When is it too much?

[Payson]

Hello,

When do you think multiple trips a year is "too much" for your child?

Background - DD is 3 and has been to WDW 4 times. We went last September for 5 days. Then while staying with my parents in FL we went for another 2 days in Feb. We have the opportunity to go again in May for 3 days, on property.

DD is obsessed with all things Disney, esp Frozen and the princesses. She LOVES WdW and asks to go back frequently.

Money isn't an issue and has nothing to do with this "problem".

My fear is she is going to be overly spoiled. She is going to (if she doesn't already) feel like WDW isn't really a big deal. So, I just haven't pulled the trigger for this short trip in May. It would just be my mom and I with DD. Mom has a FL residency pass. My DH already said DD and I should get annual passes next time we go, because we can't seem to stay away, but I wasn't really thinking we would go back until the fall or early Dec. This trip wouldn't cancel our Dec trip....sooo, too much?

 

[zy144622]

Not to much. If you can take her do it. Kids are only little for a little while!

 

[Payson]

Not to much. If you can take her do it. Kids are only little for a little while!

That's kinda where my DH and I are. We don't know how long she will be SOOOO into the princesses. It's totally awesome to watch her at WDW. I just fear I am going to mess up her upbringing (or something of that sort) if I over indulge her for my own pleasure.

 

[Linzee811]

Mine are 2 and 4, our last trip was in January and we just booked to go back in May. If you can do I say do it!

 

[jiminykrikkit]

I think it's probably fine. As long as she's not demanding to go and then you give in and take her, even if you don't want to, then you're probably good. It doesn't sound like that's the case.

If you enjoy it, I say take all the opportunities you can get!

 

[msmama]

My son is 6 and he has been on WDW 5 times. Last year I told him that I thought we should go somewhere else for our next vacation. We are going to Disneyland in a month.

There are a lot of other vacations I would like to do with my son, we've been to DC multiple times, we're not really beach people, though we have done several road trips. That said, I think those OTHER things (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Colonial Williamsburg for example) will be better when he is older. I think they are probably fine for younger children, but better when he has studied stuff in school that gives him context.

For young kids, I really do think that Disney is the best vacation there is!!

 

[angelmom27]

Enjoy it as much as you can before she grows up and doesnt want to go. If you afford it then go for it. I understand what you mean of her feeling like it isnt a big deal. Maybe not tell her about the trips and have a goal chart and tell her to save up for a trip. Just a gold star for listening or helping pick up toys. Keep it simple for now and add more as she grows. My 8 yr old DD went with me last sept for NOJ but i made her earn the trip.

 

[Julylady]

Double post

 

[Julylady]

I never understand this concept of "spoiling" kids. I was raised within 10 miles of one of the Great Lakes. As a kid I went to the beach a lot. I never thought that going to the beach a lot while other kids didn't made us "spoiled." And I have running water and flush toilets in my house when a lot of people in the world do not. Am I "spoiled?" Take her to WDW as often as you want!

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

Hello,

When do you think multiple trips a year is "too much" for your child?

Background - DD is 3 and has been to WDW 4 times. We went last September for 5 days. Then while staying with my parents in FL we went for another 2 days in Feb. We have the opportunity to go again in May for 3 days, on property.

DD is obsessed with all things Disney, esp Frozen and the princesses. She LOVES WdW and asks to go back frequently.

Money isn't an issue and has nothing to do with this "problem".

My fear is she is going to be overly spoiled. She is going to (if she doesn't already) feel like WDW isn't really a big deal. So, I just haven't pulled the trigger for this short trip in May. It would just be my mom and I with DD. Mom has a FL residency pass. My DH already said DD and I should get annual passes next time we go, because we can't seem to stay away, but I wasn't really thinking we would go back until the fall or early Dec. This trip wouldn't cancel our Dec trip....sooo, too much?

Well let me tell you my experience..

I'm 19, my birthday was yesterday.. I'm from New Hampshire and I've been to Walt Disney World 20+ times during my lifetime.. My family and I usually go at least 1 time a year. . . it's just a family tradition.

You can say Disney has been a big part of my life, and it has.. I want to eventually get into the company and work my way up because it really is my happy place.. Now I don't know about me being spoiled, but I come away thinking that I'm lucky. I understand, and have for a while, that others don't have the opportunities that I have. I cherish my visits every time I go and make the most of them. It might take a while for your kids to realize that being so young, but I don't think it's spoiling them. If you all enjoy going, I don't see any hurt in visiting. It's a way for the family to bond, get closer, and have a great time.

 

[pigletgirl]

Hello,

When do you think multiple trips a year is "too much" for your child?

Background - DD is 3 and has been to WDW 4 times. We went last September for 5 days. Then while staying with my parents in FL we went for another 2 days in Feb. We have the opportunity to go again in May for 3 days, on property.

DD is obsessed with all things Disney, esp Frozen and the princesses. She LOVES WdW and asks to go back frequently.

Money isn't an issue and has nothing to do with this "problem".

My fear is she is going to be overly spoiled. She is going to (if she doesn't already) feel like WDW isn't really a big deal. So, I just haven't pulled the trigger for this short trip in May. It would just be my mom and I with DD. Mom has a FL residency pass. My DH already said DD and I should get annual passes next time we go, because we can't seem to stay away, but I wasn't really thinking we would go back until the fall or early Dec. This trip wouldn't cancel our Dec trip....sooo, too much?

As long as your DD understand's that WDW is a luxury and a privilege, she should be fine.

You are her parents and if you think you go too much you can change that. Her demands should not determine when you go!

 

[Payson]

Thank you for your replies!

We are going to book it tonight!

My DD has never demanding it, but just looks through her autograph book and asks excitedly when we get to go back. My parents have been going all the time since they got passes this year, and are just excited to show my DD all the cool things they have found. They are getting older, so I know they truly cherish the time with my DD (only grandchild).

My DH and I just had a talk about it. We did wait a long time to have a child and both work really hard. I went all the time growing up too, so I'm sure DD will be fine! I'm sure we will get comments from DH family (Oh, that's whole other thread ), but in the end it's nice to be able to do fun things with our DD and just enjoy her innocence and childhood.

 

[dvczerfs]

never can be to much!!!! our dd had 25 trips under her belt from 9months old to 19 years old. danced twice in the mk, one parade and now a cm!!

when she was 5, we were sitting in the hub in the mk having a ice cream. she looked at me and said daddy, I wanna work here one day. who would of ever guess one day she would work in the mk and in the hub.

enjoy the memories!!!!

 

[SweetMissy]

I think at her age...it's fine. They're only little once and your trips are short....it's not like you're spending 2 weeks every time, lol. However, as she gets older, there's so many other places in America to enjoy. For instance, last summer we took the kids to Washington DC, we've never been before. It was a cool learning experience for all of us.

 

[MSSANDRA]

"Things" do not spoil children. It is a lack of teaching children to respect and appreciate things they have and to respect other people. WDW is a great place to spend quality time with your children. You can never get too much of that. At this point WDW is just a part of her life. It's no different than church or dance or other things she as always known. She will understand as she grows that not everyone has all the privileges she has and there will be kids that have a lot more than she does. There will always be the "haves" and the "have nots"". We try to teach our boys to be grateful and to have a giving heart. We like the quote,"To whom much is given, much is required." Our boys have had a lot of trips to WDW as well as other places. They are not spoiled in the least, but there get reminded often of the above phrase. Go....enjoy!

 

[Payson]

"Things" do not spoil children. It is a lack of teaching children to respect and appreciate things they have and to respect other people. WDW is a great place to spend quality time with your children. You can never get too much of that. At this point WDW is just a part of her life. It's no different than church or dance or other things she as always known. She will understand as she grows that not everyone has all the privileges she has and there will be kids that have a lot more than she does. There will always be the "haves" and the "have nots"". We try to teach our boys to be grateful and to have a giving heart. We like the quote,"To whom much is given, much is required." Our boys have had a lot of trips to WDW as well as other places. They are not spoiled in the least, but there get reminded often of the above phrase. Go....enjoy!

This is so true. I agree. We travel all the time and she has experienced all sorts of places and this will most likely not change. We have also started taking her with us to volunteer and explain what we can at her level and let her help in ways that are age appropriate.

Anyway, trip booked! Now to start planning.

 

[scrappinginontario]

That's kinda where my DH and I are. We don't know how long she will be SOOOO into the princesses. It's totally awesome to watch her at WDW. I just fear I am going to mess up her upbringing (or something of that sort) if I over indulge her for my own pleasure.

My DD just turned 5 and we are preparing for our 10th trip to WDW in the fall. She loves Disney as much as her Mamma does so we prefer to vacation there.

For us I am cautious that we go because it is amazing family time yet I also want her to appreciate things. We've done BBB once for her birthday and don't have any plans to do it again for a while. On a trip she may choose 1 or 2 reasonable souvenirs but that is all. She saves money for her pressed penny collection.

If you all enjoy being there and you're able to afford to go, I'd say 'Go for it!' I think how we approach the trips and talk about the fun it will be and how blessed we are to be able to experience this helps my DD to realize it's a gift to go to Disney, not a right.

I'd say the fact that you're concerned about this at all means your heart is in the right place and you're going to instill an appreciation for Disney and the family time you share together, in your DD.

 

[laughinplace199]

DD14 and DS12 have been to WDW 11 times, I think. And DS7 has been 8 times, so I say, "Go for it!"

This year, we're branching out and going to Disneyland, but we plan to go back to WDW in the summer of 2015.

 

[barneyda]

It's time spent doing something you enjoy with your child! Seize the Day!!! When my boys were small, we lived near Disneyland. A family friend worked there, so we got in for free (ride tickets cost extra back then)…We'd go sometimes for lunch and just walk around without going on a single ride…These are some of our fondest memories! Enjoy every moment! Ahhhh…the memories we create!

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

If It Makes You Happy And Makes Your Daughter Happy Then Go For It And Enjoy!! The First Time I Went To Disney I Was 23. My Family Did Not Have The Funds To Take 4 Children On A Vacation Like That, Which Is Completely Fine. From The Second That I Finally Got To Disney I Fell In Love And Have Been Back Every Year Since Then And Recently We've Managed To Go Twice Within 365 Days Just Last Year We Bought Into DVC. It Is One Place That Is Amazing To Vacation As A Family..Something For Everyone During Our Crazy Schedules At Home, Its Really Nice To Get Away And Enjoy Our Time With Eachother While The Outside World Is Non_Existent. We Are Going Back In May For Star Wars Weekends and This Will Be DS(4) 7th Time To Disney World and DS(1) 4th Time