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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To only take 1 of our 2 DC to Disneyland Paris

150 replies

Lifeonmars77 · 13/03/2019 14:16

DS1 is 7 years old, a massive Disney fan, loves characters, rides, LOVES shows. Very placid, well behaved and a good traveller.

DS2 is 2 and a half, hates travelling, will not go on rides (not even the little toddler ones), hates anyone dressed up in a character costume.... just screams, is a nightmare in queues, hates holding hands/reins/wrist straps and loves running off!

We are planning a 3 day trip to Disneyland Paris in August. WIBU to just take DS1 this time? I don't want to send the message that he is more important but, if we are going to spend that amount of money on the trip, it would be a shame if he didn't get the most out of it.

If we did this, we would look to take DS2 on a separate trip, maybe when DS1 is in school, maybe a zoo, cbeebies land etc.

All things considered, it makes the most sense but I can't help feeling horrible about it Sad

WWYD?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeonmars77 · 13/03/2019 14:44

How much are you even saving by not taking 2 yo? Most DLP packages are kids go free anyway, certainly they wouldn’t cost an extra room.

It's really not about the money, it's about the fact that he would be overwhelmed by the majority of it. In an ideal world, we also like family time to include us all. I'm just conscious that DS1 gets a lot less attention these days and has had to make many sacrifices as DS2 (as much as we love him) is a total handful!

Lately, there is always a lot of "hang on [DS1] we just have to sort out [DS2]" and "we can't go there/do that because of [DS2]"

OP posts:
GahWhatever · 13/03/2019 14:44

When they are older both of them will appreciate the one on one time you have given them.
Its lovely that you are willing to let DS1 have magical time at Disney (7 is a great age for this) and when DS2 is older he can have the same (or a different) one on one opportunity.
Definitely do it!

Onescaredmuma · 13/03/2019 14:45

We took a 9 month old to Disney it was amazing she just wanted to do the it's a small world ride over and over. She was so excited more people were watching her than the ride Grin. That said we knew she'd like it as she was adventurous and loved doing everything her big sister did, if your DS would not like it and your just taking him because you'd feel guilty to not take him that's not really fair on him you know your boy best just go with what's best for him.

Asta19 · 13/03/2019 14:46

I think it's fine. As my DC got older (I have two) they had wildly different interests so I used to take each one on holiday separately to somewhere they really wanted to go. They liked that so much more than going somewhere they weren't so interested in, just for the sake of saying we all went together. Especially at 2.5, your youngest won't even realise.

WYP2018 · 13/03/2019 14:47

Sounds sensible to me...I have a 2 year old and a 9 year old. The other option would be to wait another year and take them both, which is what I think we will do, but your eldest may enjoy it more now.

Unihorn · 13/03/2019 14:48

I definitely would, and I think the Peppa Pig world/Cbeebies trip would be nice as a consolation, but not strictly necessary. Of you are feeling guilty the other option is to delay until maybe October half term time or later when it may be more suitable for both.

Missingstreetlife · 13/03/2019 14:48

With this age gap the older one misses out. Take him to Disney, the other one won't even know. Have great time, treat the young one when old enough to enjoy it

Lungelady · 13/03/2019 14:50

Very sensible suggestion.

JAMMFYesPlease · 13/03/2019 14:50

We've had this discussion before and decided to wait for the younger one to be old enough to enjoy. But there are financial reasons for that as we are thousands of miles from GPs.

But I'd never judge someone for choosing to do it! Your younger DC will love time with GPs and you've got bonding time with DC1. But I'd make sure there was time to do it the other way around too so it doesn't appear to be favoritism. And it sounds like you're doing that.

Lovemusic33 · 13/03/2019 14:51

I would, I think 2 years old is too young to enjoy Disney and he’s likely to ruin it for his brother. I have 2 DD’s who are very different and I often take one somewhere and leave the other behind, when I have taken both it has ended in disaster.

Whatnotea · 13/03/2019 14:51

Absolutely go and spend 1:1 time with your 7 year old.
Do the same to your 2 yr old when the time comes.

Purpleartichoke · 13/03/2019 14:51

There is a window from about 5-7 where the Disney magic is maximized. If you wait for the youngest to be old enough, the older child will have hit the more cynical years. We took dd to Disney at 6 when she was at the height of the princess years. We plan to go again some day, but at 10 she wants nothing to do with princesses or characters. She is all about rides now.

feliciabirthgiver · 13/03/2019 14:51

Yes I would, I have 11 year age difference between my two so we often do different things with them, last year Barcelona with the eldest and Peppa Pig world with the youngest - they both enjoy the one on one time with us and neither of them feel left out when it isn't their turn.

Have a great time

youngestisapsycho · 13/03/2019 14:51

Go for it... I would do it too.

recklessgran · 13/03/2019 14:51

Go for it. I would just make a point to DS1 that he is going because he's a big boy now and DS2 is too young yet - just so he doesn't get the wrong message [favoured child.] Have a great time.

FiddleFaddleDingDong · 13/03/2019 14:52

Perfectly sensible thing to do.

NWQM · 13/03/2019 14:52

I’d do it. As the 7 year old is a Disney fan let them experience the magic. Doesn’t sound as if your 2 year old will even know. If they grow into the idea then your then 12 year old will be able to have a completely different Disney experience with a whole different set of rides etc. This also means you guys get to do more then than Dumbo’s flying elephants.

To appease your guilt - and give you a back story for when photos are discussed etc - then a trip to the zoo and convincing the 2 year old they loved elephants may be helpful. My cousin still mentions how he didn’t have a christening but his brother did - we are all nearly 50 😀

MaybeitsMaybelline · 13/03/2019 14:53

I was going to come on here and be outraged at your suggestion.

BUT... after reading the full post it sounds more than fair in view of the circumstances. My 2 grown up DC have had different trips without the other (mainly school ones) at different times because of personal choice and family circumstances. They both evened out in the end.

Order654 · 13/03/2019 14:56

I wouldn’t leave my 2 year old at home while I went off with an older child. Take both or none go.

Wait a year or so and then they can both enjoy the trip.

ALemonyPea · 13/03/2019 14:56

At 2, they'd not enjoy it, leaving them would be fine.

Mummyoflittledragon · 13/03/2019 14:57

We took dd at about 7 and it was magical for her. I wouldn’t wait. As PurpleArtichoke says the magic will be gone by then.

FiddleFaddleDingDong · 13/03/2019 14:57

I wouldn’t leave my 2 year old at home while I went off with an older child.

Why?

Different kids are into things at different times. Seems silly to me that the OP should wait three years until the younger can enjoy Disneyland by which time the older child may not be into it so much anymore.

HeritageCarrot · 13/03/2019 14:58

Under these circumstances I’d definitely just take DS1. He’s the perfect age to appreciate Disney and it’s clear DS1 would probably not get anything out of the trip especially if he doesn’t like travel or large dressed up character critters. If you wait till DS2 would enjoy it then you risk DS1 not being as into Disney ( though even my DB who loathes Disney and theme parks admitted he was impressed when he took his boys.)
DD2 can be spoiled at his GPs and he can go to Disney when he’s ready perhaps.

Frazzled74 · 13/03/2019 14:58

I took my 2 year old a few years ago, the other 2 dc were 5 and 12. The 2 year old only enjoyed the shop and cried a lot. It ruined it for the others and he doesn’t remember going. In fact, the 5 year old cant even remember going .

snowdrop6 · 13/03/2019 14:58

I'd wait till the you gets was 4/5 and the oldest8/9.. I couldn't of done that myself ..I'd find a holiday that suited the whole family ..we did butlins a fair bit as they have free fairground rides which one of ours loved ,and the pool which the others loved...but obviously it's your call.