Ak's severe lack of kid's rides.

[DisneyPhD]

However, this is more of a general question, albeit slightly off-topic and no offence is intended by this, but why are you bringin a two-year-old to Disney World? I barely remember the trip i made when i was five. I see children as young as newborns broungt in on a daily basis, and i'm trying to figure out Why people bring Children who are that young to WDW, especially since its unlikely that they are able to remember anything.

Sure sounds like disaproving of bring small kids to WDW to me. I realize that you did some back pelding later to futher explain this comment, but this and other like it

"The walk-ways were CROWDED with strollers. Now that was Nov, not a busy time of the year by any means. I understand that parents love WDW as much as children do, but I agree with Dave that newborns and children under the age of 2 or 3 won't remember much of the trip at all, especially since they are so limited to what they can do. Now, if you want to take your children and have a baby-sitter stay at the resort with them, that's fine. But don't overcrowd the parks with strollers."

Sure sound like "don't bring small kids to WDW." to me. When ever you go out in puplic you are bond to find people who do things you don't understand or aprove of, we have all seen examples or poor parenting at any place. I personally get really put out when I see parents smoking around children. Now, I wouldn't bring a new born cross cournty to WDW, but if I lived close by, the weather was nice and had an annual pass I might. The point is you never know what you would or wouldn't do until you are faced with it. Situations are differrent from person to person. One goldren rule of parenting is, never say "I will never do that". It will come back to bite you in butt. I think the time of year you go and who you are much more important then age. As far as memories go, I know for a fact that my DD remembers things from the trip when she was 18 months old. She talks about them today (remember when I ran to the top of the slide and you had to come get me?) Retaining memories has more to do with lanuage development then age.

As far as crying children go, in the over 30 days my DD has spent in the parks at WDW, the only time she has cried is when she fell down and when another kid pushed her. I also know that while the trips have been for us, we have based all events around how the child is doing (as we do in our everyday life.)

I do agree some kids are better prepared and have better personalities to deal with such situations. (for example my 8 year old newphew would make everyone merisble at WDW, he doesn't deal well with places like that, and therefore has not gone yet, but his brothers and sisters have.)

Once again I find that people who make such comments, don't tend to have kids and aren't faced with the situation. (and more often then not are single young adult males.)

Back to AK lack of atractions for small kids, the biggest problem with shows is you have to plan around when they are showing. More is needed that you can just "do" in the inbetween times.

 

[Atta83]

I still love ya Dave, and I agree with ya .

 

[PhotoDave219]

I still love ya Dave, and I agree with ya .

Guess i'm not single, now am i.... Love you too!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Actually I have been thinking more about it (I can't sleep, am currenlty very pregnant and uncomfortable and I admit may be obessing some.) :hammer:

For the young adults out there who don't have kids or familes, do you ever get questions from others like "Why do you like going to WDW, it's just for kids and you aren't a kid. What do you see in it? Why don't you take an adult vacation? Why do you keep going back." I am guessing you do (I know I did when I was 20 something and not a parent.) These people who ask you that, or give you funny looks when you say you are going there, they just don't get it. They don't understand the magic and apeal WDW has for children of all ages. Thats ok, they don't need to, you do. That is why you spend time on these boards, because there are others out there who do "get it."

Now let me ask you this: If and when you are blessed with starting a family and becoming a parent, are you going to stay home for the next 3 to 5 years (maybe much longer if you have 2 or 3 kids) until they will remember it? No, parents need vacations too, with their kids. It is easy to say you can just leave a hypathical child who is not yet born with someone else and go on vaction. Once you have the child it isn't so easy. (and then only if you are lucky enough to have a safe person to leave him or her with.) I remember thinking that before my DD was born. Once she was born you couldn't pry her out of my arms. I missed her when she sleep (but I didn't go pick her up, let sleeping babies lay.) While many kids are left with others and parents take vactions, in my opinon it is potentially more damaging to the child to be sepreated when young then be with their parents on vacation. (Don't get me wrong, it works for some people, but not me, as said before everyone is differnt.) What about breast feeding mom's that can't leave the kid, do they never get a vacation?

While I loved my vactions at WDW before I was a parent, they were much eaiser that is for sure, I wouldn't give up seeing it through my young childrens eyes for the world. If I left her at home I would miss her so much and be thinking how much she would love this. So why it may be hard to understand why parent's bother, maybe someday you will be lucky enough to be blessed with kids, and then you will get it. Being a parent changes everything.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Ya know what DAK needs...more family style dark rides :lookaroun

 

[WDWEric]

You have the Two exploration trails (Gorillas and Tigers), A Bugs Life, All of Camp Minnie-Mickey, Kilamanjaro Safarias, Tarzan Rocks, the Boneyard as well as Chester & Hester's.... There's plenty to do.

However, this is more of a general question, albeit slightly off-topic and no offence is intended by this, but why are you bringin a two-year-old to Disney World? I barely remember the trip i made when i was five. I see children as young as newborns broungt in on a daily basis, and i'm trying to figure out Why people bring Children who are that young to WDW, especially since its unlikely that they are able to remember anything.

I am going next fall and bringing my son who will be 18 months...they may not remember but My wife and I will, I'm not going to postpone my disney trips till my son is 5 or 6 because by then I could have more children, I can not wait to bring my son to disney, he may not remember but that is what pictures and video cameras are for.

 

[MouseMadness]

Ya know what DAK needs...more family style dark rides :lookaroun

Ya know, WDWFREAK53, I'd have to agree with that statement!


(and I'll bring as many darn kids as I darn well please!)

:queenasshat: :wave:

 

[WDWEric]

PhotoDave...I was just wondering how many children and what age they were "ready" for WDW. Also How will I know when my son is ready to go there.

 

[Erika]

PhotoDave...I was just wondering how many children and what age they were "ready" for WDW. Also How will I know when my son is ready to go there.

You know your son better than anybody else. You mentioned a trip this fall- he must be ready, then. So have a wonderful trip and take lots of pictures!

I completely understand Dave's points about using common sense.

I was under 3 on my first trip, and I was ready (BOY was I!). But my parents were smart about it. They didn't drag me onto rides I didn't want to go on (they did let ME drag THEM onto Small World 483957489572 times), they let me eat when I was hungry, and when it was obvious that I needed some rest, we left. We've all seen the screaming, stressed out parents determined to get their money's worth no matter what. None of us wants to be one of THOSE people.

 

[WDWEric]

I was trying to use sarcasm, a lot of the threads come from ignorance, we are talking about Walt Disney World, not some amusement park, The way i see it is a lot of people ( me include on my last trip) are annoyed by all the strollers and crying kids and kids hitting you in line, but untill you have children of your own you should not voice your opinion on something you have no knowledge about, parenting.

 

[Erika]

I was trying to use sarcasm, a lot of the threads come from ignorance, we are talking about Walt Disney World, not some amusement park, The way i see it is a lot of people ( me include on my last trip) are annoyed by all the strollers and crying kids and kids hitting you in line, but untill you have children of your own you should not voice your opinion on something you have no knowledge about, parenting.

I got your sarcasm. I was just trying to steer this thread into more civil waters.

SO, Bri and Christy, HOW BOUT THEM DARK RIDES?

 

[ToTBellHop]

You know your son better than anybody else. You mentioned a trip this fall- he must be ready, then. So have a wonderful trip and take lots of pictures!

I completely understand Dave's points about using common sense.

I was under 3 on my first trip, and I was ready (BOY was I!). But my parents were smart about it. They didn't drag me onto rides I didn't want to go on (they did let ME drag THEM onto Small World 483957489572 times), they let me eat when I was hungry, and when it was obvious that I needed some rest, we left. We've all seen the screaming, stressed out parents determined to get their money's worth no matter what. None of us wants to be one of THOSE people.

LOL...sometimes the parents are worse than the kids! That is what makes Fantasyland such a joy to navigate every day from about 10 am through 4 pm...on that one day each trip when I go to Fantasyland, I either swoop in at 9 am to ride everything or wait until late at night lol...otherwise...well, it isn't very magical
"I WANT FOOD!"
"TOO BAD!! OUR FASTPASS FOR PETER PAN IS UP!"
"I DON'T WANNA RIDE PETER PAN!"
"WELL TOO BAD!"
"I WANT ICE CREAM!"
"YOU SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT AN HOUR AGO WHEN YOU THREW YOUR MICKEY'S PREMIUM BAR AT MINNIE!"
"I DON'T LIKE MINNIE MOUSE!"
"GOOD! BUT YOU DO LIKE PETER PAN, SO LET'S GO!"
"I DON'T LIKE PETER PAN!"
~parent straps kid leash on kid and yanks~

sigh...the Magic Kingdom holds a special place in my heart...

 

[Lauriebar]

I was trying to use sarcasm, a lot of the threads come from ignorance, we are talking about Walt Disney World, not some amusement park, The way i see it is a lot of people ( me include on my last trip) are annoyed by all the strollers and crying kids and kids hitting you in line, but untill you have children of your own you should not voice your opinion on something you have no knowledge about, parenting.

Not to be too rude, but aren't you speaking somewhat out of ignorance as well? You haven't been to DW with a small child of your own yet either. There is no reason to become so offended by the comments made. Whether or not someone is a parent or not is not the issue. A question was asked and some great answers and explanations were given by both parents and non parents. I think that is what these forums are for, to gain information and understanding from each other.

 

[PhotoDave219]

PhotoDave...I was just wondering how many children and what age they were "ready" for WDW. Also How will I know when my son is ready to go there.

Thats for you to decide. Is he ready? Will he freak out at the sight of mickey mouse and scream or will his eyes light up with joy? Only you can know your child that well.

Hopefully you wont be like that lady who was beating the snot out of her kid in front of Star Tours last night, hopefully you wont be jerking your kid around by the arm and nearly ripping it out of its socket like some lady on Main Street USA the day before yesterday. Hopefully, your child will have been raised well enough so theyre not making everyone miserable (including you) and that you're a good enough of a parent to discipline a child discreetly (Like the lady yesterday at DTD who was way off the beaten pathways) or know when to take them back to the hotel because they've suddenly stopped cooperating.

Like i said, i see this stuff every time i go (and thats just about every day). And yes, for the large part most little kids are well adjusted and well behaved and overall ready for the rigors of theme park life. Its those others who just arent ready that seem to catch my notice. And its clear that they arent ready by the way they and their parents behave.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I was trying to use sarcasm, a lot of the threads come from ignorance, we are talking about Walt Disney World, not some amusement park, The way i see it is a lot of people ( me include on my last trip) are annoyed by all the strollers and crying kids and kids hitting you in line, but untill you have children of your own you should not voice your opinion on something you have no knowledge about, parenting.

As someone who spends 40+ hours a week at the parks and mingling with the public, i think i'm infinitly qualified to voice sociological observations about the behaviors of children and the obtuse blindness of their parents who either A - dont care or B - are in denial about it. Because it's never "their kid", its always someone else.

 

[Atta83]

You haven't been to DW with a small child of your own yet either. There is no reason to become so offended by the comments made. Whether or not someone is a parent or not is not the issue. A question was asked and some great answers and explanations were given by both parents and non parents. I think that is what these forums are for, to gain information and understanding from each other.

I went with a famliy that had a 7 month old with them and they said never again would they bring that young of a child to the parks again. The family could not do everything as a family which they really wanted to do. They wanted to ride all the rides with their 7 year old daughter but they were not able to because of the 7 month old.

 

[MouseMadness]

Hopefully you wont be like that lady who was beating the snot out of her kid in front of Star Tours last night, hopefully you wont be jerking your kid around by the arm and nearly ripping it out of its socket like some lady on Main Street USA the day before yesterday. Hopefully, your child will have been raised well enough so theyre not making everyone miserable (including you) and that you're a good enough of a parent to discipline a child discreetly (Like the lady yesterday at DTD who was way off the beaten pathways) or know when to take them back to the hotel because they've suddenly stopped cooperating..

Dave, that stuff would qualify as abuse, and those parents are as likely to do it at the local grocery store as 7-11 . If they do that at WDW, they'll do it anywhere. I don't believe it had much to do with being overwhelmed, just out of control of their emotions. It's sad. Like most have said, I would never skip WDW because I had a very tiny baby, just like I wouldn't skip WDW if I had NO children. You just have to know that you WON'T "get your money's worth" with a very, very young child. (Infant, I'm talking here) Now, Leah (2 and a half) was last there in Feb. and has spent the last 4 months singing It's a small world (AAAAAAAAAAAAAH somebody save me! :lol: ) and saying "Mommy, I tell you sumpin, we go disney wood, we wide dumbo" So to me that is worth every penny spent last trip. (Even if 99.9% of the pennies weren't mine. :lookaroun )

But I do wish there were more we didn't have to split up for in AK. (Just to sorta get back to topic!)

 

[MouseMadness]

I went with a famliy that had a 7 month old with them and they said never again would they bring that young of a child to the parks again. The family could not do everything as a family which they really wanted to do. They wanted to ride all the rides with their 7 year old daughter but they were not able to because of the 7 month old.

And I've been with a six month old, a 9 month old, an 18 month old... And I'd do it again in a heart beat!! (Just to give the other side)

 

[WDWFREAK53]

SO, Bri and Christy, HOW BOUT THEM DARK RIDES?

Yeah...how BOUT them!

Maybe a RIDE based on the "Backyard Jungle" theme...

(I heard the "skunk" part really stinks...)

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Dave, that stuff would qualify as abuse, and those parents are as likely to do it at the local grocery store as 7-11 . If they do that at WDW, they'll do it anywhere. I don't believe it had much to do with being overwhelmed, just out of control of their emotions. It's sad. Like most have said, I would never skip WDW because I had a very tiny baby, just like I wouldn't skip WDW if I had NO children. You just have to know that you WON'T "get your money's worth" with a very, very young child. (Infant, I'm talking here) Now, Leah (2 and a half) was last there in Feb. and has spent the last 4 months singing It's a small world (AAAAAAAAAAAAAH somebody save me! :lol: ) and saying "Mommy, I tell you sumpin, we go disney wood, we wide dumbo" So to me that is worth every penny spent last trip. (Even if 99.9% of the pennies weren't mine. :lookaroun )

But I do wish there were more we didn't have to split up for in AK. (Just to sorta get back to topic!)

Funny...I was 2 on my first trip...and I DO remember my first ride on Dumbo. (It's one of the reasons why I must ride it to this day! (and if you don't believe me...ask Rob where I was when I met him for the first time )

But...we already have a Dumbo clone at DAK :lookaroun

On to the dark rides! (But...maybe "not-so-dark" rides would be more appropriate...a slow omnimover attraction through a brazilian rainforest with REAL animals)

(btw...Christy...your :kingasshat: is here )