2016 @ 6, 2017 @ 7, or 2018 @ 8?

[bumbershoot]

I'm hoping for an even gaudier looking castle.

View attachment 140207

Every time I see pictures of that it gets more unbelievable. WHAT were they thinking?


I've never been concerned about having magic or belief of things that aren't real in my household, so I'd say any age is faboo. Things are fun no matter when. And what's fun changes.

And even when DS didn't believe Mickey was real (we never encouraged a belief that he's real, but he thought it was fun, and one day he saw the zipper in the back of the costume) he STILL wanted to meet him. It did not matter to him at all. So even without that sort of thing they still have fun.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think you have to consider that when this round of construction (which is mostly at Studios) is over, there will be more construction elsewhere (hi, Epcot, they're coming for you). There has been construction of various things in MK off and on for years. Space Mountain is eventually going to need a pretty solid refurb. Etc. Etc.

Which is to say: There will never be a time without some construction in the next 10 years, so the construction itself shouldn't dictate timing unless there is an element that you or your child is really really gung ho about.

 

[TandLMommy28]

Five has been my favorite age to take my kids. In fact, when we took our second child on his five year old trip, I was bummed that it was our last five year old trip! But a month later I found out I was pregnant and my first thought was "Yes, we get to plan another five year old trip!" He's 2.5 now and planning is already underway.

All of that to say, I vote for six! It's just so magical at the age. Not that I don't have a blast now with my eight and ten year olds, but it's different as they get older. Plus if you go at six, there's no telling if you might make it back at seven or eight.

 

[tink9702]

I wouldn't worry about the height thing much at all. There aren't many rides that you have to be over 40 inches (Everest, Space, RnRC,& Primeval Whirl are the only that come to mind). If you care a lot about one of those take a look at the height charts to see where your child might be at those ages. As an example, DS is 6 1/2 years old and he's 46 inches. He easily meets the requirements for Everest & Space but won't meet RnRC or Primeval Whirl probably until he's almost 8 years old. He's average height for a boy. As long as the child is 40 inches they can ride Test Track, Soarin', Big Thunder etc.

Regarding construction I'd say 2017 should work well.

As far as what age is best, we LOVED taking DS at age 5 and are planning on taking DS at 7 and DD at 5 in 2016. At 6 he still believes in magic, Santa etc. Teacher friends tell me age 7 about half the kids believe and by 8 the majority don't. So if that matters to you, the sooner the better.

Good luck deciding!!!!

 

[JaimeK]

I'm not sure my kids really believed the characters were real at any age, but we also never encouraged them to. As for me, I'm very happy to not do any character lines! There is so much other fun to be had.

 

[KimBean]

I was there for that cake castle. Oh the good old times. Does she still believe? If she thinks the princesses are real, run, run and take her ASAP. My daughter just turned 6 on our last trip and she still believed. A year later she knows they aren't real. I think she will still have a blast, but once that naivete is gone. It is gone. Of course, we are a Disney family so we BELIEVE no matter what. When she told my DH they weren't real he just said I don't know what you are talking about, I have my picture with Minnie and gave her a kiss on the cheek SHE IS REAL TO ME! He is the biggest kid.

 

[DavidNYC]

How tall is she now? 40" and 44" are big milestones for most of the rides (other than a few of the super big ones). If she'll want to go on them and she's on the cusp, maybe wait the year. Otherwise, you'll have a ball no matter which year. There will always be something upcoming so if you wait, it'll just be something different. Do what works for your schedules.

 

[Mainemama]

Life is short. Don't wait if it is a dream. Health (and more) can change. We went for our first time, " once in a 5 year trip" 4 years ago. My ticker reveals how that plan worked. Just know that once you go..... You will likely want to return!

 

[hodad]

Thank ou so much for the responses everyone!

There's a chance my brother's family might join us. They have a son the same age as my daughter and a baby who will be 20mo if we go 2016@6 and 32mo if we go 2017@7. Does that change your opinions?

 

[GillianP1301]

I would go in 2016 at age 6 because honestly, life is too short. A lot can happen in 5 years and you don't want any regrets. Besides, any age is a great age for Disney, but 5 - 7 is a real sweet spot. I wouldn't get too bogged down with worrying about what attractions are under construction, refurb, etc.., because WDW is ever evolving so there will always be "the next thing" coming 2 or 3 or more years down the road.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Thank ou so much for the responses everyone!

There's a chance my brother's family might join us. They have a son the same age as my daughter and a baby who will be 20mo if we go 2016@6 and 32mo if we go 2017@7. Does that change your opinions?

I don't think it changes anything for you unless you're going to plan around them. Then it depends on what they want to do and if they have a preference for the age of the younger child when they go.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would still go in 2016 for my DD. I don't plan my vacations around other people.

 

[disneybirds]

I agree with going at age 6. We took our first family trip when the girls were 5 and 2.5. I wanted to go while the oldest still believed everything was real.

 

[hodad]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. DD and I are taking a 1 day trip in 2016 and then an 8 day trip at the end of 2017 with extended family. Can't wait!

 

[mom4fun]

You will enjoy something special at every age but age 6 would definitely be my vote. Everything still seems very real to them. It's a time you can't get back. Even a year from now, you will lose a lot of that.

 

[Poppybeach]

I first took my son when he was 2 (almost 3), that was a great trip. He was really into Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan so it made a lot of time spent in the Magic Kingdom a no brainer. We have gone almost every year since and he's now 7. This year was the best I have to say. He was able to handle the longer hours....his taste in things to do were more along the lines of the adults and he appreciated checking out the other resorts (something we never have done before) and we spent a lot of time relaxing and enjoying Disney Springs. As for timing of new attractions....you have to weigh what she is in to.....if she doesn't care for Star Wars....why wait? If she is into princesses.....go anytime. I don't think any time you choose will be wrong......just being together as a family and taking time to enjoy such a magical place is all that matters!

 

[gypsicat]

We started to plan our first trip when DD was 5. We planned to go soon after she turned 6. At that time she absolutely believed that everything was real. Long story short, the trip had to be delayed because our older kids (in their 20's) decided that they wanted to go as well as my mom. This pretty much doubled the cost so we put it off a year.

We go this June. DD will be 7.5 and has told me that she knows that people are pretending to be princesses and dressed in costumes. But what are her top priorities for this trip? #1, ride tower of terror, #2 eat in Cinderella's castle, #3, meet all the princesses, #4 meet the fab 5.

She is so excited and has been counting down for close to a year now.

I guess my point is, I don't think that there is a wrong age. Even my 21 and 22 year olds are excited about their first trip.

 

[nilla]

She still believes it's all real also.

And? I'm 42, and I don't just believe it's real, I know it's real.

 

[momof2n2]

Just go whenever. All ages are fun.

 

[wishtdream]

We took my DD for her fifth birthday and DH and I thought she was the perfect age. The next year wee took her again and we thought 6 was the perfect age. We went again when she was seven and thought it was the best trip ever. We have been back several times since and each trip was the best in its own way. You will have a wonderful trip whichever year you choose