Help! Opinions Needed

[irish dancer]

My DH and I agree on our desire to take a cruise however we don't agree on when. He insists the kids are still too little. I am trying to convice him to go Sept 2005, the kids will be DD 8 1/2, DS 5, and DD 4. He says they should be older to fully enjoy the trip, I think there is plenty for their ages afterall it is only 3 days!

I think his concern is with DS who has mild-moderate sensory intregration issues. My theory is we have 9 more months to continue working on things and learning how to handle different situations and that he'll be that much older and better able to cope with things on his own.

What do you guys think?

 

[bratray]

i think your kids ages to go are perfect- after all the little ones generally get the most out of the DCL clubs & WDW...although i will have to admit i am a WDW junkie and will be till i reach 100++ (lol)

if DS feels overwhelmed at the club the staff can page you and he can take a break
like you said it is only for 3 days

enjoy

 

[sheelysmom]

So, we are taking our first cruise in a few weeks (ahh!) and my kids are 2 and 4 1/2. As I've read the boards and books - it seems like there really isn't a NOT right time for kids! There are so many activities for every age group - IF you want it. If your son with sensory integration issues is overstimulated in the clubs, he can just hang out with you on the deck or go to the theatre to watch a movie with you. All I know is that my 4 1/2 year old daughter is THRILLED to go, I think she is totally old enough to appriciate it. I'll have to see how it goes, I guess. I want it to be magical for her and think this is the right age for that - the princesses will be REAL etc.

Let me know what you decide! I got my masters and undergrad in early childhood special ed and I have a good friend whose son has sensory integration issues. I know it's not easy sometimes. Bless you for what you do

 

[mark & sandra]

We took our first cruise last Jan. and we were concerned that the kids wouldn't like the clubs. We were o.k. with that because on all our other vacations we spend all our time with the kids. Were we surprised!! The kids spent all day and night at the clubs. We saw them for dinner and excursions only. It became a vacation 'from' them. It was such a great time we rebooked while onboard and are going again in 9 days...mark

 

[lbgraves]

Our kids were 3 & 5 on our first cruise last year & they talked about it ALL year long! DD remembers all the princesses, especially Cinderella calling her by name every day when we saw her. The magic is definantly there at this age and that made it magical for me too. They loved it just as much last month & just today my 4 yo DD told me that she didn't want to go to school. Instead she wanted DH to come home from the office & pick up DS at school then drive to FL so that we can get on Mickey's cruise ship with her friend and go spend the day at Castaway Cay. I wish it was that easy!

 

[the4nitz's]

Our DD's were 4 & 23 months & loved being on the boat. We are taking them again in a few days. All DD-5 talks about is going swimming in Mickey's pool & the club. She is excited that her younger sister can go with her to the club this year. DD-almost 3 looks at the pictures from last year & says the Mickey Boat.

 

[pppiglet]

If it was any other cruise line, then I might worry about it, but this is DISNEY! They will love it!

 

[DisneyBill]

Go now! And, go later too!

 

[virginiamama]

Go now! And, go later too!

Definitely! Go now and later. We just got back in December with DS4 and DS8months. We had an absolute blast and rebooked for 2006.

 

[CaribGirl]

Agree, agree, agree, go now, in a little bit and later... Whether they remember the boat and its activities when they are 40 is not as important as then remebereing having been with you on vacations!!!!

 

[ohiominnie]

Here's another one who agrees. Go now!

What is "the right age?" Maybe 12? So do you wait for your baby to be 12? By that time your oldest is 16 and missed out when he was 12!

I see lots of families having fun with all different aged kids. Personally, I wouldn't want to take an infant on board, but if not taking an infant meant the rest of the family couldn't go, I'd take it!

There no magical age that is *perfect* for Disney or DCL. And if there is, and you figure out what it is, what do you do with your other children who either haven't reached that magical age or have passed it?

Go now! And later! And again after that!

 

[Dreamer04]

IMHO, your children's ages are just right for cruising. Old enough to enjoy the clubs and young enough to believe in Magic!

And, who cares if they remember it or not. You will. Just wait til you see your child's face when they see Cinderella, or Mickey. Or to see Donald walking along on Castaway Cay. Believe me-YOU'LL never forget it!

 

[TheWog]

THe ages are perfect. You don't want the oldest one to be "out of Disney" when you go. Go for it and have fun. DS was 6 when we went.

 

[tkd lisa]

Go now! Particularly since your DD is the oldest. My DD thought the 10-12 club activities were more geared to boys, but she loved the 8-9 year old lab activities on our 1st two cruises. It would be different if your littlest was too small for programming, but kids your ages will remember this cruise forever!

 

[lbgraves]

Don't even worry if your youngest doesn't want to go to the club. Our DD went once & wanted nothing further to do with it. Last month she went three times...enough for us to go to Palo for brunch & then wouldn't go again. We had a wonderful time with her at the pool & all around the ship. She learned how to trade pins this past cruise & gained alot of confidence. It was nice having individual time with her while DS was in the club.

 

[jeeper9]

My DH and I took our three grandchildren on our first cruise (4 days)this past September. They are 9, 8, and 5. They loved the cruise, didn't want to come home and are looking forward to a 7 day cruise in 2006. They spent every minute with us, exploring the ship, taking pictures, swimming and just goofing around. We thoroughly enjoyed sharing this experience with them and we were glad they did not want to go to the labs this time around. They are still talking about the ship!

By all means......go now and then go every chance you can.

jeeper9

 

[tvguy]

We waited until age 4 to take our kids to Disneyland, and that was on the early side.
My youngest was 11 on our first cruise on HAL. She was quite concerned before hand (visions of the Titanic and the Poseden Adventure). But loved it.
Give the high cost of a cruise, I think about 10 is the earliest I'd take a child.
My kids have traveled extensively, both had frequent flyer cards of their own at age 2, so travel is not the issue, just whether a kid under 10 will remember the trip enough to justify the cost. My first trip to Disneyland was age 7, and I really don't remember much of it. However, if you can afford to go multiple times, go for it.