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

[Brina]

This is not limited to Disney vacations. Three years ago my dh and I took our then 8-year-old sons and 5-year-old daughter to China. This summer we are taking them to Europe. I have had many people tell me that they are too young to appreciate these trips and we should wait until they are older and better able to appreciate all that they will see. I just nod and say, "well, we will go back."

Life is too short - don't let other people's opinions bother you.

 

[kksmom92]

After the first time I went to Disney (after we got married and before kids) I'll admit I was one of those who would say we never will take the kids until they are old enough to remember because honestly I didn't get it... even after going I didn't get what all the hype was about Disney. I would of rather gone to Cedar Point for the rollercoaster rides (please don't throw stones at me yet...)

Then we broke down and took the kids when they were 2 & 4 and WOW.. did my mind change! I now get it and was so thankful we took them down when we did! Everything was so magical and I actually questioned if it could get any better if we went the next year and let me say.. it did! We splurged and had dinner with Cinderella (we stay off site so we don't get the free meals) and while it was $$ the entertainment factor was worth it for me as not only did my son get kissed from Cinderella, but both kids got to dance with her. Will the kids remember that they danced with Cinderella when they are my age? Maybe.. Maybe not, but I know that's one thing I will NEVER forget. I'm sure they will remember that used to go down when they were little and I just hope that when have little ones of their own they can too take them to Disney so they can once again see the magic.

Is it Jan yet?!? I'm now having withdrawls!

 

[Ninnygunk]

I got those questions when I took my then 2 yr old DS on his first WDW trip. They all said that he wouldn't remember anything & that the trip was just for me. Who cares?!?! I don't care if he doesn't remember one single thing about that trip - but I will! The joy & excitement on his face when he first saw his favorite characters will stay with me for a lifetime - and he'll have plenty of photos to see when he is older. We've gone every year since then & the second year he was showing ME how to get around Fantasyland! He even remembered losing his pacifier on the Indy Cars. Now he's a pro & seems to enjoy it more every year. People are always gonna offer their opinion, solicited or not. Your vacations are you for & not them!

 

[Colleen27]

This is not limited to Disney vacations. Three years ago my dh and I took our then 8-year-old sons and 5-year-old daughter to China. This summer we are taking them to Europe. I have had many people tell me that they are too young to appreciate these trips and we should wait until they are older and better able to appreciate all that they will see. I just nod and say, "well, we will go back."

Life is too short - don't let other people's opinions bother you.

That's really it in a nutshell for me. We aren't taking the kids overseas right now, or even to Costa Rica or Hawaii or some of the other "big" trips on our wish lists, because we know those are things we aren't likely to do twice. But Disney (or the beach, or up north, or DC/Chicago/Toronto, or any of a dozen other close-to-home trips)? We'll be back so it just doesn't matter if all the kids are at the "right" age to remember or appreciate each visit.

I get compliments all the time on how well my children travel, especially the two year old. They might not remember every specific trip they've been on but they've learned skills and flexibility from those travels that make them easier and more enjoyable travel companions in the long run.

And we remember - as parents, and now the older siblings as well. There's a 10 year gap between my oldest and youngest; the baby might not remember every detail of our Disney trips, but DS13 can tell you her exact reaction the first time she saw Mickey and what her favorite ride was. If we waited until the baby could remember our trips, they'd have precious few shared travel memories together before he heads off to college and adulthood.

 

[ktmo]

I used to get that from my DH. Finally, I just booked the trip and told him that it wasn't a one time thing, we would be going back. My youngest DD was 2 when we went almost a year ago. She still talks about what we did. She got sick after eating cheesecake one night and she'll remind us of that every time we mention cheesecake. I am not sure that she'll forget it. Although, not thing I want her to remember.

 

[ejmdoesn]

We get this all the time, I even had to convince my husband to go now rather than wait! Our kids are 7,6,3 and 10 months and I think it is the perfect time to go. Everyone says we should wait until the baby is old enough to remember it to go, I say we can always go again! Someone made the point that you don't go on vacations to remember it later, you go for the experience now, which really makes sense to me!

 

[LisaTC]

You are making memories for your family. How many of us remember every single thing they did in their life time? I can't remember what I did last week! LOL I took my daughter to the ocean for the first time when she was 22 months and it was priceless the look on her face. Does she remember...NOPE, but she loves looking at the pictures. Opinions are like...well you know the saying, everybody has one. Big deal. Do what you want it's your family. I wanted my daughter to remember more because she doesn't remember her 2 trips to the beach, so her first trip to DW is this year and she's 7. The reason for this is I don't know when we'll get back. It could be years. Took us 2 years to get this trip, so that was our decision. If I could've gone sooner, I would've. It's your family and your memories to make. YOU will never forget their little faces when they see it and they will be in awe each time they look at the photographs. Have a great time!!!

You won't regret it. Making memories for your family isn't something I think any parent ever regrets regardless of their ages. You may, however, regret not doing it!

 

[StuckInKS]

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

I have only read your post and have not made it to the responses yet, but the first thing that came to my mind is that you have two 9 year old. THEY are very much old enough to remember it. If you wait until the 2 year old is 5 or 6, your two oldest may be too old to really appreciate the magic. Your 4 year old should be able to remember it, at least for the next year or two. Plus you can have video, pics, etc. You can go again when your two youngest are 7 and 9, but I would definitely take the two oldest now, before they are pre-teen/teens. I'm not saying that teens can't enjoy Disney, but from going as a teen and going with two teens last year, it is definitely not the same as going when you are younger or seeing it from the perspective of a young child.

 

[Mom2m&k]

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 have not read the whole thread but these are my thoughts exactly! Just last night DH and I were looking at our picture books from our trip to Disneyland in 2008. I couldn't believe how little my kids were...they were so tiny! They had a great time and I love the memories and pictures!!

 

[MayzDisney4]

Ugh, it drives me crazy, we hear the same thing, still after going yearly since DD8 was 1 year old (well we hear it about our DS4 now not so much the DD)!

I whip out the scrapbooks and have the kids show them all the things they have gotten to do over the years! They may not remember it, but they can look back through pictures and see we thought they were worth taking the trip with no matter how old. (and I am not saying this to put people down who decide to wait for their trip, but its more referring to the fact that I don't let my kids age keep us from having fun!)

Its like when you go to a restaurant and they ask how many.. And people would say oh there is 4 and a baby! Does the baby not qualify as a person just because they won't be eating? They still need space at the table?!?!

I have given up on most comments about waiting until they are older. if I do respond I say, "good thing you have the option to wait, but in the meantime we are going to go enjoy Disney as a family!"

 

[MickeyMouseMomofSix]

That's exactly why I hope to go back to WDW every two years! LOL! So that anyone that tells us that our little ones won't remember anything, I just say "that's ok, we will be back many more times!" My older kids are at the age now where its now or never. My oldest two are almost 15 and almost 12, and in the blink of an eye they will be off to college. I am taking advantage of the time I have with ALL of my children while they are still young. We will cherish these memories for the rest of our lives!

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Both my 4 yo (who will be 5) and my 2 yo are excited about it! My 2 yo probably doesn't totally understand the whole deal but he understands Mickey and Goofy, etc. In fact, the night I booked the trip I did a little "We're going to Disney" dance with my 4 yo and my 2 yo ran and got his shoes then cried and cried when I tried to explain we weren't going right now!

This morning my 4 yo told his teachers in Sunday school that we were going to Disney and they asked. I told them, yes, but not until Sept. The one said that it was so nice, that my 4 yo would just love it but my 2 yo wouldn't really care I just smiled nicely. And then didn't bother to inform her that my 4 yo stayed for 3 nights at 2.5 yo and that they had also both been twice to MK for the day!

Let them say what they want. Personally, I love taking them to Disney at these ages. The wonder and joy is amazing even if they won't be able to recall every moment later in life, their joy in that moment is more than enough for me, because I WILL remember it. Thankfully my parents do get it, in fact they are going with us. My mom told me today that she is so excited she can hardly stand it. In fact she's more excited about our Disney trip in Sept. with us and our boys than my parents' first Alaskan cruise they are taking this May!

 

[Sheaboys]

We are sort of at that point now, but, DH is not a big fan of the Mouse. So he says let's wait until the baby can remember it. He will be 2 at the end of the month.

I am thinking I would prefer to go, while he is still free, so by next March. By then we will have a 13, 11, 9, 5 and nearly 3yr old. So with the age gaps, Disney is something that can be enjoyed by every single member of our family. Nearly every ride is for everyone. We can all ride together, or at the very least at 4 of us together (meaning me and 3 older boys), since DH is not a fan of coasters.

So, I am onto planning...

 

[Becky2005]

We are sort of at that point now, but, DH is not a big fan of the Mouse. So he says let's wait until the baby can remember it. He will be 2 at the end of the month.

That's what my hubby said too when we only had 3 of them, so the third one turned 5 and we had planned to go that summer -- then along comes #4.....I put my foot down and said "we are going anyway -- besides he's free". My older one was 11 -- if I had waited until my youngest was 5 before ever going the first time she would be 16 before her first visit. We didn't even get to go then because life happens!

This is only our 2nd visit and life junk is still happening but I put my foot down AGAIN because my oldest is 17!!!! This is our last trip with her before she becomes a "real" adult in Disney's eyes and starts costing us $25/day....luckily for me she is a theatre person and she can not wait to see the Princesses --especially Belle. She is so excited for the new Fantasyland expansion (too bad it won't be for a while yet). Then again she also wants to try out for the American Idol experience so it's a whole new perspective going this time around.

My DH just started a new job in Jan. so he isn't able to go since he has no vacation time, my mom is coming instead and we made it into a big old family gathering. Unfortunately, my one nephew can't make it because only once has all the grandkids been in one spot and that was before my youngest was born -- so they have never been all together. You better believe it's all about making the memories.

 

[ddawnmommy]

The first time we took aour children my daughter was 18 months and my son was almost 5 and the whole reason I wanted to go then was because I wanted to take him while it was still "magic" to him. I know that neither of them remember this trip, but it was so different from the others we have taken since because everything was so magical to both of them. They are 12 and 9 now and they still love Disney, but there is nothing like the magic that a really young child sees when they are there.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I used to think my kids won't remember the trips we've taken them on so far, but yesterday my 2YO said, "let's go find Mickey Mouse, okay?" which is what we would say as we headed out to the parks each morning on our last trip. And then as the conversation continued, it was clear he knew what he was talking about.

My 5YO remembers everything.

DH and I only remember the good parts--that is, we've mostly forgotten things like the tantrum when we didn't get in the long line for Dumbo!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

Ignore them and take your kiddos. For what it is worth, we took our daughter this past fall for her 3rd birthday. That child remembers more of that vacation then I do!

 

[budafam]

I LOVE this thread. We have been told this numerous times and DH was all for waiting until this year when we got double the amount for taxes back that we were expecting. Now that we are going, DH is very excited and so are the kids (ages 2 & 4). I believe DH thinks this is a GREAT time to take them. They will be the MOST excited at this age since to them, everything is magic. I've wanted to go to Disney my whole life and never could when I was little because my mom couldn't walk very far due to her legs and my dad was never into the happy little kiddy stuff. We did go to Las Vegas three times (which was fun but definitely not Disney). I am beside myself since we booked our vacation in May. I know everyone is going to love it and I can't wait to see their faces. I'll never forget that.

 

[~Kristina~]

My response is "If they don't remember this trip, then they'll remember next year's trip."

 

[mammalucci]

I agree with everybody. I unfortunately couldn't afford to bring my children when they were young, but if I could I would have certainly done it!!!! Now I am taking my children who are 22 and 14 (will be 23 and 15 when we go) and my two grandsons who are 5 and 4 (will be 6 and 5 when we go) and we are going to have a blast I know it!!! Anyway, you would be surprised what children remember. My children both remember a lot of things from when they were 3 and 4 years old, and when they mention it to me I am shocked and say to them "wow you remember that!!!"

So from a single struggling mother's perspective - you go ahead and take your young children cause you never know what may happen in the future and regret that you didn't go when you had a chance.