The best ages to take kids?

[mkandk]

My kids are 7 and 8, and we've been to DisneyWorld twice, and Disneyland once. I'm trying to decide which trip to plan next...the cruise, DisneylandParis, or camping.

So I have to fit them all in before the kids are too cool to enjoy Disney!

What ages would you recommend are best for kids on this cruise?

I'm also wondering if you're comfortable letting the kids go off by themselves at age 8 or so.

thanks, Mary

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Im taking DS10 on his 1st cruise in 7.5 weeks

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Yes, I feel like he's on the older side for his first Disney cruise but on the other hand can many of your child's friends say they have been on a cruise?

Just like when we went to Disney World last year, he's now too old to enjoy the characters. Im glad he also went to DW when he was 4.

the answer to your other question - yes I'll feel comfortable letting DS go off to the Oceaneer Lab or the movie theatre - our room is also on deck 5 - Im not sure yet about wandering the ship

 

[DopeysGal]

I think your kids are close to the perfect age for their first Disney Cruise. I took my son two years ago when he was almost 10 and he said it was his best trip ever. We went to Paris last year and he didn't want to go to DisneylandParis as he felt it wasn't as good as WDW and too similar to DL in CA. We went to DL two weekends ago for his 12th birthday and he was way too "cool" for the characters and the rides weren't as exciting to him. He is looking forward to our cruise next year, so he can go to Common Grounds.
I wouldn't let 7 or 8 year olds go around on the ship without supervision.

 

[mkandk]

thanks for the quick responses. So the kids aren't roaming about by themselves all day? I haven't done much research yet, but we have some friends who said their kids had pagers, and they felt comfortable letting them go off on their own.

I'm the one who's most interested in Disneyland Paris, since I'm a european junkie. But it's a tough sell with my kids, too. They think it's going to be like the movie RugRats in Paris!!

 

[kplatt]

Our kids had their first Disney experience (WDW/cruise package) last November at ages 9 and 11. It was the perfect time for us. Old enough to do just about everything, and young enough to still enjoy being with their parents. Our ds 11 had the right to sign himself out of the Lab, but we did opt to sign our dd out. We allowed our ds to travel the ship alone only when he was on his way to a specific activity. I thought of the ship as a big, floating hotel filled with strangers. OK, some of them dressed in funny costumes!

We relaxed a little on our second cruise in March. We allowed the kids to go about more alone, but required frequent check-ins at our cabin. We constantly left notes (including the time!) for each other when we left one activity for another, so we always knew where we could find everyone. We read each days' Navigator and highlighted some activities so we had an idea of where everyone was going to be at a particular time. Our paths also crossed frequently. We always met before meals, even if the kids were going to eat with the kids' club.

We are going on our third cruise next month, and will keep this routine, I think, since it worked well for us. Our kids are now 12 and 10, and will be in the same age group in the Lab. We'll see how THAT works out!!

At first I felt guilty that we waited so long to give our kids a Disney experience. But I saw far too many little ones experiencing total melt down, probably due to exhaustion or overstimulation. Not my idea of a good time. I also experienced some unsupervised younger children (maybe 6-7 or so) thundering down the ship's corridors making far too much noise. Now I'm happy we waited until ours were older.

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02

P.S. You're never old enough to be "too cool" to enjoy Disney!!

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

4 - 104

 

[majimikate]

We took our kids when they were 9,4,2 and 1. All enjoyed it immensely. This was 2 years ago and when asked last weekend whether we should go to WDW for a week (which we did last year) or split the time 4/4, WDW/cruise, the overwhelming answer was to do both. We did not let our 9 year old out alone on the ship, but friends of ours went shortly after us and they did with no problem. It is truly a vacation for all ages...my husband and I are going alone next month for our anniversary!!

Chris

 

[TxJasmine]

I think your kids are the perfect age for the cruise! We just got back from our third Disney Cruise. My kids are 7 and almost 6. They still love seeing the characters, but in a few years I think they may outgrow the characters. Paris can wait. Besides, it's a lot easier to fly to Orlando than it is to Paris!

P.S. We're in the Metroplex too!

 

[thebecka]

I agree with DreamsDoComeTrue. Any age is a great age for a Disney Cruise. My DD was on 3 cruises (2RCL & 1 Disney) by age 5 and we're going back to the Magic for the second time on 1/18/03. Kid camp is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Camp is well thought out, monitored and above all it's Disney Fun!! The entertainment is superior because...you guessed it...it's Disney! The food is good and Palo's... WOW!! ... are there really words that can describe how amazing that food is... You and the your family won't be disappointed with a Disney cruise. Man-I should be getting paid for this post!

 

[Irishmom23]

We were on the June 13th Wonder and my children are DD's ages 10 and 14, and DS age 17. They all had a fantastic time. The 10 year old enjoyed many of the evening club activities and the 14 year old was in and out of Common Grounds depending upon the activity. My DS just loved wandering around, meeting new people, trying out new things, and of course, the Cybercafe! My DH and I are going on the Magic in Sept 2003 and are the children jealous!! We plan to do a "family" cruise in 2006 as we will have a college, high school, and eighth grade graduation that year, and when asked whether they wanted to go on Disney or RCCL, the answer was DISNEY from all three children! As you will find out, it is great for all ages.

 

[ncligs]

We didn't know you are suppose to take kids on the DCL.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

That sounds like a great firs age and NO WAY are they too old for the characters - especially in that setting. Kids were 8/10 on their first WDW/cruise trip and it was a great place to start. On our second DD was 10 & DS 12, nearly 13. On the second both had sign in/out privileges but with lots of required check ins. DS, who really wanted to go back but said he was "too old" for the kiddie stuff including characters didn't get into lines, etc. except when mom dragged him along - at which time he "suffered" through it but the pics show this grinning kid in all of them. He looks especially please with Jasmine for some reason

Also onboard ship, at least for our cruise and on know from these boards it varies, the "darker" characters like Capt. Hook tended to seek out these too cool for their own good young teens. It was great.

When we go next summer she will be 13 and he will be nearly 16. Both are anxiously looking forward to the trip.

Deb