Starting them young

[cseca]

That is why we have been strategic when taking family and their kids. We don't have enough points to take them every year and they could not afford to go even if we did so we try to wait until they are 5 before their first trip. I know those memories will fade too but they should not fade completely, at least I hope not.

Good plan!
But the trips are purely for selfish reasons. If I have to wait until DD is 5yo before going I would go absolutely bonkers. DH would probably leave me because I most probably will be a ridiculously cranky wife...

Plus I LOVE seeing DD's eyes lit up when she sees her Boo (Pooh), Ick (Mickey), and Duck (Donald)
Even if she won't remember it's worth every penny... plus that's what cameras and camcorders are for

 

[movie77]

Since we made our DVC purchase in 2008, we have made 5 DVC trips so far.

Our daughter just turned three.

Last week, we booked a trip on a whim using our AP discount for a studio at AKV for this past Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday checking out yesterday. We drove down to Orlando Sunday (we live in GA) and stayed at a La Quinta (Universal drive -- very nice by the way) Sunday night so we could head over to DW early Monday morning and enjoy WDW.

So we make it to Orlando, and pull up at the La Qunita. When DD says "Mommy, this is not our hotel. This is a REGULAR hotel."

Ahhhhh, a Disney Princess already.

Sounds like my DD who will be turning 3 this year on her third trip to WDW. Sometimes I think she's turning 13.

 

[dsneygirl]

Our DS (4) is about to go on his 13th trip. We were in the airport hotel last trip and he says "where is the kitchen?" He also told me recently "I know next trip we are at the Beach Club, but after that I want to stay at the Contemporary next"

 

[LoveKermit]

Wow!! It's not only our Kids??? DH and I were dying a few weeks ago when our adult kids were lamenting over the cost of going on vacation.

My in-laws are the owners. We are taking our second trip next week. We were pricing other destinations--particularly Wisc Dells. But we started to look at airfare. Once flying somewhere, DH was looking at 4 nights. The Dells would have been 2 nights. I think he felt jipped. When you price the Dells for 4 nights, we could fly and rent a car for about the same (one is flying on miles).

Plus too many choices in the Dells....And none are anything spectacular.

 

[lmshaggard]

I feel so much better after continuing to read this post. My DS(1) will have been to DW 7 times before his 2nd bday and DS(4) 12 times. And for those that think they will forget, I really don't believe they will - our oldest remembers too many specific details about each of our trips and they come out at the most random of times. Gotta love that our kids love it as much as us! Maybe they'll understand why we still go for long weekends without them as well when they get older I only wish we lived closer so we could go whenever we want without having to catch a plane!!

 

[tkalita]

Even if she won't remember it's worth every penny... plus that's what cameras and camcorders are for

Totally agree!! I think the days of "they won't remember" no longer exists if you record it all! My daughter (4) has been to Disney 3 times and hasn't forgot anything because she watches it continuously when we get home. It's a very effective (and inexpensive) way of making sure they remember!!

 

[simba20]

Sounds like my DD who will be turning 3 this year on her third trip to WDW. Sometimes I think she's turning 13.

That's EXACTLY our DD....some days she is 3 going on 13 and other times 3 going on 35 (with the "make my jaw hit the ground" mature/analytical things she says).

 

[Coach81]

Both of my two boys have "grown up" with Disney... we are blessed

 

[mouseclick1]

This thread is cracking me up! It reminds me of our classic road trip we took out west a few years back. After about 4 nights into the trip of staying at different roadside hotels (think comfort inn), my son finally said to me in very serious voice, "Why didn't you book 2 bedrooms?"

We actually did wrap up our trip at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs using our DVC points for 3 nights. Sadly, it is no longer part of the concierge collection.

 

[GrumpyPOTFH]

When our oldest son now 31 was 3 we went to WDW stayed at the Contemporary Hotel for seven nights. It was his birthday week but we did not tell him, becasue at least then 2 and under ate free and got into the park free. back to the story, on the day we were leaving we went to wake him to go home and he started saying he had had enough and just wanted to sleep. we had him going for seven straight long days. He even made it on stage at the Hop-De-Du Review at the Camp Grounds.

 

[katmittens]

Our DS is 26 and DD is 22. They have both grown up with Disney. We started taking 1 trip per year, then 2, then 3. Once they started college it was back to 2. They still go on trips with us and they still wear us out. DH and I went last year for F & W by ourselves and loved it. We are heading back again this year and also doing HH. I still miss them and feel bad. We have had so many great trips and they too are spoiled by DVC. We have to get at least a suite even when we are on the road. I know it is not the same as Disney, but a regular room will not do.
Maybe the kids don't remember what happended at Disney when they were three, but I sure do. Probably when I'm 80 I won't remember what happened at Disney when they were 18, or 20, or 26, but they will. We bought DVC to build a lifetime of memories. I hope once my kids get married we get to enjoy it with grandchildren.
We tell our kids make sure whoever you end up with some day, they better love Disney or be able to learn to love it. We all laugh about it, but I know the kids are really believe that. It is their second home.

 

[kim532]

This is a cool thread. My son (4) after our trip this spring asked everyday to go back to HIS Disney room. I can't wait for the years of memories.

Kim

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Since we made our DVC purchase in 2008, we have made 5 DVC trips so far.

Our daughter just turned three.

Last week, we booked a trip on a whim using our AP discount for a studio at AKV for this past Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday checking out yesterday. We drove down to Orlando Sunday (we live in GA) and stayed at a La Quinta (Universal drive -- very nice by the way) Sunday night so we could head over to DW early Monday morning and enjoy WDW.

So we make it to Orlando, and pull up at the La Qunita. When DD says "Mommy, this is not our hotel. This is a REGULAR hotel."

Ahhhhh, a Disney Princess already.

Quick learner

 

[mdsd8700]

We bought DVC to build a lifetime of memories. I hope once my kids get married we get to enjoy it with grandchildren.
We tell our kids make sure whoever you end up with some day, they better love Disney or be able to learn to love it. We all laugh about it, but I know the kids are really believe that. It is their second home.

I love this! Our sentiments exactly, thanks for making me smile. We just bought into DVC this past June but we have been making Disney memories every year since 1993. DS 16 and DD 13 are thrilled to finally be "welcomed home". We always talk about what a huge part of our life Disney is and who ever they each end up with better love Disney too because they will be going with us for the next 50 years!!

 

[Melnalala]

Since we made our DVC purchase in 2008, we have made 5 DVC trips so far.

Our daughter just turned three.

Last week, we booked a trip on a whim using our AP discount for a studio at AKV for this past Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday checking out yesterday. We drove down to Orlando Sunday (we live in GA) and stayed at a La Quinta (Universal drive -- very nice by the way) Sunday night so we could head over to DW early Monday morning and enjoy WDW.

So we make it to Orlando, and pull up at the La Qunita. When DD says "Mommy, this is not our hotel. This is a REGULAR hotel."

Ahhhhh, a Disney Princess already.

Great story! I'm right with you. We stayed at the Cabins one year. Months later we did a camping trip in PA staying in a "real cabin". When my 5 year old saw the cabin she said, "This is it! no pull down bed - OHHH NOOOO not even a bathroom!" Cryed for a half hour.