Age of children during trip

[MalkaR]

I've been planning to take a trip to WDW next winter for years, but now I'm reconsidering if next winter is too soon. My boys are 3, 4.5 and 6.5. We did a short one day trip to Disneyland about a year and a half ago, but only managed to fit in a few rides because of the overwhelming crowds (on the first Tuesday in February! could not figure that out!). At this point, the kids remember some of the rides we did, and we've watched videos of others and listened to soundtracks from others. They seem to be scared of so much! Nothing too fast, too dark, anything with bad guys or ghosts. I won't be forcing them to go on anything even if I think they might like it, because... what's the point of a fight in line with a small child. Has anyone been in a similar situation and thought that waiting an extra year would have been helpful? There's not a lot of extra money in this household, and another Disney trip (if at all) would probably be one day at Disneyland. Any opinions?

 

[china mom]

IMHO if you are looking for "the perfect age" to take children, especially when you have three different ages to deal with, you will analyze until you paralyze. Don't over think it. Go when your budget allows and hope to go again soon after.

My children have been going regularly since my son was 5 months old and each and every trip has been "the perfect age".

 

[mzsarah10]

My youngest has gone at 18 months and 3 1/2. The oldest went at 4,5,7 & 9. For us we change our touring style to fit them and make sure everyone gets to do what they want or try new things. My oldest is very timid and shy about trying too many things. Her first trip she refused to ride Haunted Mansion but now she loves it after some convincing from her dad. If you think waiting another year is right for your kids, do it....but Disney World has something for everyone.

 

[bumbershoot]

IMHO if you are looking for "the perfect age" to take children, especially when you have three different ages to deal with, you will analyze until you paralyze. Don't over think it. Go when your budget allows and hope to go again soon after.

My children have been going regularly since my son was 5 months old and each and every trip has been "the perfect age".

YES. Absolutely.

 

[Napria]

I always felt that when my kids were young, I was going for my memories of thier time. Kind of weird to write it out like that, but I knew they wouldn't remember anything much of the trip, BUT it was worth it for our memories and the photos/videos that the kids go back to now that they're older.

If you do this, you do have to take it easy and go at your kids' pace. Just remember: Don't try to fit everything in. Disney will be there to return to again and again.

 

[abinormal]

My kids were 2.5 and 5. We had a lot of fun, including them. They remember a lot and even they didn't, I do and the pictures will last forever. A lot of the trip was for me anyway!

 

[Dis703]

My kids have been at ages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and all of these have been perfect ages. There were times when some developed a handful of fears but nothing that effected our enjoyment of our vacation. My oldest didn't develop a fear of characters until he was 4 or 5 but by mid trip he was over it and very excited to see them. My twins have had periodic moments when they are afraid of random things like the crocodile in Peter Pan or a certain character but it wasn't a big deal.

For fears I just recommend staying upbeat in how you talk about the ride, make the scary stuff sound silly, and let them know what's coming if there is something you think may spook them. And if they don't love the characters don't push it.

 

[MainMom]

My daughter first went to WDW at age 3. First ride was Dumbo and she started crying in line. I was the mean mom who made her go on. I have a pic of her red face and tears, then another pic a minute later red face with a big smile up in the air on Dumbo.

We learned to distract her in the line and she was fine the rest of the trip she is now 14 and is my roller coaster buddy. Definitely not scarred for life.

 

[msmama]

Have you don't other thing with them? Like the zoo or local fairs or even a smaller local amusement park! I can guarantee that none of that will compare to Disney world but it might give you an idea of how they will react? For instance are they afraid of dark places at the zoo? Do they not like fast rides at the fair? Are they afraid of costumed characters?

My son is now almost 8. He SAYS he is afraid of a lot of things, but doesn't actually show fear.

There are a lot of rides at WDW that are perfectly appropriate for the whole family so I basically insist that we ride anything a baby could go on (or more accurately anything he went on as a baby). That said if he puts up a major fight we don't do it. He rarely puts up a major fight.

You know your kids best but like others have said, there is no perfect age!!

 

[TristiK]

We went to Disney quite a bit when I was a kid. My mom's family lived in West Palm and we were there every other year or so. The first trip I can really recall was when I was 6. That said, we're going next year when my girls will be 4 and 7. I'm not sure how much my 4 year old will remember but I know we'll be back.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

According to my parents, every age is the perfect age. They brought us as babies, toddlers, kids, pre-teens, teens and adults. Every age has its pluses and minuses.

My DD will be turning one on our upcoming trip. We are managing our expectations in terms of what we do. Taking it slow and watching her take it all in.

We are DVC though so we know we will be coming back again and again. It doesn't bother me that DD will have no memory of it. If I knew I wouldn't be back regularly, I'd probably wait until my youngest was about 5 if I was worried about them remembering.

FWIW, the first WDW trip I remember was when I was 4. I don't remember everything but I remember certain things that stand out.

 

[Kebby]

YES. Absolutely.

Totally agree with this. We have brougth our kids at all ages- starting at 3 mos old ( unless you count inutero Every age has been perfect and all have been different. That is the great thing about Disney- so much to see that you never have the same vacation twice.

 

[alliecat523]

Agree with every age is perfect. We started when my daughter was 3 and have been going yearly since. Each time is different and still lots of fun.

 

[Turts8]

We just got back last month with DD6 and DS9. This was our first trip. From our perspective, DD was perfect age and DS was a touch old to get the full experience. It's very subjective and circumstantial but our ages were good.

 

[tlmadden73]

I would say there is no golden age .. there is just ages where they experience new things.

My son went first time when he was 2 (short trip - 2 park days) .. he had a fun time and remembered a few things and really enjoyed the character dinners. (we did two different ones).

We went 10 months later when he was three. This time he really enjoyed the rides more (especially Buzz and Toy Story because .. well .. you shoot things) .. but he was scared to death of the characters (especially at a character meal).

Two great trips .. two different experiences. You just have to know your children and know what to expect AND roll with punches if things don't go as you did expect with them.

I am already thinking of taking him when he is 4 ..

 

[Anya22]

We went when my boys were 2.5 and 5.5. My older son remembers a fair amount. At those ages, we just went at a reasonable pace and because I had reasonable expectations on the types of rides we would do, we had a great time. We are going back this spring when the kids will be 6.5 and 9.5. They are both pretty fearful of big coasters and spooky things, so I am trying to have reasonable expectations again, but the beauty of Disney is that there is always something fun for every age group. Who knows what your kids will be like if you decide to wait two or three years....they might have some new fear or some new hang up about something. Who knows? Kids are so unpredictable. I agree it isn't worth the fight in lines to force them on some ride that you think they should go on. Use rider swap for mom and dad or older kids if not everyone agrees. My 6 year old is following me around the house all week because he found out mummies are real at the history museum! I certainly wasn't expecting that!

If you can swing it financially for the time that you planned, do it. Don't wait for the "perfect" time because that doesn't exist. Seize the day!

 

[MalkaR]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I think I'm going to go ahead with it! I'm so excited even though we have a year to go!