Would any DISers allow their toddlers navigate the MK?

[disneyholic family]

My DW and I completely agree. We both, especially me, have been enough times to have ridden all of the rides that we like. Now we are there for our kids. We let them decide what they want to go on, but we may guide them a little depending on the lines. They have never put up a fuss with that as long as we explain why we are not going to Dumbo right now b/c there is a 2hr wait.

But if they want to just go get autographs or watch the street performers, then that is what they do.

Sure, I wouldn't mind riding Space Mountain or RnR, but those rides are going anywhere and I'm coming back. As long as I see that smile on my kids faces , I know I just had the BEST vacation ever!

not to worry....they grow up and want to go on what you want to go on anyway....my 'kids' are now 18 and 20....so now the visits include ToT and RNRC, etc.etc...but we still let the kids lead...interestingly, they choose to go at a slow 'go with the flow' pace....of course, they've been to WDW almost as many times as we have, so there's really no need for any of us to go commando....they just sort of walk along, if a line is short, in we go, if it's long, we continue on to the next attraction (taking a FP if it's available and if they want to come back to it later in the day)...
we also take a lot of time to sit around and have a drink or a snack or just watch people talking to the talking trash can or things like that....

for us, the whole point of WDW is to be together as a family.....lots of family time together, regardless of what we're doing.....that's still true, although the kids are 'grown up'.....

 

[goofyernmost]

I didn't have time to read all the posts so if this has been covered previously, I am truly sorry.

My purpose in what I am saying here is not to be critical of how others do things but just to express how I did things when raising my children and why!

I had and have seen so many parents leaving decision making to very young children. My feeling was and is that we have a specific job as a parent and that is nuturing and guiding. That is the same as "providing" and teaching. No matter how intelligent a child is, they lack the experience and background to make decisions, on thier own. Unlike thier parents, who have lived much longer and experience more things, both pleasant and painful!

I have noticed members of my own family that, for example, allow the youngest of children to decide when bedtime should be. Well, you say to yourself, they are the ones that really know when they are tired. Do they? They only know when they are exhausted and literally pass out from fatigue. It is the job of the parents to guide them and insure that they get the proper rest, nutrition and safe environment to grow up healthy and happy. That is our job and it is far more than just being the carrier of the necessary cells to create the basic life form. It is an ongoing job but one of the most rewarding jobs you can find.

The message in all this...YOU be the adult. YOU guide your children. DO NOT allow them to be placed in a position of decision making that they are just not equipt to handle. They in all probability have many friends...they need parents.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

We always let the kids decide where and what we will do. the only rule is, once we get to a "land" we make our way around the park sequentially. No zig-zagging back and forth.

If our oldest Ds chose the order of the rides in Tomorrowland, then one of the other two would choose the ride order in a different section, ect.

 

[freakylick]

It's more about using a child's ideas and opinions to help guide in teaching them about making solid choices and a little bit about responsiblity.

And they will get that too...which is why I said:

they would get some control and it will give them a few lessons in planning along the way

although, maybe I should have added "lessons in responsibility and planning".

I hope I am not misunderstanding other peoples comments, but I feel like I am being made out to be a family dictator. All that I have said is that they won't get FULL control. They will still make decisions, they will still get my guidance and the life lessons that I want to instill in them...I can do all of those things without letting my 4 yr old run my day at MK.

 

[pjupton]

allow the youngest of children to decide when bedtime should be.

DO NOT allow them to be placed in a position of decision making that they are just not equipt to handle. They in all probability have many friends...they need parents.

Letting the kids choose their own bed time - NO.

Letting the kids choose which PJ's to wear to bed - YES.

Letting the kids choose when we go to WDW and where we stay - NO.

Letting the kids choose if we go on Peter Pan or IASW - YES.

Freakylick, when and if you have children, I think you will probably find out that, yes, it is all about them. Let them be little!

 

[freakylick]

Letting the kids choose their own bed time - NO.

Letting the kids choose which PJ's to wear to bed - YES.

Letting the kids choose when we go to WDW and where we stay - NO.

Letting the kids choose if we go on Peter Pan or IASW - YES.

Freakylick, when and if you have children, I think you will probably find out that, yes, it is all about them. Let them be little!

Again, I think I am being misunderstood...

If the world was truly all about my child and what they wanted..the answer to all 4 of them would be "Yes". You obviously don't think it is all about what the child wants either. The world does not revolve around my child's "wants".

My family vacation will be a vacation for my family to enjoy...and yes, much of my enjoyment will come from watching my child enjoy things. But I will get to know my child and make sure that I plan things that my child will enjoy...while also leaving room for some my child to express some spontaneity.

But who knows, maybe everyone is right...When I have kid(s), I will give up everything that I ever need and/or want just to be able to give my child everything he/she wants.

 

[daisax]

I'm with you, freakylick.

A lot of it is age dependent. A 2 year old is going to be more interested in playing in the water fountains than doing a lot of what I want to get done. So I make time for water fountains, but I'm not spending a couple thousand dollars to go to Disney World when I have a sprinkler in my back yard

You also have to allow for a child to be pleasantly surprised -- some countries in Epcot are more outwardly attractive to a small child than others, but the others can also have great hidden attractions (Pooh et al in the back garden in England, etc.)