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

[susanmbankston]

We are going for the first time in September. My DD will be 4 1/2, I will be 37 and my DM will be 60. It is the first time for all of us.(My DH and Sister have been before.)

 

[ShannonN]

We waited until DS was tall enough to enjoy the rides and a little older. He will turn 7in June. We hope to celebrate his birthday while at WDW. We leave in 15 days!! This is our first trip to WDW!! Still can't hardly believe the big day is almost here!!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I waited until DS was 6, which I think was a perfect age. DS could ride almost everything, and the few things he was too short for probably would have made me motionsick! Although he definitely knew the characters were actors, it didn't make a bit of difference in his eagerness to meet them, and collect their autographs.

I'm not sure either DS or I would have enjoyed WDW when he was 3. He would have wanted to be up, touching things, playing, not sitting in his stroller watching the crowds go by, or standing in line. At that age he could have had so much more fun in 4 hours at the park or the pool or the beach than he would have had waiting in line over and over again.

If I did take a 3 year old it would be only to M.K. and probably only on a EMH morning so that we could do the fantasyland attractions without long lines. I could see DS at that age enjoying a couple of hours of fantasyland, plus some time to play on Donald's Boat, followed by a really early lunch at the Crystal Palace, and leave by about 12:30. BUT that's a really expensive morning! (a couple of hundred to stay on site, plus adult and child one day tickets, plus the character meal). For the same price I could buy him season tickets to a children's museum, or take him to the beach for a whole weekend -- both of which he'd enjoy WAY more.

To me the #1 thing on vacation is spending time with my child, doing something we both enjoy. Sounds like either the plan you posted (hanging out at the resort without going to the park, lots of pool time and a few character meals) or a few days at the beach would fit that bill perfectly!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

OP:

I am one of those mamas who would probably "intimidate" you, and I just wanted to make a few comments, if that's okay...

We took our son to Orlando/DTD at 2 mos. but skipped the parks because I didn't feel up to it yet, myself, following a very difficult birth/c-section. He did great and probably would have been fine in a park, based on that experience. Took him for a week right after his 1st b'day, and now we are going back just before he turns 2 for another week. We are also taking a 1000 mile (each way) road trip with him in just 13 days, woohoo! So there's my background: we travel with our son and don't worry about his age or the adjustments we'll have to make...we just make them and it works FOR US.

That said...if YOU feel that you are not up to taking your kids at a young age, or simply don't want to, then DON'T and DON'T feel guilty about it. It is your family. You know your kids and your own tolerance level for the tremendous amount of extra work traveling with YOUR kids might be. For us, we are lucky since our son has turned out to be very adapatable to travel, and our parenting style is such that we only brought a backpack for that trip at 2 mos...for my stuff AND ds's. Most people could in absolutely no way do that without being miserable. I am just a freak...I know it! What I am trying to say is, please don't feel intimidated by others. They are not BETTER than you, they are just DIFFERENT. Some things in parenting are important...health and safety issues, etc. Taking your kids to WDW at 6 weeks or 6 years is absolutely not one of the "important" issues that defines a good or bad mom. I didn't go to Disneyland until I was 7 and yet somehow I survived!!

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[carissanboys]

Myself and my husband have never been to Disney. We will be going next March and the kids will be almost 7, almost 5 and almost 3. We didn't necessarily wait until they were older to go, it just wasn't feasible before now. I am glad that our first time will be when the oldest 2 can really enjoy it though. I'm sure the youngest will have fun too.