The first time we took our kids to Disney World, they were 4.5, newly 3, and newly 1. Some scoffed at us and said it was silly to take them to Disney World when they were too young to really be able to remember it later.
Y’all? Those who say that are at the wrong parks: the Grinch has no place at Disney World.
Because Disney World with little kids is absolutely magical. It’s still magical no matter when you take them and in fact, there’s a whole new kind of magic to discover when you go to Disney World with Tweens, but there are plenty of reasons to go when your kids are “too young to remember it.”
I’ll never forget when my 3 year old saw Minnie Mouse for the first time. We were at a dinner and he saw her walking out a door and heading across the room to where she’d be taking pictures. He slipped from my side and called “Minnie, Minnie, it’s me, Adam!” and he was the first child to reach her and she swooped him up in a giant hug. He didn’t want to leave her side.
Going to Disney World with small kids is finding the magic in the smallest things: putting on their first pair of Mickey ears or watching fireworks off the hotel balcony.
It’s the absolute joy in the rides and feeling transported to the land of make believe. You can barely see his head, but my 3 year old is driving his Daddy in that orange car. And that’s my 1 year old, entranced by It’s a Small World.
It’s seeing shows in the streets of Disney and getting completely caught up in them. My 4 year old was pulled into an activity with the Toy Story Army Guys (as he calls them) and in the middle of it, he asked them if their arms and legs come off (because sometimes that happened to his army guys at home). He’s the little guy in yellow.
The magic of Disney is that when we walked past the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” playground last Spring during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, my oldest said “Mom, didn’t I ride an… ant… or… something like that when we were here before?”
It’s believing you’ll find the talking tools in Handy Manny’s toolbelt or that Lightning McQueen will vroom for you. (Or insert whatever magic your child’s favorite character possesses- they’ll find it and believe).
Disney World with little kids: it’s pure love, joy, and magic.
It’s creating family memories, knowing that kids grow up so fast and you’ll look back on your old photos some day, tears forming in your eyes, wondering where the time went. And you’ll be glad you have those magical Disney memories.
We have gone every year since my kids were 1 & 4 and I wouldn’t want it any other way 🙂
We love Disney! We went for the first time when Tommy was 6 and Natalie was 1. They both had a blast. I thought Natalie might scream at the characters, but she loved them all and kept trying to go to them.
Disney is such a magical place. Even if they kids are “too young to remember”, the joy on their faces in the moment is amazing.
So sweet – our family went and there were no kids in our party – so who cares what age your kids are, or if you don’t have any. It’s Disney!
Kids of all ages love Disney, especially the ones who will be too young to remember it. It is such a unique vacation!
I’ve got Disney pics from when my girls were 3 and 6 and when my son was 2 and the girls were 7 and 10. We went a couple of years ago and will probably go again this year, God willing! This nice gentleman who worked at Disneyland at our last visit said that while you are in the park, you have a Disney corrected age. You simply add your two digit age together. So for example my daughter who is 18 would be 9 inside a Disney park because 1+8=9 and if you are 20 this means you are…. 2! So you are always a kid in Disneyland!
Aww, I took my daughter when she was super young too. There’s even more to do there nowadays!
Agreed, they might not remember, but you’ll always remember those moments. There’s also a lot for toddler to do at WDW, I even put together a guide of the play areas for them.
It’s not called the most magical place on earth for no reason! Whether they remember or not, the experience is magical.
Awww! I went when I was about 13 maybe or almost 14. I remember and it was fun for sure. I want to go with my kids within the next 2 years, oldest is 13 and youngest is 7 middle is 9, hoping they can experience it at least once – even if they are too young to remember, it was great you took them!
Disney is a blast at any age. I am so lucky because my family all loves to visit Disneyworld and Disneyland. Seeing the picture of your kid driving Dad around reminded me of all the times my hubby got treated to that experience as each kid claimed him for a passenger.
I took my son when he was 4, he remembered everything about it. It’s a lot of money so you want your child to remember it.
You’d be surprise what they remember and hey thats what photos are for! Look we all know Disney is for adults…we just need kids as an additional excuse to go sometimes lol
I think Disney is for all ages. It is great you were able to take the kids when they were younger. It would be fun to see them witness the magic.
I think that is sweet you took your kids to WDW regardless of age.
Your pictures show they had a wonderful time.
I think Disney is an amazing experience no matter what your age! I really want to take the cruise, but honestly, I am not overly excited about the theme parks. Just so many other destinations I would rather go to.
While my kids may not remember, it was important to take them for us. I loved the memories so much!
My kids have spent their whole lives going to Disney. They may not remember the trips from their younger years (but I’ve got pictures!!!), but they do remember that their family has always been seeking out ways for everyone to have fun together.
Hear Hear! I agree wholehearetdly. 🙂 My daughter had her hand taken by Mickey in the crowd and he walked with her for a bit. I was a little panicked because the crowds converging on Mickey were making me lose my daughter, oy! but it was a priceless experience. 🙂
Having just returned from a trip to Disney World with my 3 grand sons (ages 3, 3 and 1), I couldn’t agree with you more. Magical!