What is 1 unpopular opinion on Travel you have?

[tvguy]

Oh, also, IMHO it is the parents that can be the issue, not the kids. Kids only know what their parents teach them.

 

[smiths02]

I don't really like to travel for the sake of traveling or adventure or experience. I like to vacation. If my only way to see some place is to eat Top Ramen for a year and backpack in youth hostels and go without plumbing while I am traveling, I am not that interested.

I also don't really care for the ocean or beaches (I grew up in a beach town). I just don't like bathing suits, sunscreen, ocean tides and creatures. I prefer the woods for scenery, but I don't like tent camping.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I don't really care for sightseeing. We might do a tour if we go someplace new but I would rather just hang out by a pool...read, swim, people watch, enjoy libations and repeat.

 

[Disney Ron]

LOL. Been on these boards 15 years, it is an issue for many. The elephant in the room for some I guess.

So "many" on a theme park message board are bothered by young children at WDW. All righty now.

 

[tvguy]

So "many" on a theme park message board are bothered by young children at WDW. All righty now.

Bothered by parents who do not at least attempt to keep their children in line. WDW, an airplane, the grocery store or in church.
Hey, I'm still sorry for others on the flight I took 25 years ago when my daughter misbehaved.

 

[Disney Ron]

Bothered by parents who do not at least attempt to keep their children in line. WDW, an airplane, the grocery store or in church.
Hey, I'm still sorry for others on the flight I took 25 years ago when my daughter misbehaved.

I'm sorry if I come across as picking on you tvguy, and I didn't mean to hijack this thread, but your child or any child crying on a flight would never bother me. We fly to MCO in 15 days and I know there will be kids on the plane. If they bothered me I'd drive. My point is that I believe most parents try their best to quiet a misbehaving kid, but you'll always have those exceptions.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I never unpack in a hotel room. Don’t ever use the drawers. I’m a very organized packer, and it makes no sense to me to take everything out of a suitcase only to have to put it back in. The exception is a garment that should be hung, like a dress. I’ll take that out and hang it as soon as I arrive to help de-wrinkle.

 

[NHdisneylover]

There were people who didn't like us at Animal Kingdom that trip. It had nothing to do with our kids' ages though.

This was fall of 1999 and they were just launching fast pass and only at AK. There were CMs by all the distribution machines calling out to guests to come try the new system that it was free and allowed you to skip waiting in line. Most people walked right by. We stopped and learned how it worked on our way into what would have been our first queue of the day---Safari. Sounded great to us! Heading through the fast pass lane, with literally no one else there, several people shouted over the rail accusing us of line jumping, a few used very not Disney friendly words. On our second time on the ride (also with FP) one man got very threatening and came over the rail and threatened DH (who was carrying DD)--thankfully he caught up to DH just about where the stroller parking way, and there were CMs there who stepped in and called security.
But, again, none of that had anything to do with the ages of our kids, or us behaving poorly at all.

 

[tvguy]

I'm sorry if I come across as picking on you tvguy, and I didn't mean to hijack this thread, but your child or any child crying on a flight would never bother me. We fly to MCO in 15 days and I know there will be kids on the plane. If they bothered me I'd drive. My point is that I believe most parents try their best to quiet a misbehaving kid, but you'll always have those exceptions.

No problem. My issue is with parents who do not even make an attempt to comfort or discipline a child that is acting out.

 

[NHdisneylover]

No problem. My issue is with parents who do not even make an attempt to comfort or discipline a child that is acting out.

I take issue with such parents too. I am always astounded by parents who bring nothing to amuse a child on transatlantic flights, and ignore their kid on top of it.
I find most of those kids are great if (after asking parents) I offer them some drawing materials or other simple items for entertaining themselves.

I don't know why you assumed I was such a parent, but that is not the case.

 

[tvguy]

I take issue with such parents too. I am always astounded by parents who bring nothing to amuse a child on transatlantic flights, and ignore their kid on top of it.
I find most of those kids are great if (after asking parents) I offer them some drawing materials or other simple items for entertaining themselves.

I don't know why you assumed I was such a parent, but that is not the case.

I did not assume, that is why I asked.

 

[ronandannette]

Huh? You've never seen good kids and/or parents who make sure their kids aren't disrupting others? Sure, there are some that just let their kids do what they want, but the majority do the right thing. Why would you assume the worst of her or her kids?

I was one of those parents that was always hyper-sensitive to the idea that my kid might be “bothering” somebody and/or that I’d be judged as an over-indulgent or inattentive parent. He was actually a pretty good little guy but we both suffered needlessly trying to be sure we never attracted any negative attention. I regret that now. I wish I’d let him have one of those reviled bubble-guns in WDW!

Nowadays, hearing somebody else’s kid act up (and knowing it’s not my problem) is like music to my ears. I’m actually pretty sympathetic towards it usually and if need be I can walk away. If I’m stuck in a line-up somewhere or in a restaurant, I get through it and get on with my life. Heck, nobody likes being seated near a crying baby on a plane, but it’s part of life...

 

[AppleDumpling]

I am in the know your kids and yourselves and plan travel accordingly camp.

I agree. To each their own. I think each family should decide what works for them. And obviously if you have a larger family with more than 1 or 2 children and/or a wider age gap, it’s harder to stick with strict age criteria on a family vacation.

If I were a parent, my rule of thumb would be the kid has to be able to walk ( no strollers) and go to the hopper by him/herself.

This was our thought process as well. We preferred to not have to deal with a stroller. (And LOL, I’ve never heard the term hopper used in that context, but guessing you mean a toilet.)

IMO, the ideal age for a first time multi-day visit to WDW is between 4 and 8, but YMMV.

We took DS at 5, almost 6. We were open to renting a stroller there if necessary, but never needed it. He was so excited to be there, really appreciated the “magic”, enjoyed meeting characters, and was able to go on most rides. We spent fairly long days in the parks and had no issues with walking or waiting in lines, no complaints, no meltdowns, and he went to bed quickly back at the hotel. I realize we were lucky and he was by nature a well-behaved child, but it worked out perfectly for us. We all have special memories from that trip.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

Please don’t - based on your posts I doubt you’d reflect well on our humble and polite reputation.

It's okay, we just say we're from Toronto and no one even blinks.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I was one of those parents that was always hyper-sensitive to the idea that my kid might be “bothering” somebody and/or that I’d be judged as an over-indulgent or inattentive parent. He was actually a pretty good little guy but we both suffered needlessly trying to be sure we never attracted any negative attention. I regret that now. I wish I’d let him have one of those reviled bubble-guns in WDW!

Nowadays, hearing somebody else’s kid act up (and knowing it’s not my problem) is like music to my ears. I’m actually pretty sympathetic towards it usually and if need be I can walk away. If I’m stuck in a line-up somewhere or in a restaurant, I get through it and get on with my life. Heck, nobody likes being seated near a crying baby on a plane, but it’s part of life...

To me, the "right thing" never meant making sure kids are quiet as church mice and not seen. Kids being kids will never bother me, unless it gets out of hand and parents aren't trying to do something.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I live about 3 1/2 hours south of WDW. I absolutely love doing the drive, and especially with no rest stops. No switching drivers. We’re all adults here in my party.

I’m not a mom, but I love children. I’ve never been bothered by a crying baby, toddler, kid, etc. It’s all good!

 

[DLgal]

I’m not yet back in diapers, but I can’t hold my pee for 2 hours.

LOL. Same. I pee WAY more often than my kids ever did. I probably stop at every restroom at Disney.

 

[ronandannette]

It's okay, we just say we're from Toronto and no one even blinks.

I know a lot of people from Toronto. You’d have a hard time blending in if you’re as foul-tempered IRL as your posts here imply.

 

[NHdisneylover]

LOL. Same. I pee WAY more often than my kids ever did. I probably stop at every restroom at Disney.

Me too. My kids used to roll their eyes "you sure love the potty ride".

 

[Cubbiecakes]

I know a lot of people from Toronto. You’d have a hard time blending in if you’re as foul-tempered IRL as your posts here imply.

*shrug* We can continue this urination contest if you like, but I'm not the one making personal attacks. Who's the rude one again? Oh that's right, you are!