Game Boys or Nintendo DSs at WDW

[tnmomof4]

I was just wondering if anyone lets their kids bring these. Do you let them use them in the room only? Do you let them use them while waiting in lines? Do you let them use them while waiting at table service restaurants? Or are most people totally against their kids bringing these.

 

[JESW]

They have been lifesavers for us on the plane and during downtime. The kids can bring them during the day but can only play them after eating - I don't let them play while walking around the parks. Whichever one you choose to bring, don't forget the chargers!

Jill

P.S. One of the coolest things we saw regarding the Gameboys was once we were waiting to get into the Magic Kingdom and there was a Japanese family with a boy my ds' age. Both boys were playing a Pokemon game, but ds' was in english and the other boys' was in Japanese! There was a language barrier between the two boys, but the game characters were the same.

 

[karen l]

My DS uses his on the plane but rarely any other time during the trip. When we're not in the parks, he's in the pool. He doesn't like to bring it into the parks because he doesn't want to get it wet or lose it.

 

[MSSANDRA]

DS has a PSP and he always uses it on this ride down and sometimes in the room during breaks and before bed. It does not go into the parks as there is just too great of chance of being lost or damaged and most of the time we tour withour any bags. We have never allowed it at the table but if he is younger and you want a long adult meal I would have no issue with a child taking his to a resturant so you could enjoy a nice meal.

 

[disney.nut]

My daughter brings her DS, PSP, Gameboy for the ride down and she plays with it in the room.

 

[Scrappy Tink]

My DS8 took it to the park and it was a pain. Played it one time and then didnt take it the rest of the trip . Great for in room and plane ride and if we were just going to a character dining during the wait . I was too worried he would drop it in the park too.

 

[lynninpa]

My DS10 brought his GB for the plane ride to and fro. Other than that he had no interest in it whatsoever and it stayed in his carry-on. If he had wanted to use it when, say waiting for a bus or a parade to start, I would not have a problem with that. Yet not at dinner. That has always been our time to talk whether at home or on vacation. Just my humble opinion.

 

[daisyduck123]

DS9 & DD12 bring theirs for our 14 hour car trips.
That's all we use them for.

We would never bring it to a park just to use while waiting in lines....well, we pull them out of school & go at slower times..so we actually never wait but 5 minutes in a line.

We never bring them to a TS meal either...we do mostly character dinners & the kids are very entertained with the characters there.

 

[Grendalynn]

Like the other PP's, we only allow DSs to use their Game Boys while on the plane/airport or in the room for down time. Would we absolutly not let the boys bring them into or near the parks. Not a flame, just expressing that thay can play the GB's anytime, you are only at WDW for a short time! Not to mention DS8 walks on my heals bad enough w/o his nose burried in his GB. And it would be a tradgedy to them if they got lost or stolen. Restaurants: we alllow them to bring them in while we are waiting for their food, but when they order or speak to a waitress they have to turned off and eye contact has to be made. And they have to eat all their dinner before it can be turned back on. Not sure if we will allow this at the next WDW vacation - I'd rather we/they suck up as much Disney and Disney atmosphere as possible while we are there!

Oh!... And we try to theme the games around Disney as much as possible, its hard with the older boys as their Disney themed games are far and few between! .... what can i say - I am obsessed with Disney!

 

[rn_wannabe]

I think our girls will only be using their Leapsters on the plane and in the hotel(maybe in the hotel). We usually only let them use them on car rides (even short ones) anyway so it wouldn't be that different for us. If we took them in the park, I would be worried that they would get damaged. JMO.

Melissa, mommy to Kaylee-9.5, Megan-7, Chelsea-5.5, Hannah-3.5, Sarah Grace 23 mo. & 4 Angels In Heaven, www.whitakercentral.com

 

[barbmouse]

My ds will take his ds for the trip to and from DW. He also uses it in restaurants but not at the Disney parks.

 

[Hannathy]

One thing that helps with kids wanting to bring things like this and other things is my rule that if you bring it YOU carry it! This applies to the backpack for the plane and for things at the park. This is from about 5 up. They really re-think what is necessary to survival this way. It is fun to watch them pack and then reduce the amount drastically.

 

[left210]

When our son was 4 we took the GBA and it was a lifesaver while we were waiting in lines. He was in a stroller and was not at all bothered with waiting. We went at Easter time and had some long waits. When we went to Universal the following year he played it on the plane but never took it to the parks because the wait times were little to nothing. So I would say it really depends on what time of year you go and your childs age. An older child might not have as much trouble waiting in lines as a younger one. Also, he only played it when he was in the stroller. I agree I would not recommend a child play one while walking as someone mentioned.

 

[JVL1018]

My kids bring theirs, but only use it on the plane, really. It's in the room, so they can use it there, but they rarely do.

No using it at restaurants, whether we are at home or on vacation.

In the parks, no, I wouldn't want to worry about losing it, and even so, I don't think I'd let them use it.

 

[bzzymom]

We have taken DS's gameboy advance many times. He plays it on the play, on the bus rides, and at TS restaurants.

 

[TinkerDaisy]

My theroy on any video game is if the child has enough outdoor activity and excersise, they can play video games as they want. i have a 7 yr old boy who plays ALOT of video games. Too many by most peoples standards, but he is in Soccer, and baseball. And he gets mostly all A's in school. But if he acts up that is the first thing I take away along with the tv. He is in school all day, and does his chores so who am I to tell him what he can do with his free time. As long as they do their job which is school and chores and are getting a reasonable amount of excersise, let them play if it entertains them. BTW my son is right on target with weight, and height, and academics. i think it all depends on the child, of course there can be too much of anything. Gameboy great on plane and standing in line.

 

[TinkerDaisy]

One thing that helps with kids wanting to bring things like this and other things is my rule that if you bring it YOU carry it! This applies to the backpack for the plane and for things at the park. This is from about 5 up. They really re-think what is necessary to survival this way. It is fun to watch them pack and then reduce the amount drastically.

Oh I scrolled past this before. I love this technique!!! My son usually says, ok I am not taking anything....works everytime.

 

[steppie]

We go around christmas and they take their DS in the park....For us it was a savior..the lines are very long and it keeps our ds7 busy and happy....We don't leave the hotel without....

 

[Natterjack9]

We let the kids bring the gameboys for the airport and down times in the room only. While we are at the parks, the games stay in the rooms. If they have a few minutes while we are getting ready or whatever, then o.k., but when we are walking out the door, save the game and put it away. My kids love their games, but when we are at WDW they have no problem putting them away when it is time.