I wasn't sure if this was debate material. If it is, could it please be moved it to the Kitchen Table?
A friend and I were discussing this. She thinks that 15 months is too young to get anything out of a trip to Disney. Her two main arguments are that there are few rides a child that young could ride and the child won't remember the trip anyway. I disagreed with her saying that regardless of whether the child remembers or not (how many parents throw first birthday parties for kids? They won't remember that, either), exposing them to new and varied sites and experiences is good stimulation and will help in development. Besides, I think any trip or excursion, no matter how small, strengthens family ties and makes precious memories.

By Jodes on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:22 am:

I agree with you about the special memories the trip will create, however, after just being at Disneyland in October, I definately feel that 15 months is too young for that kind of trip. It is a lot of walking for one thing, but mostly, I feel that a 15 month old will not get the enjoyment out of it. My kids were 7 and 9, and even the 7 yr old had a few melt down moments from being so exhausted! I would consider waiting a while, but ultimitly it is your decision.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:22 am:

Sorry. I agree with your friend. My kids were 3 1/2 and 5 when we went to Disney. It was just about the perfect ages to go. My ds (3 1/2) still got very tired easily. By the third day, he was DONE with Disney. IMHO it may be too much stimulation for a child that is 15 months old.

I just would not want to spend that much money and spend the time dealing with a cranky baby.

Others may disagree with me.

By Tink on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:29 am:

While I agree with your point, I found Disney to be VERY overwhelming for my daughter when she was that young. Too loud, too hot, too much stimulation in general. I think first birthdays are done for the parents and, while new sites and experiences are good, if the child is overstimulated and fussy, no one is going to enjoy the trip the way it should be enjoyed. There are so many other places that are more young-child friendly. I don't think that there is anything wrong with taking a child that age, just that the experience won't be what you had in mind and that waiting a year would provide a more interactive visit. JMO, of course

By Jann on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:29 am:

I agree with your friend too.

By Sunny on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:37 am:

I guess I see it that way because my experience was different. I took my third child when he was 15 months (along with his two older brothers) and it was a great vacation. He enjoyed the characters, the rides he went on and even the plane ride! I found it easier with him at that age than our last trip we took when he was 4. It was a completely different story. He didn't want to have anything to do with any of it! LOL

By Lorebunde on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:37 am:

I see what you are saying about being too young but I would still go. A while ago I was talking to a friend of mine saying I would love to go to England, My kids at the time were 7 and 13. She thought that was too young. Who cares if they remember, you will still have your memories. If thats the case, go again when they are older. I felt that what am i supposed to do, stay home just because I have young children, Of course she doesn't have children.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 12:16 pm:

We are most like taking Rylee to MGM for her 2nd birthday to see Playhouse Disney. I would not take her now, because I think that she is too young.

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 12:19 pm:

We took Timmy two years ago to Disney over his 1st birthday and though it worked, it wasn't that much fun. He was hot and miserable, so he just checked out and went to sleep. The rides do not let you take strollers right up to the gate so some of the time we were stuck holding a sleeping baby.

Given the choice again, I'd wait and let him get older first.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 12:49 pm:

I agree that I don't think it would be much fun, and honestly, I understand about them not remembering it, but I would like for them to remember something that expensive! LOL That's just me. Also, I personally don't want the hassle of toting around and dealing with a 15mth. old at DW. I know how tired WE are when we're there, so I can't imagine the overload for a little one. JMHO. Lots of people do it though, so more power to 'em!

By Jann on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 01:16 pm:

but I would like for them to remember something that expensive! LOL

AMEN!!!!!!!!

By Sunny on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 01:30 pm:

The grandparents are paying for it, or I should say for the room and flight. Kids 2 and under are still free at Disney.

I do understand what all of you who disagree are saying. But, I also see this as an opportunity my friend wouldn't have on her own and that was another reason I disagreed with her.

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 01:45 pm:

I say 3 years old. I don't know why. It just seems like a magical number. DD is 26 months old and is barely getting to the stage of enjoying rides and family outings. When she was a baby, we went to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and of course all the county fairs before she turned a year old. It was more for DH and I to get the "family feel" since he just returned home from Iraq. DD was definitely too young, she slept most of the time.

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 01:47 pm:

They are free for 2 and under for a reason.

I know I wanted to take dd as soon as she was old enough to walk. But we waited until she was a little past 3. There was alot for her to do but so much she wanted to do but couldn't because she was too little. We will go back again just after she's 5. She still remembers alot about the trip and we had a great time.

By Jackie on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 02:12 pm:

Im biased. I love Disney and have been there 14 times myself. My My last trip was a short 2 day trip to Disney at the end of June. Faith was 10 months old when we went. Normally my kids are 18 months old when I take them for the first time. I will say Faith was the best behaved one of the 3, and thats no lie. She didnt cry once, despite being in and out of the stroller 100 times. Plus, she went on every ride that we went on. Ok, things like roller coasters, no she didnt go on. She went on all the kid rides. Her favorite was "The small world ride", her bright eyes said it all. Will she remember this vacation, HECK NO... We will though. Everybody has different opinions on what is the right age. Plus like somebody said, kids 2 and under are free, so why not enjoy with the little ones.
Id go back next week with her again, if I could afford it .. Im a Disney addict

By Eve on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 02:14 pm:

My first trip to Disney was at age 5, and I still remember it! It was great! I don't think there is any one age that is just right. I think it depends on your children. I think you have to follow your own instincts. I've been just sort of waiting until my DD is old enough to remember. BUT, I also don't plan on doing Disney just once! LOL!

I absolutely agree, at 15 months to share a family experience is shaping that child's mind and will stay in the back part of the brain as a memory. I wouldn't worry what others think, make the best choice for your family.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 02:15 pm:

Well, I didn't get to go until I was 19, but we went there on a Monday and a Thursday. On the Thursday, we were there an unbelievable amount of hours and I was feeling kind of cranky. At the end of the day, it seemed that every kids in strollers were pretty cranky, too. I don't think I would have taken a kid that young.

By Beth on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 02:37 pm:

I think it matters somewhat what time of year you are going. If you are taking a young child in the heat of July and when crowds are at there max I would say no. With that said we went the first week in May of 2004 my kids were 3 and 5. We had a great time but it did take my 3 year old sometime to warm up to the whole thing and her brother 5 definately had a better time. I saw lots of families with younger kids not having a good time. We are going back in Oct this year my dk's will be 4 and 7 this time. My dd is excited about it and in on the "planning". We are also taking my two nephews 2 and 4, along with my sis and parents. We will see how this trip goes.

By Debbie on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 02:42 pm:

We took my oldest ds to Disneyland when he was 18 months. We lived in Northern Calif. at the time, so it was an easy drive down. We stayed for 3 days and had a fantastic time. We went in Oct. during off season. The park was not busy and it wasn't too hot. We were still able to swim. We took it slow and easy and kept ds on his schedule. Dh and I agreed that it was one of our best vacations. He loved the characters and parades. There were also plenty of rides he could enjoy.

Now, would I take a 15 month old to Disneyworld in the middle of summer for a week vacation, No. Not if that was the only child I had. We didn't actually go to Disneyworld with our 2 kids until they were 5 and 3. However, if I had several children who were old enough to enjoy it and one little one, then I would do it.

I think it would just all depend on the situation.

By Mommmie on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 09:32 pm:

No, I wouldn't do it. Huge hassle factor. They don't get anything out of it. It's a lot of work for you.

I went to Disneyland at age 5 and have zero memories of it except having to get up super early for our flight to LA and I went to Disney World at age 10 and have two memories of it - the tram went through our hotel and the haunted house ride. That's it. I do remember the Ft. Lauderdale part of our trip and one leg of the flight, but that's it. The trips I remember were age 12 and up.

I took my son to Europe when he was 22 months old (no one to leave him with) and when I remind him (for whatever reason) that he's been to Italy or Bosnia, he says it doesn't count because he doesn't remember it. (And it was a *huge* hassle having to deal with him on the trip. I would never take a toddler on a big trip again!) It's hard to make family memories when everyone is mad and everything has to be tag-teamed.

Now if you're one of those yearly Disney visitors who go annually no matter the obstacles or if you live nearby, then I say take him. But if it's a big trip involving planes and money, then, no, I wouldn't take him.

By Mommyof5 on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 10:56 pm:

The first time we took our daughters they were 7, 4, 3 and 13 months. We went when the park opened and stayed until it closed. There were no meltdowns and the 13 month old had a blast. The second time we went the youngest was just short of her 2nd birthday (still free) and had a great time again.

By Pamt on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:17 pm:

I definitely think that new and varied experiences are important and aid in development. However, in the realm of a 15 month old a trip to the grocery store or a trip to a pond to feed the ducks would qualify.

I have said before that I am not a Disney fan at all. I think it is over-priced, over-rated, and frankly not very much fun. I went 2-3 times as a child and have very few warm fuzzy memories--I was elementary aged. I remember being miserably hot and standing in long lines and hugging/getting my pic made with a few characters. I also have a few fleeting memories of some rides like Small World, Pirates of the Carrib., and Flying Dumbo. My kids have been once to Disney too (ages 6 and 9) and felt pretty much the same way with no big desire to return.

I personally am a fan of renting a cabin in the mountains or on a lake. Plenty to see and do, but you can also accomodate a toddler's nap schedule and not overwhelm him with all of the sights and sounds of a place like Disney. It really is over-stimulating to little ones IMO. And price is a factor too. Even if the little one is free, it's a shame for the rest of the family to have to risk a miserable time and all of that money lost. If Disney is a developmental milestone "must", as many seem to think it is, then I definitely say at least 3 years old or older.

By Brandy on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 12:26 am:

Nick and Alex just went i will have to say that i'm thinking they are a good age to go... lol 15 months i don't think i would do it but that's probably just me lol...I don't deal well with cranky hot babies well anymore = ) ..

By Feona on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 06:58 am:

I you want to go to Disney
World, I would got. It should be fun.

The baby will probably sleep in the carriage and you can enjoy epcot center.

But I would go again when the baby is bigger too.

I would get a hotel with some sort of pool.

We didn't decide to travel until ds was 2 because
we couldn't figure it out. But that is just us. LOL>

By Vicki on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 07:35 am:

Pamt, I thought I was the only one in the world that wasn't all that impressed with Disney. We went on the Disney land and sea vacation in June and to be honest, I would do the cruise again in a heart beat, but could never set foot in Disney again and be just fine with it. I really didn't see the big deal with Disney and it really isn't much different than the amuzement parks I can visit around here in Ohio!

By Jann on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 07:56 am:

This reminds me of taking my oldest to the circus. We were so excited to take him. He was probably 3 or so. Tons of little ones scared to death of the clowns everywhere. It was a total waste of money. Many years later when my kids were about 8 and 12, they begged to go. We thought 'aren't they too old?' but we took them. Boy did they really stand out in the crowd of all little ones too. BUT, they had a complete blast! Loved everything about it. They still talk about what a great time they had. And there was still a crowd of crying/scared toddlers.
I think we get so excited to 'experience' things with our kids that we forget to wait till it's really the right time for them to experience it.

By Jackie on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:17 am:

One thing about Disney, you either feel the magic or you dont LOL..
For me, I FEEL the MAGIC... Ive been there 14 times, and if I had my way Id live in Cinderellas castel LOL..
All kidding aside, for me its a magical place, and something Ive always wanted to share with my kids. We were there in June with Faith, and she didnt cry one time, and it was NOT a hassle to bring a 10 month old baby there.
My husband does not feel the magic, but goes along for me.

By Debbie on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:46 am:

I agree completely, Jackie. You either love Disney or hate it. My dks happen to love it. We are going to visit my brother in Santa Monica next month and we are going to Disneyland for a couple of days. We haven't been there since my oldest ds was a toddler. As far as cost, there are lots of websites that tell you how to save money and get discounts. Our trips to Disney end up not costing us anymore then our other vacations.

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:49 am:

I don't feel the Magic, LOL! I did enjoy epcot, and we stayed at the Grand Floridian, which is gorgeous, but we don't really have the desire to go back. Cedar Point is the best amusement park in the nation, (not just my opinion!)and it is only a few hours away, and we get season passes to Kings Island, so we get plenty of amusement park action. For our vacation dollars, I'd rather take a cruise, go to Europe, or just sit on a beach somewhere!

By Beth on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:51 am:

I think that some of it does matter when you go. I know when I was a kid my dad was a teacher we always took these two week vacations over the 4th. Twice we went to Disney. I remeber hot, hot, more hot and lines. I went in May last year and it was acompletely different expierence. Bearable weather and hardly any lines. Makes a big difference.

By Debbie on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 09:01 am:

I agreee Beth, when you go is a big factor. If you go for the first time in the middle of peak season, during the summer, you will be miserable. The first few times we took our dks it was off season. Wonderful weather and no lines. Now, that we have been a few times and know how things work, we don't mind going in the summer. Last year we went at the end of Aug. when a lot of schools were back in session. It was hot, but not very crowded. It definitely makes a BIG difference.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 12:45 pm:

I agree that it DOES matter when you go...dh and I NEVER went peak season, we always went value season because of the crowds. That was just us. I'd never take kids (probably any age!) during a peak time, but we're pretty picky about the crowds anywhere. It just seems like during peak season you can't do much....just wait most of the day.

By Melissa on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 03:26 pm:

I agree with you, as long as you pace it for your kids it will be fine. dd's first trip was at 2 it was awesome and a totally different pace and trip from the one we are about to do in Aug when she'll be almost 8. I wouldn't do peak season with a little one though. Good luck and have fun!

By Karefl on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:38 pm:

Interesting topic! All of my kids stared at Disney when they were months old! We were/are (dH only now) cast members & live minutes away. We have unlimited admission to the parks. We hear the fireworks from home. My sister comes over & goes at least twice a year & her kids are 4 & 7 month now. My niece calls the Pop Century resort *her* hotel! LOL All of them (her's & mine) have kind of grown up Disney. At all ages there has been something special to watch in them! They might not remember the experience, but they still have FUN!! We as parents get to re-live thier excitement over & over! LOL If I had to pay I would probably think twice about sinking the $$$ into it before they were a little older though! I spend enough just on FOOD when we go in for a whole day. That doesn't happen but once or twice a year though. We ususally just go over to see something new of a couple of particular attractions. We rarely get to the Kingdom, so that's a treat for the boys! Still some magic there for them!

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 10:53 pm:

Sarah, 15, LOVED Disney and would go again in a heartbeat. She really doesn't like rollercoasters, so she liked that there was more to do, than just that. Also, she went in April and the lines were short and the temps were comfortable, in the 80's.

By Fraggle on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 07:09 am:

On our last trip my oldest DD was 3 and my youngest was 15 months. It was probably our best trip ever. We went during a slower time of year so there were not many lines and we only went on rides that everyone could go on (well except for Goofy's rollercoaster which my 3 yr. old DD loved-there were a lot of rides in Magic Kingdom for everyone to enjoy. I am a huge Disney fan-I can't help but tear up when I hear Jiminy Cricket sing "When you wish upon a star..." My youngest really had a great time-she was so happy at Disney-but she has always loved having a lot going on around her. But I have to admit, that trip was mostly for my 3 yr. old. She loved every minute and remembers a lot of it.

By Kaye on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:43 pm:

My only trip to disney was when my kids were 1, 3 and 5. Just turned those ages, the baby was about 13 months. We loved it, it was my favorite family vacation ever. I am so glad I didn't get talked into not going. A couple of things, in general when we vacation we only go once, disney isn't really that sort of vacation for us. We will go back, it is just a matter of when. When they were all little we went and most saw shows, all family rides, only one ride did we ride that the baby didn't go on (splash mountain). They have a great younger section, lots of moving rides etc. But he loved to sit and watch movies and such already, so it wasn't like I expected him to behave for an hour when he hadn't shown he can do that. It really depends on your child and I think number 2 and 3 do better than the oldest child would do. He was so used to be dragged along to whatever we had to do. I am saving to go back any day now, it will be a whole different trip. I now wonder what we will do without a stroller to hold all that extra stuff!