Did your family's love for WDW fade?

[mrtoad]

This is a question for anyone who grew up going to WDW but now are grown up and live on your own.

When I was a kid we use to go to WDW all the time starting virtually right after it opened. I grew up with my parents and two sisters one 2 years older and one 2 years younger. We are all grown up now and 2 of us have kids of our own. We stopped going as a family to WDW in the mid 1980s. I resumed my WDW adventures in 1993 on my honeymoon. I have been 5 times total since then with our next trip in January.

The rest of family has stopped going as much. My father is remaried so has gone a couple of times (same time as us). My mother has gone once. My younger sister has gone twice, once with us and once as a gift from her husbands work. My older sister has only gone once.

I am clearly the one who enjoy's it most. I would think the runner up would be my father. We talk about our trips of the past all the time (but I think a lot of that is just enjoying our father/son times that we don't get to have as often). But it just seems that none of them had the magic last as long. I don't mean they don't like it anymore, but they go on different types of trips. They prefer to do other things (and I think they are nuts :lol: ).

So I just wanted to all of you who grew up going to WDW and now are grown up, did your family stick with the magic or has it faded for them?

 

[Ringo8n24]

My parents brought me each year from the age of 8 until 15. Now that I am grown with my old child, we have been at least once a year, sometimes two or three times a year. My parents have no desire to return to WDW now that I am grown and cannot understand why I am not "growing out" of the love for it. They told me we only went every year when I was small because I am an only child and that is where I wanted to go. I just cannot understand how the "addiction" to WDW stayed with me and that they were just going to suffice me and do not care to return. I tell them they would understand if they would just go with me now, staying on property, because there is so much more there now than in 1985.

 

[Stinkbug]

Nope, if anything it's the other way around for me.

I lived so far away from Florida when I was young, that we weren't able to go very much, now that I live in Florida myself and my family go atleast 5 times a year, which is nice because you can enjoy the little things more as you get older.

 

[mrtoad]

I tell them they would understand if they would just go with me now, staying on property, because there is so much more there now than in 1985.

Especially going with their grandchild would make them love it. I think my mother would like to go with my daughter. I just can't ask her for our next trip for my wife really. Since our honeymoon we always wind up going on vacation with someone else. This past year was the first time it was just us (me, my wife and our daughter). I would like to do one more like that before we ask my mother to come. Maybe two years from now...

 

[rainfully]

I think my parents are completely done with their Disney days... I'm really the only Disney fanatic in my family... I think my mom enjoyed it when she was younger (about the age I am now till about her late thirties)... but no where near as much as I do.

 

[Woody13]

For Both of You.

Like it or not, life changes. Change is healthy. I used to visit the Grand Canyon for many years, but I don't much anymore. I used to listen to Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. but I don't much anymore. I've grown.

I feel rather sorry for those people that buy into the DVC with the expectation that they will vacation at WDW for the next 50 years. They are, of course, fooling themselves.

Let's face it, Disney can become an addiction! Have any members of your family complained to you about your Disney habituation? There are several 12 step programs that might help.

 

[mrtoad]

Have any members of your family complained to you about your Disney habituation?

No, they just roll their eyes when they think I am not looking... :animwink:

 

[Ringo8n24]

I feel rather sorry for those people that buy into the DVC with the expectation that they will vacation at WDW for the next 50 years. They are, of course, fooling themselves.

That is a ridiculous thing to say. I hope I am still able to go to Disney in 50 years physically. I do not think those DVC owners are fooling themselves because there is nothing wrong with believing that something that makes them happy will be around for them in 50 years.

 

[Woody13]

That is a ridiculous thing to say. I hope I am still able to go to Disney in 50 years physically. I do not think those DVC owners are fooling themselves because there is nothing wrong with believing that something that makes them happy will be around for them in 50 years.

The resale business on DVC property is booming! I'm sorry, but life changes happen regularly such as lost jobs, money problems, divorce, death and various health problems (just to name a few!). It's rather sad and unrealistic to think that a DVC membership will last 50 years. Even Saratoga Springs Resort is now into heavy resale's and they (it) just opened! Magic is cool, but reality bites!:wave:

 

[mrtoad]

The resale business on DVC property is booming! I'm sorry, but life changes happen regularly such as lost jobs, money problems, divorce, death and various health problems (just to name a few!). It's rather sad and unrealistic to think that a DVC membership will last 50 years. Even Saratoga Springs Resort is now into heavy resale's and they (it) just opened! Magic is cool, but reality bites!:wave:

I do see how lost jobs, divorce, death, etc. can play a part in that. I even see how some people can lose their love of WDW as my family does not go as much now that we are grown up except for me who would like to go every year if I can afford it. I think if you are like me who grew up going to WDW and now in my mid 30s and still love it, chances are I will continue to go. If my love were to fade it would have already happened I think. But if an adult goes as an adult for the first time and goes only because they enjoy the time with their kids and enjoy watching their kids enjoy the attractions, shows, etc rather than enjoy it themselves they have a good chance of stopping going when the kids are grown. (Long sentence, I know. I did not know where to break it. :lol: ).

I do see the point you make and see it as a possibility as I have watched my own family do it. But I do not ever see my love of WDW fading.

 

[Woody13]

I even see how some people can lose their love of WDW as my family does not go as much now that we are grown up except for me who would like to go every year if I can afford it. I think if you are like me who grew up going to WDW and now in my mid 30s and still love it, chances are I will continue to go. If my love were to fade it would have already happened I think. But I do not ever see my love of WDW fading.

I have NEVER loved WDW or loved anything Disney. I love my family and friends. They always come first. If my loved ones desire to visit WDW, then it shall be done. I go by myself sometimes. However, the bottom line is that WDW is for fun, not love. Perhaps one of those 12 step programs I mentioned might be worth checking out?:kiss:

 

[mickhyperion]

I have also been the only member of my family to continue to have a strong interest in Disney. When we were kids, my brother and cousin and I used to go to Disneyland with my grandparents about twice a year, traveling from Las Vegas (we only went to WDW once). Today I'm the only one who still goes, despite my attempts to talk them into going again. It has made me realize that all the trips we took as kids were really my idea back then too. I was always the one tugging on grandma or grandpa's arm, naming dates and hotels and talking about going on "our" favorite rides again. My brother and cousin could have cared less, so long as they were going somewhere, though I do think my grandfather really liked going because he was always impressed with the paint upkeep (he was a professional painter) and loved the food. Oh well, my trips remain nostalgic for me, even if the people I get nostalgic about going with don't go anymore.

 

[surfsupdon]

We go to Disney on average once per year since my sister and I were very young, first trip 1986. If anything, as years pass, our vacations keep getting better and better and my family does not loose that luster to continue traveling there. We do new things every trip to keep the place "fresh." New restaurants, new resorts (thus the change from CBR to Yacht Club), new recreation, and a whole new time of travel--Christmas/New Years week!

Even though no one in my fmaily is as gung ho into Disney as myself, they really, really enjoy the place. There are no complaints here, and literally every vacation is better than the last as we find new activities, grow older, and experience more of the entire Resort than ever before.

 

[rosebud's mom]

I went the first time the year after WDW opened, back when it was just the Magic Kingdom. As I am an only child, my parents took my best friend along. We stayed in the Contemporary, and had a truly magical vacation. It was all my Dad's idea, and we went back every other year, until in 1984 we moved to the Daytona Beach area. Then when the Florida residents' passes program became available we did that.

Dad passed away in 1996. Somehow, I think he is watching and happy that I am now taking his grandchildren on the same magical vacations that he shared with me !

I know I will still be going as long as I am physically able to do so !

 

[tigsmom]

No, they just roll their eyes when they think I am not looking... :animwink:

Got that one too... "WDW again!?"

I went once with my family when I was younger...1978...my father & mother, my younger sister & I. (both my brothers are older & were out on their own)
It was the last "family" vacation I went on. My dad told me the next time I go, my husband can take me. He did in 1992. We went every 2 years for awhile, but now that we are older & more financially secure we take the kids every year (and I don't care what people say). I tell them I'm checking on my investment! :lol:

 

[HennieBogan1966]

Has the fun faded?

On the contrary, my love for visiting WDW has been rekindled over the last 5 years. I had the good fortune to visit the parks alot growing up, living in Fla.
When I graduated high school, went into the military, kids, life etc., it didn't fade, but rather life got in the way. Over the last 5 years, I have been able to work for TDS, take my wife on her first visit to WDW, and take my daughter for her first visit. So, the magic has been rekindled, and I'm a bigger fan than ever. I look forward to visiting this site each day, reading Disney news, going to TDS, and yes, working for TDS again this fall. And we're trying to plan a trip, anytime that we can.

So it's alive and well inside me.

 

[Miss Bell]

The resale business on DVC property is booming! I'm sorry, but life changes happen regularly such as lost jobs, money problems, divorce, death and various health problems (just to name a few!). It's rather sad and unrealistic to think that a DVC membership will last 50 years. Even Saratoga Springs Resort is now into heavy resale's and they (it) just opened! Magic is cool, but reality bites!:wave:

If everyone used your line of thinking, no one would ever buy a house, a car, or invest in anything that they may pay off and use for a long time. Surely, some people buy into DVC and use it for 50 years. Just because resale is booming doesn't mean it unrealistic to do it in the first place.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

Some people just see the glass half empty. Know what I mean?

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

Dad passed away in 1996. Somehow, I think he is watching and happy that I am now taking his grandchildren on the same magical vacations that he shared with me!

I'm glad you keep the magic alive and that your father is there spiritually to visit the parks with you and see his grandchildren grow the way he saw you grow as a child. I can't wait to have a family of my own and take them to WDW with me.

 

[worfbb77]

My thoughts..

I do not remember exactly when I first went i was very young. I remember going in 87 wjen Epcot was built..was it 87 around there anyway. I thought it was ok when we first went wasn't blown away, but as we went more I liked it better just because i could appricate it more. My older brother is the big disney nut he has one of those DVC things in Disney, he is well off and can afford to go 3 to 4 times a year with his kids. I find that the more money you have the better your experiance at disney because you can do more things, that is just life. I would love to go every year if I could my, my wife first went with me on our honeymoon and enjoyed herself alot - except for that one day but thats on another thread - and she would go back also. Alas we have very little money to spend freely and now with our first child on the way we won't go back for a while at least not until the kid is 4ish. We do like to take vacations and spend time other locations like the mountians and DC area, cheap and enjoyable. Although Disney is My fav destination vavaction spot it is far far far far far from being cheap. But I still love it.