Unhappy Kids Because of Age Limits :/ Update

[Betty Rohrer]

not the same thing but last trip to the World, I had a problem with a young teen at the pool while with my 4 year old grandson. he enjoyed coming down the slide, going under the water and then I would grab him as he floated by. this teen with "her mom'" permission would grab him as he came off the slide. grandson is special needs who talks very little. when I asked to let him be she told me her mom said she could catch him if she wanted. after about 3 times of telling her not to catch him grandson bit her on the shoulder. at that point mother wanted him kicked out of pool as her daughter was just being helpful. what would happen if your daughter while on cruise tries to help another child who is not a member of your group and that child then complains to their parent as they did not want the help. I can see where there has to be an age limit, like it or not

 

[smitch425]

not the same thing but last trip to the World, I had a problem with a young teen at the pool while with my 4 year old grandson. he enjoyed coming down the slide, going under the water and then I would grab him as he floated by. this teen with "her mom'" permission would grab him as he came off the slide. grandson is special needs who talks very little. when I asked to let him be she told me her mom said she could catch him if she wanted. after about 3 times of telling her not to catch him grandson bit her on the shoulder. at that point mother wanted him kicked out of pool as her daughter was just being helpful. what would happen if your daughter while on cruise tries to help another child who is not a member of your group and that child then complains to their parent as they did not want the help. I can see where there has to be an age limit, like it or not

Oh my! I would be LIVID if someone was touching one of my children period, but especially after being told not to. That's ridiculous!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

lifeguard would not get involved, other mother was LIVID when her child was bit and was she kept saying her daughter was just keeping him from going underwater. her child did nothing wrong. as I say I can see where age limits are in place, what would have happened if something like this took place on kids cruise and a child like this decided she could help the younger kids. child was just being helpful as she was told she could do by a parent. not saying op child would do but can see where Disney is coming from

 

[tink'smom2B]

lifeguard would not get involved, other mother was LIVID when her child was bit and was she kept saying her daughter was just keeping him from going underwater. her child did nothing wrong. as I say I can see where age limits are in place, what would have happened if something like this took place on kids cruise and a child like this decided she could help the younger kids. child was just being helpful as she was told she could do by a parent. not saying op child would do but can see where Disney is coming from

I see clearly your point. This must be the reason people never want to get involved if someone needs help. You really never know if someone needs help or not, do you.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

mother was livid that we were not removed from pool as her child was just helping even after her child was told not to help him. her child was to be able to help anyway. if you want to help please ask before you assume that you are needed to help. that is true anywhere you want to help.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The simple solution is to not do any of these activities at all. Maybe you should cancel your trip, since so many things are making people in your group mad?

I don't understand all the angst here. Can't the OP find something fun to do with the older kids the younger ones can't do? So much jealousy, must be a problem in everyday life, not just on vacation.

 

[tink'smom2B]

Sorry I ever put this up here! Everyone has a vision of the perfect Disney vacation. You plan it a year in advance. You book rooms, airline tickets, and get to that final planning stage hoping everyone of the people in your party will be happy. I really don't want to read anymore about it. I called Disney and got my answer. In the real Disney world, you have rules. Like it or not, you follow the rules. In a Grand Gathering with 5 families, someone is going to feel left out. So let's just "Let it Go!"

 

[goofymoma]

Bad idea. They will not be prepared for an extra "child" and she most likely will not be allowed to do anything the little girls do but will sit and eat with the adults. They might feel a bit uncomfortable, but the rule is not theirs to make or bend so why do this to them. Much more likely is going to be your child feeling bad if you tell her you guys are going anyway and you will try to guilt them into giving her a doll. I think you need to be honest and tell her she is over the child age limit and you guys can go and watch her younger cousins or choose another tween geared activity. The GF tea or a manicure at the spa might be received well. While I agree that 11 should still be little girl, it is what it is so make it easier for her to deal, not harder. As far as the age on the pirate cruise, there are also rules to prevent older children/teens/adults being with children without their parents present. There are plenty of 14 year olds that I would never want around my child in that setting. I'm sure your child is fine, but they can not make a judgment call. Liability issues.

OP said she is NOT over the age limit, I believe she said 3-12 - so if she is under the cutoff she should be able to do what all the other children are doing, she's not asking for them to break any rule, just honor the age limitation they set! If OP is willing to pay the extra $100 for the child price and is not over the allowed age than they should honor it. If she is bored or doesn't like then it was an a failed experience, what one child likes another may not and vice versa. I would call to make the reservations, speaking to someone in person they may be able to charge the higher amount so she can get the doll.

As far as the cruise, it sounds as if most is not all the kids going would be from OP group, I again don't see the harm in calling and asking if the 14yr can go along since it will be all her cousins, asking never hurt anyone and if asked politely and respecting whatever answer is given why not. I'm sure I any other circumstance the 14 would not be interested, I can understand her wanting to go along if all the other kids are going. Being the oldest cousin by quite a few years I enjoyed hanging our and doing things with the I would never do when with my peers.

As much as I like the DISboards, getting advice and reading stories of others trips, I have not been on one thread where I haven't encountered comments that are either completely unnecessary or could have been said in a nicer, more Disney-like way. I'm not saying everyone has to agree with one another but there are others ways of expressing different options other than condescending comments. I thought this was a site for people to go to ask question and get advice not criticism.....just my 2cents

 

[goofymoma]

My DD got a mani/pedi for my sister's wedding two years ago and she loved it. Disney has every right to set their age limits, and they are firm. Expecting them to make an exception is only going to be a let down. Book appropriate activities within the rules. There are many extras offered. Find one that everyone can participate in. It really isn't that difficult.

But she is in the age limit that is what the OP is mad about! She isn't expecting them to make an exception - not for what I was reading - she just wants to be able to enjoy the event with her daughter without her daughter being excluded from the activities all the other children are participating in.

 

[goofymoma]

Called dining and it seems she is still a child if you call on the phone. If you try to book online, the ages are 4-10, but over the phone the ages are 4-11. I know for most kids it would be dull and boring, but dd loves little kids and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She will be very happy about this! The 14 y/o is too old for the Pirate Adventure. Just something more for my teenager to have to deal with I guess.

I was wondering if that would happen, soo glad to hear you will be able to share this magic moment with your daughter enjoy !

 

[MSSANDRA]

Nope...the OP said the web site said it was 4-10, not 12 so yes according to the web site,she was too old. Upon calling she got the age 4-11 and was able to book as a child. I for one am happy for her. I love the idea of a 11 year old being a little girl and wanting a doll but just did not want her to take her child there expecting to get a doll when the fact was, it most likely would not happen. Just clarifying. I don't think the OP was trying to cheat or break any rules or she would have just said her child was 10 not 11.

 

[smitch425]

Nope...the OP said the web site said it was 4-10, not 12 so yes according to the web site,she was too old. Upon calling she got the age 4-11 and was able to book as a child. I for one am happy for her. I love the idea of a 11 year old being a little girl and wanting a doll but just did not want her to take her child there expecting to get a doll when the fact was, it most likely would not happen. Just clarifying. I don't think the OP was trying to cheat or break any rules or she would have just said her child was 10 not 11.

I don't even see the ages listed on the Disney site. It is listed as 4-12 on this site. Not sure where OP got her bad info.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I am really surprised with all the "bored to tears" posts I've seen on this thread. What do you do when you have a family party and you have kids ranging in age from 4 months to 14 y/o? I guess, from what it sounds like, that you are all miserable and bored to tears if baby has a first birthday or something. Really?

Actually, yes.

I think horseback riding sounds like a good choice for a 14yo. Maybe she'd be interested in some of the boating activities as well, or going to see the Cirque show?

 

[MSSANDRA]

you know, you are right. I was interested and went looking. No where on the official site does it have an age, though it does say a child and an adult must both attend so adults without children would not be able to attend. What I did find was a sign from the hotel on a review of the party and it was the disney sign outside of the restaurant and it says ages 3-11. This site did say up to 12 and all ears said to 11 soooooo maybe all of this was for nothing!!!!!

 

[goofymoma]

So, my 11 y/o daughter want to go to the My Disney Girl Perfectly Princess Tea party with her cousins, but when I tried to pay for it, she is charged as an adult. Why do they have to have an age limit? After all, if the girl is still a kid at heart, why not? Then, my 14 y/o daughter wants to go on the Pirate Cruise with a bunch of the younger cousins. The age cutoff for that is 12. I should mention this is a grand gathering with lots of kids going. Should I call and try to make the reservations anyway? I called dining and the ages for My Disney Girl Princess Tea Party is 4-11, so DD and I can go. Unfortunately, DD14 is not allowed on the Pirate Adventure and will be too old to join in any of the cousin activities.

The second to last line she states the tea party is for ages 4-11, therefore was asking opinion on how to handle the fact that her within age limit daughter could fully participate !!!

I don't even see the ages listed on the Disney site. It is listed as 4-12 on this site. Not sure where OP got her bad info.

Why it have to stated as 'bad info' - in fact she had the info right but it seem that no one can read and then makes comments to OP for their misunderstanding. Read it again, the pirate adventure cutoff was 12, and although that daughter will be disappointed that she will be unable to do what EVERYONE else in her group was doing, the rules are the rules. I don't see what the big issue everyone is making on OP comments! I totally understand that in a large group of kids, one being left out of something that interests her could be upsetting. All she did was make a comment that her daughter is not a girlie girl and would much rather be with her younger family - I personally think it's great that she wants to spend time with the younger cousins.

Nope...the OP said the web site said it was 4-10, not 12 so yes according to the web site,she was too old. Upon calling she got the age 4-11 and was able to book as a child. I for one am happy for her. I love the idea of a 11 year old being a little girl and wanting a doll but just did not want her to take her child there expecting to get a doll when the fact was, it most likely would not happen. Just clarifying. I don't think the OP was trying to cheat or break any rules or she would have just said her child was 10 not 11.

If you look above I quoted her, she originally said the event is for 4-11, which is the whole reason for her post. Then she said that when she called the person stated that online was charging her as an adult because the website considers kids an adult at 10, & Disney kindly answered her question. I am sorry I was just getting so upset reading the mean comments based on people misinterpreting what she was saying/ asking.


I think I will be looking elsewhere for my info......somewhere I won't have people making completely unnecessary and mean comments when all I wanted was advice! Way tooooo many people that feel the need to be snippy and just plain mean to complete strangers just wanting info about such a happy place! I personally don't need that while planning a vacation or in my life at all! Tink'smom I hope you, your daughters and family have an awesome reunion and a great time! Your girls sound like what we need more of in our children, them to stay children and stop rushing becoming adults, it is very refreshing to see. Thank you for sharing!

 

[smitch425]

Why it have to stated as 'bad info' - in fact she had the info right but it seem that no one can read and then makes comments to OP for their misunderstanding. Read it again, the pirate adventure cutoff was 12, and although that daughter will be disappointed that she will be unable to do what EVERYONE else in her group was doing, the rules are the rules. I don't see what the big issue everyone is making on OP comments! I totally understand that in a large group of kids, one being left out of something that interests her could be upsetting. All she did was make a comment that her daughter is not a girlie girl and would much rather be with her younger family - I personally think it's great that she wants to spend time with the younger cousins.

The info I am referring to is for the tea party, not the pirate cruise.

 

[goofymoma]

I don't understand all the angst here. Can't the OP find something fun to do with the older kids the younger ones can't do? So much jealousy, must be a problem in everyday life, not just on vacation.

I don't think it is a matter of jealousy, more just wanting to be able to do what the rest of her family is doing I think I would feel left out as well if I was the only one in a large group of kids that couldn't do something is all.

 

[tink'smom2B]

Just want to say thank you to those who understood the reason for my post and for helping me figure this out. I was just a little hesitant to call Disney and turned here for advice. Happy ending for all - the kids will all be going to the Pirate League together and my youngest daughter and I will get to be "Princesses" one more time together.

 

[flutterby3744]

Our kids are in a wide age range (all are 4 1/2 years apart 20,15,11,and 6) so I feel your pain with trying to find activities everyone will enjoy. It is a losing battle I gave up on a long time ago! Since my kids have grown up with this though, they are pretty tolerant about doing things the other kids are into...everyone will get their turn!

One of the hardest things about growing up (in my opinion) is aging out of things. My kids have told me on many many occasions through the years that growing up is sad (well until they get to do things they couldn't previously!). It's a sad reality, but necessary growing pains.

I hope you can find the right balance for your family!

 

[smitch425]

Just want to say thank you to those who understood the reason for my post and for helping me figure this out. I was just a little hesitant to call Disney and turned here for advice. Happy ending for all - the kids will all be going to the Pirate League together and my youngest daughter and I will get to be "Princesses" one more time together.

Yay! PL is a blast! Enjoy!