Waited too long - kids too old for WDW

[JimmyV]

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!

Ahhh. But this overlooks the key factor here, which is that the OP is asking about a "gap period" between child and adult. Sure, there are lots of things for adults to do. But a 15 year old cannot partake in many of those things. It has been pointed out several times in this thread that there can be a "Disney curve" where one loves it, then becomes disinterested in it, and then comes to love it again. 15-20 is really the "sweet spot" of disinterest for many, many people. I think the post below captures it perfectly.

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.

 

[claryche]

I agree with other posters who have said that probably the typical person might think that Disney is primarily for kids. I have a good friend who said she went once with her daughter when my friend was in her forties and she sees no reason to go back. And all she saw was MK and maybe Epcot.

But what gets me are people who make these assumptions. Just like the parents who make the assumption on the other end that their kids are too young. You don't know unless you try. Now I understand if money is tight you don't want to waste your money. But really even if you think your kids are too old, you won't know until you get there if they are going to be those kids that love Disney at any age, or those kids that are so not into it. I remember going when I was 18 and a freshman in college and all of us had a blast and most of us were in that age bracket of 15-20. So you never know.

I wish Disney would do more commercials of just two adults having a blast at Disney. Or an old couple, like this one we met one time who talked to us about going to Disney World at least 150 times and they didn't even live in Florida. Yes of course they went with kids, grandkids and even great grandkids over the years. But they also went on trips just them.

 

[nkereina]

I think the 10 year old is an ideal age, and frankly anything much younger than that may even be too young! My parents took me for my first trip at the age of 10. I was still into "Disney things", old enough to not need naps and could go all day at the parks, old enough to care for myself without having to bring a lot of things in a backpack for the day, and old enough that I still remember most of the trip now that I'm 28. Those who have never been to WDW often stereotype it as a place for kids, it's so frustrating!

 

[asc]

just like you will get opinions here....

i think kids get something different each time they go there.

i don't think your kids are too old.

our child's first trip was when she was 18 months. we go a lot - thankfully can afford it also.

funny, she loved characters, then was totally freaked out by them, now loves them again at 7.

also, as she gets taller we can feed her sensory diet better with going time after time on roller coasters...

so, as my close friend said, there is NEVER an ideal time to travel anywhere with kids...it's always a bit of good and a bit of bad...

 

[PEC]

My children enjoyed their trip when they were 11 the most. They are excited for their upcoming trip (13 yo twins) and future trips. That said some people are not huge Disney fans (not likely on this site). The 15 year old will have plenty of fun. Are there other non-theme park places they may enjoy more? Possibly. But they would still have a great time.

 

[monaleigh70]

The first time I went to WDW was with my daughter when she was 12. We had a wonderful time but she wasn't as entranced as some kids. Years later we went back again with her kids, age 6 and 11 (almost 12). We had a blast, stayed onsite and did it all. Initially my DGS was trying hard not to like it too much, since I think he thought that was not cool but he couldn't resist! We went again two years later and enjoyed it just as much.

However, we have all travelled extensively and WDW is not a priority for my DD and family right now. There's too much to see and do in the world. Snorkelling in Belize and swimming with manatees in Honduras can be just as exciting. Filming wild horses in the Camargue or touring the catacombs of Paris can be awesome. There can be just as much wonder in the real world as Disney. If you asked my DGD (14) right now, France or WDW, she'd choose France in a heartbeat!

 

[MrInfinity]

The first time I went to WDW was with my daughter when she was 12. We had a wonderful time but she wasn't as entranced as some kids. Years later we went back again with her kids, age 6 and 11 (almost 12). We had a blast, stayed onsite and did it all. Initially my DGS was trying hard not to like it too much, since I think he thought that was not cool but he couldn't resist! We went again two years later and enjoyed it just as much.

However, we have all travelled extensively and WDW is not a priority for my DD and family right now. There's too much to see and do in the world. Snorkelling in Belize and swimming with manatees in Honduras can be just as exciting. Filming wild horses in the Camargue or touring the catacombs of Paris can be awesome. There can be just as much wonder in the real world as Disney. If you asked my DGD (14) right now, France or WDW, she'd choose France in a heartbeat!

I think this is a good post. While it's typical for a Disney fanatic to say "I love Disney World" well into adulthood, that's certainly not the typical view. Even for me, I love going... I think a lot of the love comes from enjoying what I had as a kid, now with my kids. While they're in the optimal years, we're going a lot. But most other adults think we're crazy! Once they're teens, it probly just won't be as likely of a vacation. They're at the age where they dream about princesses, believe in faeries, and are really inspired by things like pirate maps, quests, swords, etc.

When they're in their teens maybe we'll go... but we'll also do more teen things like tour around the country, maybe go to Europe, things we would not do now with 3 kids in the 2-7 range.

I went a lot when I was young, then it died off thru high school and college, and then I picked it up again, going a couple times as a young adult, but not for the massive resort stays that I do now w the family. It's all about tradeoffs, and kids in their teen to early 20's years would benefit from other types of trips too.

For kids in the ages that mine are, Disney is amazingly perfect for a destination. You get to see all the characters from most of the trendy movies in a relatively safe, self-contained vacation experience where you leave your car behind and can quite easily move everyone around the property... It's just no wonder they dominate that family market.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

My teens just want to be wherever their friends are. They are too old for family vacations with just mom and dad, I'm afraid.

 

[EMode]

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.

I was going with the assumption that the mom knows her kids would feel they are too old. Its really an individual feeling, my 16 year old and 10 year old love WDW, my 13 year old wants nothing to do with it, thinks its too babyish now. Granted he has been there and loved it when he was younger but knowing his personality, if we never went I wouldn't consider taking him on a first WDW vacation at this age.

I can also see someone being very reluctant to plan and spend for that kind of vacation not knowing if your kid is going to love it or hate it, and if you have a teen you know you never know what to expect

 

[ct7878]

When I was 12, I can remember my parents having a fight about what we were going to do for vacation- it was the first time that we were going to be able to do a "big vacation". My Dad wanted to go on a cruise and my Mom wanted to go to WDW because "soon I would be too old". We ended up doing the "Big Red Boat" and doing both a cruise and Disney- what is funny, it that my Mom feared I would be too old for WDW. After than trip and many more, I fell in the love with Disney, did the WDWCP and now live in Orlando- we are annual pass holders and are there every week! So much for being too old
My DS's, 10 and 15, have grown up around the parks and know them like their backyard. Disney is far from a unique experience for them ...however, whenever we ask what they want to do for vacation, it normally involves Disney- this year it was DL and Vegas and there have been multiple trips on DCL- Europe, Hawaii, Panama Canal and Caribbean in the past. At the end of the day, we have realized we are just a Disney family- even DS15 has realized that! He certainly doesn't care about the characters (although he does like Marvel and Star Wars, so that has changed a bit) and the rides don't even mean that much, but he does know he is always going to have a great experience if its "Disney".

If its well planned and thought out, no one (even teenage boys) are too old for Disney- you just need to make sure the activities and vacation is planned for them