Disneyland with a 3 1/2 year old, worth it? Or other suggestions for a quick jaunt. - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

photon · 10-30-2007, 12:17 PM

So we've got WestJet buddy passes that we can use before the end of the year, and want to take a week of and go somewhere just to get away.

Don't want to spend too much and want a good place to take the kid, so we were thinking Disneyland.

Thing is I don't remember Disneyland having much for that young of an age. Anyone been there with that age of a kid?

Or anywhere else WestJet flies that might be good for that kind of vacation? Not sure if I want to go to Mexico or anything yet with him, LA is nice too because it's a fairly short flight.

LA's still nice this time of year right?

ken0042 · 10-30-2007, 12:20 PM

LA's nice time of year is usually from about April to March.

Just keep in mind, he'll want to go on "It's a Small World" 20 times, and then as he grows up will have no memory of the ride. You on the other hand will need theropy.

Free flight- sure do it. I went to Disney World at age 6 then again at 28. 10 would have been the right age IMHO.

photon · 10-30-2007, 12:24 PM

Yeah it's not really a vacation for him, the wife just wants to get away for a while.. but of course need to go somewhere that's compatible with him too.

lifer · 10-30-2007, 12:39 PM

My family went when I was pretty young (8) and I liked it. My little brother was only 6 though and he didn't enjoy it as much because he couldn't get onto a lot of the rides that I did. At 3.5 though I'm not sure your son will feel ripped off by not being allowed on Space Mountain and the big rides like that. I'm sure he'd have a lot of fun on the kids' rides...if you can put up with them.

The other thing to consider (I'm sure you're aware of this already) is that I don't think you can use the buddy passes after dec 14.

Phanuthier · 10-30-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah it's not really a vacation for him, the wife just wants to get away for a while.. but of course need to go somewhere that's compatible with him too.

Hey Photon, try looking around the net for ways to get cheap Disneyland tickets. eBay et al, or else you'll be paying for enterance fee's out of the rear end.

photon · 10-30-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lifer

The other thing to consider (I'm sure you're aware of this already) is that I don't think you can use the buddy passes after dec 14.

Yeah, we're thinking of going in the next few weeks.

photon · 10-30-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Hey Photon, try looking around the net for ways to get cheap Disneyland tickets. eBay et al, or else you'll be paying for enterance fee's out of the rear end.

Good idea, thanks!

FlamingLonghorn · 10-30-2007, 01:40 PM

My family goes every couple years to Disneyworld. My nieces and nephews had fun even at a younger age 3-5. However, my nephew was scared of the costumes and it wasn't so fun for him. I don't know about Disneyland, but there is plenty for a 3.5 yr old to do at Disneyworld and I would assume the same.

Draug · 10-30-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah it's not really a vacation for him, the wife just wants to get away for a while.. but of course need to go somewhere that's compatible with him too.

I'm in the exact same boat, except my daughter is just about 2. Her plane ticket is still free, so we thought we'd take a quick little trip (a few days) somewhere.

Disney land doesnt offer us much. Does anyone have any other ideas for a quick little getaway that is toddler friendly as well?

Phanuthier · 10-30-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draug

Disney land doesnt offer us much. Does anyone have any other ideas for a quick little getaway that is toddler friendly as well?

Las Vegas? I know alot of people hate the gambler mentality, but I remember when I was a kid, I loved Vegas. At the time, LV was trying to turn around theri reputation and had 4 day trips for $200 (flights/hotels) and my parents took me almost every year, from 7 years old to 14 years old. Lights and shows and crazy sounds and everything, I just eat it up. You can usually find LV deals on sites like expedia that suite your getaway needs, and its a nice break from Calgary. Also, I'm 22 and I've never gambled more then $5 in a night (outside of poker) so LV never turned me into a gambler.

Superflyer · 10-30-2007, 03:41 PM

I just went this summer with the family. I have two daughters 3 and 6. They both loved it and so did I. A lot of Disney is the atmosphere which was great, there is so much to see and do that the rides are extra. As long as your kid knows the Disney charactors it is great.
Also something that both of my daughters loved was pin trading, just get a lanyard and buy some cheap Disney pins from ebay and they can trade with any worker there. The pins must be official Disney Trading pins though.

Incinerator · 10-30-2007, 05:40 PM

Go to DisneyWorld, WJ flies to Orlando and you can go to Universal Studios + SeaWorld while you're at it.

photon · 10-30-2007, 05:51 PM

True, though that's a lot longer a flight and I'm not sure I'm prepared to do that

tkflames · 10-30-2007, 05:57 PM

I think 3.5 years old is a little bit young to really do anything but watch the shows at Disneyland (unless you or your wife are really keen on going to the park). If I was in your situation I would go to a nice beach area (LA, Florida etc.) and let the kid play in the sand. He will have at least as much fun and you will get to relax more.

photon · 10-30-2007, 06:01 PM

Maybe only do Disney for a few days, hit Universal studios once (he'll really like the nikelodeon waterpark), and do the beach and visit family the rest of the time.

Incinerator · 10-30-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

True, though that's a lot longer a flight and I'm not sure I'm prepared to do that

Get a portable DVD player and it'll be over before you know it, or just pay the $5 for the PPV movie on board haha

photon · 10-30-2007, 07:15 PM

Hm, that's true, that's only a couple of movies.

Have to check to see what the loads are like, with buddy passes it's possible to get bumped as well.

redforever · 10-30-2007, 10:01 PM

Kids that age all love sun, sand and water. Mexico?

Ro · 10-30-2007, 10:28 PM

Check out a Costco (possibly even when you're down there) or Costco.com/.ca for a "California Adventure Pass," one of those multi-destination discount ticktes that can save you a crapload of money if you're doing the themepark/waterpark/zoo thing.

redforever · 10-30-2007, 11:17 PM

Just noticed someone started a thread on Palm Springs and then thought of you. A couple that we know have twins, around on 3. Hard to do a lot of things with twins, but they went to Palm Springs and loved it and their hotel and pool was perfect for the children. And Palm Springs involves no more travel than Disneyland.