Negative responses about taking my 22 month old

[shinysparklybubbles]

Why are people such party poopers?? We (my parents, DH and I) are planning a trip in November when DS will be 22 months old. I'm tired of people saying, "he's not going to get anything out of it" "why are you wasting your money" "he'll be scared to death of the characters" etc. So in their mindset should I never do anything with DS until he's old enough to remeber it all? Geeze, some people just need some pixie dust!

Please tell me they are all crazy and it's a good idea??

 

[canadian_mouse]

I took my daughter when she was just over two and we all had a great time. Maybe she won't remember details, but I will, and there is nothing more magical than the look I saw on her face. We put our Disney pictures in our digital picture frame so she sees them and she does remember parts. The only downside (and it's a very small downside, IMO) is that I didn't get to do and see alot of the things that I wanted to because we had to take the trip as the kids' pace. We spent alot of time at the interactive parts of the parks and we had to leave the parks by dinner time most days. But it was well worth taking the trip. If I could only go to disney once in their lifetime, I'd wait until they were older. But since I intend on going multiple times over the next 15 years, I'm really glad that I got to experience it through the eyes of a two-year old. I highly recommend it.

Cheers.

 

[kim_o]

DS1's first trip to Disney was when he was 21 months old. He's free - so no cost there. And you will get a TON out of it, seeing it through your child's eyes - well worth the cost of your tickets. DS loved all the rides and the parades. I think he was a little scared of the characters, but enjoyed watching them from a safe distance ;-) It was a great trip and we all had a lot of fun.

 

[mamaLori05]

Oh, it's TOTALLY a good idea!!! My kids LOVED it!!! We took DD when she turned 1, and again when she turned 3 and DD was 8 months. We are planning another trip and DD will be 5 and DS will be turning 3. I wouldn't trade those memories for ANYTHING!!! The look on their faces when they see the characters is priceless, and so are the pics of them. Everything is still "real" for them, which makes it even more magical!

 

[abolanwoski]

We are taking DD22mos in March for her FOURTH trip to Disney (land and world) DD5 will also be going, it is her 8th trip maybe (losing count) and her first was at 14 mos. Does she remember the first few trips? No. Does she have a great time every time we go? YES! It is a wonderful vacation with little kids as long as you take it at their pace and have realistic expectations.

I don't do it for them, I do it for me. I want to go someplace warm when it's cold at home, I work all week and am not home with my kids, so I want to spend that week with them. It is a perfect compromise. A beach would suck as I would spend the whole week entertaining them and trying to keep them from drowning or eating sand. This way we do stuff we all like. Besides, at 22mos, how do it cost you anymore to take her along (free tix, lap child in a plane, eats off your plate in a buffet-free!) She may be scared of the characters, if she is, don't go up to them...no big deal.

Don't let them rain on your parade. Go, have fun, rest when needed and enjoy it while you can. They grow up too fast.

 

[hippiemama76]

Why are people such party poopers?? We (my parents, DH and I) are planning a trip in November when DS will be 22 months old. I'm tired of people saying, "he's not going to get anything out of it" "why are you wasting your money" "he'll be scared to death of the characters" etc. So in their mindset should I never do anything with DS until he's old enough to remeber it all? Geeze, some people just need some pixie dust!

Please tell me they are all crazy and it's a good idea??

IMO, of course it's a good idea. But then again, we take our children wherever we go. I'm pretty and when I read about people leaving their kids at home.

Adjust your expectations - let your DS set the pace. Give him time to rest and a place to run, and he'll be just fine. The kids I see who don't do well at the park are either being totally pushed to go farther/faster/longer than they are capable, or are all hopped up on junk food and their brains are sugar fried!

 

[dphie28]

Welcome to the DIS! Our first family trip was in July 2005. My sons were almost 4 and 22 mos! That is when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse first came out... My younger son was soooo excited to see Mickey live and in person. To this day, he will take the album of photos/autographs and look through it as askign when he can go back! Although he may not remember the trip, he feels like he does whenever he looks at the pictures and hears the stories. DH and I loved watching his expressions...he was thrilled with the CHOO CHOO that circled the ceiling in a store at DTD and loved the Muppets Fountain at DHS! He recognized Woody, Buzz, Mickey and the gang and loved meeting them. He may not have cared about the rides, but he certainly had the time of his life! We are heading down in May. Our DS #3 will be 2 1/2 and we know he will love it just as much as his brother did! Have fun!!

 

[Tricia's mom]

Who Is saying your Crazy ??? WHO ??? Give me their Name !!!! Their Crazy !!
Don't worry Your safe now with Us Diser's , We will take good care of you!!
And you will have a WONDERFUL trip.

I took DD @ the age of 6 months for a trip to WDW. We flew down for a weekend and had a great time and returned a few months later for a week. Next trip DD was 14 months old and she remebers the trip (that may fade) She loved the Characters but each child is different.
Listen...It's not about if your child will remeber it or not YOU will remeber it. Isn't that what lifes about experiencing joy and fun with the family and being together. Take things slow don't try and Take on the "WORLD" plan for breaks/naps. We actually return from WDW relaxed ???

Enjoy the planning !!!!

 

[everylastbreath]

OMG, DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!!! I wrote a thread right after we returned from WDW with my then 2 year old GS (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565254) Please read it, so many people tried to discourage me from making the trip and it was the most magical trip EVER! I can honestly say that 2 year old trip was better than 3 year old trip (we are making 4 year old trip this year, so I'll let you know how it compares) but 22mt/2 year old are the absolute BEST to take there, the magic in their eyes- who cares if they "don't remember it" or "won't get anything out of it" which is crazy, he got soooo much out of the trip, but not nearly as much as he gave us that year!! They don't remember/get anything out of Birthdays or Christmas, but we still do it- DON'T LISTEN TO THOSE NEGATIVE PEOPLE! The only people who say these things have never experienced WDW with a toddler, once you do you will understand!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

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!

 

[2binak]

We took our DD at 8 months & again at 21 months. We all loved both trips, but this last trip was so much more fun and amazing for all of us, especially DD. She still talks about seeing pirates & the castle, getting hugs from all of the characters, riding the train, riding the bus and seeing the animals at our resort. We also thought she would be scared of the characters, but we watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse every morning before school so to her they were familiar enough that she ran right up to each one! She even shouted out their names and waved like crazy at them while waiting to see them. There were rides that she asked to go on more than once too. She absolutely got tons out of this trip. Will she remember any of it when she's 10? Probably not, but we have the photos & memories to last a lifetime!

PS - our DD was fascinated with everything from the colored rocks in ToonTown to the lights in the walkway at Epcot. You'd be amazed at the things a 2 yr old notices that us adults wouldn't even think twice about. You really are seeing the "World" through your child's eyes when you take them at that age.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Why are people such party poopers?? We (my parents, DH and I) are planning a trip in November when DS will be 22 months old. I'm tired of people saying, "he's not going to get anything out of it" "why are you wasting your money" "he'll be scared to death of the characters" etc.

Standard response: "Thank you. While we appreciate your concerns, we're taking this trip for all of us. Whether he remembers or not, WE will."

If you want to be just a little snarky (in real life, never here on the DIS ): "Thank you. While we appreciate your concern for our finances, we're taking this trip for all of us. Whether he remembers or not, WE will."

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

everylast, you post made me cry! thanks for the link!

 

[scrappingizlife]

I took DS2. When he was 18 months. He doesn't remember it, but when he sees pictures of himself with Spongebob and Mickey, Etc he gets really excited. He says "I know Mickey Mouse!!" I say it's an awesome idea. Not only is it good for your memories, but it's a great scrapbooking op.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

LOL if it's such a bad idea, then why do I have hundreds of pics of DD having a blast??

We took her at 14, 22 and 28 months... she had a ball. Don't buy into all the stuff that people are trying to tell you. Even if your little one is afraid of the characters, it certainly won't ruin your trip.

 

[cinjam]

Don't. Listen. To. Them.

We've taken our children every year (and sometimes twice a year) since they were one year old. We are making memories for ALL of us.

"He's not going to get anything out of it" is such a lame statement. We've heard the same type of statements. Children are not going to remember anything specific you do before a certain age, but does that mean I am not going to read to them, or sing songs to them, or spin them in cirlces, or tickle them, or act silly, or hug them every chance I get. Heck NO. All these things, including family vacations, wherever they may be to (even a night under the stars in my backyard!), shape our children, make them who they are, strengthen our family, bind us closer together.

Go. Have fun. I know we did (and we will again in one week woo hoo!!)

 

[maraki527]

I took my lo when she was 7 months old and just now in Nov and she turned 1 while we were there. Both times she had a blast. We took her swimming, on tons of rides, she loved to dance during the parades, she got her hair cut on main street and LOVED the characters. She tried to kiss all of them.

Who care about what people are saying if you want to take your child to Disney to have fun do it. You know it will be alot of fun and you will have tons of pictures to rememver the trip.

 

[everylastbreath]

everylast, you post made me cry! thanks for the link!

I mean it from my heart, you will never look at things the same!

 

[candielips]

I will reiterate what everyone else has said. We took our DD almost a year ago when she was 22 mths old. And just last night she asked us to tell her about the mousie in the teapot ride
Our trip w/ her was my 2nd. During my 1st trip I never "got" the disney magic, but when I saw it through my DD's eyes it literally made me cry. I got teary eyed so often there. Running to the parade, watching illuminations, seeing her meet her first princess...
We are returning this fall when she will have just turned 3 and our DS will be 10 months. I cannot wait.
Do not let others ruin your fun. Your DS will make this one of the best trips of your life.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Take them. DD was a little freaked at the costumed characters at 15mos but loved them by 3. DS loved them at any age.