Does anyone else get asked why you would bring a toddler or younger to DW?

[4HppyCamprs]

I guess I do not appear receptive to that kind of question since I am never asked that. We have been 4 times in the last 4 years and it has been a blast every single time. Our children are currently 8, 4 and 2. I would never consider not taking them and I certainly am not going to put off til "tomorrow" what I can do today. We could afford it so we went as a family. Even if it was a once in a lifetime trip I wouldn't put it off. My only childhood trip was at 9 and I remember very specific rides and walking through the castle at Disneyland but it is not more than that.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[gschon]

It's usually people that have not been to WDW that say that.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Really? You've been here much longer than me & I see it all the time - the "how much did your trip cost" threads being the most obvious.

Peak time, 2+ week stay, deluxe, air travel, family of 4 or more, etc. That could top $10k very, very easily.

Clearly I don't click on the right threads, lol

Which is all getting away from the original question. It's the type of trip many, many people think of as a "once in a lifetime" kind of trip. And "if" that's how you feel, taking a toddler would seem odd.

I don't know about that either, though. I think it depends on what you're wanting out of the trip. If you're wanting the child to remember it, you could be waiting until they are like 7-8 years old (I know I don't remember much of my life before like 1st grade or so). At that age, though, they might not believe in the magic quite the same way as a toddler would. They may know the characters are costumes, etc..that's not to say that many 7-8 y/os don't believe in the magic, I'm sure many (if not most!) do - but you can't tell that when they're a toddler.

If someone's intent is to watch their child enjoy the magic, I can understand them going with a toddler even if it may be the only trip they take when they are young.

 

[Meshell2002]

My husband and I plan on taking our daughter to DW next fall (2014). She will be about two and a half at the time. The overwhelming response that I've gotten is "Why would you do that, she won't remember it". Does anyone else run into this. I've never visited "The World" with a child in tow but isn't the point to have a great time as a family? Even if she doesn't remember a thing about it, I still will! Ok... Rant over!

Yes I believe the point is to have a great family trip

We went to WDW before we had kids, thought we would wait and then had to go for a wedding when DS was 13 mos, then when DD4 was 10 mos we went before DS turned 3 (sort of like go right before they need a ticket you know). DD4 went right before she turned 3. THEY BOTH remember a lot from those trips.....and I havn't shown them pictures or videos from the trips since we went.....some kids remember earlier than most people would give them credit for. It provides very sweet memories for the parent.....the only trip I was questioned on was the one where DS was one....and we didn't have older kids....but it was for a wedding.....so I got fewer eye rolls than I expected....Now that we have older kids why would we wait just cause we have a 10 month old? DS is 7 and DD4.........I love those ages for Disney.....if I waited til the baby was 5 DS would be 12........they still have fun but its a a different stage. One reason we come back to WDW is because all ages and stages can have a great time!

Enjoy your trip......and remember if someone says they wouldn't take their kid til x age......it probably means they wouldn't go unless their kid was with them. Some people don't like Disney without kids.....and that's fine leaves more room in the park for the rest of us.

 

[oneprincessjo]

I have had people say that to me too. We are DVC members and I say we either use our points or lose them. We also bought into DVC for when we had kids so we can take them to WDW each year. So far my dd has been to Disney at 6 months and 15 months, the next trip in January she will be 2 1/2. Each trip with her is a new adventure and I wouldn't trade my own memories of seeing her dance, laugh and have fun while we are there. We also booked her first haircut to happen while we are there, sooooo excited!!!!!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We took our daughter for the first time when she was also 2 1/2. It was fantastic! She was free, she had a great time, we got fantastic pictures that she has always loved looking at over and over, she loves hearing the stories of her first visit to Disney World, and YES... she may not really remember... But WE REMEMBER!!!
Also.... I went to Disney for the first time when I was 7 and now as an adult I don't remember the first time I went... but I had a great time when I was there i'm sure.

 

[BUSYMAOF4]

I have brought my kids as babies to disney, 6 months my youngest was and we had a blast!! I too get so annoyed by those comments , it makes no sense. Disney is a family vacation, I remember each one of our trips! And also like someone said it is not treated like a once in a lifetime trip as we go alot. Maybe if you are planning on going only once(ugh..just the the thought of that , right..lol) then yeah wait until 5-8 I guess but for most of us on here its a lifestyle not a one time thing.

 

[tyzzle]

I have taken my soon to be 6y.o. twice...once last year when she turned 5 and another at 2.5. She STILL talks specifically about things she did on the first trip. We took my other dd at 18mos ladt year. We are going again this year specifically because she is 2.5, still free, and because of how much her sister loved it at that age. Every day my little ones takes out the photo album from last year. She cant wait to go on an airplane and get her hair cut in Disney world

 

[Ero_FL]

We say because it is illegal to leave her at home alone

Seriously, most people begin forming long-term memories between 3 and 4, though some do earlier. I remember stuff from when I was 2- and younger. Things I asked my mom about and she told me that there is no way I remembered it- but I did.

Including Disney World at age 3. I loved the teacups (still do) and I remember Dumbo and being afraid of Mickey but I stood next to him so my parents could take a picture. I leaned away and had my arm/shoulder pulled away. Heh.

My son still remembers the last time we went.

 

[momof2n2]

Yes. But they sober up a bit when I say it's not about my kids remembering the trip, it's about me having fun with my kids. My BFFs MIL was stricken with aggressive MS in her 30s. She never got to do ANYTHING with her kids. We are all one accident or diagnosis away from the fun disappearing. So, I don't worry about who may or may not remember. We do it to have fun in the moment.

 

[momof2n2]

Furthermore - if the logic is they have to remember it, why take them to the zoo, or a playground, or their GRANDPARENTS.

 

[jimmysmom74]

My usual response to this is, why go anywhere then if they won't remember it? To each their own. Different storks for different folks. You love WDW and want your child to see the magic also. And the important thing when they are young is that you see how much they love it, and you get to watch them grow. My DS is going to be 6. He first went when he was 17mos. And each time is a whole new world and experience. It my $, I'll spend it how I want.

 

[corneredbycorn]

Furthermore - if the logic is they have to remember it, why take them to the zoo, or a playground, or their GRANDPARENTS.

A previous poster said that going to the zoo with a toddler is worthless as well, especially since they sometimes get cranky and parents call tortoises turtles because apparently differentiating a tortoise from a turtle is not going to be even remotely confusing for a child who is still trying to learn words and will legitimately see no difference between the two.

 

[dlove28]

I respond with - 'For the same reason you threw your 2yr old a birthday party or took them with you to the Carribean.' Along the same lines of the zoo response above. Saying something is a once in a lifetime experience is a tough call, you don't know whether you will love it and make it a regular trip or whether your financial situation could improve greatly as you move on through life. Who knows. I'd rather experience WDW with my child while I can, who knows if I'll be around for the next trip. A trip through a 2 or 3 yrolds eyes is different than a 7 or 8 yr old.

My 5.5yr old daughter's memory of the trip we took when she was 3 and 2 months never ceases to amaze me. She still remembers things that are not in pictures or videos.

 

[lotrisneat]

Who says she won't remember it? We went two years ago when my youngest was that age, and she still remembers certain things. It helps that we talk about it a lot and look at the pictures. I had my first trip to Disneyland a LONG time ago when I was about three years old. I still have memories of that trip. Mainly Haunted Mansion.

 

[Becca0711]

We have twin girls that just turned 4. They probably will not remember any of it, but I am going to remember their faces when they see the castle or Cinderella for the first time. Priceless. BTW, we are 30 days away from that moment and I think I have been planning this for the last 4 years and nine months. This dad is going to have a hard time keeping his eyes dry.

We leave the 8th & I cry like a baby every time I think of our princess (6) meeting The Princesses or walking down Main Street & they all see the castle for the first time or our boys meeting Jake & Cap'n Hook & Mickey Mouse. I've waited my whole life for this trip, with our babies. I'll be a blubbering fool!

 

[1girln3boys]

I am so happy I took my boys when we did. My youngest was just young enough to love the characters. His older brother didn't care much for them but seeing my youngest DSs face every time he saw a character is something I'm so happy to have seen. Makes me wish we brought his older brother at that age. The following yr he still enjoyed it but not to the degree of the 1st yr.
the 1st time he met Goofy, his favorite, he was so excited and ran up to him and Goofy picked him and spun him around. Glad we have a memory like that. When we go again next June for his sisters graduation trip I don't think he will care about the characters at all and he will be 8. He was 5 when he brought him the 1st time and his brother was 7

 

[Mokat76]

I have never asked anyone that question, but I confess I've thought it a time or two (or 50). No more. The answers on here changed my thinking completely. Thanks.

 

[Honeybee83]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's felt this way. We are Disneyaholics and even though we can't afford to go often, this will by no stretch be our "once in a lifetime trip". Fortunately we have a toddler who rolls with the punches fairly well so hopefully she'll have a blast at the time and will love to look at her pictures in the future!

 

[Honeybee83]

In about to take an almost 1 yr old to WDW here in a few days

Those ppl are just jealous lol, but really we plan to take our LO as often as we can afford too so I see no reason to hold off. She is going to be celebrating her first birthday there she might not remember but she will have a blast and there will be some great photos

It also helps that I'm bringing my parents who will probably get to hog my daughter which = Alone time for me and DH which we NEVER EVER get lol win/win

That sounds like the BEST FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER! Beats the heck out of chuck e cheese!!