Ok, really looking for some wise advice here...

My fiance and I are planning on taking her 6.5 year old son on a vacation this year. I have been to Dysneyland in both California and Florida - my Fiance has not.

She would like the 3 of us to go to Disneyland this year. My experience was it is hot, there are lots of line-ups and it would not necessarily be the most enjoyable family vacation (with a young child say under 9 yrs).

This is compounded by the fact that her son is very very busy (to the point that we had him tested for ADHD a few months back - results were negative). My sense is that he would not appreciate a day of being in crowds, waiting in lines, being uncomfortable, etc...I suspect a vacation where there is some sun, water, and lots of room to kick a ball, and run around with other kids would be far more in line with his personality. I fear the noise, distraction and generaly craziness of Disneyland (along with the need for patience) may really just promote some of the negative behaviours we are trying to teach him to get away from....

Given that this is not the ONLY choice for a vacation destination, I would like some feedback from other people on their experiences..

Thanks

I think the kid will be fine if you guys just take time to tailor the vacation more towards his needs. You're right, sometimes kids just need to get out and kick a ball or wiggle around and burn off some energy, and that's completely normal. Take an afternoon break each day, whether he likes it or not, go back to the hotel, swim in the pool, chill out and watch some tv, do "non disney" and still "kid friendly" things. Sometimes that's the best part of the day, in my experience, because you're away from heat and lines and chaos, you can take a time out and relax, and be ready to go back to the parks in the evening refreshed.

If he's gotta run, jump, and play while in the parks, DCA offers a "Redwood Creek Challenge Trail" which is kind of like a big playground, let him run around there for awhile, he'll feel better and you will too knowing that he doesn't have a serious case of "the wiggles" which leads to "the unstoppable whining" which leads to...well, it doesn't lead to Disney magic, that's for sure.

If he doesn't handle Disneyland well, that's okay. Kids need to be kids, and isn't this trip more about being a family anyway? Make some memories together, even if a lot of them just involve hanging out by the pool. If that's what makes you all happy, then go for it :)

(just my two cents)

Ok, really looking for some wise advice here...

My fiance and I are planning on taking her 6.5 year old son on a vacation this year. I have been to Dysneyland in both California and Florida - my Fiance has not.

She would like the 3 of us to go to Disneyland this year. My experience was it is hot, there are lots of line-ups and it would not necessarily be the most enjoyable family vacation (with a young child say under 9 yrs).

This is compounded by the fact that her son is very very busy (to the point that we had him tested for ADHD a few months back - results were negative). My sense is that he would not appreciate a day of being in crowds, waiting in lines, being uncomfortable, etc...I suspect a vacation where there is some sun, water, and lots of room to kick a ball, and run around with other kids would be far more in line with his personality. I fear the noise, distraction and generaly craziness of Disneyland (along with the need for patience) may really just promote some of the negative behaviours we are trying to teach him to get away from....

Given that this is not the ONLY choice for a vacation destination, I would like some feedback from other people on their experiences..

ThanksI think it depends on how you plan the trip. My kids have been going to Disneyland since they were a couple months old. My #3 child is the poster child for ADHD. Disneyland has always been a safe haven for him. I learned to plan down time, and let him know what the plans are, so he knows we will be doing what he wants to do. I know what would cause his overloads, and you catch them before it hits. While if you stress out, he will have more issues. If you think it will be a negative trip, it will be. If you truely want to do Disneyland, and you want t to be a success, think positively, take it easy, make plans, include him in the planning, and give him plenty of warning on changes so he knows what to expect during the trip.

Ok, really looking for some wise advice here...

My fiance and I are planning on taking her 6.5 year old son on a vacation this year. I have been to Dysneyland in both California and Florida - my Fiance has not.

She would like the 3 of us to go to Disneyland this year. My experience was it is hot, there are lots of line-ups and it would not necessarily be the most enjoyable family vacation (with a young child say under 9 yrs).

This is compounded by the fact that her son is very very busy (to the point that we had him tested for ADHD a few months back - results were negative). My sense is that he would not appreciate a day of being in crowds, waiting in lines, being uncomfortable, etc...I suspect a vacation where there is some sun, water, and lots of room to kick a ball, and run around with other kids would be far more in line with his personality. I fear the noise, distraction and generaly craziness of Disneyland (along with the need for patience) may really just promote some of the negative behaviours we are trying to teach him to get away from....

Given that this is not the ONLY choice for a vacation destination, I would like some feedback from other people on their experiences..

Thanks

I agree with Shinku. He would love DLR, but you must tailor the vacation around him, not yourselves. Going to any park like DLR or WDW with a child is FAR different than going as adults only. You have to do things at their pace, take breaks etc. Just plan the trip based on his needs and he will do great.

I think you are going to find the opinions on this board to be a little biased- it is a Disney board after all! Most of us love Disney, and can't imagine it being a bad choice for a vacation. LOL

As the others said, you need to plan the trip around his needs. Use fast pass to cut down time in line. Go in the slower seasons (not hot summer, when the park is packed). Allow some down time to swim at the pool, maybe a day trip to the beach.

I think you are going to find the opinions on this board to be a little biased- it is a Disney board after all! Most of us love Disney, and can't imagine it being a bad choice for a vacation. LOL

As the others said, you need to plan the trip around his needs. Use fast pass to cut down time in line. Go in the slower seasons (not hot summer, when the park is packed). Allow some down time to swim at the pool, maybe a day trip to the beach.

Your comment made me giggle. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a Disney hater on this board. I can't even listen to negative comments about Disney, ever. I roll my eyes in to my head and smirk. Whatever!!! :D

I have three kids, aged 4-6, and we are recent visitors to DLR. I know how boys are. I'm sure the first day there he will be all wound up, but he will settle in and I believe that he will be fine. If you are staying at a hotel, make sure there is a pool. There is also a great list of things to bring to the park; I loved the recommendation (AdrienneK?) to bring bubbles. Those little tiny containers can distract anybody from a long line. I also really like RideMax.com; it's a program that will plan out your day for you.

It's amazing how fast kids change and mature! He could be a totally different boy a few months from now.

If you do go, please send us a trip report!!

I went last summer with my three children and NO other adult. My youngest, who was almost five at the time, is a handful. A BIG GIANT HANDFULL ! He is fun loving and sweet, but well...... Anyway, at DL it was like some whole other child was walking around with us. He was well behaved, stayed right by me the whole time and listened.

There was so much to see and do that I think he just never got bored and didn't feel the need to create his own excitement !