9 yr old daughter "over" Princesses?

[klug_bug2010]

We will be on the Dream in December (our first cruise), and my 9 yr old daughter doesn't seem very jazzed at the thought of the Princess meet and greets. She IS excited for the trip, just doesn't seem to get too excited about the princesses. Is this the threshold of the magical age of "growing up"? Or should I plan on her getting excited once we get on the ship? Just looking for similar experiences. Thanks!

 

[CesD]

for my girls, they got over the princesses around age 7 but they still took pics at the meet and greet at age 8&9.

 

[2prettygirl]

My oldest was 8 when we sailed DCL the first time and she was not big into the princess stuff but I will admit that Disney in general gets everyone excited! She really enjoyed herself and even stood in line for the meet and greets and got autographs. Her sister of course was over the moon excited so that could have helped ease her excitement a bit but I think once you step food on the ship, she will be just as excited to see the princesses once she sees the excitement from everyone else. I think sometimes the older kids feel the need to "be older" and they try hard to not give in but I am sure she will enjoy herself tremendously! There will be people from all ages standing in line for the meet and greets, not just little kids!

 

[BadPinkTink]

so whats the big deal??? not every little girl HAS to do the Disney princess thing, just cos Disney go into hyperdrive marketing them for little girls. If she dosnt want to do the princess meet and greets, forcing her to be just cos you think its neat will only cause resentment. Let her be her own person, she will find her own Disney character in her own time. Who ever she chooses as her character, make sure you give the same enthusiasm as you would if her character was a Disney Princess

 

[lanejudy]

My daughter has never been a big princess fan. She still greatly enjoys the meet & greets onboard and getting autographs and her picture taken, but has never been particularly excited by princesses in general.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[klug_bug2010]

My oldest was 8 when we sailed DCL the first time and she was not big into the princess stuff but I will admit that Disney in general gets everyone excited! She really enjoyed herself and even stood in line for the meet and greets and got autographs. Her sister of course was over the moon excited so that could have helped ease her excitement a bit but I think once you step food on the ship, she will be just as excited to see the princesses once she sees the excitement from everyone else. I think sometimes the older kids feel the need to "be older" and they try hard to not give in but I am sure she will enjoy herself tremendously! There will be people from all ages standing in line for the meet and greets, not just little kids!

I have a feeling that this will be us. My 5 yr old will be over the moon excited, and I believe the 9 yr old will tag along, secretly excited, but trying to hide it....

 

[klug_bug2010]

so whats the big deal??? not every little girl HAS to do the Disney princess thing, just cos Disney go into hyperdrive marketing them for little girls. If she dosnt want to do the princess meet and greets, forcing her to be just cos you think its neat will only cause resentment. Let her be her own person, she will find her own Disney character in her own time. Who ever she chooses as her character, make sure you give the same enthusiasm as you would if her character was a Disney Princess

It isn't a big deal, nor am I making a big deal about it. I was just curious if there were other people who could give me a heads up of what to possibly expect. If she chooses kid's club time over meet and greets, so be it.

 

[BigredNole]

Yes, it is over for my DD as well. She is 10. She will see them, but not gaga over them.

 

[klug_bug2010]

Yes, it is over for my DD as well. She is 10. She will see them, but not gaga over them.

I have to admit that it's nice to have one less thing to fit into the schedule if they're over the princess experience!!!

 

[Jennifer777]

My DD was princess obsessed until she turned 7 and then it shut off over night. I agree, while it is sad that some of the magic feels gone it is SO nice being able to skip the character lines and not having to pay the fortune or fret about reservations for BBB or the Royal Tea!

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

DD is 9 and over the princess stuff as well. She did the meet and greet last month, but just went through the motions with no excitement whatsoever and I'm pretty sure that will be the last one. They grow up so fast...

 

[TeaBee]

My daughter was 10 on our cruise last year and had no interest in any of the character meet & greets. That's fine with me though, we had so much else to do that I was glad to not have to stand in line!

 

[CesD]

My daughter was 10 on our cruise last year and had no interest in any of the character meet & greets. That's fine with me though, we had so much else to do that I was glad to not have to stand in line!

Agree! on our last cruise we just did the last gathering and got 3- 4 characters. we felt like we had so much time available not having to stand in line the other days. Plus if your children have met them at the parks or previous cruises, it isn't such a big deal

 

[DnA2010]

Ours was 10 on our DCL cruise and did come get pictures taken but DH and I were def into it, she was just there...she did enjoy meeting Captain Jack though

 

[plethera1]

We don't cruise often but my son started getting over the character meet & greets at Disney World around age 7 so it seems about right. I think they start to realize that there are people in the suits and find it a little weird hugging a stranger.

 

[klug_bug2010]

Thanks for all the input!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Oldest DD was never ever into Princesses- fav character is Simba (always), but thinks Mulan is ok. And has never ever liked meet and greets- but has taken a few photos at my or sisters request (with only one or two eye rolls) - She is nearly 18, but this has been typical for her. Youngest DD is nearing 10, has liked the princesses and has happily done meet and greets, but seems less interested overall. However, just this morning was asking for a Mulan or Elsa doll from Walmart when we were there. So, overall, depends on the kid.

Have a great cruise!

 

[Andrea313]

My 8yo dd is over the princesses. We just got back from Disneyland and she still wanted to get autographs & pictures with other characters. She wanted one with Minnie every time she had a different outfit on. Now Pluto is her favorite.

 

[SoozCruise]

My now 10-y-o had no interest in princesses or character meets last year at the age of 9, except for getting signatures on the character drawings we did at the animation activities. *However*, when I said something today about a Costco deal on Royal Caribbean, my 13-y-o girl said, "But, Disney!" When asked to elaborate, she said that we need to do Disney until we are Gold and she's old enough for Vibe, because it has a private pool.

 

[smtmmj]

My 12 yr old enjoyed the princesses just as much as the characters because they were so sweet and really tried to interact with the kids. Asked them specific questions about them and truly seemed interested in the kids