My MIL finally said it...

[sconnell]

You know that thing that we all hate to hear.
My in-laws just returned from a week and a half in Destin. They had a great time. They sat on the beach all morning and read. (Sound fun to you? Well, not really our speed.)
My DH was talking to them and they want us (We have a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old.) to go with them next year. We've been with them before and we had a grand time. They go every year, they have some friends who own a beachfront condo and let them go for free. Who can turn that down? We didn't go with them this year, as our vacation time is already planned. (WDW in SEPT! ) We took a short 2 day trip to WDW with my mom in April after my dad died.
Anyway, my DH (with my approval) said that we'd love to go with them, as we can only take a big trip every other year. (We've planned this Sept's trip since Dec of 04, the last big trip.) Then he said, “This trip has been in the works for two years.”
Then here is came, she said, “The sad thing is John John won’t remember it at all and Katie will only remember a little bit.”
I was really proud of DH, he came back immediately with, “But WE will remember every minute of it. We enjoy it ourselves.” She just said, “Well, good.”

I mean, it’s not like we just started going when we had kids. We went for our Honeymoon and our 2nd anniversary! Lol.
It’s not like we don’t plan to go back someday. Probably 2008.
It’s not like they are going to remember Destin or anywhere else we will go to. So, should we just not go anywhere?

 

[Mommy2Lots]

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[frayedend]

I don't know about most kids, but I don't go on vacation for the memories. I go for the good time we have then and there. Whether the kids remember it or not has nothing to do with whether they enjoy it. You just gotta love the look on their faces when they see their favorite character or something like that. It's awesome.

 

[Oceana]

Just for the record, we too my oldest DS when he was 17 months old for 3 days.

Yes we took photos and scrapbooked those photos and he looks at them often but he remembers. He can tell parts of the story that he cannot read from the scrapbooks.

Memory is mostly practice, if you take the trip and then have the remember visits looking at the scrapbooks your child will remember! Even under the age of 2

I have a vivid memory of my grandfather who passed away before my 1st birthday... just cause babies cannot verbalize doesnt mean they dont know or remember!

sorry I am certain someone needs the soap!

 

[newman7501]

Just so you know, your kids will remember it. I remember things from my first trip to WDW when I was almost three and my second trip when I was 5. My mom says all the time that she is amazed that I remember stuff from the first trip but I do. Have a great trip and take lots of pictures.

 

[belle&beast]

My DS turned 2 on our trip in January and DD was 4.5 and they talk about it all the time! I have 3 scrapbooks filled with our wonderful memories, videos that we watch every so often, and pictures on the mantle from our trip to help keep the magic alive. Both kids are asking to go back which is heartbreaking because we can't go again until 2008, but they certainly remember that they loved WDW! Also, they pretend all the time that they are in WDW and riding the rides, so I think they remember bits and pieces very well and it was certainly worth the trip! Enloy your trip and don't let anyone get you down!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

When we went last Oct, DS was 2 years and 4.5 months old. He remembers the trip like it was yesterday and still talks about it all the time!!!!!!!
It's funny how "non-Disney" people just don't get why we go, and why we go so often!! Everytime we talk about going, or planning future trips (I am already thinking about our 2007 and 2008 trip!! )my grandmother asks "Haven't you already been there?"

 

[tadamom]

You would be surprised how much a little one will remember. We took my son when he was almost 3 and he has talked about it everyday since the day we got back. He is almost 5 now and he still talks about it!! He even remembers the smallest little details!! We have started planning our trip for Feb. 07 and he is already showing his little sister (20 months) our pictures so that she will be somewhat familiar with it!! How can such a magical time not be embedded in your memory forever!!

 

[musicmama]

I was guilty of saying the same thing to my sister last year (her DDs were 8 and 3 then) and while I knew the 8 year-old would remember, wasn't so sure about the 3-year old. However, a year later, she still remembers lots - probably because they still all talk about what a great time they had!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

Ha ha good for your DH! We went on our honeymoon too! We are taking our 11 almost 12 month old in a few weeks and people say that to me. I say 'we aren't going for him we are going for me!!!' Plus I was supposed to go last year (we go every other year for a while) but I was pregnant so we didn't go. So I figured I am owed a vacation at disney.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Kudos to you guys! I too agree, even if the kids don't remember we will! We took my oldest to celebrate his first birthday at Disney and he had a blast! He was very taken with the characters and before, I was sure he'd scream the first time he saw them. He met Mickey first at a Character breakfast and grabbed his nose! He giggled and smiled at EVERYTHING. He is STILL today is totally in LOVE with Mickey MOUSE! Thank goodness for the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel to hold him over till we go again.

And I agree with the scrap booking! Take those precious pictures and enjoy yourselves. Those memories will last forever in your album.

There is really something to be said about the time in your child's life when the pretend world is parallel with reality. I think that’s where the TRUE magic of Disney lives.