Neighbor said my kids are too young to enjoy disney, rant

[cwnhokie]

My neighbor said today, "I don't know why anyone would take a 2 and 4 year old to Disney, we are waiting until our youngest is at least 5". I think my boys are going to LOVE it. I am so excited, I haven't been there since I was probably about 11 and all there was was the MK and Epcot.
I am afraid I won't be able to get them out of the digging yard at AK.

Should I save the MK for last? Something I read said to go to MK last , because the other parks might be let downs after MK.

 

[elliemae1192]

No way are your boys "too young" to enjoy Disney! 2 & 4 are GREAT ages to go. We took our son last year when he was 19 months and again this year when he was 2 1/2 (we have older kids so if we waited till he was 5 they would really miss out). He LOVED it. He didn't remember much from last year, but this year was great. He talks every day about something from the trip and wants to go back NOW.

We go to MK first AND last (usually half a day the first morning and last half of the last day). If you have park hopper tickets you may want to consider doing that. They will enjoy the other parks, but MK is the best for small children.

 

[crisi]

We usually do MK first. We always have hoppers, so we will start the morning in MK or AK, then do MGM or Epcot in the afternoon. Why spend a lot of time at parks your kids aren't enjoying.

And they will love it. Just smile and say "we hope to take them again when they are a little older, but those photographs at two will be so precious" They really are, I have a great photo of my daughter being held by Tigger and giving him a big hug at 2 1/2.

 

[cepmom]

I used to be one of those that said "I'll wait until they are 5". We took our oldest when she was 5; and again when our middle DD was 5. At that time, our youngest was 2 and we were originally going to leave her with MIL, but I started to feel badly about not taking her. We decided to take her too, and I am so glad we did. There is so much for kids of all ages to enjoy. (plus she was free to get into the parks and free at all the buffets/character meals too!!)

I had been to WDW many times as a kid, and I thought anyone under 5 would be too young for a lot of the rides and I figured they would be too young to remember anything. I didn't realize all the things that would capture a younger child's interest until I went with our 2 year old. We always used to focus on rides, rides and more rides. There is so much more to Disney than just rides! Even if they don't remember anything years from now, they will have a wonderful time while they are there.

How many days are you going to be there? We went to MK 2 days on our last trip. Our first full day was MK, than again at the end of the week. I think if you are only planning 1 day for MK, then do it last. Otherwise if you want to plan more than one day, save one for the end of your trip so the kids will be able to enjoy their favorites again before you head home.

 

[Nik's Mom]

WDW is the BEST place to take a child of almost any age. Even if they are too young to remember the trip, there will be many pictures capturing the moment for years to come. If your 2 year old is still in diapers, there are changing tables in every restroom, and baby stations at every park! Can you say the same if you go to Hawaii or some place else?
I say, take your kids and have a great time!
I always find it funny when people say, "your kids are too young. You should go to Hawaii (or where ever) instead. Like those places are child friendly?

 

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

Urgh! I hate when people say that - my feelings are that they are just jealous Our first trip our dd was almost 4 and our ds was 10 months obviously our ds did not remember anything about Disney but that was all we heard about from our dd! We have since been back 2x since then and each time both my ds and dd remember vivid details that even my husband and I have long forgotten. Trust me - take them now while it is still "magical" and don't wait until they are too "cool" to appreciate the "magic" of Disney As far as MK goes I would try and spend as much time there as possible. If you only get one day then make it the last. We always allow at least a day and a half but try to do two full days. Granted they are sometimes broken up like AK in the morning and MK in the afternoon, evening. Have fun and take lots of pics - watching your children take in the magic of Disney is one of the most magical feelings that I have ever had

 

[cwnhokie]

The sad thing is she also has an 8 year old and 4.5 year old. I told her my 4 year old will love it, my 2 year old won't be able to do as much, but he is free, which is a not to be under-estimated bonus. He is also very excitable by all kinds of things, he may not remember it but will enjoy it greatly while he is there.

I think I am leaning towards MK on Monday and trying to get at least a half day in towards the end of the week. Probably skip Epcot in favor of more MK. We will be there Sat. to Sat.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

I can understand that statement for people who are only planning one trip - they want their children to completely remember their trip to Disney, But if you're planning to go back then I see no problem taking children of all ages and letting them enjoy it!!

 

[DeniseD]

I think you'll be amazed at just how much your 2 year old will remember!! My DD now 3 1/2, went for her first time just after she turned 2. She still talks about things we did on that trip. We went again just after her 3rd birthday and can tell the difference between trips. Disney for me anyway is all about making memories!! Boy, do we have some great ones!! Bah Humbug to everyone who doesn't agree!!!

 

[chrisann]

My response to this when we went last year with our 18 month old and 5 yr old was "they may not remember, but we will remember their reactions." My older son saying "Mommy look, it's the castle, look it's the castle with pure excitement in his eyes was absolutely priceless> As was my younger son reaching out to touch Mickey's face with utter astonishment in his eyes Playhouse Disney mesmerized them both as well!!

 

[Cyndiu]

EVEN if it were true, (and I don't think it is) who cares what she thinks? When people show me their "disney ignorance" I feel sorry for them. They clearly don't get it!

 

[DVCLiz]

As an aside, why do people feel they have the right to make these kinds of statements? A friend of mine responds with "Ughh" every time I mention anything Disney related. She has never been and clearly has no intention of going, although she has young children who would love everything they saw. If someone is not interested in Disney as a vacation option, I totally respect that (you won't ever find me in Branson, Vegas, or on any trip that has hiking or bike riding as a component!) But I would feel so embarrassed to say that out loud if a friend said, "We're so excited about our Vegas trip next month!" I'd just say, "Hope you have a great time!" and leave it at that. Commenting on other people's trips like that is just plain rude.

 

[dtsaos]

Our son was 3 1/2 when we went last april and willl celebrate his 5th b-day while we visit in september. Trust me he remembers everything and cant wait to go back. We were watching the new planning DVD tonight and he kept asking me if I remembered when we went on this and that and remembered staying at the Wilderness lodge when it flashed on screen. Im not sure about our daughter as she was only 21 months at the time but I assure you no one had a better time(we must have over 100 pictures of her with her arms wrapped around a character smiling ear to ear, she also enjoyed all the rides she could go on). Dont worry they will remember plenty especially if you talk to them periodically about it between trips. As far as your neighbors are concerned remember misery loves company. My parents said that my kids were to young when we went in april. The funny thing about that is that I went for the first time at the ripe old age of 28 when I took my oldest daughter. Have fun

 

[Briarprincess]

I'm going to toss in my .02 as an 18 year old if nobody minds.
My parents took me to Disney when I was 2, and my sister was about 7. We've gone every year since then. Sometimes we take my grandmother, or go with the other side of the family. The oldest memory I have was from when I was about 5-6. But I LOVE looking at all the pictures from the trips before that. It just means a lot that I was there so young and still remember so much and it hasn't lost any meaning at all.
I would say take them. Who cares what anyone else says about them "not enjoying it" because you'll always have those memories and be able to share that with them.

And brainwashing them to love Disney is easier when they're little... look at me!

 

[rsschneck]

Too young!

Our DD was 15 months when she first went to Disney. You are NEVER too young or too old!

If you love where you are traveling to then the trip will be a success!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I was one of those , silly people at one time. We wanted to wait till DS was at least 5 for our ONE trip to WDW. Well, talk about regret. Several trips later now and he has always loved WDW, but on our first trip he was already past the age where he belived the characters were real, and where that first ride on dumbo was magical. We hope to adopt someday and that little one will go as soon after 6mos old as we plan a trip and go several times before she or he is 5!!

Enjoy your little ones at WDW.


Jordan's mom

 

[moopdog]

I have several friends and family members who use that phrase regularly... "oh, he's too young to remember" or "WOW, do you think they're old enough to remember much of it?". WHO CARES?! IMO they use it as an EXCUSE because they don't want to deal with the hassle of young kids at WDW, or wherever it is. What difference does it make anyway... my kids don't remember their first birthdays and Christmas, but we still gave them a party and presents under the tree! As a matter of fact, due to the brain damage that two consecutive pregnancies have caused me (only half kidding here) I DON'T REMEMBER OUR LAST TRIP! I honestly don't remember hardly anything about being there.... just bits and pieces and I was 25 at the time. On the other hand, my DS 4 still talks about things that happened to him before he turned 2.... DD 2, is the same way.

When you combine the memories, (regardless of how long they stick around), the pictures, and the family stories... your children - (and mine since they're also 2 & 4 and going in Sept) will be able to spout off details that you and your DH had completely forgotten about! I guarantee it!!

Have fun on your trip, & if anyone says the "too young to remember thing" to you again, ask if they still want people to do nice things for them when they're in "a home" and gone senile... after all - they'll never remember it. ha ha... only kidding of course.

 

[moopdog]

WOW- I guess I was venting and didn't realize it... I'm gonna go have a cup of coffee and watch the Today show and relax. Sorry!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I get so mad when I hear people say that. Our youngest ds was 2 1/2 the first time we took him. So many people said the same thing. Well let me tell you this kid is Disney obsessed. He remembered everything! He watched the planning video over and over. We went back the next year and as we were walking he saw the sign that said Adventureland (of course he can't read yet), but he said "Mommy, that's were Pirates of the Carribean is". We were shocked! SO much for can't remember it. But you know what, even if he didn't remember so much, we did. The look in their eyes when they are still young enough to believe everything is magical is priceless. So go and have a wonderful time.

 

[christinadei]

I am one that chose to wait until my son's 4th birthday to take him, but not because I didn't think he'd remember it. I just thought he could enjoy it all and do so much more then. Anyways, that's not even relevant. I can't believe the nerve of some people to tell you that you shouldn't take your kids to disney. It's none of their business. I'd never say (or even think that) about someone. It's a personal choice and what works for some doesn't have to work for everyone. But it's no ones business to tell you where and when you should go.