Why Disney with a 2YO? Won't remember.

[Chelley00]

Our son was just a couple weeks shy of his second birthday when we went in 06. He talked about the trip all the way home, looks at the pictuers all the time, and asks if we can "go see the cackle" again

My FIL actually told us we should have left our son with them because "he won't remember it" and I said "but I will, his dad will, his brothers and sisters will" and I bet our son had more fun than any of us that week, whether he would have remembered it or not

 

[Steph9072]

We went to WDW last May my son was 2 and yeah he won't recall all of it but we have tons of pictures. And we look at them alot. He still talks about meeting Stitch, his favorite. Here is the proop 2 years old should go

The look on ds face meeting Stitch is priceless. Plus seeing it all through his eyes was very exciting for me.

 

[Sammi2]

Why get them birthday presents or cakes? Why take them to visit the grandparents? Why do anything with them?

I've been guilty of thinking that of others (why take them? Seems a waste. But for us, its a 20hr car trip to get there, so no, I wouldn't do that just for a 2yo. But I take her to the zoo, or to the children's museum in town or the swimming pool or the park or other things like that.

 

[Disney Fool]

My friend has a son who was 2 the first time he went to WDW. He was enthralled by everything he saw while being pushed around in a stroller. when he got home, months and months later, his mother was shocked that one day she found him drawing a picture of the Epcot "ball". with the legs and everything. He told her he rode inside it, and wanted to go back. So, a raspberry to all who say "they won't remember it. HA!!

 

[mom2aredhead]

My son's first trip was before his second birthday. We still enjoy looking at the video of him in Chef Mickey's the first time he saw Mickey and Minnie in person. The entire time we were there, he was non-stop, saying "Hi Mickey Hi Minnie". I'll cherish those memories forever.

I had an ex-co-worker tell me once that she would never bring her child to WDW that young because they wouldn't understand how much it cost and what a big deal it is to go there, and if she was spending the money and time to go there, she wanted "credit" for it. At least she was honest. I really think that's what people mean when they say the kid won't "remember" but they're trying to make it sound better.

 

[EllaDisney]

Those kinds of comments are really igorant actually. Why take them ANYWHERE then. They won't remember any of it. Seriously, we should jsut leave our kids at home in a closet because they won't remember anything anyway. UGH! Forget the park or the zoo. they won't remember that either. What they do at EVERY point in their lives shapes their growth and development. Why do anything now anyway?!? When I'm 90 I'm not likely to remember what I did yesterday. OYE!!! Just roll the eyes and move on. YOU will remember it and the pictures wil be priceless! Queen of sarcasm here!

That is soooo true! I took my dd a week after her 2nd birthday and did she ever have fun! The trip was so different than many before. It was seeing Disney through my daughter's eyes and doing it at her pace. It was such a special trip! A year later when she saw the outfit that she wore at the Magic Kingdom, she said "that's my Disney clothes". She totally remembered meeting Mickey and other characters. I loved watching her watching the parades and seeing the fireworks.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Our DS doesn't remember our trip from when he was 3. When we look at the scrapbooks I'll ask him if he remembers that and I'll ask him some questions about it and he doesn't seem to have a clue.
We took DD when she was 6mo and I don't think she remembers that either, but she is the BIGGEST mickey fanatic and she is only 20months old so who knows maybe she does remember.
I still have the memories of them being there and how much they enjoyed it and the excitement is their faces.
What are people even thinking asking someone this? It's not like all of a sudden whomever they said this to is going to say, "oh, you're right I just blew a ton of money for no reason" Just stupid. I think my reply would be, who said I came here for her?

 

[everylastbreath]

I have just returned from 2 trips. One in November when my dd was 22 months and one just this week to celebrate her 2nd birthday. So many people rolled their eyes and said "why, she won't remember".

Well...a stranger on the bus gave me the greatest answer and it is SO TRUE. Because I will remember! That awe on her face, the big eyes, the excitement, all of it. I WILL REMEMBER IT!!!!

So TRUE! When we went last year with my 2 year old GS I said the exact same thing, He might not remember it, but he sure had a great time while he was there. I know the feeling exactly. My answer to people who say "why bring him, he won't remember it" I say- Why feed him, he isn't going to remember that either, but it doesn't stop us from feeding him!! Anyone who says that has never experienced WDW with a 2 year old, seeing the wonder in their eyes, and hearing the "WOW's" is priceless..

Read my post from when we took Jake- http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565254

 

[waltskids]

Our DS has visited WDW 4 times so far; at 3 months, 7 1/2 months, 9 months, and most recently on his 1st birthday. The pictures and memories are priceless and we will remember those trips for years to come.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Really depends on the kid. DD has a memory like an elephant. She literally talks about Disney daily (and I swear...i don't ALWAYS bring it up!!!). She can remember some really small details of the trip. And she has been to WDW twice and Disneyland once and she can compare all three trips for you.

 

[disnut1149]

Those kinds of comments are really igorant actually. Why take them ANYWHERE then. They won't remember any of it. Seriously, we should jsut leave our kids at home in a closet because they won't remember anything anyway. UGH! Forget the park or the zoo. they won't remember that either. What they do at EVERY point in their lives shapes their growth and development. Why do anything now anyway?!? When I'm 90 I'm not likely to remember what I did yesterday. OYE!!! Just roll the eyes and move on. YOU will remember it and the pictures wil be priceless! Queen of sarcasm here!

Hi
I hate when people say that little ones won't remember. I say the same thing as you!! We should just leave them in a closet because they won't remember anything. Don't even send them to preschool, or take them to the shore (New Jersey) or take them anywhere, because they won't remember it. Just leave them in a closet till they're older. How stupid!!. And even if they don't remember everything, they still have fun while they're there. My family usually goes to the shore every summer for a few days, and I know people go there also every year, taking their babies and dragging their playpens onto the beach. No one ever says to them to not to take their babies, cause they won't remember. The shore is crowded with all families during the summer. Tons of babies and kids!! Also, I'm selfish. I'm 58 and want to see my DGD enjoying DW. My sister has MS and can barely move. Her whole right side is basically paralyzed, and is in a wheelchair all the time. It's a horrible disease and I feel that if you have your health, you should take advantage of being able to do things. So I'm not letting people bother me by what they say. Everyone have a great time in DW.
Joan

 

[abirdd]

Trips to Disney with little ones "who won't remember" remind us adults about magic, and seeing it through the eyes of a child.

There is nothing more magical for me than seeing spur of the moment smiles or giggles - not just from my son, but other children around the parks as well. For Duncan, seeing Mickey, Pooh, Tigger, etc is REAL - he has no concept they are costumes - and that is priceless. His favorite stories and movies have come to life, and those are magical moments.

DS has been to WDW 4 times, and he won't be 2 until the end of February. He's at the stage where looking through photo albums brings him plenty of excitement, and I love hearing: "Me see Mickey" or "Me Go Horse" (he LOVES the carousel).

And to those who don't think little ones remember... DH took DS Duncan to Mickey's House (the Disney Store) a couple weeks back for the sale. DS arrives at the entrance, and starts to cry. DH asks "What's wrong?". "NO Mickey House". That's my boy, time to talk Daddy into taking us back to the most wonderful place on earth

 

[HelenePA]

My son was 11months when we went last year and he remembers it! he can't wait to go back this year!

 

[DevilDuckie]

I have just returned from 2 trips. One in November when my dd was 22 months and one just this week to celebrate her 2nd birthday. So many people rolled their eyes and said "why, she won't remember".

Well...a stranger on the bus gave me the greatest answer and it is SO TRUE. Because I will remember! That awe on her face, the big eyes, the excitement, all of it. I WILL REMEMBER IT!!!!

My very earliest memories are vauge and fuzzy, but one is Snow White leaning over me (in a stroller) smiling. I was two.

Even if she remembers nothing, we don't make our children happy for the memories, but for the moment. We don't cuddle them or tickle them or say, "I love you" because they'll remember it in 20 years. We do it to bring them joy and security in the present. Why NOT make a little one happy even if it isn't going to last forever?

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

my parents are BIG into making sure they don't spend money on vacations until kids can 'remember it'....... It is insane! I want to take my kids to Disney just to have fun, we will always have the pics and I will remember it.... I don't care if they are 1 and 2......they are CHEAPER now to take than in a few years anyway

of course we will take them for as long as they want to go which I hope is until they are 25 and have their own kids!!!! and then we will take our grand kids!!

oh yeah, and I went to disney a couple times in high school and I BARELY remember it.

 

[wlwilliams9]

My DH and I had been visiting WDW in May yearly before DD was born so it was only natural to take her when May rolled around again. She was 10 months and WOW!!! It was a whole new experience seeing the WORLD through her and her excitement! We're heading back this May (she'll be 22 months) and I can't wait to see her light up again!

So to all of those people that said "why" and "she won't remember"....poop on you! The quality family time and the enjoyment we had as a family was reason enough!

 

[Debbie6221]

I have just returned from 2 trips. One in November when my dd was 22 months and one just this week to celebrate her 2nd birthday. So many people rolled their eyes and said "why, she won't remember".

Well...a stranger on the bus gave me the greatest answer and it is SO TRUE. Because I will remember! That awe on her face, the big eyes, the excitement, all of it. I WILL REMEMBER IT!!!!

OMG I can't tell you how much I agree with you!!!!!!! My DD went at 11 months and it was our best trip ever!!!!!! Brought her again at 18 months and DS went for his first birthday and again when he was 20 months and then again at 25 months! We have the BEST TIMES!!!!!!! Granted my kids are WDW spoiled and think this is a way of life but they get that from their coo coo Mom! People who say dumb stuff like that just don't "get it".

 

[Debbie6221]

My very earliest memories are vauge and fuzzy, but one is Snow White leaning over me (in a stroller) smiling. I was two.

Even if she remembers nothing, we don't make our children happy for the memories, but for the moment. We don't cuddle them or tickle them or say, "I love you" because they'll remember it in 20 years. We do it to bring them joy and security in the present. Why NOT make a little one happy even if it isn't going to last forever?

Amen!

 

[ilisao]

I have just returned from 2 trips. One in November when my dd was 22 months and one just this week to celebrate her 2nd birthday. So many people rolled their eyes and said "why, she won't remember".

Well...a stranger on the bus gave me the greatest answer and it is SO TRUE. Because I will remember! That awe on her face, the big eyes, the excitement, all of it. I WILL REMEMBER IT!!!!

You know, if the criteria for doing anything was whether or not it is remembered, then we should all stay home and never go anywhere. Don't take the little ones to visit grandparents. They won't remember it. Don't take them to the zoo. They won't remember it. Heck, I don't remember what I did last week, LOL!

 

[bjgrazi]

We heard a lot of "he won't remember" my answer always was, yep but I will. My older kids even said why were we going, he won't remember. Well we were at one of the parks this past week and I said to them do you remember...... they said no. I answered, but ahhh I do and that's what makes it fun. They actually got it. They enjoyed so much of their little brothers first this trip.