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

[kpk89]

Definitely go! They may not "remember," but such a magical family time together is bound to leave an impression in its own way. And, as you said, YOU will remember.

 

[Sandisw]

WE have been going almost yearly since 1994, when my children were really young.

While they might not remember those early trips, we do and it was such a great experience each and every time.

As they got older, their interests changed and so did our trips. In the early years, Epcot and World Showcase was a minimal part of our trip. Now that our son is 22, daughter is 18, and our youngest is almost 15, the trips have taken on an entirely different spin.

I would in now way trade those early years, when they were young. It was worth every memory!!!

 

[EeyoreFan5]

The youngest we have been to Disney with our girls was age 2 1/2...even then they don't remember everything. But with all the pictures that triggers memories. At that age it was truly "Magical". She was giddy with the rides, characters, etc. Now also at that age we were not going down Splash Mountain or Space Mountain.

Now another poster stated that after age 7 most kids are tired of characters autographs...Mine was 11 and still got autographs. Infact she still plans on it this year at almost age 13.

Go because you want to go and share the "Magic" with your family...only you know if they will enjoy it & you will remind them of all the wonderful fun things that you all did together. It's so awesome to see Disney thru their eyes.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I hear this all the time from people thinking of going but aren't sure. The kids at 2, 3, and 4 have a GREAT time! They most likely won't remember it - the way we do - but they do get that sense of family, togetherness, and fun. And if you talk about the vacation, they will retain some memories or at least they know that it is associated with good times with their family. And of course, YOU will have the memories! My daughter may not remember seeing Cinderella and Snow White at 2 years old, but I remember and it still brings tears to my eyes. And she loves seeing the pictures of when she was that young and constantly asks me questions about the trip. So the question of 'why go if they won't remember it' is silly to me.

 

[GSDRescuer]

DGD at 2 1/2 remembered a lot when she was back at 4 and again at 5. Don't underestimate the memories of a child. Sometimes it amazes me what DGD remembers!
However, if you were only going to WDW one time, I think 5 or 6 would be a good age.

 

[Lori S.]

I went to Anaheim on business when my kids were 3 and 18 months, and so we all HAD to go to disneyland!My 18 month old had such a special time! He was too young to be scared, and kissed piglet right on the snout, best picture ever!!

We went to wdw when our 3rd child was 2 and when we were talking about our upcoming trip for her 5th birthday, I told her my favorite ride is small world, and started singing the song, she remembered that we rode that over and over right before park closing on our last day. Disney makes a memorable impression. I also highly recommend buying DVDs of the parks, this kept the memories alive for my kids forever!! They still occasionally watch the video tape from disneyland. It shows characters riding the rides, lots of fun.

Also, don't forget the huge perk of having a little one there. . . Child swap on rides. My big kids got to ride everything twice when we swapped out who waited with the little one. 2 rides for one wait!! Can't beat that!!

 

[msd1962]

We heard it all, she will not remember it, why waste the money, it will be so much trouble...

We have a 6 month old baby girl she has been to the ballon festival in NM , at 4 months and spent a week at disney in Dec 6 months. Was it hard taking an infant, NO, we planned our trip knowing how she would react, and adjusted as needed. We listened to her and when she starting to fuss took her to a quite place to sleep and unwind. On the rides we could take her on she was facinated and looking at all she could, loved the jelly fish at turtle talk. The one thing to remember at any age is take it slower and listen to your child. Her Pedi said it would be great and help to stimulate her brain, at 6 she is doing something that a 9 month does.

Oh and at 6 she adored the characters and tried to eat Minnies nose and Donalds beak.

This will not be her last but just the start of many to come.

 

[jpdeg99]

My oldest girl is 4. She's been twice - once at 18 months, and once at a few months shy of 3. The second trip, my wife was pregnant and we wanted one more trip with just No.1.

We're going in March, the girls will be almost 5 and almost 2.

The short answer is "they may not, but we will." There is simply no substitute for the happiness we will see when the little one claps her hands and shouts "Minnie Mouse" in her almost 2 year old language. and the almost 5 will get to see all the things she barely remembers, and will have a blast too.

Also, I dont see what is so hard about it. we go, sleep late, take our time and do things at our own pace. Everyone stays happy that way. Come 2 pm, put the kids in a stroller with a popsicle or sucker, and watch them pass out for a 2 hour nap while we walk around. Yes its messy, but thats why the make wet wipes.

 

[sandym718]

Come 2 pm, put the kids in a stroller with a popsicle or sucker, and watch them pass out for a 2 hour nap while we walk around. Yes its messy, but thats why the make wet wipes.

You mean you don't flip out a la Kate Gosselin and rant and rave and scream that your child is RUINED when they get some ice cream (or popsicle, or candy) on their face and clothes at Disney???? Wet wipes, whoever heard of those? LOL!

 

[dsnydrmn]

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.

Well put! This is it exactly, I couldn't have put it any better.

Our nay sayers were fellow passengers on the flight down. I still fume when I think of our trip when DD was 2 and DS was 4 there was couple (very young, assuming childless) on our flight down seated a in front of us who were discussing (loudly) how they would never take their kids at that age to DW. They kept talking and looking back pretty much the entire 2 hour flight. I didn't argue with them, but remembering thinking "where are you going to take them then...Las Vegas? Hawaii, Alaska?" I wouldn't give that trip up for anything, I was just looking at the pictures and how truely happy they were...you can see it in their smiles. They are now 11 and 13 and continue to love Disney and I'm looking forward to a new experience with DD (11) when we do a Mom/Daughter only trip in May.

 

[mrsr2ro]

You mean you don't flip out a la Kate Gosselin and rant and rave and scream that your child is RUINED when they get some ice cream (or popsicle, or candy) on their face and clothes at Disney???? Wet wipes, whoever heard of those? LOL!

 

[suz_cute]

We just got back from a week in heaven, I mean, WDW with my 13 month old son. All my friends told me I was crazy to take a child so small who didn't walk yet, still needs 2 naps a day etc. All I have to say is, I've been to WDW at least 20 times prior, and this was OUR BEST TRIP YET!!!

We didn't kill ourselves trying to ride everything, we did a few character lunches and breakfasts, and took everything in at his speed. This forced us to take breaks, and take it all in, not at a frenetic pace we normally run at!

Sure, my son will not remember this trip when he is older, but I SURELY WILL! Nothing brought me more joy than to see those characters run out of the parades to give him a kiss, to see his face light up as he saw the characters up close at Crystal Palace. Those memories are what keep us coming back again and again!! Pure Magic!!!!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We just got back from a week in heaven, I mean, WDW with my 13 month old son. All my friends told me I was crazy to take a child so small who didn't walk yet, still needs 2 naps a day etc. All I have to say is, I've been to WDW at least 20 times prior, and this was OUR BEST TRIP YET!!!

We didn't kill ourselves trying to ride everything, we did a few character lunches and breakfasts, and took everything in at his speed. This forced us to take breaks, and take it all in, not at a frenetic pace we normally run at!

Sure, my son will not remember this trip when he is older, but I SURELY WILL! Nothing brought me more joy than to see those characters run out of the parades to give him a kiss, to see his face light up as he saw the characters up close at Crystal Palace. Those memories are what keep us coming back again and again!! Pure Magic!!!!

Good for you. I wouldn't take a kid who needed two naps a day, but that's because I'd be bored going back to the room when I could be in a park.

 

[stormer]

Whether they remember it or not, just seeing the look on a little one's face is priceless. My boys still get excited for every trip, but there was nothing like the look on my DS face when he was 2 and saw the castle for the first time.

 

[emlutz23]

On our honeymoon at WDW back in '99, my DH and I took a look at all the strollers and said we were going to wait until our kids were old enough to be out of the stroller and be old enough to enjoy Disney......We took our boys when they were 2 and 10 months old!!! We didn't want to wait! It was even my eldest's 2nd birthday! He will never remember it, but I will always remember him spending his 2nd (and 3rd) birthday at Disney!!!!

 

[Jenna319]

I know this is an old thread but I just heard the "she won't remember it" line yesterday when I told a coworker we were taking our 1 year old to Disney for Halloween. DH and I were definitely those people that, pre-baby, would look at all the strollers and think "nope, that's not for us". Truthfully, my DH probably still feels that way, but my baby girl wasn't even out of my belly yet before I was thinking when can I book her first Disney trip!!! We are staying at the Grand Floridian so it will be convenient to get back to the hotel for naps. I plan on taking it easy and just enjoying her reactions, taking plenty of photos and just making memories together! DH and I have been soooo many times that I don't care if I don't get on Splash and Space Mountain. I just cannot wait to share my love for Disney with my daughter <3 Plus, I am going through MAJOR withdrawals, since I was pregnant last year and its been 2 years since weve made it to our happy place.

 

[g8torphan]

Having an experience helps shape a person wether they remember it or not.

I bet those same people take their kids to see Santa, or to a Sesame Street show....


Have fun!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

It is completely worth it in my eyes. Your girls will look back at the pictures and listen to the stories and memories from the trip and thank you for such a wonderful experience.

Have a wonderful time

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Yeah, there have been some people who thought it was silly, a waste of money at this point, etc. I could not disagree more. Our trip with our toddler last fall was my favorite trip of all.

 

[Raimiette]

I personally agree and don't understand taking a very young child on an expensive vacation anywhere for the "they won't remember it" reason (Disney counts as expensive even at its lowest prices) but I am also very cheap.

While I must admit I don't get it from a purely financial standpoint, I could also see why someone would want to take their child for their own personal emotional reasons.