Reinforcement needed!

[Betty Rohrer]

middle grandson took his first trip at age 4 months, he does not remember the trip but since age 3, now age 9years, he can sure show and tell you about that trip from his picture scrapbook. he is more likely to show you that book than to tell you about later trips that he does remember

 

[poohguys]

DS was the same age as your son will be on his first trip. He is now almost 13 and loves Disney and can't wait to go back for another trip. He was 40 inches tall and was able to go on most of the rides. I still remember him on TOT asking "Why does this ride keep going up and down?" He says he remembers some of the trip but I think it is more from looking at pictures and us talking about it. Even if he does not we still have great memories of it. I think the people who are giving your husband this advice are obviously not Disney lovers. I hope you all go and have a great time

 

[ariane37]

My kids have been 7 times, ages were 11 mos. & 4, 1 & 4, 2 & 5, 5 & 8, and every year since (last trip this past May, 7 & 11).

We still find our "magic", but in different ways & places than when the boys were younger. DS7 did decide on our last day in May that he wanted to meet Rapunzel as she was the only Princess he hadn't met, but that was after days of refusal lol. Otherwise, we're pretty much done with characters, character meals, and parades unless I insist So even though we still do and will continue to LOVE all things Disney, NOTHING compares to the looks on their faces at that age, or their excitement of being that age at WDW. I think its hard to argue that trips feel more "magical" when kids are younger. Go and don't look back!

 

[Crazie4daMouse]

Our kids were 6, 3, and 3 the first time they went and I have to say that first trip was the most magical of ALL of our DW trips. The absolute best! I would do it all over again if I could! I say take them and enjoy seeing their little faces light up over and over again. Nothing like it!

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

People husband works with (and several friends) are telling him that taking our kids to WDW for my daughters 5th birthday will be a complete waste. My son will be 2 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. They told him that there is a lot of "documentation" that the best time to take them is ages 8-10, and taking kids that young is pointless. Of course, my response is the we will take them at ages 8-10 too! Anyone who has taken younger kids want to weigh in on your experience? PS- he's never been to WDW, so he has no idea how great it is.

I can give you a personal recommendation, we went in November 2012, at that time our dd was 3 and my ds turned 6 that week. I can say without reservation that they had a fantastic time. We did 7 days from park opening until 8 at night and only stopped to eat. The kids never got bored, never ran out of things to do. I was surprised that their favorite park was Epcot, dd loved Soarin' (which she called the flying seats) and ds loved Spaceship Earth.

 

[Dominion]

We are taking my daughters, ages 3 and nearly 6 for the first time in December. I wanted to go earlier, but we waited so that it would be easier on the parents (both now potty trained, sleeping in beds and naps are no longer necessary.) We told them about the trip last weekend and my oldest is really excited but she has a ton of questions and I can tell that she is on the border of believing/not believing in the characters and the magic. Definitely still leaning towards believing and I know she WANTS to believe, but a LOT of questions about it all. The 3 year old has no questions and just wants to meet Rapunzel. Yesterday, I found myself wishing that we had gone before she turned 5 so that she would definitely believe in it all!!! My biggest fear at this point is that she is going to start school next week and some little punk is going to tell her its not real Luckily I think she will still take my word over anyone else's.

anyway, just my thoughts...I say go for it!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you thank you! I know I want to make Disney a trip every few years because I firmly believe it is different every time.

Absolutely. Even if you go often. Our Disneyland trip when DS was 3 and it was September was very different from the trip that December.

 

[Schmeck]

"Not remember the trip" drives me insane! What do they do with their kids up until the kids are old enough 'to remember', keep them in boxes in the closet???

My now 19 yr old daughter remembers her first trip at age 2 1/2, so there!

Our first trip was fantastic! The girls were 5 and 2 1/2, didn't fight, didn't cry, and there was plenty to do with the little one when daddy took the older one on some of the 'big girl' rides. I cherish the time I got to sit outside the Land pavilion while younger daughter took a nap in the stroller. The landscaping around the entrance had been planted with herbs, and to this day, the smell of basil makes me think of that great trip!

DD19 remembers being freaked out by Goofy - oh why did I pick the tallest character as our first? She still loves her stuffed Mickey, and will repeat to any scared child that "Mickey Mouse doesn't want you to be scared or hurt. Mickey Mouse will keep you safe, you're in Disney World!" She remembers Donald taking her Mickey and batting him around, and Minnie taking the stuffy away from Donald and covering it with kisses. She remembers going up to the real Mickey and taking his hand and getting her picture taken with a big grin on her face!

 

[wrighter]

So where, exactly, would your husband's co-workers recommend you go on vacation, if not to WDW? I can't think of a BETTER place to take young children for a fantastic time!

On our first ever trip to WDW, DD was 17 months and DS was almost 4. We were a little nervous about DD - she was still in diapers, didn't do loud noises, was a picky eater, and was generally a stubborn, determined child. Even she had a fabulous time! Truly, it was a magical trip for all of us. I completely agree with the pps who talk about "the magic." Many 8 and 10 year olds don't get it. To see my son sit and talk a princess's ear off, hug characters, and get completely excited about the little things was priceless. You don't get that with big kids. At least not all big kids.

Taking younger kids does require a heightened sense of planning and patience, but as long as you're willing to jump through those hoops it will be more than worth it.

My best piece of advice when it comes to anything Disney - do what feels right for you. Do your homework, arm yourself with all the info you can, listen to advice, and then do what you want. And don't feel guilty about it. When you come back from a wonderful trip, those co-workers will all probably be jealous.

Have a MAGICAL time in Disney!!!

 

[Clio]

My daughter has been going to Disney World since she was 6months old. She's 34, now. She once told me that although she doesn't remember that much from those early trip, she doe remember having fun. My daughter now goes to Disney twice a year. She told me that I've brainwashed her to be a Disney fanatic.
I have a friend like that, her granddaughter is 2 1/2 and she wants to wait until the little girl is 5 to take her to Disney World. No matter what anyone says she won't change her mind.
Liz

 

[jtowntoflorida]

"Not remember the trip" drives me insane! What do they do with their kids up until the kids are old enough 'to remember', keep them in boxes in the closet???

I took my first trip when I was 24. I remember almost nothing about it. I can remember the rides on Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, and remember walking though the castle and thinking, "This is it? There's nothing here!" and that's about it.

Going with older kids is great. I just went on a short trip with just my daughter (6), a friend, and her son (8). It was nice not having to deal with all the issues that come with the preschool set. But, this was my daughter's third trip in 2 years and I could already see the fascade of the magic starting to crumble...she's starting to realize the reality behind the magic. But when the 3 year old goes with us in October, well, he's going to be fully immersed in the experience like he has been our past two trips. He really, truly, really believes. And that is something worth experiencing as many times as possible, because that moment is so fleeting.

The biggest reason I like going with young kids is that they really bring the magic alive. The biggest reason my husband likes it is because it's such a place geared toward families. If your kid is melting down or isn't sitting properly in a restaurant...you don't have to be totally mortified like in real life, because you're surrounded by parents of other kids who probably had their meltdowns yesterday, or will have them tomorrow, so instead of judging they completely understand! He calls Disney a stress-free vacation for that reason alone. LOL.

 

[mssong85]

I love this thread. Reading everyone's magical moments has me crying. My daughter(3) is going on her first wdw trip in September. I can't wait to experience it with her!

 

[Stitch76]

My girls have been 3 times, they were 6 and 8 their first trip.
My DS has been 2 times, he was 4 on his first trip.
One of the biggest mistakes I ever made when it came to Disney, was listening to people like you're talking about, saying "Don't take a little one!!". We left DS with my Mother when we took our first trip, because, according to everyone he was "too little", (he was almost 2). Looking back I think it was a major mistake. I believe he would have loved the trip, he may not have remembered it, but he would have had a ball.
Disney is so good about making things easier for families with smaller children. They have lots of rides and shows to keep them interested in things, and they also have the Child Swap option at bigger rides. Also, places like The Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the TTA Peoplemover (and according to my son, the NEMO show), are all great nap spots, for tired little ones to recharge.
Don't pay any attention to the nay sayers, just take a memorable trip with your family, and forget everyone else.

 

[sea3668rn]

I love these responses so much I am even more excited to plan our trip! My husband is slowly getting on board. Thanks so much everyone! I can't wait to see my kids' faces the first time they see MK.

 

[sb682]

We've gotten that response from people who don't "get it". There's nothing to get! It's our vacation and that's how we choose to spend it. No one would think twice if you said you were taking the kids to the beach or the mountains, but for some reason, Disney provokes that response in people.

They will definitely remember for a while, if nothing else. They may get hot and cranky if they miss a nap or stay up too late, but you can plan around that. They will have fun with you, they will love meeting the characters, they will love the rides they're tall enough for, and you will have lots of pictures, maybe some video and tons of memories for the rest of your life. For me, no trip to Disney I'd ever been on before had anything on the first time DS realized where we were, or he saw his first monorail, or he met Mickey for the first time. He was only 3, but so what? We are going again to celebrate his 4th birthday. How much will he remember? I don't know, but what an amazing place to celebrate the most important day of the year (in his mind ).

And if all else fails and your DH is still on the fence, remind him that this is the last time you'll only have to buy one child's admission ticket! That'll probably do it.

 

[RachSal]

If you think like your Husbands friends do then what is the point in going on family vacations at all before the kids are 7 or so. We are going right after our kids turn 5 and 3 and I know they are going to love it and talk about it for quite a while. Will they remember it when they are 30, maybe not, but I will! I don't know about your kids, but DS4 was talking about the water parks we visited last summer until we revisited them this summer and just today asked me how many days until Christmas. I'm sure your family will have a great time!

 

[elaine amj]

I think a lot of the negative reactions is that most ppl think of WDW as a once in a lifetime trip. And if u are only going once, its nice if the kid remembers going. That's what I used to think. Of course, now we go every year

 

[englishteacha]

My parents took me for the first time when I was 5. Mickey was REAL. The princesses were REAL. Pooh Bear hugged me and I was so excited.

As others have said, once in a childhood trip, older. But if you're going to go a couple times, do one trip while they're littler. DH wants to wait till Z is 4 or 5 so she'll remember it, but I don't know if I can wait that long.

 

[elaine amj]

My parents took me for the first time when I was 5. Mickey was REAL. The princesses were REAL. Pooh Bear hugged me and I was so excited.

As others have said, once in a childhood trip, older. But if you're going to go a couple times, do one trip while they're littler. DH wants to wait till Z is 4 or 5 so she'll remember it, but I don't know if I can wait that long.

I agree. If i had known we would have fallen in love with Disney, I would have taken my kids younger. My DD knew they weren't real by the time we went. But i was turned off by all the reports of how expensive it was to go. Plus money was tghter in those days.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[bd50mom]

I say take them. Even if they don't remember everything, you will always be able to cherish thos memories.