My son has been sending off signals that he thinks he's too old for DL, and is totally disgusted with anything having to do with Princesses. We're going in three weeks, partly for his sister's 8th birthday, and she and our four year old daughter are completely into princesses. We have three adults (mom, dad and grandma) for one on one coverage, but it's bugging me that we may be on two vacations to keep everyone happy.

Any suggestions? Any similar experiences? We're also planning on getting APs for the first time, and we have a few additional trips coming up.

Thanks.

I know you said you don't want to be on two seperate vacations, but what about maybe a half day. You and Grandma could take the girls to the princess breakfast while Dad takes him to whatever he is into. Maybe it'll be a race to see how many thrill rides they can get in without the little ones. Or maybe a movie in DTD. If it is something his sisters would hate, all the better!! I don't know- I don't have kids but by giving him a little bit of "his time" might encourage him to be a better sport the rest of the time. He may feel outnumbered by his sisters and feel "we always do what they want."

Maybe you could try getting him to help you organize which rides/attractions to see and when. That way he will see the give and take that everyone is doing (he may not enjoy dumbo but his little sister will have to wait while he rides indianna so it all works out). I wouldn't do everything separate but a few hours of one on one time with each kid is so nice for everyone -- maybe he could plan his afternoon and you or dad will join him. We have a 6 year old (boy), 4 year old and 2 year old (girls) and we are planning on visiting again this May. I have decided to do the Magical mystery tour with my son, just the two of us, while dad takes the girls back to the hotel for a swim etc. I am also planning on doing something special with the 4 year old (she LOVES princesses too) but I haven't decided what yet...

Since my son also refuses to do autograph books, but his sisters are all for it, I asked him if he would take some pictures for me. My poor children have no pictures of their mom because she's the photographer. As soon as my husband gets the camera he starts taking scenery pictures, what is up with that?! Anyway, I usually do plan a half day with each child, it's the other three and half days that I'm worried about. :rolleyes:

Since my son also refuses to do autograph books, but his sisters are all for it, I asked him if he would take some pictures for me. My poor children have no pictures of their mom because she's the photographer. As soon as my husband gets the camera he starts taking scenery pictures, what is up with that?! Anyway, I usually do plan a half day with each child, it's the other three and half days that I'm worried about. :rolleyes:Is he into the VMK stuff? If so, make sure he gets all the info and cards. Then get him on a tour. My son is 17, and often takes off on his own to do VMK. Any chance there is a cousin his age that could come along? Also, GameBoys are excellent for keeping him entertained during "princess time". What parts of Disneyland does he really like? Try and make sure he gets those areas.

Maybe you could try getting him to help you organize which rides/attractions to see and when.

This is a great idea and worked with me when I was 11 :)

We're planning our December trip and it never occurred to me that my 10.5 year old daughter wouldn't be completely psyched to go to Disneyland. She's gone almost every year or every other year since she was two, and I can't believe she's not really into this time. Wow, what a difference a year makes!

We'll be there for five days to celebrate her youngest sister's 5th birthday. So far she's requested time at DCA with my husband. I hate splitting the family up on our family vacation, but I also remember when my parents were inflexible on family vacations when I was younger and I remember feeling like the family time was punishment and not a treat. I'm determined that she not feel that way.

Sooo.....she'll get to do some planning, she'll have her Gameboy in our backpack, she'll be allowed to roll her eyes, she'll have her 1:1 time at DCA, she'll have a lot of say in what rides we go on, and she'll have to put up with standing in line so her sister can see princesses.

It used to be....ain't nobody happy unless mama's happy. But no more. It's definitely.....ain't nobody happy unless our pre-teen's happy. ;) Good luck!

If you are taking a laptop or if he is keen on it keep notes to post a cool trip report along with photos. This would work with my DS but may not with all. He likes the trip reports and photos people post here. Mine is entertained for copious amounts of time with the digital camera.

Between the three of us there is a 7 year age difference, so going around sometimes was hard. We would seperate a lot for maybe an hour or two and then meet up to check in or to eat. One thing is that your sun may be able to ride attractions that your daughters can't. It's better to have some time away from eachother and have happy children then to spend the whole time together and be miserable.
Another possibility: In the morning discuss what things you may want to do together (such as shows, parades, food, or rides). Then schedual a time and place you want to meet. Then go off and have fun. This way you have some alone and family time and everyone is happy.

Is he into the VMK stuff? If so, make sure he gets all the info and cards. Then get him on a tour. My son is 17, and often takes off on his own to do VMK. Any chance there is a cousin his age that could come along? Also, GameBoys are excellent for keeping him entertained during "princess time". What parts of Disneyland does he really like? Try and make sure he gets those areas.

I'm sure I'll feel stupid for asking this, but what is VMK stuff?

Parts of DL he really likes -- buffets, Splash Mtn and CA Screamin'. I'm sure we'll be splitting up. Hubby and I will sit down and figure out some kind of schedule. Grandma volunteered to take him on the fast rides, but there's only so much she can take so we'll rotate around.

My three kids went once when they were very small. In fact the youngest was a baby (1980). The next time we went back they were 10, 13 and 14. Thier grandma (my mom) went with us. It never occured to me or them to not be totally thrilled with everything about DL. Thank goodness :)

Now, I am certainly not recommending waiting 10 year in between trips, but I think it was because they hadn't gone so many times - maybe, or some DL goddess was looking out for me. ;)

My kids are grown now, they are DL lovers like their mom and dad. :D The 5 little grandkids are too, but they have already been many more times than their parents were as children. I can see them prehaps not being as thrilled at all the rides at the 10+ age. :(

There have been some wonderful ideas in this thread on how to make the time there a happy one for all. Have a wonderful trip. :)

:| no idea

I'm sure I'll feel stupid for asking this, but what is VMK stuff?

Parts of DL he really likes -- buffets, Splash Mtn and CA Screamin'. I'm sure we'll be splitting up. Hubby and I will sit down and figure out some kind of schedule. Grandma volunteered to take him on the fast rides, but there's only so much she can take so we'll rotate around.VMK is Virtual Magic Kingdom. You can play it online. BUT, when you go to Disneyland, you can do "Quests". You collect maps, find the answers, turn them in, collect cards with codes to use on the computer, and you can even do a tour. A lot of kids (and adults) are really into it. Go to http://vmk.disney.go.com/vmk/en_US/index?name=VMKHomePage to learn more. My son plays VMK every trip.

VMK is Virtual Magic Kingdom. You can play it online. BUT, when you go to Disneyland, you can do "Quests". You collect maps, find the answers, turn them in, collect cards with codes to use on the computer, and you can even do a tour. A lot of kids (and adults) are really into it. Go to http://vmk.disney.go.com/vmk/en_US/index?name=VMKHomePage to learn more. My son plays VMK every trip.

Looks cool! But we have a Mac...grrrrr...

Looks cool! But we have a Mac...grrrrr...We run all Macs here. I don't play, but my son does. He says it will run, its just not supported. And its not as fast. We run over a DSL line, and he says it plays fine.

We run all Macs here. I don't play, but my son does. He says it will run, its just not supported. And its not as fast. We run over a DSL line, and he says it plays fine.

Thanks! I'll show it to him when he gets home today!