Just a little vent...

[alikat99]

Miss Eyeore - I COMPLETELY agree with what you are saying. I don't think that it's anyone's right to go into adults-only areas with their children. From what I can remember, there were signs that said that it was an adults area. I don't know how anyone can claim that they didn't know it was adults-only.

I have 2 little ones (see pic below) and I would NEVER think to bring them anywhere where they don't belong. I don't believe that just because I paid a premium that I can ignore the rules, and I don't think that anyone else should either.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

When I started planning our vacation that we took last week on the Magic, I had originally booked us on the Star Princess. I got such negative feelings about others feelings about cruising with kids (cruise critic) that we switched over to Disney. I figured we wouldn't have a very good time if one of the kids was a little loud or was just being a kid and we also figured the shows and activities would be better suited for out 2 youngest (they are 1 and 2 years old). Best decision we made. When I thnk about my 1 year old face light up when she saw the dog-dog(Pluto or Goofy) or when my 2yo looks at the picture of herself and Snow White, both dressed in a Snow White costume and when Belle smiled and waved and winked ever so slightly, during Disney Dreams, because my DD dressed in her Belle costume, I know we made the right decision for our family. We have had DL annual passes long before we ever had kids. We have no problem bringing a baby to DL either. It's not the same time we would have, had they been over 3, but it's still great in the way we expect the day to be. Amy

 

[Buddy Bear]

I expected to see kids on Disney, and I did. I took my kids. Kids were never a problem.
As a parent I was a little surprised to see babies. I just got back from Disneyland and was surprised how many babies were there too. We waited until our kids were 4 before taking them to Disneyland, and my youngest was 11 on our first cruise. Not sure how much enjoyment the babies, or the parents get. I think 4 or 5 is the youngest anyone should consider for either a cruise or Disneyland, otherwise it can just be too overwhelming for both the kids and the parents.

The line of people who disagree just got a little longer. My Sarah was 6 months old when we took her on her first cruise last August. As you can see by the many photos I have posted she is smiling in everyone. Whether she remembers it or not she had a lot of fun.

From a parent or cast member perspective I couldn't imagine not taking her; Sarah has an infectious smile that caused everyone one else around her to smile too. She was the sole reason why our vacation was the best one we have ever been on.

That being said, she will be going again over Thanksgiving and next August too. The thought of leaving our children at home never even enters our mind.

I am glad I don't participate in those other forums because if I did I would have my flamethrower set to Full On for that person who thinks you should "really" enjoy your vacation by leaving your children home.

 

[lbgraves]

I agree that if you help your child adapt to traveling at a young age you can have a great time. We traveled to FL to visit family from the time DS was a few months old. He didn't care where he was as long as we were with him. DD was 3 on our first cruise, as well as our first time to WDW a day before. The cruise was the most relaxing vacation experience that I have EVER experienced. DD wouldn't go to the club past the first time so she spent all her time with one or both of us. We booked not expecting her to want to go since she was withdrawn so we didn't set our expectations otherwise. No Palo until the second cruise, but we enjoyed every second we spent with her. Watching the joy in our children's faces the first time they met each of the characters was priceless...and I would think that their experience would be much different if they were much older. I have already found out that one of DS's favorite series Junie B Jones totally crushes any fantasies of the Magic at WDW so he will NOT be reading that book until he has already reached that point on his own.

 

[inkkognito]

I have little tolerance for two things:

1) People who bring their kids into the adults-only areas.
2) People who cruise on Disney and then say, "Ugh! Too many children!"

Hellooooo...it's Disney! Of course there will be lots of kids! I don't have any of my own, but I enjoy seeing the wee ones on board squealing with excitement when they see they characters and having a great time on the ship. DCL does a great job with both families and adults; it's very rare that we even have children at our dinnertable. And when we HAVE had them (typically on holidays, when there is a larger than normal number of families on board), we've had delightful experiences.

But we value our adult time, too, and DCL is the best because of their adults-only areas. I like the fact that they actually enforce them, and I feel sorry for CMs who get lambasted by the "I'm special, my child is special, we don't follow the rules" crowd. The day I am entitled to go down the Mickey slide and run amok in the Oceaneer's Lab is the day your kid can come in the adult pool!

Barb

 

[M<3'sMickey]

Little kids are the whole point of disney world! I love seeing the DCL picture of the day, especially when there are kids in them! My mother is a Kindergarten teacher and I'm the aide in her classroom as well as going to school to become a teacher. I love seeing little kids interact with the characters! And as for the people who think too many kids on a Disney cruise, well hey, you know what? The kids are people too and they deserve to have fun, especially in this world where they're being forced to grow up so fast.

I personally think the attitude-y teenagers should not be allowed onboard (lol, just kidding!).

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

We just brought our 7 month old on the cruise and he loved it! He had so much fun and we loved watching him having a ball. He charmed the CM and had a private dance with Cinderella. My DD was so jealous. I would never have thought not to bring him or wait until he was old enough to remember. We'll always have the memories and that's enough.

That being said, I will probably only take cruise while kids are in school in the future. There were way to many UNSUPERVISED children on this cruise. I can't tell you how many "friends" my DD made at the Mickey pool that were 6 or 7 and whose parents were in Adult area. For hours, they were no where to be found. I ended up "adopting" a bunch of them while were were at the pool. Blew my mind.

 

[lbgraves]

You would be surprised to find that the ship usually sails full of kids. On our 11/15 Eastern there were over 750 kids just 3-12 in the clubs. It was the same way on the 12/4 Western. We didn't find that many who were unsupervised though, and we were at the Mickey pool quite a bit.

 

[tvguy]

Wow, didn't mean to start a firestorm!! I just saw too many kids having meltdowns at Disneyland with parents who were clueless and just getting angry because their kids were tired. I think the most important point to remember is, just like second hand smoke, your child's meltdown does affect other people's vacations.
As for the cruise, well, I just think my kids enjoyed it much more because they were older. As for out of control children on the cruise, it was no worse than any other place I go where there are kids. Although it is irritating that some parents won't discipline or supervise their kids.

We went on the cruise to spend time with our kids, so no clubs, no Palo for us. Vacation is a rare time for us to do everything together, to eat dinner together, to play together, to be our kids friends.

 

[lbgraves]

Oh that is the worst thing to see happening. I always feel sorry for those kids. We just take it bit by bit. We have strollers for both kids in the park even though DS is 6 1/2. That is just too much walking...especially in the heat...and he can enjoy himself so much more if he isn't walking all over the place. We make sure that the kids have down time. They go to our stateroom by 3:30 for a rest...which usually leads to a nap. That helps them to get thru dinner & the shows much happier. People need to remember they are "just" kids.

 

[Skallywag]

Have not problem at all with children after all we were all there once but sometimes find it is the parents who are the problem. They just cannot control their children and let them get away with more than they should these days.Also children need a routine and far too often these days parents seem to keep their children up far too late for their own convience and the poor little things are just over-tired.

I could spend hours just watching children's faces when they see their favourite Disney friends. Unfortunately our girls are well grown up now and when they were small we did not have the money to bring them over to enjoy Disney.However, we have seen it through the eyes of our grandchildren.
Unfortunately they will not be with us on the cruise we will be just four adults.
Would certainly not have chosen Disney if we had a problem with children.

 

[bubbasmom99]

My kids are Disney vets and we love to do the relaxing Disney vacation where we hit the parks early, take long naps and have lots of energy for the night... but I have to say, in defense of the parents of kids having meltdowns, sometimes, it's not the parent! I used to shake my head tsk tsk at those parents, BEFORE I became the parent of one very high-maintenance PRINCESS! Sometimes, you may catch her in the middle of a 60 second tirade, which resembles a meltdown Sometimes the best thing to do is to let her fuss because we don't always want to give in to her either. Five minutes later, you'd never guess she was unhappy, but if you happen by at the wrong time, then you'd think I was a bad parent. I'm sorry -- I don't mean to ruin your vacation... ya just gotta look past us!

 

[tezb]

I expected to see kids on Disney, and I did. I took my kids. Kids were never a problem.
As a parent I was a little surprised to see babies. I just got back from Disneyland and was surprised how many babies were there too. We waited until our kids were 4 before taking them to Disneyland, and my youngest was 11 on our first cruise. Not sure how much enjoyment the babies, or the parents get. I think 4 or 5 is the youngest anyone should consider for either a cruise or Disneyland, otherwise it can just be too overwhelming for both the kids and the parents.

I agree with you on this tvguy! We have 3 teen boys now but never thought of taking them to Disneyland til at least age 4...my oldest was 4 and 2nd at time was only 2 yrs. This was still a little young since my 2 yr old has no memory of the trip at all. Disneyland is expensive and then to not even have the child remember the trip is a waste in my opinion. Sure we have pics, etc but not the same. I have 3 great boys and for the most part, well behaved and disciplined but kids are kids. My husband and I also didn't want to put ourselves through the stress of an amusement park w/ infants/toddlers. Just not a vacation to us. We didn't cruise til my youngest was 8 but that was because we just didn't have the finances before that time. I still wouldn't have wanted to go til after age 4 or 5 though. This worked for us and have no regrets (my boys are older teens now and are well rounded travellers)...to each is own....buy you are not alone TVGUY.

 

[branv]

You know, the funny thing is that though DH and I do not have kids, we want the DCL BECAUSE of the families...and yet also because of their excellent adult only sections. We didn't want to be on a big party boat with people partying and drinking 24/7 (if we wanted that, we'd cruise out of Galveston where it's closer and cheaper ). I know that kind of fun is available on the Wonder, if we wanted, it's just less prevalent on DCL. When we let our hair down, it means napping in the sun and completely vegging, as opposed to "'till 2 am activity and hangovers the next morning" . From what I've read, it's pretty peaceful in the evenings. Ergo, DCL just seemed like just the place for us.

I see both sides of the baby debate, I mean if you're the one spending the money and caring for the child, you should do what you want. Oooh, but has anyone witnessed it when when people in the parks (no one here of course! ) are strolling along their infant and it is BEET red from the sun and heat? So sad

 

[DancingBear]

There has got to be some sort of middle ground....somewhere between "No children allowed" and "If you don't like the way I break the rules go take some other adult only cruise and let my children wander the ship anywhere they please."

I wish I knew what that happy medium was.

I think that would be "well-behaved, supervised children following the rules and staying out of the adults-only areas are welcomed with open arms."

 

[DancingBear]

I agree with you on this tvguy! We have 3 teen boys now but never thought of taking them to Disneyland til at least age 4...my oldest was 4 and 2nd at time was only 2 yrs. This was still a little young since my 2 yr old has no memory of the trip at all. Disneyland is expensive and then to not even have the child remember the trip is a waste in my opinion.

Everyone has their own tolerance and capacity as far as cost goes, but I'm always curious when I see this comment...does that mean you wouldn't take any kind of vacation with a little one? What about weekend outings that cost money, such as going to a zoo, etc.?

And what about folks that may have kids ages of varying ages? Do the oldest kids not get to go on nice vacations until the youngest get old enough to remember it?

 

[jgmklmhem]

We took our first kid to WDW 4 times before she turned 4 our second has been to WDW and DL once each and she isn't even 2 yet. We are waiting on the cruise until we can let her use the Kid's Club if she wanted to (also building up money). Life is too short in my opinion to wait to go. You never know what could happen that might make it where you can never go. Both of our children had a blast at all the parks. There were a few tense moments but nothing a break couldn't handle. As far as money is concerned before they turn 3 is the best because they are free even at the character meals. As far as complaining about kids if they aren't generally behaving I would complain as well and expect my kids to do better.

 

[tvguy]

No, a trip to the zoo is not a week long cruise, or week long trip to Disneyland. Save the nice vacations for when the kids can remember them.
My kids both had frequent flyer cards by the time they were 2, but those trips were always to grandma and grandpa, or great grandpa and great grama's house. Places where they could take frequent naps. We were so concerned about disturbing great granpa and grandma, we rented a motor home so we would have our own space. Not only to 2 year olds need naps and quiet time away from excitment, but so do their 85 year old great grandparents.

 

[windermerejudy]

As a mother of 3 (ages 8,5,2) I can truly say that if you do not take your kids to the parks or DCL cruises until they are 4 or 5 you are missing out on much of its apppeal. My 8 yo and somewhat my 5 yo are out of the character charm stage, while my 2 yo cold follow them around all day. My 2 yo has been on 3 DCL cruises and enjoyed all of them. AND furthermore we have made memories to last US a lifetime of the joy and excitement she was able to experience. We have recorded it for her so she will see what she did. If I waited until she was 4 or 5 then my ldest would be 11 and totally not interested in the Disney charm. Even this last cruise a few weeks ago, my son did not want to go to the shows anymore or character events. You would have thought it was torture to attend pirate night or sail away. All he wanted to do is go play in the club.

What exactly is it that you think all of us with young children should go do during the years when they are little if you do not think Disney is appropriate? My children have grown up in the parks and go there weekly. We have never been at a loss of fun. AND yes my kids do remember things we did before they were 5. Perhaps you are just making financial excuses. My husband and I have often talked of the limited window for your kids as far as being enchanted with the characters. You are going to eventualy go on your first DCL cruise and regret all those missed opportunities. They are only little once.

 

[bubbasmom99]

My daughter, who turned 3 recently, can tell the difference between Cinderella castle and Sleeping Beauty castle. She knows "Mickey's Boat". Just because she cannot communicate all her memories doesn't mean that she doesn't have them. At what age is the cutoff for making it "worth the memories"? My DH and I have some GREAT memories and stories about our kids' antics during trips when they were babies.

DH and I would go to Disney even if we didn't have kids, so having kids didn't stop us from our vacation routine. Modifications need to be made to accomodate feeding & nap & bedtime routines, but stopping vacations altogether --- I shudder at the thought!