Juvenile Electronic Addiction - How did your park visits go?

[Hisgirl]

I'm very curious about anyone's experiences taking school age children to the parks on vaca. who are happily addicted to playing video games.

What has been the children's reactions spending a day away from the electronics?

We will be there a week and I am wondering if the parks will provide enough stimulation to draw them away, OR, will they be begging the parents to go back? There's so much to do outside, I'm hoping it will entice them and keep their attention for most of the day.

I know this is an addiction and have read enough to see how serious it can become. But,then again, they're have WDW to contend with! So I'm hoping Disney wins out!

Looking for how things went for you!

 

[Spunky946]

My kids love their electronics, but they love Disney even more. They used them some in the mornings and evenings and sometimes if we took an afternoon break. There is so much more to do and see, that they never really asked unless we were already in the hotel room.

They loved the parks, dining and swimming.

Kids surprise you. I bet they have a blast.

 

[brockash]

I'm very curious about anyone's experiences taking school age children to the parks on vaca. who are highly addicted to playing video games.

What has been the children's reactions spending a day away from staring into a small screen moving tiny figures around?

We will be there a week and I am wondering if the parks will provide enough stimulation to draw them away, OR, will they be begging the parents to go back? (not my kids)

I know this is an addiction and have read enough to see how serious it can become. (kids committing crimes, some violent, when something gets between them and their games).It's sad and horrifying all at the same time.

Looking for how things went for you!

My kids like their electronics as well although they in no way spend every or even most waking hrs playing video games etc. I just don't think it's healthy and they're happy to do things non- video game related. As for Disney we bring some electronics for the plane ride down, but then they're never seen again until the plane ride back. There's plenty of stimulation, things to do etc. at Disney and none of the kids we travel with...mine nor my sisters kids have ever asked or mentioned wanting to go play with their electronics while on a Disney vacation. I'd guess most other kids would be the same.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Never ever even been an issue. We have always been pretty limiting at home on the amount and type of games we allowed. We pretty much lift all time limits when we are traveling, but once we are there, I am not sure they have ever even played them in the hotel. Maybe for a bit when we insisted they rest before a late night a time or two. I would not allow them to take them into the parks or to dinners. WDW is a perfect place to reconnect as a family. I will sometimes at WDW, if we do a signature or longer meal, let DS7 play a bit on my phone if we want to linger over dessert and a glass of wine but that is about the extent of the electronics at WDW.

 

[Fjobe]

My kids love their electronics, but they love Disney even more.

They loved the parks, dining and swimming.

Kids surprise you. I bet they have a blast.

I agree!

They bring them along for the car ride, but they go away when we get to WDW, and come out when we are headed home.

 

[Ali]

well, we all have Iphones, DS usually has his Nintendo DSXL, and we all use them throughout the day while waiting in long lines, waiting for dinner, etc. Not to the exclusion of conversation but as a sense of normalcy and a break from all the stimulation around us. I use my phone as a camera, to enter wait times, etc, DH is usually watching sports scores or emails, and DS is just used to having something to manipulate.

We enjoy being together at Disney but we need our electronics for our sanity (yes, addicted is a true statement) but all the tablets stay in the room only, because I'm not going to carry them around.

Everyone is different and I see nothing wrong with having electronics for my family.

 

[MSSANDRA]

If you want to compromise, promise them some time in innovations in Epcot. Ton of interactive things to do and my boys love it there. Also, Disney Quest may be an extra fun place for them. We have never done it so not clear on the specifics.

 

[kiramay]

We drove two days to WDW, and the kids got to use their electronics for nearly 30 straight hours. The electronics stayed in our room while we were at the parks, meals, etc. But occasionally before bed they could play.

Disney was so active that they didn't seem to even notice the absence of their electronics. It was awesome.

 

[motherof2boys]

haha so funny how addicted we all are to our electronics! Our Boys watch tv or play their 3dsXL in the room when they wake up. Hubby brings his work laptop & DS14 & I bring our tablets. We don't take them to the Parks. Last July was our first trip when we all had Smart Phones. I was pleasantly surprised they didn't come out often. We did all become addicted to Where's my Mickey halfway thru the trip. The phone were actually a nice distraction when we got on each others nerves. I don't remember having to tell anyone to put it away.

Actually I take that back. Hubby got quite competitive with Where's my Mickey? so the Boys & I told him to put his phone away a few times!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I certainly wouldn't cater to an electronics addiction while on vacation. Games stay in the hotel room and can be played during spare time. No cutting other activities short because the kids would rather play a game. My teen boys had their phones at the parks, but they didn't use them for games. They would check Facebook or message their friends during break times. When we were walking around, waiting in line, etc., phones stayed in pockets.
They were fine with it. They love WDW too much to want to play games the whole time.

I've seen the electronics addiction firsthand among my 3 and 4-year old preschool students. Parents indulge it way too much. One dad automatically hands his son his iPhone the minute the kids walks out of the classroom. The kid doesn't even have to ask for it. Dad just hands it over, already set to a game. How about talking to the kid instead? Ask him what he did at school. If he whines for a game, tell him no. Not now. Maybe at home after lunch, nap, etc. Another mom pulled out an iPad on the bus to a field trip and handed it to her DD. The child didn't even ask. She was sitting happily on the bus, waiting for the ride to start. Mom pulls out the iPad without a thought. Why not let the child look around and enjoy the bus ride? If she gets restless, talk to her. Point out the sights. Deal with her. Why stick her nose in a game when she probably plays it all day at home?

 

[livndisney]

Is this really a thing? I have not heard of it. We don't take gadgets to the parks (or anywhere else for that matter).

I can't imagine a child wanting a gadget over Disney-there is so much going on in the parks and resorts.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

The only reason I even take my phone with me to the parks is so I can call my parents if we're separated and take a quick picture if I don't feel like fiddling with my camera. Otherwise, I hardly use it when I'm at Disney. I'm sure it won't be too big of a concern.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

I agree!

They bring them along for the car ride, but they go away when we get to WDW, and come out when we are headed home.

Same here, if it wasn't for the 14 hour drive the iPads wouldn't even come along.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Momoftwins+1]

Mine don't have free access to video games whenever they want but they do play their fair share. However last time we went to Disney the only time they played their " glowing screens " as I refer to them as was in the vehicle driving there and for a short while on the way back (they were exhausted and slept most of the way back). When we were in the hotel room <rarely> they were passed out or hanging out watching people on the balcony (Contemp tower) or begging to go to the pool or somewhere in the hotel. They didn't even ask for the glowing screens. They stayed locked up in the safe the entire time.

This time they will be bringing their nooks on the plane but then again they will go away into the safe or in a locked suitcase so I don't have to keep a tally of where the gadgets are every day, which annoys me to no end and its my vacation too!

I'd say put them away when you arrive and let them experience Disney without the added video stimulation. They can survive a trip without it!

 

[DCbride]

DD plays/watches on the ride there and after she is all ready in the morning. Then as others said we don't even think about it until teeth brushed and PJs on for bed. Tell them upfront these are our rules for Disney. The hardest time when I am tempted to cave is during long lines ...the phone is so easy to hand off. Depending on the age you might want to include wait time electronics if you are in a 40-60 min line.

 

[Canooknic]

On our last trip our boys had the iPads as much as they wanted on the flight but once we were at the hotel they were gone (only I used it to post photos to Grandparents every evening). They got used to not playing them over the vacation and I used that to limit the time they played once we were home again.

Now they might play for an hour once or twice a week instead of every day like before the trip

 

[englishteacha]

I work at a summer camp where campers aren't allowed to have electronics. Some kids totally balk at the thought, but they know that the electronics aren't allowed and if they sneak them in, they could be sent home. After the first day or two, they are perfectly fine without their phones and games and are content to talk, read, play a game, and be a kid and engage in the other activities offered.

 

[StuckInKS]

We drove two days to WDW, and the kids got to use their electronics for nearly 30 straight hours.

Disney was so active that they didn't seem to even notice the absence of their electronics. It was awesome.

This was our experience. My kids spend too much time on their 3ds and tablets at home, but after playing them on the way down, they didn't even touch them until it was time to get in the car and drive home. However, they had been looking forward to this trip for a very long time, so that might have had something to do with it.

 

[mm1971]

I'm very curious about anyone's experiences taking school age children to the parks on vaca. who are addicted to playing video games.

What has been the children's reactions spending a day away from staring into a small screen moving tiny figures around?

We will be there a week and I am wondering if the parks will provide enough stimulation to draw them away, OR, will they be begging the parents to go back?

I know this is an addiction and have read enough to see how serious it can become.

Looking for how things went for you!

My children were 13 and 10 on our last trip. Electronics/video games were not even a thought. They are always busy doing something while we are in Disney. However, we have always had a rule that when we go on vacation, it is just that and the expectation is set before we leave that electronics will not be part of the experience.

Good luck. There is so much to do I don't think it will be a problem.

 

[Dancemomof3]

When e went our kids were allowed free reign of their video games, DVD players, whatever. We have a 22 hour drive. When we go back the same will be said for their Kindles. Once we got there we locked them in the safe and there they stayed until time to go home. This past summer we went camping. My son walked into the cabin and said, where's the TV? They were upset for all of 5 minutes. Then everything was forgotten. when you are on vacation there is just so much to do. they don't think about it