Spinoff to taking kids to Disney

[kybred72]

I assume that most of us have LOVED Disney prior to having kids. When I would go with just my fiance/now husband or family we were free to go as fast thru the parks as we wanted, took few bathroom breaks, didn't mind waiting in long lines for rides, stayed out late, etc.

Not that we are the parents of a toddler and have one on the way, I wonder how our Disney trips will change. I love being a mom and not to sound mean but I've always looked at parents at WDW who had to deal with their kids throwing tantrums, throwing up, running around, etc and thanking goodness that wasn't me!

So, do you think taking your children to Disney enchances the magical experience or does it tend to slow you down and make you miss out on things that they're not old/tall enough to experience?

 

[magicalmemories]

For me, it only enhances the magic. To see your kids take in all the magic for the first time or 100th time is wonderful. Sure, I would love to go sometime w/o the kids, but if you can only go once a year or every other year, how can you deprive the kids of the magic.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Its a trade off,

Children slow you down - but you get to see more as you stroll through the park rather than run.

You can still ride the roller coasters (but not if you're pregnant :animwink: ) by doing the baby swap and you get to see their faces smile when they experience their first rides.

Either way children at WDW enhance the experience (as long as they're well behaved and their parents tale time to consider their needs)

 

[tigsmom]

There is nothing like seeing the look on your child's face as they see the castle or Mickey for the first time (and even afterwards). For me going with my kids only enhances the magic. Things are different of course, you have to adapt to their schedule, but thats ok by me.

 

[TwoTigersMom]

Taking children to WDW is a whole different experience. It does slow your pace down a little, but your seeing the World from a new perspective. I think that going at a little slower pace, you get a chance to take in everything and see more of the beautiful details. As far as missing out on rides your child is too small for, baby swap is great! Of course, taking Grandma with you would be even better lol! Enjoy the slower pace and enjoy watching as your child rides Dumbo for the zillionth time in one afternoon. Besides, it gives you a chance to ride the rides like Dumbo, without feeling like everybody is staring at you because your the only childless one on it!:lol:

 

[Raven66]

There is nothing like seeing the look on your child's face as they see the castle or Mickey for the first time (and even afterwards). For me going with my kids only enhances the magic. Things are different of course, you have to adapt to their schedule, but thats ok by me.

I second that! I, personally wouldn't trade my trips with my daughter for anything. We had fun when we would go as parentless people, but when you take your children it's just so wonderful! I'm actually at a loss for words.

 

[Since1976]

I will never forget:

1. Watching our one-and-a-half year old daughter whoop and SCREAM with joy on Magic Carpets of Aladdin, her first thrill ride ever.

2. Watching her reach her hands out to touch Lumiere during Mickey's Philharmagic, her first theatrical movie, not to mention first 3-D movie. (We held the glasses a few inches from her face)

3. Watching her stand up and clap her hands during "it's a small world."

These attractions would not have been half as memorable if we didn't have our daughter there.

 

[jim1051]

Our first 3 trips were with kids, then one with adult children then 4 without, then 1 with adult kids and grand kids.

All were great! There is nothing like the look on the face of the little ones as they experience MAGIC the first time.

One of our Grand daughters is mildly autistic and she was overwhelmed at times, but she still had a great time and still talks about it.

 

[Nicole]

My kids have never thrown a tantrum at Disney. I don't let them. I watch for signs that they are getting tired, and we'll leave the park so they can have a nap. I talk to them ahead of time about what is going to happen, and what my expectations are (i.e. we are not buying you anything in the gift shops until after dinner). We do skip some of the attractions, and maybe don't get to see everything.

But to be with a child who meets "the real Snow White" for the first time, or who experiences Wishes or Spectromagic for the first time, or who spends a blissful half hour splashing in the fountains while others in your party ride M:S. That's Magic.

 

[coltow]

I will agree that bringing a little one does slow you down and you do have to take breaks. There are plenty of quiet places around that you can sit for while, if you don't want to go back to your hotel. The best place I found was the exits to most thrill rides, ToT was my favorite waiting place.

I had been to WDW about 25 times before bringing my son. It's a whole new experience, one that brings even more smiles and at time a happy tear or two. There are things I would have never done (like the petting zoo at Animal Kingdom) and I was never one to wait in line meet characters, just do a meal, now I'll wait for pictures and autographs so he'll have them forever. He knows alot of characters and loves waving at all of them at the parades, which I may also have skipped had he not been there. I will take bringing my son over not bringing him any day.

 

[Sweetums]

We just got back from taking our 2-year old (almost 3) son for the first time. My wife (fiancee at the time) and I went six years ago and went on every ride, saw every show and parade, etc...

This time, it was a much slower pace, but no less enjoyable. What was cool about having already gone was that neither of us felt like we were missing anything by not going on Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, etc... 'cause we'd already done them. I did make sure I was able to try out some of the new stuff like EE and M:S. My wife would take the little one shopping when I did those. No problem for him since he would inevitably end up with some kind of treat.

One of the things that really helped, too, was taking a mid-day break every day and going back to the hotel. We would either nap, swim or read. It was great, 'cause it recharged all of us and then we would go back.

 

[Nemo14]

We've been there without kids and had a blast, but by far the most magical times happened when we took our kids. Yes, the pace is different, but just the look on my daughter's face when Cinderella blew her a kiss during the parade, or the highly contagious laugh my son had every time goofy did peek-a-boo with him were totally priceless. I don't remember much about some of the lines DH and I have waited in for rides, but I'll never forget waiting for over an hour for Dumbo just because DD wanted to ride it, or calming DS' fears waitntng in line for PoC.

 

[MickeyTigg]

Yes, when you go to WDW with little kids you do have to go at a slower pace. But it doesn't detract from the experience any for us. Experiencing Disney with our kids has always been a magical experience.

 

[wired]

Last Year, we took my 1 yr old son, and though it seems like he slept through just about any attraction we went on, overload..., just have him there with us on our yearly trip was worth it. When we go back and watch the videos we were able to capture some great moments.

I will say this, after many years of going with my GFs or wife, you really see how rude some people can be when you are pushing a stroller. I only hope that during the times I was there I was never that rude, and if I was I am sorry to any one I cut in front of if I was in a rush going somewhere.

But a year or so later, with my little girl that is now 1yr old and my son that is 2, I am sure we will have just as good of time. I just can't stress the point of planning as flexible as possible.

:wave:

wired

 

[Epcot82Guy]

ALthough I don't have kids, I can definitely attest to what taking it from a different perspective can do. When I worked at Epcot, by the end, I was really taking my time. The "get as much done as possible" had left, and I found myself interacting and simply watching others a lot more. WHen you have a guaranteed diversion (i.e. watching your own "others"), this really adds to the magic. Although you may miss some attractions, you find other attractions you never knew existed by taking your time and changing your focus.

NOTE: I used to say you may miss some and could see them again, but that is quickly becoming a major risk anymore... :lookaroun but back to topic...