Which handheld is better for a day at the park waiting in the lines?LEAPSTER2/VSMILE

[wife&mom3]

OK I know that is sound like a strange question but I am trying to find a handheld for my little girls for the long waits and the parks. I am trying to decide between a leapster 2 and a vsmile pocket! My twin girls are 6 and and my littest one will be 4 in june. We are going to WDW in may and the easter bunny will be bringing them there systems. So does anyone have any advice on these system?? we will be driving to WDW (15 hours!!)
Thanks everyone!!

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

We have both...my daughter plays with her Leapster (aka..Hamster!!!) all the time. The V-smile is more difficult. She will be 5 in June, and has very average motor skills. She struggles with stuff because she is a lefty and I am not, so it is hard for me to teach her to do things (tie shoes, cut) even though I try! Anyways, she struggles and just gets frustrated with the V-smile... My niece who is is the same age, has a V-smile and does fine with it... I do like the Leapster because it has a pen that they can draw letters, numbers, shapes, etc. on the screen. That will keep her busy for a long time! Hope this helps!

 

[lucyem]

We have a leapster for my 4 yr old and a DSLite for my 6 yr old. To be honest most 1st-2nd graders are getting into the DS systems so you might want to ask them what their friends have. Also my 4 yr old will gladly give up his leapster for any time on the DS. We brought both on our 23 hour drive and both were used. But like I said if my 6 yr old put down the DS then my 4 yr old had it. I do not know anything about the vsmile.

My only thought with bringing the leapster or vsmile into a park is the weight and being one more thing to deal with (or in your case 3 things). It would be great in the car though.

 

[NemoMom07]

I got my ds3 a leapster2 for Christmas. He loves it. Out of all the things he got this is the toy he plays with almost everyday. And as his mom I have really seen him learn a lot. The games are fun, even for Mom/Dad. He likes us to play as well. I got 4 games off of craigslist for $5 each. Two others off ebay. Two games on BF, and bought him 2 more at TRU when they had them for B1G1 free. This is a great learning system and is even better keeping the little ones occupied while waiting at the drs or grocery shopping.I did buy the bag to keep his system and games together and easy to grab out the door.

 

[wife&mom3]

My littest is a lefty and that is why I was thinking about the leapster for her because of the games that teach you how to write. I am right handed and I try to help her but it is very hard to do so that might be something for me to really think about. I am planning on getting my twins the ds for christmas.
But im trying to think of something just for now and the ds is what they want from SANTA.

 

[DaniB]

Leapster!

Our family has a v-smile, v-smile pocket, 2 leapsters, 3 Nintendo DS (I'm a pack rat )

Anyways - I found the v-smile was great with my kids were younger. The v-smile pocket a little harder to hold and use however. I keep it around in the playroom for daycare kids, and sometimes my 6 year old will still play with it.

The leapster keeps kids attention much better! The games are more interactive - they can trace/draw letters, color and more. AND I found the older kids (ages 7-10) will still sometimes play with the games as the game cartridges are designed better for older kids. A lot more games in the library for the leapster as well!

By the way, at 6 and 4 they WILL like and use the leapster games! But be warned... if you get your 6 year old a Nintendo DS - that's what the 4 year old will want. Using the leapster (a particular game cartridge) taught my son the alphabet and how to write his letters before he entered JK.

My 11 year old hardly ever touches the leapster now since she was given a Nintendo DS. My 6 year, unfortunately, was given a Nintendo DS as well... big mistake... he would have kept playing with the leapster a lot longer. In fact, sometimes I "lose" his NDS so he'll pick up the leapster again. Educational, but still fun is the leapster.

Dani

 

[nanlou]

My honest answer ... I can't imagine bringing either into the park. Having them available for a long car drive or for use in the airport/on airplanes is one thing. But toting them around on all the rides all day long sounds like a nightmare to me. And having them play while standing in line? Most lines *move* ... you don't just stand in place for 20 or 30 or 60 minutes. I'm having trouble picturing a child using a handheld game system and walking through the queue without causing problems (primarily problems for the parent...). Have you thought about alternatives to using gaming systems to distract your kids from the potential boredom of waiting in line? Maybe getting them interested in searching for hidden mickeys, or having "conversation starter" discussion topics ready? Striking up conversation with others in line around you? Collecting info on where other people are from (it could be a glorified bingo game -- or a variation on the license plate game)?

 

[NemoMom07]

My ds3 is a lefty as well. It is hard to teach them letters to write, being a righty. He does very well with using the leapster to write and draw.

 

[wife&mom3]

Well this will be our first time to WDW and no I was not talking about them walking around the park playing them they will be in a stroller. I seen another post that said bring a game when waiting in line. The main thing really is the ride in the car for 15 hours. We have a tv in the car for them but that gets old to them fast.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

My two kids share a Leapster, Didj and DS. They are invaluable for long car trips, which we take frequently, and for plane rides. They will be along for our upcoming trip (leave one week from today!)

I have never thought about brininging them for lines, and to be honest, I don't think you'll need them.

Most of the lines move constantly/frequently. Hard to walk and play at the same time. Also, most have elaborate theming that my kids, 7 and 5, enjoy looking at. They also strike up conversations with other kids in line. There are a few games we play quite frequently...

Rock Paper Scissors and Thumb War!

 

[wife&mom3]

I was looking at the didj also for the twins. Does anyone have any advice about them??

 

[foltzy]

We have both. We bought the V.Smile for dd (5) a few years ago. She now has a DS and the V.Smile doesn't get used. We bought ds (Almost 3) a Leapster2 for Christmas. He loves it. We bought that for him because it has the styles like his sister's DS. He plays it a lot.

I have the oposite problem as most of the parents who have answered. Both my kids are right handed, I'm left handed. So we work a lot with worksheets and the Leapster is great for my son to learn.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

I was looking at the didj also for the twins. Does anyone have any advice about them??

The Didj is like the Leapster, but with slightly better graphics and games for older kids. My son had outgrown the Leapster games. He is in 2nd grade. Didj games can be hard to find, and are not as plentiful as Leapster games. I got him the Didj two Christmases ago because he wanted a DS and I was not ready for that yet; I wanted him to continue to play educational games for as long as possible. Finally relented this past Christmas and got the DS, as it was the one and only thing he asked for. Once they play the DS, the Leapster and Didj are second choice for sure. He plays the Didj when his sister gets a turn on the DS during car rides, which was one of the stipulations he had when we got it.

 

[elizablake]

DD5 likes the Leapster better. But she loves my iPhone the best.

 

[Willis520]

Our daughter had the Vsmile. She used it alot in the car on trips, but not much at home. My only complaint with the Vsmile was that there was a limited number of games that she was interested in. She now has DS and loves it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The car yes. The parks no. WAY to easy to drop or leave behind. One more thing you don't want to have to keep track of all day. I once went with exteneded relatives who were forced to carry walkie talkies all day. Such a pain - and they were older, very responsible kids! It is SUPER easy to leave somethign like that behind on a ride.


Really, I've been with kids MANY times. They have never brought anything like that. At most, they have found some small plastic toy in the park that they wanted and carried that around in their pockets. At most, three 2 inch dinosaurs each. They know that if they lose one, it's not the end of the world. Most often though - they like best the freebies that WDW gives kids for FREE !

Epcot has kidcot stations all over the park. They also have Kim Possible - if you really want them to have an eletronic device - it's scavenger hunt/mystery they can do for FREE.

At any park they can get a character signature book for a few dollars and a pen - or you can bring your own. An oversized pen is best.

Small glowsticks are fun after dark. Again - glowsticks can be tossed at the end of the night or whenever you lose them.

At HS, they give away free stickers and paper disks for the stickers by RnRC.

All over WDW - CM's give kids stickers. Walk near a DVc booth and they will probably give your kids a handful of DVC/Mickey stickers.

Many tranportaion operators have some stickers - though these are more rare - as they don't alwasy have time to hand them out when they are doing their jobs.

All of WS shops that sell perfume have free sample strips.

Ecpot's cool Station has free softdrink samples and free paper cups.

Many deluxe resorts have free activities for guests. Kids et some kind of freebie for participating. You may get invited if youa re just visiting to dine even.

Dine at 'Ohana or stay at teh Poly and you'll get a free flower lei.

Many resort Qs places have free character papers to colr and crayons. All TS restaurants give kids menus to color.

The poolside eatery at BC gives kids their lunch in a pail with a shovel.

There are a number of others....somewhere the DIS is a long thread that lists WDW freebies.

Beyond that, There is constantly something to see hear and small at WDW. If anything, most kids gets overstimulated - not bored.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

My honest answer ... I can't imagine bringing either into the park. Having them available for a long car drive or for use in the airport/on airplanes is one thing. But toting them around on all the rides all day long sounds like a nightmare to me. And having them play while standing in line? Most lines *move* ... you don't just stand in place for 20 or 30 or 60 minutes. I'm having trouble picturing a child using a handheld game system and walking through the queue without causing problems (primarily problems for the parent...). Have you thought about alternatives to using gaming systems to distract your kids from the potential boredom of waiting in line? Maybe getting them interested in searching for hidden mickeys, or having "conversation starter" discussion topics ready? Striking up conversation with others in line around you? Collecting info on where other people are from (it could be a glorified bingo game -- or a variation on the license plate game)?

The car yes. The parks no.

Beyond that, There is constantly something to see hear and small at WDW. If anything, most kids gets overstimulated - not bored.

Couldn't have said it better.

also I agree w/ the PP about the Nintendo DS, our DD7 got one and Leapster, Vtech and all that pail in comparision and are too 'childish' for her now. DS has more games available and is something they can 'grow' into for years to come, the other gaming systems are somewhat limited to preschool and early elementary years. They are a little more pricey but it is something that can be used for many more years to come and there are alot of educational type games available you just have to look for them a little harder (online is best bet) than the vsmile and Leapster stuff.

 

[Cruz91]

We had a similar dilemma and decided to get the DS with insurance from Toys R Us. That way we wouldn't have to worry about them dropping it. DD7 at the time and DS4 at the time both have done well. To make us feel better, we got them some brain teaser games - which are actually pretty fun for adults too!

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

My honest answer ... I can't imagine bringing either into the park. Having them available for a long car drive or for use in the airport/on airplanes is one thing. But toting them around on all the rides all day long sounds like a nightmare to me. And having them play while standing in line? Most lines *move* ... you don't just stand in place for 20 or 30 or 60 minutes. I'm having trouble picturing a child using a handheld game system and walking through the queue without causing problems (primarily problems for the parent...). Have you thought about alternatives to using gaming systems to distract your kids from the potential boredom of waiting in line? Maybe getting them interested in searching for hidden mickeys, or having "conversation starter" discussion topics ready? Striking up conversation with others in line around you? Collecting info on where other people are from (it could be a glorified bingo game -- or a variation on the license plate game)?

Exactly what I was thinking! I am not even letting our girls bring MP3 players into the park. We're there to spend time as a family and intereatc with each other MORE than we do on a typical day.
But to answer your question about the game system, we've never had the vsmile, but my youngest 8 had the leapster before she got her DS. We noticed that most of the games really were only geared up to about age 6 or 7. After that she needed something more challenging so we bought the DS.
It's a good distraction for the car, and maybe even in the evenings at the hotel to wind down a bit, but I wouldn't take it in the park...if for no other reason than I would worry they would get lost/stolen (yes it still happens at Disney) or get wet/jostled and get broken.

 

[DaniB]

Ok, I hear what you all are saying about bringing electronics into the park. And I agree for the most part, I do not want my kids playing with a game while we are in WDW

However, I know of one time for sure that I will be bringing their Nintendo DS's into the park. And that will be the evening we line up for Fantasmic. If we are going to be making the kids wait in line for an hour to 1 1/2 hours - They can have their darn system!

The rest of the park time, yeah - no DS!

Dani