To the nah sayers who say its not worth it to take an infant or toddler

[buzznina]

A few times a year our DDs have the urge to watch our family movies. For the past 3 days our DDs have been watching our home movies of our past WDW trips. Their favorite ones BY FAR are the ones when they were a baby or when they were just starting to walk... I do not know how many times I heard "why are we taking them, they will not remember" etc from folks. They may not remember the trips but our photos and movies become their memories So parents I would not hesitate to take your children when they are very young

 

[Betty Rohrer]

granted he has more photo books now but he will still show and tell you about the trip when he was 4 months old

 

[tgropp]

Back in 1989, our daughter was 4 and a half and remembers almost everything to this day. Last Christmas we took a family vacation to WDW which included our 2 year 8 month old grandson. Now almost 7 months later when he sees a Disney commercial, he gets all excited and starts recanting what he all did at Disney when he was there. This is the same child (when we were getting a family photo with Chip and Dale) that kept asking C & D why were they so mean to Donald all the time and why they always make Donald so mad. Never to young as you never know what you may miss.

 

[daisygirl902]

We're so excited to be taking our son in October when he'll be around 8 weeks old. Yes he'll spend most of the trip sleeping....but to be able to look back when he's in his teens to those first Mickey Mouse pictures will be priceless to us. Thanks for posting this, it's not a decision that many support unfortunately.

Plus I will say, this trip is as much (if not more) for us than for him! We'll need it by then, I'm sure

 

[3pletprincesses]

well my oldest have been since they are 1 and my youngest since she's 3 months. It's so much fun to see Disney with kids. They notice different things over the years.Sure they might not remember the actual trip but I bet it triggers some kind of memory. When my oldest went back at the age of 2 they were mumbling the song on Main street at MK as if they knew them and again at the age of 3 and they are now 7 and they feel like they've always known the song. I frankly have learned to not listen to people opinion on the matter. We take our kids every year and we always hear, you are going AGAIN and my daughters are getting old enough to say yes and we like it. As long as they want to go, I'll bring them

 

[BecBennett]

We're so excited to be taking our son in October when he'll be around 8 weeks old. Yes he'll spend most of the trip sleeping....but to be able to look back when he's in his teens to those first Mickey Mouse pictures will be priceless to us. Thanks for posting this, it's not a decision that many support unfortunately.

Plus I will say, this trip is as much (if not more) for us than for him! We'll need it by then, I'm sure

Best of luck with everything! Is he your first? How far along does that make you now? My DD came at 34 weeks and I seem to enjoy pointing that out to expectant mothers

I love reading threads like this. We're taking our DD in February and while I'm well aware we're not going to get to do everything o want to do, I'll be happy if we survive the trip without any tantrums (probably a really big ask though...)

 

[alicat8]

For the few people who have had the nerve to tell me she won't remember the trip, I tell them I'm not taking her for her. I'm taking her for me!

 

[Rjmdds]

I agree with you 1000%. I have this conversation with people all of the time. My answer to them is twofold. One, why do anything with your child then if they have to remember it for it to be worth it. Why go to a zoo? Why go to a circus? Why go visit Santa! Why do it if they're not going to remember it based on that silly theory? It doesn't apply to those so it shouldn't apply to Disney. Second, there is something to be said for the joy you feel when you see your children so happy. It is one of the purest joys of having children. Very parent will tell you that what make you happiest is seeing your child happy. Disney makes children of all ages happy. That alone is reason to visit at a age.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

For the few people who have had the nerve to tell me she won't remember the trip, I tell them I'm not taking her for her. I'm taking her for me!

YES!!!! This is it, exactly. Seeing Disney through a childs eyes is the most magical thing in the world to me. I love it, every second of it. My daughter's been going since she was two and she does remember some things. She loves looking at the pictures though. And, quite frankly who cares if she will remember it? I always will!

 

[katyjeka]

We have been going for almost twenty years with our kids. Wow, I'm getting old!!! Our first trip was when our oldest was nine months. I'm thankful for all the memories and love watching our old movies. We laugh at our clothes, moms hairstyles, and our dd's are able to see that yes, at one time, mom and dad were skinny. We have always laughed off the comments as we are also told ALL THE TIME, your going there again, why? Some people will never get it and we quit trying to explain.

 

[sbecker517]

I, personally, wouldn't say it's not worth it... Think it's just a preference on what you want to deal with while on vacation.... We went when youngest was 4 and it was perfect for us...no diapers, NO strollers, and no naps! I think it's great if you can afford to go when they are younger...and have the patience to deal with aforementioned infant/toddler items...

 

[standleyent1]

I took my DD when she was 7weeks from her 3rd birthday and she can tell you everything she did to this day. In fact she will remind me of things we did that I don't remember. That was in 2000 and we have been back 30 times since going 3 to 4 times a year.
You see, I am a single father and was going through divorce the 1st time we went and it has been OUR thing to do, together, ever since. These are times that she or I will never forget because it was just her and I.
To see the world through your child's eyes whether its at WDW or just a walk in the park is completely awesome and makes you feel so connected to them!
Sorry I got a little off track, LOL, my point is they WILL remember in some form or fashion and the whole point is that no matter where you are you are with them and making memories!!

 

[daisygirl902]

Best of luck with everything! Is he your first? How far along does that make you now? My DD came at 34 weeks and I seem to enjoy pointing that out to expectant mothers

Thanks!! He is our first, although as the youngest girl in my family I've had a bit of "baby experience" with both of my sister's children (they have 5 combined, and I lived with my oldest sister when her girls were infants) so hopefully I'm at least slightly more prepared than many first time mom's. We'll see, I guess!

I'm 36 weeks now, so really he could come anytime. I'm hoping he's like his momma and likes to be on time for things...I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping he doesn't come late!!

 

[JanBlessed]

For the few people who have had the nerve to tell me she won't remember the trip, I tell them I'm not taking her for her. I'm taking her for me!

this is my response to taking my kids on trips while they're young, having big birthday parties for them, and dressing them in nice and/or designed clothes

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I never understand the point of this type of thread. Who cares what other people think?

 

[alicat8]

I never understand the point of this type of thread. Who cares what other people think?

It's meant as support to people who get criticized by others for taking young children. People DO care what others think, or no one would ever be on message boards or ever share any details of their lives with anyone. I think the point is pretty clear. The point of your post, on the other hand...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's meant as support to people who get criticized by others for taking young children. People DO care what others think, or no one would ever be on message boards or ever share any details of their lives with anyone. I think the point is pretty clear. The point of your post, on the other hand...

What are you talking about? Lots of people participate on message boards for reasons other than seeking approval from strangers. To each his own, I guess.

BTW, it's naysayers, not nah Sayers. Just for future threads,

 

[alicat8]

Yes, I guess some people participate in them to belittle others in order to feel better about themselves. But I think a main reason is to share stories and experiences that can help others, which is clearly what the op was doing.

 

[tgropp]

Yes, I guess some people participate in them to belittle others in order to feel better about themselves. But I think a main reason is to share stories and experiences that can help others, which is clearly what the op was doing.

Well said. If I find a thread that I do not want to read, I usually pass on it instead of commenting my displeasure of said topic. I am sure that 99.999% of Disboard readers are the same. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[Nwall81]

The trick is to consistently show them pictures and videos of the trip. Our 3 year old still remembers our trip to Sea World parks 2 years ago. We show her pictures of it often and she still remembers details that are not in the pictures...