What to do at disney when kids don't like doing the rides at park?

[mjvans]

We just spent ten days at our home resort at the Boardwalk. My husband and I and our five kids spent a fortune getting into the parks only to discover that my 5year old and 3 year old did not want to go on any of the rides!! I kept thinking what the heck are we doing here if they would rather be home!! Which I heard everyday!! I was so disappointed that we no longer were able to pool-hop to the Beach Club as we have spent countless days in the past hanging out at their pool. Of course the boys did like the fireworks at epcot and magic kingdom and loved the pool at the Boardwalk, but it just seems like a waste of money buying passes just to attend the fireworks! I actually did not enjoy being the parks knowing that the boys wanted to be anywhere else, so I am wondering what to do next year. Obviously, my husband can take our seven year old daughter to the park, and I can stay back with the boys( our oldest 2 don;t want to go next year) but the whole idea is for us is to spend time as a family. So, I am thinking of splitting our time next year to stay at the BCV for 3-4 days or the new saratoga springs and then going down to either vero beach or hilton head. How long is the drive to either vero or hilton head from disney?? Do you think if we go this route, there will be something for everyone??? Thanks in advance!
Michelle

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by mjvans
So, I am thinking of splitting our time next year to stay at the BCV for 3-4 days or the new saratoga springs and then going down to either vero beach or hilton head. How long is the drive to either vero or hilton head from disney??

The drive from OKW to VB is 114 miles(about 1 hr 50 minutes). Your 3 and 5 yr old will love the Mickey pool at VB and the ocean is right on property.
I have been to HH, but we always fly direct to Savannah, so I don't know the distance from WDW.

 

[Lyndarella]

What do we do? Listen to our two teen-agers complain about how "lame" everything is, and plan the next trip without them! DH and I have gone twice without kids, and it was fun, but I feel your pain for wanting it to be a family event.

 

[Boo Mc]

Why don't your kids want to go on the rides? Are they scared or just disinterested? Just wondering because our DD 4 didn't want to go on the BWV water slide last year (she's ok with the rides at the parks). Well I knew darn well that once she tried the slide she'd love it so I resorted to bribery. I told her that if she went down just once I'd get her the princess nightgown that she wanted. She went down, loved it, went about 100 more times during our stay and happily told everyone that she got her nightgown for being brave (she even wore it to Epcot one day-it looks like a dress/coverup.) She was so proud of herself. Anyway, not sure how you feel about bribery, but maybe this will work for your boys. With something other than a princess nightgown of course . I guess it could even work if they're just disinterested, not scared. You could tell them that if they participate in the parks all week they can pick out a souvenir. Hope that helps.

 

[mjvans]

except the merry-go-round and I can't even begin to tell you how many times we went on that...........I'm all for bribery, tried it and it did not work.....just the fear in their eyes, about riding the simplest of rides like peter pan or pooh, was not worth making them go.....so I treated them anyway...they were really great kids waiting with me for eveyone else to do the ride thing....hopefully, they will learn to like the rides.......I almost convinced my five year old to go on splash with me as he has gone on it in the past, but he just could not do it, and I'm glad I did not push it with him, as I thought it was exceptionally dark this time, and so although I was definitely not frightened, if he had, my level of trust that he has in me would have been out the window......oh well, maybe next year!
PS....my five year old son loves the slide at the boardwalk so we were there a lot!

 

[Dancind]

Vero Beach or Hilton Head sound like a good choice for your family for next year. Lots of activities at both from what is posted on these boards. You could also bank your points and plan a longer trip two years from now, your boys might be more adventurous by then. Definately try to book at BCV if your kids love the pool, even if you have to waitlist. We got a little burnt out on the parks with so many trips the last few years, but it still seemed like we found plenty to do! Diana

 

[betslinc]

How about character breakfasts and poolhopping at other pools? My kids enjoy some low key days where we just hang out, swim, watch videos. I never did this but heard there's a petting zoo and campfires stories at the campground. And there is the electric light parade which I think you can see from VWL. They might just enjoy the boat ride to Magic Kingdom from there. My kids get overstimulated when I have every moment planned and do better with time to do some more relaxed activities. You can rent bikes from VWL and let off some steam that way.

 

[Boo Mc]

Mjvans- I guess the bribery thing wouldn't work in your case. Maybe you could try Seaworld. I know it's not Disney but they might like that. Did you use the child swap? That way you and DH could each ride with your 7yo and you wouldn't feel like you were missing all the rides. I know that doesn't help out with what to do with the boys though. I agree with Dancind that maybe next time your boys will feel differently. Good luck!

 

[SheriB]

I have a similar problem, except my kids are 16 and 12 and have theme park burn-out. They don't want to go next year. So we decided to do the 3 night cruise and then 4 nights at BCV with maybe only one park day. We'll do a water park and maybe Disney Quest. Just basically hang out at the resort. I do sympathize with you. I hope your little ones have a change of heart for future trips. It must be really difficult to please 5 kids, since I'm sure there's probably a nice age range in the mix. I wish you luck.

Sheri

 

[KNWVIKING]

Too easy: LEAVE THEM HOME

 

[mjvans]

daughters, ages 25 and 7
sons, ages 13, 5 and 3
oldest daughter (his) and oldest son (mine) from first marriages.
Oldest daughter and son won't be going next year..........just the 3 youngest

 

[Mojomanny]

One of the nice things about staying at VWL is that we were able to use the boats as much as we wanted for $199. We Put it to good use and my son loved it

Hoop De Doo Revue is wonderful.

As for the fireworks without paying for passes...why not ride the monorail ... Its a great place to watch from