Would you let your kids go to wdw 1st time with someone else?

[plutotek]

I think it will depend upon how you approach it with your family. I will never forget the 'endzone dance' my son did the first time he stepped onto Main Street (partly because I have a video of the event). However, I would like to think that if you took tons of pics, as well as video of their reactions to the parks, it would serve a dual purpose:

First, it would show how much fun they had on the trip, allowing them to relive the memories with their children.

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Second, it might serve as an added incentive to save for a family trip to go, so they could share in that fun.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

You sound like a wonderful aunt and even if they say no to disney they would probably have a great time just hanging out with you and going to the beach etc.

Monica

Thanks, that is very nice of you to say.
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Well, this thread has given me a lot to think about. I figure I have a 70% chance they'll say no and a 30% chance that they will go for it. The best I can do is ask and if they say no I will try for just a trip down to FL for the girls to do other non-disney things with us (hello seaworld! )

But at least now I can see it from their perspective if they do say no.

 

[NJAmanda]

I would not let my kids go on any trip without me. But that is me and my family situation. I am also able to take my kids to Disney and other trips but if that wasn't the case and I was in your situation it seems like it would work for your family. If you do end up taking them I hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[MichelleVW]

If I couldn't afford it myself and someone else who I trusted was willing to take them I would most definitely let them go.

Of course! I would never deprive any of my children great experiences just because I wasn't there to experience it with them.

Ageed!!!

 

[ToyStoryBo]

I would not let my kids go on any trip without me. But that is me and my family situation. I am also able to take my kids to Disney and other trips but if that wasn't the case and I was in your situation it seems like it would work for your family. If you do end up taking them I hope you all have a wonderful time!

Ditto!!

 

[lllGurulll]

It would depend. If I knew it was a once in a life time opportunity, and that I could never afford to take my children, then yes, I would let them go. If we were planning a trip to go within the next two years, I would decline the offer. I would ask the parents before even bringing it up to your nieces.

Absolutely.

 

[duffy]

I took my niece on her first visit in Feb. 2008.

Her parents had just split up, and the whole family was traumatized. My sister could not plan on taking her kids EVER, and we were going to go, with our youngest daughter, who's about the same age as my niece. (older daughters were adults, and on their own!!)

Anyhow, my sister knew her daughter could use a bit of relief from the horrible family situation she was in, so she let her go with us. We were driving, so there was no plane ticket to buy. She was 9 years old then, and still a "child" in Disney's eyes, so her tickets were pretty darn cheap. She shared a queen bed with our daughter.

My sister wanted to take her for the first visit, but she did not want her daughter to miss out on the opportunity.

As it turned out, I went again, with my sister, both her daughter and her son, and my youngest again, in Nov. 2009. We all had a great time. It was nice watching my niece "introduce" her mom-who was last there at least a dozen years before-and her little brother to different rides.

 

[jagruti6]

I would not hesitate to let my kids go with out me, as along as it was with their uncle and aunts or grandparents. I would also hope that my brothers would feel the same in return.I have in fact told my DB and SIL that once they have kids I'll be kidnapping them and bringing them with us to Disney world! My brother is a bit cynical when it comes to all things Disney (I wouldn't ever invite him along while my own kids are so young and believe in the magic, as he doesn't live in the magic at all He'd spend the whole time trying to get us to see things we don't want to see, and complaining )
Plus I also think this kind of trip is different, and they'd still have tons of fun on their first family trip if it were to happen in the future for them. Its certainly doesn't hurt to ask them, all they can say is no. Just make sure your nieces don't know so they aren't disappointed if the answer is no.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

No, unless I was certain there is no way I would ever be able to take them. In that case, I would be bummed to miss it but glad they at least go to go.

 

[danceintherain]

I have a difficult time with hypothetical situations, because there are so many contingencies. I'm more financially stable AND Disney obsessed than any of my relatives, so I doubt this would ever occur.

If I thought I would never be able to take my children to Disney World, then I would probably welcome the opportunity for someone else to take them. However, I would prefer going with them, and would hope that the person who offered to take them would help me figure out a way for me to go as well. If it seemed completely unlikely that I would ever be able to afford even paying for a single individual (myself) to go on a trip, then I would probably reluctantly consent.
Definitely talk to their parents about it first. They might welcome the opportunity for someone else to take responsibility for their children for a few days, but if Disney is a special place for them as well, then maybe not.

As the person who is requesting to take their children on the trip, I do think that you should try to accommodate the parents coming as well. Even if that means they don't get to stay in a hotel on the monorail, or on property at all.

I would be completely heartbroken if a family member asked if they could take my children to Disney World with them, and when I asked if I could come along too, they made it completely financially impossible for me to do so. (room at the Grand Floridian - 3 Table Service Meals a Day..etc)
Maybe that's a little silly, because they would be fronting the majority of the cost in paying for my children, but you can pay for a week in a condo for the same price as a night at some of the Deluxe resorts.

 

[YodaGirl]

While I wouldn't want my child to be that far away from me for that length of time, if I knew FOR CERTAIN that I would NEVER be able to afford it, I would probably let her go. It'd be a really tough situation, though, and I'd be really bummed.

Of course, all that is from the perspective of me loving WDW and not wanting anyone to miss out. If I'd never been to WDW and it didn't matter to me, I might not let her go because of the distance/time for something that I didn't see as a big deal.

Hope all that made sense.

 

[MeanestMomEver]

It is very kind of you to want to provide this for your nieces, but I have to say, I wouldn't have wanted my kids to go the 1st time without me. They will never be as excited as they are the 1st time. The fact that the parents want to take them makes me think they might feel that way too. What if you proposed a timeline for you all to go together and volunteered paying for the girls? Maybe they could go sooner that way and you would still get to see the girl's excitement?

I agree with this post!

It's such a special time and I would hate to miss out. However, if I thought it was the only way my kids would ever get to go, I would go along with it.

I think you should ask.

Maybe something like:
"I would love to take the girls to Disney. Would you let me take them this summer? Or, better yet, maybe we could all go. The girls could bunk with me, as my guests, and you two could have some couple time." Then let them know what expenses you would be willing to cover and what they should expect to pay if they decide to join you.

 

[gypsygirl2]

We took our kids from the time the youngest was a baby every 2 years. My youngest sister has a husband who has no interest in spending the kind of money necessary to go to disney. I told my sister that I would love to take her kids whenever they were 5 years old. She thought it was great and each of her kids got a chance to experience it with us. That was probably the best trip of their young lives and we got the chance to relive a first timers visit with them. She gave her son souvenir money and he spent it on every play gun imaginable and I had no idea her daughter didn't like roller coasters. Tower of terror was truly terrorizing for her . Other than that it was a blast for all.

 

[PigletsMommy]

I would not let my daughter go without me...however, that is because I love Disney so much I would find a way to go too.

We are already planning a family trip next year with my husbands family, as well as my mother. We want to take my niece (will be 5 on the trip). I had spoken to her mom a few months ago and she has absolutely no prob with it. Very easy going mom. Pretty much ok with just about anything. I was worried my brother would be the opposite because he is strict, but my mom talked to him last week and he seems ok. (They are no longer together) He does not understand my obsession with vacationing at Disney. Does not like crowds, gets stressed out easily, and thinks everything is overpriced...blah blah blah. Just doesnt "get it".

I have made it known since my niece was born that I want to take her to meet Cinderella some day. My mom went to see my brother & niece last week (they live in MI). She told them about the great deal we got on our last trip, how everything was included, about ME, and also showed him the pics of my DD meeting all the characters. I think he finally saw how much we LOVE it. I think he is actually excited now for her.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I would just talk to my sister/sister in law about it and get their thoughts. But that's not the question I guess! I digress.... My issue would be being away from my child for a week, I am anxious about stuff like that. On principle, if I couldn't afford it, I would never want to begrudge my child the opportunity to go somewhere fun though. I would let her go if she was old enough that I felt comfortable (who knows what age that will be).

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I appreciate everyones responses.

While taking 2 children to wdw is possible for us financially, taking 2 children and 2 adults is out of our reach. I've done a lot of research and adult ticket prices and meals (not to mention another resort room) can really add up since adult prices are nearly twice what children's prices are.

Also, I have more than one brother and sister (4 brothers, 3 sisters) so it would not be fair to the rest of my family to pay for one sibling and not offer to do the same for my others - you can see how this could be an issue.

However, were my brother and sil able to pay for themselves w/ me just paying for a ticket for the girls, there is no way I would tag along on their vacation!

As you all have said, it is a special trip so I'm sure if they were able to do it they'd rather do it all together w/o a 5th wheel - and again, this isn't about me being w/ them for their 1st time to disney as much as me just spending good quality time w/ them....something I tend to get more of when it's just them and me.

 

[DebbieB]

I took both my nieces (separately), one was 9 and the other was 12 at the time they went. Their parents (brother and wife) didn't mind because I was paying for it! They are now 20 and 16 and as far as I know it's the only time they have been on a vacation. The older one went with my mom and I and we had great memories. Unfortunately, my mom had passed away by the time I could take the younger one, so I took her alone.

 

[CopasFamily]

I'm not sure if I could let anyone take our kids on their first trip, but we are a Disney-centric family. We are taking one or two of my nephews on their first Disney trips this summer sans parents.

 

[Disney93]

If I had never been to WDW, I would have let someone else take our kids for the first visit. As I think back to our first trip, I can't imagine not being there. Watching the kids experience Disney magic for the first time was an event in my life that I could never replace. Our kids were 12 and 14, not little kids at all, for our first trip. We had been to Disneyland, we live on the west coast, but WDW was totally different. I think we developed a bond from that trip that has and will last us for a lifetime. We have been there a dozen times now and are enjoying our grandkids just as much as our own kids. On one trip, our first grandson was 4 months old, on the next trip, our grand daughter was 10 days old. I guess we aren't taking any chances on not being there for their 1st visit. Our daughter and son in law would have a hard time taking everyone on a trip like this so we worked out a deal where we don't buy them any gifts during the year and then we pay for the trip. This is working great for us and might be helpful in planning your trip.

 

[adaygaby]

DS and I had a trip to Disney for November. I asked my bro & sil last week if they would let my 7yr old nephew to go with us and they paused a lot and stated they would try and make a trip to Disney in a year or two (they've never gone to Disney). They didn't want him to go because they wanted to see his reactions/expression on his first disney trip, etc etc.

Well it seems that some fairy dust was put on us because with the free dining plan that just came out... I've convinced them to take a trip before our kids head back to school and I helped them do their reservations last night. So August here we come..!

I would probably hesitate in letting my son go with someone else for the first time, but I think I would still let him go. Who knows if I probably wouldn't be able to afford it the next year or year after etc... And if I would, well GREAT for him; he would enjoy Disney again.

Either way, if you go one or 10 times to Disney, just to see their face light up once you get to Disney... it is PRICELESS.