Well...I'm devastated

[goff1029]

My husband and I are DVC and decided this September we would take my SIL (his sister), her husband, their four kids and my niece (my brother's daughter). I am a big time planner. So I have been making folders for the kids for the trip there, have been putting together craft projects for them to do, ordered Disney dvd's for them to watch, ordered Disney backpacks for them to hold their stuff in in the parks, ordered lanyards, pins, autograph books, you name it. My SIL and her husband came home this past weekend for a visit (they live three hours away) so this was the first time I got to talk to my nieces and nephews about the trip. Well, I was in for a shock. The seven year old girl told me she didn't even want to go, all she cared about was roller coasters like they have at Six Flags and she wants nothing to do with the characters. When she seen the castle on tv she told me it was stupid.The six year old boy informed me (when I started the vacation planning dvd for them to watch) upon seeing Mickey Mouse on the tv that he was in no way going with those big people walking around like that - he's scared to death of them. Now, my niece (brother's daughter) is all about princesses, Mickey Mouse, everything Disney. So I'm totally bummed. I never thought I would meet a kid who didn't want to go to Disney! Has anyone experienced this with kids going on their first time? Any suggestions?

 

[Halbleib1]

My husband and I are DVC and decided this September we would take my SIL (his sister), her husband, their four kids and my niece (my brother's daughter). I am a big time planner. So I have been making folders for the kids for the trip there, have been putting together craft projects for them to do, ordered Disney dvd's for them to watch, ordered Disney backpacks for them to hold their stuff in in the parks, ordered lanyards, pins, autograph books, you name it. My SIL and her husband came home this past weekend for a visit (they live three hours away) so this was the first time I got to talk to my nieces and nephews about the trip. Well, I was in for a shock. The seven year old girl told me she didn't even want to go, all she cared about was roller coasters like they have at Six Flags and she wants nothing to do with the characters. When she seen the castle on tv she told me it was stupid.The six year old boy informed me (when I started the vacation planning dvd for them to watch) upon seeing Mickey Mouse on the tv that he was in no way going with those big people walking around like that - he's scared to death of them. Now, my niece (brother's daughter) is all about princesses, Mickey Mouse, everything Disney. So I'm totally bummed. I never thought I would meet a kid who didn't want to go to Disney! Has anyone experienced this with kids going on their first time? Any suggestions?

My in laws wanted to take my niece and nephews to Disney World but the kids just are not into it and told them they did not want to go. Hard to imagine to me. The youngest is only 6 and is into transformers. My niece is not into anything girly although she does like pirates so that surprised me that she would not want to go. The oldest is into hunting now and has no interest at all in that type of thing. He does not even like to ride roller coasters so even another park does not interest him.

Unbelievable to me since my dream ever since I was a child was to go to Disney World. My dream finally came true in 2007 at the age of 27.

I tell my son how lucky he is to have been 3 times and he just turned 4. He loves Mickey Mouse and all the rest of the characters. He keeps asking if we can go back. It is hard for him to understand that it will not be for awhile now. He esp. loves the big mickey telephone statue at Pop Century.

I guess it all comes down to what they grow up with. I grew up watching the wonderful world of disney every sunday night. Through me my son has grown up with everything disney. His nursery was winnie the pooh and now his room is all cars and our whole family room is all disney. We also have almost all the disney dvds that have been released. He watched disney on demand and disney channel all the time as well. My niece and nephews never had any of that. Their parents are not disney fans so they were not immersed in it like my son.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Maybe they will come around and still go with you and it will turn out great. Maybe the magic will rub off on them once they are there.

 

[adctd2WDW]

I can slightly identify with this. My oldest daughter has been with me to WDW 4 times. I am planning another trip and she wants to know why we can't go somewhere else. In this family I am the BIG Disney fan. My kids did grow up immersed in Disney, so I expect them to want this as much as I do. I am a waitress and will save for 2 years to go again. After putting that much into it I don't want to go anywhere else. I know- that sounds completely selfish. If we go somewhere else it may be 4 years before I get back to the World. That is upsetting to me. I have considered going one place with my 3 kids and then leaving the 15 year old out of a Disney visit. It would not be fair to take her somewhere without the other 2. I just can't afford to do all that. The 2 younger kids do want to go to Disney. BTW- she does enjoy herself once she is there. She just wants to know why it always has to be Disney. What can I say, I do not believe any other place would have the same impact on me. What to do? Any other parents have to face this? I do let the kids pick where we eat and what we do. Want to spend 1/2 a day just ridng Test Track??? (the 15 yo's and 8 yo's fave ride). Sure. Eat at Chef Mickey's every morning? Maybe....
I am perplexed. They have a blast when there. I am just faced with: "Again??!!??!"

 

[Halbleib1]

I can slightly identify with this. My oldest daughter has been with me to WDW 4 times. I am planning another trip and she wants to know why we can't go somewhere else. In this family I am the BIG Disney fan. My kids did grow up immersed in Disney, so I expect them to want this as much as I do. I am a waitress and will save for 2 years to go again. After putting that much into it I don't want to go anywhere else. I know- that sounds completely selfish. If we go somewhere else it may be 4 years before I get back to the World. That is upsetting to me. I have considered going one place with my 3 kids and then leaving the 15 year old out of a Disney visit. It would not be fair to take her somewhere without the other 2. I just can't afford to do all that. The 2 younger kids do want to go to Disney. BTW- she does enjoy herself once she is there. She just wants to know why it always has to be Disney. What can I say, I do not believe any other place would have the same impact on me. What to do? Any other parents have to face this? I do let the kids pick where we eat and what we do. Want to spend 1/2 a day just ridng Test Track??? (the 15 yo's and 8 yo's fave ride). Sure. Eat at Chef Mickey's every morning? Maybe....
I am perplexed. They have a blast when there. I am just faced with: "Again??!!??!"

I feel for you. I do not have a child that does not want to go to Disney yet at least. But my husband is not as big of a fan as I am and would prefer that our next big vacation not be to Disney World. He would be happy never going back again. Where as I like you would prefer to spend the money going to Disney rather than going somewhere else and paying the same amount or more and not enjoying it as much. But I have to admit I am somewhat torn as well because I would like to see other places in the world also. Maybe you can do something at home with just your daughter that is affordable but will make her feel special. Or ask her if there is something special or that you would not normally do at Disney that she wants to do with just you or as a family that you can afford.

Good luck and I hope that you find a solution and that your whole family enjoys your vacation.

 

[susykt4]

My daughter is 8 and it seems to be a real know-it-all age. She says ridiculous things all the time, trying to be cool or appear to know what she's talking about. My 6-yr-old son then goes along with his big sis. They were both "totally against" our recent Disney trip, both stating they'd rather go (wherever.) They both had a wonderful time! DD even cried as we left MK on our last day.

Do you spend more time with the niece who is excited about the trip? Maybe the other niece was just overwhelmed with your presentation and had no idea how to respond? Try not to take it too personally! They are just kids and will most likely have an awesome time once they're there.

 

[lucas43068]

disney world is sweet and all, but there is SOOOO much to do, i mean ive been all over the states and been to most of the bigger national parks, and as far as value, they are cheaper, and well, camping and hiking and stuff like that is great quality time with the family! dont always think of the obvious tourist traps for vacations.
that being said, i still cant wait for my disney trip at the end of ext month!!!

 

[powellrj]

I think devastated is a little strong. Disappointed would be a better word. They will have a wonderful trip their way. While you want to immerse yourself in the whole experience, they will still have a great time. Some people view the whole WDW preplanning as overkill and just enjoy it for what it is. Scale back on your preplanning and you will still have a great time.

 

[la79al]

I got myself all hyped up like you did for my stepkids first trip. We told them on the way to the airport that we were going to DW and they were like 'oh okay' and tried to go back to sleep. If people have not been there before, they only know what they see on TV. Maybe if you let your unexcited niece spend time with your excited niece, it will rub off. Otherwise, I'm sure they will have a great time when they get there, but all of your trip preparation stuff may have to wait until downtime at your resort, the trip home or even once they return home.

 

[tami82]

kids can be strange like this. My 6 year old (almost 7 year old) girl also upsets me lately when it comes to me planning little side trips. I take a few mini trips per year to local resorts and my daughter acts like she could care less but my 4 year old gets excited. Yes i will tell you it is very upsetting that i look more forward to something than a 7 year old. For x-mas vacation i told her we were going to Willow Valley and she didnt have an ounce of emotion, she told me she didnt care. It wasnt until the day before that she showed a bit of emotion and actually started to pack a few things she wanted to take. I would not let this bother you too much. The kids say these things now, but once they are actually in Disney i am sure it will be a total turn around.

 

[msreneau]

In March 2008, I dragged my kids to Disney world for the first time. My 11 year old and 9 year old boys just complained and complained during the entire 17 hour drive. They had no desire to go to disney. None whatsoever. I told them that in 2009 we would go to Universal. they love Universal. Fast forward to the end of the vacation.... The day after we got home we were getting ready for school/work and my 11 year old says "Mom, can we go to disney again next year instead of Universal?" Yes that was music to my ears!!! He is now 12 and when he gets teased, he gets macho and tells his friends... " You have no idea what disney is do you? There is something for everyone!"


Maybe once you get the kids there, they will love it!

 

[luvsJack]

Is it at all possible that your sil and her husband are not really too sure about going and maybe said some things to the kids so that the kids wouldn't want to go?

One of dd's friends tells me all the time why she wouldn't like wdw and I know she is really repeating something her mom has said to give a reason to the child why they don't go.

 

[disneymarie]

The trip the year Dd was 6 she was freaked about a lot of attractions. She did not want to go on much of anything. Only Princesses were Ok, like Ariel and cindy, Pooh and friends were ok at Animal Kingdom. In fact that was about all she really liked that trip was Animal Kingdom. It was a phase and she was Ok 5 years later when we went for the 11th birthday.

But still really liked anywhere there were animals.

The older ones wanted to go to the shore, but were happy for the day we had at WDW and three we had at Universal.

just keep planning and they will have a good time, or if they really do not wnt to go what are the parents saying?

 

[twins2again]

I hear you on the going anywhere else. I dont want to waste my money going anywhere else! It sounds crazy to some people but thats how I feel like nothing else can compare so why do it and waste the money lol I go once a year and try to bring what I can so I dont have to say no all the time if the kids want something or I do .My 6 yr old twins have pdd{on autism spectrum} and live and breathe disney everyday. They are thrilled to be going there and have the best time ever{as do I watching them} my 15 yrold and 10 yr old do too but not as much as the girls.

 

[gabriellyn]

I really wouldn't worry too much about what the kids are saying. Sometimes they really come up with the oddest things! My 8 yo is like that. Some of the things that come out of his mouth really scare me! Just do what you want to do and have fun doing it. Good luck!

 

[ehrn]

It really stinks to go to all the trouble you have gone to and not have them be excited and enthusiastic(let alone thankful...) I feel for ya! I think I have learned my lesson w/in-laws and from now on will just stick to pleasing/blessing my husband, son and my family. I am trying not to take it personally when his family doesn't appreciate anything we do for them, it's hard.
Have fun planning for YOUR trip. It was a very thoughtful gesture to your n&n, maybe they'll come around.

 

[christa112]

How tall is the 7 year old who wants to ride roller coasters? I find it highly doubtful she is going on huge coasters at Six Flags, they have some pretty steep height requirements for their big coasters. I would think that she would love Thunder Mountain, Everest, RNR, Tower of Terror.

 

[BigMike10]

and have a wonderful time planning and showing your family all the fun things about Disney. I am sure your love for Disney is bound to rub off on everyone. Challenge yourself in to showing them how to love the magic!!

 

[JB2K]

Well, I was in for a shock. The seven year old girl told me she didn't even want to go, all she cared about was roller coasters like they have at Six Flags and she wants nothing to do with the characters. When she seen the castle on tv she told me it was stupid.The six year old boy informed me (when I started the vacation planning dvd for them to watch) upon seeing Mickey Mouse on the tv that he was in no way going with those big people walking around like that - he's scared to death of them.

Not surprising -- though it may come to many here as "the unthinkable", not everyone out there is a Disney fanatic (heck, some don't even like it at all).

I think a lot of it has to do with marketing, too -- when was the last big screen mega-hit Disney had which appealed to all ages? "Cars" immediately comes to mind, but was nearly 3 years ago, already...

Though park-goers tend to lose sight of this fact, it's Disney's movies that keeps the company in the public consciousness (if not for the movies, there wouldn't even be a DL/WDW). It's also the company's main bread-n-butter.

Most of our youngsters, out there have the TV (and all that junky marketing that goes along with it) plastered in their face when they are not sleeping, or at school. A big part of that is Cable TV -- Nickolodeon, in particular. I bet if the OP asked those same kids in her family to tell her about a certain Nick character/show, they could spout-off a narrative of every single episode (and all the advertising that's inserted in it!).

That, IMO, is why a lot of kids suggest places like Six Flags and Universal -- SF is heavily-advertised on local TV while Universal has lucrative contracts with every kid-friendly, non-Disney property, out there.

Sorry the relatives aren't interested...

 

[PrincessParty]

Will you adopt us? My 9 year old has asked for a trip to Disney for her 10th birthday. Why? So she can eat off the adult menu for the dining plan. Don't let them set the tone for your vacation. Have fun and enjoy your trip.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I know the feeling! We just returned from Disney last week with our DD5, and her response to the trip was..."It was OK, but can we go back to Mexico instead?" Now this is coming from my girly girl, who saw each princess, rode most all of the rides she could, and she still prefers a fun beach vacation over Disney.

That works for me though, so for Valentines' day, my DH and my DD5 surprised me with a trip to Mexico for this coming Cinco de Mayo.