Pleasure Island and 4 year old

[penel3]

What do you think? My son is 4 yrs old and my husband and I were thinking of walking around Pleasure Island after 7pm until about 9pm. We obviously won't be going into dance clubs or drinking, but thought it might be fun to check it out especially Cinco de Mayo? What do those of you who have gone lately think? I haven't been since my son was born, before that I never "looked" at it through a Mom's eyes. He is too young to realize people are walking around with alcohol, but I certainly don't want to be present with inappropriate behavior going on, etc. Thanks for your input!!

 

[Scoootch]

You can walk around DTD market place and West side but as for P.I. if I remember correctly, they will not let you in after 7pm unless you are 21 or older. They I.D. you at the enterances and it turns into virtually an outdoor club as they sell alchohol on the street corners in carts (just like they have ice cream carts in the parks) and I guess they kind of consider inside P.I. like one big indoor and outdoor bar.

Sorry to dissappoint but unless this has changed since I was last there (and I haven't been since before my ds was born and he's almost 4 now) this will most likely be the case.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

It is simply NOT the place for little ones. I'd avoid it if I were you.

 

[laughinplace199]

I would think a 4 yr. old would be pretty bored walking around PI for 2 hours. Maybe a walk through DD would be more fun for all of you. We're going to try that this trip since our kids are 4 and 2.

Have a great time!

 

[Kermit]

They will let you in. Anyone with a legal guardian or parent can be admitted.

I doubt that I would take a 4 year old. I don't think that he would realize that anything he was seeing was inappropriate, but he just probably wouldn't be comfortable with the atmosphere. It's dark and loud. And if you wanted to go in some of the milder clubs, like Comedy Warehouse, he'd have a hard time staying quiet.

 

[Luv2trav]

I see nothing wrong with taking your son with you. However, I think he will get bored after 2 hours. Maybe if you combine it with DD it would be more fun for him.

 

[all4fun]

I have seen children in PI, once while in the Adventurers club. The only problem I think it may create in that atmosphere is that the performers might have to tone down their act a little if they know a child is present. Like the pp's stated, at night it becomes and indoor/outdoor bar. Your ds may or may not notice inappropriate behavior.

Personally I don't think it's the greatest place for a kid. Have you considered trying out the Neverland Club, or one of the other resort childcare facilities? I would think he would have much more fun there and then you and your dh could have a "date night" for a few hours without him.

HTH and have a magical trip!

 

[kman1011]

I'm going to voice the exact opposite, my 4yr and and 7 year old son loved it. We went everynight, went to the adventures club and the comedy club. They were very welcomed and even had their ideas they called out used at the comedy club. If someone can tell me how to post a picture I wil post a couple of it.

 

[Aimeedyan]

*I* get bored just walking around it in about 15 minutes, and am anxious to go inside to one of the clubs LOL. its not that big, outside area isnt... If you have passes, there is nothing wrong with walking through there just to check it out, but I wouldn't waste money on admission if I wasnt planning on going into anything.

I wouldn't take him for 2 hours, but I doubt y'all will find interesting things to do for 2 hours without entering a club anyways. =)

 

[brunoflipper]

as a board certified pediatrician and father of three, i cringe whenever i see a child at PI... there is a reason that, originally, minors were not allowed (i.e. it is made for adults)... and the reason they are allowed in now is simply disney greed... this issue has been harped on over and over... simply put, if you think it is OK to take children there, then it is both my professional and personal opinion that your parenting skills are highly suspect... many people also have no problem letting their children watch whatever they want on television... some people see nothing wrong with walking down bourbon street with their children at 11 pm (i've seen it myself many times)... ask yourself if would you take your kids to the west end in dallas, westport in kanasas city, the lodo in denver, SOMA in san francisco, fell's point in baltimore (just to name a few)?... if you go to PI, watch the adults and see if the are exhibiting the kinds of behaviors that you would want your children to emulate... (most of the activity at PI centers around alcohol... they sell shots in the streets... there has been a large ice block shot slide)... also watch the tweeners and preteen kids running around at PI because they are doing just that, modeling inappropriate behavior... on two specific occasions i have seen security intervene with underage drinkers at PI... i myself have been asked by a minor at PI if i would buy them a drink ( i chalk that up to my boyish looks)... does this stuff happen everywhere? sure it does... should disney allow parents to make their own decisions about what is appropriate for their family? in this case i say no... they built and run this place as an adult venue but changed course to allow kids in just to pick up more revenue from admissions... PI is almost worse than somewhere "in the real world" because it makes it all look like sooooo much fun and sooo inviting to the kids because it is loud, trendy, flashy and disneyfied... all of this is from someone who enjoys a good drink on a regular basis... and to the people who argue the point that it would not be fair to parents who otherwise would not be able to go if they did not bring the kids along- get a sitter!... do you take the kids to the bar with you back home too? you can argue with me but, unfortunately, you are wrong... sorry about the rant... the short answer is that i don't recommend it

 

[DisneyPhD]

OK I have to agree with brunoflipper on this. PI is no place for children, even early and even with parents. I stopped going because I don't like having drunk people spill their beer on me, do I want my kids to see this? Let alone be exposed to the smoking. If you want to walk around with them before it opens to check it out go ahead (the store are open.)

I say if you want to check it out, get a sitter (they have them it will cost you around 70$ for the night) and let them rest, so they can enjoy the parks the next day. You will enjoy yourself much more and don't have to worry about what your kids will or won't be exposed to.

The comdey club and AC are funny and smoke free, but I really don't recomend it for kids (13 and up maybe, but even then they need to "tone it down some" and that isn't really fair to the other guests who didn't bring children.)

Since PI is really the only adult only place in WDW, keep it that. Even if your kids might enjoy it, (or not know the differnce) or not come away worse for wear, there is many other places that are aimed at kids and adults are alowd to come along. Stick with that.

Besides 4 year olds are very observent, they take everything in. If they see you enjoying this, they learn that getting drunk and partying just what adults do. Do you want them learning this at age 4? When I taught pre-school I had a group of kids who would ask for more beer when eating snack. Just repeating what their parents say when wachitng T.V, but upsetting coming out of a 4 year olds mouth. (and hard to explain as a teacher why it was not appropate with out stepping on their parents toes or making their parents seem bad.)

 

[barb45]

I don't think it is a great idea either - we went to AC and someone was there with a couple of little ones (who were whining). Not only did they have to tone down the show, it was very distracting listening to them whine. I felt sorry for the kids too - spend a long day in the parks and probably another long day tomorrow. Another time a 5 year old was sitting next to me and sucked coke up his straw and then spit it on me. His father apologized and I wasn't too upset because I realized that the kid was just bored (I don't think he intentionally aimed it at me anyway). Get a sitter.

 

[mrsmom]

I was there last year for cinco de mayo, It got pretty crazy.,not like other times i was at PI. I Have four kids and i would not take them at this time. Alot more partying.at this time.
Kim

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by mrsmom
I was there last year for cinco de mayo, It got pretty crazy.,not like other times i was at PI. I Have four kids and i would not take them at this time. Alot more partying.at this time.
Kim

That is a very good point. Our very 1st trip to WDW as a married couple (we were 25 at the time) we thought, won't it be fun to go to PI on St. Patricks Day? What a mistake. The place was wall to wall drunks, you couldn't even walk through the crowd. It actaully gave my husband a panic attack (his 1st and only thank God.)

penel3, you seem like a good and thoughtful parent (hense asking others who have been there before doing.) You are right, you see things differently through parent eyes. Try one of the clubs for your kid, (at the resorts,) and then go yourself if you want. That way you can view it yourself and enjoy yourself more, knowing your kid is also having age appropate fun with other children. My DD always likes playing with other kids the most when she goes places. The great thing about being that age is every other child is your potential friend.

 

[kman1011]

I guess I'm just a bad parent or highly suspect of being a bad parent. When we go next year we will all be going again, why because my kids want to, and when we have been there nothing inappropriate has happened. Maybe if it had I would feel differently.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by brunoflipper
as a board certified pediatrician and father of three, i cringe whenever i see a child at PI... there is a reason that, originally, minors were not allowed (i.e. it is made for adults)... and the reason they are allowed in now is simply disney greed... this issue has been harped on over and over... simply put, if you think it is OK to take children there, then it is both my professional and personal opinion that your parenting skills are highly suspect... many people also have no problem letting their children watch whatever they want on television... some people see nothing wrong with walking down bourbon street with their children at 11 pm (i've seen it myself many times)... ask yourself if would you take your kids to the west end in dallas, westport in kanasas city, the lodo in denver, SOMA in san francisco, fell's point in baltimore (just to name a few)?... if you go to PI, watch the adults and see if the are exhibiting the kinds of behaviors that you would want your children to emulate... (most of the activity at PI centers around alcohol... they sell shots in the streets... there has been a large ice block shot slide)... also watch the tweeners and preteen kids running around at PI because they are doing just that, modeling inappropriate behavior... on two specific occasions i have seen security intervene with underage drinkers at PI... i myself have been asked by a minor at PI if i would buy them a drink ( i chalk that up to my boyish looks)... does this stuff happen everywhere? sure it does... should disney allow parents to make their own decisions about what is appropriate for their family? in this case i say no... they built and run this place as an adult venue but changed course to allow kids in just to pick up more revenue from admissions... PI is almost worse than somewhere "in the real world" because it makes it all look like sooooo much fun and sooo inviting to the kids because it is loud, trendy, flashy and disneyfied... all of this is from someone who enjoys a good drink on a regular basis... and to the people who argue the point that it would not be fair to parents who otherwise would not be able to go if they did not bring the kids along- get a sitter!... do you take the kids to the bar with you back home too? you can argue with me but, unfortunately, you are wrong... sorry about the rant... the short answer is that i don't recommend it

This is the PERFECT response. I have been there & have seen open drunkeness, "mardi-gras" type flashing, vomiting, and I was propositioned in the men's room. When it is adults, I really have little problem with a little good old-fashioned debauchery. When children are involved, it becomes the job of a parent to keep their child away from such situations. A good parent does not take a child under the age of 18 to PI. (I have never been there in the daytime, so I cannot speak to a different climate. All of my experiences have been in the PM)

 

[Figaro]

One of the problems with the clubs like the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse, is that while the CM's will tone it down, there is absolutely NO controlling what drunken audience members will shout out. And believe me, the swearing and the sexual language can be extremely inappropriate.

Plus I honestly think that many adults will drink more at a place like Pleasure Island than many other places where alcohol is available. Part of this is because when people are on vacation they will cut loose a bit more and another part is because with Disney transportation, they don't have to worry about driving while under the influence.

And the music even outside the clubs is LOUD. I have to wear earplugs because a hearing loss from antibiotics means that loud noises cause me quite a bit of pain. I worry so about little ones being exposed to that kind of volume. and maybe having hearing damage because of it.

 

[brandip22]

I, too agree that I wouldn't take my child to PI, even if he wanted to go. Children want lots of things, but I certainly don't give them everything they "want." They have to have limits and this is just one of them. I live in the South- Cajun Country- and we see drinking all the time at football games, crawfish boils, everywhere. Many times we think are children are "immune" to seeing it all the time, but they are not. I definately think there is a difference to a child seeing their parent have a glass of wine or beer with their dinner and them beign taken to a nightclub. PI is a nightclub, whether there are shows or not. Just like Bourbon Street- yes, there are lots of "shows," but it's just not a place for a child. I think some people don't realize what message they are sending to an impressionable child when they take them to a nightclub, even if it is a Disney nightclub.

 

[penel3]

simply put, if you think it is OK to take children there, then it is both my professional and personal opinion that your parenting skills are highly suspect

Good God, calm down!! If I were such a 'suspect parent' do you think I would have cared enough to ask??? For those who suggested I send him to a kid's club, that is not what we do on a family vacation!! We stay together as a family!! I had previously read that early on ...7pm... the island had outside activities, such as arcade type games etc., that is why I asked the question. Some of these responses make me regret having posted the question and expecting to receive a respectful yes or no with "objective" input supporting the opinion, not insults to one's parenting skills!

 

[brunoflipper]

the response i provided to your question was, with exception of what i stated as being "my personal and professional opinion," quite objective... i provided you with plenty of background information to see if you would consider yourself the type of person who feels that it is a suitable environment for children... if you do not "think it is OK to take children there" than most of the statement does not apply to you... your question was about 7-9 pm and not during the day...