Dhs 4 Too Young For First Trip

[poohbear07]

We will be taking our 4 yrd son to Disneyworld for his first trip Dec 2011 do you think he is too young to remember?

[Disney4us2]

Will he remember it? Probably not later on in life. Will you remember it? Of course. I would go. Make the memroies and document it with pictures/video.

He can always look back on that trip through you and the pictures/videos/stories.

My DD has been going to Disneyland since she was 15 mos old. She is now 10. She doesn't remember way back then. I have the pictures to help her keep the memories going.

I think any age is perfect for experiencing the magic of Disney. Have a great trip:mickey:

[dinahvixen]

We took my dd to WDW when she had just turned 4 and it was a wonderful age. Everything was real to her - the things that aren't real anymore now that she's 8 - and that was priceless. She does remember some aspects of the trip since we took a lot of pictures and revisit them occasionally. Also, we have been back twice since then, so she remembers things from her first visit when we go back.

[jmj18]

My kids both made their 1st trip at age 2. They are 6 and 9 and both remember most of their first trips.

Have a great time!

[faline]

It's hard to know what memories a child will retain. If you're going for a first trip, it sounds like you would plan on, or at least be open, to additional trips. In that case, it really doesn't matter how much remains in memory as you will have a fun family vacation and, as a parent, you will create lots of wonderful memories!

[BigRedDad]

You can take this several ways, but this gets the discussion of "too young" for Disney World.

All my friends said taking my DD2 was too young. I knew going in she would not remember it. However, she remembers alot when she sees the video. Then, unbeknown to us, that my father had terminal lung cancer diagnosed 6 months later. In other words, if we decided not to go because she was "too young", my family would have never had the memory of that trip with my father.

Do not put off what you can do now because you may not be able to do it later.

[forever a child]

You can take this several ways, but this gets the discussion of "too young" for Disney World.

All my friends said taking my DD2 was too young. I knew going in she would not remember it. However, she remembers alot when she sees the video. Then, unbeknown to us, that my father had terminal lung cancer diagnosed 6 months later. In other words, if we decided not to go because she was "too young", my family would have never had the memory of that trip with my father.

Do not put off what you can do now because you may not be able to do it later.

Well said!:ditto:

My DD is now 15 and we went when she was ages 9, 10 & 11. She remember her last trip the best and that is because we have videos of each day which she has watched numerous times. If you can I would video record it. DD has not only enjoyed rewatching this trip but enjoyed watching her earlier years as a toddler, etc. It will well be worth the time and investment regardless of if he remembers specifics of the trip. :mickey:

[Rekenna]

My DS4 went for the first time when he was 2, then when he was 3. Let me tell you, this kid is a Disney Maniac and a future Intercotee, he loves WDW. He remebers quite alot about it. His favorite ride is HM and he tells people about it all the time. We have 2 sing along videos with the HM song and he knows the song by heart. We also listen to the WDW park music CD in the car quite often, he talks about the rides that the songs are associated with.

Obviously not all children would have this amount of recall-DS11 doesn't remember going when he was young, but he had a great time when he was there-and we really enjoyed ourselves as a family. Live in the present!:mickey:

We have a sing along video that is a day in the park at DisneyLand with the characters walking around with a group of children. This is DS4's favorite video, it helped him recognize rides in WDW, it helped him make connections to the park. He walks around open mouthed most of the time we are there, it's a hoot! He dreams about WDW and asks when we are going again.

Have fun!

[obsessive planner]

We are taking our DS3 for the first time at the end of April. I think it is the perfect time to go, he is so excited about it that he talks about going every day. We talk about the rides and the characters and we watch Disney movies to help him get to know some of the lesser known characters in Fantasyland. I personally think he will remember alot about it and he is tall enough to ride things like splash mountain and Big thunder.

Have fun and enjoy seeing the parks through your little ones eyes. That will be the best part for me! :mickey:

[FriendsofMickey]

We took our dd's when they were 2 almost 3. My thought was, "I will take them when they are young, they will have a blast, but then forget it and we can take them again and it will be like going for the first time all over again."

Well, they had such a great time and remembered so much, that we have been going every year since. They are 7 now and they will still mention something about that first trip. It really blows my mind that they can remember it.

So, I say NO 4 years is not too young.

[KAT1811]

Do not put off what you can do now because you may not be able to do it later.


:ditto:

BigRedDad , I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. God rest his soul.

We took a trip two years ago with a bunch of my family including DH's cousin (more like his brother). He is two of our four children's godfather. We lost him very suddenly almost 6 months ago at the age of 37. To be honest we are beyond devistated. Thank God we took that trip. Those memories will be forever in our hearts. Our youngest DD, his first godchild, was 10 months old on that trip. He took her out of the HDDR because I got called on stage and she was freaking out so he took her out for a walk and had their picture taken together just the two of them outside the HDDR. We keep that picture framed beside his urn. A forever special Disney day. She'll never remember that trip or him but we will cherish those memories forever and will make sure that they live on with her forever. I can't imagine never taking that trip. He was supposed to come with us this year (for our first DS, his other godchild's first trip) but never made it.

Sorry for the side track. My point is there are a lot of things that your son may or may not remember but the memories you have will be so special and you can build on them in years to come. He will love looking back at the pictures and hearing the stories of his first trip. Go, take him, and have the most amazing trip ever!!!! No age is too young!!!

[BigRedDad]

Just like Kat1811, you cannot recreate memories. Once the opportunity has escaped, it can never be recovered. I had not planned on going again so quickly, but it is that loss that made me realize there is more to life than work. For most of my life, my parents were single income. My dad did everything for us. In comparison, I do so little.

The way to look at the situation is whether you will enjoy the time together? She may not remember, but you sure will. Take pictures like crazy, take as much video as you can. Relive those memories so they are not forgotten or lost. The people that are telling you not to go are probably the same ones that work too much to enjoy their children or leave them with grandparents so they can get away without them.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

Obviously not all children would have this amount of recall-DS11 doesn't remember going when he was young, but he had a great time when he was there-and we really enjoyed ourselves as a family. Live in the present!:mickey:
Exactly! Four is a wonderful age to go, and I have no doubt that your son will love the experience NOW. You'll never forget watching the magic happen through his sparkling eyes.

[KAT1811]

One more thing to add . . .

There is so much fascination and innocence in a four year old. They are SO taken with everything Disney and they seem to be in awe with everything they come in contact with. The first time you see his eyes light up when he finally discovers the magnitude of Disney will erase any doubts you may have had. Every year there is something my children do or say that is so magical it brings big tears to my eyes.

This year we are heading back "home" for another magical trip with our four children DD13, DD5, DD3, and DS1. DD5 & DD3 will be almost 6 and 4. The amazement we see in their eyes makes it worth every cent.

[tdk316]

Will he remember? Maybe. Will you? Absolutely! We took DS when he was 2.5 in 12/09 and he still talks about it almost every day.

As an aside, we ended up purchasing the only thing he asked for the entire time we were there: Cinderella Castle Play Set. Yeah, never thought we'd buy one of those being we only have two sons... ;)

[wildernesslady]

I would go without hesitation. Your entire family will love it. Also, you will be there during the holiday season. It is extra magical then. Have a great time.

[amorillo]

I'm another "never too young" person. my two oldest went for the first time at age 3. Amazing memories for me! And through pics and videos... yes, they do remember! But really just seeing them get so excited over meeting their favorite character in person! Priceless! My 3rd had her first trip at 4 months! And I loved it! Would definitely do it again! Can't wait to introduce our newest addition to WDW next year (she'll be 17 months)!

[kakn7294]

I also agree that you're never too young. We took our oldest DD when she was 13 mo. She had a blast and we (the adults) have wonderful memories even if she doesn't. For a long time after, anytime she would see Mickey on tv (at the time it was the commercial where he stood on top of Spaceship Earth), she would run to the tv, point and shout "Mickey!". And like a few other posters here, we have lost a loved one unexpectedly after a trip. We went when our oldest was 3, taking both sets of parents and my sister's family. 3 mos after our trip, my MIL was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and passed away 3 mos after that. Fortunately, we have the cherished memories of that trip.

[javamama]

We started taking the kids when ds was 3.5 and dd was 8 months or so. DS still talks about his first trip, and now how many times he's gone to WDW. We went when the kids were 4.5 and 1.(actually a bit older)5--that was an awful age w/dd--she was hard the terrible two's were starting, plus we hit part of spring break and a cold snap--so not a stellar trip all in all. Then last year was GREAT hands down 5.6 and almost 3, they both had a ball, they still talk about the "evil stepmother" from 1900 Park Fare all the time, about being the "captain" on Dumbo, and Aladain--this is mainly my 3.5 year talking now. My 6 year old talks about every inch of the Dinosaur ride daily, and BTM. So kids remember lots, and they do take it all in. If you can afford it, go for it you won't regret it at all!

[g8rgirl29]

I just last month read an article about how young too young for parks etc. What they said in a nutshell is that most young children probably won't remember but you the adult will and isn't that worth a ton!!!! The memories you will have of that first visit will be etched in your brain forever wether your child is 6 months or 17 years.
Plus it is all so real to them at 3 and 4!! I remember my DD being just starstruck by the characters, she was speechless for he first time in her life!! DHS has so many great characters to see and Playhouse Disney, which many have outgrown by 5 or 6. Also at 3 EPCOT was DD's favorite because we spent the afternoon going from country to country just meeting characters that appear and collecting charms for her mask at kidcot locations. There is something for every age group at every park!! Plus DD is almost 6 now and remembers quite a bit from her 3 yo trip!!

[MarkC]

I went the first time when I was 22, and didn't go again until I was 35. I didn't remember most of it either, but I still had a great time. So go, go, go. Our kids were 6 and 3 the first time we went. When we went a year later, the then 4 year old jumped into my arms he was so excited. He remembered a lot of it and was thrilled to be going again. Just a word of warning that once you vacation at Disney, good luck getting anyone to try another spot for vacation.

[wdwfansince75]

Our first Disney trip was to DL in 71....DD#1 was 3 1/2 ....not too long ago, she said she still remembers riding the donkey's up the hill....And DD#2 remembers riding "If You had Wings" with her Grandma, at age 5, 34 years later. DS#2 remembers episodes from a wonderful trip with dear friends on his first visit at age 4. We have made trips with some or all of our grandkids, from 4 months and up....DGD #2 called me her Great Grandpa, "because he took me to Disney" when she was 3 1/2. Never too early....

[Insanity Clause]

This is my personal opinion so take it as you will.

We will be going to WDW in December of this year. I have 5 children age 3-11 I knew that I wasn't going to take my 3 year old with me because she just wouldn't enjoy it despite the fact that she is a Mickey Mouse addict but I was unsure on my second youngest who is 5. I was unsure on what to do here because she loves the princessess but she is fearful of a lot of things and I didn't see rides in dark going on well with her so she has opted to stay with Grandma. It depends on you child. If you think he will enjoy it and not have any real issues then bring him.

[scootch713]

I took my girls when they were 2 1/2 and 5 figuring my 5 year old was the "perfect" age...... well ..... my 2 1/2 year old came home a walking disney world commercial!! That is why we have gone every year since!! She is 7 now and watching the video I took from that year is just priceless...... who cares what they remember, most of what we do they dont' remember but if you enjoy the moment that is all that matters! :cloud9:

[Kathy Jetson]

I took ds for the first time when he was 4 he is 6 now and he remembers his first time. If he forgets something I show him our pictures and he says "Oh yeah''. We had a great time and this year will be his 4th time.:mickey:

[DisneyFr33k]

We took our son at age 4 and our daughter at 6 - their first of many trips. Ironically, back then he wasn't as afraid of rides - he did all of them. Mission Space didn't have the green option and he rode it several times (although I had hours of recovery). The next trip, when he was 6, he wouldn't ride "tummy drop" rides and now at 10, he is even more picky.

I say to for it. It will create great memories for you as a parent and even if he doesn't remember in vivid detail everything, it will be a magical time for you all! Plus, you can always plan another trip when he is older. Our son remembered things from his first trip during the second.

[DonLefNY]

First time we went the kids were 2.5 & 3.5. Do they remember? Not really. Do we? You bet and the pictures taken are priceless. :mickey: