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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

The best days out are ones that involve no queueing, a short journey and easy parking. I prefer to be outdoors whe the weather is good and I do not like all the expensive cafes and git shops.

We will tend to take our own picnic to places to keep the costs down and I like to have somewhere nicew to eat it.

My idea of day out hell is long queues in an over commercial venue.

I have 3 DSD of 13, SDS's 9 and 8 and 2 DD's 2.5 and 19mo so our ideal day out is something that will involve, occupy and involve all of them. (Particularly challenging with the oldest and the youngest for very different reasons!)

Our ideal family day would be something fairly local (I took SDS1 to London to the Doctor Who exhibition yesterday, in London and it nearly killed me!), fairly cheap with interactive items, somewhere to run around and not too much plastic tat.

We've never been to a live show en masse although DSD and I went to see Dirty Dancing Live a few years ago and that was amazing. I'd love to take the children to a show.

DD1 isn't a fan of loud noise, and DD2 is partially deaf so not sure it'd be a good idea for our family. One thing I have noticed though is that there should be an area for children to run around in befor/after queueing. We went to France last year and all exhibitions/museums we went to had a designated 'loud' space for children, that was really helpful.

My son really loved disney on ice last October! He abdolutely adored the little mermaid part and danced and laughed the whole time! He was completely uninterested in Tinkerbelle (luckily we gad lots of snacks to keep him busy!)

Our best family day has definitely been thd 'lollibop festival' plenty of activities, easy to get to, lots of space for my son to run around! No restrictions, relaxed day out!

I try to organise lots of fun days out and the best ones are always the ones that ate not overly structured! and with lots of food options around

Totally agree that the price of live shows is unrealistic. we took DD1 to a Disney on Ice when you could use Tesco tokens - DS and DD2 have never been because the cost is prohibitive, ESP for seats miles away from the rink.

Our ideal days out involve picnics, castles and lots Of running about for the dcs. And a nice coffee for me. I love it when attractions offer a year's ticket for the price of one entry.

We try and have regular days out as a family - in fact we try and do something different every Sunday. We find that unless we plan something to do together at the weekend our precious family time can be eaten up with ballet lessons, household chores, parties etc. but if we actually get out and do something different we have quality time where we really enjoy being together.

Like many other people on this thread we don't have a lot of money and our outings mostly vary from a walk in the country, a local park and tea in a cafe in town, visit to a National Trust place (we have a family membership and several good places to visit nearby), local museums (free with a residents card), a visit to the zoo (again we have membership which our in-laws kindly give us for Christmas), cinema trip (the odeon kids' club costs only £5 for the four of us) or to something free that is happening locally like recently we went to the Chinese New Year celebrations. I do wish we lived nearer to the coast as we would all happily go to the beach and not need to go anywhere else!

We do go to see kids' shows at the theatre several times a year. We are very lucky that we have a children's theatre nearby which has brilliant productions and we don't find the prices too extortionate (£7.50 each usually). I had a look at going to see something like Matilda in London and couldn't believe the prices of tickets! I've also just had a look at the Disney on Ice website and am at the prices!! I think we would only do something like that as a very special birthday treat and in lieu of a party!

My DCs (6 and 4) seem to have simple tastes at the moment and are more than happy to just go for a walk somewhere - in fact a visit to explore some National Trust gardens, or a picnic on the beach is their ideal outing. Their enthusiasm makes the simplest trips seem like a real adventure. I am dreading the days when this sort of thing becomes boring to them!

We have a 4-year-old DS full of energy. The best days out for us is in a country park or swimming pool. He was in he theatre twice now. At first i had to bring him out. The second time he was with nursery, and "he did like being thrown a snowball at".

We have not been to a Disney on Ice show, but I think he would like it. It is just too far for us. It is normally in a neighbouring town.

The best day out we've had as a family so far has been a day out with Thomas at Cheltenham Race Course. It bucketed with rain but there was lots to see and do including rides in Thomas, punch and judy, route master bus rides, model railways my then 2.5 yr old was particularly chuffed (gettit?) as he got to pull Thomas's whistle but we all had a great day. The only downside was that it was pricey - after paying out for me, DH, lo and grand parents we did not have much change from £80.

We are off to see Chris and Pui next month which will be our first live show. Slightly nervous about whether DS will behave nicely through it all but excited for him too!

As a family our favourite days out involve packing a picnic and going to some outdoor place. Not too far to travel, and hour/hour and a half tops as the DC get bored traveling and there is only so much I py and red car/blue car you can play.

Most places we go are cheap or free as money is always a factor but we do make sure we get an ice cream.

The last place we went was Kielder Forest and that was just brilliant. Lots of fresh air, parks, walks and perfect picnicking spots.

We like to follow our day out with a film at home afterwards with a bowl of popcorn and a pizza.

We don't tend to go see live shows a lot as DS2 has ASD and they can prove all too much for him. They also work out to be far too expensive when there are 5 of you. Not many shows do family tickets.

The last show we saw was Batman Live, and that was only because we got the tickets for free.

As easy as possible is our mantra. With 4dcs going to anything organised costs a hell of a lot. We've also ages ranging from 12 to 4 so what they get out of a day varies tremendously. Beach, woods, free museums (within reason). Bowling's fine if there are special offers on, we can usually get cheap sporting tickets through their clubs.

We haven't done any live shows - other than panto - as it's just too expensive and the chances of finding something they all want to see are minimal.

Our big 'live' treat each year is going to the Cornbury festival. For not much more than the cost of good seats at a West End show we get a weekend of camping, great music and tons of children-friendly entertainment.

The best days out that we've had are the days where our entire family have come with us!

We had an amazing day at Edinburgh Zoo last year with a picnic while watching the penguin parade.
This year we have been going on lots of country walks to get dd au fait with all the flora and fauna. It gets everyone out in the fresh air and chatting away which is lovely as we don't get to spend quality time together as much as we'd like.

We haven't been to Disney on Ice as the nearest has been too far to travel (We're in Scotland). But we would buy tickets in a heart beat!
We regularly take dd to see shows like Singing Kettle, The Gruffalo, Charlie and Lola and In the Night Garden. She thoroughly enjoys it and it's a nice day/night out for all of us.

What's your idea of a great day out?
Great day out - best days out have been trip to the beach, picnic at a castle, cycling/walking in forestry commission land followed by trip to cafe. For paid days out, favourites are Bewilderwood in Norfolk and Blair Drummon Safari Park. What sort of 'fun day out' fills you with dread? Some kind of children's TV character show where we have paid £££ for nothing, places where you pay to get in and there are loads of extras that the kids like the look of, so you spend half the time saying 'no'

What would your DC's dream day out look like? Probably pretty similar to our own. And what has them begging to be left at home? If you said they were going for a walk, they wouldn't like the idea but would like it once they got there!

Have you ever taken your DC to a live show like Disney on Ice (or another live show)? Have seen The Gruffalo which they loved, also some theatre shows eg the Snowman and the pantomime. The pantomime would probably be their favourite. If so, what did they like about it? Was there anything they didn't like? Nothing they didn't like! If you've been to a live show, do you think you'd go again or not? Would definitely go again, but find the cost prohibitive

A perfect day out for our family is usually to a museum especially the ones that are smaller and my children love the Florence Nightingale museum and the British Museum. We also love going to the theatre but it is so expensive for a family so we usually go when there are offers on. Theatre is such an experience though as is Disney on Ice and the children remember the live shows forever.

We've been to a few live shows with the dc's including disney on ice, tweenies (many years ago) and a few live shows at Disneyland.
My dc's loved them all. They really got into the atmosphere af it and it was something they have asked to do a few times since.
One of the main reasons I havent took them in the last 2 years is the cost :( The last mickey mouse show we saw advertised locally would have cost me so much money to take me and 3dcs, then there's the merch, food and extras on top. Its just too much. It is something that if we want to do now, I have to save in advance and then all that is left is rubbish seats, so its not worth it sadly :(

Haven't taken mine to a live show as my 4 year old is evil a bit wild still.

What's your idea of a great day out?

One where there's good baby facilities and buggy access. And plenty to keep DD(5) occupied either indoor or out - she particularly likes children's trails or quizzes and playground type equipment. Some great places we've been with her include Horniman museum, Bewilderwood, Monkey World (I think that was what it was called), Leeds Castle, Ightam Mote and she enjoys the theatre. Having said that, the park and a picnic on a nice day can be brilliant.

What sort of 'fun day out' fills you with dread?

Somewhere there would be hoards of other children or worst of all school parties. Somewhere you'd have to spend a lot of time queuing.

What would your DC's dream day out look like?

Probably a train ride to a museum, a picnic when we got there, lots of interactive display things for her to do and a see how many of these things to can find type of childrens trail. Or a pantomime with sweets.

And what has them begging to be left at home?

I can't think of anything she'd really turn her nose up at.

Have you ever taken your DC to a live show like Disney on Ice (or another live show)?

She's been to pantomimes and she's seen live bands at outdoor events.

If so, what did they like about it?

She likes the excitement of the theatre, and I think she really enjoys seeing people performing in the flesh (rather than on TV or cinema iyswim). She also likes getting sweets/popcorn and those flashy toy things.

Was there anything they didn't like?

Not that I can think of, although depending on the length of the performance she can struggle to stay in her seat!

If you've been to a live show, do you think you'd go again or not? Why?

Definitely would take her again because of how much she enjoys it.

Anything "Disney" would fill us with dread. Even the kids think the films stink. I just think Disney is a huge money making machine. It's all a bit mickey mouse!

We like the national trust, castles, historic dock yards at Portsmouth, The war museum, V&A, The natural History Museum and we love looking around small local museums where ever we go and we love going for walks in the woods at the back of our house.

My DS is too young to sit still for any kind of live show... His ideal day out at the moment is virtually any outdoor space where he can run around. He loved Wisley Gardens (where they currently have a butterfly house), he loves zoos and farms... A bit of a recurring theme but essentially outside space and animals of some sort to look at. He's also a huge fan of the seaside. I think we may try a museum with him next (maybe the natural history or one thing to do with trains).

I can't imagine I'll ever ever take him to a Disney on Ice style show (I know for sure DH would refuse to go). It's just not our kind of thing.

I have taken dcs to Disney on Ice a number of occasions. We all loved it. We loved the fact that they could dress up to go to a noisy show and saw the characters from their favourite films for real.

We also love national trust properties as there is so much to do with quizzes and trails and space to run around. A good picnic area is also essential then a treat in the afternoon (ice-cream for example).

Also the chance to learn and engage is also a bonus.

Perfect day out for us would be in London. Sausage sandwiches in a cafe for breakfast. Ds1 and I off to the transport, science or natural history museum (by tube) while dh and ds2 go to Covent Garden (by bus) to look at the performers there, and then for a run around in a park.

Meet up for lunch (ds's like pizza express) and then off to a theatre matinee (current 'wants' include Matilda and Shrek) - they like a souvenir to take home, but not a £10 brochure of adverts, unless there is someone to sign it for them.

Off home, stopping at the local Chinese on the way home for some noodles for tea. Tea in pj's.

Both ds's would refuse a day out involving supermarket shopping or visiting furniture shops

DD (7) loves mostly anything that we do,. but scale is important,. It has to involve a level of intimacy,. so the theatre at Plymouth is about as big scale as poss and she was mesmerised by Joseph and the technicolour dreamcoat. Memorised and tried to sing her version of the songs for months afterwards. Although she is shy, she loves performing, so being able to go onstage, or interact with what is going on (e.g. at a NT property; she loves walking through and experiencing historical houses), or having people come into school to help them re-enact historical stuff, makes the experience the best it could possibly be. Big distant glitzy and merchandisy just doesn't do it for her. Local am dram or villages in action performances get a bubbling thumbs up

sorry apple juice in the keyboard courtesy of toddler ds is for some reason causing some of the keys to stick together.

I love this thread, its given me so many new ideas for places to take the DC's to.

We have lots of days out as a family and our favourites are definitely Warwick Castle and Alton Towers! we do have Merlin passes and went almost every weekend last summer .....

What's your idea of a great day out?
My great day out is one where we all have a good time and the DCs come home exhausted.

What sort of 'fun day out' fills you with dread?
Queuing at a Theme Park Fortunately with a Merlin Pass you can just go back the next week ....

What would your DC's dream day out look like? And what has them begging to be left at home?
My two would be happy at a Theme Park all day, if I said we were going for a walk they might groan, but would be happy enough once we were there!

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?

I have taken DD to Disney on Ice with my 2 best friends (and their 2 DDs) lots of times and she loves it very much. I also dislike the light up spinning toys ... just too much £££ for tat. We do not buy the merchandise available - and to charge £10 for a brochure/ programme is crazy. They are only full of photos and advertising anyway.

DD enjoys getting dressed up as her favourite character and we always get loys of smiles walking through Birmingham City Centre with 3 girls dressed as Cinderella/Snow White/Belle I can honestly say there is nothing about the show that she does not like.
We love the skating and recognise how good the skaters are, must say we love it when someone falls over though (shows we are all human)

It will be a sad day when DD is 'too old' for Disney

We went to Twycross yesterday, and I was a little disappointed.
We arrived at 10am and most of the animals weren't available to be seen due to cleaning and feeding. It did pick up after lunch but it just felt very run down and past it's best. Most of the enclosures are very small and didn't feel like such a natural environment for the animals.

We will make a trip to Whipsnade during the Easter holidays for a comparison.

mrspnut Chester Zoo is very nice - is that too far?