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

[g8torphan]

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.

For some of us it isn't expensive....I live 2 hours north so we drive. We stay off-site, and buy the FL Discovery Disney pass for 4 days@ $150.
I probably spend $1200 on a trip.

Also, kids are free until they turn 3, so I usually tell friends to take their kid right before they turn 3 to save $

 

[Raimiette]

For some of us it isn't expensive....I live 2 hours north so we drive. We stay off-site, and buy the FL Discovery Disney pass for 4 days@ $150.
I probably spend $1200 on a trip.

Also, kids are free until they turn 3

I consider $1,200 to be quite expensive.

 

[NJlauren]

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.

You go! I'm taking DD (will be 10 months) in May and I can not wait! I 100% know she won't remember it and this vacation is for me, but I'm so excited and can't wait to see her reactions.

Honestly I understand what people mean she won't remember it, but she won't remember that first visit to Santa but you took her for the picture anyway, it's s memory for you too! Enjoy and have a blast!

 

[seelyt2]

The joy is in us remembering that they enjoyed it. Go for it!

THIS!!

We didn't take our kids when they were little because we knew that we, as parents, wouldn't feel comfortable if they didn't stay on their schedule, got sick (always an issue with our younger one), acted out, etc. Those concerns were on US....every family is different. At any rate, do what makes YOU comfortable...they're your kids and it's YOUR vacation! If you wanna go - then go - - to heck with the rest of the world! They may or may not remember but why should that stop you from living!! No one knows your kids like you so just blow raspberries in their face and have a GREAT time!

 

[g8torphan]

Oh, me too...its not like I have piles of $1200 laying all around , but compared to people who have to fly or who stay for 7-10 days its on the lower end of the spectrum I'd imagine.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Let's face it. Everyone has an opinion on everything and many people feel the need to share that opinion... even when it has absolutely nothing to do with them. We took my daughter for the first time when she was two. We took her again when she was three. We took her a third time when she as four and she is actually going to go at least three time when she is five. We have heard the arguments about how she won't remember it, no reason to spend that kind of money, need to wait until she is older, etc. As I said, they all had an opinion and all felt the need to share that opinion. I have my own.

As I said, we took my daughter when she was two. Disney doesn't charge when she is two so we didn't have to pay for a park ticket or for most meals. They don't charge at buffets or family-style meals so even though she ate at Akershus, Tusker House, 'Ohana, and Garden Grill, there was no charge. At places like Sci Fi and Coral Reef, she shared with me. She did get her own meal at most counter service locations and some table service locations, but so what? She has to eat at home so paying at Disney isn't really all that different than feeding her at home. We have wonderful photos of her with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. While standing outside of Great Movie Ride, Stitch appeared and played with her one-on-one. A Photopass photographer was there and we got some great candid shots of her playing with him. We had a magical moment with Snow White and Ariel at Akershus that still chokes me up when I talk about it. I can still remember her face the first time she rode Dumbo and she would beg us to ride Barnstormer over and over. I have these wonderful memories. My husband has these wonderful memories. My mother, father, sister, and grandmother all have these wonderful memories. Who cares if my daughter doesn't? She does, though. No doubt she has forgotten some stuff. I'm sure some of her memories are "false memories" because she has heard us talking about them. But, she absolutely loves Snow White and Ariel and talks about how they are her favorite princesses. I'm pretty sure Akersus played a role in that. She loves Stitch and wants to do 'Ohana every time. I wonder how much her one-on-one time contributes to that. But, even if she didn't remember any of it, it would not matter. I have those memories. I can think about her face as she looked around on the Peoplemover. I think about her giggles as we whipped around on Barnstormer. And I will never regret taking her when she was 2. Or 3. Or 4. And I doubt I will regret taking her when she is 5.

 

[chelseabun76]

My kids have each been treated to a one on one trip as a gift from Grandma, and her rule was that it would be when they turned 8 years old. We did break the rule one time when I had to bring along my 5 month old because I was nursing lol but he was a super amazing awesome travel buddy who was content to sit in his stroller all day long and smile at people. These trips are more than likely once in their lifetime, just because of where we live and our financial situation, I can't say that I will be able to take them back before they are adults themselves. So to her, 8 years old was a great age for them to be able to remember this once in a lifetime trip.

If we lived within driving distance (NOT a 36 hour drive), say a couple of hours each way, heck yes I would take my 1 year old on their birthday, or my 2 year old for Christmas. But, we don't have that option so we made the choice to hold off the trip until they were older. My 16 year old went 8 years ago and still remembers everything with great detail, so I'm happy about that.

Every family/situation is different. What works for me personally doesn't mean everyone else should do it. Do what works for you

 

[SnackCredit]

My first trip was when I was 4. I VAGUELY remember it, but I do remember some things. The pics of those did help a little.

 

[goopysolelady]

Ok - I know many of you bring toddlers to WDW. Did you get a lot of people giving you the buzzkill line of "Why? They won't remember it?".

I was just told that yesterday - of course by someone who has never been. I responded that *We* will remember it, and that they will really enjoy themselves, and we will enjoy watching them enjoy themselves.

Since when is WDW just about the kids anyway -- I'm sure some of you can relate that WE adults enjoy it ourselves, right??

Backstory -- last Dec our WDW trip included DH, me (pregnant), DS5, DS3, and DD1, and my parents. After the trip we all decided that DD1 had the most fun! While she did slow us down, we loved seeing her experience everything. This year, since we wanted to focus on doing rides all day, I just took my DSs, now 6 and 4, and my mom for a 4 day trip. Fantastic time and there is no way we could have accomplished as much with a toddler and or baby along (or my Dad & DH ). But I can't forget how much my DD enjoyed last year. So now I want to take just the girls for short, but slow paced trip with both of my parents.

When I've told people this, a couple have already started in with the "What? Why? They won't remember it! That's nuts!", etc. So I'm turing to you, the DIS, my fellow WDW addicts to vent. Surely there are some of you that can agree that even though a toddler may not remember the trip when they grow up, it's still worth doing? My parents are not going to be around forever, and giving them the joy of seeing their grandchildren enjoy Disney, to me, makes it worth it. It's not just about the kids memories.

...and...as a grandparent that has enjoyed trips with DGD's since they were 2 I say THANK YOU for giving your parents those special memories. My 2013 solo trip was fantastic but I constantly found myself saying, "the girls LOVE this..."! Just politely say, "You wouldn't understand...it's a "Disney thing"!

 

[Minniekins]

mrsr2ro, you gave the exact arguments in favor of taking your young kids! First of all, it's not about taking them so they have great memories, that's so silly IMO. What are memories going to do for young kids? We take kids to do fun things in the moment, to enjoy the best of the day at that time, not so they can think about 'Oh, that was such a fun thing we did, what great memories I have!" Kids are not about their memories. It's even hard for kids that are 10 to remember all of their disney trips years later with many specifics. My DD24 remembers going but not many specifics about her trips, until maybe she was 14, 15 and on. The memories are for the parents, grandparents to enjoy seeing their little ones so entranced with the magic and with such innocence and wonder. What's wrong with making memories for us to cherish as we watch our children as they are so excited to see favorite characters such as Mickey and Minnie or princesses or ride winnie the pooh ride or flying on dumbo? Priceless! And, if you wait too long to take the kids, they may miss that wide eyed excitement time and I don't know what's good about that. Adults and older kids can certainly experience the magic of Disney for sure, after all that's why many of us continue to go so often, but there's just something so special about watching the little ones . And, well, making the grandparents wait until the kids old enough to remember, well, sometimes that day comes too late and what does anyone get then?
I say live in the moment and let everyone have magical days now - kids and parents/grandparents all living in the magic of the moment. The parents/granparents can cherish the memories, as we like to do, and we can share lots of pics with the kids as they grow up!

 

[Crystal824]

I didn't read all the responses, but I took my oldest DD when she was 9 months. She is four now, and we are about to go on her 5th Disney trip in a few months. We now have another daughter who will be 10 months on our next trip. I love taking them at every age (so far, our oldest is only 4). Each trip is a little different. They can do different things each time. My 4 year old can't wait to ride Splash, Soarin', and Big Thunder this trip. She has always been too short on our prior trips.

If it were to be their only trip to WDW, I would say wait until they are old enough to remember it and can do all the attractions. If you are going to back multiple times, it doesn't matter if the kid remembers it. You will and so will your parents. Who knows, some of your kids might too. My DH remembers his first trip vaguely when he was 5.

 

[ConnieB]

My girls are college age now, but we did a lot of different adventures when they were infants/toddlers that they don't really remember......but they THINK they remember, because of all the family photos and all the stories that they have heard their whole life. It's part of their personal history. There are a lot of things they don't remember about their childhood, but pull out the photo album and show them a photo and/or tell them the story and they will remember that even if they don't recall the actual event.

And yeah, a lot of these trips are really for the parents....but that's ok! And, if the kid is under 3 they're free, so I guess all those other people would be happier if you left the toddlers at home and went on a trip yourself??...hey, why not, you'd be able to get a lot more done after all. Nope, sorry their logic is flawed....because this trip could be about building memories that they may not retain, but that YOU will, and their grandparents will (and sad to say but for some grandparents they may not be around later to go!). And the child CAN have those memories too, by talking and showing photos to them over the years it builds the event into their memory.

It's hard having people criticize your choices. We get that a lot because our trips tend to be long and several a year (this year we'll be in Disney about 14 weeks total over 3 different visits)...and yeah, we really SHOULD move here, lol. I have gotten to the point where I just stop telling people....we just go, and when people inevitably call or email wanting to get together "sorry, we're out of town right now". Our joy in going is ours alone, not even my husband understands it, but he tolerates and just give a tiny roll of the eyes when I mark off another trip on the calendar.

Do what is right for your family, for your memories, and for your enjoyment. Life has enough rough edges, get happiness where you can.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

People are just jealous. A lot of families view a disney trip as a one-time vacation. For a one-time vacation, then yes, it is probably smarter to wait until they are older and can rides all the rides and remember the trip.

For those of use that plan to go annually or every other year, starting at a young age is no big deal. No, DD (2) won't remember these trips years from now, but she remembers them now. She has a blast while we're there. We all have a blast while we are there. It is almost therapeutic for our family to escape life for a week. We are nicer to each other, laugh more, really reconnect. And that bonding, those happy interactions, are absolutely shaping the person she will become, even if her conscious psyche doesn't remember, the subconscious does.

And, like other have said, WE remember, and cherish those memories. Our first trip, in July, Minnie was her hero. Our December trip, Anna and Elsa were her thing. They change so very quickly, and I love that we have these memories.

 

[IBLarsen]

This very thing has upset me in the past as well and I feel very passionate about. I got the same thing our first trip, when my kids were 3 and 5 (now 9 and 11). It instantly became a special place for our family and have been every year since. My dd3 had the most fun of all of us. Everything was so magical, I had never seen her so excited about anything. Her just seeing the Castle alone was a highlight of her and my memories. Being all girl, she was totally into the princesses and Mickey. She also remembers almost every little thing about that trip at 9 years old (I admit, she has an incredible memory in general). Whether she remembered it or not, the time there was priceless. I always tell friends that 3 years old was the best age of all for Disney! I felt the same about my ds5 at the time, but I expected him to 'get it' more already, and even then, I think the 3 year old was still more excited. Each year they kids get something different from the trip as they grow older, but the best thing of all is the family memories that we create.

 

[ReelRedHead]

I think people who say things like that must be miserable human beings. Should we lock children up until they are 6 or 7? No zoo, no school, no fun. They won't remember it! Please.
We took our kids when they were 3. They DO remember a few things but they really love looking at the pictures....by the way, when they are that young, they are FREE!! Why wouldn't you take them?
Have fun and enjoy every moment of your trip.

And to clarify--I think people must be miserable to SAY that to someone else--not because they don't take their own kids.

 

[Kingdome8]

So far, I haven't gotten that response, but I'm sure it'll pop up at least once before next November when we take DS, who will have just turned 1 before our trip. I won't let it bother me. I know DH & I are taking him because we are just so excited to have him experience a place we both love so much, and we can't wait to see his reactions the first time he rides Dumbo or meets Mickey Mouse. He won't remember, but we'll have a ton of pictures, videos, and memories of that special trip to show him when he gets older. And we'll make new memories with him every time we take him. Like someone else said, if it was a once in a lifetime trip, yeah, I can see how taking a toddler or very young child wouldn't be the best idea. But for Disney freaks like us who plan on going as much as possible (especially while he's free! ), what's the big deal if he doesn't remember the trip? The memories DH & I make with him will be more than worth it!

Yup the pics and videos are awesome. I wish I had some videos of myself when I was a kid. Would love to see them and hear me talk and interact. We have so much of our kids. And we make Disney books on snapfish for every trip and kids love going back and looking at them and see themselves at one year old. And the annual
Ic with sorcerer Mickey.

 

[tlmadden73]

I took my son when he was 2 years 2 months. We kept it a short trip since he was a toddler .. (2 park days .. napped in park .. didn't stay out past 7-8) .. he did great and we all had a fun time. Fast forward 5 months later .. we got a brochure in mail and he saw the glowing Magic Band symbol and said "Bracelet!" and held his arm to it. "I go back there sumday!"

As many in this thread mentioned .. I am taking advantage of the free til 3 thing and taking him back the DAY before he turns 3. And his cousins' family are joining us for their first trip to Disney (kids ages 4 and 2)

He remembers NOW . .and that is what matters to me. Sure .. he probably won't remember when he is older .. but the family will. The trip is not JUST for him.

 

[picprincess]

The memories are priceless for me!!

 

[Cee]

We have 5 kids and never felt the desire to take them when they were very young because of the logistics of moving small kids and/or babies around on a vacation like WDW. It's tough. I see parents doing it all the time and I am so happy it isn't me!

We did the first family trip when they were 10, 7,6,5 and 3. It was perfect for us.

This. Our first family trip was when the kids were 8,10 & 12. For us, it was perfect. We still reminimsce about that first one. *sigh*

 

[maclondon]

Basically just ignore people - do what YOU want to do.

Personally I wouldn't do a theme park with kids under 7. Not because they wont enjoy/remember but its such an effort and will end up stressful. But if i lived 2 hours drive from disney i suspect i would do the odd 'day'.

We have done legoland with the youngest being 5 - its tiny compared to MK, and was just a day trip.

We live in the UK so this is a rare holiday for us, we've waited until ours are DS 11, DD 10, DS 8.

As now they are fairly self sufficient and capable now.
it will still slow us down / cause some meltdowns / arguments but that's families for you!