Disneyland Talk

Why not make a "hunt" for Mickey? Send your wife off with the 8 year old for an hour or two so he doesn't get grumpy about the lack of rides, and go look for Mickey with your youngest. Along the way pick up some treats and maybe he will enjoy the adventure. Just walking around and seeing the magic helps a lot ^_^ - KylaShea  541.3 #216 3-2-12 4:50AM Like(7)  Reply

Wow that's a difficult one. I'm sorry maybe he will come around - erINwonderlandCM  254.9 #986 3-2-12 12:57AM Like(1)  Reply

Have you done Jedi Academy? - SueBayou  2012.0 #35 3-2-12 1:00AM Like(1)  Reply

The magic hits some earlier than others, and some later. He will get home, see some cool souvenir he got and...wham! it hits him! - SorcererBHhaha  408.6 #327 3-2-12 1:08AM Like(1)  Reply

He is probabaly just overwhelmed with everything. Split up if you need to, take him swimming at the hotel, let him pick the rides, if he's into cars, try Monsters inc also. Take him into Poohs corner to pick out a treat. Don't let it ruin your trip - Linzee  533.2 #219 3-2-12 5:33AM Like(1)  Reply

My 6 year old daughter actually said she'd rather stay home w/ Grandma than visit DL a few months back. This was right after we purhased premium passes 😁 Oh how she has changed. She is a DL finatic and can't get enough of California Screamin'. I'm not too sure how it clicked but it just did. I hope your son finds his DL magic soon! - Jewelz  475.3 #260 3-2-12 6:44AM Like(1)  Reply

Are all of his physical needs being met? ie. comfortable shoes, warm clothes, clothes that he enjoys wearing(not something you made him wear). Is he feeling ok? Do you believe that he feels secure enough to tell you about any fears he might have? Is he getting along with his brother? I hope you can fiqure it out. All of my ? 's come from past experiences and I truly wish you the best. - topaz11  87.3 #3227 3-2-12 6:53AM Like(1)  Reply

its ok, he is young and not really "into" it yet, he is still kinda lost there and overwhelmed. If you let him choose the rides, where you eat, and what you do he will have alot more fun.  - NeverlandClub  324.0 #519 3-2-12 1:02AM Like  Reply

Toon town! Meet characters! Hidden mickeys! - LyndzBQ  171.3 #2022 3-2-12 1:03AM Like  Reply

He is pretty reserved and shy. So when he's at a new place he sticks by me or his mom. Add to that he gets freaked out fairly easy (he wouldn't do "It's A Small World" because he got frightened with the clock). Even with the mild rides it's a constant battle. He doesn't even want to take pictures with the characters, well except for Mickey. So far the only thing he's liked so far was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. - BobbyCorona  254.5 #994 3-2-12 1:07AM Like  Reply

agreed w/previous comment. I think that even if it doesn't hit him now, it could later especially since you and his siblings enjoy it so much. I have cousins who called everything stupid when we took them there and hated all of it... it was so discouraging and I resented them for a while for being so unappreciative. years later though, one of them warmed up to it.. but it was more so out of respect for us who love it so much. either way, he tries and can appreciate certain things now which was better than when he was little and hated every part of it. - crustle  625.4 #179 3-2-12 2:04AM Like  Reply

Uh oh - VADERonSOARIN  527.0 #223 3-2-12 4:53AM Like  Reply

My twins were both like that when they were younger. They didn't do well with anything intense or super stimulating like character meets or most rides. We go at their pace. They liked taking the grand circle tour on the rr, riding the Columbia or mark twain, playing in goofys house or chip & dales Treehouse, watching the parade, riding heimlichs chew chew train (bugs land in general except the show) and eating delicious disney junk food. Anything that wasn't a full experience they enjoyed. It sounds like he has tried a lot of rides which is very brave of him. Maybe use the rider switch pass or fastpasses so you & your wife & older son can still enjoy the rides on your last few days (fastpasses will be faster then the baby swap/rider switch pass, get 4 fastpasses and let your 8yr old go with each of you while one waits) He'll come around just don't push it. My boys are almost 8 and will go on most rides now but it took some time. Enjoy the last few days of your trip:) - supertracy  435.6 #291 3-2-12 5:45AM Like  Reply

My daughter was like that too. We used to call her "Our Disney Kill Joy". But our last trip was much better. She had a food time. So.there is hope - QueenRobin  113.8 #2882 3-2-12 5:50AM Like  Reply

See if you can do the scavenger hunt tour. Go to the stand left of city hall. - Chumash28  766.9 #130 3-2-12 5:52AM Like  Reply

Toystory - dl811  125.0 #2700 3-2-12 6:00AM Like  Reply

A 2 weeks ago, my boyfriend's sister's daughter didn't like going to the rides other than small world. Then my daughter showed her some videos of the rides. They went last Sunday and she loved the going on the rides! She even said so herself. Try that with your daughter and see if it works - mine_mine_mine  44.4 #3938 3-2-12 6:20AM Like  Reply

Oops sorry son - mine_mine_mine  44.4 #3938 3-2-12 6:22AM Like  Reply

When he turns 18 hell rember this vacation as one of the best! He wont even remember that he complained or even said he hated disneyland. Hes 5 and he probably got tired fast and wanted to go home to watch tv or play video games. when we went on our first trip when I was 9 my brother was 4 and.theres a video of him waking up in the hotel saying I dont wanna go anymore!!! He loves.the.park now. Doesnt even remember saying.that! - Jfigg23  254.7 #991 3-2-12 6:27AM Like  Reply

Awww, sounds like you might just have a homebody. When my son was younger (5 ish) he was always ready to go home. Didn't matter where we were (and I think we went to some pretty awesome places). We would assure him he would be back home soon, asked for patience with the rest of us on the trip, and tried to not get bummed. It got better as he aged - now he asks when out next Dland trip is. He looks back fondly on our trips so I think they were a good thing even though I had my doubts at the time. - wannahockaloogie  142.0 #2457 3-2-12 6:27AM Like  Reply

My oldest has never liked the park. He didn't care for the crowds and waiting in line. I always had to make sure he had down time at the beach, a park, or at the hotel. Having him hold the map and give directions or having him be the photographer helped. Good luck and know that Disneyland isn't magic for everyone, and that is ok. - ladylikesdisneysmom  267.1 #874 3-2-12 6:30AM Like  Reply

You know, just wait and see what happens. I have two little cousins in Australia, and they came over a few years ago. Worst time to try to take them to DL (mid-June). They were crying, the 5 year old didn't want to go on anything except Buzz Lightyear, our McDonald's food isn't the same as theirs, etc. We had some fun moments, but it was very stressful for the kids with the crowds. However, they both talk about DL all the time and tell their mom how much they loved it and want to come back, lol. Kids look at things differently than we do--he might remember this trip as if he had a blast! - Spoonful_O_Sugar  439.0 #289 3-2-12 6:32AM Like  Reply

Front of the monorail? Tender Ride on Train? Aladdin show? Turtle Talk w/ Crush? Steering the Mark Twain if its open? Mickey's House to meet him? - toph  2406.7 #26 3-2-12 6:33AM Like  Reply

What about handing him the camera, especially if it's digital? You will get a kids perspective of DL, and he might see everything differently. Plus be more entertained in lines, and such. - Sugarbuzz  55.4 #3694 3-2-12 6:45AM Like  Reply

My son had similar issues when he was between 4-6. He is 8 now and rides everything! Be patient and breathe deeply. - LaPearleNoir  620.6 #180 3-2-12 6:45AM Like  Reply

Get him a gift card to start pin trading and meet other kids.... - disgal  3.2 #23783 3-2-12 6:54AM Like  Reply

When my youngest was five, she didn't like it either... We would have to bribe her to go and then bribe her to stay for more than 2 hours... :-/ I completely feel your pain... She is now 7 and loves going to the park, but I have yet to determine what changed her mind... Good luck... - disneymomma1  320.5 #535 3-2-12 7:09AM Like  Reply

Thanks for the advice everyone... About to test out some theories with him right now. Wish me luck! - BobbyCorona  254.5 #994 3-2-12 10:35AM Like  Reply

Been there😖my youngest now 14 ( secretly nick named " Fun sucker" ) always was very hard to keep happy and evolved with the rest of the family. It was defiantly a challenge to include him and not take away from the fun for everyone else. Keep smiling , you've been given a lot of great suggestions . Hope the magic surrounds you today and you have a great time! - My_HappyPlace  65.6 #3532 3-2-12 1:14PM Like  Reply

Hoping things got better! - toph  2406.7 #26 3-2-12 2:17PM Like  Reply

World of Color, space mtn, indy, star tours.... ToT, animation academy.. TSMM...  - DonaldMissingPants  296.2 #648 3-2-12 4:16PM Like  Reply

It sounds like you have my two boys.  My younger son would join me in living there while my oldest son could care less about Disneyland.  He complains so much while we are there that we have stopped forcing him to go.  Unfortunately, Disneyland is not for everyone and until he changes his mind we will respect his desire and not drag him there every chance we get.  Hopefully both of our kids have a change of heart someday :)  - tattooedmum  109.2 #2960 3-2-12 4:59PM Like  Reply