We did something a little crazy the other day.
Maybe crazy isn’t the right word, maybe out of character is a better way of
putting it.
Maybe crazy isn’t the right word, maybe out of character is a better way of
putting it.
But then again maybe it is crazy.
For months we have been dying to get away just
the 3 of us. Staying with my parents has sort of squelched all the family time
the 3 of us have. And John has been working a lot.
the 3 of us. Staying with my parents has sort of squelched all the family time
the 3 of us have. And John has been working a lot.
Yet every idea we had for a weekend away seemed
to fall flat. One of us had to work or it was too expensive or it didn’t seem
to be age appropriate for Jack.
to fall flat. One of us had to work or it was too expensive or it didn’t seem
to be age appropriate for Jack.
And like rules, I’m a big fan of things being age
appropriate. For the most part I haven’t seen the point in taking Jack to museums or amusement parks.
appropriate. For the most part I haven’t seen the point in taking Jack to museums or amusement parks.
We have done our local amusement park and Storybook Land this summer and it’s sort of been hit or miss. Jack has liked some rides and cried over others.
And none of these trips have been thrilling for John and I.
We love to see Jack have fun but Jack has just as much fun at the local playground as he does at the rides.
But all of this was before John suggested Disney
World. He said it in passing one night. Like, “pass the wine, I was trying to
figure out how we could go to Disney for a few days”.
World. He said it in passing one night. Like, “pass the wine, I was trying to
figure out how we could go to Disney for a few days”.
At the words Disney my brain started shooting off
fireworks. Little known fact, I love Disney.
fireworks. Little known fact, I love Disney.
My parents took us every year from the time I was
9 till I was 21. My first trip to Disney was when I was 5 and I assumed that Jack’s first trip would be at about that age. John and I got engaged in Disney World.
9 till I was 21. My first trip to Disney was when I was 5 and I assumed that Jack’s first trip would be at about that age. John and I got engaged in Disney World.
When I found out I was pregnant I started mentally planning our family’s first trip to Disney World. I had always imagined taking my kid on Pirates of the Carribbean and It’s a Small World. I love Disney World and I couldn’t wait to share it with my child.
So John said, “Disney” and the word hung in my mind
for days.
for days.
Then my friend Melissa (who was leaving for Disney later that week)
told me that Disney is running a promo where the dining plan is
free. And that her son who is 4 months younger than Jack, loves it there and
can go on most rides.
Suddenly my one track mind was headed straight
towards the Magic Kindgom.
towards the Magic Kindgom.
I did some research, which mostly consisted of
googling “Disney with a 2 year old”. And
most of what I read was positive and pointed our lots of attractions that I had
forgotten about. Tom Sawyer Island playground in the Magic Kingdom and Toon Town.
googling “Disney with a 2 year old”. And
most of what I read was positive and pointed our lots of attractions that I had
forgotten about. Tom Sawyer Island playground in the Magic Kingdom and Toon Town.
Going to Disney is not just a trip to an amusement park but a whole world of vacation options: pools, playgrounds, shopping, rides and shows.
Then I stumbled upon this website that is written by a Dad and someone had submitted a question
about whether or not they should take their 2 year old and was it worth it?
about whether or not they should take their 2 year old and was it worth it?
His response was that it is worth it. That you do
it for your memories not just for theirs, you take pictures so that you can
show them this trip. He said you should go as often as you can afford and enjoy
it because they are only young once and it will go by so fast.
it for your memories not just for theirs, you take pictures so that you can
show them this trip. He said you should go as often as you can afford and enjoy
it because they are only young once and it will go by so fast.
And I was sold (not that I really needed to be).
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring or next
year or next month. But I do know that today we have the means and the time to
do this, so we are doing it. And god knows we need this time to ourselves as a family. Even if we just sit by the pool for 5 days we need this time together.
year or next month. But I do know that today we have the means and the time to
do this, so we are doing it. And god knows we need this time to ourselves as a family. Even if we just sit by the pool for 5 days we need this time together.
And I think that the reason I can justify Disney
over say Sesame Place is that Disney was such a part of my life as a kid. We
did Sesame Place once, my family was never big on aquariums or museums, we did
Disney.
over say Sesame Place is that Disney was such a part of my life as a kid. We
did Sesame Place once, my family was never big on aquariums or museums, we did
Disney.
It’s my nostalgia, my memories, my history, my happy place. And now I
get to start sharing that with Jack. I can’t think of a better reason to go
than that.
We are going to Disney World. We are taking our first family vacation. And I don’t think
it’s crazy, in fact I can’t wait!
it’s crazy, in fact I can’t wait!
My Disney disclaimer: We are doing this trip for
an amazingly affordable price. The dining plan is free with our room and we
didn’t have to book flights because we are flying to Florida in October to
vacation with my parents. So I changed our flights so that we can do Disney for
5 nights and then meet my parents. I was not charged for a flight change. Also
Disney doesn’t charge for kids under 3 for park passes or rooms or the meal plan. I hope that this trip is the first of many trips to Disney that our family will take.
Disney did not pay me anything or sponsor this post, they likely don’t even know this blog exists. : )
an amazingly affordable price. The dining plan is free with our room and we
didn’t have to book flights because we are flying to Florida in October to
vacation with my parents. So I changed our flights so that we can do Disney for
5 nights and then meet my parents. I was not charged for a flight change. Also
Disney doesn’t charge for kids under 3 for park passes or rooms or the meal plan. I hope that this trip is the first of many trips to Disney that our family will take.
Disney did not pay me anything or sponsor this post, they likely don’t even know this blog exists. : )
I didn't know about them not charging for kids under 2! Darnit, we are about to not have a 2 year old anymore – ha!
Anyway, so glad you are getting away as a family and to one of your favorite places. You're going to have a BLAST! xo
Actually I'm wrong under 3 is free, you still have time : )
Go and have a blast! We took our oldest when she was 14 months and we are so happy we did – because the pictures of her hanging onto Mickey's nose in utter glee? Utterly priceless.
Thank you! I love hearing about people taking little ones to Dis.
How exciting!! We live here and have yet to take Connor even though Mickey is his absolute fav:( we are planning on a December trip (sans baby) so he can have a special mommy/daddy weekend. We have taken him to downtown a few times and he loves it. The TRex restaurant is amazing!! Have fun & if you have some time for visiting, let me know and we an meet up somewhere:)
We will have to check out TRex. We definitiely will have time for visiting, I'll send you an email letting you know what dates we will be around.
We LOVE Disney and started taking both of our boys when they were about 1-year old. (In fact, we're going again the 1st week of October!) Magic Kingdom is so great for the little ones….tons for them to do and they will let him sit in your lap on the rides.
Definitely take him to Downtown Disney…Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex Cafe, Lego store, HUGE Disney Store, etc. Lots of fun, and most of it free! 🙂
AWESOME!!! Yes, you'll be creating some wonderful memories, so yay!!
I took my girls when they were 4 and 2 for their first time and they still oooh and aaah over their signature books now that they are 10 and 8. We need to get back there. We had a blast and so will you. Seeing Jack's face light up is going to be the best part of the trip. I promise!
I am so excited for you!!! I am a big Disneyland fan and have nothing but positive experiences. When we first moved to Temecula (Anaheim is 1 hour 10 minutes away) I bought Emry and I season passes (Lila was 1 and free) and we went 16 times that year, just the 3 of us. Loved every minute.