A family dilemma has sparked debate online: Should parents leave their teenager behind for a trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth? While Walt Disney World Resort has attractions for all ages, one parent is questioning whether bringing her 13-year-old would ruin the vacation for everyone else.
Teen Doesn’t Want to Go on Disney World Vacation—Should He Be Left Behind?
Redditor u/FirefighterNo1610 took to social media for advice, explaining that their 13-year-old “doesn’t want to go” on an upcoming family trip to Walt Disney World Resort. While their younger child is excited, the teen’s reluctance has left the parent wondering if it’s worth forcing him to join:
“We have 2 kids, a 13 year old (my first marriage – he went to WDW when he was 5) and my 6 year old. My older son says he doesn’t want to go to WDW. Part of me wants to ‘make’ him go, but honestly when we do things as a family that he doesn’t want to do…he makes it miserable for everyone. It would be a cost savings and guarantee a good time for everyone else without dealing with a complaining sulky teen….on the other hand will he and I regret him not coming??”
Disney Parks Fans Weigh In
Disney Parks fans had plenty of opinions. Some suggested making sure the teen actually wants to be left out before finalizing the decision.
“I’d be ok with leaving him home but call his bluff first,” u/kevinfantasy wrote. “Talk to him and tell him that you’re actually going to book the trip without him and confirm that he’s ok with that. My son is a similar age and I’ve found that he will often talk a big game but change his tune when push comes to shove.”
“We did the same with our 12 year old, turns out she does actually want to go,” u/beardedbarista6 replied. “Or at least doesn’t want to be left behind, lol.”
Other Disney Parks fans suggested showing the teen ride videos of new attractions like TRON Lightcycle / Run or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to see if that changes his mind.
Would Leaving Him Behind Be a Mistake?
Not everyone thought leaving the teen at home was a good idea. Some pointed out that excluding him could create long-term family tension.
“I also have a slightly older son from a first marriage and I think that’s a bad idea to leave him home,” u/april_eleven wrote. “Simply being included is really important in blended families. There’s something for everyone at Disney.”
“I think if you don’t take him you will hear about it for the rest of your life,” u/twomorecarrots agreed. “‘And my dad took his new family to Disney World and didn’t take me.’ It might be true that he doesn’t want to go—but I think it’s more true that he wants you to fight for him to come.”
Finding a Compromise During a Disney World Vacation
Some suggested that if the teen still doesn’t want to go, giving him more independence in the parks could help.
“At his age, could he still go but be given free rein to go enjoy the parks how he wants instead of being forced to be with the family and doing ‘little kid things,'” u/wintercast suggested. “My sisters kids have gone to the parks for years and once they were 13, they were allowed to go on their own. They had iphones and everyone could track everyone and communicate…It is a safe kind of independence for kids that are mature enough to handle it.”
“This! My son loves being independent in the parks,” u/New-Arachnid-9265 replied. “He’s 14. We set up times to touch base and maybe ride together, but we don’t have to spend the whole day together.”
Others recommended breaking up the trip with a non-Disney experience, like Universal Orlando Resort, to give the teen something special to look forward to.
“Could one of you take a day or two away from Disney to go with him to Universal?” u/Interesting_Heart_13 asked. “That’d give him something ‘special’ just for him, and he can feel he’s not just going to the kiddie park.”
“I recently took two of my siblings and the 14 yr old girl loved Disney but the 16 yr old boy didn’t love it,” u/marsmitch explained. “However he loved Universal. I even took a day where he and I went on as many big exciting rides as we could in one day without worrying about sitting together or if the others were feeling sick. It was the most happy I saw him the whole trip.”
Is it ever okay to leave a child behind when taking a Walt Disney World Resort vacation? In the comments, let How to Disney know what you think!
