Would any DISers allow their toddlers navigate the MK?

[Laugh O. Grams]

I just finished reading an article about taking young children to the Magic Kingdom, and the fun of letting your under age 5 child take over the trip planning for the MK. Not when and where to eat, or which resort to stay at obviously. An example would be to go to Fantasyland and let your little one decide which rides to go on first, then second, and so on. I know there are some hard core Disney Commandos who only go to WDW once every 5 years and this probably wouldn't work for you, but to all of those DISers who, like me and my family, make a pilgrimage to see the Mouse at least twice a year, have you/would you do this? Personally, it sounds like it would be fun for your little one, but I'm certainly open to differing opinions.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I don't have kids, but we're thinking about it.

I realize that the dynamics of touring change COMPLETELY once you have kids. I've seen it all and done enough of what *I* want to do. So absolutely. I would take my child and let them pick what they wanted to do. I'd probably ending up seeing some neat things that I have no personal interest in.

I'd also be sure and pick an UN-crowded time to allow for that. I don't want the kid to be waiting in line all day!

 

[Stitch Inside]

Our oldest DS (6) has been in charge since he was 4. We've been lucky to go when it has not been crowded.

 

[adisneymama]

We sort of do that. Our first trip DD was only 14 mos, so didn't have to worry about it too much. Last trip she was 2 and experienced in Disney. So what we did is we would give her a choice of a couple of the rides that we either had a fastpass for or that didn't have a long wait time. We would let her choose which one we rode first etc. Gave her a little bit of control and that made her happy, but we still rode everything and then some! LOL On the last day in the parks, we had done everything we set out too so we would just let her point out some things that she wanted to do. If she pointed to something with a long line we would try it again later and had her choose something else. Worked out really well. We also tried to do as many of the "adult" rides while she was sleeping in the stroller. Have a great trip!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I'd also be sure and pick an UN-crowded time to allow for that. I don't want the kid to be waiting in line all day!

Oh yeah...That'd have to be key!!

 

[disneyvoice]

We make one adult only trip each year for which I plan for like mad. Then we make one trip a year with my toddler son.

When we take my toddler son to Disney World we don't really have much of a set itinerary. I typically determine which park we will visit on which day to make sure we will not be at a park on it's busiest day. Then I schedule a few character breakfast for specific parks. Other than that my little guy runs the show. I've trained him well (even at his ripe old age of 3) so he knows that the best thing is to ride Dumbo as soon a Fantasyland opens. But other than that he pretty much decides what he wants to do. We typically end up riding the Magic Carpets of Aladdin at least two or three times in a row. He also likes to spend HOURS in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area.

Now, I need to stress that we only vist WDW during times with the absolute lowest attendance so it really isn't necessary to do much planning in terms of which rides to visit at a specific time. Typically we are able to do a character breakfast, do all the rides my little guy wants to do, go back to the resort for a nap, and then return to the park for a few more rides, and still get him back to the resort for his 7:30-8:00 bedtime without any problems at all.

If we were there during a high attendance time I'm sure this would NOT be the case. However, I can't imagine trying to deal with a toddler during the peak crowd times, especially during the HOT summer months when you spend more time waiting in line than actually riding the attractions. But my husband and I never visit during those time either.

 

[lillygator]

We go so often we always let DD "navigate" around MK - as that is mostly her favorite park aside from Animal Kingdom....

 

[ShuisFan584]

Well my first trip was when I was 2 years old. My parents didn't let me navigate everything, but sometimes they'd let me pick what I wanted to do. They said sometimes they were forced to go on it's a small world like 5 times in a row because it was my favorite ride and I wanted to go on it over and over again. They said they didn't mind because it was air conditioned and it gave their feet a rest.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

we go in off peak times and the last two trips Julia had had days when she totally gets to pick what we do for the day - the more she learns about the parks - the more she wants to be involved in the planning

 

[Travelingmice]

Our DS (not quite 6 for this coming Nov trip) has been leading us around the World since his first trip at just under 2. We have spent much time chasing lizards outside of MGM. He's also an avid photogropher (thank goodness for the delet button on the digital camera) and takes many pictures (tiger at animal kingdom, same tiger, same position, oh again, wait there's another one )! What's making him happy is what we want to be doing at that minute.

 

[jckdisneybound]

We also go off season, so we do what she wants, I'm not a big ride person so it's fun to see things how she does (oh she will be 4 this trip). I'm sure her Dad is looking forward to the time when she will ride the "big" rides with him

 

[freakylick]

My wife and I (currently w/o child) are making our first trip together in Oct. Part of the reason that we are going is that this will be my wifes first ever visit and I thought it would be very special for the two of us to get to enjoy the World w/o kids so that she could enjoy what she wanted to. I know full well that WDW is a much different trip w/kids and that our kid(s) will dictate much of what we do.

That being said, I would definitely give my children some say, but I would never let them "run" things. I would probably do something like this:

So what we did is we would give her a choice of a couple of the rides that we either had a fastpass for or that didn't have a long wait time. We would let her choose which one we rode first etc. Gave her a little bit of control and that made her happy, but we still rode everything and then some! LOL On the last day in the parks, we had done everything we set out too so we would just let her point out some things that she wanted to do. If she pointed to something with a long line we would try it again later and had her choose something else. Worked out really well. We also tried to do as many of the "adult" rides while she was sleeping in the stroller.

Our child won't always get their way, but they would get some control and it will give them a few lessons in planning along the way . I just don't want to give them full "control" because I want them to learn that you can't always have what you want in life. In essence, telling them: "We're on vacation and you can have fun, but it's not all about you".

P.S.-I don't want this to sound critical of anyone's choice on how to raise their children..each parent raises their child the best way they see fit.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

In essence, telling them: "We're on vacation and you can have fun, but it's not all about you".

P.S.-I don't want this to sound critical of anyone's choice on how to raise their children..each parent raises their child the best way they see fit.

Not taken critically - but she gets to pick what we do b/c IRL she is a great kid and you may not think so now - but it is all about them!!!

 

[freakylick]

you may not think so now - but it is all about them!!!

Maybe I didn't express myself properly...But I meant it more like, the world (real world and Mickey's world ) does not revolve around them. I will work very hard to make the trips magical for them...make no mistake about that.

IRL she is a great kid

I am sure that is in large part to great parenting.

 

[Tarzan]

Not taken critically - but she gets to pick what we do b/c IRL she is a great kid and you may not think so now - but it is all about them!!!

I have to agree with that. The first time we went to WDW our children were 11months and 23months. We enjoyed what we wanted to by doing baby swap and it really was an excellent vacation. When we go now, however, we let them decide where they want to go. I haven't been on Tower of Terror since 1999 because neither of them have been brave enough to try it so far (I'm hoping this will be the year ). It's not like we spoil our children, or that they are selfish. DS has queued with me for ToT and we had to take the chicken exit. He felt so guilty and I don't want him to feel like that on our family vacations. I'd like us all to have good memories of the fun we have together.

 

[scrappinmom]

Well, we don't go as often as lots of you do...We manage 1 7-10 day trip every 2 years. That being said, I do let my kids decide on where to go a great deal. Once we decide to go, I get a list together of all the character meals and give them a number (meaning the number of those meals we plan on going to) and they get to pick which ones they want. Then I look at the park attendance, EMH's, & decide what parks we're doing on what days...But beyond that I leave it 100% up to them. When we get to the park I will "guide" them to the different areas...but then they pick the rides.

 

[disneyholic family]

we've pretty much always done this.....the kids first started when they were babies (my 18 year old son made his first trip to WDW when he was a 6 week old newborn)....

as soon as they could say what they wanted to do, they decided what it was we did.....like the years that pretty much all they wanted was to get the autographs of the characters....so that was what we did...

as for me, i just love being in the parks....it doesn't matter to me if i'm on a ride or just strolling along enjoying the landscaping and a street musician..

and speaking of street musicians....my kids insist on stopping and listening to all of them....for as long as they play.....and so we do.....that's what they enjoy, so that's what we enjoy....

we do manage one sitting in the Hall of the Presidents, since my husband and I like that....but the kids humor us...

 

[ryanmilla]

as for me, i just love being in the parks....it doesn't matter to me if i'm on a ride or just strolling along enjoying the landscaping and a street musician..

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!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Sammi's first trip she was only 13 months old - and although she didn't tell us what she wanted to do for the most part we did the things we thought she would enjoy. We didn't do ToT or RNRC because we would have had to baby swap and the trip really was all about her. This next trip she will be 23 months and then we are going again at 25 months and I'm sure we will be doing some things repeatedly because I am willing to pretty much let her decide what to do if she has the inclination to tell us

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Our child won't always get their way, but they would get some control and it will give them a few lessons in planning along the way . I just don't want to give them full "control" because I want them to learn that you can't always have what you want in life. In essence, telling them: "We're on vacation and you can have fun, but it's not all about you".

I don't think it's about giving your kids "control" over your life or spoiling them. 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. What better place than Disney!!