Age that your kids will "remember" WDW

[disneyohana]

We're taking my dd who will be 2.5. I don't remember everything when I was that age but I've mentioned things to my mom that she can't believe I remember. Plus, even if she doesn't remember it, I'll remember my little girl's face as she sees the characters, the castle, and all the Disney magic.

 

[LuvAlphvle]

DD will be turning 4 on our Disney trip. I'll be honest - I'm more looking forward to seeing her reactions to things than to seeing the actual park! She may not remember the whole thing but I'll remember how she reacted to it, and that's what makes it worth it to me.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

It depends. If you plan on going back every couple of years take them when they are younger, but if you are only going to go once or twice than I would wait until they are older.

I agree with that.

 

[mroehl2]

Since I only have one daughter, it's easy to spoil her. My DH and I have been there for our honeymoon, when she was 20 months, again at 2 1/2 and we're going back in March at 3 1/2. Every since that first time at 20 months, she knows EXACTLY where the playhouse Disney attraction is and makes a beeline for it EVERY time we go to MGM. Will she have memories later in life, maybe/maybe not...but it is truly a "magical" moment to see the look on their faces and the glimmer in their eye when they meet their favorite character! And then when they turn to you and say "thank you." It's just precious. So I wouldn't wait...those are precious memories for you, even if they aren't for your children!

 

[ChristusG]

My daughter is 2 and a half years old. She went to Disney at 2 months (no park, just hotel that time), 6 months, 13 months, 19 months, 22 months, 25 months, and just recently went to Night of Joy and she was 29 months. And we have a trip planned for December to go to MVMCP, and she will be 31 months.

Will she remember those trips? Most likely not.....but she has a GREAT time while she is there and we just love seeing her face light up. Yes, we only live 2.5 hours away, but there is no way that I would wait until a child is a teen or something to take them. The magic is there when they are very young!

 

[bedgraynexl]

As has been said multiple times, they might not remember every detail but then again you won't either. It is funny, not too long ago my kids were giving a turn by turn account of splash mountain, many things I didn't remember from the ride. They are DS6 and DD4. Also, they asked where some rides were in WDW vs DL, such as Goofy's Barn Stormer, Aladdins Flying Carpets and Philharmagic. They even asked why Small World was outside and not inside. They also noticed the castles were different. Kids may not remember every detail but what they don't you will and vice versa.

To me saying they won't remember is a cop out. Go and enjoy!

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

My mother keeps saying that to me too. I am planning a trip next Dec anyways. My girls will be 2 and 4 when we go. I went when I was 14 and don't remember anything. You can't gauge how important it will be to your child.

 

[tadamom]

We took our son for his first trip when he was just about to turn 3. That was 2 years ago and he still talks about it everyday!!!!! I kid you not - he remembers everything. We are planning on going back in the Spring for his sister's 1st trip and I'm sure she is going to be the same way - she will be almost 2 1/2/.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

There is no one age. The bottom line is that generally the older they are before their first trip to Disney, the more they are likely to remember details. The younger they are, the less they are likely to remember details.

Having said that, I would generalize and say that if you take a child younger than age 2, they likely won't remember anything. But if they are over age 2, they are likely to remember some things.

And before someone posts a contradiction to this, every child and environment is different. I'm sure someone out there will tell us how their now 5yo remembers seeing Mickey in Disney when they were age 1, and someone else that will say they took thier 8yo, and by age 16 didn't know they ever went.

I know that in our case, we took a 3yo who loved the Monorail. So I'll bet that if we never took him again and questioned him about it at age 16, he could tell you he remembers riding the Monorail, but likely wouldn't remember Dumbo, Pirates of the Carribiean, nor pick out which resort we stayed at.

And for us, their is nothing more precious than the video I've got of my 3yo giggling with glee as we spin around in the tea-cups together.

 

[susieq76]

People always say that to me.

And yeah maybe my twins won't remember their trip when they were 11 months old- but DH & I do.

And now they're 4- still some people say too young. Whatever- my one son Andrew remembers illuminations on his Daddy's shoulders from last years trip so vividly... My other twin, Tommy remembers Fantasmic and calls it "Mickey fighting the dragon in the dark" and talks about it all the time. Our last trip was February.

My baby- nope he doesn't talk about it but I sure talk about him trying to eat Pluto's nose..

 

[Harmony]

I just had to post this once. Cuz it's a pet peeve of mine with friends and co-workers who talk about taking their kids to WDW once they're old enough to "remember" it.

What age would that be? It's an excuse to not go each year. Most kids can't remember going to WDW when they were 10-13.

I think kids should go before they realize that Cinderella and Buzz and Woody and Mickey and Minnie are just people in costumes.

The "magic" and the "memories" are for the parents' to see the smile on their child's face when they first see a Princess or an animal character!

When my DD5 saw the castle and met Cinderella, she thought that was really Cinderella. When she met Minnie, that was really Mickey's girlfriend!

Now that DD is 9, it's still fun, but that "magic" is gone. But I have the memory!

TAKE YOUR KIDS TO WDW BEFORE THE MAGIC DISAPPEARS!

Anyone agree with me?

I guess I'm sick of hearing other husbands say how they're going on another family fishing trip instead of WDW because they want their kids to "remember" it. Ugh.

-Steve

*raises hand* I agree with you!

We have a toddler who spent his 1st birthday at WDW. He also went when he was 2 and this past summer went to DL right before his 3rd birthday. We do plan on waiting a year before our next trip, however, just so we don't have to go back to the resorts for his naps anymore. (we figure he won't be napping much once he's 4 and a half....he's still 3)

If most people think "well, he's a toddler so I'm sure he doesn't remember much"...they couldn't be MORE WRONG! He remembers alot! (okay, it helps that we have our Disney pictures on screensaver so he's always looking at them ) However, if you ask him what he did at WDW or DL (he knows there's one in FL and another one in CA)...he *does* remember! He'll tell you all about the rides and even give you specific details. He remembers which characters he met with and what they did. (for instance, Donald Duck played with his crazy hair and he loves telling everyone about it! )

He really, truly believes that Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Stitch and all the Princesses are his friends. Awwww...that's priceless.