I was given the "wait and go when they all will remember it" lecture again

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Had this discussion with my aunt today and I am tired of trying to explain to certain people that my 2 and 4 year olds will have a lot to enjoy and get out of this Disney World trip we are planning. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but why is the "go when they will remember it" theory always brought up in reference to Disney World and not other family vacation destinations? I can't tell you how many times this has been drummed into my head to the point where it sowed seeds of doubt into both me and DH's minds bringing us to almost cancel this trip on more than one occasion. I know it is a pricey vacation for many and isn't a vacation many people can do often in their lifetime; but no one says don't take a family vacation to the beach or don't go on a camping trip, or don't go on a cruise or where ever because your child "won't remember" or "appreciate" it; or don't take them to the zoo or throw them a nice birthday party until they are a certain age "because they won't remember it". But when you plan a family vacation to Disney World, this theory always comes up. I just don't understand it

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Amen sister! We get the same conversations too! I finally asked my mom the other day where she would suggest we go instead. (Ours are 3 and 1.) I told her to take into consideration the mom factor. In the fact that I wanted and deserved a vacation too and refused to cook and clean the entire time. I asked her what she thought would be easier and cheaper. No beach because I'll be sanding and desanding children all day. No mountains because obviously the 1 year old can't hike. No monuments because really what good are those unless they can remember them! (HA! Love to use their own argument on them!) She was stumped and said let me get back to you. Never did hear back. HOWEVER... the other day my grandfather started the same line in front of her .... and low and behold... she came to my defense!! She told him it would be a fun experience for the whole family and something that was age appropriate for the kids and easy on the parents... I might have converted Grandma to the Disney bandwagon.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I have quit explaning to family why we do what we do. It never gets through to them anyway SOO I tell them and just block out their negativity. I would miss alot if I listained to them of "what I would like".

 

[papertraveller]

The kids may not remember it, but you will. You'll have the joy of seeing their faces light up when they see Mickey or Pluto or whoever. You'll have the fun of seeing them have fun -- and they will love to look back over the photos you take (because you will take lots!) over the years when they can remember!

 

[Aliceacc]

Don't get caught up in it. You're an adult. Taking your kids to Disney is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You don't owe anyone an explanation of how and why you choose to spend your money.

(And, for the record: if you wait another 5 or 6 years until your youngest "can appreciate it"-- what of your older kids???They'll be kind of past the whole Pirate/Princess thing then, wont' they??)

They may not remember what they saw or what they did, but they'll grow up remembering the way they felt.

 

[Amyhoff]

I have also heard this a million times!! It's so crazy! I believe that each experience a child has is a building block for the next experience. If you never bring a child anywhere or let them experience anything, they will be social misfits!! I think it's wonderful that so many families give their children a Disney vacation.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Amen sister! We get the same conversations too! I finally asked my mom the other day where she would suggest we go instead. (Ours are 3 and 1.) I told her to take into consideration the mom factor. In the fact that I wanted and deserved a vacation too and refused to cook and clean the entire time. I asked her what she thought would be easier and cheaper. No beach because I'll be sanding and desanding children all day. No mountains because obviously the 1 year old can't hike. No monuments because really what good are those unless they can remember them! (HA! Love to use their own argument on them!) She was stumped and said let me get back to you. Never did hear back. HOWEVER... the other day my grandfather started the same line in front of her .... and low and behold... she came to my defense!! She told him it would be a fun experience for the whole family and something that was age appropriate for the kids and easy on the parents... I might have converted Grandma to the Disney bandwagon.

I agree which is why I don't understand why this is always brought up when families go on WDW vacations with young children.

 

[tonums]

I heard this once or twice too (esp after getting annual passes, we're in Fl) But you know what, NOTHING beats the look on a 2 year olds face when he sees PLayhouse Disney on stage , or your 4 year old girl practically in tears over watching Belle dance with the Beast. Our your little girl squealing over seeing "the princess'es castle!!!" or watching tinkerbell go overhead. Or your boy shooting at the evil emperor Zurg, theres a million moments we have experienced with a 2 and a 4 year old that I wouldn't trade for the world!

 

[TinkerLori]

we took our son when he was 2. He had a GREAT time. We're going again this May when he'll be 6 and he swears it's his first time to go to Disney.. But thats alright because we get to enjoy a "first" trip all over again. It will be a blast for your whole family it doesn't matter if they remember it the next week or not

We've been camping and fishing and to visit family (military family here so to visit our family it really is a trip) and there are still times where my son doesn't remember those too so whatever LOL!! go and have a great time!

 

[mrsabbott]

We went 2 years ago when my girls were 4, 2, and 11 months. My now 6 year old remembers it. My now 4 year old has vague recollections but loves seeing herself in pictures. My now almost 3 year old doesn't remember a thing. BUT.. Mom and Dad (us!) remember it as one of the most enjoyable and fun experiences we've ever had. Probably the best vacation ever! I remember that my oldest was tall enough to ride the "big" rides and loved them! I remember my middle girl waving her "magic wand" and really thought she was making the fireworks go off in the sky! And I remember how HUGE my youngest girl's eyes got and how she just took in all the colors and sounds! Wonderful stimulation for her!

We all had a blast and cannot wait to go again next year. My children will be 7, 5, 4, and not quite 1 at our next trip! I'm pregnant with #4 now which is one of the reasons we're waiting for next year to go. You will have a blast!! It truly is fun for the whole family from the oldest to the youngest! Have a great time!!

 

[Disneyhayes]

I got this at work from a "know it all" co-worker and it was so frustrating I had to go to the bathroom to cry. I finally just told him that if he's not paying for MY vaca then he doesn't get to give an opinion about MY vaca. My husband said they'll have fun and if they don't remember then we'll have a TON of first trips...haha

 

[michael's mom]

Well, my response now to people when they say that is, "funny, my son remembers some things from our trip when he was just shy of 3." This was 2 years ago. A few weeks ago we took him to see Toy Story on Ice and he knows that we have a "surprise" trip to Disney and he thought I was telling him we were going to Disney. He then responded with "I don't want Daddy to come because I want my own shooter guy". He remembers being on Buzz Lightyear and having to share the laser with DH. We have since assured him that he's big enough to have his own laser this year and he won't have to share.

I was shocked that he remembered, but he knows exactly what he's talking about. Up until that day my response was always "but I'll remember it, and he'll have a great time when he's there. It's not about him remembering, but enjoying the moment."

I never thought to ask where the questioner thought I should take him. Storing that in my bank of responses!

 

[Ericandjenng]

Besides that I really don't care whether others think my kids will remember, my main point to others has always been that at least at Disney, everyone can participate in most things unlike other amusement parks and attractions where they get stuck in the stroller for most of the day. Is that fun for the kids?

Now when someone starts I tell them my DS who is now 7 is so well-traveled that if you take him to the airport, he can get you checked in, through security on the plane, off the plane (and change, if necessary), on to the monorail trams between the gates and main airport in Orlando, to the buses, on the bus, once you show him our room, he can get you to the bus, on the bus to which park you want to visit and then get you through security and the ticket gates. Now where would you like to start.... It always shuts them up....!

 

[DanielleandBrady]

I took my son to Disney for the first time when he was 4. He still remembers the trip. And, just like a PP said, he loves it when we look at pictures from that trip. Take a ton of pictures and enjoy it!! Its very easy for people to judge. I would say "are you going to pay for a more "acceptable" vacation?!"

Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[elliefusmom]

The kids may not remember it, but you will. You'll have the joy of seeing their faces light up when they see Mickey or Pluto or whoever. You'll have the fun of seeing them have fun -- and they will love to look back over the photos you take (because you will take lots!) over the years when they can remember!

I completely agree with this and will add... I will never ever forget my dd screaming at the top of her lungs when the Beast came out for a character meal...Snow White quickly came to the rescue and calmed her down...

It is a magical place for those who believe and for those who don't... they will wait and take their kids once and be disappointed when things don't go perfect. I for one am thankful that I have had the opportunity to return year after year to add more memories.

PS - My dd doesn't remember the run-in with the Beast!

 

[sahm2two]

I've heard this before too... and I agree! It's not like you just sit around the house staring at a wall all day because "they won't remember it". You make memories for yourself, my kids are going to have an amazing time in a couple months when we go. They won't remember it when they're in high school, but my 3 y/o will remember it for the next year or so... and the pictures we will have will be priceless!
We plan on going again in a few years when they're a little older and will be interested in more exciting rides and might be able to remember it.

 

[QVCshopper]

I give people the "Go while one/two of your kids is still free" lecture. Really, my kids are 6 and almost 5 and have been to Disney a (gulp) total of nine times each. I actually stopped telling some people when we were going.

Now that we've been paying for all of our tickets for a while, I really appreciate all of those trips while one and or both of them were free. Have fun!

 

[robinb]

Had this discussion with my aunt today and I am tired of trying to explain to certain people that my 2 and 4 year olds will have a lot to enjoy and get out of this Disney World trip we are planning. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but why is the "go when they will remember it" theory always brought up in reference to Disney World and not other family vacation destinations?

Really? You don't know? Because a WDW vacation costs a TON of money and most of the population (not on the DIS) think that a WDW vacation is a "once in a lifetime" vacation. Now, we on the DIS know differently , but your friends and family are thinking about a one-time thing. I had it easy because my husband and I already owned at DVC by the time our DD was born so the WDW trips were already expected.

 

[kstinw19]

ITA with all of you. We took dd and ds when they were 4 and 3 and they remember tons about that trip. Of course it helps that we landed at the beginning of Hurricane Jeanne and they remember the ducks swimming outside of our room.

But even if they don't remember it, you remember the excitement and smiles that are one their faces. Playing in the sand on the beach is fun, but sand gets old fast.

 

[Ericandjenng]

But even if they don't remember it, you remember the excitement and smiles that are one their faces. Playing in the sand on the beach is fun, but sand gets old fast.

Until my DS was 4, he thought Blizzard Beach was the beach!...