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Original poster

What to do about Disneyland Paris trip?

35 replies

Disneydilemma · 15/10/2018 21:49

Dd is 9 and at brownies. She’s been invited on a trip next year (when she will have just gone up to guides) which guides from around the district are going on to Disneyland Paris.

My reasons to not let her go are:

Distance to travel on the coach-hours and hours

The fact that she won’t know anyone including the leaders very well. Possibly one or 2 of her current brownie friends are going

It’s expensive (this isn’t the be all and end all-we can afford it but still a consideration)

She’s always been scared stiff of trips away from home-panicked before school trips an hour away. So far has only done one night away with school and one sleepover with a friend-neither of which she got much sleep on.

However the last reason is also the main reason for saying yes-this is the first time she’s ever wanted to go on a trip and she’s desperate. Says she will make friends, chat on the bus and read all night if She can’t sleep (basically has an answer for all my negatives)

I went on trips abroad with guides and they were the making of me (although I was a couple of years older and they were to slightly more ‘worthy’ destinations!)

I’ve told her I’m considering it but it will probably be a no.

Any advice?

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 15/10/2018 21:51

If you can afford it, and you feel comfortable with the organisation/leaders I'd let her go.

Original poster
Disneydilemma · 15/10/2018 22:02

To be honest I don’t know anything about the leaders-it’s not the ones that run her unit. It says in the letter that there will be several ‘getting to know each other’ events planned before hand for the girls and guiders.
I must say the letter about it was very detailed and inspired confidence but you’ve just reinforced my worry that I’d be sending her hundreds of miles away with people I don’t know!

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneydilemma · 16/10/2018 12:08

LIttle bump for daytime opinions!

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CoperCabana · 16/10/2018 12:14

I would let her go. She wants to go which is a massive positive and it will be great for her independence. If it was a ridiculous idea, no-one else would be going either. I have a 9 year old and if she was keen to do something like this, I would be hugely supportive (whilst dying inside!)

Dhalandchips · 16/10/2018 12:14

I'd let her go. She will make friends, definitely. From different units too, I had pen pals for years from different units (long time ago)
I get that it's not terribly 'worthy' but I reckon she'll have a blast and broaden her horizons a little bit.

kaytee87 · 16/10/2018 12:21

How many nights is it for? Will she be 10 when she goes?

Shelvesoutofbooks · 16/10/2018 12:24

I would let her go.

PeonyTruffle · 16/10/2018 12:26

I would let her go too, especially as she clearly really does want to

Plus DLP is amazing, she will have such a fab time

vandrew4 · 16/10/2018 12:29

why on earth would you not let her go if she wants to go? she's gonna love you if you say no.....

Original poster
Disneydilemma · 16/10/2018 12:32

She’ll be 10-it’s for 3 nights. She’ll have been on another 2 school residentials by then (which she’s not looking forward to)

Do you think it will actually be as good as she’s hoping? I’m envisioning a day on a coach followed by 2 days of queuing followed by another day on the coach!

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kaytee87 · 16/10/2018 12:34

I'd let her go. I reckon she'll love it and feel left out if she doesn't go. If it was for a week I might say it's too long but 3 nights is fine

Original poster
Disneydilemma · 16/10/2018 12:35

For the reasons above vandrew! If it was a school trip with her good friends and teachers I’d say yes without hesitation. Even if was with her actual guide group I’d be more comfortable with it.

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BirdyBedtime · 16/10/2018 12:36

I'd be a no. Even if she'll be 10 for me that's too young for a trip abroad without parents particularly as she's not been good with being away before.

Both of my DCs have done 2 night trips away with guides/cubs at around this age but within 2 hours drive of home which for me is far enough at 9/10.

CarolDanvers · 16/10/2018 12:39

I wouldn't.

vandrew4 · 16/10/2018 12:53

well it would still be a big yes from me. seriously, she will hate you if you don't let her go

EduCated · 16/10/2018 13:01

The time on the coach is half the fun at that age!

Will anyone she’s in Brownies with at the moment be going? Does she know any older girls already in Guides?

Speak to the leaders, find out when the absolute latest you could confirm would be. Could you afford to lose the deposit if necessary to give longer to decide? Find out when first payments would need to be made.

EduCated · 16/10/2018 13:01

Sorry, saw you answered the people she knows bit.

Corcra · 16/10/2018 13:07

I think 10 is very young for a trip abroad without parents. Maybe it’ll be clearer as you get to know the leaders. ( is you becoming a leader a possibility?)

I don’t understand what her loving or ‘hating’ you have to do with your decision? As parents we decide what’s best for our children.

helpfulperson · 16/10/2018 13:14

Honestly in my experience of taking groups of children away homesickness is rarely as much of an issue abroad. They seem to know that they can't 'just go home' and so just get on with it. Paris is not that far away that if, worst case scenario, you did have to go and get her it would be doable.

The fact that she wants to go and seems to understand that she won't know anyone, might not sleep etc suggests she has a very clear understanding of the potential problems might be and isn't too bothered by them.

Original poster
Disneydilemma · 16/10/2018 13:18

Thanks corcra-I’m not concerned about being loved or hated on the basis of my decision-I want her to be happy and feel safe and I’m not convinced this is the right platform to push test her limits!

She is a very young 9 in many ways-still likes me nearby when she’s going to sleep, likes me to sit with her while she’s getting dressed, is recluctant to be left at parties etc. which is why this trip seems like it could either be the best or worst thing for her!

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Original poster
Disneydilemma · 16/10/2018 13:20

Yes could afford to lose the deposit if absolutely necessary so that might be an idea to give us time to meet the leaders

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mogloveseggs · 16/10/2018 13:23

Dd went this year. She was 13. Would have gone at 11 (our county runs it every 2 years). Knew 3 girls but no leaders. Had an amazing time (apart from being sea sick). I’m thinking of volunteering for the next ine as a leader-it’s fantastic value for money.

mogloveseggs · 16/10/2018 13:23

Missed a bit! She would have gone at 11 if we could have afforded it.

emmaluvseeyore · 16/10/2018 13:29

Definitely let her go. I’m a Brownie leader and accompanied a division group of Guides to Switzerland last year for 10 nights. Many of the girls didn’t know any of the other girls or leaders, including one girl who turned 10 the week before we went (she also has ASD). They were all fine. We had 3 gatherings as a group before we went so everyone got to know each other a bit beforehand. We went there on the coach, so had a lot longer journey than the trip to DLP.

The key thing is that your daughter wants to go.

Original poster
Disneydilemma · 16/10/2018 14:45

Interesting that there’s more yes than no answers.

Thanks especially to the guiders/volunteers who have offered an insight. I have a lot to thank the organisation for and I’m hoping that there will be many more opportunities for dd even if she doesn’t go on this trip.

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