I need some major help!

[PaulDavid's mom]

We are planning a trip for May 2006. Our son will be almost 4 1/2 when we go. Now that we are finally starting to do some of the planning, my boyfriend thinks that our son will be too young for WDW! I am so upset! He thinks that there will not be anything for our son to do... I've told him that WDW has changed a lot since the last time he was there (about 1988) and that WDW IS for little ones. We will be traveling with his parents and he says he doesn't even want to go now because our son probably won't even remember anything...His mother and I are tring to convince him otherwise so that we can continue with the planning...Any advice on what to tell boyfriend? We need to convince him NOW!! Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Disney Doll]

Tell him you and his mother will be taking your son to WDW in 2006 and he can choose to come or stay home.

I wouldn't let someone dictate to me where I went on vacation, or whether it would be appropriate for my child.

 

[BrerBear96]

Been there three times with my girls, they start going at 2 yrs old, and they all remember everything. Of course the constant prompting and Disney photo books have helped a little. Go, have fun, it really is the happiest place on earth. If your boyfriend is a mugwump then don't bring him to spoil everyone else's good time.

 

[3xthecharm]

I remember riding Small World for the first time with my dad. I was about 4. He is gone now, but nothing can take away that memory.

 

[my3princes]

My son turned 2 in November. He has already been to Disney twice. He still talks about the characters and can identify most of them by name when looking at our vacation pictures. He is my youngest. I have 2 other boys and they have gone 5 times beginning at age 2 1/2 and 6 months respectively. We never had a bad trip. There was always something for them to do. Granted the 6 mth old enjoyed the shows and watching everything happen around him. We are going back in Oct. I think that any age is great and if you ask any of my boys where they would like to go on vacation they would all say "Mickey's House"

 

[MommytoPayton&Max]

Your bf is probably right, your son might not remember the trip. But who cares. You are living for the moment. The look on your child's face when he sees Buzz Light Year or Mickey Mouse will be worth every penny you spend...........and more. Riding Dumbo, Aladdin's carpet, etc. It is so fun when they still "believe" it is all real.

We took our daughter for her first trip this past May. She had just turned 3. We are going back next month and she will be just shy of 4. I never once thought twice about the trip because she might not remember it. We know someone who recently lost a 9 year old child which has really affected my attitude about living for the moment.

Besides, at almost 5, you are on the borderline of your child's first memory. It is about this age that children start remembering things long term. How great would a trip like that be to be his first memory?

Go for it and don't even think about regretting it!

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

thank you so much for all the replies. I appreciate them. I just so desperately want to take him to WDW, but do not want to do it without my boyfriend there because I don't want him to miss out on our son's fun. Even though we are not married, we have lived together for 5 years now, so it's not like we are not together. We have already changed the travel date 2 times already because of him. First it was March then April and now May (need to change my counter by the way!). I really want to take our son because we may not be able to afford it again for a long long time. My son is my whole world and I just want him to have a wonderful trip. He is already very excited when he sees the commercials on t.v. because he knows we are planning on going there. I agree with all of you. Thank you again. I feel like I have some support.

 

[paigevz]

I have taken a 10 month old, 2 1/2 year old, 4 year old, 6 year old, 8 year old and 9 year old (only two kids........multiple trips)........anyway, all the trips have been fun, but the one with the 4 year old was the absolute best. It was sooo magical! He doesnt' remember it now, since he's been back since then and new memories replaced the old, but he did remember it until we went back when he was six.

But, this thing with your boyfriend is not about your child's age. There's something else. Talk with him about it. He wouldn't keep changing the date and just now come up with this otherwise.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

Our first trip to Disney was when my second child was 2 and our last trip when my youngest was 15 months old and that was just in November, She is still talking obout "Mi," "Go-ey" etc. I know they don't remember everything, but it does leave some impression on them and I know from their little faces that they had fun. They enjoy the time that they are there and you will have memories that you will never forget. As little as they are, they make the trio so enjoyable. There's plenty for them to do. They can go on most of the rides and the ones he can't, skip or child swap. Plan a character breakfast!! Tell your boyfriend to look on the Disney site and see all there is to do in the "fun for little ones" and "Character experience" in the vacation planning menu. Hopefully it will change his mind.Tell him to let loose and have some fun. He'll see for himself, first hand he was wrong.

 

[DVC-Don]

............. he says he doesn't even want to go now because our son probably won't even remember anything....

Heck, I don't remember anything of kindergarden and 1st grade anymore, but I went. Photos, photos, photos....

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I went to Disneyworld for the first time when I was 4 and I have many memories from that first trip! Don't let him tell you that your son wont remember anything because chances are, he'll remember a lot of it There's so many things for kids to do there and I think 4 is the perfect age to take a kid to Disneyworld

 

[Micca]

Vacations are for the whole family. Your child will be happy to spend the time with you and his dad. If he doesn't remember it, you will, and that counts for a lot.

 

[eeyore45]

He'll remember, and you;ll make a picture scrapbook - at his age, I'll bet he'll LOVE Playhouse Disney at MGM!! Little Mermaid, oh AK - do you go to zoos now? WHY??? etc..

 

[jlaspoq]

Took both of our daughters for the first time when they were 4 1/2 - it was perfect! and they both remember their trips since we took lots of pictures and they got autograph books....... Hope it works out for you.

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

He'll remember, and you;ll make a picture scrapbook - at his age, I'll bet he'll LOVE Playhouse Disney at MGM!! Little Mermaid, oh AK - do you go to zoos now? WHY??? etc..

I love scrapbooking so of course i'll be making one! We do go to the zoo and he loves seeing the animals.

 

[BonSchwe]

Took DS4 down last April and he remembers so much. Even if he didn't remember a thing - I remember everything and he had so much fun it will stay with me forever (except for one meltdown situation at one of the kids clubs that we don't like to talk about ). Go for it!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The age of 4-1/2 is usually good for a guest.
2) They can actually remember quite a bit.
3) As you stated, there truly is a lot for someone that age.
4) Ask him these questions (he will start to get the point):
. . . does like a steady diet of PB&J sandwiches ?
. . . does he know to separate whites from colors in the wash ?
. . . does he remember how to iron ?
. . . does having dishpan hands bother him ? (and now the BIGGIE)
. . . does he mind coming mall shopping with you EVERY weekend?

 

[shatzjsl]

Tell him you and his mother will be taking your son to WDW in 2006 and he can choose to come or stay home.

I wouldn't let someone dictate to me where I went on vacation, or whether it would be appropriate for my child.

That's why my daughter and I are taking our 2nd trip to WDW without DH. He has no interest in going. Why should we suffer?

 

[aplejax76]

I just want to tell you that we took our 3 boys. 4,4,6. I think it is a perfect age for kids. My boys are 5,5, and 7 now. They still talk about it ALL THE TIME!!!!! We were not going to go this year but the boys wanted to so badly that we had to say YES. ( HEHEHE) There was only a couple rides they could not do ( height restrictions) like areosmith. We did take them on test track, tower of terror, mission space. They are tall for their age and adrenaline junkies just like there parents. :0)
There is nothing like it to take your children at this age.It is truely magical. The total joy in their faces is priceless.. I really hope you can convince your boyfriend..

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

Thank you all so much for the responses and, yes, i will be passing these on to my boyfriends mother so she won't feel so bad either. I do understand that it's a lt of walking and there are a lot of things he won't be able to ride--but there is a lot he CAN do! You guys are the best and I love that everyone is so supportive of each other.