[DisneyTeacher]

Originally posted by mmouse67l
We simply put off our Disney trips until our son was old enough to come with us. It was not easy but I wanted to be able to share it with him. To me it was worth the wait.

We waited too but we only have one child. We didn't have a 5 year old who was ready to go and a baby at home. I enjoyed taling my 5 year old and I wouldn't have wanted to wait until he was 9 or 10 until a younger child grew up. Five was almost too late for my son, he didn't believe the characters were real. It was so sad!! After we got there he started to believe but I don't think he will ever truly believe again!

[mmouse67l]

Originally posted by DisneyTeacher
We waited too but we only have one child. We didn't have a 5 year old who was ready to go and a baby at home. I enjoyed taling my 5 year old and I wouldn't have wanted to wait until he was 9 or 10 until a younger child grew up. Five was almost too late for my son, he didn't believe the characters were real. It was so sad!! After we got there he started to believe but I don't think he will ever truly believe again!

The characters aren't real??!! :cry:

I'm almost 32 and I still believe in my own way. I can remember trips growing up and even if you don't believe in certain things, the magic is always there.

Bottom line, it's a very personal decision. I would choose to wait, but I don't judge those who choose not to.

[craziebabie1]

I think the feelings you are having are pretty normal. It does get hard with the ride switch a lot of times, and it can be very tiring. Especially on the little ones. There will be plenty of chances to take the baby, when she can do more. have a good time, and don't feel guilty. Grandma will take care of everything.:)

.(Sorry,parents out there,I don't want to offend anyone,but I just don't think kids that young remember going).

I don't agree with this based on the fact that the first time I took my daughter she was 11 months old. She is 5 now, and remembers a few vivid moments of the trip. It blows my mind. It is things I didn't remember until she brought them up. The most vivid memory is her seeing Pooh for the first time. She remembered sitting on his lap and not wanting to leave. I can't figure out how she remembers it, but she does.

[iluvwdw]

Originally posted by DisneyAnne
I guess my point is this... there are advantages and disadvantages to both. I don't feel like anyone should feel guilty whether they take their toddlers or not. Every family has to meet their own needs at that time and that includes everyone on the trip including the toddlers and the older children. Go on your trip and enjoy yourselves... I feel certain that there will be many more trips for your #2 daughter.

Anne, you hit the nail on the head!!!

[Disneybound]

My husband and I had a cruise/disneyworld trip planned for March of 1996. We decided to take this vacation with our then 4 month old son. Personally, I would not have had a good time if I had to leave my son at home. My husband and I were able to do everything that we wanted to do by sharing the responsibility of taking care of our baby. I agree, the only memories Chris has of that vacation are the thru the many pictures that he has looked at and thru the many stories we have told him about that vacation. I am happy to state that since Chris visited DW this past March and July, he is now able to tell "his own" stories and I enjoyed seeing DW again thru his eyes. Our son is now 7, we still have not taken a vacation without him. However, it is not out of guilt. I simply have a better time when he can be with us. Otherwise I would be worrying about this and that because we weren't together. Then again, Chris didn't grow up with babysitters. If I couldn't take him, we didn't go. The exception of course would be an adult only event. I waited too long to be blessed with our child; I just appreciate all the time we have to spend together now. But, to get back to the original question of feeling guilty or not; no, don't. When your children are older and are going thru the photo albums together and the question pops up, "Where was I?" just be honest. You were spending qualtity time with Grandma and "here is the photo album created of all the special things you and grandma got to do". Allow grandma to spend some quality time with the 5 year old and they can both have special photo albums of time spent with grandma!
Just my thoughts.

[mattomouseman]

Some of you haved discussed the reality of t he charactgers and how children of differing ages react to the reality or fanatsy of hte costumed characters. On our last trip our two DS's had a meeting of the minds and quite often during the trip dicussed which characters were real and which were not. They one discussion about Micky Mouse. My oldest was telling my youngest that the Mickey just saw wasn't real. I was shocked that my 8 year old would dash my yougests dreams. But then he went on to explain that it wasn't the real Mickey because we had just seen him Donalds Breakfast-o-saures and he couldn't be in two palces at once! I laughed so hard! Talk about magical!
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[MickeyRon]

I want to thank all who have responded to this thread... While this has not been an easy dicisioin for us I believe that we do know best for our Daughter and we believe the best thing is for her to spend the time with her grandmother. We too treasure our children and that is the reason we have struggled with the decision. However, in the outcome of the pro's and con's we believe the best place for our 20 month old is at home with grandma!! Of course, with many calls from Mom and Dad...

Again thanks for all of the responses! They are much appreciated and I wish your families the best...

[Dana]

Originally posted by rengland
I want to thank all who have responded to this thread... While this has not been an easy dicisioin for us I believe that we do know best for our Daughter and we believe the best thing is for her to spend the time with her grandmother. We too treasure our children and that is the reason we have struggled with the decision. However, in the outcome of the pro's and con's we believe the best place for our 20 month old is at home with grandma!! Of course, with many calls from Mom and Dad...

Again thanks for all of the responses! They are much appreciated and I wish your families the best...

Many calls and MANY presents too. Your decision is right because it's YOUR decision. Children are only going to be children once and I think your oldest may enjoy some time alone with Mom and Dad. Before you know it, she'll be 18. I'm shocked by how old my daughter is once in a while. I am so glad we get these trips alone together to WDW. It's honestly the best time of my life sharing the "world" with her. It's pricesless.:)

[DisneyTeacher]

I think you made the right decision for your family. I think the time spent with grandparents is so special. I think week with grandma will make both very happy.

My DS was lucky enough to get to take his grandparents to WDW with him for his first trip. He will remember that forever and so will they.

Remember---No guilt!!!

[BDavis932]

Originally posted by mattomouseman
Some of you haved discussed the reality of t he charactgers and how children of differing ages react to the reality or fanatsy of hte costumed characters.

My 3 year old saw Pinocchio on our first day at the MK...she has always loved seeing the characters (and still does...she just scared me when she said this..) I said "would you like to stand in line to meet Pinocchio?" She said "That's not the real Pinocchio, he's just wearing a costume!!" *GASP* I thought, "OMG our trip is over"...our 7 year old still *believes* these are the real characters, but my 3 year old doesn't??? Thank goodness the only one that she wasn't convinced of was Pinocchio (she said the real Pinocchio doesn't wear tights!!!)....don't know what I would have done if she didn't *believe* the rest where not real!

[llama]

You're absolutely right. You made the right decision because it was your decision - and I bet grandma is rubbing her hands with glee...

[MrDisneyfan1]

We have brought our children at all ages, currently they are 19 months and 5.5 years. We brought the little DS when he was 4 months, and had a great time. Everything is a bit more time consuming, but I have great memories of him having sooo much fun. He was even part of the MK parade! He won't remember it, but I know I will. But Yes Grandma will be very luck to have him all to herself, and I'm sure he'll get lots of goodies brought home.
Den;) :) ;)

[RMJKS05]

...I wish more folks would do the same.

Sorry y'all - Got caught up in the Stroller Derby all too often on our most recent trip.

[MrDisneyfan1]

Hey don't blame the babies, they're not driving the strollers...blame the parents! But these would be the same people that probably just would walk right in front of you stroller or not.
Den

[Dana]

Originally posted by MrDisneyfan1
Hey don't blame the babies, they're not driving the strollers...blame the parents! But these would be the same people that probably just would walk right in front of you stroller or not.
Den

Can I hear an Amen?AMEN!