Will dd be to young?

[barb007]

I am currently trying to plan a trip to Orlando for myself, hubby & dd. When I plan to go, she will be 21 months. I've been getting alot of negative feedback from people (including dh) that she is to young, she won't remember, we will have to deal w/not going on the rides together. Can anybody give me any good reasons why she is to young? Sure she won't remember, but we will.

Thanks.

 

[cbrfan]

No one is EVER too young for WDW!!! So what if she doesn't remember? You will!! The fact that she's free is just icing on the cake. You can use baby swap for the rides she can't go on, but there are plenty that you can all ride together. Ignore the naysayers and go for it!

 

[nygrl]

i am totally in the minority here since this has been a topic of discussion befor but i feel yes she is too young and i feel you all would have a more enjoyable trip if you wait a few years ok now bring on the flames i know they are comming

 

[nygrl]

i am totally in the minority here since this has been a topic of discussion befor but i feel yes she is too young and i feel you all would have a more enjoyable trip if you wait a few years ok now bring on the flames i know they are comming

 

[Desnik]

There has been much discussion on this topic here over the years. Do a search and you will find a ton of info.

My kids were both very young on their first trips. My DD was 9 months old and my DS was 8 months. Of course they don't remember it, but I do. I also have a ton of pics and video to enjoy the memories over and over. Your DD will be able to go on almost everything with you and your husband. Just not the "thrill rides". But there is so much more for you to enjoy besides thrill rides. Your child will be in awe of the place and characters and you will be teary eyed at her expressions, trust me!

Not everyone "gets it" and we have had people say to us your kids are too young, etc... I am so tired of people saying negative things like that. I just kindly say, we go every year so they don't have to remember a thing! I remember and will enjoy showing them the pics as they get older! They will still have a good time. Hey, another good reason to take them before the age of 3 is they're free!!!LOL

So to answer your question, I can't think of 1 reason why she is too young to go!!!

 

[LynnTH]

We brought our son when he was 11 months and again when he was 23 months. He had a great time on both occasions. I like to go on my yearly vacation and what better place to bring kids - no matter what age. No, he doesn't remember these trips but we do and we have lots of good memories and pictures and video. He loved the characters and just watching him was take in everything was great. I'm not a big roller coaster ride person so the rides I liked to go on he did just fine on. I say go for it. My son is 6 and been there 3 times and most likely going again next year. I don't think there is any bad age at Disney.

 

[Desnik]

nygrl
No flames, but can you give the OP a few reasons why you feel they will have a better time if they wait, and at what age is a "good" one? It could help her figure out if that is a better option.

I will say that going to WDW with a child, whatever the age is a completely different experience than going alone. You work around them and what they can/want to do, especially little ones with naps and such. Some parents really can't or don't want to deal with it for those reasons.

I also think if this is a "once in a lifetime" trip then that could be a reason to wait so she will remember it. For us, DVC members we go every year so our kids ages don't matter to us.

 

[powellrj]

it depends on what kind of trip you want to have. If you are looking for a family trip that she won't remember but you will, no she isn't too young. You and your DH can enjoy the trip from her point of view and have a wonderful time.

If you are looking for a trip that she will remember for the rest of her life as the most wonderful trip she ever took, yes she is too young!

 

[nygrl]

nygrl
No flames, but can you give the OP a few reasons why you feel they will have a better time if they wait, and at what age is a "good" one? It could help her figure out if that is a better option.

I will say that going to WDW with a child, whatever the age is a completely different experience than going alone. You work around them and what they can/want to do, especially little ones with naps and such. Some parents really can't or don't want to deal with it for those reasons.

I also think if this is a "once in a lifetime" trip then that could be a reason to wait so she will remember it. For us, DVC members we go every year so our kids ages don't matter to us.

ok i took my ds at 2 and the whole trip was a nightmare he was so excited to go and we went on the first ride and that was it.. so i guess i am comming from a bad expierence which not everyone has...we took my older ds when he was 5 for the first time and that was a wonderful memorable trip... im sorry if noone agrees but a 2 year old will not remember the trip and i feel why bring them if they cant even remember they went..disney world will be there in a few years when you dont have to worry about strollers, diapers, bottles, naps.etc...sorry if noone agrees just my opinion. we are going in oct my younger ds will be just shy of 5 and i am hoping for the best.. and yes we go every year and this will be the first trip with younger ds in 2 years... i feel more flames comming LOL

 

[WDWorBUST]

I will answer the question - but it depends a little on the answer to a question I have:

If you haven't been and/or don't foresee going again fairly soon - I would probably wait - however keep in mind that if you haven't been it can be so addicting you will find a way to go regularly My first trip I was 25 (in 1999) and it was a "once in a lifetime" trip because it was "so" expensive. I have since been in 2000, twice in 2001, 2002, at 32 weeks pregnant in 2003 (that was a wonderful trip), and 2004 with a 13 month old. But if you don't plan on going back soon it would probably be more enjoyable when your dd is a little older. It is more taxing with a little one and you aren't able to do quite as much. I just don't see that as a negative. We've talked about other vacations and it seems like we always end up saying - well let's wait until she's a little older and can enjoy it. She enjoys Disney now - even if she won't remember it. It works for us.

If you see yourself going yearly/every other/ every third year-ish then I say GO FOR IT!! We went when dd was 13 months for her first trip. She had a great time. Yes it was a slower more laid back trip. But it was all about her. We didn't even baby swap the "thrill" rides because we were enjoying her so much. There are so many things you can do as a family that the baby won't have to sit out for. She will enjoy it. We are going this year when dd will be 23 months and again at 25 months (I know fairly poor planning but we got to get one more trip out of the ap). We probably won't go again until September of 2006 - and then it will be to get one more free trip in before dd turns 3 in November. After that I see us reverting back to our annual early December trip until dd starts school - and maybe even after that as long as she's little and doing well in school.

As far as people being negative about it. It's your vacation and it's none of their business. Disney World is probably the most baby/toddler-friendly vacation destination you will find. Do they expect you to stay home and not vacation because you have a child?? People know how much I love Disney so they really weren't surprised that we went when she was only 13 months - or when I was 32 weeks pregnant for that matter - but they didn't say much so in that way I was lucky. You know what will and won't work for your family....do what is right for you - not for anyone else.

 

[lucincia]

I think this all depends on what YOU and your DH want out of the DWD experience, not what your 21 months old want.

1) If you want to play at the park to the max, hitting all the thrill rides multiple times, party at Downtown Disney every night, move fast from event to event, see all the shows, golf, do all the adult thing, etc. then a 21 months old will slow you down. Leave her at home or prepare to spend a lot of money on in-room babysitting.

2) If you want to go and just enjoy doing a few baby rides, maybe do the baby swap on some thrill rides with your DH, knowing you can't hit all the shows, and don't plan to party all night, and your focus is to see the face on your kid light up (or cry) with character encounters, then bring the kid.

So, what do you want to do?

 

[tbelfonti]

A suggestion to appease your DH about not being able to ride the big rides together ... can you have one of your parents join you for a few days? Then you'll have an extra set of hands to help out and make the trip all that more magical!

Our oldest DD (now 4.5 yrs old) was 15 months when we took her for the first time. She may not "remember" but knows the stories from our trip (like how Pluto tried to "eat" my husband's nearly bald head at Chef Mickey's :lol). We have extremely fond memories of this trip and DD LOVES looking at the pictures.

We also learned a LOT...
* We learned that w/ our DD, we shouldn't travel after her bedtime - she got a second wind after the flight and was still raring to go at 11pm :eek
* Make sure to have provisions in the room for the next morning - we ended up driving around at 5:30 AM trying to find milk
* Keep her on a schedule
* Have her sleep overnight somewhere else beforehand. She was VERY confused in the hotel and had a hard time adjusting.

We are taking our younger DD on her first trip next month. She will be 9.5 months at the time. While that may seem "too early" for some, and we know she won't remember it, we all need this trip. Our younger DD has had two heart surgeries and stomach surgery in her short life and we need some Disney magic right about now. :hearts: The past 8 months have been absolute chaos and we're looking forward to just being a regular, normal family

 

[WDWorBUST]

nygrl - the joy of living in this world is everyone is different and has different opinions - that's what makes the world exciting. I can completely understand where you are coming from and to do what is best for our own families is what we all strive for - so no flames coming from me I am sorry you had a bad first trip with your 2 year old.....and if you have an older child I'm sure that made it a difficult trip for the whole family. For us - and I'm sure it will be different if/when we have another child - we went for 2 reasons - 1. I needed my fix and just being there with the atmosphere and all is wonderous to me and 2. the trip was all about her. If she needed to nap we napped....if she needed to eat we ate.....but it was mommy and daddy working around her - we weren't trying to keep a sibling happy at the same time. I understand and have the utmost respect for your opinion. Don't let anyone change your mind based on their beliefs or make you feel like your opinion is wrong (which I get the distinct impression you would not let either happen )

 

[monorailsilver]

It all depends on your child.

I brought my dd when she was 15 months old & we are going this summer when she will be just over 4 yo. But we are taking her baby brother who will be 2 months shy of 2yo.

My husband & I had the best time watching our dd with the characters. She enjoyed it. That being said, not all kids like the characters so you have to go with your instinct.

I am trying to teach my son the characters now (he is 18 months old & my dd knew pretty much all of them by name at 15 months old-she was very verbal at a year where as he is more shy). I think he may be a bit timid of the characters but I think if he see's his sister running up to them he will do the same but only time will tell.

Even though my dd doesn't remember the trip, my husband & I do & that is part of our memory that will stay with us forever.

 

[aidansmom]

Ds was 23 months when we brought him in December - we had a wonderful time. That said, I think this is a decision that is different for everyone. Personally, I think that there are some major benefits to bringing a young child. You're used to pushing a stroller and carrying a diaper bag (we brought a back-pack style one) anyway, so you can bring everything you need in your diaper bag, without having to worry about purses or fanny packs or any of that bologna and your child gets pushed in a stroller, so no whining about how tired they are or how much their feet hurt. Your dd, I presume, will still be in diapers, so you don't have the added stress of running to find a bathroom so she doesn't have an accident, as you would with a preschooler. She is too little to have an opinion on what ride to do next, so those decisions will be entirely up to you. And, best of all, she's free! Though I'm sure he won't remember it ten years from now, our ds had an amazing time, and we will always be able to remind him through pictures and videos. And, like you said, YOU and dh will always remember the wonder in her little face.

 

[Desnik]

nygrl
I totally respect your opinion. Thanks for responding. I think it is important for the OP to hear stories like yours. Not every kid will be OK with the characters or in some of the attractions. So if you have a bad experience, that could change your point of view. My DS was 20 months on our last trip and was a complete nightmare in every restaurant, except Chef Mickey's!! It didn't make me want to not go to WDW again with a baby, I just learned that he has a hard time "behaving" in a restaurant!!LOL I learned to just eat at counter service places and that worked for us!

 

[nygrl]

nygrl - the joy of living in this world is everyone is different and has different opinions - that's what makes the world exciting. I can completely understand where you are coming from and to do what is best for our own families is what we all strive for - so no flames coming from me I am sorry you had a bad first trip with your 2 year old.....and if you have an older child I'm sure that made it a difficult trip for the whole family. For us - and I'm sure it will be different if/when we have another child - we went for 2 reasons - 1. I needed my fix and just being there with the atmosphere and all is wonderous to me and 2. the trip was all about her. If she needed to nap we napped....if she needed to eat we ate.....but it was mommy and daddy working around her - we weren't trying to keep a sibling happy at the same time. I understand and have the utmost respect for your opinion. Don't let anyone change your mind based on their beliefs or make you feel like your opinion is wrong (which I get the distinct impression you would not let either happen )

thank you so much with your words of support.. i find many times on here that people can not understand how or why i would leave one child home..to me it really isnt a big deal he is very happy staying with grandma and our trip is much more enjoyable!!i see your point and if i had only 1 i probably would feel different but since our first trip was when my older ds was 5 i have nothing to go by except like you said trying to please an older sibling when we decided to bring his 2 year old brother who didnt want to cooperate with anything...once again i truly appreciate you taking the time to support me

 

[nygrl]

nygrl
I totally respect your opinion. Thanks for responding. I think it is important for the OP to hear stories like yours. Not every kid will be OK with the characters or in some of the attractions. So if you have a bad experience, that could change your point of view. My DS was 20 months on our last trip and was a complete nightmare in every restaurant, except Chef Mickey's!! It didn't make me want to not go to WDW again with a baby, I just learned that he has a hard time "behaving" in a restaurant!!LOL I learned to just eat at counter service places and that worked for us!

thanks i knew there were some people on here that understand

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

started going on our honeymoon (people were neg. about that too) and again when our oldest child was 9 months. He is 11 1/2 now and has went every year since. Sometimes more than once a year. Each year we have found different things to enjoy at WDW as you see WDW through your childs eyes. our youngest was only 5 months when she went for the first time. Some years were more difficult with strollers, diapers, bottles etc. But I wouldn't change the experinces of our kids or us for anything.

Hooked on Disney and going back in June

 

[Music Mole]

We are taking our younger DD on her first trip next month. She will be 9.5 months at the time. While that may seem "too early" for some, and we know she won't remember it, we all need this trip. Our younger DD has had two heart surgeries and stomach surgery in her short life and we need some Disney magic right about now. :hearts: The past 8 months have been absolute chaos and we're looking forward to just being a regular, normal family

We are taking our DD in 2 weeks - she will be just short of 6 months old. We are definitely of the mind that this trip is for us more than her. Like tbelfonti, we have had so much stress in the past few months. Our DD had to have surgery the day she was born, spent 23 days in the NICU, caught RSV and brochiolitis after just one week at day-care which resulted in more hospital visits and home breathing treatments, and just when we got past that, my mom was killed in a car accident in February.

We are thrilled to be introducing our daughter to our "addiction" and had always planned to take her to WDW, but actually had not planned to take her this young. But WE need a vacation, and since her doctor nixed flying for us this year, our original vacation plans for the year had to be postponed till next year. Where else to go to hit the "reset" button and try to draw a line in the sand between us and the stress of the recent past but our favorite place? We have moderated our expectations and park touring plans from our pre-baby days, and we know that we really can't "know" what to expect, but we are going to just roll with it and soak up the magic and the pixie dust.

Bottom line - I think it really depends on each person to determine why they want to go and who it's for. Good luck with your decision!