What to do when kids get bored with Disney?

[jade1]

Just get them to 21, its a whole new "world" at that point.

 

[skylynx]

Fabulous picture. Makes me want to dig out the only photo I have of my kids at Disney where they are not giddy with joy. One rainy night I refused to pay to buy the Disney ponchos and made the kids wear the cheap white $1.00 ones you can buy at our Chicago area zoo that I'd brought along "just in case." Though no rain was forecast, it IS Florida, after all. The photo is of the two of them sitting on the Disney bus heading back to Wilderness Lodge, late at night, with post-Magic Kingdom exhaustion, sulking because they said they looked like they were wearing garbage pail liners. At least they were dry!

 

[jade1]

Fabulous picture. Makes me want to dig out the only photo I have of my kids at Disney where they are not giddy with joy. One rainy night I refused to pay to buy the Disney ponchos and made the kids wear the cheap white $1.00 ones you can buy at our Chicago area zoo that I'd brought along "just in case." Though no rain was forecast, it IS Florida, after all. The photo is of the two of them sitting on the Disney bus heading back to Wilderness Lodge, late at night, with post-Magic Kingdom exhaustion, sulking because they said they looked like they were wearing garbage pail liners. At least they were dry!

Thanks, thats a funny story, heck yea I will take a trash bag any day with some of those storms.

 

[hellerjw]

Maybe you could plan a trip during the warmer months and split it up between one of the beach resorts (HHI or VB) and WDW, or even do the whole stay at a beach resort.

We purchased at HHI for this very reason, so we could have another option during the summer months and be able to book far enough in advance to get the smaller units for split-stays or shorter trips.

HHI has so many recreational activities available (fishing, biking, guided tours, water sports, day trips to Savannah/Charleston, etc), dozens of local restaurants and shopping that there is something for everyone. It provides a nice break from the WDW stays every 2nd or 3rd trip.

 

[spandelides]

We were in the same situation as you. We started staying at the resort and enjoying the "relaxing" life. Take a break from the parks.

 

[spandelides]

Stay local aroung the resort. Don't go to parks and enjoy pool, putt putt, etc.

 

[rigsby25]

If you can swing it, my best suggestion would be to let them bring friends. We've gone to Disney so often since we own DVC, that new people make it fresh for us.

 

[Greysword]

This is a fantastic thread for all of us, and especially new members and those looking to buy into DVC. What is a DVC membership worth? More than just the parks, for sure!

If you watch some of the early commercials/shows about WDW, the place was sold as resort with an equal focus on water sports, hiking, horseback riding, dining, and other things. Back before EPCOT, MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom, people still make the trek to WDW for a week stay with just the Magic Kingdom, so there is definitely more than just the parks, especially now.

For those who seemed saddened to talk about visiting Universal, don't be sorry. Since the DVC resorts are not far from the other Orlando attractions, it is great to take advantage of them. Hop over to the Space Coast and try to catch one of the last space shuttle launches or landings.

Orlando also has a decent sports culture, with professional basketball, baseball spring training, and college football.

Thanks for bringing up the topic!

- Chris

 

[Sammie]

Just get them to 21, its a whole new "world" at that point.

Are these yours or yours plus friends?

 

[ADP]

In January, my wife, 4 kids, and I spent 7 nights at Bay Lake Tower and invited another family with 2 kids.

I have been a WDW dweeb all my life. It holds lots of sentimental memories for me and when I got married, my wife really loved WDW too. In the almost 20 years that we have been married, we average a trip about every 2 - 2.5 years. That’s one of the reasons we purchased DVC in 2008.

This year my kids just didn’t seem as into it. We I enquired why, I got the response “things get boring and all the same when you go somewhere every couple of years.”

I almost cried. I’m one of those kinds who would go stay for a week every 6 months if I could afford it. I’m even happy just riding my EVC around the Magic Kingdom and people watching for hours at a time while soaking up the atmosphere.

Any suggestions for bringing the magic back to my kids on the next trip?
-Sad Donald

Maybe it's time to consider taking a Disney cruise. That may make all the parties involved happy. That is, of course, you can swing the cost.

 

[AnnaS]

Try splitting your stay, a Disney cruise, Vero, HH or brining a friend.

Have they been to the water parks? Surf lessons at Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Cirque De Solei, Parasailing, Segway Tour Keys to the Magic Kingdom Tour? Are they old enough to let them wander off on their own?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Bored with Disney, how can this be possible you ask? I started going to Disney when it 1st opened, I was 9, everything was state of the art, we were in awe and we would go for the day, there were few places to eat (hot dogs and hamburgers) and then we would drive home, dead tired. Flash forward to 2011, my son has been going to Disney since he was 2, and guess what Disney hasn't changed that much in the last 15 years. Now at 14, he has a Droid, he has X-Box, a laptop, he could care less about a parade, fire works, well not important to him, he's seen them many times. Disney theme parks, he now prefers Epcot but he really doesn't care if he goes to any of them. Disney has lost it's "awe" factor! It's not because he's ungrateful or spoiled, it's because technology has really moved passed Disney for him and his friends for that matter. Things like the Haunted House, The POTC etc. are "been there, done that!" Disney Quest, someone mentioned, well they were done with it at the age of 11. If they go to DQ, it's later at night and they hang around with the other teenagers, they don't play games! It's the age of technology that moves faster than we ever dreamed of but it's the age that our children live in and they're constantly waiting for the next best thing! At 14 I was lucky to have a transistor radio, at 14 he's giving a Power Point Presentation to go with his Science Fair project!

but where I do have him, it's with DVC........ He loves the resort and he loves Orlando!

We bring his friends, all 14, they all have better phones then mine, and we let them go and do what they want! What is that you ask?

1. Resort Pools and Girls 2. Epcot and Cheerleaders 3. Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach and Girls 4. The Orlando Outlet Malls, shopping and girls.

We have an 8th grade graduation trip this June for him and 5 of his friends and what do they want to do, let's see, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Medieval Times, the outlet mall, the basketball court at OKW, walking around the Boardwalk and hang out at the resort pool. And no, they don't want to go to the theme parks! The only reason we aren't going to Islands of Adventure is because they will just have returned from there for their end of year school trip! We, the adults, will be there with them, for food, money and general supervision (from a far) and support! Disney and the resort areas afford my teenagers, controlled freedom!

Times have changed, and unfortunately Disney is longer the only game in town! I love Disney, it brings me back to those special times and memories with my parents! I think things will change for him too, when he gets to bring his own kids to Disney, 20 years from now that is!

 

[dizzneebabe]

Our boys are 18 and 16 and while I've always feared they would get bored-we've offered to let them stay home (with Nana and Papa checking in on them here and there) and they've never taken us up on it. We've told them to separate from us at the park--go do some of the bigger rides while we take their sister, 7 on some of the smaller rides/meet n greets, etc. and they won't budge. Our oldest acts like he doesn't want to go, but the minute we are there, he is smiling--I'm just not allowed to point it out!

To try to keep it fresh-we always try to do something new each trip, whether it's a restaurant, an extra tour, or show. We've also gone to HH in 2007 and 2010 in addition to our WDW trips. Everyone loved HH! In 2009 we went on a cruise before making the trek from Miami to Orlando for my 40th. Even though it was officially for 'me' I knew the cruise would be awesome for all the kids--and it was! This year we are trying Vero for a couple of days before going to BWV (they picked the resort). I agree with other posters that they really like the Boardwalk itself, with its people watching and nightly performers.

Since our oldest is graduating in May we're taking a 2 day side trip to those "OTHER" parks. We're hoping that even if they don't realize the magic of WDW now, they will remember it. And...when they have kids and need us (using our DVC) to take their families, DH and I will get to do it all over again!

UGH--I made myself cry now!

 

[marynvince]

In January, my wife, 4 kids, and I spent 7 nights at Bay Lake Tower and invited another family with 2 kids.

I have been a WDW dweeb all my life. It holds lots of sentimental memories for me and when I got married, my wife really loved WDW too. In the almost 20 years that we have been married, we average a trip about every 2 - 2.5 years. That’s one of the reasons we purchased DVC in 2008.

This year my kids just didn’t seem as into it. We I enquired why, I got the response “things get boring and all the same when you go somewhere every couple of years.”

I almost cried. I’m one of those kinds who would go stay for a week every 6 months if I could afford it. I’m even happy just riding my EVC around the Magic Kingdom and people watching for hours at a time while soaking up the atmosphere.

Any suggestions for bringing the magic back to my kids on the next trip?
-Sad Donald

 

[jade1]

As some mentioned-we also did US/IOA for part of our trips through the teen years. It is a "different" dimension, but certainly some very thrilling attractions, epescially for teens and all day FOTL when we stayed at HRH was very nice. Our kids being older still prefer Disney but we will be going to HP over there next trip for sure.

 

[happyann79]

You have to make sure you try new things each time you go, that will help to build excitement! I always look forward to the new attractions or rides when I go!

 

[MEK]

I think there are also going to be teenagers that get "bored" with Disney. It's a phase and they will come back to it.

Since I have one of those "easily bored" kids, I know it can be a downer. Here's what we've done:

Left him at the resort if he didn't want to go to the park with us (that worked at 13 - he got so bored he hung out with us the rest of the trip)

Let him bring a friend (we did this twice at 15 and 16) and it worked out great. They did not spend a lot of time in the parks. They slept late, went to the pool, went to the fitness club, played basket ball, took naps, and stayed up late. They were very focused on finding the "girls".

Now - we travel without them. This present challenges because they have to be supervised at home and we don't have local family members. Honestly, my kids are 16 and 18 and they haven't been to Disney in almost 2 years and they haven't asked to go.

When my 18 yr old is in college we will take my 16 yr old again. He still enjoys Disney and I know he will return as an adult.

I would suggest visiting Universal. Kids love "real" thrill rides. I mean intense coasters and they visualize Universal that way. How about KSC? Very entertaining (and educational). A trip to the beach? Let them loose in DTD to see a movie or DQ? Water parks? (they love it). Renting small watercrafts. There are things to do, but you have to give them freedom to plan some of their vacation too.

 

[bookwormde]

If My crew stayed only on monorail resorts they would be bery bored also. As other have said try other resorts (epcot ones VWL, ALV, OKW etc) we break up our vacation if they are more than 7 days and stay at multiple resorts We are doing a ffew 1/2 days at universal this time.

Comfortabel familiarity with lot of new experainces is how we keep it fresh

 

[hsmamato2]

Honestly, this hasn't happened to us, but I didn't think BLT wasn't all that teen friendly. Atleast from my perspective. My boys are 14 and 16 and MOVE. We stay at OKW and they shoot hoops every day multiple times. Sometimes it is just one boy, sometimes it's 12. Always seem to find guys who will share the court with them. They play tennis, shuffle board and darts too. All of it within 100 ft (actually probably much less) of space. We haven't found that at any other resort. But that is important to our family and maybe not so much for others.


Other things we do are pool hop, sleep in, only go to parks 2-3 days of a 10 day trip, 2 days of water parks. We also go out without them in the evenings so they have time alone. For the most part they get along and will hang out together. They will go to DTD via the boat and grab dinner, ice cream and watch girls

For us, we are on vacation and Disney is secondary to that.

That's us! It's all about the resorts,the food, the hanging out opportunities..... my kids love the parks too, but we really all love the hotel DVC places.......

 

[KingRichard]

I say stick them with friends or family and go without during school time.

Then call them everyday after a hard day of school and

RUB IT IN!

That will teach them!