News Remaining child care centers closing July 31st.

[Berret]

We took our daughter to the Neverland Club when she was six. She had a blast and even asked to return.

I got to go to the Neverland Club when I was probably 11 or 12, and I really enjoyed it. I'm 37 now to give you context for that. I remember playing the Contra arcade game and putting in the Konami code to get 30 lives and played it a lot with the friends I made Ah, good times. I don't know the status of those places now, I mean as far as quality, but I guess I won't be able to find out for my daughter and stepson, who will be 2 and 13 at the time we hopefully go this summer.

 

[Bender123]

I got to go to the Neverland Club when I was probably 11 or 12, and I really enjoyed it. I'm 37 now to give you context for that. I remember playing the Contra arcade game and putting in the Konami code to get 30 lives and played it a lot with the friends I made Ah, good times. I don't know the status of those places now, I mean as far as quality, but I guess I won't be able to find out for my daughter and stepson, who will be 2 and 13 at the time we hopefully go this summer.

the big difference now vs then is that WDW used to be a "resort" in the traditional sense. It was a place that was an adult getaway, with family things, like the theme park. Back in those days, the resort lead with the amenities and extras...golf, tennis, boating, fishing, adult themed dinner shows, sophisticated lounges, etc...The theme park was always the big family draw, but I remember spending a week there and having two or three days that didn't involve going to the parks. We would just swim, go shopping, rent a boat, golf as a family and do Hoop de doo. On a few nights, my folks would head to "Top of the World" for a dinner show, go to some of the lounges or just have a night out on their own.

Now the focus is on PARKS!!!!!! WE MUST SPEND ALL OUR TIME ON RIDES!!!!

I feel like we lost something when that all shifted...it stopped being a family resort vacation and became a weird form of death march that doesn't offer adults a chance to relax.

 

[jaklgreen]

the big difference now vs then is that WDW used to be a "resort" in the traditional sense. It was a place that was an adult getaway, with family things, like the theme park. Back in those days, the resort lead with the amenities and extras...golf, tennis, boating, fishing, adult themed dinner shows, sophisticated lounges, etc...The theme park was always the big family draw, but I remember spending a week there and having two or three days that didn't involve going to the parks. We would just swim, go shopping, rent a boat, golf as a family and do Hoop de doo. On a few nights, my folks would head to "Top of the World" for a dinner show, go to some of the lounges or just have a night out on their own.

Now the focus is on PARKS!!!!!! WE MUST SPEND ALL OUR TIME ON RIDES!!!!

I feel like we lost something when that all shifted...it stopped being a family resort vacation and became a weird form of death march that doesn't offer adults a chance to relax.

I think also the dynamic of families has changed. Back then Moms stayed at home and were with the kids more. Now everyone is working and the kids are in all kinds of activities that families do not spend much time together during the week. So they see vacations as the only time they can all spend "quality" time together. I go on solo trips and leave the kids at home with daddy and you don't how many times I have heard from other moms saying that they could never leave their child's side like that. I work when they kids are in school and we have dinner together every day. I think there is some misplaced guilt that some people have now that they need to spend the whole time with the kids at their side like they would be seen as bad parents if they had an adult dinner.

 

[Bender123]

I think also the dynamic of families has changed. Back then Moms stayed at home and were with the kids more. Now everyone is working and the kids are in all kinds of activities that families do not spend much time together during the week. So they see vacations as the only time they can all spend "quality" time together. I go on solo trips and leave the kids at home with daddy and you don't how many times I have heard from other moms saying that they could never leave their child's side like that. I work when they kids are in school and we have dinner together every day. I think there is some misplaced guilt that some people have now that they need to spend the whole time with the kids at their side like they would be seen as bad parents if they had an adult dinner.

That type of weird obsession kills marriages and wrecks kids...My ex was that way and she still has a strange obsession with the children. They are teens and fairly independent, but she treats them like they are still two years old. The kids really resent her for that and I feel bad for her...she doesn't really realize that the kids cant stand being around her. Its almost depressing to see parents ruin their entire life trying to make their kids happy, when all they are doing is making themselves miserable and their children helpless.

Personal experience, but its my own observation...

 

[crxbrett]

the big difference now vs then is that WDW used to be a "resort" in the traditional sense. It was a place that was an adult getaway, with family things, like the theme park. Back in those days, the resort lead with the amenities and extras...golf, tennis, boating, fishing, adult themed dinner shows, sophisticated lounges, etc...The theme park was always the big family draw, but I remember spending a week there and having two or three days that didn't involve going to the parks. We would just swim, go shopping, rent a boat, golf as a family and do Hoop de doo. On a few nights, my folks would head to "Top of the World" for a dinner show, go to some of the lounges or just have a night out on their own.

Now the focus is on PARKS!!!!!! WE MUST SPEND ALL OUR TIME ON RIDES!!!!

I feel like we lost something when that all shifted...it stopped being a family resort vacation and became a weird form of death march that doesn't offer adults a chance to relax.

I still always set aside pool time/resort time every day for about 2-3 hours. Makes the trip so much morerelaxing and fun. I also try to visit at least 2 or 3 other resorts during my trip. And I also always have 1 day where I either don't go to the park until late afternoon or early evening. I usually walk around the lagoon and rent a Sea Raycer that day, too. I've learned over the years that I enjoy my WDW vacations more when I do things at my own speed and control the trip's pacing. I also always eat 1 table service meal every single day to enjoy a nice meal and drinks and take in the ambience and decor surrounding me.

With that being said, I have been on vacation to WDW now 9 times, so I know there are things I don't need to see again or can skip without feeling disappointed. I know first-timers who are maybe only there for 5 or 6 days don't have that same luxury. So I can see why some families are in a mad rush to see everything that they possibly can on their trips.

Another thing that has made the resort more focused on rides is the simple fact that there are 4 theme parks now. In the 80's it was very easy to visit WDW for 5 or 6 days and see all of the MK and EPCOT Center, plus enjoy a lot of time at the resorts or the DW Marketplace. Now, we have 4 theme parks to see, which alone takes roughly 8 days. For most, that doesn't leave much time for relaxing at the resort or shopping or eating.




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[jaklgreen]

That type of weird obsession kills marriages and wrecks kids...My ex was that way and she still has a strange obsession with the children. They are teens and fairly independent, but she treats them like they are still two years old. The kids really resent her for that and I feel bad for her...she doesn't really realize that the kids cant stand being around her. Its almost depressing to see parents ruin their entire life trying to make their kids happy, when all they are doing is making themselves miserable and their children helpless.

Personal experience, but its my own observation...

I always say it is a parent's job to raise productive members of society. I am not their friend, I am their MOM. Strangely my teenagers like me and want to hang out with me. But there is a definite " I am the Mom" feeling. I don't go into their room and ask what they are talking about with their friends and try to go in on the conversation, etc. Unfortunately we see that more and more now and it takes away the parent's authority. I work with young people and they have not respect for their elders now.

 

[Bender123]

I always say it is a parent's job to raise productive members of society. I am not their friend, I am their MOM. Strangely my teenagers like me and want to hang out with me. But there is a definite " I am the Mom" feeling. I don't go into their room and ask what they are talking about with their friends and try to go in on the conversation, etc. Unfortunately we see that more and more now and it takes away the parent's authority. I work with young people and they have not respect for their elders now.

You sound like me...My daughters mother refers to them as her "best friends"...which I find very creepy. If you are mid/late 30s and your best friend is a 12 year old, then you have serious problems. My fiancée and I both use the same line as you...we aren't their friends, but its our job to raise them into a person that I want to be friends with when they are adults.

Sure...the kids get angry when they are told no, but its funny that we are always the first call when there are problems to work through in their lives. they know that we wont hold back and will be honest. Its why I am comfortable sending them off on their own at WDW...they are mature, they need to learn to be independent and have the skills to be on their own.

 

[21stamps]

I think also the dynamic of families has changed. Back then Moms stayed at home and were with the kids more. Now everyone is working and the kids are in all kinds of activities that families do not spend much time together during the week. So they see vacations as the only time they can all spend "quality" time together. I go on solo trips and leave the kids at home with daddy and you don't how many times I have heard from other moms saying that they could never leave their child's side like that. I work when they kids are in school and we have dinner together every day. I think there is some misplaced guilt that some people have now that they need to spend the whole time with the kids at their side like they would be seen as bad parents if they had an adult dinner.

You just described me. Vacations are our only time to be together, uninterrupted, without my job getting in the way., or rushing from one of kiddos sports or activities to another.
Wednesday’s are one of the few days that I am home to pick him up from school and spend the evening together.. last night we had soccer and cub scouts...and of course homework beforehand. Starting this Sunday we will add another soccer practice at 7:55am and then games between 4-5pm on the same day.. for the next 12 weeks...and then baseball and soccer will be running at the same time, who knows how much more we’ll lose then. Even our Sunday is now gone. Vacations are the one time that we can spend days on end just hanging out together.

Times have changed.. sports weren’t this intense 20 years ago.. and I do think more mothers stayed home. Now combine the career with the crazy extracurricular activities, and I think you’re left with parents who want to spend every moment of vacation with their children.

 

[kong1802]

I really dislike this move.

We always saw this as a giant perk to staying on site.

We've used this perk as justification for staying at YC and Poly.

Even though you pay for it, we felt great about leaving our kids there while we went through F&W at night.

We won't do the in room babysitting, so for us, its a loss of another on site perk.

Which, in reality, they are doing us a giant favor. We already can't really stomach the prices for on site anymore.

Take away all the incentives that make us go against reason, and in the end we get to make more rational choices.

 

[Bender123]

You just described me. Vacations are our only time to be together, uninterrupted, without my job getting in the way., or rushing from one of kiddos sports or activities to another.
Wednesday’s are one of the few days that I am home to pick him up from school and spend the evening together.. last night we had soccer and cub scouts...and of course homework beforehand. Starting this Sunday we will add another soccer practice at 7:55am and then games between 4-5pm on the same day.. for the next 12 weeks...and then baseball and soccer will be running at the same time, who knows how much more we’ll lose then. Even our Sunday is now gone. Vacations are the one time that we can spend days on end just hanging out together.

To each their own, but we limit the kids to one activity at a time. Yeah, they sometimes want to join soccer, softball, band and volleyball, but my line to them is stolen directly from Ron Swanson...Don't ever half two things when you can whole one. My daughters usually come to appreciate the extra time.

Each kid is different, but I don't think I would ever want my life to be constant running and I think my kids would not be, nearly, as independent if they constantly had structured activities.

 

[21stamps]

To each their own, but we limit the kids to one activity at a time. Yeah, they sometimes want to join soccer, softball, band and volleyball, but my line to them is stolen directly from Ron Swanson...Don't ever half *** two things when you can whole *** one. My daughters usually come to appreciate the extra time.

Each kid is different, but I don't think I would ever want my life to be constant running and I think my kids would not be, nearly, as independent if they constantly had structured activities.

I don’t disagree with you.. but there’s really nothing that can be done about it if your kids love sports. So many of them require a year round commitment now. I wish it wasn’t that way, but it is. So unless a child wants to pick one sport for the majority of the year, or in our case choose soccer over baseball, then families are stuck with it. I made my kid choose between football and soccer in the fall (but I do know several people who do both, it’s just not possible for my schedule)... but I will not make him choose between soccer and baseball in the Spring. IMO, baseball is a spring sport,not soccer.. we’ll do the spring soccer to help his chances of remaining on the team for Fall.. but I won’t make him give up another sport that he loves, not at such a young age.

I should add that even though this is the first year that he’s old enough to play volleyball, I did say No to that as well. There isn’t one week of the year where we don’t have any sports at all. But 2 teams is usually our max at the same time. This winter has been basketball and 2 days of soccer., luckily that was manageable..it helped that the basketball was just a rec league. We’ll see how this goes next year when basketball is actually thru the school.

Anyway, to bring it back to Disney.. I think so many children and families are so overscheduled now that vacations truly our their only time to sit back and relax for consecutive days.

 

[Bender123]

I don’t disagree with you.. but there’s really nothing that can be done about it if your kids love sports. So many of them require a year round commitment now. I wish it wasn’t that way, but it is. So unless a child wants to pick one sport for the majority of the year, or in our case choose soccer over baseball, then families are stuck with it. I made my kid choose between football and soccer in the fall (but I do know several people who do both, it’s just not possible for my schedule)... but I will not make him choose between soccer and baseball in the Spring. IMO, baseball is a spring sport,not soccer.. we’ll do the spring soccer to help his chances of remaining on the team for Fall.. but I won’t make him give up another sport that he loves, not at such a young age.

Im mean...I make them choose. Every opportunity has a cost. My 14 year old has a class trip to Spain in two years and her choice is Spain or Car? If she wants both then she will have to choose job or sports?

Many tears are shed, but I also know that I cant afford to make her happy and do everything she wants.

 

[Missaggie]

Wow, I was just talking to my wife about how awesome it would be for us to have a night out while at Disney since they offer daycare. We haven't been since we had our son and this was something we were looking forward to. Very disappointing.

When we took our kids it was about THEM, not us. Time enough after they leave home for you and your husband to explore Disney with no kids. We have, and it's a whole new experience, and we have all our nights free. Take grandparents, and trade off times if you can't wait for then.

 

[21stamps]

Im mean...I make them choose. Every opportunity has a cost. My 14 year old has a class trip to Spain in two years and her choice is Spain or Car? If she wants both then she will have to choose job or sports?

Many tears are shed, but I also know that I cant afford to make her happy and do everything she wants.

I get that. I had a talk with my son and told him that if we accepted a position on a soccer team that things would change for us, including weekly outings.. not just because of time, but the financial commitment as well. I needed him to understand what accepting this actually meant. He’s trying out for a club baseball team this year too, if he makes it then even more will change.
Kids have to understand the commitment level that the parents are putting into it as well.. it’s a weird conersation to have with a 2nd grader.. but I think it’s important to have, and needed to be had. You love sports? Ok, but you may have to give up other things while doing them.


I think that’s why, even on a cruise with a fantastic kids club, he was by my side 99% of the time.

ETA- Check back with me in a few weeks to see how an 8pm Saturday night bedtime and waking up at 6am to drive 45 minutes to practice, and then heading back to the same spot later on that day on Sundays is going. . I’m frightened, but we’ll see. I may take your stance at that point.

 

[Bender123]

I get that. I had a talk with my son and told him that if we accepted a position on a soccer team that things would change for us, including weekly outings.. not just because of time, but the financial commitment as well. I needed him to understand what accepting this actually meant. He’s trying out for a club baseball team this year too, if he makes it then even more will change.
Kids have to understand the commitment level that the parents are putting into it as well.. it’s a weird conersation to have with a 2nd grader.. but I think it’s important to have, and needed to be had. You love sports? Ok, but you may have to give up other things while doing them.


I think that’s why, even on a cruise with a fantastic kids club, he was by my side 99% of the time.

ETA- Check back with me in a few weeks to see how an 8pm Saturday night bedtime and waking up at 6am to drive 45 minutes to practice, and then heading back to the same spot later on that day on Sundays is going. . I’m frightened, but we’ll see. I may take your stance at that point.

Bless those that do the running...eventually we all need a break. I just happened to hit mine because of twins.

 

[21stamps]

Bless those that do the running...eventually we all need a break. I just happened to hit mine because of twins.

Understandable!

I always wanted 3 children.. ended up with one. I don’t know how people with multiple kids do it in this day and age. I know parents who are literally at our sports fields for 5 hours on a school night.. and the parents split to run their kids to various games on weekends. I have no idea how I would accomplish it, I struggle with 1!

 

[Bender123]

Understandable!

I always wanted 3 children.. ended up with one. I don’t know how people with multiple kids do it in this day and age. I know parents who are literally at our sports fields for 5 hours on a school night.. and the parents split to run their kids to various games on weekends. I have no idea how I would accomplish it, I struggle with 1!

Its not worth it. No matter how many kids, there is only one you and you either let them run your life and energy into the ground or you put down limits and live by them. Its the only way to stay sane. Playing keep up is just a painful way to make yourself lonely, miserable, tired and stressed.

 

[jaklgreen]

When we took our kids it was about THEM, not us. Time enough after they leave home for you and your husband to explore Disney with no kids. We have, and it's a whole new experience, and we have all our nights free. Take grandparents, and trade off times if you can't wait for then.

It seems like people are either one extreme or the other. Instead of a balance, the parents are either so into what they are doing(on their phone or working) to pay attention to the kids, or are ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! What will little Susie and Johnny want? Is this room OK? Etc.

 

[phillip9698]

When we took our kids it was about THEM, not us. Time enough after they leave home for you and your husband to explore Disney with no kids. We have, and it's a whole new experience, and we have all our nights free. Take grandparents, and trade off times if you can't wait for then.

One night out alone on a 8 day Disney vacation doesn't seem like we would be making the trip about us. Disney doesn't have to be 100% for the kids, there are plenty of ways adults can enjoy the place too. And remember not everyone has the luxury of bringing their parents along.

 

[Sans Souci]

When we took our kids it was about THEM, not us. Time enough after they leave home for you and your husband to explore Disney with no kids. We have, and it's a whole new experience, and we have all our nights free. Take grandparents, and trade off times if you can't wait for then.

Why do you care? Our vacations are for all of us. I put my son in the day centers so my husband and I could dress up and enjoy a leisurely meal on our vacation. I have no regrets and my son always had a blast. I am agog at the absolute cheek of someone telling another person when it's appropriate for a couple to have a date night on vacation!