Best age for 1st trip to Disney?

[rabbitears]

Hello everyone!
This is my very first post. I would like to ask what is the best age to take my son to Disney. He is six years old and right now doesn't know the difference between Disney and a town carnival. He is also quite shy and would run in the opposite direction of a character than give a hug or handshake. Should I wait until he is older? We can't afford to go every year so I want to go when he would enjoy it the most.
Looking forward to your expert advice.
Thank you.

 

[helenabear]

rabbitears, welcome to the DIS I wish I knew what to tell you about your son. I was 5 years old when I first went and I know I was a bit shy, but I did like Disney and loved Mickey & especially Minnie before I went. If you plan the trip now for a while out though, I think you'd be fine.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Welcome. It looks like you have been lurking here for a while.

My DD was 6 and my DS had just turned 4 when we went the first time. They both did fine. The next time we went they were 10 and 8. That was a wonderful trip. We seem to go every four years and it was different at each age.

I think at 6 he is definitely old enough. Between 6 and 8 is probably a good age.

Just make sure that whenever you go, you take plenty of time to relax and stay well rested.

 

[tstobb]

All 3 of ours spent their 1st birthdays at WDW but our oldest (now 9) is just now comfortable with the characters but there's always been something for them to enjoy.

 

[rabbitears]

Wow! This is fun! I didn't expect so many replies so quickly. From your advice, I think we will plan a trip for next year when he is 7. Which leads me to my next question.........when do you feel is the best time of year to go or avoid?
Thank you.

P.S. to Carol.........I wasn't really "lurking", my son gets his shyness from me! I would post a shy smile but haven't quite figured that out yet.
Thanks again.

 

[tstobb]

Between Thanksgiving & Christmas is fantastic! Crowds have thinned considerably & temperatures are tolerable and the parks are all decked out for the holidays.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I love going the end of October. Crowds aren't too bad. Kids have been in school long enough to miss a week. This is where you will have controversy on the boards--do you take your kids out of school or not. We did in elementary school without a problem, both of mine are good students. Once in middle school, we switched to summer so as not to miss school. I would try to go when the crowds are the lowest.

Rabbitears, stick with us. We will have your post count up in no time. And, if you are up at 6 or 7 AM, come join us on the Riddle every weekday morning. (Sounds like a commercial.)

 

[rabbitears]

Thanks. I appreciate your advice about when to go to Disney. I haven't been to Disney since 19-God knows when and had no idea when we should go. Tstobb........I LOVE your kitchen. I bet it sure helps to have a fun kitchen to slave over a hot stove in. Carol, I hate to sound like an Elmer Fudd but what's the Riddle????and how to I get there?

 

[mickeyfan1]

The Riddle is posted here every morning (week days) by Oldkicker, you read it, and PM him with a guess. If you are correct, you get a reply on the thread with "Smarty Pants". I try to check it every day, but I am not always able to do it! Most of us post messages to each other when we answer. When you read you, you'll see.

Now about that trip, I think 7 is a good age! Why not go to www.disney.com and click onthe vacations link. Order a vacation planning video and show it to your son. Keep him involved with the planning. There is so much information here on the DIS, you will be there, and well prepared, before you know it.

Have a great time planning and a wonderful trip when you get there.

 

[Mom2Em]

Welcome Rabbitears!!

We went this last year at the beginning of the holiday season and it is the BEST!!!
Also, I wouldn't worry about DS... My DD is very shy but she shocked us all by going to right to Mickey and gang... she was a little more shy with the face characters... She was 3 when we first went! I just explained to her ahead of time that they would be about as tall as Mommy and Daddy but they wouldn't talk to her, they would just hug her and pose for pictures with her... She is still shy but at WDW she seems to "bloom", she is so comfortable there!!

 

[rabbitears]

Thank you everyone! I'm getting excited already and haven't even saved a dollar yet! I'm going to www.disney.com right now!

 

[tiggerlover]

Hi and welcome!

My son went when he was 3-1/2, 4-1/2 and 5-1/2. He enjoyed him self each and every time, however he had the best time when he was 5-1/2. He loved everything about it and didn't get as tired as he did the previous years. So I would say any time now would be great.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

DSs first vacation to Disney was when he was 4. We were able to do FantasyLand, all the smaller kid rides/attractions. When we returned when he was 9 he didnt want them.
When we returned when he was 10 he went on Rock n Roller coaster.
Different age level - new experience

 

[MerryPoppins]

Welcome. Hope we see more of you around here.

Does he like amusement park type rides? Even fast things like roller coasters? The only other thing you might want to consider is that some of the E ticket rides have height restrictions. If you know you won't go back often, you might want to see how tall he is before you make your plans.

 

[eeyore0062]

I tend to think that 5 or 6 is a great age. They are old enough to appreciate everything, tall enough to ride the things they would be interested in, brave enough not to be scared of the characters, and strong enough to have the stamina to deal with the long days.

DD was 6 and I am so glad we waited... there was no whining, no temper tantrums and she thoroughly enjoyed everything and so did we!

 

[eeyore0062]

The 1st time we went with our DD was the 2nd week of December. It was in the 70's during the days, and in the low 60's at night. DD was totally in awe of all of the Christmas decorations, loved the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, was able to ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and loved them, and still young enough to enjoy all of the Fantasyland rides.

We have been back with DD three times since then, in May, October and in August, and she has done well no matter when we went. The least expensive times to go were the August and the December trip, so if you or anyone in your family has an aversion to heat, go in December, but if you don't like taking your DS out of school don't shy away from August. There are always ways to keep cool!

 

[rabbitears]

Thank you all who posted once again. Imagine I've been worrying about at what age would be best and what time of year and then I post my questions and get this great help!!!!!!! Now I have one less thing to worry about and can hardly wait to get the vacation planning package I requested.

Thanks
Thanks
Thanks