Parents that don’t get it – “I want my kids to remember it ..”

[Feberin]

I don't think we'd last a day at a beach vacation (we live 20 minutes from a beach so it's not like we'd never go) so for me, when someone says they're going to the beach for a week all I can think about is WHY? Seriously, we would kill each other or be bored out of our minds!

Yeah we're not beach people either. We've done two trips to the beach but only staying for a couple days, which works since we get to experience the beach but I could never do a whole week at the beach.

We're taking our kids who are going to be 4 and nearly 2 years old. My MIL thinks we're crazy for taking them so young but she waited until all five of her kids could appreciate it. By that point my husband who is the second oldest was 13 and his favorite memory from the trip are the belly dancers at Epcot. I want my kids to get to experience the magic of Disney. I'm not sure how much they will remember but my four-year-old still talks about last year when we went to Hershey Park and he was only three then so perhaps he'll retain some memories. We're also planning on having a third child sometime in the future so if things work out as planned we'd be expecting next year then have a little baby the year afterwards. I wouldn't want to travel to Disney while pregnant since I had horrible morning sickness with both kids. Plus once the kids start school it will be more challenging to just up and go to Disney for a week.
I do want to go back to Disney after this year when they're older and for any future children to get to experience it. I went twice growing up and I felt like that was a good number. Also I went when I was nine years old the first time and I can barely remember it.

 

[quandrea]

I don't think we'd last a day at a beach vacation (we live 20 minutes from a beach so it's not like we'd never go) so for me, when someone says they're going to the beach for a week all I can think about is WHY? Seriously, we would kill each other or be bored out of our minds!

I guess people think the same when I say we are going back to Disney.

My son doesn't remember going to WDW for the first time, but I will never forget him meeting Mickey, or slobbering all over Piglet (oops) or any of those other firsts. Vacations are for the whole family and that includes me. I feel like Disney can be so many different vacations to so many people that it works.

You've drawn a picture of our family. We hate the beach. I would be bored stiff. Disney has so much to do or we can do nothing. We have always travelled with our kids. We go because it's where we want to go. They are basically along for the ride. I don't get waiting either

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Yeah we're not beach people either. We've done two trips to the beach but only staying for a couple days, which works since we get to experience the beach but I could never do a whole week at the beach.

We're taking our kids who are going to be 4 and nearly 2 years old. My MIL thinks we're crazy for taking them so young but she waited until all five of her kids could appreciate it. By that point my husband who is the second oldest was 13 and his favorite memory from the trip are the belly dancers at Epcot. I want my kids to get to experience the magic of Disney. I'm not sure how much they will remember but my four-year-old still talks about last year when we went to Hershey Park and he was only three then so perhaps he'll retain some memories. We're also planning on having a third child sometime in the future so if things work out as planned we'd be expecting next year then have a little baby the year afterwards. I wouldn't want to travel to Disney while pregnant since I had horrible morning sickness with both kids. Plus once the kids start school it will be more challenging to just up and go to Disney for a week.
I do want to go back to Disney after this year when they're older and for any future children to get to experience it. I went twice growing up and I felt like that was a good number. Also I went when I was nine years old the first time and I can barely remember it.

I know several families that plan on going twice due to the ages of their kids. They didn't want to older kids to miss out on the magic they experience at around ages 6, 7, 8 (totally different perspective than a teenager would have). But they knew the 2 year old would not remember a thing. So they will go again when the older kids are teens and the little one is in the 6, 7, 8 range. One of my bookclub friends took her family over their February break a few years ago. They stayed at the Grand Floridian, went to some awesome character meals, etc. She was not looking forward to the trip. Referred to it as an obligation/rite of passage for her older daughters. Said they decided to bite the bullet and just get it over with. I guess WDW just isn't for everyone!

 

[happymommy]

Disney is very expensive and not all families can afford it. Not all kids grow up with commercialized stuff like Disney in their lives. It is not everyone's ideal vacation spot. It is also hot and crowded with long waits which is not every kid's dream vacation. Some kids are also afraid of mascots or other mascot-type characters. These boards are a small subset of the population who are very enthusiastic about Disney - not everyone feels the same way. I do not plan on this being our last trip to WDW, but I also want my kids to experience the beauty of a white sand beach with crashing ocean waves, or the splendor of the Grand Canyon, or the exhilaration of skiing down a snow-covered mountain. Plus, a lot of what "vacation" means to me is relaxing and spending time as a family, not necessarily scheduling rides and meals and fighting crowds to tour around a theme park. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for WDW, but I'm also excited to then go lay on the beach for a week afterward and play in the sand! But to each their own!

This is so true! Some families would rather enjoy nature and (god forbid, camping - to me camping is a hotel without room service!!).

We also take our kids elsewhere. We lived in Hawaii, and (thanks to thoughtful use of airline miles) have taken our kids (DS was born there) 8 times now. Not a penny spent on tickets there, and we use our timeshare (and used to stay at hotels on points and once at the Hale Koa which is inexpensive). We did one cruise (DH didn't care for it so much) and have gone to other beaches (St. Thomas plus Mexico twice). Yes, we love the beach!!!!

When we're at Disney, we are not fighting crowds or waiting in long lines. We do not schedule ADR's (well, one last trip for DD's birthday on her insistence). We enjoy all the ambiance - Club Cool for the 5th time this week? Sure! Petting the animals for an hour at Rafiki's Planet Watch? Okay! I'll be on the bench relaxing and enjoying the warmth! We are so chill at Disney! We've ridden most rides already, so whatever happens, we are happy just being away! And beers in Epcot are fun too!!

 

[TWK]

I don't understand the "I want them to remember" because I think when they are younger, it is all real and magic, and you don't get that from anything else. I guarantee that the experience from the perspective of a 4 year old is drastically different than from a 10 year old... to a 4 year old it is the most amazing experience, magical, seeing all the people from the movies, to a 10 year old, it is a really big theme park... If I could go one time, I would shoot for 4-6 because they still believe everything. I think when they are younger it is more fun for them, even if they don't remember it all.

I definitely wouldn't make Disney my only vacation spot though, other things are fun too, and it is good to expose kids to lots of things.

 

[lovemy4sweeties]

When we told people we were taking our 2 and just turned 4 year old boys to Disney we got a lot of comments- mostly "they won't remember". So what- we remember- and it was amazing- the awe in their faces was wonderful. I think every age has a different experience and it is wonderful to see.

I feel the same way!

 

[Kristina4109]

Something a lot of people don't get is that sure, your toddler may not remember it, but YOU sure as heck will! You will never forget when his or her face lights up at seeing Mickey for the first time.

We went to Disneyland for my daughter's first birthday. I am completely upfront about who that trip was for - ME! And I don't regret it at all. Walt Disney World is much further away for us so we did take into account how many times during her childhood we'd be able to go, and tried to plan accordingly.

She was 4 for her first trip and barely remembers it, but we have wonderful photos and videos and even if she doesn't remember a lot, she had a wonderful time. She'll be 8 for our next one and this feels like her "first" trip which is totally fine.

There's no right or wrong answer here.

 

[MmmSuite]

My friend isn't taking her 6 year old who is dying to go because she's waiting for her 2 year old to be old enough to remember. I feel sad as my boys talk about it nonstop.

But that's her choice.

I've been trying and trying to go while "it's still magical". Two years ago, I just knew that at 4 and 5 they would have the best time. But unfortunately we couldn't go then. Now they'll be 6 and 7 when they finally go. They are excited. They want to meet Anna and Elsa, Cinderella, and of course Mickey. The oldest can't wait for Dinosaur and the middle can just barely ride Star Tours. So it's more perfect than I could have imagined.

I lucked out that the boys aren't old and jaded yet. But I really wanted to take them young, we just couldn't afford it. This is only our 2nd vacation ever.

Due to a series of crazy luck, we'll be able to take them back this year to the MK on Christmas. And I'm taking the opportunity for free lodging and finding other non Disney activities.

The boys don't know about that trip. I can't wait to see their eyes light up on Main St. at Christmas! They'll be 6 and 8 and I know that it won't be long before Disney means rides and not the magic of Mickey.

For me it's about the wonder of a little kid seeing it for the first time(and me seeing it for the first time as well) but for others it's about lifelong memories so it really varies by family.

 

[m19s99u]

We waited--our kids will be 3 and 6 when we go in November. I would've loved to bring our oldest a year or two ago, but this 4-day vacation is costing us more than our 9-day vacation to South Carolina did last year. So yes, I'd like them to have some memory of it, because in all likelihood we will not return for 3-4 years. Maybe more. Not solely because of cost (although that's a big part of it), but also because there are other things/places we'd like them to see and experience. And I'll admit--I also wanted the little one to be a little older, where hitting nap time at the exact same time every day isn't critical to everyone's sanity, and when she was fully potty trained and able to 'hold it' if we're in a long line. IDK why it bothers someone when or why people take vacations though. Seems kind of like a silly thing to fret about. Do what works for your family, and enjoy it.

 

[kaa1187]

Life is about the here and now! Who cares if you kids wont remember it as long as they have fun while theyre doing it!? Taking my 2 year old this year and have gotten the "..but he wont remember it" many times. (insert eyeroll here)

 

[esquared221]

It all depends on the family. My best friend is waiting until her boys are a little older before going but my husband and I have been going every 1.5-2 years since we got married. Both of our children have been as <2 year olds and each stage since. That's just the way we like it though. Our trips are for us as much as they are for the kids; we love it just as much as they do. For us, the magic is in watching our children grow and change from one trip to the next but I can completely understand the desire to wait until the diaper/nap/stroller stage is over. Especially if you only plan on going once or twice! Disney trips with little ones are difficult even when you love it and the idea of a trip where we can all ride the rides together and no one needs to be carried is definitely appealing.

 

[Spacecase1]

Our daughter was 19 months the first trip. She had so much fun, and even though she can't remember that now, WE do, and I get teary remembering how much joy was on her face. She is almost 7 now, and we have gone 1-2 times a year since then because 1. It is the easiest vacation IMHO, and 2. We all have so much fun. Now that she is older, we are planning things I feel are harder to do had she been younger -flights to Europe are long!!! But we will probably be going to WDW at least every other year.
I know people who say no to Disney for the same reasons they hate the Federal government- it's the man or the big capatilistic machine. I say to each his own, you can make whatever choices you want for your kids, just don't poo-poo mine.

 

[isabellea]

For us a visit at WDW is always as extra fun while in Florida for other reasons. The first time my oldest (now 4.5 yo) went to MK was during a stay at my parents's condo in Ft Lauderdale when she was 2.5yo. This year we're staying onsite for 4 nights after a 2 weeks beach vacation and again we'll visit MK for 1 day with my 2 daughters before driving back home in Canada. We're also planning on doing this every summer before or after our beach vacations. That way our daughterrs experience Disney while young without costing us a fortune. By visiting a park or two every summer they'll see all the parks in a few years (summer 2015 we'll visit Epcot and MK). Then I thought we could go for a whole week when my oldest will be 8-9yo but instead I think I will we go on a Disney cruise instead and just enjoy our yearly short stays at WDW instead.

 

[dls116]

I have often wondered why parents are in such denial for taking their kids to Disney. Did they have a bad trip when they were young or maybe they didn’t to go at all? I have talked with parents both as a Guest and as a Cast Member, but it seems more times than not I am left shaking my head at “I want my child to remember their visit?” Isn't that what a camera is for? or photopass?

I usually ask where do you all go for family vacation? I get all kinds of answers… the lake, the beach, skiing, camping, the cape, ……. They go on trips but not Disney.. Why?

So does anybody else understand why? Or maybe you are a parent that has waited until you child is older…. Do you regret waiting? Did your child really have a better trip? Or more fun? I get the money limitation part, but just because you don’t want to…. it is fair to have your kid miss out on one of the greatest experiences in life? Meeting those who live in your imagination? meeting the fairies, princesses or Buzz Lightyear, or how about the Mouse himself? Sorry to those I have left off... step sisters, aliens, dwarfs, dogs, snowmen and fine china...

A lot of people look at me like I'm a loon because we are planning our first trip when my kids are 5 and 2 (we will be going the week before her 3rd birthday). So maybe my 2 year old won't remember it, but my 5 year old will! And I plan on going again a few years later. If they were much younger I would probably wait.

 

[indimom]

We were "those" people who chose to wait. Our kids were 5 and 7 on their first trip. There were two major reasons why we chose to wait.

1. Money. We knew we wouldn't be able to go every year, so we wanted them to remember the trip.

2. We knew ourselves. WE (DH and I) would not have enjoyed a theme park vacation with our kids in diapers, carrying extras, pushing a stroller. We love coasters, we love spending time as a couple (especially on vacation) and bringing smaller kids involves a lot of breaking up for rides if you are interested in the bigger attractions. In addition, my oldest was easily overstimulated as a little one and would probably have been a terror in a place like the MK.

It was a good decision for us at the time.

That said, now that I'm getting older, the coasters are not as important to me, but seeing the "magic" through the eyes of a little one sounds lovely. I think I would really enjoy a trip with my future grandkids when they are small. Maybe I'll get to do that someday.

 

[awalker1015]

We waited until kids were 6 and 8 and I don't regret it at all. It was an expensive trip and they remember every moment. Also selfishly it was a more enjoyable trip for me not having to worry about diapers, naps, strollers etc. we were also able to ride everything in the parks since we didn't have to worry about height restrictions. I have a lot of friends who took their kids when they were very young and that worked for them, but our way worked better for us.

Also, I have read in this thread that taking them younger makes for a more magical experience. I have to disagree. Nothing moved me like seeing my 8yo daughter cry (happy tears) at RD our first day at MK. Believe me, it was magical. Shoot it was magical for me and I am 40 and this wasn't my first trip!

 

[JoAnna525]

I was one of the fortunate ones who got to go to Disney multiple times as a kid, from the age of 11 to 18. My youngest sister was 2 when we went the first time, and she loved it so much then that it really was the inspiration for me and DH taking our son last year at 22 months. And really, this is the reason why we did it:

He may never remember how real those big plushy characters were to him, BUT I ALWAYS WILL!!!

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

Hmmm...well, I have to admit, I don't "get" the judgmental tone toward people who DON'T want to take their very young children to Disney. It's a personal preference. I mean, I can understand being upset if someone is coming down on YOU for YOUR decision to take your small child. But I just don't understand being unhappy about other people's choice to wait.

I don't care if others want to take their 4-week old to the parks. That's their little red wagon. It's not MY style, but I don't care if OTHERS do it.

Do I regret waiting until my son was 4 to go to Disney for the first time? Heck no! We had a great time. Here are just a FEW of the factors that went into our decision:

1. We wanted him to remember. Yes, the answer some people apparently hate. I went to WDW for the first time when I was 4. I remember the magic of it. I guess it's become a bit of a family tradition.
2. No diapers, no bottles, no stroller. There was NO WAY I wanted to deal with all that mess while slogging around the parks.
3. It's an expensive trip. So, we wanted to make it count for all three of us...which includes DS being able to enjoy nearly everything and remember at least some of it. We're not doing this every year.
4. DS did not travel well at a young age. I've seen the parents who can apparently breeze through anywhere with their kid dozing happily in a carrier/stroller/mom's arms. That was not my son. *I* would not have enjoyed a WDW vacation with him at a younger age.

And as to losing any "magic' just because he was older...well, frankly, that's just plain silly. One of my favorite memories on our trip was of him picking up a piece of confetti on the way out of the Magic Kingdom one night. He held it up with a look of sheer delight and said, "Look! It's from my wish! It's from Tinkerbell!" Now, at nearly 6, he points out fairy and troll houses when we walk in the woods. These things are absolutely real to him, even though they're just holes in the ground to us. Childhood isn't magical only between the ages of 1 and 2. And it isn't magical only at Disney. I certainly don't feel my son has been deprived by waiting to go to a theme park.

Yes, we took a few beach vacations, etc. before the first, big WDW trip. That's a completely different ballgame. It's inexpensive. There's no go-go-go. There's no over stimulation. You walk out onto the beach, dig some holes in the sand, splash in the surf. Then you walk right back to your room for lunch and a nap. The intent of that kind of trip for my family is to relax and spend time together somewhere away from home. This is conducive to taking along a small child. The intent of a Disney vacation for my family is to experience the parks together. For us, this was not conducive to taking along a small child.

There are many places I want my son to experience--New Orleans, Washington D.C., San Juan, London, Rome. And I have ages in mind that I feel are appropriate for those experiences based on our lifestyle and personalities. Others can disagree with my family's approach, and that's fine. But it isn't going to change my mind!

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

Exactly, that's the same age they're happy playing with the box as they are with the toy at Christmas

Off topic, but this past Christmas, at 5 years old, my son asked for three things from Santa:

A box
A plant
A toy truck

 

[chrismb22]

Everyone should do what they want to do and I people have valid arguments on both sides. It's not my place to tell either side what to do. I always say, unless you pay my mortgage, don't tell me how to spend my money

I do just want to say this. Don't assume two-year-olds don't remember things. I chose to take my son when he was two and he still remembers it (he's 4 1/2 now). HE STILL talks about Handy Manny taking his hand and walking away with him at breakfast or the bridge at the lodge and meeting Woody and Jessie. These things are unprompted from me and my husband.

He now talks about all the "big boy rides" he is going to go on for his next trip trip and can't wait to see new things. (He thinks we are going when he is 7 -- wait until he finds out we are going for his 5th birthday )