Can you believe my "friends" felt it was their business...

[ppony]

to tell me I was making a mistake and I was crazy to bring my 2 1/2 year old to WDW?! OK. we PLAN on taking it very easy this trip. At his pace...doing what he wants. We won't miss doing rides he's too young for.... That's not why we're going. This is our first trip with a child and I can't wait to see new magic come alive in a child. :)

Why do they feel it's their business to tell me what I should and should not do. It really bothered me because this was OUR choice to do this for our 10 year anniversary. We love our son and didn't want to take off on a trip without him.

I didn't even offer up the info that we were going..I just asked one of them about one of the airposrt terminals here and she asked why I was asking. Honestly, I did NOT expect the response to "We're going to WDW next year" to be "WHY would you want to do that?!"

I'm bummed. Anyone with words of support please?
:(

thanks :(

[Super Mom]

We took our DS's for the first time when they had just turned 5 & 3. we had a ball!! That was 4 years ago. We are going again this year and they can't wait. they are trying to explain it to their 3 yr. old little brother.

I say go and have a ball!! it is your vacation and your family. Don't worry about anybody else's opinion.

BTW - My brother feels the same way as your friend. His daughter is 4 1/2, he will not even consider taking her to WDW until she is 8.

Oh well, they don't know what they are missing! WDW with a pre-schooler is truly magical.

[luna]

We just returned from a wonderful week at the WL with our 20 month old. We had a lot of people also telling us we were crazy, that he wouldn't remember it, etc. My husband and I will remember everything and that is all that matters. We all had a great time, and there was nothing greater than seeing our little guy get so excited when he saw Tigger, Pooh and all the characters. We went on nearly all the rides with him, and we all had a great time. For me, the best times were going to character breakfasts and enjoying the hotel. DS was so excited swimming in the pool, running around the lobby and riding the monorail. These moments were worth everything for me. Don't listen to anyone. Just go and have a great time with your family.
My husband has a great comeback for everyone who tells us that ds will not remember it. He just tells them we will keep him in the house until he is 5, since he won't remember playgrounds, the zoo or preschool. Why bother???

[ShuisFan584]

Don't listen to them! There are tons of people that bring their young kids to Disney World. My parents brought me when I was 2 years old, and another time when I was 4 and my sister was 1 1/2.

I think it's the best time to bring kids to Disney when they're younger! Especially seeing the excitement on their faces! I've watched videos from Disney when my sister and I were younger, and you could tell that we absolutely loved it!

[mikenlisa1]

Well here is what happen to us!
We went to WDW in oct 99 & feb 01 with our little one( with a trip in between without him), when we got home in feb my sister in law (outlaw) said to us why don't you wait and take him when he will remember. Well He remembers dancing with Mickey and Animal Kingdom will forever be known to us as the Boo Boo park because he fell and got a boo boo before we got in the Park, plus he had his first hair cut in the MK and they gave him Mouse ears that say My First Hair Cut !
So I say to tell anyone who feels is there Bus to tell not to take a young one to get LOST. As long as you know they can not keep up as much and you plan around that
WHo cares what others think !
Parker has been to WDW before he was out, and at 11 months,, 2years 2 months and going back for his 3rd Birthday Dec 10.

[lmmollohan]

Stephanie,

First off try not to take it too personal. Even "friends" manage to say dumb things sometimes and I am sure they did not mean for it to hurt your feelings. Remember you may slip up some time and say the "wrong" thing. That said...

You and your 2 1/2 old are going to have the time of your lives. I would not doubt if it will be your favorite trip thus far. We went to WDW with a 2 1/2 year old one year (my neice). She is now 11 and says she still remembers certain things. We wonder if she actually does or if she remembers the video of the trip that she watched a million times since. Either way, it is a great memory. In fact they are going back next Spring!

Anyway, not only did she have a great time and do fantastic (we did not take it easy), but she loved it!! All her favorites were "rides" that guide books and the like said to avoid. Her favorite park was not MK but EPCOT. Her favorite ride was "The Land" and so I stood in line with her 2 more times while everyone went shopping. I learned more about alternative ways to grow food than I cared too!:D

This was not a fluke thing. We took my son for a one day trip to EPCOT in 1996...he was just over 6 months old. We drove 20 hours from Cleveland to Orlando...on our way to visit in-laws. It was cold (50 degrees and windy) and we could not have had a better time. He smiled the entire time and even though he understood nothing he had a great time. My favorite picture of him ever was taken on that trip.

Than 2 years ago we took my son and daughter....than 3 1/2 and just turned 1. We spend a week in an off site hotel. We did not take it easy that trip either...hard to do when off site. We had an excellent time and noone wanted to go home.

There is something that cannot compare to the majic you see in the eyes of someone who truly believes that is Mickey Mouse and not a person in a costume. (oops...hope you knew that ;) )

Needless to say lots of "friends" told us we were nuts. I told them they were the foolish ones. The kids are young once and I don't want to wait to let them enjoy Disney. So what if they do not remember it...which they might...I remember going to Germany when I was 2. I will remember it and we will have lots and lots of pictures!:)

Don't let them get you down. You will have a great time. There is noone too young to enjoy Disney

BTW...we are going back Sept 2002 with 7, almost 5, and 2 1/2 year old...so there!! Tell your friends that...and I can tell you 100 reasons WHY!!:D

Have fun

Lisa

[sha_lyn]

If you want a short simple answer that isn't probablly the truth for you but is the truth just tell them you need the vacation and he is free untill 3 so you figured you better go now.

So now to help settle your mind...My DD was 2 1/2 on our trip. It was pure magic waching her take all of WDW in. In fact my DH said the price of the entire trip was worth the expression on her face when she saw piglet at Crystal Palace. It was our 3rd day and she had seen several characters but when she saw piglet she was in shock. It is so magical when thye believe all hte characters are real, that tinkerbell really flies and that you are really at Mickeys house. The key as you said is to plan around their schedual. The main thing I always tell anyone debating taking their small child is just remember this is the same child you have at home, don't expect anything out of them that they will not do at home (skip a nap, sit quietly through a 10 course meal etc).

To make it a little easier on you my suggestions are
Take your own stroller

Stay on site (great for naps ). we never went back to the room at WDW but we did just a few weeks ago at universal. DD looked at me in line for one of the rides and said I want to go home and go to bed, so that is just what we did (well not home but the room). She laid on the bed for an hour watching tv and jumped up and said I want to go ride now, so off we went.

Plan one sit down meal a day preferrable a character meal so he will be entertained while all of you get to rest and recharge.

Let him enjoy what he wants to enjoy..so what my DD nver rodethe carrosel, she didn't want to she'd rather ride pooh over and over. Both kids loved the play areas. At MGM even my thrill seeker DS wanted to return to the park for the HISTK playground more than he wanted to do TOT and RnR again. So what if you just paid almost $50 per person to watch him slide, he is enjoying himself and that is what is important.

[CatOne]

You are going to have a blast and so is your ds!! If these friends have never taken young children to WDW what makes them think they know? We just got back less than a month ago with our 2.5 year old daughter and she asks every day to go back to ride Mickey's monorail. I was on a website the other day and they had a picture of Cinderella's castle and she came flying up beside me to tell me it was Cindy's castle and we would going back to visit around Christmas. (which we have already booked) She remembers so much and she hasn't even seen our videos yet! Don't let this bother you or hurt your feelings. You know your child better than anyone and if you want to take him, go for it, you won't regret it!!!

Have a great time
CatOne:bounce: :bounce:

[tinaluis]

We took our oldest daughter (now 4) for her first trip to WDW when she was just about 9 weeks old. Sure, that trip was more for us than her, but we've been back several times since then with her and her sister who is 2. In fact, we will return in November and we'll have another daughter who will be about 13 weeks old. The memories that we all share are priceless and our girls remember much more than we thought they would. And, like a previous post stated, they're free up to 3 years of age, so it doesn't really cost you anything.

We try to slow down our pace a bit, and we usually manage to see everything we want to, with a couple of "quiet" days spent at the hotel pool. Don't listen to the naysayers. Go and enjoy yourselves and be sure to take lots and lots of pictures.

[CindyAnn]

Ppony - Some people just don't get Disney, and all of us have friends who fall into that category. It's not their fault. Just think how lucky all of us are!

We first took DS when he was 2 1/2 and we had a great time. I was also 7 months pregnant, so daily naps in the afternoon were a must, but the slower pace was good for everyone. He was able to go on most of the rides and really enjoyed them. The character meals were a hit after he had warmed up a bit, and he did very well in restaurants and shows for the most part. In fact, although he was at a huge tantrum-throwing stage, he didn't have a single meltdown at Disney. (Actually, he saved it for the plane trip home, but that's another story). We have wonderful video footage from that trip, with DS on the tram ride from the parking lot saying very solemnly "this is my favourite ride" and then on the monorail "this is my favourite ride". In fact, just about everything we tried was his favourite ride. I think one reason we enjoyed it so much was that we kept him pretty much on his home schedule (up early, 2 hour nap in the afternoon, and early to bed).

If you and your DH want to go, pay no attention to those negative friends and co-workers and have a wonderful time. The memories you'll have will be priceless.

[diana's mommie]

I am having the same problem with my family. My DD will be almost 2 1/2 and everyone say that she is too young but they think nothing of her and the family going on a transatlantic cruise when she is 3. After a tiugh decision WDW won out. I just plan to take it easy and enjoy the ride

[anut4disney]

Your dd will have a good time. :)

We took my daughter when she was 3 and 18 years later she still remembers some of it. She had a great time and I have some wonderful pictures and memories of her first time.

I am now wanting to take the twins next year and they will have just turned 3. I hear the same thing and all I tell them (with a big smile) is I took their mother when she was 3 and she had a great time.

So go and you and your family have a wonderful time. :earsgirl:

[beaker]

We took my DS at 6 months and are returnig at 1 yr. I can't tell you how many people have said to me why he won't remeber. Well me and my DH will remeber! To these people I now pull out my disney pictures I have a great one of DS aand donald looks professional. Most of the time they say how cute and no more about how young he is. Go have a good time and may i suggest do wait in line to see the characters the pictures I got will warm my heart when I am in the retirement home.

[DisneyKidds]

I'll keep this short because you can see from all the other posts that you will have a great time.

I don't want to offend anyone, but IMO it is your friends that don't have a clue. Those who wait till their kids are older to take them have missed some truely wonderful family vacation experiences that can never be recaptured. Unfortunately, some may not have the opportunity to bring their young kids for medical or other reason - but if you can bring them I think you should. We have been to WDW every year (some twice) since 1991. It is our trips from the last 2 years (with DD) that have been the most magical. Seeing WDW through their eyes and watching their reactions is amazing. As long as you take it easy, go at your child's pace, take frequent breaks, go back to the hotel for naps, etc you will be fine.

Our DD has been 4 times in 2 years (she is 2.5 now, first trip at 7 mos). We will be going this Nov and bringing our DD and DS (due in July) who will be 4.5 mos. Our DD remembers A LOT from her last couple of trips and frequently talks about going to Disney World.

Don't worry about your friends opinions. Go and have a great time.

So much for keeping this short but I couldn't help myself.

[LUVUTIGGER2]

DH, DS (2 1/2) and I just returned from WDW and DS had a blast. He hasn't stopped talking about the trip yet! I was told practically the same things also by some of my co-workers - "he won't remember anything about the trip", "you won't have fun with a child so young", "you won't be able to do everything you want to do, etc"...... We planned our days aroung our DS schedule (naps, medication, etc.) and being at WDW for 1 1/2 wks, was able to do everything the entire family wanted to do. We had a magical trip and DS says he wants to go back again.:bounce:

[ppony]

You guys really made me feel so much better.:pinkbounc I feel very confident that we'll have a blast.

They don't know what they're missing!

Thanks a billion!!!!!!

[MauraAndIainsDad]

Don't worry about it - no one knows your child better than you! We went when my daughter was 3.5 and my son was only 7 mos. old. Of course, he won't remember it but he still enjoyed himself. We have the most beautiful photo of him reaching out to grab Pluto at a character breakfast.

[Tamie]

My sister went to WDW at the beginning of May with her DH and DS (2 1/2). Her DS had a ball, even now he still takes about it and what characters he saw.

My opinion is that WDW is what you make of it and how you want to spend your vacation. If a child is "to young", what is the reason to have it. All kids of all ages love Mickey and friends and to be able to take your kids there and to see their faces, just one day would be worth all the effort.

Just go to WDW with your family and have the best time of your life. Then go back when they are older and do it again. Life is about what makes you happy and it is too short to worry about what other peoples opinions are. Take their advise then decide on your own what to do with it. Everyone has their own opinion, sometime it right and sometimes its wrong.

Have a great trip and I will also be planning to have a great trip when my family goes in November.

[ZachnElli]

I'm taking my 2 1/2 year old in 23 days!! I don't care what anyone says, they will not spoil it! This is her second trip, the first one was right after she turned 1 year old. And she "remembers" that trip too (we've looked at the scrapbook so many times, she thinks she remembers it!) She loves seeing pictures of herself with Minnie and Mickey! It's worth it and they are free!! LOL!

[Wishydoo]

Hi, If someone asks me why I am doing something, and I don't feel the need to justify my actions to them...I just shrug my shoulders and say...."cuz I feel like it" ;)

[lindaso]

I will add my agreement to everyone elses. We were there last year when my DD was 2 1/2 and she had a blast. The look on her face when she saw Mickey at the character breakfast our first morning will be in my memory forever...it was amazing!!

She did lots of things I didn't think she would want to(Goofy Barnstormer, Honey I shrunk the audience, Haunted Mansion) and was able to understand that certain things were pretend.

She remembers a lot of it, loves looking at the pictures and asks almost daily when we are going back.

Plus it's nice to take mid-day breaks and slow down and enjoy some of the quieter things Disney has to offer. But hey, you know all this!! Enjoy!!

Linda:D

[momejay]

I took my dd at 15 months (for a only a day the first time) We were staying with friends that lived close. We didn't do much, but we did use the baby pass a few times.
The next time we went, she was 3 & her brother was 14 months. She talked for the first time on that trip. She still remembers where we went & things we did. My ds learned to say "ickey" & "Pooh" on this trip. Now these are some of the few words he still uses. (He is autistic. She has hearing loss)
I'm glad I took them when they were little. They still go every year. Friends think I'm crazy, but we don't feel "handicapped" in Disney. We go at our pace & use fastpass.
Disney is for the "kid" in all of us. Those that say "leave them home" have "grown up" & are unable to find the "kid" inside themselves. They wouldn't understand why you'd want to go in the first place. (or they are just jealous)
I'll never forget the look on her face when she saw Cinderella's Castle the 1st time. (My one regret was forgetting my camera.)

[bashful4]

When you think of your child and work with their age, it makes the trip easier and fun. Who cares whether or not they will remember the trip. We went to a lot of different places, when my DD was an infant/toddler, that she doesn't remember. Sometimes you have to live in the moment.

We are planning our July trip around our six year old. We ask ourselves- What would she like? Will she need breaks? etc. We are not thinking- We won't be able to do this or that because of her or how inconvenienced we will be by taking her with us.

You know the limitations of your family. Work with that and you can will have a wonderful time and some awesome memories. :)

[wheeler1]

just to put in my two cents...

its been my experience that its not always a good idea to wait for the "right time" to do the important things in life! and spending quality time with your family, at any age is most important. sometimes, for different reasons, the right time never comes and the opportunity could slip away. so i say, spend your valuable time together having fun and making great memories !!! it truly is all that matters!! :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[Michigan]

Tell your friend you can call me crazy all you want but going before your child is 3 and having to pay for admission is SMART. My 3 year old went just after her 2nd birthday and again just before her 3rd and she loved it. We are going again in the fall and she can't wait.

[DisneyFix]

Our oldest dd was 2 years old for her first trip to WDW, and I highly recommend this age!!! It was absolutely priceless. She's been there 3 times since then.

[worm761]

i just had to add my opinion. GO! i have only ever been once and i wasnt quite 2yrs old yet. i have never seen pictures of this trip. and the only story i have ever heard was that i was afraid of the bears. this was in 1978. i am now 25yrs old. i still remember some things and i cant wait to go!!! i am taking my DS who is now 5yrs old. we leave in less than 3 weeks!

[athurstance]

I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time. Don't let other people put you off taking your children to WDW. Who cares if they don't remember it anyway - they enjoy it at the time. I don't think I can remember every fun thing I've done on holiday but it doesn't mean I shouldn't have done it.
I think a lot of people do take the attitude that WDW is a once in a lifetime experience and they would want to take their children when they're older. That's fine for them of course but it doesn't give them the right to try to make you see it their way. IMO you've got it just right - watching a young child transfixed by the music and colours of WDW is a holiday in itself.
My two sons have been disneying since birth. They have surprising memories really of things that happened when they were 3 or 4. One thing they do know is that given a choice of where we go on holiday Disney is always top of the list. They're only 9 and 6 now and they LOVE it.
Start them young I say - then they can become as addicted as me!!!!!!!

Have a fantastic holiday.

Angela

[Tawnya]

...I would take them. We could not afford WDW until the girls were 6 and 9. The first time we went it really wore the 6 year old out...too much rich food, too long in the parks. Then I discovered this board and learned so much. I will admit that sometimes I feel so sorry for little ones who are being fussed at and the parents are so stressed! But last December we were watching the parade at the MVMCP and a woman was there with her three small kids. We were behind the rope but the CM dropped it before Santa came by. The woman couldn't hold all of her kids so I offered to hold the youngest (who I had been starring at because she looked EXACTLY like my now 13 year old when she was two!). The sweetie came right to me and I held her while she watched Santa. I get tears in my eyes thinking about it! It gave me a chance that I missed with mine!

[stacie_d]

We are going again when our DS is 2 yrs and 8 months old. We took him before for his 1st birthday. I won't say he remembers anything, but we sure do! And he is a complete Disney NUT now! So all it must be lying around in his subconscience somewhere.

I get so aggravated when people tell us "Why are you "doing whatever", he won't remember it." If I used that philosophy, I would have never taken him out of the house to the park, or bought him a toy, or anything. It is not like he will remember swinging in a baby swing, or looking at picture books, or playing with the cat. So why do I bother??? Because at the time, he is happy. And I will have those memories forever. And when he gets older, I can tell him stories about what he liked and did as a baby. I guess I could just make up the stories, but then again, I am not a novelist.

[Poly Pal]

We do not go to Disney for our children. We go for our own enjoyment! If the kids have a great time, so much the better! As parents, we just do not live for our children's happiness. Seen too many friends and relatives turn out spoiled brats that way.

So, who cares if your small child remembers Disney. You will! And unless this is the trip of a lifetime, there will certainly be many more happy trips to WDW in the future when the kids ARE old enough to remember.

Have a great time!:)

[EZ Ed]

When I took a 3 year for the first time we spent time at Mickey's Toontown, totally blew off Tommorrowland. got there by using the train.

Next week we return and the all the rides that got skipped are high on the to-do list.

As long as you don't over do it and be the one with a cranky kid.

stay true to your plan and work at the kids pace, it will be fun for all.

;)

[Mamatipo]

I agree with Poly Pal -- I went to WDW for a weekend in May w/ my 20 month old. I went basically for myself -- I had a Disney itch. Well...my son couldn't get enough of the sights and sounds. He loved the trip. He names every character we took pictures with. I don't know how much he actually remembers, but I will remember how much he enjoyed it.

For the first time, I did not do the commando thing. We took our time, enjoyed the little things that I often overlooked because I was running from attraction to attraction.

I also took everyone's advice here which made the trip very easy.

We're going back in September for a "real" vacation. I plan to enjoy the resorts more this trip. He'll be 24 months old, and I can't wait to see his reactions again!

Enjoy your trip!

:cool:

[ilisa]

We took our daughter when she was 19 months old, and will be taking her again in May, 2002 when she is 3 years old (we'll have a 3 month old at the time, but my mother in law will watch him/her). It was an amazing trip!! There is nothing like seeing Disney through a child's eyes. Someone on this board once said that a toddler still thinks Cinderella is Cinderella and I wholeheartedly agree. I do believe our daughter does remember parts of the trip. We put on our videos we took and she goes nuts. Every day when we get home, she asks to see "Mickeys". So, you enjoy your trip and don't think twice about your friend's comments. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

[LMHB]

OOOOOoooooo.....I just hate when people give you that bull. I have found, in general, that a surprising amount of people consider a Disney Vacation to be an "ordeal" to be suffered through only when your children are old enough for them to remember every single thing. That is such nonsense! We have one particularly opinionated friend who flat out told me a couple of weeks ago that someone she knew took her children and "there just wasn't anything THERE for them." Now, how ludicrous is that? Nothing for children at WDW? She really looks down at our interest in Disney. I wonder if it is the fact that Disney is such a huge corporate success, and some people just can't stand to see a company who is successful actually have an excellent product. We took our son at 1 1/2, and will take them this year at 3 1/2 and 1 1/2. The memories are for the parents, and besides, what about just living it up at the MOMENT and just plain having fun? The kids have a ball! Not everything has to have a concrete memory to be tangibly valuable. I have also come across the opinion that going on a Disney vacation is irresponsibly un-cultured. Has anyone else ever encountered that? Granted, you need to make trips to places other than WDW in your life to be well-rounded, but I actually think Epcot does a pretty good job at sampling the personalities of different countries. Next time your friends pipe up, put the spotlight on THEM and tell them you think they are benig very negative. They should find ways to enjoy life more! LOL! Have a GREAT time!!!!

[Wishydoo]

Poly Pal, I get your point. I have stated many times on these boards that my trip to WDW in Aug. will be "all about the kids", and that I will do whatever, for them to have a pleasant and carefree time while on vacation.

But...I'm not doing it because they are spoiled-rotten brats. On the contrary, they are excellent students, who work very hard all year. They are very well-behaved, kind and considerate kids and give me no troubles.

As a mom, I am always in the position of saying "do this, don't do that". My children oblige me...they follow the rules.

I see our trip to WDW as a gift and reward to them.

The gift I would like to offer them is not so much a Disney vacation, but an opportunity to make "the rules" and to have as much as possible be "their way" while there.

24/7 at home, It's Mom's way. To hear me say..."whatever YOU want to do!" while at WDW, will be the "magic" for my kids. They've earned & deserve it :D

Lisa

[LKS]

The kids will have fun at 2.5, at 8, at 10....whatever age their parents choose to take them. We went with a 3 month old, 3 year old and 5 year old, and although the baby just slept and ate, the rest of us still had a great time. Infants, especially nursing, are very easy there.

If I could only go once in a lifetime, I guess I'd wait until they were old enough to ride more rides, but we are taking ours at various ages to experience the magic in different ways each time. We have really encouraged friends to take their kids just before they turn 3, while they are free - even at the buffets - and we think it's a great strategy.

We always do a resort break in the middle of the day. My little ones enjoy the swimming as much as the parks. Staying on the monorail makes this strategy especially easy. We favor the contemporary. No one is happy if the little one isn't happy.

[Fargoman2]

Let me just say "ditto" to every other post on this subject!

We are making our first trip to WDW in August with our children ages 2, 9 and 12. Last year, we took the kids to San Diego.

Gee, what a waste of time (tongue firmly in cheek)! Our youngest didn't get anything out of that! All he does is talk incessantly about "Shamu."

Using the logic of "don't take him, he's too young to remember anything" is absolutely ludicrous! What should we do? Keep our kids locked up in their rooms and exclude them from family outings until they can pass some sort of memory test?

I'm afraid too many parents view traveling with their young children as a burdensome inconvenience rather than as a great family-bonding experience.

Yes, traveling with kids can be exhausting, mentally-draining work. It also provides family highlights to treasure for a lifetime! Something tells me that a few years from now when my kids are off having their own lives, I will long for these exhausting, mentally-draining vacations!

Go and have a GREAT TIME--I KNOW WE WILL!!

[nanalisa]

Ignore your friends, although it does sound like my friends AND non immediate family. We took our granddaughter when she was 21 months and it was all we could do to wait that long! Everyone was right, she doesn't remember it but DH and I will for the rest of our lives. I can't tell you how cute a 2 yo is with Winnie the Pooh. We had the BEST time. We took her again at 2.5 and again this summer at 4.5. Go, take lots of pictures and have a great time.

[Tiggerrrr]

2 1/2 is a great age for your first trip ! That was the age of all 3 of our DD's first trip, it was also a little incentive to get them completely potty trained. "We can't go to see Mickey until your a big girl, and go in the big potty". It worked like a charm!!! So you go to the hotel for an afternoon nap, big deal !! 2 1/2 is a great age, they're so excited, (and so was I )!! Have a great trip, and don't stress..... just go with the flow.. You'll have a wonderful time!
Jen
:D

[becca33]

I am sure your friends were not trying to be hurtfull. They just have a different opinion then you do. Personally I would never go to a amusement park of any kind until my children were old enough to ride the rides. But that just works better for me and my family. I wouldn't let it bother you just laugh it off and move on. After all its all about you and your family, and if it works for you it dosnt matter what anyone else says. Have a great time and don't let it stress you. °o°

Mickey loves you no matter what age you are!

[ppony]

I'm so glad to hear all the great experiences people have had.

So to each and EVERY one of you.. a huge thanks!

:p

It's going to be SO hard to wait a whole year and (let's see..1, 2, 3, 4) 5 months. We'll probably come back and spend a couple hundred on developing pictures!

Hope you all have great trips when you go!

[Toni]

Ask your friend if her child remembers his first birthday party or Christmas or Easter or Halloween? The answer is probably not. But no one would criticize you for making those days special. We all celebrate these events in a big way with our infants and toddlers anyway because we want to share happy times with them. To be able to bring joy, fun and happiness to our children is a true gift. Your toddler may not remember seeing Mickey but he/she will "remember" feeling happy and loved.

A toddler learns from all experiences including travel.

You are teaching your child that there is a whole big world out there beyond their backyard.

You are teaching your child that families can be together and be happy and enjoy each other.

You are exposing your child to new experiences, maybe new foods or people from different cultures.

Go and have a good time.

[georgiapeach60]

Don't worry about it at all. Everyone is different and people do not enjoy the same things at the same times. If you told me that I had to take an infant or a small toddler to WDW I would tell you to go ahead and shoot me. There is no way I would do it. That would not be enjoyable for me. I took my kids when they were older. That was our choice. It does not mean that it is the correct choice for all families.

[buzz5985]

People thought I was crazy to bring my 4 yo to Disney last year (I am currently planning another trip for next year yahoo) My answer to the relatives - Gee you rent a cottage every year up at Hampton Beach NH, now don't get me wrong Hampton is nice, it is a 40 minute ride, but you pay $1500 a week. Gee I could spend that in Disney in the middle of the Winter, snow flying I am lounging by the pool, with the 4 yo. Stops them short. Friends - Gee you spend $1200 a week down the Cape. Think of Florida in the winter, daily entertainment. Waited on hand and foot. Not cooking for everyone and cleaning a cottage. Stops them short. Their children will not remember either, but I would be willing to bet a Child remembering Mickey. Janis

[browneyes]

Ppony! Have fun! Your DS will love it. You and your DH know him better than anyone. Who cares what anybody else thinks? :D

[lvs_eeyore]

I agree with everyone else. Take your 2.5 year old. We have gone at least two Disney trips a year since my eldest was 5 and my youngest was a year. Six trips in all and we are planning another. I have had some of the most "magical" moments watching the joy in my son's faces. THAT truly makes the trip for me not if they will remember this or that. I remember when we first took the littlest. He would see the tram coming, squeal and yell.....THE TRAM THE TRAM!!!! It was so cute to see him do that. LOL he still cries when we get to the TTC and have to get off. He just turned three and I hear daily....When are we going to DisIney Wowld to see Mikka Mouse???

I have to agree that some people just don't "get" a Disney trip. I have a problem with my coworker saying things like. Why do you ALWAYS go to Disney. WHY don't you go somewhere else. Ummmmm maybe because we LOVE Disney and what better place to take a child. I certainly never tire of Disney and neither do my children. It truly is the perfect vacation spot for us. Now that we stay onsite its even better!

[Tracy M]

PonyPal.....as you can see, you are NOT alone! I'm taking my 2.5 DS in November....and like you, have gotten some negative opinions from folks on him "being too young".

You know, as we all know in our hearts, there is no age criteria for Disney....it's a place where magic happens @ any age.

Enjoy!

[TrudyZ]

Here's one more affirmation.

We just got back from taking our 2 1/2 year old on her first trip. It was also my husband's first trip to WDW--and the last time I had been there MK was the only park!;) We also wondered if we were doing the right thing (in other words, would this be a big fiasco!)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard the same thing, but I'm not so diplomatic in answering them ("mind your own d*** business" or something worse is my usual response--or, "you spend your money, and I'll spend mine"--if I am feeling somewhat polite .)

Well, we had the time of our lives. We have done expensive vacations at the beach, etc., but WDW was one place where we could all do things together--and the activities will change and grow as she does. There was plenty of rides and activities to keep her busy now, and there will be plenty to do and experience as she gets older.

Yes, our daughter loved the rides, the characters, the sheer excitement of it all; but really, it was about 7 solid days of being a family--shielded from the everyday world by the magic of Disney. That's something you just can't put a pricetag on.

Will we do it again--you bet. My very conservative midwestern husband thought it was such a wonderful experience he plunked down the cash to join DVC so we could go once or twice every year--and that's saying a lot!

We'll be back in October for her third birthday.

So please, take your child, take your time, and enjoy being together. (and give those naysayers my email address. I'll be happy to handle them for you;) )

Trudy

[chells]

We took our DS the first time a few months shy of 3 years old, and we all had a blast. It was a short trip (tagged a 3-day weekend onto the end of a business trip) so went back for more 1 year later, then again to celebrate his 5th birthday, and yet again just before his 7th. Always new experiences (as he get's taller and older we get to experience new rides, etc.) Obviously we've had great times or wouldn't be heading back each year.

On the other side, my sister would NEVER think of bringing a child so young on such an elaborate vacation (gosh forbid) so they headed to the world last year when their children were age 6 and 8 - they had a miserable time, the kids didn't want to wait in any lines over 10 minutes, and "wouldn't let" their Mom or Dad do any rides without them, all they wanted to do was go back to the hotel pool and swim. They never headed to any parks before noon (had to swim first) and were back at the hotels by 3 each afternoon (lines too long.) They won't be going back for awhile, if ever.....

I figure we eased our son into it at an early age, and he's a great traveler, knows how to stay entertained in lines, thinks vacations are when you go to bed earlier so we can get up early, get a full day in, and if it's not too late, a swim in the hotel pool before bed.

chells

[ilovemydog]

ppony- I'm like you, our children go everywhere with us. Why because we LOVE there company. My children are alot older (16 & 13) but from the time they were little we have always taken them! My husband and I would never think of going on vacation without them. We have always loved there company and don't feel like its a aggravation. I guess this isn't right for some people but some people truly enjoy it! Speaking now that next year my oldest will be in college I can truly say I WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED A THING. My husband and I still get our adult time together and have new and different dreams for our life after raising children. For our 20th anniversary we are going with the kids to DISNEY!!!!!!!!!!! As I'm sure you will do just keep it at his pace and ENJOY!

[sha_lyn]

just an observation, Please this is not a flame to working mothers.....
I have noticed that the more likely a family is to do "family" vacation the more likely it is that the mother is either a SAHM or at least is not a career woman first. Or the more the mother (working or SAHM ) volenteers at schools, scouts etc the more likely they are to take a family vacation with their childrne and look at it as a pleasent experience. The more career minded and the less time the parent spents with their child the less likely they are to want to spend vacations with their children. It really seems to less time a parent spends with their children the more the parents complains about
things like waiting in lines, working around the kids scheduals etc. This really blows my mind becasue you would think it would be the parents that are around their children the most that would want a vacation that does not center around the kids.

This is from my own experience.. and I have seen one family go form one to the other. A cousin of mine was more into her career than her kids and she and her DH took kid free vacations because they needed a break from them. They went gambling in Vegas and Bilioxi ( I forgot the spelling and we even lived there a while LOL)5 or 6 times a year. Now that she is a SAHM and president of the PTA they go to WDW US/IOA. I have seen it in other families too but theirs is the best example.

So next time friends offer their advice..consider the source..are they parents first or Career minded.

[lvs_eeyore]

Sha_lyn I would have to disagree with you about working parents or working moms. I and my husband are full time work outside the home parents. We would NEVER EVER think of taking a kid free vacation. We love spending time with our kids especially at Disney. We don't think twice about picking up and running to Disney at a moments notice. We have been twice this year already and have been six times since my eldest (7) was five. In fact we had planned on going to Disney for our 18th anniversary in July (had to be put off till August because our youngest needs surgery) We planned a WONDERFUL dinner at Ohana's. When I was asked if I needed childcare for the night my answer was NO. Wherever we go our kids go. It wouldn't be a celebration for us without them. I've met both work outside the home parents and SAHM's that are not "kid oriented" so I really think it depends on the individual person not if they work or don't work. :D

[sha_lyn]

if you read what I said it is more about them putting career first than it is working outside the home. It is the ones who never make time for their children during the week that seem to need the break from them during vacation. I glad you do not put your work first , and I do not fault you for working. I jsut was offeering a bit of advice on taking the source into consideration when somes says what a misserable time parents will have taking young children (or any child, as 1 person said they were told someone said there was nothing at WDW for children to do LOL)to WDW.

[SueSue]

I think the major mistake people make when the go to WDW is they don't plan ahead. If you research and read the posts on this site, you and your family will have a wonderful time, no matter how old you child is.

We took our first two kids when they were 4 and 2. They loved it, and we have so many wonderful memories from that trip. That's the trip we decided to become DVC members, because it was so "magical!"

It was so great because I planned ahead. I knew from guidebooks (this site wasn't around then, unfortunately!) and talking to others which rides were the best for a young family. My DH and I decided together that this was a FAMILY trip, and therefore, we wanted to do everything together. The thrill rides would be there next time, and we had so much fun on the other rides we never missed them. (But there is always baby-swapping available if you want to enjoy the rides not appropriate for your child!)

We tood advantage of EE because the kids were up early anyway. We stayed until 11 or 12, when it was too hot, and left for a nice dip in the pool and a nap. (I even took advantage of naptime - that heat can really zap you!) We'd go back in the evenings and enjoy the parades or fireworks, but not every evening. We paced ourselves. If we had a late night the night before, we'd do a waterpark or just play at the resort pool the next day. Then the kids were ready for a park the day after again.

We set limits for how much we would spend on souvenirs, and made sure they understood. We took water bottles and snacks, and had lots of breaks. We kept both kids in strollers to reserve their energy.

We never had one tantrum or meltdown - that alone makes a trip magical! I can't tell you how many kids we see melting down after a long day in the heat, and their senses being overloaded. You know your child best. Just make sure you don't push him beyond what he can take, and you will have a wonderful trip to tell your friends about. Chances are, they'll be jealous and want to know your secrets! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[MICKEYMOUSSE]

We took our son on his first WDW trip in 10/99 when he was 2 1/2 yrs old, and it was the best trip ever! He was so in awe of everything that seeing it thru his eyes was something we will always cherish. He has since been back 10/00 and 6/01. NOW that he's been there and seen that, he has quite an opinion on what he wants to see and when!!! ENJOY your trip and never mind your "friends"-we had the same said to us,a nd you know what? We didn't care!!!

[Magic4Me]

We took our son to WDW when he was 19 months and again when he was 2 1/2. We had a great time on both trips! Seeing that Disney magic through the eyes of a child is a wonderful experience.

Just make sure that you are careful about what rides you tackle and in what order. Don't go on anything too dark or scary at first - it could ruin them for the whole trip. Take it slow & easy - Dumbo, the Carousel, Pooh, then work your way up..... The Unofficial Guide has information on the scare factor of the rides - it is a great resource when traveling with small children.

We are going again in October - and our kids will be 4 1/2 & 2 - and we can't wait!

[Sleepy]

Personally, we chose to go to WDW when our son was 7 and tall enough to ride the rides he wanted to. We know how frustrating it is for him to not be able to ride something he wants because of the height requirements. Along with that, he has ADHD and was rather difficult to keep up with in crowds and impossible to keep still in a restaurant. For these reasons, we decided waiting for an older age was the best decision for us and for the enjoyment of those that would have been forced to be around us. I would never tell anyone not to take a small child to WDW. I would personally not want to carry a stroller around, but if others want to, that is their business. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. Don't let what others say bring you down.

[B3LM]

Don't pay any attention to your friends! You'll have a wonderful time!

We went to WDW in 1995 when our DS was 2 1/2YO. We went again in 1998, when he was 5, and our DD was 2 1/2YO. We're going again in November, when our DS will be 8, our DD 5, and our youngest DD 2 1/2YO! See a pattern???

They're completely free if they're under three! So, you go have a great time and save some money, too!

I still love to watch the videos of my DS when he saw Winnie the Pooh walking toward him. It was really magical!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
Beth

[mjvans]

Will your son remember this trip? Probably not. Will he have fun? You bet ya. Will you remember this trip? Yes, for the rest of your life.

Would your friends ever enjoy WDW? I doubt it... but thats their loss.

PS Just got back from 10 days with a 1 year old (2nd trip, 1st one still in mom), 3 Year old (3rd trip, 1st one in mom) and a 5 year old. (3rd trip, plus one to Disneyland when she was 5 months.) Theres nothing better than watching your little ones interact with the characters

[lookingforward]

We took our sons when they were two and four years old. We had a BLAST! Our younger son does not remember it, but WE do...and the pictures are so adorable. Now they are eight and ten and we will be bringing our three year old daughter over Christmas. Have a good time and remember you are making memories that will last a life time.

[AlisonB]

We took our DDs at 3 & 5 and have no regrets. They believed EVERYTHING was real. That really WAS Cinderella's castle and that WAS Mickey Mouse (not just a guy in a costume).

You can never get that innocence back once it's lost (you can pretend though, like I do) so ENJOY!!!

Alison

[robsmom]

We are taking our DS 2 1/2 with us in December. We were lucky enough in March to spend a day in MGM and a day at Universal so I've tested it out. We had a great time. We took the advice of many of these boards and paced ourselves. In December we are going for 10 days (early December not Christmas). I am working on an every other day in a Park strategy, that should give us plenty of down time. DS loves Mickey, Pooh and Barney (universal) and I love to see his reactions!!

[honeymom]

We just took a 2 1/2 and 5 year old. We were careful to take rest breaks and do things at the kids pace. My son loved it and we have some great pics of him with the characters. I don't think your crazy at all. I don't know if you're staying on site, but I actually think one of the highlights of the trip was the pool and water slide at PO-FQ. We had to make sure to schedule swim time each day there.:p

[staylor]

Your poor friends must not have been to Disney themselves. Too bad! We took our oldest when he was 2 1/2. My grandmother said the same thing to me, "He won't remember it." I told her not to worry that he will be going back so many times in his life that he won't be able to forget it. We just went back in May with both sons 5 and 16 mos. It was awesome! We planned on leaving each day so the little one could nap. But he fell asleep in his stroller each day and was fine. 5 year old never wanted to leave. Our favorite, priceless moment, came when we went to find Buzz and Woody at MGM. The 5 yr. old was beside himself that he was going to meet them. We didn't think to much about the little one, but when we turned the corner and they were standing there, he pointed his little finger and said Ohhh! Not another character the entire trip got the same reaction. Now that we are home, he walks around our house everyday carrying Buzz.
So, you just ignore your friends and try not to take them personally. They just don't understand the power of Disney.

HAVE FUN!
Staci:pinkbounc :pinkbounc :pinkbounc :pinkbounc

[honeymom]

I guess I forgot to mention that I was barely 3 when I went to the World's Fair (1964). I still have vivid, wonderful memories of It's a Small World which was at that fair. Take your kids.

[sablair]

Make sure you get lots of pictures of your baby to show them what a great time all of you had :)

Im a working Mom... and yes we are taking our older children (15 and 7) to WDW without their 18 mo old brother. Reasons.. its HOT in July!!! .. the other two have never been and will enjoy it more without staying on a toddlers schedule. Is that selfish? No, not at all.. our family has revolved around our youngest for the last year and a half.... and its time to do some older kid stuff for a week. That doesnt mean we dont love him.. doesnt mean we are abandoning him, or that he isnt really part of the family.. or that we take time for ourselves over the kids either!! It just means we decided he will be miserable in the July heat and most of the vacation would be spent by the pool instead of in the parks.

I will miss my baby terribly! I even considered staying at home and letting DH take the older two, but we came up with a better solution. Go for a week now.. get a little Disney out of our system and take another trip with him in Nov when it's cooler. We refer to that trip at Ty Ty's trip already and I cant wait to see him at Disney :) I think after going once we will be much more prepared and informed in Nov and will feel like relaxing and taking his pace for the week. In fact, I think we are looking forward to that trip even more than the one next week. My mother is calling the second trip a "guilt" trip....haha... maybe she is right

Go.. enjoy.. do what is right for your family and tell your friends when they pay the bills in your house.. they can have an opinion!

~Sheila

[totallycait]

You've had plenty of responses to your original post but I just had to add my two cents as well.

I was born in 1971, the same week WDW first opened. I think I was almost 2 years old on my first trip there. I remember a lot of it. I remember the first character I met- it was Donald, right on Main Street. I kept touching him to make sure he was real and not a cartoon. My father took some great pics of it- I'm thinking about scanning them to make some kind of a sig banner for myself here.

I've been to Disneyland with my godson twice, and the first time he was 2½ years old. He's seven now and still talks about that first trip.

Take your kid to WDW and don't worry about what those other people are saying. I'll bet none of them have done it. As long as you don't let the child get overtired it will be just fine. Take lots of photos- they will really be appreciated later. And once you get home you can show them to all these cranky people who are offering their advice on what not to do!

Have a great trip! :bounce:

[lvs_eeyore]

I posted before on this thread but just had to tell you of something that just happened. Lends a lot of creedence to TAKING small children to Disney.

My older son received a stamper set of dinosaurs. A few minutes ago my youngest who is now three was playing with them....he was about 2.75 when we took him last to Disney. Well he looked up at me a few minutes ago and said "Mommy dinosaurs go to Energy!" I was floored. The ONLY place he could have learned that was at Universe of Energy in Epcot! You just never know what's getting through to them. I certainly never thought that concept did....I thought it would just be a very kewl ride for him.

In taking your youngest you are opening a whole new world to him. You might not see it right away but they do take everything in, sights, sounds, smell, concepts. The more you expose your child to the more they learn the more wiring that goes on in their brain. Thats a proven medical fact. I think you are doing the RIGHT thing in taking your youngest. Don't listen to your nay saying friends.....go with your heart and have a BLAST!!!

[susy]

We decided to wait. Our son will be four Nov 30 and we are going Nov 11-14. We are keeping things simple-doing two days at MK and taking our time. We only live 3 hours from Disney, but we wanted to wait until he was out of diapers and not taking two LONG naps everyday. He also wasn't the type to just fall asleep in the stroller and I didn't want to deal with lugging a diaper bag, sippy cups, etc.

Every child is different. I feel that he would ahve been too overwhelmed at age 2. I'm hoping that by keeping our trip short and taking our time that it will be a great first trip!
A very happy SAHM

[s&k'smom]

I agree with the others, we took our son at 1 1/2 because I chickened out and couldn't leave him. We had a blast. There were certain things we didn't do but we also learned to take it easy and really enjoyed the trip with him. We have priceless pictures and Disney made it so easy to take a little one. The cast members could not have been nicer to him. We are planning a trip next year and our new daughter will be just 1 1/2 and her bro 6. We have gone only as a couple as well and I enjoyed both trips equally. Believe me I got a lot of the same "advice" you did. In one ear and out the other. Have a great time with the kids.

[kozmo]

:p :p take your babies,go ,rejoice in the day and the moment ,especially at disney,i have taken my nieces and nephews when i went when they were as little as 15 mos,my mom(gramcrackers wont go without ALL of her grandbabbies) and guess what we all had a ball!!!!the entire family together,be it disney or at home,besides babies are like sponges ,their little brains thrive on obsorbing and retaining everything!!!GO GO GO GO GO

[tampafan]

Our sons first trip to Disney was at 7 months. Our daughter's first trip was at 3 months. We have taken several trips since they were born, he is now five and she is now two. It is magical to take children when they still believe in everything! If as a parent you think either you or your children would be too overwhelmed then by all means do not go. However, you know your children and and whether or not they would enjoy it! Our children remember all their trips through our pictures. Have fun!

[Melissa]

We took our dd when she was just 2 and it was awesome. Mickey and Pooh will never be as magical as they were then. If your friend has to ask why, then they would never be able to understand even if you explained it. As long as you go at his pace you'll be fine.
It is an evil thing to be a destroyer of joy! Shame on them!

[Beverly Lynn]

I had those same responses the first time I took DD she was 18 mths old. well when people tell me she won't remember it I tell them so does that also mean we shouldn't celebrate her first birthday? cause she will only be one and won't remember it. should we not celebrate xmas cause she won't remember it? its the sheer joy on their faces that makes it all worthwhile. even if they don't remember it they had fun and thats what counts. my DD does remember things from that trip as she talks about them all the time. she has been there 4 times already and is ready for her 5th in sep. and if she doesn't remember something I can pull out her pictures and show her. she tells everyone who will listen about disney......

[robsmom]

This is not a sarcastic question. I am wondering what people think is an appropriate vacation with a toddler, if they don't agree with Disney. I don't want to leave my child at home and have stuggled with good vacation ideas. I think Disney is about as good as it gets for a toddler, but does anyone have other good ideas. Maybe I am selfish, but the thought of spending a week or more at the beach with a toddler is exhausting. We would be running non-stop up and down the beach after him and worried about losing him. At disney, he will be in a stroller, on a ride with us, at a table, in his swimming tube holding onto Mommy, or occassionally walking holding Daddy's hand. i just think this will be safer and more fun for everyone.

[mainey-mouse]

Actually - I think a beach vacation would have to be best. We camped with our toddlers and that included beach time. We also did alot of themeparks with toddlers. No comparison. Theme parks are much more work than beaches.

I wouldn't recommend the camping part except for people like us who really like it and are good at it. Toddlers are alot of work at a camp site, with all the inherent dangers on one (axes, fires, cans of bug spray, matches, woods to run into...)

But the beach part? Thats where we went to relax while camping. Our toddlers and others we've camped with didn't run away on beaches. They sit and play in the sand. They don't even particularily like the water - most just like to get their toes wet and fill up pails or float little boats. And you can SEE them even if they aren't sitting on your lap. Unless you are on some beach just outside a really big city, you won't encounter the kind of crowds where you will loose sight of a toddler who is only a couple feet away from you - as you can at a shopping mall or themepark.