Will my kids be bored?

[OHMomof3]

We are headed to Disney for a week in November? We are currently planning to stay at Port orleans Riverside and do all 4 Disney parks. We have 2 sons, 13 and 9 and a 4 year old daughter. My husband thinks my sons will be bored with just Disney and wants to head to Universal for a day or 2.

I was last at Disney in 1983, so I have absolutely no idea.... My opinion is doing it all would be too much. Looking for some expert advice from others who have frequented Disney more often.

 

[KateMW]

If it's their first trip, which it sounds like it is, I would just do Disney. Your daughter will enjoy it the most, but 9 is a great age for a lot of Disney bc you are tall enough, etc. and the 13 year old can just be a good big brother and go along with it if he gets bored.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

So my guess is that DH is the one who wants to go to Universal. If anyone is determined to be bored with WDW, they could try to make the rest of you miserable - only you know your family well.
My children, whom I've just asked, are 15 and 17 and have been to WDW almost every year say that they have never been bored during our week long WDW trips. (In fact, the 15 year-old thought that the idea of boredom at WDW "was being ridiculous" ...) We have also been to and enjoyed Universal. We would definitely find WDW and Universal too much in the same week because we like to do most things. If your guys only want the top thrill rides, then maybe they could fit WDW and UOR in... I, personally, would not pay for either one if we were only going to see a small percentage of it - YMMV
If there is concern about what boys can to do while the 4 year old meets princesses, then let them go with one parent to a different attraction or remind them that WDW has WiFi now and let them play on their device while sister poses with princesses. She is likely going to be waiting with a parent at parent swap for boys to enjoy attractions that she is too short to experience, right? I'd be more worried about how to keep her entertained during all of her waiting...

 

[WayTooExcited]

When we went with my brother, who is 7 years older than me, when I was kid, I remember LOVING it, but he wasn't as big of a fan. He's just not a big Disney fan and never was. If your son enjoys Disney he'll probably have a good time. If he's 'bleh' about Disney he might not enjoy some of the parks as much.

 

[SouthernBuckeye]

It would be too much for me. WDW itself is too much to see in a week. There is just so much to do on property!

If you don't think there are enough rides in the parks to interest your boys, don't forget the quests: Agent P in Epcot, Sorcerers of MK, Wilderness Explorers at AK, and I think there's a pirate one in MK also.

I don't think your boys will be bored at all at the resort. I love Port Orleans! With the pool, bikes, cane pole fishing, boat to Disney Springs, movies at night, miniature golf nearby, etc. There is a lot to see and do just there.

Our kids also have fun visiting The Boardwalk and Fort Wilderness (horses, archery, boats). Or any resort with a character meal.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Our DS is that age and he loves it. He loves all of the rides but he really enjoys playing the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Look it up - the link is below. You can get starter cards at the Firehouse on Main Street for free. My son now has over 100 cards - he collects them and he trades his extras with other kids that are playing it at MK.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/sorcerers/

He also loves pin trading. We bought them starter kits and they trade from there.

I believe your sons will love it and will not need Universal.

 

[Shanti]

We are headed to Disney for a week in November? We are currently planning to stay at Port orleans Riverside and do all 4 Disney parks. We have 2 sons, 13 and 9 and a 4 year old daughter. My husband thinks my sons will be bored with just Disney and wants to head to Universal for a day or 2.

I was last at Disney in 1983, so I have absolutely no idea.... My opinion is doing it all would be too much. Looking for some expert advice from others who have frequented Disney more often.

A first time trip to Disney won't be boring for the kids. One of my 11 year-old boy students went on a week-long trip this year & was very excited to tell his friends about it afterwards. Focus on Disney for this trip (& maybe include Blizzard Beach water park if the weather is nice: Summit Plummet is too scary for many adults, btw). You can split with Universal next time if you wish. I agree that doing it this time would be too much for a first trip.

So many of these things are about expectations and attitude. If the father suggests to the boys that they'll likely be bored, they'll absorb his attitude. If he treats the trip as a fun-filled vacation to be relished, they'll pick up that attitude, instead. Agree with another poster that it sounds like the dad might be the one who actually wants to go to Universal in this case.

 

[AJA]

No I don't think they will be bored!

There is so much to do on property for all ages I can see a week not being enough instead of too much, remember plan pool time!

Now if you have any Harry Potter lovers in your home and you don't think you will be able to make another trip in the next 3-5 years then "I" would plan 5 days at Disney and 2 at Universal. -keep in mind we are a family that loves Disney and Universal equally. Disney has the magic and Universal has the rides....and Harry Potter

 

[xlsm]

My boys are 10 and 12, will be turning 11 and 13 in the next couple of months. They both prefer Disney to Universal (we do love the Jurassic Park and HP stuff, though).
We've gone to WDW the past two summers, leave for Disneyland next week, and are going back to WDW at Christmas. I asked if they thought it was boring and they laughed. There really is something for everyone, and even if you don't like "Disney" (blasphemy, LOL!!), I can't imagine a kid being bored.

 

[DWillowBay]

I can't say that I've ever been "bored" at WDW in 20 + trips. Something is seriously wrong, if a person is 'bored' there. However, that being said, if your DH wants to go elsewhere for a day or 2, why not? But boredom will not be the reason. Enjoy!

 

[Disneylover99]

I don't think your kids will be bored. There's plenty to do at each park. Save Universal for another time.

 

[mom2rtk]

I can't say that I've ever been "bored" at WDW in 20 + trips. Something is seriously wrong, if a person is 'bored' there. However, that being said, if your DH wants to go elsewhere for a day or 2, why not? But boredom will not be the reason. Enjoy!

Some people are just more into theme parks than others. While I love Disney, I don't see it as a personality flaw to be bored there.

OP, odds are your kids will all love it. If they don't and you are so inclined, you can change plans once you are there.

 

[MommaBerd]

Adding to the above, I think it depends on if your family is a "Disney" family. And, here's what I mean by that: Did they watch and enjoy the Disney movies (Aladdin, Peter Pan, Toy Story, Bolt, Wreck-It Ralph, etc.) such that there's a little bit of nostalgia for them? Or maybe they are Star Wars fans? Are they nature-lovers?

I have a friend who has four boys (as I do), and they planned a week long trip to both WDW and US. Her boys didn't really have any "history" with the Disney stories. They never really watched any of the movies. On the other hand, they were big Transformers and super-hero fans. They loved the Minions ride. So ultimately, they enjoyed US much more than WDW.

I think the key is to know what at Disney World would most likely appeal to them, and focus on that and maybe even do those things first. I learned a lesson from helping her plan, and I wish I had encouraged her to spend more time at Animal Kingdom and Epcot, because I think her boys would have enjoyed those parks much more than MK. They may have still preferred US, but I think they would have enjoyed their time at WDW even more.

ETA: One of my boys is 12, and well, a kid who used to be happy-go-lucky and cheerful has become a moody pre-teen. It's the hormones - I've lived through it with oldest DS. We just went on a Disney Cruise and all he did was sulk in the room. It was sad to us, but he was making the choice to not have a good attitude and find SOMETHING positive and fun to participate in. So, sometimes the location is NOT what determines whether a kid is "bored" or having a good time...

 

[edk35]

My kids are currently 17, 22, and 25 and ONLY my son was bored on the trips when he was in high school (now 22) but we also go 1-3 times a year. LOL HOWEVER now he will go on some of our trips. He has come full circle. My 25 year old daughter and 17 year old LOVE IT STILL. There is plenty to do so I think your kids will be just fine.

 

[21stamps]

I won't say they will be bored, but if they enjoy rollercoasters- definitely spend one day at IoA!! Or even a combo universal parks day, I wouldn't use up 2, but I do think one day would be great for your party. You're already in Orlando..so why not?

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I agree with DVCkidsMOM. Let the 13 and 9 year old sons go with 1 parent and the 4 year old daughter with the other parent.

 

[Southernmiss]

I can't say that I've ever been "bored" at WDW in 20 + trips. Something is seriously wrong, if a person is 'bored' there. However, that being said, if your DH wants to go elsewhere for a day or 2, why not? But boredom will not be the reason. Enjoy!

We were just at both sets of parks from 5/20 to 5/28. Our 4 kids are ds22, ds18, ds17 and dd14. No princess meet and greets for us!

Our kids absolutely love disney and Universal. Big Harry Potter fans and thrill ride fans. We had 4 1/2 days at Disney and 3 at Universal. Stayed on both properties and visited all parks. The first couple of days at WDW we hit all of our favorites and rides that were new since our last visit in 2009. The next couple of days, we rode those we wanted to ride again and took our time in the parks. Still didn't see or do all we could have done.

Middle of our trip we went to Universal. In 2 days we hit all we wanted to do. The 3rd day only oldest ds, me and Dh went to the parks. We took our time and hit favorites and took our time exploring WWOHP. The youngest 3 were pooped and didn't leave Cabana Bay Resort.

There's plenty to do and love for all ages at both parks.

 

[edk35]

Also depending on when in Nov. you can easily do both Universal parks in 1 DAY. We went in April for 3 and IT WAS WAY TOO LONG. We wished we had only planned 2 TOPS. We had last been there in 2012 and we all agreed that we are GOOD FOR A FEW MORE YEARS.

 

[Shanti]

We are headed to Disney for a week in November? We are currently planning to stay at Port orleans Riverside and do all 4 Disney parks. We have 2 sons, 13 and 9 and a 4 year old daughter. My husband thinks my sons will be bored with just Disney and wants to head to Universal for a day or 2.

I was last at Disney in 1983, so I have absolutely no idea.... My opinion is doing it all would be too much. Looking for some expert advice from others who have frequented Disney more often.

My most-recommended Disney rides for thrill-seeking boys:

Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain
Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest and Dinosaur
Hollywood Studios: Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours
Epcot: Test Track and Mission Space Orange
Blizzard Beach: Summit Plummet

Recommended unique dining:

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios
San Angel Inn at Epcot
Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness

Additional cost activities:
Disney Springs: Cirque de Soleil (better than any non-Orlando Cirque I've seen)
Epcot: Epcot Aqua Seas Tour (snorkeling in the Epcot aquarium)
Animal Kingdom: Wild Africa Trek
Animal Kingdom Lodge (you don't have to stay there to do this): Starlight Safari (use night-vision goggles to see the animals at night on this special tour)
Fort Wilderness: Horseback riding in the woods
Bay lake: Boating on the lake. Ages 12 and up can drive a Sea Raycer boat with one adult present: would be awesome for your 13 year-old.

Nope, no reason to be bored during your first visit to WDW.

 

[MommaBerd]

Ok - one more thought - if you want to GENERATE excitement and anticipation for your trip, you could do family movie nights where you theme the food to the movie (there are LOTS of ideas out there!). Classic Mickey/Fab Five can be found on the Have a Laugh collection. And finally, for the trip down, I made a "mix tape" of music from different movies for us to listen to. (That was one of my DH's favorite things that I did.)

And of course, get them in on the planning - especially the 13 yo!