NOW CLOSED Share your family days out experiences with Disney On Ice and win a £250 Amazon voucher

[KatieBMumsnet]

The folks at Disney On Ice have asked us to find out what you think about family days out. What's your idea of a great day out? What sort of 'fun day out' fills you with dread? What would your DC's dream day out look like? And what has them begging to be left at home?

Have you ever taken your DC to a live show like Disney on Ice (or another live show)? If so, what did they like about it? Was there anything they didn't like? If you've been to a live show, do you think you'd go again or not? Why?

Everyone who add their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win £250 of Amazon vouchers.

Thank you for your comments and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

Our favourite days out always involve being outdoors together, the beach or a walk or to a park or playground. Usually with various bikes, scooters kites etc in tow. we like to take out bug viewer out too and our wildlife spotting books. (hmmm we sound like geeks, but we're honestly not, just nature addicts! :0)

We'll 'do' being outside in most weathers unless it's absolutely tipping it down and then we'll usually try to combine an indoor activity with something that is vaguely educational, even if that's to an aquarium where they can look up more information on the things they've seen when they get home and paint, model or drawn the things they liked best. We love places like Eureka too, or NT/HH houses and gardens where we can take a picnic. one of DD's favourite places is Newby Hall which has a great water play area and huge playground...great teashop too! :o)

we love going to the theatre, and after the recommendations here will be checking out that Julia Donaldson event!

I have to be honest and say that although I have never been to anything like Disney on Ice the mental image I have of it puts me off...I'm guessing that it's a fairly commercial affair with loads of add on purchases being offered at every turn...I could be wrong, but generally anything Disney that ISN'T a film ( because all our family love the films) makes me cringe slightly...sorry! (just hate the whole girl = pink/garishly coloured beauty aimed products aimed at my daughter thing.) Am sure that puts ME out of the running for the amazon voucher :o

I have a 10, 8 and 5 year old.

For family days out we favour places which has a family discount (especially if the family can have 3 kids rather than the more usual 2).

We try to find places that everyone will enjoy but sometimes it's an outing that only one or two child(ren) would enjoy more than the other(s).

If we were to go to Disney on Ice I would probably take my younger 2 and leave my oldest with my husband. I've not been to Disney on Ice but my children enjoy the Disney music, movies and characters and I imagine it to be something that they would always remember.

As a child, the best outings involved getting an icecream and laughing. I have been to Disney in Japan but generally we didn't "do" very many outings.

EdnaC Some outings can be expensive agreed but for example you can get into Drayton Manor on Tesco vouchers, so I delude myself as no cash required it is free and we take a picnic which is not a problem.

People above have mentioned walking in the woods, bike rides and beach. These are free too after petrol/bus, are all the national museums.

I have taken my DS (now age 6 1/2) to a couple of shows - last year I took him to George's Marvellous Medicine at the Bloomsbury Theatre. I got great seats for us (and my friend and her DD) for £13 each (though Guardian Extra), third row stalls. It was brilliant - noisy but fun - full of great special effects! So when Matilda (DS actual favourite Roald Dahl) came to London there was only one suggestion to grandparents for Christmas for DS and I. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Very very overpriced rubbish and yes £65 per ticket each for back of stalls is very very overpriced. DS hasnt talked about it since. Will I take him again? Yes but only if it is very reasonable priced and NOT West End over promoted.

I do other things with DS eg I took him to Science Museum 2 years ago. The "pod" for children his age on the ground floor was rubbish but he really enjoyed the experiments for older children - eg musical waves, making ice crystals.

I think (well I know really) that DS favourite day out involves cars so Bentley motor Museum is brill as is the London Motorbike museum and London Transport Museum.

We do Legoland and cant wait to be able to do Disney.

For us, a fab day out would be a big breakfast (somewhere that I don't have to clean up the mess from our son, aged 1!), followed by a walk through a fair or on the Southbank (he loves the bright colors, and of course flirting with all the ladies we pass by!). Then a picnic on the grass, lots of rolling around/crawling on the lawn, and finally pushing a sleeping baby through the National Gallery while hubby and I hold hands.

A great day out is one where I neither lose a child nor want to kill one :o

Whilst we have never been to Disney on Ice, for the last two years we have gone to the pantomime at the local theatre which has been fabulous. My 6 year old particularly enjoys it but the 13 year old I think finds is a little uncool. The problem is that all the extras on top of the tickets are expensive - programmes, ice creams, all sort of promotional crud. I make my position clear before we leave the house : I will not be buying a foam hand or flashing novelty.

My DCs deem day out would include a meal at some kind of themed restaurant with as much ice cream as they can eat. Something exciting to actually do - we went to a science centre at Herstmonceaux castle in the autumn and they had to be dragged out of there as they were allowed to touch and play with absolutely everything. Days out to places where they can look but not touch would be their, and thus my, idea of hell. Thinking about it, any trip which involves doing something is good - be it climbing trees, hunting for treasure or other activity.

We have been to Disney on Ice and were very impressed. Great show and boys loved every minute. We have gone to lots of expensive trips and days out but equally can have alot of fun for free on the beach. We have been to Cadburys World, A Ben 10 monster truck show, Aquarium and have plans for Legoland next month :) It is an expensive business doing stuff like this but I think the memories are priceless!

Like most families, we're short on both time and patience (!) so we would avoid anywhere that's overcrowded and overpriced. I have never been to Disney on Ice and while I am sure my daughter would love it, it seems cheesy to me but I wait to be converted. Being fortunate to live near the sea, our ideal day out would be filled with sunshine, cheese n onion sandwiches and sandcastles as we prefer to spend time not money (cos we don't have any money)

With a 20 month old we are starting to look more into family days out to help keep her entertained. We can't wait for warmer weather and being able to have some fun days out together. A perfect day would be somewhere with a good variety of activities and ones that are targeted at different ages. Then there would be more likely things she would enjoy. A playground, rides, animals, entertainers, a little train and some indoor activity would be perfect. Not too many queues and either reasonably priced food (with some healthy options - for kids that is!) or family picnic/bbq areas. Of course some naughty treats like donuts and icecream are always a winner! I love the play areas in or next to the pub at Centre Parcs, so you can get a grown up meal whilst keeping an eye on the kids. At her age somewhere where the entrance fee isn't too high incase of needing to get home is handy. Paying per ride or buying ride coupons is a nice idea to get around this issue. Finally guaranteed sunshine would make for the perfect day (!)

The best days out for us are either to the zoo or the beach with a picnic. We've had good days out at Legoland but during term time is so much better, most day trips these days use clubcard vouchers! The kids would probably want to spend more money than me and dh but otherwise we all like similar things.

We took dss when he was 5 to scooby doo and have taken ds1 to the gruffalo, roary the racing car and this year a pantomine. We love live shows, somehow it seems special to be watching it live rather than on a screen. We always get something in the interval but I'm not a fan of flashing/plastic things they sell there. Haven't ever seen a Disney on ice nearby otherwise would definitely consider it. We can't really go as a family at the moment as ds2 is only 17 months and he doesn't like to sit still for long!

We've been to a couple of live shows and have always really enjoyed them. The only thing I hate about shows is queuing for the loos in the interval- its never good with a 4 year old!
In terms of my ideal day out, its always good to get outside where the kids can run around. And if you throw in some good food and coffee we're all happy.

We have been to some great live shows, including Disney on Ice. Our children have always enjoyed them and now they are older, love going to concerts.

I do find that the merchandise is far too expensive and we always eat outside of the venue as food and drinks are also usually overpriced.

Our best days out are when we are by a lake or by the sea, or going for a lovely walk, just having fun and messing around. We take a picnic or BBQ with us. Usually find a playground and have an ice cream and then fish and chips or a nice pub meal. If the kids are worn out they are much more chilled.

They do love theme parks so we do those now and then.

Been to Disney on ice (won free tickets) and the kids enjoyed it but too expensive normally to go to these things unless it's the local theatre which is much cheaper for things like panto. The ticket prices in cities are criminal for a family!

We have a lot of days out (with DS 5 and DD 2), experiencing lots of things, from museums to theme parks to days at the beach and the woods.

We really enjoy the little local farm parks, with a mixture of animals and outdoor play equipment.

We've been to several live shows, and have mixed reviews! The Wiggles Live were brilliant as it was fast paced and they didn't mind the children leaving their seats to dance and also they came into the audience. And, they didn't completely dim the lights in the auditorium, which to start with I thought odd, but then realised was a brilliant idea with so many children around!

The panto we went to was good up to a point, but was too long at 2.5 hours and not fast paced enough. Other shows we've been to - The Owl and the Pussy Cat and Bear Hunt, were great for my DS at age 4+, but not good at all for DD who just wouldn't sit through it as not holding her attention at all (as opposed to the wiggles which she loved!).

Also, the merchandise needs to be affordable. We like to buy a programme for each show we go to so that we can look over it later and talk about what we have eperienced. These range from a very reasonable £3.50 to a very expensive £10.

We went to see
Doctor Who Live War of the Worlds and Pepper Pig Live

Doctor Who at Wembley stadium. Enjoyed the whole show but we thought it could have been a bit more science fiction whould have really benefited from more explosions and more laser lights. Although it was a long walk from the car and we had to que. For once we didn't mind the que since it was such a friendly fun atmosphere- lots of other family and gentle geeks. The food was terrible and overpriced as usual. Using tesco clubcards vouchers for this made it even more attractive for us.

The War of the Worlds show was simply stunning well produced staged and fab singing quite hauntingly beautiful.

A family friend took our DD to see Pepper Pig so we didn't how to go thank goodness!

We haven't been to a Disney show as yet. I think Disney shows might be a bit too cute for our tastes.

I'm especially interested in shows I take the kids to using clubcard points since these shows usually cost an arm and a leg!

My DC's favorite day out is to go into London and watch a show (Wizard of OZ being the latest one) Perfect for her as she loves Drama and singing! Panto's at Christmas with her cousin's are also a must! The only thing she does not like about shows is waiting for them to start and Queing! Another must have is a small souvenir such as the small red shoe lip balm from wizard of OZ! The songs had her singing for at least a week afterwards! Wonderful time!

We love big days out (adventures as my DS calls them). Museums are great, as are farms, zoos and safaris. Just got home from the Tate Modern though - and that was a complete disaster. DS (2 yrs) touched a painting and all hell broke loose.
Factors that make a day out good: safety, lots of space (Kew gardens is fantastic), interactive things, animals / recognisable characters.
Factors that make a bad day out: expense, difficult access with a buggy, no (or dirty) changing facilities, rubbish cafe filled with junk food, difficult to keep tabs on a 2 yr old whilst holding a baby.

Best family days out are where our children go on the train to meet their friends and have a sleepover and we go to the cinema in the afternoon and then out for a long boozy dinner.

Disney would be unspeakable hell torment from hell land.

We have adventures too We are in NI and would usually have a walk on a beach at least once a month - sweets in the car on the way there and chips on the way home (I'm a MN nightmare )

We also go to the Ulster Museum a lot (free) but when I had dd3 my parents bought us a National Trust membership which has been fab even with our inclement weather.

My aunt took my eldest 2 to Disney on Ice last time it was on in Belfast (Oct/Nov 2011?) they really loved it but it was a special treat and she spoiled them rotten, having said that she has also got them tickets for Mickeys Rock 'n' Roll show in April so she must enjoy it too .

I have taken dd1 and dd2 to some shows in the Grand Opera House - Peppa Pig, Room on the Broom, We are going on a Bear Hunt, they absolutely love the whole experience - waiting for the curtain, nosying at who else is there, getting their sweets etc.

Mine also love the zoo, but a good playground will also keep them amused for hours.

Have you ever taken your DC to a live show like Disney on Ice (or another live show)?
Yes I took 2 of my DC to watch Disney on Ice - Finding Nemo, they have been to see shows like The Tweenies Live and panto

If so, what did they like about it?
They both really loved the Disney on Ice show, it kept their attention and I felt it was money well spent. It is quite a large expense and with 3 children it does mean a significant cost.

If you've been to a live show, do you think you'd go again or not? Why?
I would go again, however as some other posters have said the pressure to buy really overpriced plastic tat was hard to avoid. I actually expect the kids to want something but the price of the things on sale was ridiculous. This is what puts me off the most!

We've never done any of these types of shows that you're all talking about but I think I better soon so they're not missing out.

Our perfect family day out usually consists of a day in the city visiting the art gallery, walking around, watching street performers, stoping for dinner and then back home tired and happy.

Spring and summer outings have to be a picnic with friends and games in a nice park, at a beach or simply a BBQ in our garden with the paddling pool and trampoline.

Ah, looking forward to spring now.

I enjoy being out on days out with my two boys, and they love a wide range of things.

DS1 (5) loves going to the fair, the beach, a walk in the woods with a picnic afterwards, the park, going swimming , the cinema or shows. DS2 (almost 2) just loves to run and enjoys the freedom of not being in a pram.

Both of my boys hate shopping, especially indoor shopping centres.

I have taken both boys to Disney on Ice. DS1 loved it, apart from Toy Story 3 which he found a bit scary. DS1 amazed me by sitting through 3/4 of it and he enjoyed it.

I think Disney on Ice have missed a trick in their latest on Ice Show as DS1 simply isn't interested in Princesses and Princes so we won't be going.

Both boys loved Disneyland Paris and so did I. I am desparate to go back as it was such good fun.

My favourite days out are outdoors and cheap!

The St Fagans museum is one of my favourites, as is cycling - along the seafront in Swansea or around Cardiff Bay or a dy at the beach with fish and chips for lunch!

We took DS1 to see CBeebies live when he was nearly 3 and he hated it! It was in Cardiff International Arena and very lud and echoey. We've since been to smaller shows such as Lazytown and Peppa Pig in smaller theatres which both ds's have really enjoyed. I really dislike the overpriced tatt merchandise at these sort of things though, it makes me really cross.

My girls love an away-day to London. We get up really early and catch the 7am train, getting into Paddington at 1030ish, having eaten a breakfast of juice/coffee (for me, lots of) pain au chocolat and brioche on the train.
We walk through Hyde Park, feeding the squirrels and then head to one of the museums (Natural History is their fave). After a few hours we have lunch somewhere nice followed by a tube ride to Harrods/Hamleys and a mooch around. Back on the tube and home on the train.

Our other favourite is a duvet day with dvds.

the best days out are the unplanned ones when you stumble across something, heading out with an open mind and no pressure or deadline, just 'we are going out' and a child asks 'can we' and we just say yes! boatride/cinema/candyfloss/ice cream. and then try to build some sort of memory in to the day that we can tell stories about later.. middle child likes to take home a bottle top. once on a walk we found a boot, so we made a man out of sticks and rocks and put the boot on him, so junk sculpture is something we can do for hours, its become a bit of tradition in our family. (and i always take my kindle and my coffee flast incase they are busy and having fun and i am bored out of my skull!)
i always carry great sackload of drinks and a big chunky sandwich for everyone to keep costs down (or feed to the ducks/goat/pig)