"kids still too young" too "expensive"

[Queen2PrincessG]

So how do you reply to the "I still think the kids are too young to go" response or the it's "too expensive"?

 

[moonpie85]

Well I just tell people that's their choice. Then I make sure to show those people pictures of the kids having the time of their life afterwards.

Going to Disney with young kids is kinda like baby's first Christmas. Sure they don't know what's going on but usually they are still included, right? We took our 15 month old to Disney a couple weeks ago. She had a BLAST. I have never seen her smile and laugh so much. That trip was worth every single penny and I can't wait to take her again. Some people just don't get it.

 

[roxysmum123]

If it was my children they were referring to, I would shrug it off, if it's their children they were referring to then it's their business. Who are we to judge what is right for their families vacation time?

 

[nadira36]

I usually ask what the other person thinks the baby (child) is too young for?

Our babies all take their first trips around 9 mos (b/c that's how long it takes me to get passports etc) and they LOVE it - del I should say the oldest 2 did - the baby still has 24 hrs before she's there for the first time.

I then get very nostalgic and teary eyes and explain WHY I think it's important to take 'young' kids. There I was standing in the middle of main street when who should appear, but SNow white. There was this little girl (maybe 4) dressed as Snow white - and when the princess approached the girl her eyes lit up and she squealed as she threw her arms around her favourite princess. Later as the parade passed the same little girl was watching and Snow white waved - that little girl proceeded to tell everyone that her best friend was Snow White and that she waved to her and wanted her to come visit again soon. She spun a golden tale of love and friendship and MAGIC! At the time I didn't have children, but I knew mine would be young enough to 'get it' when we went.

Now when we go my DD3 is so excited b/c Captain Jack wants her to be in his crew! She's talked of no one else for weeks. HEr eyes sparkle as she tells everyone about her best friends. DD5 is gleeful because she gets to ride the big rides this year. And she's brave enough because she's got magic pixie dust and pirates for parents.

As to the cost. I say it depends on what 'too expensive' is. I know some people that can't afford flights from here. But for most they don't realize we can get there for 10 days for less than $5000 including flights, food, room, tickets - all that's left is to decide on a spending budget. I then tell them if that's too expensive they can get it even cheaper by staying off property and cooking their own meals. There are plenty of ways to bring the cost down, however the flights from here on their own bring the cost out of reach for some people.

 

[tinacaplan]

I love this question... I think the age appropriate question comes down to how often you plan on taking your child to Disneyworld. Knowing that we would be going at least once a year for the forseeable future, we started taking our son when he was three and a half. He went again and four and we are returning again in February. You need to just have realistic expectations for the trip and only you know your child. If we only planned on doing Disney a couple of times, I would have waited until my son was at least tall enough to ride the majority of the rides. As for the whole they won't remember it argument...if you take that to its logical conclusion, why do we bother doing anything nice for our kids before they're five?

As for the too expensive point... it is pricey...but so is going to a local fair or carnival. Amusement parks like Six Flags are ridiculous and the quality is not there, in my opinion, when compared to Disney. You also need to take into account that when we go, for what we pay, it includes absolutely everything. Traveling is expensive, regardless. Not saying Disney's cheap (it isn't), but I do feel its a good value for everything that we get.

I also think it comes down to what you choose to spend your money on. Everyone (hopefully) has at least some disposable income for entertainment and the like, its up to you to choose how to spend or save that money. And, at the end of the day, it really isn't anyone's business what you choose to spend your money on.

 

[Mama Who]

These comments only matter if they come from your spouse.

 

[kathie859]

Where and when to vacation is a personal choice. I can understand peope who perceive a trip to WDW or DL a "once in a lifetime" sort of vacation would be better suited to older children; however, if you plan on going a few times (or more in the case of people like us!) I see nothing wrong with taking young children who can observe and enjoy all the sights from their stroller. I don't usually feel a need to justify WHY I enjoy WDW/DL so much, but if I do it's along the lines of "Is something we both enjoy" or "I got a great deal on our hotel or whatever".

As far as "expensive"--I've done a variety of trips over the years--some very budget, off-site trips which were just as much fun. The kids didn't care where they slept! We drove back in those days (cheaper than flying) and packed a cooler with food to further reduce expenses. A budget trip IS possible.

My kids are grown now and some of our trips involve the grandkids--Disney is a family tradition that I'm glad we started all those many years ago.

 

[scrapquitler]

So how do you reply to the "I still think the kids are too young to go" response or the it's "too expensive"?

Who is saying it? If your SPOUSE, who is going with you and helping pay for the trip, then you have a legitimate reason to discuss that statement.

If it's Cousin Mary, Great Granmdma Edna, the lady sitting next to you on the bus, or your friend Julie saying it, there's no NEED to repsond. They don't get to have an opnion or judge your vacation choice unless they are paying for it.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

These comments only matter if they come from your spouse.

HAHA Thank GOD HE didn't say it!

No, I invited family to go with us and that was their response.

 

[disykat]

In that case, that was about THEM not YOU and none of your business.

 

[Jerseymomof2]

No, I invited family to go with us and that was their response.

I had the same thing happen to me. We had an extra room (paid for) so I offered it my friend with 2 girls and she said no that she "didn't think they were old enough to appreciate it yet" oh well.

 

[Moodyzblu]

I started taking my children to Disney when they were just 10 months old. They had the greatest time !! It was early spring and we had been in the house all winter and this was their first real outdoor experience. One of my sons had open heart surgery 6 months earlier and had such a tough winter that this was such a blessing for him. Although they don't remember the trip .. I sure do and wouldn't trade those memories for anything in the world !

As far as the cost .. you just have to look around and find the best deal. I had a friend tell me she went to a TA and they quoted her $8000 !! I told her to ditch them and come see me and I'll get her there for half that maybe even less.
You just have to know where and when to look.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

In that case, that was about THEM not YOU and none of your business.

I never thought it "my business", but thought it weird that they would say they think my daughter and the other grand-kids are too young to go. The youngest grandkid is currently 7 months but the trip is for Oct. 2012. So I don't really get it.

I know that some people feel like kids shouldn't go till they can ride everything but why not go when they are free and can ride 75% of the rides.

 

[disykat]

I never thought it "my business", but thought it weird that they would say they think my daughter and the other grand-kids are too young to go. The youngest grandkid is currently 7 months but the trip is for Oct. 2012. So I don't really get it.

Then why do you need to reply? It's their vacation, their money, their choice. Now, if they told you your dd was too young for you to take her THEN you can try to justify yourself if you feel the need.

As others have explained, some people plan to go often and take their kids whatever age they are. Other people know they will go rarely and want their kids to be old enough to remember.

It could also depend on the personalities of the people involved. One of my sons didn't travel well when he was young, so he would have been "too young" for us to enjoy the trip. There are also adults who don't want to travel with a child in diapers, etc.

Different strokes, different folks. No need to convince people that your way is right.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Then why do you need to reply? It's their vacation, their money, their choice. Now, if they told you your dd was too young for you to take her THEN you can try to justify yourself if you feel the need.

As others have explained, some people plan to go often and take their kids whatever age they are. Other people know they will go rarely and want their kids to be old enough to remember.

It could also depend on the personalities of the people involved. One of my sons didn't travel well when he was young, so he would have been "too young" for us to enjoy the trip. There are also adults who don't want to travel with a child in diapers, etc.

Different strokes, different folks. No need to convince people that your way is right.

They basically did! I invited them to come with us. All of them DH's parents and DH brothers family. That was the grandparents response, "the grand kids are too young to go". Unless maybe I'm being stupid and they just don't consider DD their grandchild and are only speaking of the other two kids.

 

[kohlby]

I don't worry if others are saying it about their kids. If I had invited relatives to come along with us and the actual parents of the kids said that they thought their kids were too young and it was too expensive, then there's no issue with that. It can be too expensive for a lot of people. Plus, things I'm willing to cut back on might be things they can't. Also, we drive and get free hotel with credit card points so we do it a lot cheaper than the norm. It being too expensive is a very valid arguement.

As far as the kids being too young, I would ignore the grandparents and say nothing about it. If it were the actual parents of the grandkids saying it and I was trying to convince them to come along with me, then I'd let them know all there is for young kids to do. (But the "too expensive" alone would have been enough of a reason for me not to explain away too young). If I were to do just one Disney trip with my kids, then I do think there is a too young. But if you're going back, then too young really isn't an issue. (Says the woman who took her middle child at 2 months old. The oldest was barely 3 in our defense!)

If you consider having to fly or drive a long way, that's where "too young" plays a huge part. Once in the parks, it really isn't an issue. But flying or driving with a young child can be challenging. (Says the woman who's 2 month old had an allergic reaction the morning we left and an 8 hour drive ended up a 15 hour drive - but at least the rest of the trip was great! There were no bumps on a trip with a 7 month old or 11 month old however).

My youngest is now 2.5 years old. But there's a lot of vacations I still consider my crew too young for. I have three kids, all who are in carseats. I'd rather not deal with lugging carseats, finding a car for us to fit in with the carseats, and airline prices. So vacations that need flights are holding off until the youngest is in a booster. (The oldest will be completely out of a booster by then).

 

[KBoopaloo]

My cousin had two basic rules for when it would be time for a WDW trip for her family:

1. No one is in diapers
2. Everyone can get around on their own two feet (no strollers)

So she waited until her kids were 7 and 10 and they had a truly fantastic time. Would I have said she probably could have taken them earlier and had just as good of a time? Sure. But it wasn't my decision to make for her family. Some people just have a set idea of what parameters make for a good vacation for their family and that is totally their prerogative just like it is your prerogative to take your kids now.

 

[budafam]

I love these questions.. haha. As for the "being too expensive" part. You're better off taking your children when they're young if you can't afford too much. Under 3 is free! I tell everyone to schedule their first trip right before their child turns 3. My daughter was 2 1/2 when she went her first time and 6 months later she still talks about everything. We'll be going when she's 3 1/2 again and she's hoping to grow one more inch by then (6 months away) so she can ride Test Track like her big brother.

I get a lot of people who are like "how can you afford to go to Disney so much?" when we've only been twice (in 6 months, lol). They really would love to take a family trip there but just can't afford it. Then I hear that they go out to eat almost every night and buy a brand new vehicle. We choose what we spend our money on. Every extra dollar I get goes to my Disney fund... not an Ipod or Xbox. It's about priorities if you REALLY want to go. It can happen.

 

[mapleleafmom]

geez were you HERE this weekend...

sil #1 , her kids ooh and ahhh cause we're going AGAIN..(btw i have invited the kids to come with us, parents want to be there for the first time)...waiting till older they are 6 and 9....i personally wish i'd taken mine younger to see the magic in dd's eyes when she saw princesses and ds when he met mickey..its still awesome but of course they know that it's all playacting..

sil #2 kids are crying cause we are going AGAIN....his dad says too expensive and that the youngest is too young...thing is my youngest is younger..so that was fun to explain..sort of , talk to your father...i told sil that we value different things and spend our money differently...just the booze consumed by the inlaws this weekend would have paid our hotel for the week...seriously...best guess..booze for the year would cover 2 trips to the world ...

so i say we value different things...we choose to spend our dollars there..and leave it at that...for the age..i say i regret not taking them younger and leave it at that..


and btw


WE LEAVE IN 8 DAYS FOR A 10 DAY TRIP
dd 10, ds 8 and ds 1

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Yes, you guys are right.

It just sucks because I know that nephew would enjoy it. He watches Tangled and Cars all the time! He was Buzz for Halloween!

It also pisses me off that they ridicule me for taking DD. She has not stopped talking about the Princesses since we came back. She was upset that we didn't get to see snow white. When i was talking about going FIL was like "ohh, I think you just want to go (true) more than her (not so true)" DD has said on numerous occasions "When we go back to my castle?" It's like they don't get that she truly had fun and obviously thought it was real. At her age, it is real which is why it's fun to go with her.

I know Disney can be expensive and at least SIL asked if I could look into prices for her and she can see if they would work. I just don't understand how you can't save 3000 in 11 months? It just boggles my mind.

Either way WE ARE GOING BACK!!!