Are there any Mamas here who waited until their Child was Older to go to Disney?

[devotedchristian]

Say Age 3.5 and over? We are taking our first family vacation to Disney in October. DS will be just over 3.

The way he's been acting lately, I just don't know if he is ready for Disney yet. Or I should say a Theme Park. I have heard many times how other Mamas took their younger kids with no problems.

But I have a *Spirited* Child and I just don't know. Frankly, I am in AWE of Moms who have done Disney with their little ones Babies, Infants, Toddlers.

He has at least 4-6 Meltdowns per day. His diet is fine, he gets lots of love and attention, His parents love him very much...he is just going through his Typical Twos. And I hear Threes are Worse!

We live fairly close (in Georgia). We are only going for the weekend. Friday-Sunday (Magic Kingdom on Saturday) as DH and I felt that was the MOST DS could handle right now. One week would probably put US and Him over the edge...

We could still go to Disney "World" just not to a Theme Park, we could just enjoy Orlando. There are lots of things to do.

Plus, he still takes naps and gets VERY cranky when he's sleepy. So I can just imagine several Meltdowns in the park.

I can wait until next year's Spring Break, to tackle Magic Kingdom. He will be closer to Age 4.

My heart is saying just go to Orlando and do little things there and come back in a few months when he is 3.75, a little maturer to tackle Magic Kingdom.

Have you ever done this? If you did, what were your reasons?

 

[cjnix29]

I was worried as well about taking my son last October, who was 2.5 at the time. He is VERY active. HE WAS FABULOUS the whole week we were there. He was in such awe at what was going on and he had a blast!!! So much so that we have planned another trip for September of this year. I will say that we did also take our 12 year old niece, who was a big help keeping him occupied if my husband and I needed to focus on something else. We drove from Ohio, and portable DVD players are godsends! We also made sure we didn't over do it for him. We did leave the parks in the early afternoon to get a break. And make sure you take your own stroller, especially if you are driving. It makes a big difference in their comfort level.

 

[siestakeys04]

my kids are now 10 and 6 and my dh didn't want to take them to disney until they were older so they could remember it. But we have taken them to amusment parks like bush gardens in willliamsburg va and carowinds which is in nc where we are from but just maybe try him out at 6 flags over ga and see how he acts.

 

[minkydog]

i took oldest DS when he was 3, and then also at 4. There was a world of difference in his stamina and behavior in that one year. Although we had a good time, he was not able to stay up late and he was very over-stimulated with his time in the park. Naps helped. The thing he remembered and talked about the most was the swimming pool

We waited until DD was 8--I know, it's blasphemy! But I'm so glad we did. She was strong and flexible and had no trouble keeping up. We had no issues with feeding, napping, or toileting. I didn't regret it for one moment.

Only you know what your energy level is and what your child requires. It's not the worst thing ever to hold off on a trip to WDW until they're older.

 

[devotedchristian]

It's not the worst thing ever to hold off on a trip to WDW until they're older.

Thank you for this.

 

[Hockeymommy]

Our first trip was last year and my kids were 8 & 9. I'm so glad we waited! They were really old enough to enjoy everything. No temper tantrums, no napping, but most all lots of fun. We could all go on the rides together instead of doing child swap. It really worked out well for us. I kept seeing all of the parents pushing the strollers with sleeping or crying little ones thinking it seemed more like a chore than a vacation.

Now, on the other hand- We live in Washington state, so for us WDW is a long way away. No 3 day trip here!!!! When we come it has to be for at least a week (I would rather 2 weeks like last year). Maybe if we lived closer I MIGHT have tried it when the kids were younger, MAYBE.

 

[LauraAnn630]

If you want to wait, youll wait.

We took our "wild child" at 2. He was soooooooo good! He had so much to do and see. He had to slow down to see and do what he wanted to do.

Standing in some of the longer lines was a bit hard for him. I took bubbles to entertain him in the lines. Not only did this work for him but ALL the other kids in line with us!

There were times we saw other parents with a child having a melt down. We casually walked over to them and took out the bubbles and changed a lot of moods. It was a great experience for all of us.

 

[Rapunsel]

I am one of those moms who is waiting till DD is older.. We want to go and be able to do a lot and have great happy kids.. Well they are DS4.5 and DD 16 months.. So I am not taking them till 2010. In the mean time we do day trips to Disneyland when we go visit my parents.

I am going to take DS out of school at that time as we want to go with low crowds and my mom is coming with us. DH can come, but he is not to complain about a thing. Last trip we took in 2003, DH was more of a P.I.A. then DS 23 months.


It also gives us time to save up and the kids can earn their own spending money. the easter bunny hands out disny dollars.

So I'd say wait till you are comfortable. Hey I didn't get to WDW till I was 27. My mom was 50 something.. My Dh went as an infant with the family and was left with a baby sitter for most of the trip. So he doesn't rememebr much.
So it was new for all of us.

 

[Sweedee]

before their first trips. While the "ooooooo and ahhhhhhhhh" of Disney, and all the characters are definitely diminished, my kiddos still enjoyed the meet and greets. However, they didn't fall apart if we missed something, nor did they have to talk to EVERY character. I think you trade the one for the other if you wait too long, but I would much rather have a kid who will remember than one that is screaming cause they didn't get to see Tigger.

 

[tmarquez]

I know what you're worried about...mine is "spirited" too. My DD is 3 1/2 now and we have been many times (we live about an hour away).

You're not a terrible parent if you wait until you think he will be ready. If I dodn't live so close who knows how long I would have waited.

But...IMHO...watching my DD over the years, 3 1/2(so far) is a great age. She is old enough to understand the concept of a "vacation" and be excited about it. She loves characters, she's not afraid of them anymore and I think she may actually really believe in them still. She has formed solid memories of her trip. The down side is that she is old enough to ask (and ask...and ask...and ask) when we are going back. She also cries EVERY time we leave, which I hate...but I understand!

You'll figure out what's right for you.

If you DO decide to go, remember that when you have a young child your trip will (should) revolve around their needs. If he's tired you have to quit and take a nap. If he's hungry you need to stop and eat. If he's scared to go on your favorite ride, well, you're out of luck.

 

[kimbac3]

My kids were 7,10 and 13 when they first went. They were still just as excited..but alot easier to manage LOL!! We did the family magic tour and they hopped skipped and crawled with all the little kids. My oldest was so excited to meet Peter Pan and Mickey. Disney brings out the little kid no matter what the age! My 7yr old is still very into princesses (Belle to be exact). We had a great time and all of them are so excited to go back!
Kimba

 

[Matt'sMom]

Count us among those who chose to wait until our kid(s) were older. Our first family trip to WDW was when my DS was 7 years old.

It was so much nicer not to need to drag around a stroller all week (since DS was definitely old enough and in adequate physical condition to walk all day, and to carry his own children's size fanny pack). And our family was definitely far more 'financially secure' by the time my DS was 7, as compared to when has was a toddler (this factor was important to us). Up until then, we just went to more 'local' theme and amusement parks, zoos and historic attractions, state parks, etc.. Mostly 'day trips' that did not involve the investment of hundreds or thousands of dollars. And because of this, it was simple to just call it a day at the appropiate time, pack up and head home.

When going to WDW--especially if you're traveling from quite some distance, and paying out thousands of dollars--I think there is this tendancy to want to see and do as much as possible, in order to 'get your money's worth'. That can be tough with a toddler, who may become over stimulated and tired/cranky. There is also the challenge of keeping a younger child adequately hydrated--depending on an individual child's personality, that is not always as simple as it may seem. Things can go much more smoothly when the child is old enough to better understand & reason.

In the end, it is entirely your choice. Some people do WDW with babies and toddlers and have a wonderful experience... while others do not. We chose to wait until we could all enjoy the experience thoroughly, without the hassle of dragging a stroller from home (or renting one at the parks). For our family, it was well worth the wait, and none of us (including DS) feel at all 'cheated' just because we didn't go to WDW while he was smaller.

 

[TnTWalter]

My brother and family went when he was 2.5 and wanted us to go with but I just felt he was too young. Our first trip was just January, girls were almost 7 and 5 and son was almost 3.5 like I said. It was ideal. We hope to go back when son is 5 and they can all ride ALL the rides.
Trish

 

[Rella Bella]

We didn't ever consider going at all until my best friend went to work for the Mouse! My DS was 6 on our first visit and it was wonderful. No stroller, or potty training and yet still young enough to really enjoy the magic!

I probably wouldn't wait quite that long if I had it to do over, but it certainly didn't do any damage to his opinion of Disney waiting till he was 6.

 

[Kae]

We took DS for his 4th b-day we went for a week. We had one day left on our passes & DD was 2. So she was free so we did a MK, when we were in FL visiting Family. Then took her back when she was 4.5.

Since you are only doing 1 day at the MK, he might do fine. Are you planning on staying on Property? If so there are lots of things he would enjoy the resort pool, a Char Meal, DTD, Riding the Monorail. We enjoyed are quick trip to WDW when DD was younger. It was just enough time.

Kae

 

[mikymouse]

I think 5 is the perfect age, so I took my family when the kids were 4 & 6...blended average age of 5. We had a great time. My DD4 was really caught up in the magic but my DS6 had so much more stamina. For me I wanted to "catch" them in that capable but still young at heart stage and for us it was before my oldest goes off to public school with savy 5th graders.I know people love Disney but I personally could never do Diapers and Disney together.

Any trip is a good trip if you plan around your child/children and make it about their interest and energy levels. If you are concerned about getting the most for your money.. then wait until the children are older.

 

[minkydog]

Hey I didn't get to WDW till I was 27. My mom was 50 something..

Same here. I went as an adult of 33. My mom went with us 3yrs ago for her first trip--70yrs old. And she had a blast! Disney is right for all ages as long as they get their naps.

 

[sharongl]

We are going for the first time in June. My boys will be a few weeks shy of 4. I was actually going to wait until next year, but the in-laws gave us an offer we couldn't refuse--they are paying for it

 

[runwad]

Our kids were 5, 7 & 9 when we went and we thought it was perfect but then we went back 6 mos later and that was even better!! In just 6 mos the 5 & 7 year old would ride all the rides that they wouldn't the first time. Although we did still get a stroller we could get around a little faster than their little legs could carry them plus have a place to store our stuff we brought to the parks. Now we can't wait till our 3rd trip Spring Break of '08.

 

[sameyeyam]

Took our first WDW trip when kids were 12 & 5. The first time was absolutely delightful to watch both of them experience the magic. My 5YO's eyes were as big as saucer's!

I grew up spending every summer visiting my grandparents in Anaheim, CA, so Disneyland was nothing special to me. Back in the "Good Ol Days" my grandparent's used to drop us kids off at Disneyland in the morning, we would have to take the monorail to meet them at the Disneyland Hotel coffee shop for dinner and so they could check on us. Then we went back to the park and my grandfather would be waiting for us at the front gate at closing time. We probably did that at least once a week for the entire summer! Now I kind of wonder why I was in such a hurry to grow up.

Because of all the Disney exposure when I was growing up, I think I just either got burned out on it or took it for granted when I became an adult. I kind of wish that I would have taken my kids a little sooner, but anytime is a good time!

We have now gone to WDW for the last 3 years!