Negative responses about taking my 22 month old

[surfergirl602]

My youngest DD was 14 months old when she first went. She loved it!! Our next trip, we'll have a 4 or 5 month old and we're bringing him with us.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Why are people such party poopers?? Because they can't go with you...

I'm tired of people saying, "he's not going to get anything out of it" who cares? YOU are who is going to get something out of it... the way a kid that young lights up at WDW is priceless and unless you witness it, you can never understand it.

"why are you wasting your money" Um... correction... kids under 3 are FREE!!

"he'll be scared to death of the characters" couldn't be farther from the the truth. A lot of kids are over the moon about the characters, and if not, it's not like there isn't a million other things to do at WDW!

Please tell me they are all crazy and it's a good idea?? They are ALL crazy and this is a good idea!

Take the kids while you don't have to pay park admission! You are going to be able to experience a whole new side to WDW than you have seen before. We took DS (2.5) and DD (6 mo) and it was my favorite trip ever (and that's out of a lot of trips...) I would rather raise a Disney kid from the get go than taking the kids when they're older and have never been before - it could work out, it could completely bomb!

I'm sure you'll get a lot of "you're only doing this for you, not them." So what if you want to see your child's face in a place that brings you joy? You're entitled to make your own memories and I hope you have a fantastically magical trip.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I took DD at 26 months- her THRID trip. She finally had hair long enough to cut and got her first haricut at the Barber Shop. Several months after the trip I said 'we need to go get you a haircut'. She thought she was going back to Disney! So some things they do remember... And what, are you supposed to put off all your vacations until the child can remember everything? That is crazy- you wouldn't be able to travel for years!

I have a ton of pics of her running into the arms of the characters, giving them each a kiss on the nose. Some things she remembered, some she didn't, but we all had a blast! Plus she got in for free, ate at Chef Mickey's for free, and had the time of her life! I say don't listen the party poopers!

Heck, I 'dragged' DD to WDW when she was only 9 weeks old (DH was on a 2 week international business trip, so I crashed my parent's Disney vacation to escape snowy New England at the last minute). Guess what... she loved the Tiki Bird Room!

 

[Miss Mo]

Last year we took our then 15 month old son on a 9 hour flight from Scotland to Disney in July - if I'm honest even I thought we were a tad of our heads. It was AMAZING!!! He loved it and we had such a lovely time - we'd never done Disney at a slow pace before and it was great to really notice what's going on round about you.

Thought it'd be a few years before we go but couldn't hold out - back once again in July! Can't wait!!!

You'll have a blast - ignore everyone!!

mo x

 

[sandy0904]

We took our son at 15 months and again at 22 months and we had a great time. He loved the characters both times which we were surprised. I also got the "he will not remember it" remarks but my response would be "I will remember". We made great memories and have many pictures and video of him fully enjoying himself as we were. It's not easy sometimes because they do get tired and cranky at times but we always went back to the resort after lunch for a nap and then headed out again. Counting down to our next trip in April...can't wait.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Totally a personal decision! Why can't people be happy for other people's happiness?

I honestly think that people see you over the top happy (about a vacation or a hobby or whatever) and for some weird reason it makes them uncomfortable. Their immediate response is to try to cut down your happiness by making mean statements: "You need to get a life," or "You have too much time on your hands."

Response, "Don't be a hater!" It cuts them off, makes them stutter and points out that they are mean.

Do not enter conversations with these folks. Use the don't be a hatter statement, smile, and change the topic.

 

[aLLpInK]

Im having some of the same issues as you. We are taking our first trip this year with our girls ages 22 months (at time of travel) 3.5 and 8. The grandparents are trying to get us to leave the 22 month with them for the week. I have from the beginning felt that there is no reason to leave her home and i know now that i could not bare being at DISNEY without her!
Yeah, she will probably be afraid of the characters-shes afraid of some people. But Overall i think she will have fun, especially being able to share it with her sisters (who also want her to go)

 

[NJtoATL]

Take the child to Disney..... As others have mention, he will love it. Besides, two year olds are FREE!!! So you are not wasting money.

I hate when people say stuff like that. I bet they take their child to the park, zoo, library, grocery store, church, the mall or any where else for that matter. The child does not remember but the child still goes....


Have fun with your family and enjoy.

 

[3_disprincesses]

DD6 was 4 1/2 when I took her. She does not remember the trip except what she sees in the pics. But I would take her again at that age anyway. It was so much fun watching her reaction to everything. It was the best trip to WDW I had every been on. And besides, when we go again (she will be old enough to remember) it will be her 2nd First Visit! LOL

 

[Tricia's mom]

thanks for your kind responses! I want Adam to have a good time, if we ride the train 30 times because he wants to, that is fine with me. I know we will go back a bunch more times so I'm not worried about cramming it all in. It would probably be a nice change to enjoy WDW at a slower pace!

It was so much different at a slower pace !! And Fun

 

[dmoore718]

My daughter turned 2 while were at Disney last year and she LOVED it!! She had the best time in Toon Town, Animal Kingdom and at all the parades and shows. We have lots of great pics from our trip for her to enjoy and we have some framed in her room. She loves looking at them........and SHE WAS FREE! So why not!!!! Go for it, you'll have a great time watching his face light up and great pics to enjoy for years to come.

 

[bumbershoot]

So in their mindset should I never do anything with DS until he's old enough to remeber it all?

And even then, just being older doesn't mean you'll remember things. Heck, I barely remember my honeymoon! Should I have not gone on it? I think not. (for the record, it was not due to drinking...but rather it was a week after our wedding, and it seems we "started" that night, so I was a week post-conception and already passing out by 8pm every night even that early...it was weird and crazy b/c I'm a total nightowl...I even missed the midnight chocolate buffet!!!)

Everything we do with kidlets builds on everything we've done. This trip will be the foundation for future trips, and soon he'll have this big mesh of lovely memories and feelings from all the Disney trips you take.

Now if this were a once in a lifetime trip, and the adults didn't want to go at all, and were going "for" your child, then it's a mistake! But kids go where you go, so if you want to go to WDW, guess baby gets to tag along!

 

[mullii5]

you or the critics? If you think your child will enjoy WDW, that's all that matters!!

We took our kids to WDW when our youngest was 18 mos old....SHE LOVED IT!! Our best memory was of her reaching up for Minnie to pick her up...Minnie picked her up and started dancing with her in her arms...we will never forget that. That being said, she was 18 mos so we had some meltdowns and tantrums but that is to be expected.

 

[DonnaBelle2005]

My thoughts is this...this is a FAMILY vacation meaning that everyone in the family goes on vacation. So what that she won't remember everything - my husband was 8 months old when he went to WDW the first time and doesn't remember anything either but there are pictures......and he knows his parents took him with them when they went.

I know there are tons of stuff she'll love to do. My twin sis took her 15 month old and guess what - he seemed to have had a good time and they went on all rides that he was big enough to ride on. Disney IS for everyone in my opinion.

Go and have a great time............

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't think it's worth the hassle taking a taking a child under 12-18 months, but at 22 months Disney is awesome!

 

[PebblesMom]

We took our DS when he was 18 months old and we had an amazing time. He still gets excited when he sees pictures of himself with Mickey and wants to go back to Mickey's house! We are planning another trip for 2011 when my other DS is about 20 months old. I know he may not remember anything....but I do!!!

 

[simba20]

My daughter went last year when she was 21 months old. SHE LOVED IT!!! In fact when we went back in July, she remembered so many details from before. Yes, she was scared of the characters, but I know 4 year olds who get scared of them.

From time to time I'll pull out pictures from our 2009 trips and my daughter will go over every detail. Who says that little ones do not remember? She sure does.

We are going next weekend (V-day) for a short trip and then again in May/June for our real vacation. She's already planning what she's going to do. This time she says she wants to see Mickey (we'll see, she was scared last time, but loved meeting the Princesses).

Oh, last July we were at the pool at our resort and there was a mom with extended family there, she had two little ones and all she did was complian, complain, complain about how they could have gone to Hilton Head cheaper, they could have been drinking, and that it was so pointelss coming to Disney when the little ones (15 month old and 4 year old -- I asked later) didn;t get anything out of it. She stood corrected though, when my daughter (just turned 2 at that time) started talking about all she wanted to do when we went back to MK that night.

Our first Disney trip with DD occured when she was 15 months old. The highlight of that trip was a bad sinus infection which led us to urgent care late at night on our first night. Heck, she still remmebers that trip alone, just for going to see the doctor. When we happen to venture off property (liek to the grocery store/gas/outlet shopping) she always asks with hestantcy "we take me to the doctor."

I tell family to not even BEGIN to use the "they won't remember it" arguement on me. Just looking back at our vacation pictures makes me want to cry sometimes because of the look of pleasure on my daughter's face. It truly is priceless.

BTW: We weren't even planning on taking our daughter for her first trip until she turned 3/4. Well, Mommy nd Daddy couldn't wait, so we went down for an extended weekend when she was 15 months old (her first trip and the aforementioned urgent care visit). We bought into the DVC on that trip, so now we are sealed into Disney (hence three trips last year).

 

[pixarmom]

thanks for your kind responses! I want Adam to have a good time, if we ride the train 30 times because he wants to, that is fine with me. I know we will go back a bunch more times so I'm not worried about cramming it all in. It would probably be a nice change to enjoy WDW at a slower pace!

Yes, exactly!! We now have three boys, and our oldest is a pre-teen. But his first trip to WDW was at 18 months - and he loved it! He has always loved Buzz Lightyear, and I have photos of him looking thrilled on that ride, pictures of him in mouse ears hugging his Mickey doll in front of the castle, eating Mickey waffles, playing on the playgrounds, etc. etc. It was a great trip, and he had a great time - and others have said, he can "remember" it through the pictures. Please don't let anyone dampen your enthusiasm and excitement!

 

[dopey22]

Don't let anyone talk you out if it.Some of our most memorable and best trips were when my kids were under 2.They had a great time and they do 'remember' a lot of the things we did.

 

[frtchr]

Don't listen to the dissenters. They're just grumpy.

DD turned 3 in January. We're taking her on her fifth trip to Disney in May. She went at 11 months, 16 months, 26 months, and 35 months. We would have had another trip in there, but...

DS came along! He went at 6 months and 15 months. I don't regret any moment of taking either of them when they were little. It's wonderful to slow down and enjoy the whole experience. DH and I are not commando Disney-goers, so we don't mind going at the kids' pace.

People mock us for taking our kids so young and for going so often. I just smile and say, "Well, we really enjoy it." Of course, in my head, I'm thinking things that I shouldn't really share.

Hope you enjoy your trip!