now or later

[gochief58]

We have DS 16 and DD 11. Last year we adopted DS 4 and DS 3. We have been going to Disneyworld every year for the last 4-5 years. We took them in June and they had an absolute blast. It was almost like the first time for the rest of the family just seeing the "little boys" having such a great time.

They can't wait for our July visit to DL to see Carsland. In short I would say go...

 

[Laurawill]

My vote is to go for it! That being said realize the trip is supposed to be fun for everyone and you have to be willing to take things at your daughters pace. I took my daughter when she was 2.75 for the first time and it was magical. My favorite memory was her walking down the street kicking her feet with my husband singing "let's go fly a kite."

 

[danceanddisney2010]

I would wait. I have followed the FOUR rule in our family. No one goes before age four. My parents did it with me, I did it with my DD all my cousins had to wait too. As a parent I couldn't stay away that long and snuck down twice while leaving her with grandma before she turned four. That just seems to be the magic number that works for us. Potty training is over, no need for strollers and the memories are being formed.

My family is the same way. My mom didn't take me or my sister to disneyland until we were 4! I remember going the summer before kindergarten ! I do however think you should go whenever YOU feel right. I do agree she will remember more as she gets older..but it all depends on how you feel. My cousin who is now 6 went for the first time when she was around 2 1/2
and she loved it!! We also went again with them when she was 4 and it was just as magical as the first time. If you can go now and then again in a couple of years I think you'll be fine! if don't know when the next time is that you'll be able to go.. i'd say maybe wait until next year

 

[marciemouse]

Wow, some great advice!!! We are also on a list to adopt a 2nd who we could get by next summer so I am leaning towards this summer and then again in 2 more years time!!!

Then definitely NOW! I mentioned our experience taking our DD just before she turned 3, which resulted in annual passes. I didn't mention that we did the APs because we knew we wanted some memories built with her before we adopted our second daughter. (which we did last year!)

Go for it!

 

[fairycat]

I am going to say for me, the trip will be greatly enjoyed by her now or later and you will remember it so why not go now and later? Especially while she is free! But then I am the wrong person to ask My son started going to Disneyland at 2 months old and has been well over 40 times, in fact we long ago lost track of how many times he's been. He has also been to once to WDW at 26 months old, Disneyland Paris at 19 months old and will be going back to DLP next month at 2.5 years old. For me it was all worth it He loves being in the parks and is asking when are we going to Disneyland again, talks about all the rides, and really remembers it for now. For me that's enough for us, to keep going to Disney parks, but heck, we are Disney Addicts

 

[disfaninca]

I say go for it now!
When you have kids, you see things through their eyes. You get excited about their reactions to things. Even though she might not remember, you will. And having pictures to show her as she gets older, she will enjoy! There will be things she can experience this trip that she will love. And when you come back, there will be different experiences she will love.

Go for it, you will have a great time!

 

[Brady's Mom]

We first went when our youngest DS was 2. He doesn't remember much of our trip - since he's now 7.5. BUT, he loves the pictures of Mater and Lightning McQueen (when they "roamed" DCA), he loves the picture of him in his stroller with Minnie trying to get him to talk to her (he's shying away), he loves the pictures of he and his brothers dancing with the Pixar Play Parade cast. Mater and Lightning no longer roam the park and the Pixar Play Parade has moved to WDW. WE wouldn't have those pictures or those memories if we'd waited until he was older. He wouldn't enjoy the pictures and the stories if we'd waited.

If you can afford it - and saving is going well, maybe you could opt for AP's for you and your wife and go next year, too. We bought AP's after we'd been a couple of times and found once we had them the costs were fairly minimal to go back. It cost us food, hotel and gas. Without the cost of tickets, the rest of the trip can be pretty much as budget as you need it to be. It might be something to consider......

BUT, we are total Disneyland Addicts (hello, my name is Shannon.....Hi, Shannon!) so disregard my last paragraph if it doesn't fit in with your plans. But, I do love it when I have options I haven't even considered.

 

[wallybee]

go - why wait

 

[BMICKEY]

Just exactly where is that new entrance?

Jack

I think they meant the newly remodeled entrance

 

[Bossy22]

Thanks gang! We are at 95% sure for going. Starting to check out some diffent hotels and dates. A little nervous for carsland opening and being busy so we are shooting for August!!! Love all the advice and can I say that these boards are addictive!

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I took all my kids prior to being 3 and told my kids I will be taking my Grandkids early on too. I have such Great memories of my kids when they were young at Disneyland and of them with there Grandparents joining us. (my parents loved going with the Grandkids) TAKE THE TRIP!

 

[soaringirl]

Thanks gang! We are at 95% sure for going. Starting to check out some diffent hotels and dates. A little nervous for carsland opening and being busy so we are shooting for August!!! Love all the advice and can I say that these boards are addictive!

Hey Bossy22, we took our 2yo (now 10) to your beautiful, wonderful, marvelous province. He took a leap in talking skills, mostly thanks to the interaction with his 4yo cousin, but I remembered that he loved to see the video, for like 2 years in a row, he kept asking to play Banff's video over and over again. He of course doesn't remember anything now, but just watching the video some other time he loves to see himself enjoying so much.
I'll bet it will be the same with your daughter. And she will be happy since you guys will be happy.
enjoy!!!

 

[mabdallah]

We are taking our daughter this summer for her 3rd birthday she will be 2 half the trip. But my 2 year old is really outgoing and loved meeting mickey last year at the mall (when the Disney store opened). My vote is for now because you can save money by her being 2. The money you save can go to trip next year. Maybe just plan a smaller trip than the one you had planned for in 2013.
Have fun!