Will my kids be bored?

[warrenz1963]

My partner is nowhere near the Disney fan that I am, and before our first trip together in '93 (we stayed at POR, it was called Dixie Landings back then) he thought he'd be bored out of his mind, until he set foot on Disney property. Had the time of his life, still does every time we go. That said...

I prefer the "grown up" coasters at Uni, Transformers and Spiderman are amazing, the Harry Potter sections out-Disney Disney for immersion and quality of the main attractions. But that's all we ever do there. We don't typically spend an entire day and evening in either Uni park, but we will go from RD to closing at any Disney park any day. Tough call.

Six theme parks in seven days is a lot to cover...

If you don't mind splitting up for a day, it's not unreasonable to have the thrill seekers go off on their own to Uni. Many attractions at Uni will be too much for your four year old and maybe your nine year old too; the Potter rides are very intense; don't forget to check height requirements for all concerned.

You're going to have a wonderful trip, no matter the decisions you make!

 

[c3h3a3r]

I don't think they will be bored at all!

 

[jaceraden]

No

 

[joannamet]

My 11 year old has been going since she was 6 and she's never been bored. You might think about splitting up once in a while. Dad might want to take the 2 oldest off for some thrill rides while you do tamer activities with the littlest. One of you can take the littlest back to the room for a rest while the others continue to enjoy the park. If your DH is just looking at rides he might think Disney is too tame but you'll be surprised at how much there is to do. Don't forget interactive games like Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom and Agent P's World Showcase Adventure. Even the 13 year old will have fun running around MK and Epcot finding clues. And POR is our favorite resort. Your kids would be happy just hanging out at the pool and game room for hours.

 

[colleen0928]

I would say...maybe. It probably depends on how into Disney your kids are in general and how much they like thrill rides.

I was 13 when I went to WDW for the first time (late 80s). We weren't a "Disney family" so I didn't have nostalgia tying me to the characters, I was too old to be amazed by the magic, too young to appreciate the theming on its own merits and much too fond of roller coasters to really love Disney. I don't know that I remember being bored, but I do remember thinking I would much rather be at Cedar Point.

We are planning a trip to Orlando this August, kids will be DD9 and DS11. Last family trip to WDW the kids were 2 and 4, we had a great time. I like WDW but we are definitely not a "Disney family". And the kids love coasters, the bigger the better. So when my DD requested another WDW trip, I was nervous. I know it's a great place, and I know with enough planning we will enjoy ourselves, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that the kids might be a bit let down by the offerings, DS11 probably more so than DD9. So I got us 5 day hoppers and added on 2 days at Universal at the end so we could all get our coaster fix and I could see HP. I see it as a win-win.

I know there is a ton to do at WDW and 5 days isn't enough to see it all, but I think knowing my kids and knowing where their interests lie that it will be enough time to see what will spark their interests. And while I hope they love WDW I am confident they will love Universal. You and your DH know your boys best. No offense meant to anyone on this board, because they are all very knowledgeable and helpful , but a message board mostly full of Disney fanatics (who have, in most cases, raised a second generation of Disney fanatics), is maybe not the best place to get advice on what the typical teen and preteen boy think of WDW. It is however a great place to get information on how to plan a great vacation and all the options out there so everyone can enjoy WDW (even those of us who would rather be at Cedar Point).

 

[melana]

Won't be bored. Too much to do and see.

I will say this...we did a WDW with one day at Universal trip in October of last year since we are Harry Potter nuts. I found Universal to be boring after we did our Harry Potter stuff and rode the Minions ride. But we aren't big roller coaster fans..so that may have been why.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Our Son started going when he was 10 he is now 20. And he still loves it. He's actually quite upset we are going without him this year.

But he understands. It is our anniversary.

Edit: I hate auto correct.

 

[caroline1851]

they absolutely will not be bored. My son was 13 last year when he and I went and we had a blast. he likes all sorts of rides and loved everything we did.

 

[PartofYourWorld15]

I would try to include them in the trip planning. Let them pick the fast passes with you so you can have them customizing their trip. In my opinion, Disney will give your family more of an overall experience than Universal. Im terribly biased but I don't think I could ever be bored at Disney. I've been going almost every year since I was 2 and a half and have never ever felt bored. Try a fun new restaurant on property or get them interested in finding hidden mickeys if you need something extra for them to do.

 

[Lynne M]

Whether they'll be bored or not really depends on what you were planning to do. Riding stuff like It's a Small World and Peter Pan with their 4-year-old sister all week? They'll probably be bored. But WDW is so, so, so much more than theme parks. To tell the truth, I haven't set foot in a WDW theme park in a few years. There's an endless list of recreational activities, everything from horseback riding to golf to boating, water skiing, parasailing, fishing, biking. There are two water parks. Disney Springs. Exploring resorts. Shows like La Nouba. And so much more.

Between the parks and all of that, I can't imagine anyone ever being bored at WDW. There's enough variety in the four parks to keep everyone entertained for a week, but if they're not into theme parks at all, take a broader view, and look around at all the other things to do on property.

 

[aretha30]

I don't think that they'd be bored at all! Our boys are 13 and 8 and they love Disney. We go every year and they beg to go back the minute we leave! The only reason they have asked to go to Universal is to see the HP worlds, if it wasn't for that they'd have no interest in going over to the other parks. There is so much to do at Disney, do some research and figure out what your kids would like, watch ride videos on You Tube. You will get a good idea of what WDW is like now and just how much there is to do these days.

 

[Mkid451]

If your husband and your sons really want to do Universal, and you are ok with it, it might be best to send them off for the day on their own while you stay at Disney with your daughter. While I really do think your sons would be able to find plenty of things to do, and enough thrills to keep them interested, after taking my first trip to Universal, I can see the appeal for thrill seekers. I don't have much experience with Universal, and have only been there once this past January, but I didn't see a ton of offerings for the younger (<5 or 6) crowd. Most of the offering are clumped into one area that is not super close to all the thrill rides, so if you took a whole family trip to Universal, I could see someone else in your group being bored that day, standing around waiting for big brothers to ride the bigger rides. Sure Harry Potter has awesome theming and scenery that might occupy you all day to look at, but realistically, what 4 year old would understand why that is cool, be willing to look at that, and be ok with not being able to do much compared to being able to do almost everything at Disney? As someone else said, you might also want to check the heights limits at Universal, I know that 9 year old boys have a huge range of heights, and if yours is on the lower end of things, it could lead to some big disappointment.

 

[21stamps]

I would say...maybe. It probably depends on how into Disney your kids are in general and how much they like thrill rides.

I was 13 when I went to WDW for the first time (late 80s). We weren't a "Disney family" so I didn't have nostalgia tying me to the characters, I was too old to be amazed by the magic, too young to appreciate the theming on its own merits and much too fond of roller coasters to really love Disney. I don't know that I remember being bored, but I do remember thinking I would much rather be at Cedar Point.

We are planning a trip to Orlando this August, kids will be DD9 and DS11. Last family trip to WDW the kids were 2 and 4, we had a great time. I like WDW but we are definitely not a "Disney family". And the kids love coasters, the bigger the better. So when my DD requested another WDW trip, I was nervous. I know it's a great place, and I know with enough planning we will enjoy ourselves, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that the kids might be a bit let down by the offerings, DS11 probably more so than DD9. So I got us 5 day hoppers and added on 2 days at Universal at the end so we could all get our coaster fix and I could see HP. I see it as a win-win.

I know there is a ton to do at WDW and 5 days isn't enough to see it all, but I think knowing my kids and knowing where their interests lie that it will be enough time to see what will spark their interests. And while I hope they love WDW I am confident they will love Universal. You and your DH know your boys best. No offense meant to anyone on this board, because they are all very knowledgeable and helpful , but a message board mostly full of Disney fanatics (who have, in most cases, raised a second generation of Disney fanatics), is maybe not the best place to get advice on what the typical teen and preteen boy think of WDW. It is however a great place to get information on how to plan a great vacation and all the options out there so everyone can enjoy WDW (even those of us who would rather be at Cedar Point).

We will be doing splits after our 2016 trip. Son just turned 6, we've had season passes to Kings Island for the past 3 years, and he loves rollercoasters. Last year at WDW he was tall enough for everything besides the Aeorosmith ride, this time he will be able to do that . But once he is 7, universal will be a must, and we won't be doing a week at Disney parks.
Even at 5 when you ask him what his favorite ride at WDW was- he says "The Slingshot!" Which is not even at Disney, we went to Old Town one night after the second leg of our trip before flying out. It drives him crazy that he is not tall enough for that exact same attraction at KI.lol

I think it all depends on the kid.

 

[Gracedis1]

As long as you can split up for some separate activities, they won't be bored. My 13 year old wants nothing to do with characters, so if my younger child wants to see one, we split up and she goes on a ride with my DH. She loves fast rides and goes on them multiple times!

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

That's so hard to say. Your 9 & 4 year old will likely most definitely enjoy it! And, your 13 year old may love it - I honestly can see my son still loving Disney at 13. That said, he may be bored. Our nephew went last year for the first time at 13.5, and honestly, yes, he was bored. He told his parents they waited too long to take him and he would have preferred Universal. My brother also would not have enjoyed it at that age. It really depends on your son's interests. Can you afford to do even just one day at Uni with your WDW days?

 

[Planogirl]

It really depends on what everyone enjoys. Personally I could spend several days at MK and a few at AK but the other two parks would drive me crazy if I had to spend much time at them. However everyone, both kids and adults, might have different tastes.

I suggest getting a good guide book and going over the attraction with everyone. Universal is great (and we really prefer it) but you don't want to overdo it either.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would say...maybe. It probably depends on how into Disney your kids are in general and how much they like thrill rides.

I was 13 when I went to WDW for the first time (late 80s). We weren't a "Disney family" so I didn't have nostalgia tying me to the characters, I was too old to be amazed by the magic, too young to appreciate the theming on its own merits and much too fond of roller coasters to really love Disney. I don't know that I remember being bored, but I do remember thinking I would much rather be at Cedar Point.

We are planning a trip to Orlando this August, kids will be DD9 and DS11. Last family trip to WDW the kids were 2 and 4, we had a great time. I like WDW but we are definitely not a "Disney family". And the kids love coasters, the bigger the better. So when my DD requested another WDW trip, I was nervous. I know it's a great place, and I know with enough planning we will enjoy ourselves, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that the kids might be a bit let down by the offerings, DS11 probably more so than DD9. So I got us 5 day hoppers and added on 2 days at Universal at the end so we could all get our coaster fix and I could see HP. I see it as a win-win.

I know there is a ton to do at WDW and 5 days isn't enough to see it all, but I think knowing my kids and knowing where their interests lie that it will be enough time to see what will spark their interests. And while I hope they love WDW I am confident they will love Universal. You and your DH know your boys best. No offense meant to anyone on this board, because they are all very knowledgeable and helpful , but a message board mostly full of Disney fanatics (who have, in most cases, raised a second generation of Disney fanatics), is maybe not the best place to get advice on what the typical teen and preteen boy think of WDW. It is however a great place to get information on how to plan a great vacation and all the options out there so everyone can enjoy WDW (even those of us who would rather be at Cedar Point).

I agree with everything about this ^^^ Asking a bunch of Disney fanatics if your kids will be bored at Disney is pretty pointless, lol. All these people saying no they won't be - honestly can't say that. Just because their kids weren't bored, doesn't mean yours won't be. None of us can tell you for sure. They might be "bored", they really might. Or they might love it. Or, it might be "okay" to them - not bad, not great. It really, truly boils down to your children's individual interests, and I also think in part how "into" Disney they are overall.

 

[joanchris]

I don't think any of your kids will be bored.
However, if your husband really wants to do Universal, I'd tell him to go with the boys for a couple of days, and you and your daughter can do all the little kid and girly stuff that the boys might not find as interesting.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

If your husband and your sons really want to do Universal, and you are ok with it, it might be best to send them off for the day on their own while you stay at Disney with your daughter. While I really do think your sons would be able to find plenty of things to do, and enough thrills to keep them interested, after taking my first trip to Universal, I can see the appeal for thrill seekers. I don't have much experience with Universal, and have only been there once this past January, but I didn't see a ton of offerings for the younger (<5 or 6) crowd. Most of the offering are clumped into one area that is not super close to all the thrill rides, so if you took a whole family trip to Universal, I could see someone else in your group being bored that day, standing around waiting for big brothers to ride the bigger rides. Sure Harry Potter has awesome theming and scenery that might occupy you all day to look at, but realistically, what 4 year old would understand why that is cool, be willing to look at that, and be ok with not being able to do much compared to being able to do almost everything at Disney? As someone else said, you might also want to check the heights limits at Universal, I know that 9 year old boys have a huge range of heights, and if yours is on the lower end of things, it could lead to some big disappointment.

I was going to suggest this exactly. If you send the boys off, you and your daughter could do something special that has a similar cost. Maybe Disney Springs BBB and a special lunch or the Aurora's tea party in Grand Floridian (I think you said she wants to meet princesses) or you could do something like add water parks tickets for the two of you. That might be a special way for Dad to have some bonding with his little guys while you do something special with your daughter.

Edited that I don't think Disney is boring to anyone, but some probably prefer Universal and I think it's your husband's way of saying that HE wants to see Universal.

 

[MonaMN]

You could also go on You Tube and watch some ride videos - get them more excited for what they will experience.

I do like the idea of splitting up for a day or so if possible.