What will your child remember??

[pal2pluto]

This is just meant as encouragement to all you parents wondering if your child will "remember the Magic" of a Disney Cruise. My son was only 2 1/2 yr old when we went..... 2 years ago! And today, out of the blue, he started talking about the Mickey Boat again! Asking him what he remembered, it was the special pool that wasn't too deep for him (Mickey ear), the good fruit ( that was all he ate for a week ), seeing Pluto for the first time, seeing Capt. Hook in the show.........he just went on and on!

So if you're wondering if spending all this $$ will be worth it, when your child is so young.........I think you may be amazed at the impression it makes.

 

[TiggerPU88]

My son was only 12 months when we went last time, but because we look at pictures and watch the video we made, he "remembers" a lot about Mickey's Boat. And we have been talking about Captain Hook and Chip & Dale and Mickey & Minnie!

In January, I plan to make a list each night with him of what he liked best. I am so excited!!!

Any tips for another 2-1/2 y.o. boy???

-- Adrienne : )

 

[Buckleybunch]

I think this is about anything Disney.
My son who is 6 today, has been going to Disney world since he was 18 months old. He remembers things like they just happened. The other day we are in the car- and he makes a comment about going to Disney world for Halloween when he was peter pan. That was the trip he went by himself, and that was humm 3 1/2 yrs a go at least..

IMHO- if you wait to late to take little ones it takes the magic away too.

My twins are now 8 and they are asking questions about the characters so if we would of waited this long to take them, it wouldn't of been so much fun for them or us..

 

[inkkognito]

I think that kids remember a lot more than we give them credit for. I can remember back to age one...not everything, if course, but little bits of events. When my nephew was around two, we brought him to the barn where I keep my horses and he found an enormous spider. A few years later, I told him, "Someday I'll take you to see the horses again," and out of the blue he said, "Is the big spider still there?" I had forgotten all about that!
With something as exciting as Disney, I would think that the memories would stick even more.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[takemeaway]

We cruised this past October. My 4 year old said his favorite thing was the model ship at the port. MY 7 year old said his favorite thing were the chicken strips and Fruit Loops. Next year, I get a bucket full of chicken strips and a couple boxes of Fruit Loops and leave the kids at the port!!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

I am so glad to hear that your young ones have memories of the cruise. Our kids will be 3 and 4 when we cruise and I often wonder if we are spending a ton of money on something they won't remember. Then again, I will remember all the fun we have and the looks on their faces when they experience the Magic of Disney for the first time. That is what makes it all worthwhile.

Denae

 

[Buckleybunch]

Originally posted by mickeyboat
I am so glad to hear that your young ones have memories of the cruise. Our kids will be 3 and 4 when we cruise and I often wonder if we are spending a ton of money on something they won't remember. Then again, I will remember all the fun we have and the looks on their faces when they experience the Magic of Disney for the first time. That is what makes it all worthwhile.

Denae

Denae,
That is the most important thing too.. You remembering and seeing those beautiful eyes light up when they see the Magic.

Have fun

LInda

 

[kcashner]

Somewhere around age 5-6 is when the kids realize that the characters may not be quite what we believe they are....so it was suggested to me that before turning 6 is the perfect time for a visit to WDW (and I'd now add a cruise!)

We did our first trip just as she turned 4, and it was incredible. SHe met "THE REAL" Peter Pan, scooted under the table when Jafar approached at a character breakfast, danced with Prince Charming at another breakfast, etc. It was truly a magical trip. She still remembers running away from the Queen of Hearts.....I'd strongly suggest a trip before your little ones turn 6....the magic changes way too fast!

 

[lbgraves]

DS just turned 5 on our first trip to WDW before the cruise this year. Last year he didn't want to go on Mickey's boat because he was afraid of him. We started watching the DCL videos & told him that the characters weren't scary. They were mommies & daddies inside so they wouldn't hurt them. Well, it was maybe June the last time we told him that. In August he started saying that he wanted to see Mickey and in September he was going to give him a hug. When we saw Mickey for the first time in the MK both kids just went up to him & gave him a big hug. It was MY first time being to Disney too and to me it WAS Mickey. The individual attention the kids got from all the characters on the ship made their trip even more special. They talk about it every day! I don't think my 3 yo DD will ever forget spending the week with Cinderella. She called her by name EVERY time we saw her, even in the hallway, and stopped to get down on the floor to talk to her right in the eye & give her a hug. It's making me tear up just to think about it. I hope that they enjoy it just as much next year.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by kcashner
Somewhere around age 5-6 is when the kids realize that the characters may not be quite what we believe they are

WOW! My kids are delayed. They are 9 1/2 and almost 7 and they still FULLY believe the characters are who they are.

Heck, sometimes when I see Minnie Mouse dancing with my son, I BELIEVE!

 

[jwann]

ditto - with my kids
I think they remembered more than me!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

My youngest was barely 2 on our first trip... I thought she wouldn't remember- but she sure did! She talked about many things from our first trip for almost a year until we went again.
Now after this last trip (she's 3 now) it's all she talks about... constantly asking to go back to WDW. Ofcourse I don't mind- it's one more person helping me to talk DH into it. LOL

We went to Rainforest Cafe locally (in Texas- about an hour's drive from us) for dinner... and I guess that was a bad idea considering the first time they'd been to a RFC was at AK... because now she's REALLY on a mission to go back to WDW. LOL She'll have to wait awhile though- our next trip isn't planned until Feb 2005. Boy do they remember... she may not remember the many zoo trips and all the other stuff she has done at this age-but it's kinda hard to forget about Disney World! hehe

 

[fredms]

Thanks so much for this post. I've been debating on taking my 6, 4, 4 and 1 year old nieces and nephews. Although I agree that part of it is for me and their mommy to see how much fun thry have but I am glad they may remember specific details.

 

[CTJK]

Forget about the islands, the food, the pools, the weather....my kids still talk about how windy it was on the top deck and how much fun it was trying to catch our breath . I guess it supports the old standard...forget about the toys-they would rather play with the box. (Don't worry though ...they still loved every minute)

 

[QueenTrident]

My DD seemingly remembers everything. We went to WDW in May, when she was almost 3 and she brings up things that I don't remember. She keeps saying, "'member Ma? 'Member?" Of course, I agree with her, but most of the time I'm scratching my head, trying to remember what she saw.

I say any age is a magical age - there are just different levels and types of magic.

 

[NAT&MAGSMOM]

I too think kids remember more than you think....our dd has been old enough to remember all of our cruises...but we have been taking her WDW since she was 9 mos old.

When she was about 3..we went to WDW and for some reason we didn't get to see "Little Mermaid" at MGM. She never mentioned it the rest of the day until we got back to our room at Wilderness Lodge. Just as we walked in the door, she stomped her foot, crossed her arms defiantly and turned and looked at us and said...."I NEVER GOT TO SEE AERIAL". I never thought she knew enough about where she was and what she was doing at that age, to remember...but she did!!!! And man oh man...was she PO'd......lol

Phyllis

 

[ELIJAH'S GRANDPA]

Returned from our second Disney Cruise on 12/13 (2 adults) and decided on the ship to start saving for when our 4 month old grandson is 3 or 4 so that we can take him back with us. When we got home our son asked if we'd like to join them next fall for a Florida trip to see relatives and a visit to Disney World. We said WHEN DO WE LEAVE? Disney is great without children, It can only be beter with a grandchild! You're getting me more excited with your posts. Thanks.
John