Is our son too old for Disney on ice?

[OFF TO WDW!]

Hello all,

I have to say our family are huge Disney fans, but the issue my wife and I have is this. Ous DS is 4 and still loves to see the Disney on Ice shows. The one he really wants to see is the "Magical Journey" show which is coming around by us in January. We are actually going to DL for the first time in April and our son would love to work for Disney doing art.

Problem is the majority of kids at these shows are grade school kids that I seen over the years ( like k-5). Our son is starting high school next year and I told him if he wants to persue a Disney career we are behind him, even go to the movies to see a Disney Movie, but I am bothered that he is almost 15 years old and doesn't feel like there is anyting wrong with seeing an Ice show geared to younger kids.

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I don't ver see teenagers at these shows.


Any thoughts on this issue?


Thanks

 

[Sugardimples]

I'm 61 and I'm not too old. Different people like different things. There is nothing "wrong" with his interest in this show. Let him enjoy it!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I certainly enjoyed the one we saw on Sunday (we saw Dare to Dream) and I saw some adults there without children.

 

[ktlm]

I firmly agree that you are being too harsh. I always loved the Disney on Ice and other Disney traveling shows- as a kid, as a teen, and as an adult. Pre-kids, DH and I went to Disney on Ice on our own. DH enjoyed them even though he was a big grown man. People like what they like. Your son likes what he likes, and no offense, but just because you don't like it or not that many teenage boys do, doesn't mean that he can't have his own opinion. Sounds to me like you raised him to love Disney, and now you are criticizing him for loving all aspects of Disney. I say if he wants to go to the show, let him.

 

[RachaelA]

DH took me to see Disney Princesses on Ice when we were 22 and 27. You are never too old for Disney!

 

[Tarheel Mom]

We were at Disney on Ice Saturday and there was a row of teenagers sitting behind us (boys and girls). Were they in the majority? No. They did, however, have a great time oohing, ahhing and clapping at the performances just like the rest of us. I think if your son wants to go that you should allow him to - I certainly don't think it's "wrong" for him. As pp said, different people like different things and this is what interests HIM. Hope you all go and have as much fun as we did!

 

[photo_chick]

Why are you worried about it? Are you worried about how it might make him look to others? Because from what you said it sounds like he's staying true to himself enough to want to go, even though it may not be the thing an average teen boy would do. That doesn't sound like he's worried about what people will think, so why are you? Kudos to him for not conforming to what's expected. If he wants to be an artist that kind of individuality will help him.


It's never wrong to be who you are.

 

[darkpixie08]

Nah, I think you're good.

It sounds to me like you've raised a son who enjoys spending time with his family, and doesn't worry all that much about whether it's "cool" or not. Kudos.

I won't go so far as the other poster and say that it's never wrong to be who you are. But I think enjoying a Disney on Ice show with your family is pretty harmless.

If you're really worried, it's certainly a great springboard for a conversation.

Is he worried about what his friends might think? Would he change his actions if he did? What about if a possible Disney job were on the line? How much about himself would he change to get that job? Where is the line between a little bit of change, like wearing nice clothes to an interview, when you normally like to wear jeans and t-shirt, and becoming a whole new person. Is it worth it wear a certain outfit if you know you're going to be made fun of for it? Is it sometimes ok to conform? Are there maybe reasons why you would? Can peer pressure ever be a positive thing?

This is a great opportunity to talk about how we as adults need to work within society. And now that he's 15, you can examine these things together in a much less black and white perspective.

 

[ChattaAlley]

Was your son 4 or 14? Either way - not sure you can put an age on fun or magic. I went in Ocober to the 100 Magical Years and LOVED it so did my brother and his son (31 and 3). It was a great time.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I saw Magical Journey with my 9 year old, and I have to say that even as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was one of the better Disney On Ice shows I have seen, partly because it seemed to be geared more towards an older audience. I don't think the little kids sitting behind us enjoyed it nearly as much as we did, and there was a young couple (early 20's) without children sitting next to us. I think Disney on Ice brings out all kinds of people - that is part of what makes Disney so special.

 

[tsme]

There's no age limit to enjoying Disney. I love everything Disney! And I'm very much an adult with two children, a husband, a house, & two dogs.

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

I firmly agree that you are being too harsh. I always loved the Disney on Ice and other Disney traveling shows- as a kid, as a teen, and as an adult. Pre-kids, DH and I went to Disney on Ice on our own. DH enjoyed them even though he was a big grown man. People like what they like. Your son likes what he likes, and no offense, but just because you don't like it or not that many teenage boys do, doesn't mean that he can't have his own opinion. Sounds to me like you raised him to love Disney, and now you are criticizing him for loving all aspects of Disney. I say if he wants to go to the show, let him.

Ktlm,

It's not that I'm being harsh. A lot of kids today are not that nice with certain situations, and I have run into some of our sons friends families at these shows when our son was younger, and that's fine. My concern is that these families have younger kids and while we are parents of an only child, I would be concerned about running into people at this point of time and our son getting teased, and as he was already bullied once, we don't want to have to have him deal with this type of situation.

More of preventive medicine than being harsh, that's all.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We took my 5 year old to see the princess one this year and my 19 year old wanted to go too! I said SURE. We had a blast. DH went as well. My 19 year old loves all things disney and is my co-planner for our trip in just over 2 weeks!!!!

 

[a742246]

GO GO GO GO GO. Cherish every moment with him now. You never know when the teenager "go it alone" hits.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hello all,

I have to say our family are huge Disney fans, but the issue my wife and I have is this. Ous DS is 4 and still loves to see the Disney on Ice shows. The one he really wants to see is the "Magical Journey" show which is coming around by us in January. We are actually going to DL for the first time in April and our son would love to work for Disney doing art.

Problem is the majority of kids at these shows are grade school kids that I seen over the years ( like k-5). Our son is starting high school next year and I told him if he wants to persue a Disney career we are behind him, even go to the movies to see a Disney Movie, but I am bothered that he is almost 15 years old and doesn't feel like there is anyting wrong with seeing an Ice show geared to younger kids.

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I don't ver see teenagers at these shows.


Any thoughts on this issue?


Thanks

I don't see a problem with it. That's just like someone saying that adults shouldn't go to WDW because it's for 'kids'. At his age he probably is appreciating the skating, the theming, the music and the story behind the ice show on a totally different and deeper level than the 5-6 year olds watching it.

I'd encourage my child to do/participate in the things she/he likes that make him/her unique. It's a somewhat unusual teenager who will do things that are outside the norm and most popular without worrying about what everyone else thinks...and that independent thought should be encouraged as far as I'm concerned. Instead of nurturing what he loves and encouraging him to follow his heart and do what he enjoys, you are worrying about what other people might think. I'm saying this from one parent to another (my 15 yo DD definitely marches to the beat of her own drum and has absolutely NO concern about what everyone else thinks, and honestly, I think that is something to be admired)...let him be himself, don't make him feel like he's being weird.

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

Thanks all!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm not following why 15 is too old to watch ice skating characters.

Would you take him to Disney if he desired to go? If yes...then take him to the show and enjoy.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

My friends and I went to see Disney Princess Wishes on Ice for my 19th birthday celebration We didn't think we were too old, at all.

I'd say it's fine- if he wants to go, I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I know that when Disney on Ice comes here the crowd is very much aged mix. Seems silly to worry about if one could be too old for Disney on Ice. is an ice skating show. If he wants to go, take him.