"But they won't remember it..."

[DVC-Don]

Our kids do not remember their first WDW back in 1995, BUT we have some terrific photos of them with characters and hugh smiles on Dumbo and all those Fantasy rides. We had them all out recently.

 

[arthur06]

We have friends that say the same thing. DS9 has been to WDW or DL about 7 times, and DS4, DS2 have been multiple times. They have kids that are about the same age as our kids, they have DD7, DD3, DD1 and they won't travel until there youngest is at least 5. It just seems to me that when there DD is 11/12 years old before she really gets to go anywhere is bad for her. They only think about the littlest daughter's age and not the other kids.

 

[Beka]

I was 4 during my 1st trip & I remember it! Maybe not 100%, but then again, I don't remember much from our October trip! Thank goodness for photos!

 

[mrs.sammich]

We took both boys when they were two- what a magical age to visit. The youngest ds had a bonus trip because his first trip he was 18 months and by the following year we came across funds to make it happen again. His reactions to everything at 18 months was fun, but to see the changes in expressions and how excited he got at 'Mickey Park' when he was 2.5 years old and could talk- Priceless!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

People used to say that to me when my kids were little and my reply was, "Okay , then since they won't remember it, why don't I just lock them in the closet until they're older?" I guess its not really funny, but it sometimes worked to shut them up.

I think taking them young to Disney opened their minds up to imagination, a willingness to play and be silly, and a willingness to try lots of different foods. My two oldest are teens and they still love Disney - even go to Country Bears and other "cheesy" attractions willingly. I say go for it and never mind the nay sayers. Just know that its a different trip with young kids than it will be when they're older - you will definately have to go at their pace.

I can also tell you that my DD at 3 was awed by the castle and thought the Princesses were real - you just won't get that with an older child.

Exactly. Babies and small children do not remember but they need experiences to grow and learn.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

DH just brought up this "logic" the other day about our September trip. DS will be almost 3, will he really remember it? Ummmm....we took him to DL 4 times before he was 18 months old. He was recognizing Mickey (and saying his name) before his 1st birthday. DHs biggest concern is this "may" be our only trip shouldn't we wait until they are big enough to enjoy it all....my point: it WILL be our only chance to go while they are little enough to marvel at the magic. The kids will be 9 (almost 10), 6.5, 4, and almost 3. After this trip my oldest will be starting middle school and I will be starting nursing school. We wouldn't be able to go again for about 5 years and then only for a short trip (instead of the 2 weeks planned in September) due to school, sports, etc. Besides by then, they'll all be Disney "adults" and it will be A LOT more expensive of a trip. We were lucky enough to get an RCI trade into DVC for 2 consecutive weeks....it must be PIXIE DUST!

My DH and I have had this exact same discussion! Our youngest DS will only be 2.5 yrs old for the August trip we are planning and in some ways we are concerned if both he and DD4 will be "too young" because this will probably be our only WDW trip as well (expense of airfare for six people and over $1K just for park tickets alone). I have to remind him (and sometimes myself) that next year will be the most affordable time for us to go (due to kids' ages and the promotion we are booked under) and they are all at the age where they are "into" Disney. I think that if we were within a reasonable driving distance to WDW we would probably be the type of family that does a short three day/two park trip every other year so that we can enjoy WDW with our kids at various age ranges without the pressure to do one big trip or the pressure of figuring out the the "right" age for that one and only trip (which is impossible with four kids at different ages, abilities, and temperaments). I do think the "too young to remember" argument is very subjective; a trip like WDW is about family memories not just who will remember every detail of the trip. I don't remember many details of trips I took as an adult (even with photographs)! On the opposite side of the spectrum, I also don't think kids "lose the magic" or are "too old for the magic" once they reach a certain age (particularly in terms of knowing that the characters are costumes). I think as kids get older they are at the age where they can appreciate the magnitude of a WDW trip, can better handle the pace of touring WDW, and they see meeting the characters as a fun and exciting part of the experience even if they know they aren't "real". Small children may be afraid or timid of the characters because of their up close appearance and because they think they are "real" (I know this will most likely be the case for my youngest DS who still avoids Chuck E at Chuck E Cheese's and Santa at the mall ). My DD who will be 9 soon has a list of the characters she wants to meet and take pictures with (she even wants to dress up like a princess and do one of the tea parties) and she has known for many years now that the characters in amusements parks we've been too (Sesame Place, Hershey) are "in costume".

I don't think there really is such a thing as the "right" or "best" age or time for a WDW trip (especially for those of us that can only go once or twice in a lifetime), there are memories and "magic" for everyone in the family.

 

[blanq]

I have not read any of the replies. I would guess that most support taking very young children to WDW.

I think it's a personal decision, but one thing I wish parents would contemplate more is how they will handle it in addition to how their young children will handle it. I think it is easy to have this fantasy of how fabulous it will be, how it will create wonderful experiences and memories. The bottom line is that young kids are not predictable, and parents should be prepared for it. I have been to WDW 11x, and every single trip I see over stressed parents of very young children, sniping at one another and their children. (Of course, sometimes I see parents of older children doing the very same thing!) It's a very sad thing indeed.

I personally know my limits. I have a low stress threshold, and I can get overstimulated easily. I know without a doubt that I would not be a good parent of a toddler at WDW. Naps, diapers or continual potty stops, strollers, whining/crying in lines...all of it would have made me a less than pleasant parent at WDW. Because of this, DH and I chose to wait until our DS was 6 to take him to WDW for the first time. I am convinced it was the best decision for our family. Sure, we would have created memories if we took our DS when he was little, but I am quite sure some of them would have been rather miserable memories. Just sayin.

 

[Karlzmom]

We have taken DS [just turned 5] 3 times, it will be 4 in February. He actually celebrated his 1st B-day at the World [just worked out that way, his b-day is a couple days before Christmas]]

I've never worried about him "remembering" anything. The joy on his face, looking at the lights, flirting a bit with Snow White, enjoying the music was enough for me.

I am struck be how much, and what he remembers. He talked about the monorail and "the Gear Store" [Mousegear] for months after we got home from his trip at age 2. Funny, there a parts I don't remember and I'm an adult! Bottom line, if you want to take your child, take your child. Don't worry about what others say....is there any part of you life that *someone* doesn't feel the need to say something negative about? The overt lack of manners should rain on your parade!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I have not read any of the replies. I would guess that most support taking very young children to WDW.

I think it's a personal decision, but one thing I wish parents would contemplate more is how they will handle it in addition to how their young children will handle it. I think it is easy to have this fantasy of how fabulous it will be, how it will create wonderful experiences and memories. The bottom line is that young kids are not predictable, and parents should be prepared for it. I have been to WDW 11x, and every single trip I see over stressed parents of very young children, sniping at one another and their children. (Of course, sometimes I see parents of older children doing the very same thing!) It's a very sad thing indeed.

I personally know my limits. I have a low stress threshold, and I can get overstimulated easily. I know without a doubt that I would not be a good parent of a toddler at WDW. Naps, diapers or continual potty stops, strollers, whining/crying in lines...all of it would have made me a less than pleasant parent at WDW. Because of this, DH and I chose to wait until our DS was 6 to take him to WDW for the first time. I am convinced it was the best decision for our family. Sure, we would have created memories if we took our DS when he was little, but I am quite sure some of them would have been rather miserable memories. Just sayin.

Very true but....if the parents have never been, or never been with children you just don't know how any of you will handle it. Our first trip to Disneyland with our oldest (she was 4) turned out very stressful. By day 3 she was stressed and overtired and decided she no hated the characters she loved the first few days just as we entered Goofy's Kitchen for her birthday dinner. DH was very upset at her behavior and thought she was just being difficult, but in reality she was tired. We hadn't handled her first few days very well (weird nap times, late nights, not enough breaks). That's our fault, but we had never done DL with kids since we WERE kids! You don't get how much over-stimulation can effect a kid until you go through it.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

I have not read any of the replies. I would guess that most support taking very young children to WDW.

I think it's a personal decision, but one thing I wish parents would contemplate more is how they will handle it in addition to how their young children will handle it. I think it is easy to have this fantasy of how fabulous it will be, how it will create wonderful experiences and memories. The bottom line is that young kids are not predictable, and parents should be prepared for it. I have been to WDW 11x, and every single trip I see over stressed parents of very young children, sniping at one another and their children. (Of course, sometimes I see parents of older children doing the very same thing!) It's a very sad thing indeed.

I personally know my limits. I have a low stress threshold, and I can get overstimulated easily. I know without a doubt that I would not be a good parent of a toddler at WDW. Naps, diapers or continual potty stops, strollers, whining/crying in lines...all of it would have made me a less than pleasant parent at WDW. Because of this, DH and I chose to wait until our DS was 6 to take him to WDW for the first time. I am convinced it was the best decision for our family. Sure, we would have created memories if we took our DS when he was little, but I am quite sure some of them would have been rather miserable memories. Just sayin.

I definitely agree with this.

 

[heathsf]

My first trip to Disney I was 4 years old and while I don't remember the trip itself, I have never stopped loving Disney or desiring to go ever since that first trip.

 

[Micca]

When I was a kid my parents used to tell me we'd go when I'd be old enough to remember it. At age 10, I finally got to go to DLR. Funny thing is I don't remember much about it at all. I remember the three day drive it took to get there, and that we did go to Disneyland, but I have no specific recollections about the park. The best reason not to take toddlers to Disney is the wear & tear on the parents. If mom & dad think it's worth it, they should go.

 

[jking6]

We made our first trip 4 years ago with our daughter who was 14. We have been back 4 times and just booked our 5th trip. I Love it but my biggest regret is that I never took my kids when they were young. Her brothers are all older and traveling from NY with 5 kids was not very easy. But I do wish I had. I keep telling them to take there kids. They are finally listening. by the end of the year all 5 of my grand children will have their 1st magical Disney vacation. ages 5 to 11. My son just got married December 4th and they have a 5yr old who's friend died in a fire the day of the wedding. My daughter in law said how much Isabell loved dressing up as a princess and never got a chance to see one. A eye opener for us all. Even if they only remember it for awhile take pictures you can talk about your trip for a lifetime.

 

[bumbershoot]

... every single trip I see over stressed parents of very young children, sniping at one another and their children. (Of course, sometimes I see parents of older children doing the very same thing!) It's a very sad thing indeed.

How is it so sad?

Kids have meltdowns at the grocery store. Is that just as said to you? Because it's pretty much the exact same thing.

You're seeing a moment in time, a blip of emotion in a trip,and you're extrapolating to their whole trip.

My son was high-spirited and difficult when little, especially before we figured out that he had some food ingredient issues. And I will tell you I would rather spend the money to go experience those moments (Disneyland trips actually helped us narrow down the ingredient problems) at Disney than have those same moments at home!

 

[kathy884]

We made our first trip 4 years ago with our daughter who was 14. We have been back 4 times and just booked our 5th trip. I Love it but my biggest regret is that I never took my kids when they were young.

Just my opinion, but I don't think it's anything to regret. Personally, I think taking teens to Disney/Orlando is the best. My son is 15 now. We've been taking him since he was little, but my best trip ever was our last one when he was 14. I think Orlando is such a fun place to go with teens.

Also, FYI, I've been 22 times (starting in 1971 at age 10 when Walt Disney World opened). I'm 50 now, and it's strange but I'm enjoying the parks and the whole experience now more than ever (even more than when I was a kid). So, so far from personal experience, I think age 50 is the best age to go.

 

[sandym718]

I personally know my limits. I have a low stress threshold, and I can get overstimulated easily. I know without a doubt that I would not be a good parent of a toddler at WDW. Naps, diapers or continual potty stops, strollers, whining/crying in lines...all of it would have made me a less than pleasant parent at WDW. Because of this, DH and I chose to wait until our DS was 6 to take him to WDW for the first time. I am convinced it was the best decision for our family. Sure, we would have created memories if we took our DS when he was little, but I am quite sure some of them would have been rather miserable memories. Just sayin.

The best reason not to take toddlers to Disney is the wear & tear on the parents. If mom & dad think it's worth it, they should go.

Yes, there ARE very VALID reasons not to take young children to Disney - or to go at all. Stress of travel with little ones, financial reasons, can't get the time from work to travel that far, etc. etc. It's a personal, family decision to make. Many of us just don't feel that "because they won't remember it" is a valid reason in and of itself!

 

[francie57]

Its really a personal choice that you have to make. We have been taking our two to Disney World since ours were very young. Our DD made her first trip at 1 1/2 and our DS made his first trip at the same age. We have been going every year since. As far as them remembering, we took the Disney cruise when our DS was 4 and DD was 7. Both of them can still tell you the name of the waiter and water server on the ship. As far as traveling with toddlers we never had any problem with them. You just have to take things slower so they can see everything and as far as naps we always stay on-site so we just went back to the resort for their afternoon naps. It must have made an impression on them since they are now grown and do extensive traveling with friends to different places, but every Aug. they still want to go on the family trip to Disney!! We will all be returning in Aug. again.

 

[blanq]

How is it so sad?

Kids have meltdowns at the grocery store. Is that just as said to you? Because it's pretty much the exact same thing.

You're seeing a moment in time, a blip of emotion in a trip,and you're extrapolating to their whole trip.

My son was high-spirited and difficult when little, especially before we figured out that he had some food ingredient issues. And I will tell you I would rather spend the money to go experience those moments (Disneyland trips actually helped us narrow down the ingredient problems) at Disney than have those same moments at home!

I was not commenting on how sad it is that kids have meltdowns; rather, I was commenting that on every trip I have taken, I have seen parents react poorly to their kids having them. That tells me that perhaps the parents are not ready to take their wee ones to WDW.

 

[cm8]

We made our first trip 4 years ago with our daughter who was 14. We have been back 4 times and just booked our 5th trip. I Love it but my biggest regret is that I never took my kids when they were young. Her brothers are all older and traveling from NY with 5 kids was not very easy. But I do wish I had. I keep telling them to take there kids. They are finally listening. by the end of the year all 5 of my grand children will have their 1st magical Disney vacation. ages 5 to 11. My son just got married December 4th and they have a 5yr old who's friend died in a fire the day of the wedding. My daughter in law said how much Isabell loved dressing up as a princess and never got a chance to see one. A eye opener for us all. Even if they only remember it for awhile take pictures you can talk about your trip for a lifetime.

how sad and I so agree

 

[Disney Princess Jenn]

I don't think I would want to take an infant to WDW, but my youngest son was 3 when we took our first trip and he remembers way more than I expected him to. He may not remember every little detail of the trip, but he does have memories of it!