Family running through Cinderella Castle
  • On Apr 10, 2023
    Michelle from MA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Our 1st family vacation at WDW is this coming week - our three sons are 12, 10 and 10. What's your best advice/strategy when one of the kids doesn't want to do what the other two do?

    Wow, Michelle! One week to go until your family’s first Walt Disney World Resort vacation! I’m sure your sons are bursting with excitement! However, that excitement can mean different experiences to different kids. We’ve been there! What to do when the three sons can’t quite agree on the itinerary? 

    The best advice that I can give when the “fellas” aren’t seeing “eye to eye” is to not be opposed to splitting up at times. Your initial reaction might be, ‘This is a family vacation! I want to enjoy it as a family!’ Some of my happiest memories were made in the Disney Parks when I got to spend rare one-on-one time with my sons. One night, one of the twins wanted to “close the park.” So, my wife and two other sons went back to the resort for ice cream while two of us remained until park closing. We were there so late that there were hardly any lines for the rides and the Cast Members allowed us to ride repeatedly without getting off the attractions! As we left the park that night, my son said, “Thanks for making my dreams come true tonight.” It could have been a commercial! My son still talks about that night. On another visit, the twins wanted to go back to the resort to swim while the youngest wanted to stay in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for more rides. My wife will tell you that she very happily spent time by the pool with the twins, while I stayed in the park with the little guy. I purchased a Disney’s Hollywood Studios trading pin for him to remember our special night together in the park. He still says that’s his favorite pin because it was such a fun time with just the two of us!

    Of course, there is going to be plenty that you will do together! My wife and I would start by asking the boys about their “must dos” for each park you’ll be visiting. The boys will probably find they have many shared interests that they will be excited to enjoy together! Pull up a few of the attractions on the Walt Disney World Resort website! This will help to build some shared excitement! Talk up those experiences that they are all excited to experience together. For us, those rides are The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Avatar Flight of Passage. Those attractions bring my sons together like no other power on Earth!

    Michelle, I hope you have a very memorable first family visit to the Walt Disney World Resort! Your sons are going to make many happy memories!

    Happy Planning!

    Jonathan

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Meet the Panelist: Jonathan, Pennsylvania

Hi, everyone!  My name is Jonathan.  I am a Disney-adoring husband, dad of three sons, and elementary school principal from Pennsylvania.  If you're visiting planDisney with questions about the Most Magical Place on Earth, then Hakuna Matata because you've come to the right group of people!  I'm happy to use my past Disney-travel experiences and knowledge to help you enjoy every moment of your vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort! Learn More About Jonathan

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