This makes me upset!

[MNWDWMANIAC]

I don't buy into the "they won't remember idea either". My oldest boys went when they were 2 and 3. They remember bit and pieces. But it's not just about them is it? Pictures they see later will be a great gift them to them. Seeing the looks they will get on their faces with all they will encounter will be priceless for you as a parent. Take them, enjoy the moment.

Our youngest son will be 14 months when we go in Oct. I wouldn't let him miss the trip for the world. My older boys will be riding rides like maniacs. My wife and I will enjoy playing the baby swap game. Which in turn will work out for my older boys because they will get double doses on the rides we swap on. My youngest will get to meet and take pictures with people he will grow up to love. Just because he won't remember the trip like we do doesn't mean it's not as magical or important to him.

 

[powellrj]

I am going to be the downer here.

I would really re-think the trip or at least change it a little.

I have really bad knees (1 TKR and will have the other replaced soon) and Disney is hard with my teens let alone trying to keep up with 3 little ones under 6.

Have you thought about renting EVCs for your DM and DGM? It will be hard to handle EVCs and strollers, but it will really make the trip much more enjoyable. I used one on my last trip and I am not sure I would have made it without one.

Disney is hard under the best of circumstances and I think it would help to have another adult to help with the older adults and that would leave you guys free to take care of the kids.

 

[aaronandterri]

Hi

Before our last trip in end of 2004, i was worried my son 18 months was too young, my others were 7 and 5 , and the right age for it, but i nedent have worried, he loved it, id say he enjoyed it the most actually!!

he lapped it all up, was old enough to go on alot of stuff as well with us, he loved the character meals, we had to keep booking more and more,,,i can still remember him now saying lady lady calling them back to the table at the meals, the trip was a real joy, and he still loves to look at photos and now at 4 he is soo excited about going again.

But i also had another suprise so now we have jamie 9 jessica 8 while away jack 4 and alex nearly 2 (actually concieved in disney lol)
and im not worried one litle bit i know hell love it all......well the plane from the uk is a bit more troublesome but hey the price you pay for 3 weeks of bliss!!

So ignore all the bores, you must be doing something right to manage 3 under 5 anyway, so have fun, these are the memory makers.!

(ohh remember to get one of those photos in the soft toy racks where you sit the youngest among all the teddys, my kids love those pics xx)

 

[aaronandterri]

PS- I'm not ignoring that young kids are a little more work...diapers, tired & whiny, etc. But IMO- it's not that big of a deal. In fact, my kids are less trouble at WDW then at home because THEY'RE AT WDW!
__________________
i totally agree!!!!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

Terri - our Alex is 18 months and also our little Disney souvenier

As for the naysayers - I agree with majority and say pooh to them! Expectations are everything and as long as you are realistic in your expectations you'll have a great time. We've already taken our son at 6 and 13 months and no he doesn't remember but what we love best is seeing him "grow up" through Disney. Like on his first trip he didn't really do much but at 13 months he was much more alert and loved the rides but was scared of the characters. We're going again right before his 2nd birthday and I can't wait to see what he is like at Disney then. DH and I did the park commando thing for several years so it is nice to kinda be forced to stop and see the small magical things. We're also thinking of another trip with my mom in 2008 mainly b/c she has bad knees and we figure she's not getting any younger but it would be nice to have her spend time with her grandson in such a magical place. We've already talked about getting her a scooter so you may want to look into too. Have fun on your trip!

 

[IcePrincess467]

My family is planning a trip to WDW in May of 2008. My mom, my MIL, my grandma, my hubby, me and our 3 kids (ages will be 5, 2 1/2, 1 1/2 at the time of the trip)
People my hubby works with are telling him that our kids are *not old enough* to go to WDW and it will be more frustrating than fun. GRRRRR
First of all, yes, I understand 3 kids 5 and under will be trying at times, but if we plan things correctly and follow their lead for the most part, we should be fine. My grandma will be 85 and my mom has a bothersome knee so it's not like we'd be sailing through WDW if we weren't taking the kiddos.

I told my DH that I just want a nice family trip. We can go again in a few years when the kids are older, but I don't see any *issues* with going next year!

Well then your DH co-workers would be yelling at me. I am planning on bringing a 10 month old to disney. I don't have a baby yet, but I LOVE disney and DH & I are starting to go annually and just becuase a baby comes into the picture I am not gonna change that! I know that sounds selfish, but when you go to disney, you see kiddies ranging from 3-4 months all the way up! As long as you plan breaks and what not accordingly you should be fine!!

 

[Rustysmom]

I think you should go and enjoy yourselves! You probably won't get to see everything, but you'll still have a great time. And you'll have your grandma, mom, and MIL to help you with the kids. Have a great time!

 

[mjkaferle5]

I hate to be a downer, but I agree with your husband's co-workers. There is not a lot to do for children that age, so why spend the money?? They won't even remember the trip. Kids that age enjoy McDonald's play place for the price of a kiddie cone.

I am sure glad that my wife and I don't feel the same as you do about Disney!! This past summer our boys were 8, 5, 5, and 1. Each and every one of us had a blast. Maybe they won't all remember the trip but my wife and I will. We will remember the fun experiences they had and how much fun we had with them. Disney is awesome because there is fun for all ages.

And sure, my kids enjoy McDonald's play place. But ask them if they would rather go to McDonald's or Disney World. The answer will be a resounding Disney World!!

 

[susieq76]

Hi! I have taken three kiddos under 5. Three times. The first time my twins went they were just 11 months (and I was prego w/ the 3rd). Do they remember it... Nope. Do DH and I? Yep. Worth every penny & every poopy stop.

Our second trip the twins were two 1/2 and the baby one. I surely didn't expect them to remember a thing. Guess what? When we were planning trip #3 (past Feb) I asked the boys what they wanted to do and they remembered things! Things like Its a Small World is in a boat and the dolls sing. And that they swung napkins with the characters at dinner (Chef Mickeys).

Now we're planning a trip in Sept (I just couldn't resist ) and the boys are planning out what order they want to do the rides and WHERE they want to eat (the 5 year olds- the almost 4 year old remembers the rides a lot too but just kinda agrees with his brothers about what when etc)

For us, WDW is a big thing. I spend months getting my kids to make lists (w/ me writing of course) and just having family discussions all the time about it. For a mom with two PDD/autistic kids and a child with an auditory processing thing Disney gives us tons to talk about. And they don't even realize I'm working on their articulation and social skills b/c they just love it so much!

Trust me- even if THEY don't remember it- you will! And then you'll be able to share it with them.

Sue

 

[mjkaferle5]

My thoughts exactly! I wonder if all those in "they won't remember it" chorus just sit at home and stare at a wall until the age of memory making begins.

Besides, regardless of whether DD4 remembers WDW, *I'll* sure remember the first time she saw Goofy moments after arriving in the BC lobby. I thought she'd find the characters scary, but it was love at first site -- she rushed over to Goofy and gave him a big hug. She absolutely *loves* Goofy now.

Good call Juliet. Just when does the age of memory start?

My wife and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon in '95. Although I remember a lot of things, I can't remember everything that happened on that trip. Maybe we shouldn't have gone! Heck I was 25 at the time, and still didn't achieve my full age of memory.

 

[boomhauer]

People tell me all the time my wife and I are crazy taking our 10 month old twins in December. I could care less. Sure, they may not remember it, but that doesn't mean we won't. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces.

It'd be one thing I suppose if you decided to only make 1 trip to Disney when your kids were that young and never go back. But like I tell everyone, we go every year so there is plenty of time to go when they'll remember. Doesn't mean we should not go in the meantime.

 

[happygirl]

Go and have fun, My kids were 3 and 2 when we went last year, they had they time of there lives and my little girl still remembers alot

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

If Walt wanted to make a park for adults he would have built in Vegas. Young children are "maintenance intensive" no matter where you are - including home. And while they may not remember much of it from that age when older, they will experience it in the present and remember it for many years while growing.

Go and have fun.

 

[kaysmommie]

I hate to be a downer, but I agree with your husband's co-workers. There is not a lot to do for children that age, so why spend the money?? They won't even remember the trip. Kids that age enjoy McDonald's play place for the price of a kiddie cone.

Actually there is alot for 2 1/2 year olds to do in Disney and not everyone likes Mcdonalds germ place . My DD was 2.5 on our first family trip and we had a great time. She was able to ride everything but the coasters and Test trach at that time. She loved the characters and fantasyland as well as the parades. We even went to Blizzard Beach and there was kiddie rides there too. I think that was our best trip. She loved the parades too. ALso MGM has alot of kid friendly shows like Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid, Muppet 3D, Beauty & the Beast and she loved the Honey I shrunk the kids playground. The only thing she could not go on was TOT and RnRC so we did babyswap for those. We even had fun at Epcot. There is not alot for the 1 1/2 to do but she can ride alot of rides with you and will probably enjoy all the sights. Your 5 YO will have a blast this trip and the little ones will get to ride the bigger rides when they are older. It's not like your taking them to Universal where there is only a few kiddie things to do there. Disney has so much for preschool age children. Take lots of pics and video of your little ones .

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

My family is planning a trip to WDW in May of 2008. My mom, my MIL, my grandma, my hubby, me and our 3 kids (ages will be 5, 2 1/2, 1 1/2 at the time of the trip)
People my hubby works with are telling him that our kids are *not old enough* to go to WDW and it will be more frustrating than fun. GRRRRR
First of all, yes, I understand 3 kids 5 and under will be trying at times, but if we plan things correctly and follow their lead for the most part, we should be fine. My grandma will be 85 and my mom has a bothersome knee so it's not like we'd be sailing through WDW if we weren't taking the kiddos.

I told my DH that I just want a nice family trip. We can go again in a few years when the kids are older, but I don't see any *issues* with going next year!

I think you should just go and forget what DH's coworkers are saying. They are probably just JEALOUS that he and his family are going to Disney. Sounds to me like you will have plenty of help. My parents took me a month after WDW opened and took me back twice a year until I married and had a family of my own to take. For the trips I was too young to remember, I have photos and my parents have wonderful memories and stories to tell of those trips.

2 of my kids have ADHD and developmental issues and I was prepared for the worst when I took them...they were absolute angels. I don't think that kids are any more a handful at WDW than they are at home-they may even be better at WDW like mine were for me. 5 adults and 3 kids...that should be a piece of cake, even with some mobility issues (that's what ECV's and wheelchairs are for). Little kids don't normally do commando touring anyway! Have fun and don't listen to those other folks.

 

[ChrisAlli]

hey ChrisAlli!
I told my DH we wouldn't be going at light speed anyway with my mom and grandma along! LOL
I really think it will be fine but now my DH is rethinking the trip b/c of this. UGH

By taking your time and seeing things most others skip, will make your trip even better.

There are so many things to do and see, it's just not all about go go go go and big thrill rides.

I could list so many things, plus if you and your husband want to ride something BIG, you have extra hands to keep the little ones.

My husband had people tell him he was crazy the first time we went, again with a 21 month and 3 year old. Well we went back the next year and we were just there 7 months ago and we're going in two weeks. It's the best vacation with the kids. They love it !!!!!

 

[hematite153]

I agree with the majority of respondents.

We just invited friends along on a free dining trip. Their DD will be 18 months at the time. Whether she remembers the trip or not, they will remember her reactions.

Young ones can be difficult anywhere. Why limit where you go because of it?

My guess is that with 5 adults and 3 really little ones you'll actually be able to go on more of the "adult" rides (using baby swap) than you will in 3-4 years when your kids want to run the show.

I do agree with those who suggested the stroller/ECV pre-thought. Depending upon the size of your kids, you may be able to get all 3 of them in the rented double strollers. If not, think through a plan that would allow you to have the 5 yo riding sometimes and the extra stroller folded and hanging from something at other times. Perhaps the older adults would do well to share a single ECV. That way you could count on having more walking adults than kids and they would all get a break.

Test it out by going for a family walk some weekend a couple of months before the trip. Get a sense of who wears out first and how far they can go. Even if you go at the pace of the little ones, they will likely sleep in the stroller at some point and the adults may be the ones who wear out first.

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[grlpwrd]

I took my 6mo dd who is now 9yo when we were a family of 5. Memories are captured through photos and stories we tell to her.

Have fun!

 

[xipetotec]

My family is planning a trip to WDW in May of 2008. My mom, my MIL, my grandma, my hubby, me and our 3 kids (ages will be 5, 2 1/2, 1 1/2 at the time of the trip)
People my hubby works with are telling him that our kids are *not old enough* to go to WDW and it will be more frustrating than fun. GRRRRR
First of all, yes, I understand 3 kids 5 and under will be trying at times, but if we plan things correctly and follow their lead for the most part, we should be fine. My grandma will be 85 and my mom has a bothersome knee so it's not like we'd be sailing through WDW if we weren't taking the kiddos.

I told my DH that I just want a nice family trip. We can go again in a few years when the kids are older, but I don't see any *issues* with going next year!

Well I can't speak for the 1 1/2, but people said that about my youngest the first time we took them. He was 3 years old ( with siblings being 6 and 9 respectively ) and I have to say that I think HE enjoyed it the most. Things like the Magic Kingdom are TRULY magic for someone that age!! The wonder in his eyes!! It was just... wow... and that brings me to my next point.

People always say "Oh but they're too young, they won't remember it" ... SO!? They enjoy it and YOU as the parent will enjoy and remember seeing that wonderment in their face! seeing their excitement. And THAT makes the trip worth it!

Trust me! Don't let those sticks in the mud ruin a trip for you!

 

[Mommymcgee]

Who cares if the kids won't remember it? You will! Don't forget all the fun YOU will have just playing with your kids there. It is your vacation too. Personally I find it more fun to watch my child's eyes light up with excitement over a favorite character than to ride a rollercoaster alone. That is the joy of being a parent. Your kids are only young once and these memories will last forever for YOU. Plus it is a great excuse to be a child again yourself and do things that you might not otherwise do. You can do all the character stuff now, when it is magical, instead of listening to older kids complain about how boring or uncool it is.

Do kids remember their cute little baby nurseries or first birthdays smearing cake all over themselves? Of course not. Should we just skip these things too?

Plus you have the wonderful gift to be with your grandmother and your mother and your husband and your children NOW as a family. Sadly if they have health issues now they will only get worse. Life is too uncertain. Do it while you can and don't regret it!