Will DVC spoil our kids?

[pplasky]

What's the definition of spoiled? We always stay in suite holtels, even if it is for one night, are we spoiled for not staying in a Motel 6? We camp in cabins only, are we spoiled for not using a tent? We go to many places, both in and out of the country. Our children do appreciate it, for the most part. They love every vacation we take. Yes, I think DVC is wonderful, but it does not make a child "spoiled". If this is the type of vacation you're used to, than that's all the children know. My children are definitely spoiled, but not because of DVC, because we are able to give them more than others. By the way, I do not consider spoiled in this particular context a bad thing!

 

[kenziesmamaw]

Your children will love and appreciate what you teach them to love an appreciate. They will follow what you model.

If, by "spoil", you mean become obnoxious snobs about everything they do having to "measure up" to WDW, then I would be concerned. Children should experience the little things in life so they can really appreciate the big ones. If by "spoil" you mean that they expect to make memories with mom and dad on every vacation, no matter where it is, then spoil away.

My children are both grown and have been to WDW 3 times with us during their childhood years. The first trip was when they were 8 and 4 and I cried when it was time to come home! Watching my kids experience Disney magic for the first time was so precious. But I also remember the looks on their faces when we took a trip to Washington DC when they were in middle and high school. When we walked into the room at Ford's Theater where Lincoln was shot, I saw realization dawn that they were standing where history happened. It was an amazing vacation.

I can almost guarantee that both of them would tell you that one of their most favorite trips was the first time we went camping when they were about 10 and 13. We were in a brand new tent and it started to rain. The harder it rained, the more the tent seams leaked til we had a mini-river along the back wall....who knew you had to seal the seams on a brand new tent! My husband told us to get ready to "bug out" and ran to the van. We broke camp in 15 minutes in torrential rain and then laughed and sang all the way home in our soaking wet clothes!

Were/are my kids spoiled? I think so....they look for the joy in everything they do and appreciate it when they are given a special gift. We can't wait to take them and our grandchildren to DVC for the first time. We're spoiled too.....we want to keep making memories with them for as long as we can.

 

[patsal]

Yes and No! Yes the kids like to vacation well--not a bad thing in itself and so long as they respect that everyone doesn't vacation thesame way. No they still enjoy some things like six flags --we can't afford to stay in Disney the whole summer so you have to have othere things to do--they still enjoy the fair, jsut don't do rides there, the zoo, Niagara Falls, Canadian side of the falls, etc. I find that I don't waste money on hoaky littel carnivals and lawn fetes anymore. This saves money for our trips and they seem to still eb happy and well adjusted--others have said that the kids might not have fun somewhere else because of going to Disney too much (is there such a thing?) which is absurd. My kids seem to have a pretty good handle on things though.
So long as your kids are well grounded and understand that someone had to work for the money that they get to spend on vacation you should be fine!

 

[crisi]

My kids also enjoy camping, any hotel that has a pool (they are snobs enough that they expect it to have a pool), grandma's house, the State Fair, the community "Town Days," visiting the zoo, going to the local amusement park and the museums.

Who DVC has spoiled is us. Its difficult for us not to have our own rooms - the kids would still rather share their room with mom and dad anyway.

As long as its an adventure they are fine.

I do sort of worry that my kids will believe themselves entitled to the lifestyle we have been able to give them. I saw it happen with a number of friends who were raised by parents with enough money for regular vacations and designer labels - they didn't change their habits from wearing Tommy and spring break in Jamaica just because they now only made $32,000 a year - and most of them ended up in deep trouble (or getting bailed out by daddy). Some of them are still in deep trouble, and nearing 40. We really try and tell our children how lucky they are and how hard Mom and Dad have worked to be able to afford this, and that we save money other places - and try to impart the information that you can only spend what you have. But I am afraid it may fail.

 

[TheWho]

I've also heard comments from my kids when we go to a "regular" hotel room. ("where's the other rooms?") I try to take a different approach with the kids. I tell the kids that with some knowledge (from this website), some research time, and some money. You can impower yourself with information so you're aware of cool things like DVC. If the potential gains outweigh the risks, go for it. Up to now, DVC has been first class and has allowed us to vacation like millionaires!!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by GeoffM24
...Have you found DVC causing your kids to not enjoy other vacations or places?

In 4 yr old DD's case I would have to say NO. Now she loves going to WDW, and cannot wait for her birthday trip over Veterans' Day. But Yesterday she pronounces that her "bestest" friend is coming back to her preschool today (after a weeklong absence due to the arrival of a baby sister), and that DD's friend's arrival back in school was "even better than going to Disney World".
I was taken aback! But perhaps she really does have her priorities in the right place after all.

As for DS, who is soon to be 7 and wheelchair-bound, nothing can beat WDW. It is the only place he can participate in almost everything (well except Pirates and Peter Pan). When we took our annual two weeks on the coast of Maine this past summer, he disliked most of it (except for the extra Grandparent time), possibly bcs there were always stairs getting in the way, so someone else would have to carry him ; nope, he didn't like that. At WDW, he also sees more ppl like him, in their wheelchairs, so perhaps he doesn't feel like he's odd as I expect he does elsewhere (despite the best efforts of his parents).

Of course, neither of my kids mind sharing a room with the parents (but rather the other way around ). They enjoy all the "togetherness" at this point in their lives - something I am sure will be changing soon.

Originally posted by crisi
I do sort of worry that my kids will believe themselves entitled to the lifestyle we have been able to give them. I saw it happen with a number of friends who were raised by parents with enough money for regular vacations and designer labels - they didn't change their habits from wearing Tommy and spring break in Jamaica just because they now only made $32,000 a year - and most of them ended up in deep trouble (or getting bailed out by daddy). Some of them are still in deep trouble, and nearing 40. We really try and tell our children how lucky they are and how hard Mom and Dad have worked to be able to afford this, and that we save money other places - and try to impart the information that you can only spend what you have. But I am afraid it may fail.

It's a tough balance isn't it, crisi? I had parents who grew up during the Depression, and they let us know about it all the time. And while we were always really frugal whe I was growing up, I always wanted my kids to have some of the things we didn't have. Still, we have a responsibility to them to impart those great virtues of thrift and humility, and to teach them that they are going to have to swim on their own some day (and give them some skills to do so).

I am often amazed that most of my kids' friends don't have any regular chores at their houses, DD has had regular chores that she is responsible for since she was 3; yeah they're simple ones like setting the table and putting away the silverware from the dishwasher, but they teach important lessons about taking responsibility for a task and seeing it thru.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Will DVC spoil our kids?

Yes. But isn't that the point.
We went on a trip over the Labor Day weekend. When we walked into the room, DD age 4 said "Where's the kitchen?" Priceless!

 

[Kewz1]

Mine aren't. Although we love pur DVC we still enjoy visiting other places. We went to Colonial Williamsburg this summer and had a wonderful time.

Even at Disney my kids are fine if we stay some place other than a DVC resort. We're all truly thankful we're members. It does make the trip more enjoyable but being with family is our top priority.

My mom is the spoiled one!

Kristen

 

[mom23boys]

I think I am more spoiled than my three sons. Our problem was when we went to WDW before DVC we stayed at a value or moderate and got one room. I found it a little hard to dress/undress in the tiny bathroom. Last Oct we spent a week at BCV (our home resort) in a 2 bedroom and it was heaven. It was great to have the space and privacy I was looking for. After our vacation my oldest DS (10) asked if we could stay at the All Stars next time. So no my kids are not spoiled due to the accomadations but are spoiled as we can afford to go on a nice vacation due to the Vacation Club. We are looking forward to going other places once the little guy gets older.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I honestly don't think it has to spoil them. I have two daughers, my oldest just turned 7 and this upcoming trip in a few weeks will be her 5th and my youngest DD's 4th WDW vacation. I just tell them ALL THE TIME that they are blessed and fortunate to be able to visit WDW so many times. I know they are somewhat spoiled, and we try SO HARD to keep things in perspective for them. However, with that in mind, we visit local State Fairs, carnivals, Hershey Park and other 6-Flags type parks and they ALWAYS have fun. Sometimes they might compare something to WDW...but it's always in a positive way. So, if you and your wife are throwing a positive spin on things, then you can be sure your kids will enjoy any time they spend with mom and dad!!!

As a little side note, we plan to visit Give Kids The World and drop off some donations on our upcoming trip. I think it might help to give my kids some perspective on how lucky they are and to make this trip even more special. Sometimes you can do things like that, which help to ground your child!

Congrats on the new edition , you have a world of joy and excitement ahead.

 

[Jenny0725]

We consider ourselves Disney snobs. DVC has spoiled all of us. We expect more from a vacation because of Disney. We have 2 girls (6 and 2) and they LOVE Disney but they also love the other trips we take as a family.

 

[Sarahsal]

When we told our 8 yr old that we were spending the night before our cruise in Florida, she asked me if it was a suite. Spoiled, ya think?

 

[SleepyatDVC]

My girls are 3 and 5 right now. They just enjoy us spending time with them. They enjoy going out - anywhere. They prefer sleeping in the same bed with us - if they can.

That said, they know how nice the DVC accommodations are and how lucky they are to be able to go to WDW as often as they do. DD5 has learned NOT to bring up/brag about our FL trips at school because not everyone is as lucky. While they are fine with it (for now), they also know when we stay at places not so luxurious.

One area that I did notice a little "spoiling" was in reagards to the WDW parks. Last year we visited my BIL's family in NC and our families had an outing to the local natural museum. BIL's kids were running around going gaga at the stuffed animals on display and the tiny petting animals. My kids were very subdued and I asked them if they wanted to look around. DD4 (then) asked when we were going on the tram ride (referring to the AK safari ride) and DD2 (then) commented that all these animals weren't "real."

It certainly made my kids seem a bit spoiled by the WDW parks!

 

[Coach Rick]

Having owned Timeshare since 1980 (it was the first purchese my wife and I made together) We have always vacationed in great accomodations.The kids always had their own bedrooms, but even though that is the case. In 2002 we stayed at the Poly, and they loved that. This past August we were at OKW, and although they loved it, everytime we passed the Poly they would make a comment about how nice that was. My feeling is that that vacation was the first we had taken as a family in about 8 years, so that's what made the Poly special. This past trip it was just so nice being all together with my parents, and my sisters family. If anything, that spoiled them. Now they want everyone to vacation with us all the time. Good thing they all bought points. My oldest DD is going to be 20 next week, and she tells me there is no way in hell she will ever miss a family vacation at WDW. Hmmm, guess I created a monster there.

I am extremely spoiled. When I stay anywhere it is sooo difficult to not compare everything to DVC. That's just not fair. Every year I go to a motorcycle rally in NH, and although all my buddies opt to stay in campgrounds, I have to rough it in a motel. and that is about as much roughing it as I want to do.

 

[Par8hed]

I certainly hope so. Isn't that the point?

 

[AMcaptured]

I don't think owning DVC alone will spoil your children. However, cell phones, designer clothes, giving them every lesson available and lack of respect for their blessings in life will...

Unfortunately, most kids are spoiled today....That doesn't mean they are brats just that the majority of kids today have WAY to much...

Just look at all the 14 year olds with Tiffany necklaces.....

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by GeoffM24
The wife and I just became BWV members and are expecting our first child 4 weeks from today.

Over the weekend we went to a local fair, actually a very large fair here in New England called the "Big E".

It has all your typical fried foods, old rides and shows.

While we enjoyed ourselves it cetainly is no Disney!

We got to thinking about how our kids might react to fairs and other places we might visit after having the luxury or going to Disney.

Have you found DVC causing your kids to not enjoy other vacations or places?

Not so far, but they are still very young (8,6,4) We don't do fairs anymore! LOL. We don't even go to Canobie Lake anymore!(who is the spoiled one? ME!) But we did go to Hershey Park last summer, and the kids talk about that alot, and can't wait to go back, and I didn't think Hershey came close to Disney!

To answer you question, my kids love to travel, so any vacation is exciting for them. DVC has not spoiled that! But like I said, they are still young. What I worry about, is that they will someday get SICK of Disney because of how often we go....That to me is a scarey thought!

BTW..congrats on your upcoming angel!

 

[dmoore22]

Has Disney spoiled our kids? Yes and No! The kids are less likely to beg to go to parks like Six Flags which they feel are lame. They are more willing to save their money for the big DVC trip we have each year. It teaches them fiscal responsibility.
We did take a short trip this past weekend which they enjoyed immensely even though it wasn't WDW. Of course we went to Marceline Missouri to see the original Mainstreet USA, Walt's boyhood home, and the Dreaming Tree.












y

 

[klafollette]

Growing up in Central Florida, we never stayed at the Disney hotels, but we always had annual passes to Disney since I was about 10.

Now that I am 27, and married at 18 (honeymooned at Disney), My husband and I have vacationed at Disney every year (sometimes multiple times).

I consider myself as having very high standards for vacations and hotels because of growing up around Disney and because of the Disney Cruise Line, and Disney hotels. I didn't realize how spoiled I was until my husbands parents kept going on and on about how nice a hotel was we were vacationing at (the Wyndham Casa Marina in Key West), and my husband and I were saying that it wasn't any better than what we usually stay in at Disney.

We have become accustomed to high standards I guess.

 

[DMDSTPRGIL]

U bet the kids get spoiled. And in this case it's just because of the location. Being BWV members,a few years ago we held a party at the Villas for my parents 50th. We had 20 people come in for the 5 days. All but my wife and I and my parents stayed off property. My 9 yoa cousin managed to sneek in after the first day and stayed in the two beedroom with us at the BWVs. Up till then he had been to Disney 4 times and always off property due to the cost. Now he doesn't want to stay anywhere else but the BWV. It's killing his parents with trying to afford it so they have cut back on the days of the stay and how often they go to be able to stay at the BWV. The reason they gave into him was they also got spoiled and don't want to stay anywhere else.