 16 for my 2nd trip and I still loved it. But I was never cool and never grew out of Disney.

I am glad we took DD last year when she was 5 - it was great seeing the magic through her eyes

 

[Travelgrrl]

I saw this video the other day (Disney Christmas surprise - 24 year old cries like a little girl) and this thread made me think of it.

I adore it when she sobs "We're getting a Little Mermaid room?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umIppps8Ce0

We're going in Oct with 'girls' aged 88 - 2, with most of us in the 50's - 20's range. And we can't wait!

 

[wyurm]

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 constantly told my 2 year old was too young to go to Disney. He still talks about Disney World. He had the time of his life and I am very glad I ignored the naysayers. I would say it might be a good idea to add a couple Universal days if it's in the budget but there is no such thing as too old or too young for Disney.

 

[kam1011]

I think it's a common misconception, but can actually be true for kids who didn't grow up going to WDW.

 

[Eoywin]

I was 9 for my first trip and I loved Disney from the moment I saw the Castle.

I was 16 for my 2nd trip and I still loved it. But I was never cool and never grew out of Disney.

I am glad we took DD last year when she was 5 - it was great seeing the magic through her eyes

 

[Jacindyyy]

I was 22 my first trip and am finally going back at 24 in a couple months!

 

[lustergirl]

We didn't start going to Disney until my sons were in their teens.

 

[alan68]

In January, my wife is taking three kids to WDW - one 6 year old, one 11 year old, and one 45 year old - ME! This will be our first trip. I can't wait to see all 4 parks! I want to do Epcot and finally get to see Captain EO! I want to do Star Tours at HS! And if I see Wreck-it Ralph or Jack Skellington, I am *SO* getting my picture with them! I just hope I don't embarrass my kids too much - or their mom. But if 14 is too old for WDW...then I'M in big trouble!

ETA: Whoops! I forgot I'll have another birthday before we go, so it'll be a big 46-year-old kid! Still as young at heart though.
Also learned that Jack hangs out near Haunted Mansion in Disneyland, but not WDW. Bummer. Oh well.

 

[tinkerhon]

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.

Isn't it a fact that Disneyworld is the #1 honeymoon destination in the world?
(At least I thought I read that once)

Also read that there are more couples without children at disney than with children.

I hope our kids ( now 8 and 3) never feel too old for Disney!!

 

[babydoll65]

Isn't it a fact that Disneyworld is the #1 honeymoon destination in the world?
(At least I thought I read that once)

Also read that there are more couples without children at disney than with children.

I hope our kids ( now 8 and 3) never feel too old for Disney!!

This was my honeymoon destination back in 1988 and have been back MANY times since then. I'm glad my son (now 17) shares my same addiction to Disney world as I do. I just wish he had the opportunity to watch The Wonderful World of Disney the way I did back in the early 70s.

 

[kathy884]

I think I'm a little out of sync with the general population. My parents started taking me to WDW when I was 10 and I always liked the place and going to Florida (especially in the winter to get out of the cold, but really preferred Cedar Point (all those great coasters), the beach, national parks, etc. // My real love of the Disney parks seemed to kick in when I was 48 or so and Cedar Point and skiing were not as appealing to me as before, and National Parks high season were really feeling a bit too crowded.

My son really didn't like the Disney parks till he was six, but loved SeaWorld from the time he was a baby. I think I really enjoyed taking him more when he was in junior high and high school than I did when he was little.

And lol -- He's a freshman in college now and when I saw that his finals finish up before the Christmas crowds, we decided to do a mini trip before the Christmas crowds. Three park days -- SeaWorld one day (He still loves that place), US/IOA - mostly just to see the HP stuff, and finish off with a day at the Magic Kingdom (We have to go there).

 

[CounselorX]

I'm 28 and my wife is 29. We don't have kids and our next trip will be trip number 3 in the past 12 months.

 

[Kalea]

Every family is different.

I grew up in Orlando, and my parents bought annual passes almost every year. Folks, my sisters and I grew to hate going to WDW. We really did. By the time I was 10, I declared myself too old. I just didn't think it was fun, and it wasn't what I wanted to do. I flat out refused to go for over a decade.

Which is why my parents were SHOCKED that I planned a trip for my children last year. And they were even more shocked that we had a fabulous time. I loved being there with my kids.

And we're going back this year. But I don't see us coming back again, at least not for awhile. My 10-yo doesn't have much interest beyond the coasters. So I think for us personally, it'll be time for other trips to other places.

So while I don't think there's a "for ages 2-14" label for Disney; I also don't think there's anything wrong with someone thinking it might not be the right fit for them & their kids.

 

[disneynewbee]

My oldest is 20 years old and has not been able to go on our last few Disney trips because she is away at college. I was having a conversation with someone the other day and mentioned that she was upset since she was going to miss our upcoming trip again and they commented "hasn't she outgrown that yet?". I of course looked at her like she had 3 heads. My daughter has 1 more year before she graduates and moves on to grad school. I told her I would send her somewhere after graduation as her graduation gift and she chose Disney.

 

[CdnCarrie]

The OP is not asking whether YOU feel Disney is for kids as obviously the majority of us would answer no.

They are asking whether we felt that the common thought of non Disney addicts is that Disney is for kids. And yes I think many people who have never been there do think this especially when most ads feature young children.

 

[Bigmo]

The kids in my family are 36,35,10 and 3. From my perspective they all had the best time ever

 

[AJ1983]

Personally, I can't see how anyone can say its "just for kids". Maybe if you are under the mistaken impression that it only consists of rides like the teacups and dumbo, but other than that, there is SO much for adults to do! My DFi vetoed Disney for our first 2 vacations, then reluctantly agreed to do Disney/Universal for 4 days last year.

HE.LOVED.IT! 35 years old, first time at Disney, and he had so much fun that he suggested going back for our honeymoon this October AND our next vacation in April. Since we use the Disney bus system, and he doesn't have to drive, he describes it as "kind of like doing an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean...except with more walking and WAY more fun!"

 

[TJA]

I do believe that people who don't go to Disney often believe it's just for kids. To me, that's so sad, but hopefully those people find excitement and fun in other types of vacations.

We actually view Disney as much about the resort as about the parks. We love Poly CL TPV and we spend a lot of time enjoying that splurge. I just had someone tell me when she vacations, she doesn't want Disney but rather she wants to lay in the sand and enjoy a pool -- well that's exactly what we do at Poly! We skip out for a few hours at a park to do our favorite things, then we're right back at Poly to enjoy everything it has to offer.

 

[louey]

We have been taking our kids since they were 7 year and 11 years old, well my daughter also went when she was 2 1/2 too. But they are now 25 and 21 and we are planning for 2016 but it might end up 2017 not sure! I have to say my daughter would go every year if she could but is now in Med school and my son likes it not loves it so he is content with every 2-3 years, So if we have to wait till 2017 he will be out of college and she will be done med school. She and I always talk about Disney and cannot wait to get back there!!! I look forward to getting back with my now adult Kids and still can't imagine visiting DW without them

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I think those of you who enjoy Disney as adults are really missing the point.



OP was talking about her friend's kids, one of who was 15. And the fact of the matter is many, MANY kids that age want nothing to do with Disney. And just as it's presumptuous to assume a kid that age would hate it, it's equally presumptuous to assume they won't.

My 13 year old daughter loves Disney. My 15 & 17 year old nephews? Zero interest. Z.E.R.O.