Will my five year old remember our Walt Disney World trip?

by Terry
(Greenville, MI USA)

Will my five year old remember our Walt Disney World trip?

I was speaking to a friend who indicated she and her family went to Disneyland in Ca when she was five years old. She said she remembers the palm trees, a ride on a train, but only about five seconds of Disneyland. Do I want to spend big money for a five second memory??

We have three children ages 9,7,& 5. I know the older two will have great memories, but not sure about my 5 year old. Obviously the park is intended for all ages, but do you think we will be limited as to what we can "ride" by her age (and height, she is only as tall as the average 3.5 year old)?

Dad's Memorable Answer

Terry,

First, thank you for your question. I'm struggling with an answer. My first instinct is to shout and shake you and scream and holler. (Whew, glad I got that out of my system.) But, I'll be nice and try to answer your question rationally.

Let's take the last part of your question first. Do you think we'll be limited as to what we can "ride" by her age and height?

Sure you will, but unless your 7 year old is a giant for their age they won't be able to ride some of the rides.

Walt Disney World is built for kids of all ages. There are many rides that are specifically designed for the younger generation. In fact in the Magic Kingdom almost one third of the park was developed just for the younger ones (Fantasyland and Mickey's Toontown Fair).

Don't worry about what she'll miss, she'll miss a lot more if you don't go.

Which brings me to your first question. will my five year old remember our Disney World trip?

First let me say that Dad believes that 4-5 years old is the youngest age to take a child on a Disney World trip. It's also the perfect age to go on your first trip.


The Man-Child at 5 years old on a Disney World Trip

We waited until the Man-Child was almost 5 for our first trip with the kids. (The Princess was 9.) It was perfect.

How to create memories of a Disney World trip

I've been struggling with this all morning. I just want to shout, "Why are you trying to make excuses not to go to Disney World?" But I'll refrain and make a better point.

If you want your children to have memories of Disney World trips it's up to you to make it happen. How are memories created? By reliving them over and over.

Ways to reinforce memories

Talk about your Disney World trip regularly. Take pictures and videos and don't just throw them into boxes. Use them have regular Disney World nights where you bring out the pictures and videos and talk about them. (You can use one of them to surprise the kids with the next trip. Then you take the regular trip nights and make them into planning nights.)

Your memories

Just have to slip this one in, your 5 year old might not remember the trip, but you will never forget it. Go back and ask your friend what their Mom or Dad remembers about the trip to Disneyland when she was 5. I'll bet you'll hear several great stories.

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The Perfect Ages

Terry, let me say that 5,7,9 are the perfect ages for a Disney World trip. Children 10 and over pay adult prices. If you take a trip this year, it will be the least expensive Disney World trip you'll ever take. After this year, your oldest will be counted as an adult.

The Man-Child

The Man-Child's Bottom Line

Today I asked the Man-Child about this. He was almost 5 the first time he visited Walt Disney World. He's 20 now. He remembers several things. I told him about your question and asked what he thought, he said "I'd recommend they go."

Hope this helps