Bad mom for shielding 4y/o DD from princessy fun at DLR?

[WendyWhy]

This will be my sweet 4yo DD's third time to DLR - the first two times she was way too little to be into the princesses, but now at age 4 she is just starting to pick it up from her little friends at preschool. I was hoping to hold it off for as long as possible - and think we could get away with avoiding it for our upcoming trip in January.

I like the princesses - it's just that when our trips are only 2-days - I prioritize rides and shows that our DS8 will enjoy too. For me, DL is Dumbo and Mickey, Space Mountain, IJ, POTC and churros - the world of princess is not part of my research...but after reading so many stories of all the parents who strategize to get to the A & E meet & greet, booking BBB and Ariel's Grotto, and something called Fantasy Faire - I feel a bit like a slacker mom!

Please tell me I am not depriving my little girl if we hold off on princess until she's closer to 6? Kind of kidding - but seriously....

 

[corinne76]

If she's not really into it yet, why emphasize it? We did Fantasy Faire, but not BBB! when dd was 5.5. She loved it. NOw at almost 7, it's kinda over. I'm glad I did it then, but she was heavily into a princess phase. Had she not been, we probably wouldn't skipped it. Heck, we might have skipped the trip at all that year. Blasphemous! I know, but DS was only 2 and doesn't remember a thing. It would have been nice to go when he was a bit older so they both really enjoyed it.

 

[CassieF]

If she's not really into it I wouldn't make it a priority, but you can still either do a visit to the fantasy faire (meet and greet, 3 princesses for one wait) or even just meet a couple if they happen to be out at the main gate (usually there are 1-3 out in the afternoons before the parade) if she really doesn't care.

 

[Mugglemama]

Something to keep in mind....not all kids who are "into" Disney Princesses care very much about meeting the characters.

My dd13 was a total princess *fanatic* between the ages of about 3-8. We went to DLR multiple times in that timeframe but she would have NEVER wanted to give up ride/attraction time to stand in line waiting to see a character. She did meet her all-time-favorite (Cinderella) once, but it was kind of only because that character happened to be doing a photo-op inside the animation building once when we were waiting to see the Turtle Talk show.

 

[MissEllie]

I think the stage show in the Fantasy Faire theatre would be your best bet for the family being entertained if she really is on the princess kick. It's a very witty and funny show that I'm sure everyone in your family would like.

If she doesn't bring it up- don't worry about it.

 

[ehrawn]

Sorry you can't stop it and you shouldn't blame the bad influence of a preschool friend. There was nothing I could do to stop the princess idolatry in my DD6 (and in my DS when he was younger). It's just kids exploring their own identities. Onto your next, thing. You will have a much more enjoyable experience if you let her lead a little bit. Do what she wants to do and go at her pace. I made the mistake of trying to push my DD when she was 3 to all the rides she was tall enough to do. We ran all over the park, skipping the meet and greats to maximize ride count. Her response, "daddy, when are we going to get to play?" Yep, first visit and she didn't have fun. Talk about a heartbreaker.

 

[WendyWhy]

Thank you all! Feeling better about our plan that right now doesn't include princesses. Will read up about Fantasy Faire! Thanks again

 

[nycdisneygal]

My daughter is 8. She has been to WDW 9 times and DL once (next trip in march!!!!!!). She has never been to BBB (not sure she even knows what it is!!). We have hardly ever planned waiting line for characters with the exception of waiting 1 hour for sleeping beauty at the end of an 8 day trip. She would rather do rides / shows. We DO do a princess meal--not cheap but at least we all get to sit and eat!

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

Personally - 3-6 are THE Princess Years... it's when things are super magical. At 6 she may realize Ariel is an actress in a wig, but at 4, that is Ariel full stop. I would plan one Princess thing, just to see her eyes shine when she thinks she's talking to a real princess.

 

[starjazz]

To some degree, your kids are typically into whatever YOU'RE into, or whatever you promote/push. If you don't push princesses, while she may hear about it at school and stuff, she likely won't be as enthusiastic. That said, a 4 yo girl SHOULD be into princesses in my Disney mind. 4 years is an important age when little girls are starting to understand a lot more, and become independent, and yet retain that innocent and malleable mind that can and will believe whatever they see with their eyes. Its when imaginations are developed. Take advantage of that. After 5, children become less influenced by the things around them - who they are has already been established to a large degree. So, yeah, I'd focus in on whatever she's starting to be fond of and let her experience it. There's plenty for both little girls and slightly older boys at DLR. Have fun!

 

[DizMe]

Personally - 3-6 are THE Princess Years... it's when things are super magical. At 6 she may realize Ariel is an actress in a wig, but at 4, that is Ariel full stop. I would plan one Princess thing, just to see her eyes shine when she thinks she's talking to a real princess.

To some degree, your kids are typically into whatever YOU'RE into, or whatever you promote/push. If you don't push princesses, while she may hear about it at school and stuff, she likely won't be as enthusiastic. That said, a 4 yo girl SHOULD be into princesses in my Disney mind. 4 years is an important age when little girls are starting to understand a lot more, and become independent, and yet retain that innocent and malleable mind that can and will believe whatever they see with their eyes. Its when imaginations are developed. Take advantage of that. After 5, children become less influenced by the things around them - who they are has already been established to a large degree. So, yeah, I'd focus in on whatever she's starting to be fond of and let her experience it. There's plenty for both little girls and slightly older boys at DLR. Have fun!

THIS!!!! For me, our trips when the girls were that age were the BEST, and it was because I got to experience true magic through their eyes. Whatever they are into, go with it and you won't be sorry! You'll have years to enjoy whatever you want, but only a very short time when your kids are in that age of imagination when anything's possible. If she wants to see the princesses, indulge her a little. You don't have to go overboard; mine never went to BBB and it didn't take up a lot of our time, though we did do the Ariel's character meal every time during that period. They were just happy to spot a princess, wear a princess dress and some glitter for a little while, and simple things like that.

I'd give anything to go back for one Disneyland visit and have my girls be little princesses again!

 

[mom2rtk]

Personally - 3-6 are THE Princess Years... it's when things are super magical. At 6 she may realize Ariel is an actress in a wig, but at 4, that is Ariel full stop. I would plan one Princess thing, just to see her eyes shine when she thinks she's talking to a real princess.

Absolutely agree. OP, do what you want. You are not depriving your daughter. She'll have a fabulous trip to DL either way.

But if you want to experience some princess fun with your daughter, you should open your mind to that sooner rather than later. You'll be shocked at how fast all those school friends turn on the princesses and move on to other things, possibly bringing your daughter right along with them.

 

[CraftyMommy]

I think those are the best years to love princesses. My 3 yr old thinks they're real and believes in all the Disney magic. I know at some point she will be too cool to like them and this is the time to embrace all things princess. When my son was a preschooler we did all the things that make a little boy happy. Our next Disney trip will be my daughter's first trip. It will be ALL about the princesses. If its too much Princess for her dad and brother, they will go have some guy time for a little while. I definitely wouldn't call you a bad parent for not doing princess things. Different parents have different views about what it important in a Disney trip, and what experiences they want their children to have.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd give anything to go back for one Disneyland visit and have my girls be little princesses again!

 

[AmberStar]

4 years ago on our trip my daughter loved meeting the princess'. She also loved buying a dress the night before we left. The fanciest Belle dress you could buy along with all the accessories.

She wore that daily for weeks... and just this past week we handed it down to a sweet little neighbor girl who is 3 and starting the princess age.

This visit at 8 seeing the princess' is on the to do list but its not the highlight this time. I think we may skip the meet and greet and just do the shows because I'm certain my boys (aged 4 and 5) will enjoy the shows too.

Of course my 5 year old wants to meet Thor/Captain America so he could go with Dad to do that and I could go with my daughter to the royal hall at the same time if she decides that is something she wants to do.

Sweet princess age passes too fast. So if she wants to do some girlie stuff split your group up (if you have another adult) and let her twirl in the royal hall.

****I'd not scope out A&E unless she insists though. Just not worth the time when you only have two days.

 

[bakerudall]

If my family were going for just 2 days, I would plan to get our character fix with Fantasmic, the parades, and Mickey and the Magical Map. Boys and girls like them, and they're loaded with princesses.

 

[MikkiandtheMouse]

Which princesses is she into? I took my daughter to Disneyland for the first time last year (she was 6) and the only princess she cared to meet was Merida. It was a big priority for her, so we did it. The Royal hall, she never even knew it existed, because it's fairly hidden. You might want to ask at town hall if the princesses are ever going to be out at the gate or near the wishing well, that way you can get a meet and greet without taking 30-45 min from other things that the entire family would enjoy.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are taking my daughter right before she turns three. On one hand, I think she doesn't even know she CAN meet the princesses, so she doesn't know she missed something if she doesn't. I use this thought process on a lot of things.... they don't know they can ride Soarin', so they don't know they are missing it if it's closed etc. But- she loves them so much and calls them all her "Belles." She is always schelpped along to things that interest her brother (4 years old), so I want to do something she is into- especially since she will be waiting/ distracted while he rides the over 40/42" rides. We are doing lunch at Ariel's and are going to try to meet Anna and Elsa (but again, I am not telling them so if it doesn't work, she doesn't know there was a chance). We are going two full days and two partial days for 3-4 hours.

 

[YukonMommy]

My daughters on our last trip were 11 and 9 and still loved meeting their favorite princesses as did their brothers (7 and 4 at the time). They wore their fanciest dresses and their tiaras (heck I wear my tiara almost daily in DL )
We have never done the BBB or Ariels (we prefer Minnies brekkie) but the joy on my daughters faces is worth the wait of standing in line. The boys like it to as we teach them to just go with the flow (as the girls do when we stand in line to meet Jake).

Have a magical time!

 

[HappiestHaunt]

My daughter at 8 is more into them than 4, but even then she would rather ride rides then wait more than once to see princesses. She likes the fairies more at 4 and even then once a every once in a while worked out fine.