appropriate age for little ones first Disney trip

[kaekae]

Just needed some opinions about the age some of your little ones were when they first visited Disney and their experiences. The reason I ask is because my little on is fastly approaching his first b-day and I am anxious to begin planning his first Disney trip. If you notice my countdown clock we have a long time to plan. Dh says he should be at least four to really remember it and have fun. (remember it I hope he knows I plan on taking him yearly or at least every couple of years after his 1st visit) So I began planning for 2007. I can't bare the thought of waiting this long. Some other posts I have came across said they have taken children much younger than four and had a wonderful time, with no problems due to young age. I do want him to be able to enjoy it and we'll probably go all out when we do visit. What do you all think. Is Dh right should our Disney vacation be put on hold for the next 3 years.

 

[kaekae]

sorry, I just realized I posted this on the resorts forum. I should have posted it on Disney for families. Forgive me I'm still new at this. But any replies would be appreciated.

 

[poohandwendy]

I think it depends on whether you are concerned about the child enjoying it or concerned about the child remembering it. It also depends on whether or not you plan on taking your child only once.

If your main objective is for the child to enjoy it:

A child as young as 6 months old will probably enjoy it because it is so stimulating (the colors, the lights, the sounds). So, really anytime is going to be enjoyable to the child, IMO. But may be hard for the parents (stroller, diaper changes, nap times, etc). I, personally, wouldn't take a small infant, but only because it would be more work and less fun for me. But, many people have done so and reported having a great time. My opinion also has to do with the fact that we only have gone in the summer months, that heat and a baby...not my idea of fun.

If you are concerned about them 'remembering' the experience:

You may as well wait until they are 7-10 years old. Any younger and they will only remember bits and pieces. (even at 4 yo: 2 of our children experienced WDW at 4 and remember very little of those visits) But, really...who cares, it is still a great time!

I, personally, think it WDW is a destination that requires multiple trips to really enjoy the full benefits. For us, WDW is an ongoing family vacation tradition. Collectively, my children have been: (5 months gestational ) 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 14 on our trips so far. They all have gotten something different out of each trip. Heck...we have gotten something special out of seeing them enjoy it at different ages! None of the trips were wasted. Not by a long shot.

But I will say...(now that my children are 10,14 and 17)...it sure was CHEAPER when the were younger, LOL!!!!

Edited to add: I notice you plan on multiple trips...keep in mind that you may have another child by 2007. If so, you are back to the same dilemma. I say go when YOU feel it would be a fun family time...no need to wait for the children to reach an 'optimum age'. (btw, he is FREE until 3!!!) I don't think there really is a 'perfect' time. Every trip is a great time! Also remember...the time FLIES by, it was only yesterday that my eldest was in a car seat...she will be a senior in HS next year! So, forget the 'rules' and have fun! JMHO.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just wanted to add: If you DO go before your child is 4+, I would seriously recommend staying onsite. The convenience makes such a difference when having a young one.

(actually, I would always suggest staying onsite ...but especially if the kiddies are young)

 

[wdwdvcdad]

try this thread. ANY age is appropriate.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=569047&perpage=&pagenumber=1

 

[macnodos]

Our kids were 3 1/2 and 39 mo. for there first trip. They both had great times and yes they do remember many things from WDW. We just got back after being there for seven days over Easter and my daughter is still talking about all the different experiences she had. She was the one that was 39 months. My son was 3 1/2 four years ago for his first trip. He, likewise remembers many things. My wife and I decided the main prerequisite for us was they had to be out of diapers. It is surely a pleasure not having to bring the diaper bag and all those accesories. Either way your child will have fun and some memories.

k

 

[puffkin]

I doubt in the long run a four year old will remember the vacation either. They will probably remember bits and pieces, but not the whole thing. I plan on taking my kids from a year (or when they get mobile) on. Also, remember that kids under 3 are free, which can make a big difference in the budget.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

We took DD on her first Disney trip when she was 3. My DMIL wanted to take her when she was 2 (when I was pregnant she'd say 'we're taking the baby to Disney World when he/she is 2!') but we thought that was too young. We went to the beach that year instead.

We've taken DD back to Disney World every year since (she turns 7 this year ... how did THAT happen? ). She doesn't really remember much about that first trip but it was still worth it.

I look at it this way - vacations are times to spend with your family. If you want to spend time with your DH and DS at Disney World I say go for it. Sure, your DS won't remember it but you will!

Debbie

 

[tink2]

Both of my children went at 6 months. THey loved the sights and sounds- and characters. THey were very easy also- slept in stroller when needed and drank bottle anywhere. They were both around 2 1/2 the next time they went. They both loved it at this age too- very amazed at everything and saw everything with such innonence!!! DD was 4 1/2 our last trip- terrific age!!!! She truely 'believed' everything and it was all so magical to her! This year DD will be 5 1/2 and DS will be 3 1/2. We wanted to take DD again while everything was so real and magical to her. I will say each age is wonderful and challenging in different ways. We travel with my parents and the extra help is wonderful! I do believe the easiest age- brace yourself- was when they were infants. They both slept in the stroller and weren't afraid of anything. Also, DD was a wonderful baby and DS was more challenging. At 2 1/2 it was more difficult to get naps in. They didn't want to nap- so it was more difficult to get them to sleep in the stroller- but they did. 4 1/2 was perfect! She didn't need to nap until the 3rd day and we just let her keep going until she fell asleep.
Sorry to go on so long, but the point is, whenever you are ready- the child will be ready. Sure they won't remember it at such young ages, but with the help of home videos and pictures- they will certainly understand what they did! Both of my children talk about going back to WDW. Even DS wants to eat in the castle with the princesses again and meet Buzz by the "barn" at MGM. CHildren are only young once and WDW is so magical to young children- go and enjoy it while you can!!!

 

[ducklite]

My SIL just asked this very question of us. Our nephew just turned one, and is full of it (doesn't like to ride in the stroller, doesn't like to wait for anything, wants to go-go-go-go), so we suggested they might want to wait until he was a little older and better able to handle these types of things.

I think it just comes down each families circumstances. If it's going to be a once in a lifetime trip, IMHO wait until the kid is in school. Yes, a toddler will have *some* memories of WDW, but not as many as they will if the family waits a year or two.

On the oher hand, if the child travels well, and circumstances are going to permit multiple trips, go now!

Anne

 

[Cailin'sMom]

We are planning on taking DD on her 1st Disney trip in December. She will be 2 1/2. My DH originally also wanted to wait until she is at least 4. But he was easy to convince. I don't think that I would could have taken her prior to her 1st B'day because of the inconvenience of feeding and changing. But a lot of people on these boards take smaller children and do well.

If you go completely on memory then you may never go. We just went a few years ago and I still don't remember everything that we did and I was an adult. I told my DH that we shouldn't base everything on what she will remember, but on what she will enjoy at the time...and take LOTS of pictures.

I hope that you guys get to go soon and have a GREAT time.

 

[Kimberle]

Brittany's first trip was at 2.5. It was the perfect age (for her)!!!

We stayed on site (CR) so we wouldn't need to put her in & out of a hot car. Dh & I are not the kind that spend every waking moment in the parks. We like to go till maybe 2 or 3, then head back to the resort for a swim and to relax before dinner.

Brittany absolutly loved loved loved that trip! We bought her an autograph book & spend the next week like following a little "groupie" around! It was to cute! She still remembers and talks about things we did on that trip. (We have not done them since, so I know she remembers.)

We went at 3.5 which was harder. She was in a very "me me me" mood and didn't want to do anything that she wasn't interested in. Last Sept, she was 4.5. Again, another WONDERFUL trip! We are so looking forward to Sept, our next trip, she will be 5.5.

Don't let your kid(s) dictate your family vacations. If *you* want to go, then GO!!! You won't be able to do everything that you did when you were childfree. But watching the magic unfold in front of your child is PRICELESS!!

 

[turnlisa]

With our first DS, I convinced my DH to take him when he was 2 1/2. My DS loved it and I think my DH had more fun watching him than anything else. After that, we returned every year. My DS is now 7.

When I was pregnant with my youngest DS, I told my DH we would probably miss the next year since the baby wouldn't remember anything. Boy, was I in for a shocker! We went the first time with my youngest DS when he was 9 months old. What a great trip! My youngest DS was so into the characters and the sounds of everything. He played peek-a-boo with Piglet and just loved everyone. My older DS had a great time playing big brother and getting extra attention from the characters as well.

Both of my kids are good travellers and loved to sit in the stroller so this made all the difference in the world. I don't think I could have waited until they were 4 to take them though! The extra attention they get is amazing and the look on their faces when they see that the characters they watch every day are real is unforgettable! My older DS doesn't remember every trip but my younger one (who is now almost 3) definitely remembers what WDW is and asks to go every day!

 

[Magic2000]

All three of my girls had made their first trip to Disney by the time they were 18 months old. It was great!!! As long as you are willing to "stop and smell the roses" with them, you should all be fine!!!

Enjoy your trip!!!!!

 

[mistaroo]

We celebrated our DS's first birthday in Disney and it was absolutely wonderful; one of the best trips ever. DS was mesmorized on the rides, loved the characters, slept great, etc. What great memories! I'll never forget the look on his face the first time he saw Tigger in person- priceless. We went again when he turned 15 months and it was a lot of fun then, too.

True, my son won't remember the trip, but I will

 

[my3princes]

My oldest DS was 2 1/2 his first trip and our younger two were each 6 mths for their first trips. I wouldn't want to wait longer than 2 1/2 because everything was pure magic for him. It was all about the magic, yet he still enjoyed the rides. As they get older it becomes more about the rides and less about the magic. We are going in July and our youngest will be 20 mths, I think that he will be the perfect age as he already points out Mickey on everything in our house and I think that he will be excited to actually meet him (he did a 6 mths, but I'm sure that he doesn't remember although he has seen lots of pictures of his first trip. So the question is what is important, rides, shows, magic. I think that all ages enjoy Disney, but what they enjoy changes. At 6 mths the lights and sounds were the big draw.

 

[lwestwise]

We have always taken our kids and now our grandkids just before each of their 3rd BD. A trip to Disney is costly enough and it is a savings. THey all still talk about that trip. We have pictures to remind them and each trip is in it's own little picture book as well as video's. Even my oldest daughter talks about her first trip. I'm sure the fact that we have talked about it over the years helps the memory and only certain things are remembered,even by me. But did they enjoy it? Each and everyone, just as much as the other.

Hope this helps, just a little.

Linda

 

[rob'n]

We have had the same question...and decided to do it this year when our youngest is just 2 weeks shy of 3...DD will be 10 and other DS almost 8. We were going to wait til he was 4 but then I read something on the boards..."he might not remember meeting mickey for the first time (or whatever the memory) but you will remember that look on his face forever...and that is so true! To this day, I remember the first time DS hugged Pooh in DL...it is an image that still makes me smile...

Good luck with yor decision and enjoy your baby cuz they don't stay babies for very long!

Robin

 

[missypie]

I knew mine would be the minority opinion: I waited until all of the kids were old enough to ride just about everything. That is especially important if you have quite a difference in heights in your family. I knew the youngest would be heartbroken if the older kids could ride lots of rides that she couldn't. My kids were 12, 10 and 7 and we went to Disneyland in CA (because it was smaller than WDW). The next trip was Disneyland Paris. We've worked our way up and it will be WDW in 2005.

 

[crazywig]

ds went in utero then again in jan '03 when he was nine months...he seemed to be enjoying it i know we did, just being in our favorite place with him was great.

we leave in a little over two weeks and he'll be 2. we are DVC now so he'll be going every year
(number 2 is going in utero this time )