Kids bored with Disney?

[ericles]

Anyone experienced this before? Our boys have known that we would be going to WDW again at the end of January for a while - a couple months or so. They didn't seem that excited about it when we told them ... they still don't seem to care that much about it! I mean - frankly, they seem as though they could care less. We took them for the first time a year ago - and they looked forard to that trip. I'm wondering from those of you who have gone in back to back years - did your kids get bored with it? Our boys are 6 & 8 years old.

Thanks!

[efoxx]

our kids have yet to be bored with going to WDW. they have complained about the accomodations. this came when we stayed at POR after two years at the poly.
but they never seem that overjoyed at the knowledge that they are going. this may be because they are used to it. this could be the case with your kids. they will be very happy when they are there, but at the moment it is just part of their lives, a future not yet here.

[disnut8]

I think your answer is in the words "the boys". They cannot admit any affection for Disney. That's "girl stuff". I went through it with my now 21-year-old son. He drug his heels at any Disney trip. Said he didn't want to go. And then had the biggest smiles on his face on the attractions. Don't make a big deal out of their reactions and then look at them when they don't think you are taking notice. They'll have a lot of fun.

At my now adult son's suggestion, we took him, his fiancee and her daughter back to Disney World last year. He showed those two "girls" everything that we always did on his trips. From riding Dumbo to seeing "his" anteater at Animal Kingdom - he covered it all with his new family.

Have a great trip and just ignore the male agnst stuff.

[teri]

Have you gone out on the watermice with them? Taken them to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach? Been on Mission Space?

They will have a blast, don't worry.

[Aurora's Mommy]

I personally am shocked that a 6 and 8 year old are not bouncing off the walls at the mere thought of going to WDW, especially if they have only been there once before, but some things to consider....

Maybe you are so excited that anything short of sheer bliss on their part is disappointing (this would be my problem).

or

That little thing called Christmas was standing between them and a WDW vacation.

When all is said and done, they will be thrilled once there, but maybe there are ways to start building up the anticipation, and hence the Magic. Give them special chores to be rewarded with Disney Dollars to buy souvenirs. Or, order the planning stuff from WDW so they can see the new stuff to do there. Building a paper chain with one day for every day leading up the the trip, and remove one link a day to see the chain getting smaller and smaller (I used red, black and white paper when I made mine).

Good luck!

[wishiwasthere]

Think about what you did last year. Now think of different things you can do this year and only tell them that you have a few surprises for them. Did you take them to Disney Quest? Did you take them to a waterpark? Why don't you try a dinner show like the Hoop-De-Doo. Don't forget to tell them about Mission Space and Phillharmagic. Maybe when you are all sitting together look at pictures or videos from last year. Or ask them what they are most excited about doing. If they don't have an answer say something really wacky to make them laugh. And if they don't seem excited just wait till you get there. Once they are there they will get that Disney feeling and they may never want to leave! (be sure to tell us how it goes!)

[mzloolue]

Maybe its better that they are not too excited. My son has been really laid back about returning to WDW in the past, but then got excited when the trip was closer and more "real". Sadly, we had planned to leave for WDW this Sunday, but my son had the flu and has missed too much school already. So, I'm glad we were waiting to get excited or the disappointment would be difficult.

[LeslieM]

Ericles,
I agree with a bunch of things said by other posters, namely :

* I was so excited on our last trip that both my DD and DH said they couldn't match me, no matter how hard they tried. As I was literally quivering with happiness and excitement, they were real laid back
* Definitely think of trying some stuff they didn't get to do last time - that's what makes WDW an exciting adventure for you AND them
* My 9yo DD finally told me to chill...she "would get excited but it was way too far in advance for her to think of getting too excited about yet - check back the day before" (2 weeks before our last trip)
* When I recently said something about them not wanting to do WDW again, they both looked at me like I was crazy, listed all the stuff they wanted to do next time AND told me their specific resort preferences. And, I thought I KNEW them!

Sometimes, as WDW planning takes over your life, the others are just not as excited as you. Your infectious happiness will come over them, promise ! You just might have to be patient until the magic happens.