why young children?

[SC Minnie]

hmm.....

 

[Jen D]

I can understand waiting if you want that "once in a lifetime trip" but I have to say, if you have never experienced Fantasyland through a 2 or 3 year old's eyes, you're missing something. It's truly amazing. I took my dd to Disneyland in CA when she was 21 month old.. dh was in CA on business.. we were bored and I figured we could just look and walk around, but I assumed she was too little to get anything out of it. Wrong! She was mesmerized by the rides, the shows, the characters, all of it. We were hooked.

Kids react different at different ages. I know people-- including in my beloved Unofficial Giude-- who insist a kid can't really appreciate WDW until they are at least 7. Glad I didn't listen to that advice-- my 7 year old still loves WDW but these days thinks she is too cool for Fantasyland, characters, etc... of course she will still love them when she visits but it isn't that wide-eyed wonder you get from a pre-schooler or kindergarden-aged kid.

As for babies, well, look, I can't claim my 8 month old really understood he was at WDW, but I can say that for families with infants who need a vacation and are looking for a family friendly resort, WDW is it-- it is a very welcoming and comfortable place to vacation with a baby. Babies are so portable, they can be happy in all sorts of places, and WDW was a great place for all of us to relax together.

 

[FSUGrad97]

DD was just over 2 when we went last December and it was such fun! You will have a blast!! and yes I think kids in strollers are easier for me to handle....containment!!!


and (I have to do it!) Go Gators!!

I agree about strollers - I thought I was the only one!

I am going to ignore that "Go Gators" stuff
and send you a Go Seminoles ------------------;;;>>

But seriously, I completely agree with your way of thinking on this thread.

 

[lillygator]

I don't get it - one the one hand you say "flame away" then "don't bash me"

...although I clearly did not bash you.

 

[ckoncurat]

Why take your children ANYWHERE if they are too young to remember? Why not lock them in a room and get babysitters until they turn 5?

Because they are people from birth. Because a baby old enough to smile is old enough to enjoy being with mom or dad, wherever thet are. Because seing a little kid dancing in a sprinkler or hugging their favorite character is MAGICAL. Because disney is for families- little kids, the handicapped, the elderly. The issue is not CONVIENCE. The issue is spending a wondeful time as families. Is Disney EASIER without small children? Probably. Is it better? I personally wouldn't trade our disney trips with small children for the world.

 

[Clare D]

Hasn't this thread caused a bit of a stir. I am with the majority that there is nothing more magical than the experience of children at WDW. We took our DS for the first time last December and he had just turned 2. I thought he may be scared of the characters but do you know what - his beaming face on the photos with Mickey at al nearly broke my heart and they will be memories that I will carry forever.
We have a 9 hr flight from the UK to get to Orlando and even that doesn't put me off, that's why we are coming back again in October. I love the fact that kids are so well cared for in WDW and taking a baby with you is no different than taking them on any other holiday in MO,the difference is that it is clean and the facilities are excellent. Also let's face it a crabby child is also going to calm down easire at WDW as their is so much for them to look at.
If your kids get tetchy in the weather any parent would take time out and head for the air conditioned rides/buildings or even back to the hotel.
Anyway didn't Walt design Disney so that the family could enjoy it TOGETHER!

 

[jodifla]

Particularly if you live close, it's an easy call to take your youngsters to Disney. Florida residents get deals, and NO PLACE IS MORE WELCOMING to kids than Disney, for heaven't sake. There are lots of places you can't take your preK kids and feel comfortable, but at Disney they bend over backward for them.

We took our son beginning the first time at 5 1/2 months and had a blast. There was so much for him to look at, and he loved the activity and the pools. We've been several times since (he's only 3 1/2 now) and it was clear he knew right where we were when we went six months ago. He begged to go to the parks as soon as we got there.....

 

[lclark0621]

If their to young for Disney, are they to young for the beach? Are they to young for camping? Are they to young for a birthday party? Are they to young for Christmas? Are they to young to be tickled? Are they to young to read a bedtime book to?

After all, "they wont remember it anyway" right?!?!

My 22 month old DS has take 2 trips to Disney already, and his 3rd is in Nov, 4th will be next April.

He & We loved EVERY second of our trips. He had an amazing time & so did we.

He is still talking about our trip in April, and whenever he sees a commercial about Disney World or something, he will tell everyone about it.

Why should I wait to enjoy a family trip to Disney just because he "wont remember it"? I will remember it! He enjoys it at that moment!

How sad & boring my DS's life would be if I waited until "he could remember" to do anything!

 

[Deesknee]

We took our kids at 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 6 1/2 etc. etc. IMHO we all had the most fun at 3 1/2. They were "star struck" when they saw the characters. Last July we took our teenagers & our 11 mnth old. We all enjoyed watching the babies reactions to everything. So, in short, for us it's not the memories that last, it's the experience of the moment.

 

[pinkdiamonds1007]

My three yo DD has been four times, fifth coming up in September. At that time, our baby will be 3.5 months, same age as DD was on her first visit. To us, the experience has nothing to do with what the child will remember later in life, rather the experience they have while they are there. Even at three months, their face lights up at the colors, sounds, characters, etc.

When my family first went to Disney World I was 6, my brother 4. I was at an age where I questioned all the "magic". I could see the strings in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, knew the characters were in costume etc. My brother on the other hand was at an age that it was all real to him. That was truly magical for my parents to see his amazement. (and the fact that I thought Mission to Mars, "could be real" ) Now I get to see that amazement on my own daughter's face! She loves everything about Disney, and remembers everything from her last trips. We talk about them all the time, because there is always another trip being planned. (Just ask her, she can tell you every detail, down to what Cindy said to her in the castle before lunch!)

To my family it is no bother to have the baby (babies) with us, it is truly a pleasure, and we treasure every moment. PLUS, I do not know how on earth we could stay away ourselves until our kids were older! My husbands cousin has us beat though, her babies have gone at only weeks old!

OP:
I tottally agree with the above poster..my inlaws..( ) were asking why we were bringing our dd (3) so young, saying she wouldn't remember a thing. But to us, its just as much about us: my hubby and I, and my parents..(who understand and are going with us.. lol) enjoying the experience and seeing her face light up when she see's things. I think thats why people do Disney so many times..b/c its a different experience at every age level with kids. It's not about the kids rembering it at that age so much as it is that moment. And why do we disregaurd the memories that mommy and daddy, or grandma and grandpa walk away with as well??

 

[DisneyArk]

It's seeing the magic through your children's eyes!! I'm tearing up just thinking about it! We went when our sons were 1 1/2 and 3 and again when they were 3 and 5. Both trips were awesome and each was different for the boys because of their ages. I can not explain to you how special that family time was!

We went in November and December and did not have to take the kids out of school.

We've been to local amusement parks and Six Flags and nothing compares to WDW with young children. To me it was not about the rides, but the magic!!

Our neighbors went with their ds5 and dd9. The kids did NOT experience the magic at all. Kids grow up so fast...

 

[ksoehrlein]

We took DD for a few days when she was 6 months old. Basically we tacked a few days on to our trip to FL, where her great-grandparents live, so that DH and I could experience WDW again. Well, we loved seeing her reactions to everything so much that when we were expecting DS, I started planning a trip for when he would be 6 months old as well.

Disney is for "children of all ages." If you're flexible, you can adapt to whatever is age-appropriate for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, young grade schoolers, tweens, preteens, teenagers, and/or adults -- whoever is in your travelling party. But a good time can certainly be had by all, whether they remember it or not.

Disney's ad campaign geared toward parents of preschoolers right now is "Bring them while the magic is real." I totally agree. It's so amazing to see your child talking to characters as if they were the actual stars of the movies, squealing in unrestrained delight while riding Dumbo, and singing along with no shame on IASW (OK that last one can be a little annoying, but it's still so darn cute!).

I must add here, though, that I was shocked by the young age of one infant I saw at MK a few years back. He was being changed while we were waiting our turn at the changing table, and I saw that his umbilical stump had not yet fallen off! When DD was born, I was told to keep the house temperature a steady 72 degrees for the first several weeks of her life, so we wouldn't have even considered a WDW trip then.

 

[all4fun]

We've taken our ds four times in the past year since he turned one (he's slightly over two now). We would have taken him prior to 13 months if it hadn't been for health issues. He loved each and every trip, so I don't see if it really matters if he remembers it or not. Those are my memories! Like the pp said, I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

 

[Dorisk3]

I just have to think of the saying "why postpone joy?"
There is fun to be had for anyone as long as they are well taken care of and not pushed past their limits. If you have the money, you never know what's down the road, go now, have fun and go again when they are older too. What's wrong with that?

 

[maxsmom]

We're taking our ds for his first trip in July and he'll be 15 mths. Our life didn't end when he was born, it just adjusted. We take him every where and always have. Maybe we have an easy baby, maybe it's our mentality. We also know when he's had enough. We know that he won't remember things for a long time. However, does that mean he souldn't be exposed to things just b/c he's young? He gets a kick out of many things when we are out and about. He will have a great time, I'm sure. Will this trip be VERY different than what we are used to? YES! But, I can't wait! It will be priceless. And we will be forced to relax and take it slow. Something that DH and I aren't always good at doing.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I don't think of it as "work" caring for my son in the park. Seeing his face light up when the characters greet him and his excitement during shows is priceless. He will experience Disney twice before his second b-day!

 

[Talking Hands]

Well some of us already live in Florida so the heat is not really a factor and it is a great place to relax. We tended to take things easy knowing we can come back again and again.

 

[Bunch24]

i don't get it. i saw a mom with 4 mo old twins and a 3 yr old. my rule is we dont' go until my youngest is at least 5. i have 2 sets of children(just spread apart) 16 and 17 and 5 and 8. we just took our 2nd trip with the 5 and 8 year old and the 16 year old and a friend. 10 years ago my boys were 6 and 8.

babies are in knapsacks. its hot. its crowded. i wouldn't want the work of caring for a baby in a park especially if my other children were not at least 5 or 6. they can wait until they are older to go.

why do people bring their very young children to disney. they won't remember a thing. even my 16 year old remembers some of his disney trip but not much.

I hate when people say my 2-year old won't remember a thing.

Let's see, everytime we pass Wal-Mart, he starts yelling Wal-Mart! Wal-Mart! Why? Because he knows inside Wal-Mart, there's a ride he goes on.

And everytime we pass a McDonald's and he sees the golden arches, he starts yelling McDonald's! McDonald's! Why? Because he knows McDonald's has his favorite french fries in the whole wide world.

And everytime we go to his Grammy and Grampy's house, when we take the exit to get to their house, he starts yelling Grampy! Grammy! Why? Because he knows that particular exit leads to Grammy and Grampy's.

And everytime we pass by my brother's house (his parrain, Godfather for you non-Cajun/French), he yells Ran! Ran! (short for Parrain). Why? Because he knows his parrain's house.

And every night, before he goes to sleep, he walks to his playroom, grabs his stuffed Mickey Mouse, looks at us and holds him high in the air and says MICKEY MOUSE! Why? Because he knows what Mickey Mouse looks like and he knows that Mickey sleeps with him.

He's only 20 months and he remembers more than you could ever imagine. Now, when he's 30 years old will he remember his first trip to Disney? No, probably not. But I remember mine, because it was only three years ago, and I wish like heck I had the opportunity to go when I was younger.

He's going to have so much fun in Disney and we're going to have so much fun in Disney that it's worth the little bit of crying/crankiness we'll have to put up with.

Life is all about making memories, for mom, dad, grammy, grampy, parrain and yes, little monster too.

 

[yyzgurl]

This September will by my son's 3rd trip THIS year! He absolutely loves it and talks about it constantly. I know he may not remember this trip when he's older, but for now he does and that's all that matters.

He truly is happy when we are at WDW and he can't wait until he goes back to his "vacation home" (as he calls it).

I think it really depends on your children. If they over-stimulate easily or are more on the rowdy side, it may be harder on the parents. But otherwise I think most parents enjoy their trips with little ones. It really is a precious time where they still believe 100% in magic.

 

[swincha]

I guess because my baby went where I went.

we do more relaxing vacations with babies or toddlers. i feel like i am on vacation also and for us thats relaxing. its an easy drive to branson for us also. when really young we stay closer to home. we drive on our vacations due to price and we have a larger family. i guess its great people can spend the money or live close enough to spend the money on multiple trips to disney. for my kids they might go 2 times to disney while living in our home. we go other places also. we choose to spend more of our incomes on their education and their activities ie sports, music lessons ect... as they get older.

i don't think its a great idea to have babies in this heat and in with the crowds. jmo.
its my rule to wait until i can handle the disney vacation and my kids are old enough to make it easier. pllus not everyone can afford to stay close or on the monorail hotel.