Negative responses about taking my 22 month old

[shinysparklybubbles]

Deposit has been made! So take that party poopers! Now I just have to sit and watch for deals and hope something good is offered for Nov! I can not wait to share your responses w/ DH when he gets home!

 

[Davids-Coco]

I just want to add... We honeymooned at disney, I grew up going... and absolutely nothing beats those special moments when we took DS1 for the first time at 16 mo. His eyes got huge and brightened immediately as he saw Mickey in real life for the first time. He adored the dark rides, go figure. It was a wonderful trip! So wonderful, we went back a year later (with me 16 weeks pregnant). November will be our DS2's first trip at 19 mo. I can't wait. He already adores his mickey plush and claps and giggles like crazy when mickey mouse clubhouse come on. It will be an amazing trip... especially for you! Seeing it through your child's eyes is breathtaking.

 

[tinkermom23]

Add one more to the gang... IGNORE THEM! GO AND HAVE FUN!

Who cares if your child will remember the actual moment he first laid eyes on Mickey... he will remember the feeling of family that you created with him. He will remember feeling special. And he will look back and know that you thought of him right from the beginning. You are creating a bond whenever you spend time with your child, no matter where you are!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

My grandson went last year with us when he was 22 months old. He's now 2 and a half, and believe me, he remembers. And none of us who were there will ever forget his joy and excitement when he first saw Mickey Mouse! He talks about that and about his favourite rides (he LOVED "Small World" and kept saying "again, again" when we got to the end, and because it wasn't busy, the CM would say "okay" and let us go around again - we did it four times before the adults insisted on getting out) and keeps asking when we'll go back. Take your son - you will NOT regret it.

Teresa

 

[AirGoofy]

They are all crazy. There is never a time to avoid WDW. Our youngest went before 2 years (close to 20 months) and had a great time.

 

[RachelsMommie]

Just ignore them.

We were told we were crazy to take our 3.5 yo DD to Disney because she "wouldn't remember it". First of all, this wasn't a "once in a lifetime" trip for us....we knew we'd go back in a couple of years. Second, she remembers EVERYTHING.

She's already asking if we can go on the "clock ride"...her name for IASW.

 

[Esteri]

We've averaged a trip about every 2 years since DS12 was just under 2. Every trip is different, and each brings it's own joy, but I have to say - the trip when he was 2 is one of my favorites.

With a very young child it's not about rides, or characters, or thrills - it's about being in the magical space created by Disney. It's about flowers and fountains, topiaries and trains, water and getting all wet. It's about the story, not the spectacle. Let your child set the pace - and they'll show you a Disney you've never seen before. And sadly, won't see again until you have grandkids.

And one word of warning - WDW is hugely overstimulating for a young child and should be taken in small doses - for the happiness of all. (That is, take LONG naps at lunch!)

One idea - during that trip I got as amny character autographs as I could, and took pictures of all sorts of things. When we got home I made him an ABC book (using scrapbook supplies). At 12 he still enjoys looking at it. As usual - younger son got squat.
.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Just want to add my voice in hopes you get over 100 posts so you can say you've heard from over 100 people that think it's a great idea.

DD, now 9 went for her first time at 17 months and DS went for the first time at 19 mos. While we flew for DD's first trip we have driven (1,250 miles each way) every trip thereafter. We had been 5 times before we had her. It's a different trip with a small child but it's always a different trip and they're all wonderful.

Highlights of our trip when she was 17months old.
-"ice, ice" she loved the ice machine
-"side, side" it was December and cold in NY and 90 in Florida, she wanted to be outside all the time.
-We went with my in-laws and she said "Grandpa" for the first time. It came out Bop Bop which eventually morphed into Papa and has stuck ever since
-I remember one hot day her falling asleep in her stroller and we rode the monorail loop between Epcot and MK several times while she napped.
-She was hesitant with the characters at first but we held her for pictures and by the end of the trip she was a pro.
-Riding IASW no less than 5 times in a row.

It was a great trip and one we will never forget. For DS's first trip we also went with Grandma and Papa and my DBIL and DSIL joined us. It's was fun. I'll be honest I don't remember as many details (2nd child syndrome) but I remember having a week together as family and loving it.

DD just had her 8th trip and DS his 6th this past December, last April we celebrated DS's 6th Birthday at MK. It was truly a magical day.

 

[starsweeper]

We took our DS and DD for their first trip last Feb. They were 29 months and 26 months old. Everyone, including my DH, thought it was too early. We had a fantastic 3 days while the weather was warm. Unfortunately, the highs were in the 40s on the 4th day and windy, so we all had a bad day and left early on our Buy 4, Get 3 Free deal, since the weather was going to stay bad. DH admitted he was wrong, and it was a great trip, even worth repeating this year in a warmer month.

 

[monkey30]

We just got back yesterday from taking our 2mth old.....he wont remember it today but I have some great pics, and his brothers loved having him there!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Just want to add my voice in hopes you get over 100 posts so you can say you've heard from over 100 people that think it's a great idea.

.

love that idea!!

 

[summerrluvv]

I hear it all the time. A lot of people say it on these boards also. DD has been twice (she is almost 3). The last trip was rocky, but she had fun the first time around. DD has been going since he was 2 and always has had a good time. I am not a fan of the naysayers!

 

[jpeka65844]

When someone says this to me I say "Perhaps...but our child won't remember us singing, holding, and reading to them at this age. Does that mean we shouldn't do it?" AND I also say "Well, at least they're FREE!" Either one of those answers usually shuts the haters up!

Go! Enjoy!

 

[Disney_momto2]

We are annual WDW trip takers and my oldest is only 5.

DD has been when she was 18months, 2 1/2, 3, 4 and we are planning this years trip.

DS has been 2x once at 6 months and the second at 18months.

Both kids have loved every trip.

 

[simba20]

Highlights of our trip when she was 17months old.
-"ice, ice" she loved the ice machine

If you ask my daughter what her favorite ride is, she'll say DA BUS. Yes, the Disney resort busses that take you from your resort to the parks. LOL!

However, after three trips last year of varying lengths, she will also add "The Monorail," "Da boat," "TEEEE CUPS (they go 'round and 'round, and FAST)," and finally, with a big finish "SMALL SMALL WERD (IASW)."

For out trip in 9 days (OMG) she tells me that she's "gona see Mickey. I not cry. Mickey wants to play with meeeee."

 

[simba20]

When someone says this to me I say "Perhaps...but our child won't remember us singing, holding, and reading to them at this age. Does that mean we shouldn't do it?"

Go! Enjoy!

Awesome response.

 

[Faldred]

My argument to the "they won't get anything out of it" screed is that travel and new experiences are stimulating even if they won't be remembered by the child, and besides, the parents get to have some nice memories too.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Didn't read the other responses, but who can tell you how your child will react? We took DS 2, he LOVED the characters, all of them. He was thrilled. And my friend went along with her DS2 who didn't even know any of the characters (they don't watch tv much) and he LOVE all the characters. They got home and she got some videos so he could see the movies/show he had so much fun. First time seeing Mickey he RAN to him and gave him a BIG hug. It was the funniest/sweetest thing! And even if your child doesn't like the characters, they'll still have a blast at the parks. Heaven knows I did not think it was going to go well with my 2yo, he's a... very unique personality, I dreaded taking him and spending the entire time in my hotel room. Instead, he kept me out at the parks till closing
Enjoy your trip, have a magical time and cherish every magical moment you have with your little one!

 

[Hoodie]

Glad to see so much support.

I will share with you what one of my friends said when we were discussing Disney with kids. She went at 6 and has no real memory of it, so her thought was "why worry about the memory?" It will create memories for you, and if your child will love it then go for it!

We have playgroup every Saturday and since all the kids are under the age of 1, they won't remember any of it, but they have SO much fun playing together. You can see the change the minute they see their friends. It's not about their memory it's about them enjoying themselves and OUR memories.

Enjoy your trip! I'm jealous!

 

[littlbugmom]

I got a lot of the opposite....we decided to leave my DS (then 15 months) at home with my mom while we took DD5 to Disney. My DS has sensory and OCD issues that make places like Disney very difficult for him. At that age, the stimulation would have made his days more bad than good, so we made the decision that was best for him.

Do you think people stopped to think that their opinion on the matter A)didn't matter or B)wasn't the most informed? Heck no. They shook their heads and told me how they couldn't imagine leaving their baby behind.


My long winded point is that a lot of people are going to think you need to hear their opinions, no matter what the situation. Ridiculous, I know.

You keep your children first in thought, right? Tell everyone to relax.....you've got it all under control.