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

[vway2552]

If you can't foresee yourself having the money to take your young children anytime within the next 3 years, and you have the possibility of letting them go with a relative, I'd say that's fine. If you don't let them go because you want to experience the joy of watching them at WDW yourself, but know in the back of your head it's not going to be financially possible, that would be just plain selfish

 

[eastcarolinafan]

If you don't let them go because you want to experience the joy of watching them at WDW yourself, but know in the back of your head it's not going to be financially possible, that would be just plain selfish

THIS IS WHAT THE OP SAID:​

"It is a dream of MINE to visit wdw with my two nieces."

"It would be their 1st time to the world and by the time the trip is here they will be 9 and 7 years old. My brother & sil want to take them someday but I fear that it will never happen & the older of my nieces is very precocious so I'm afraid the magic will be gone for her before too long...the age of not-believing and all that."

Clearly, the parents want to take their kids to DW the first time. The OP says it right there. And I have clearly said that I would rather MY child's first trip down Main Street be with me and my wife, which it was and it was AWESOME!!!!! The OP says her sister is planning to take the kids, but not soon enough for the OP.

I am a middle-aged man. I went to DW for the very first time two years ago. It has changed my life in ways only people who frequent these boards can know. Only the people who have been to DW, and felt the magic, and seen the kids, and hugged Mickey, and ridden TT, and visited the HM can know what I am saying. If I can wait four and a half decades and STILL feel the Magic, those children are not in danger of missing out. They are simply not getting it soon enough for the OP.

There is absolutely no chance those kids will miss the magic, whenever they do go with their parents who obviously WANT to take their kids.

The OP's dream, IMHO, takes a back seat to the parents' wishes. That very, very, very first walk down Main Street is a sacred moment. Just like Christmas morning.

 

[lizzyb5280]

Looking at it through my own eyes, I would say no. But that's b/c taking DD to Disney for the first time is a priority of mine, so we've budgeted and saved so that we could take her before she turned three (and thus free, making the trip easier to save for).

Looking at it through your sister's eyes, though I would say yes. As sad as I would be to miss out, I would much rather her go w/o me than to not go at all. Esp. when I think back on all the great trips I had as a child and teen through various organizations, Grand Canyon and Europe through Girl Scouts, Washington DC and 2nd WDW trip with my high school choir...I would be sad to not have those memories only b/c mom and/or dad couldn't go.

I don't think you're being selfish to want some special time with your nieces. We are very close to three of our nieces and nephews, and enjoy having one-on-one time with them. However, we all live locally so we can take them for an overnight, trip to the movies, whatever. That said, I grew up w/o extended family around, and can tell you I would have greatly enjoyed having memories like that with my aunts & uncles. As well, I accompanied my sister and her kids on a WDW trip w/o her husband (not a first trip for either, but the only time they've done MNSSHP), and love those memories.

However, if your paying for the girls does make it affordable for the parents to go, I would encourage you not to think of yourself as the fifth wheel and make it a trip for all of you. Just think of yourself as their private tour guide to introduce all of them to the wonders of WDW. You could always break off from the parents from time to time for some aunt-niece bonding, and give them some couple time.

 

[maj42169]

My first experience at Disney was with my grandparents. That being said, I don't know if I would have let my parents take my own daughter for her first trip. I would have wanted to experience that with her.

Is there any way that you could offer to pay for the girls and see if their parents could spring for just a day or two for themselves?

If not, then I am sure that the girls will find the magic at whatever age they may be when their parents are able to afford the trip. My husband was 38 when he first experienced that magic and I think he loved it more than my daughter who was then 7.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

I wouldn't want that to happen for MY kids, but on our last 2 trips, my in laws have joined us and brought along a nephew on each trip...and it was there first trip for both of them. It hasn't been financially possible for my SIL to take them, so my inlaws brought them with us. One got to do a week at Disney and one of them got to do a cruise and then 2 1/2 days at Disney.

I do have to say that I felt badly for my SIL in missing it, but the offer was extended and she said they could each go! They are now taking them on a trip w/ their family in August, w/ free dining, and will get to experience it with them!

 

[eastcarolinafan]

My first experience at Disney was with my grandparents. That being said, I don't know if I would have let my parents take my own daughter for her first trip. I would have wanted to experience that with her.

Is there any way that you could offer to pay for the girls and see if their parents could spring for just a day or two for themselves?

If not, then I am sure that the girls will find the magic at whatever age they may be when their parents are able to afford the trip. My husband was 38 when he first experienced that magic and I think he loved it more than my daughter who was then 7.

YES!!!!! Well, maybe not loved it more, but ... OK, yes, MORE!!!!

To the OP:

We talk about DW every night at the dinner table. We talk about it sitting around the house. We dream together about DW at our favorite ice cream parlor on Saturdays. Like everybody else here, we are Disney insane. Don't force your brother and SIL out of those joyous moments to share as a family. Don't push it like it's a choice between the parents or DW. That's not fair.

 

[mike0035]

I would want to be the first one to take my daughters to WDW, and I was. But if I could not afford to go I think it would be VERY selfish of me to deny them the chance to go with someone else. On a side note we are taking my daughters friend(8) with us to WDW for her first visit this June.

 

[mjkacmom]

Thank you. It's an extreme stance, perhaps; but it's not unlike your kid's first Christmas, or their first steps. You want to be there. It's not the same if your child takes her first steps at your sister's house -- when you are not there -- or wakes up to her first Christmas without you at your brother's home. It's no different.


I mean, how would you feel if your daughter went to your brother's house in a baby carrier and walked through your front door two days later, without you being there? I would be upset I missed that. And what's more, deep down, I would be resentful.

You do know that most people don't equate going to WDW to their babies' first steps, right? And actually, my dd13 woke up Christmas morning at grandma's, because she fell asleep before we left their home the night before, so we just left her there, and my mom brought her home for me the next morning (she was 5 months old, and didn't know any different).

Now, there are some people who wouldn't want anyone else to take their kids to their first Yankee game, or rock concert, feeling the same way YOU feel about WDW. There is a good chance the OP's sister might not have the same passion for WDW.

And I can't imagine being resentful if my child had a first at my brother's house - yes, I might be sad, but not resentful. I'm sure many, many kids have many, many firsts at daycare.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

And I can't imagine being resentful if my child had a first at my brother's house - yes, I might be sad, but not resentful. I'm sure many, many kids have many, many firsts at daycare.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[mom2rtk]

And I can't imagine being resentful if my child had a first at my brother's house - yes, I might be sad, but not resentful. I'm sure many, many kids have many, many firsts at daycare.

I think if the OP wants to experience the magic of taking a child to Disney for the first time, she should have a child of her own to take.

It will be magical for those kids whether they are 9 or 19. And if it's something special the family is looking forward to, she needs to back off and let the family have that special moment together.

And I don't find it the least bit selfish of the parents to hold out until the entire family can go.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I would love to take my two nieces but the brother in law would not even let us take them to Six Flags. He said it was a family trip so my sister went with us but he did not. He's a putz and doesn't want to look like one. It's not right to keep your kids from doing things because you are selfish or a putz either way....

 

[eastcarolinafan]

You do know that most people don't equate going to WDW to their babies' first steps, right? And actually, my dd13 woke up Christmas morning at grandma's, because she fell asleep before we left their home the night before, so we just left her there, and my mom brought her home for me the next morning (she was 5 months old, and didn't know any different).

Now, there are some people who wouldn't want anyone else to take their kids to their first Yankee game, or rock concert, feeling the same way YOU feel about WDW. There is a good chance the OP's sister might not have the same passion for WDW.

And I can't imagine being resentful if my child had a first at my brother's house - yes, I might be sad, but not resentful. I'm sure many, many kids have many, many firsts at daycare.

You do know that most people don't equate going to WDW to their babies' first steps, right?

You may have a point here, I concede. While my daughter's first steps were momentous, I have to say her first walk down Main Street was much more important to us both. I mean, after all, she has no clue about her first steps; however, I can guarantee you she remembers strolling past that statue of Walt and Mickey, as do I. Good point.

And as for your daughter, who was 5 months, waking up Christmas morning at your mom's, I say no problem. I will assume that at 5 months old it didnt make much difference to the kid, but maybe to the parents? You have a point. However, at 6 or 7 or 8 or so, it may be a different story. And walking down Main Street for us is, indeed, as special as a Christmas morning. It always will be.

There is a good chance the OP's sister might not have the same passion for WDW.

Why would you say that? She has never been. That was the whole point, I thought. You know, sharing the first time on Main Street and all ??? They can feel the magic for the first time together? Hey, different strokes. If it isn't as important to you, cool. It means a lot to me and I shared my opinion.

I have no idea what you are talking about when you start in on day care. I am talking about a first trip down Main Street at Disny World, not a first tooth.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think if the OP wants to experience the magic of taking a child to Disney for the first time, she should have a child of her own to take.

It will be magical for those kids whether they are 9 or 19. And if it's something special the family is looking forward to, she needs to back off and let the family have that special moment together.

And I don't find it the least bit selfish of the parents to hold out until the entire family can go.

What do you mean, back off? They might be delighted for her to take them! I know I would be. I don't think wanting to bring her niece and nephew is a really good reason to have children... And some people need to put their children into daycare - I'm a SAHM, but some people chose to work.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I would love to take my two nieces but the brother in law would not even let us take them to Six Flags. He said it was a family trip so my sister went with us but he did not. He's a putz and doesn't want to look like one. It's not right to keep your kids from doing things because you are selfish or a putz either way....

Well, I am neither. But I thank you for your ... thoughtful input.

 

[twokids0204]

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

Nope

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I think if the OP wants to experience the magic of taking a child to Disney for the first time, she should have a child of her own to take.

It will be magical for those kids whether they are 9 or 19. And if it's something special the family is looking forward to, she needs to back off and let the family have that special moment together.

And I don't find it the least bit selfish of the parents to hold out until the entire family can go.

Nicely said.

 

[Ilivetogo]

My sister and I got to go for our very first visit with someone other than our parents. For financial reason, my parents were unable to take us. At our church, a lovely older couple (who were rather well-off) wanted to take us. (We lived only about 2 hours away.) It was way fun!! My parents took us several years later and we stayed a few days.

.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

Nope

No questions there!

 

[Buckeye Princess]

If a family member offered to take my daughter somewhere that I could not afford to take her, I would allow her to go. My in laws have already asked if they can take each child on a trip one day. Knowing their budget, these will probably be some places that we could never send our children, and although I'd prefer to share those experiences with them, I'd rather them experience it without me than not at all.


Growing up my sister and I begged to go to Disney. My parents never would take us. Partly because my mom is terrified of flying. Yet our aunt offered all of the time but my parents kept telling her that one day they would take us. Well the first time I went was as an adult on my own. I wish they would've allowed us to go with my aunt.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

... Yet our aunt offered all of the time but my parents kept telling her that one day they would take us. Well the first time I went was as an adult on my own. I wish they would've allowed us to go with my aunt.

But you have to give the parents of those kids a chance. I am so sorry you didn't get to go as a child. Neither did I. But those parents deserve a chance to give that to their own children.

They just do.