3 yo not so into Disney?

[shm_helene]

So I am a huge Disney freak and my husband loves it as well. We are taking our just (yesterday!) 3 yo (and 1 yo and their grandparents) to Disney in August. We are doing a split stay at Poly and AoA suites. Anyways...although my 3yo is IN LOVE with Jake, she doesn't really care about the other Disney stuff. She likes Mickey, etc. and really likes Einsteins (although they aren't in the parks anyways...) She doesnt' really care for many of the movies. We've done Tangled, Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and she is okay with them but...just okay. I don't think she can totally follow the storylines even though she is a super bright little girl. I know that when we get there regardless of this she'll have a great time just simply because of all the stuff at Disney but man it would be so much cooler if she was into the Disney stuff. The other day when we were picking a movie I suggested Beauty/Beast, Little Mermaid, or Cinderella and she said "No princess movies Mom"

Anyways this was a little of a vent but also wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences...

 

[sb682]

My 3-year-old loves Disney Junior and many of the classic cartoons, too, but he hadn't seen many of the movies when we took him on his first trip. The only real benefit is it helps enhance the theming of the rides. For example, the Mad Tea Party. He hasn't seen Alice in Wonderland, but that didn't stop him from riding it seven times over two days! Many of the rides are only loosely connected to a movie or show, if they are at all. On the bright side, you'll have fewer "must-see" characters and you won't spend so much time waiting at meet & greets. She also won't be begging for every last princess-themed item in the parks since she doesn't care about them. She can meet Jake at HS, and June from Little Einsteins is at the Play & Dine character breakfast/lunch there, so at least she can see some of her real favorites while you're there.

 

[danceintherain]

I don't read a ton of Dr. Suess, but my kiddo had fun in the Dr. Suess portion of Universal. Except the carousel...he hated the carousel...

Honestly...I wouldn't worry about it too much. Some kids LOVE all the characters in theory, then completely freeze up when it comes to meeting the characters, or going on rides at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

My son had almost no knowledge of Disney stuff at all when we first started going to Disneyland, and he still loved it all. Apart from one year of being a rebel, he never "believed" in the characters, either (we are a household that doesn't do the Santa myth, either, but that year he flat out told me that I was wrong and that Santa DOES exist, LOL...all very weird since we don't even celebrate xmas, either!), but he still has always had a fabulous time.

Kids just don't get it when they are little. IMO this is nothing at all to worry, stress, or even think much more about. And hey, she doesn't like princesses, there is NOTHING wrong with that! It's totally OK.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It will not matter at all. We do very little TV and very few movies.He has seen and loves the Toy Story movies, and has seen a few Play House Disney shows but not really a lot of the other things....HE LOVES WDW. I don't guess we are crazy Disney fans, but rather WDW fans. He will have a blast.

 

[mm1971]

So I am a huge Disney freak and my husband loves it as well. We are taking our just (yesterday!) 3 yo (and 1 yo and their grandparents) to Disney in August. We are doing a split stay at Poly and AoA suites. Anyways...although my 3yo is IN LOVE with Jake, she doesn't really care about the other Disney stuff. She likes Mickey, etc. and really likes Einsteins (although they aren't in the parks anyways...) She doesnt' really care for many of the movies. We've done Tangled, Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and she is okay with them but...just okay. I don't think she can totally follow the storylines even though she is a super bright little girl. I know that when we get there regardless of this she'll have a great time just simply because of all the stuff at Disney but man it would be so much cooler if she was into the Disney stuff. The other day when we were picking a movie I suggested Beauty/Beast, Little Mermaid, or Cinderella and she said "No princess movies Mom"

Anyways this was a little of a vent but also wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences...

Did you try Aladin? Nemo? Jungle book? Cars? Muppets? Movies that appeal to both boys and girls? There are a lot of options than just "princess" movies. It is possible that you have yourself a child with other interests and that is OK as well. Not all kids immediately like certain areas. Ask her what types of movies she likes and find a Disney version. May help, may not. My DD is a Disney nut. DS enjoys it, but calls us both crazy.

Have you tried going to YouTube and maybe showing her some of the things that she may enjoy. I know it is princess related, but the first time we went, it was directly to Prince Charming's Carousel to ride in the shadow of the caste! Still remember the excitement. There is also time for her to grow into loving Disney, but if she doesn't I'm sure you'll find other things that both of you enjoy.

 

[smitch425]

Does she like to look at books? Some kids don't have the patience for movies at that age. Maybe try introducing some of the characters with books instead. Good luck!

 

[Mama Who]

Sounds like she's not into princesses, but that's not the same as not into Disney. There's hope for her yet!

I would focus on Disney Jr. and Mickey cartoons. Let her find the pieces that she likes and I'm sure the parks will delight her. My 3 year old got very excited when she learned that the Firefly Girls hang out in DCA.

 

[samacita]

So I am a huge Disney freak and my husband loves it as well. We are taking our just (yesterday!) 3 yo (and 1 yo and their grandparents) to Disney in August. We are doing a split stay at Poly and AoA suites. Anyways...although my 3yo is IN LOVE with Jake, she doesn't really care about the other Disney stuff. She likes Mickey, etc. and really likes Einsteins (although they aren't in the parks anyways...) She doesnt' really care for many of the movies. We've done Tangled, Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and she is okay with them but...just okay. I don't think she can totally follow the storylines even though she is a super bright little girl. I know that when we get there regardless of this she'll have a great time just simply because of all the stuff at Disney but man it would be so much cooler if she was into the Disney stuff. The other day when we were picking a movie I suggested Beauty/Beast, Little Mermaid, or Cinderella and she said "No princess movies Mom"

Anyways this was a little of a vent but also wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences...

Haven't read other posts, so this may have already been mentioned... Nearly all Disney movies have a scary part or a villain, and that can get a little intense for a preschooler on screen. (This is especially true for gifted children.) You might have better luck introducing her to characters with the Disney storybook collections. We love those, and kids can turn the pages at their own pace. HTH.

 

[jbuey22]

I had a similar situation with my son. Nothing to do with Disney, But I am a huge Music buff and I really enjoy and am very passionate about music, certain bands etc.

Knowing this and the fact that my son was kinda taking the same course, I realized that this one artist that I loved and was very very passionate about, is not necessarily liked by all. So what I did was waited and did not force this artist down his throat at all. I waited several years infact until he was about 14-15 and he was securely passionate about music. Then one road trip we were on I brought a copy of one of this artists live concerts, and popped it in as we drove.

Needless to say he was very enthralled and quite interested by the time we had finished our trip. I revealed who it was and gave my son a copy of one of his studio albums and that was it.

He went on a several year rant of collecting (my son has a vinyl collection of LPs) his albums and live bootlegs etc. All I did was waited till the right time and planted the seed. I knew you had to be the right age to appreciate this artist and I succeeded.

Well Disney Princesses are not the same scenario as a music artist, But do not force Disney down her throat, and maybe find that one movie that is so cool that she has to love it and spring it on her when she least expects it.

Also when you get to Disney right away take her on those cool rides that kids cannot help but love. Toy Story Mania for example. That ride is so fun I dont see how anybody couldn't love it. OR soarin' if she is tall enough she would be so thrilled with that experience that you would not be able to tear her away from it.

At some point feed her the story of a kid who worked hard to make it into the entertainment business. A normal kid from Chicago IL named Walt Disney. And when she gets a little older take her to see One Mans Dream, and explain how magic is possible if you believe enough like Walt did.

Maybe she is into Trains. There is a great Train Tour at the Magic Kingdom that I went on with my son. It turned him into a semi train buff for a while. There are alot of things that you can do to sway her, it is all about the right time and place.

Good Luck