Me say Yay wife says Nay! Are our kids too young?

[crl]

We took our DD when she was 8 months, 15 months and 20 months. She remembers the last trip which was in March. She continues to ask to go to "Minnie's house" at least once a week. It was a blast watching her enjoy the characters! I'd love to do it again.

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

there were no problems when we took my brother when he was 1 and then again when he was 3 and we drove from NJ. He did a certin number of rides but more when he was 3....I think that there is no age too young......i dont care what they say about not remembering. There are pictures, stories, and scrapbooks to have your kids look back on and say "hey is that me?!" Its very amusing! GO FOR IT!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

My opinion is based on if you think you'll go back to WDW a few more times with the kids. For some people if it's a once in a lifetime trip, I wouldn't suggest doing it at that age. Now if its something that can be done every few years or so, every trip with kids is great in their own way. Something that facinates on one trip will bore on another. Something that scares on one will be the best thing ever on the next.

 

[tlbwriter]

Why does your wife feel they're too young? Have you discussed her concerns, or just dismissed them as "crap?"

 

[summersfam4]

I agree with Duckfan-in-Chicago. If this is your "once-in-a-life-time" trip I would wait a year or two untill the youngest is a bit older. That being said I believe 3 is a great age to go to WDW (and I like the age of 1 also but not as much as 3), My DD still totally believed in the Magic, loved the characters and was in awe of the atmosphere. She loved the characters, shows, songs, food, fireworks every trip from 17 months, 2, 3, 4, 5, and I'm sure she'll love it at 6! DD#2 has been twice, once at 4 months where she loved the songs, colors, characters, and fireworks, then again at 17 months where she loved the sights, wasn't totally sure about the characters (wanted to get close, but not too close ) and was a little scared of the fireworks because they are so loud. I am not totally sure what this trip will be like, but I know it will be Magical. I go with totally open expectations such as we might have happiness, we might have bouts of crying (probably because of the "I wants"), but over all it will be fun because it's a vacation where we are all together enjoying the moments!

Kelly

 

[klofan]

I remember my cousin went when he was 3 and he was fine. I don't know about 1, but I don't see how it's bad.

 

[luvthatdisney]

I know I am selfish but we went before we had kids and have been back many times since - DS went first time when he was 2 and dd's first time was when she was 18 months. They are 4 years apart in age. They would have gone sooner if we could have afforded it. DH and I both love to go to WDW and the kids just get to come along for the ride. Granted we had to make more restroom stops and it took longer to eat, but we all had a great time (each time).

It was wonderful getting to see the kids interact with the characters. DD would only let POOH approach her on her first trip. Any other character would make her cry - so we had to watch that, but we have it on tape and the kids love to get out our old tapes of WDW and watch them. My kids are now 15 and 10 (11 in 3 weeks). They may not remember back then, but we were not specifically going for the kids - we went because we enjoyed it - just like some people go to the mountains, beaches, etc...

I would not let the kids ages direct the kind of vacation you plan. If they will be safe and have a good time right along with you, why not take them when they are young. It lets them get used to it and they will have pictures to look back at and laugh!! Also it was great when they were "free"!!!!

 

[DisneyArk]

You've gotten a lot of good advice. You need to consider what your expectations of the trip are. If you want to do everything and see everything then wait. If you want to see WDW through the eyes of a child and experience the magic then it is not too early. But I think you really need to stop and smell the roses and be very flexible in order for both you and the kids to enjoy the trip.

We took our sons when they were 3 and 1. Wow, it was a very magical trip!! The boys were amazed by everything. They would laugh and smile and their experiences with the characters were so cute!! Each time I would try to hurry them up so that the next guests could have a turn and over and over the characters would hold their hand up for me to wait and continue playing with and hugging the boys!!

We went back when they were 3 and 5 and it was a great trip too. But my 5 year old was more aware of other people around us and what they might think of his behavior - he was holding back some of his enthusiasm.

By the way, we also went in early December - the weather was great and the parks were not too crowded during the week. The park hours were shorter, so we let the boys take naps in the stroller and stayed at the parks all day.

 

[mac190]

we took our son for the first time when he was 3 1/2. he loved it. he had a 2 hour nap in the afternoon which allowed us to go on the rides he wasn't able to go on, which, incidently wern't many as he was already 1 mtr tall.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Go for it.
We just returned with DD2. She was fine. There are so many attractions that the whole family can enjoy together. DD2 is shy but not an especially fearful child - she hid her head a few times but was fine. We watched the Disney sing-a-long videos to prepare her for the characters and she LOVED them, hugged them, etc. Not shy at all with them.

Definitely plan to get to parks early and then return to your resort for afternoon naps.

So what if they don't remember it. (Unless you're only planning on one trip to WDW during their childhood, who cares? You can always go again when they're older but you can never go back).

Jackie

 

[MamaLema]

I say YAY. We went the first time with DS' 12 months, 6, and 8.

The 12 month old had the time of his life. He rode EVERY SINGLE ride that he could for his height, loved the characters and parades and even the fireworks.

I realize he probably forgot all about it the next day, but we will remember it forever.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Every family and every situation is different. If my husband had insisted we take a major trip when my ds was 1, I could not have felt good about it unless we had thoroughly discussed it and addressed all my concerns. Your wife may be afraid this is going to just be a lot of extra work for her.

I suggest you plan a time to sit down together without interruptions and calmly discuss the issue. Then do what you can both feel good about. If you insist and she is dead set against it, it may just lead to a miserable experience for everyone. Perhaps there is a compromise that you could both be happy with -- you go, but you have a definite time that no matter what, you leave the parks, etc.

The DIS is a great place to get support and ideas, but ultimately you and your wife are the ones who have to live together (hopefully long past a vacation!), so her opinion should count for much more than what anyone here has to say...

My dh abhores Disney. We come up with a series of compromises for any trip we take. Neither one of us ends up bitter, etc. Do you really want to force your wife on a vacation where she will be miserable? It may be that just feeling like you are really listening to her, hearing her concerns, and willing to make adjustments will make her more comfortable with the idea.

Just some ideas from a fellow DISer with a resistant spouse...

 

[tlbwriter]

we took our son for the first time when he was 3 1/2. he loved it. he had a 2 hour nap in the afternoon which allowed us to go on the rides he wasn't able to go on, which, incidently wern't many as he was already 1 mtr tall.

I'm confused... why did the fact that he was napping make a difference? Unless you hid him in the bushes or something while he was asleep?

 

[MOMOFMNM]

what do you want to do while there?? Your kids are really not old enough to ride the major attraction rides and you and wife will not be able to ride them together...you will be riding solo and waiting a lot to do so but they do have child swap for some rides...your kiddies are too young for most shows IMO...they will probably like character dining...but it is all in what you want out of the trip. If you want to go to see the parades and fireworks and shop and swim and relax then I say yes...if you want to go park commando style and do it all, I'd say no...not this time. It is all up to you. Personally we waited for our youngest to be 5 which might still be a tad too young but I wanted to go before the oldest turns 10 and before we have another baby on board...so this is perfect timing for us. I am sure there are things your kids will enjoy. Good luck in your decision

 

[EmmaandMaggie Mom]

We took our 2.5 year old and 13 month old girls to Disney last month. You definitely have to go by their schedules. Both my husband and I have been to Disney many times so it was fine by us that we had to miss some of the rides. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which was great because we were so close to the MK since we were there 4 out of the 6 days we were there. My girls loved the rides. We took them on everything that they could go on. My oldest still wants to watch the planning DVD and talk about all of the rides that she went on.

The week after Thanksgiving will be nice and the crowds won't be bad. I've been at that time before. The next time we go we will go back in early Dec. The crowds and heat made it a little harder with the kids but we mananged and they were troopers.

The one mistake we made was expecting them to go to sit down meals every night. They would be really cranky between 5-7 and then they would stay up until 10. We had the most fun with them at Biergaten at Epcot. They have a band that plays during dinner and they let the kids go out to the dance floor and dance. My 1 year old loved that. We then took them to France in Epcot and let them run around the mazes. Nobody was around so they could enjoy themselves and we could sit down and relax a bit. Have fun

 

[StormalongKay]

the only time we hit 3 of the 4 parks in one day was when ours were 4, 2 & 1! They were all in the strollers and we just walked to where we wanted to go! We hit the highlights of MGM, MK and Epcot on our last full day!

Not saying you need to go this commando! Our first trip (with kids) was with our first two when they were 1 & 2 1/2 (I was five months pregnant with our third). Life is what it is! Disney, for us, was not relaxing but was extremely family friendly. When you have little ones, no vacation is ideal. But wherever we went at Disney, they were welcomed. We could eat at nice restaurants in Epcot with them, or at McDonald's in Downtown Disney. Can't always do that at the beach or at other resorts. When they got hot or tired in the parks, we always made full use of the Baby Care centers. They are terrific! Don't miss them - even for older toddlers. Once again, you don't find them on "other" vacations.

You're very smart to book the DVC suites. I've stayed in both and now own DVC. Even though our kids are now 8, 6 & 5, we always enjoy the extra space and eating some food that we prepare.

My point is - GO! Even with a 3yo and 1yo, you'll have a great time! You're going to vacation anyway, right? Why not go to the vacation destination that was built for families?

 

[DisneylandAlum]

It really depends on your expectations and your family's parenting/family style.

In our case, we wouldn't dream of not going and/or not taking our children at any age. Our 4 children have grown up visiting Disneyland since they were newborns, and we're making our second trip to WDW this summer. Particularly with children the age of your older child, WDW will be as special to them as you make it . We have always emphasized that Disney parks are a very, very special place, and they have grown up appreciating it from the time of their earliest memories. They love the family traditions and excitement that surrounds Disney visits and don't remember time when Disney wasn't a big part of their lives.

Of course, with young children, the expectations for what you can accomplish are different, as you need to build in eating and rest time in a way that you don't when they're older, you'll need to do "child switch" on some rides or forego some rides, etc. But if you decide to go, you can build very special memories. As they grow, your children will love looking back at the photos of themselves with Mickey, Tigger, or in front of the castle when they were wee little ones...I have made wonderful montages of the children at varied ages in front of the same places or with the same characters.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[pooh4evr]

We just took our 4 and almost 2 yr old DDs in May-- It was AWESOME!!! Just seeing the looks on their faces when they saw Belle the first time and the castle were enough for us! We knew we (DH and I) were not going to go on the "big" rides but that was not why we were there. If you want to go just PREPARE!!! And do what works best for your family. We did not need to leave the parks for naps as the girls slept well in the stroller, we ate breakfast at our hotel, took snacks and water bottles in a soft cooler to the park, and did what ever we wanted for dinner. You can make the trip whatever you want it to be but whatever you choose it will be full of magical memories!!

 

[4greatboys]

My 2 little ones were 2.5 years and 5 months on our first trip and we had a great time. Sure we needed to break a little more often so they could cool down and I could nurse but we still had a wonderful trip. We have also been when they were 3.5 and 18 months, 4 years and 2 years. Each time there were able to do new things. We have never regretted taking them at any of those ages.

 

[Dancemom03]

I vote for taking them!

We've always taken mine, even at 5 months we got some terrific pictures. My youngest last went when she was 3 and asks often how long til our next trip. She does remember it, but I cannot say that she will in 10 years. I do know she's able to get enjoyment from the experience and relives it thru the pictures right now.

If it's a once in a lifetime trip then I agree with waiting but if there's no reason you couldn't go now and take them again later then why wait? For us, vacations are just as much for us as they are for the kids and I personally consider beach/ocean vacations very labor-intensive for parents of young children. Not only do you have to watch them deligently on the beach, worry about the water, sand in diapers, sunburn and strangers but you have to entertain them constantly too. In WDW, my children do tend to "go with the flow" as another poster pointed out. They enjoy themselves and so do we, age isn't the real issue as we know we'll do it again.

That said, I am going to disagree with the choice of resorts, only because of the location. If you want to have the freedom to nap and keep the very young on a semblence of their normal schedules then I strongly suggest a monorail resort. The convience, IMHO, greatly overshadows the added space/kitchen/facilities offered by a DVC, with perhaps the exception of WLV.
It'd be really awful to have that nap time taken in the car or bus after leaving the parks to go back for a nap only to find them waking up and ready to go again by the time you got back to the room. Don't know about you but I cherish that down time wherever we are...