Best age for a child's first visit?

[Clare]

My DH and I are wondering what is the best age to take a child for their first visit to WDW? It's just driving me crazy to not have a trip planned so I figured I might as well start thinking about it!

In your experiences when were your kids able to enjoy WDW? I don't want to take our little one until she is old enough to really get something out of the trip. Please share your thoughts!

 

[YCFAN]

I guess I'm the wrong one to respond to this because I think the right age is whatever age they are right now. Then continue to take them at least every few years. Each age is different and is a unique trip in itself. I wouldn't trade the memories of when my son could only sit in a stroller but would light up when he saw a Mickey balloon and the first time he hugged a character or how crazy he was about the pool slide or even how his first ride on Rockin' Roller Coaster left him saying how cool that was and wanting to buy Aerosmith CD's!!! There's never a right or wrong time. It just is what it is. Enjoy whatever makes them happy at that age and you will find the real magic in WDW.

 

[javaj]

I think it depends on the child. DS is 2 1/2 and we've taken him twice. We went when he was 16 months old and when he was almost 2 1/2, just 3 weeks ago. He had a great time both times. He loves characters and he also loves rides.

He is now counting down to our Christmas trip "Buzz ride in days" is what he says when he wakes up everyday, he wants me to tell him how many days. Too bad it is still over 160+ days!

 

[mickeymousefan]

On our last trip our 2 DD's were just turning 3 and 20 months. My 3 year old had a blast, still remebers lots of things, still talks about it and loves looking at pictures. My now 2 year old had a great time as well. Since she does not talk do to a major speech delay, I am not sure how well she remembers it. She does however point and squeal with delight when seeing the pictures.

I think it really depends on the child themselves whether or not they will have a good time. We purchased season passes to Great Adventure the summer prior to the trip and took them 2 or 3 times a month to see how they liked the rides and the whole atmosphere.

If you go during a less crowded time of year and a coller time of year, it will probably increase the chances of a happy trip for everone.

 

[Clare]

This is great! Keep it coming! Thanks to everyone who responded!

 

[Gaiusrex]

I took my daughter @ 2yrs 11 mos, and she loved it. She loved the characters. She was afraid of the villians. She loved the rides. She loved the food.

This time, we're going with our new daughter when she's 13 months. She'll like it too. It really is the one vacation you can take where everyone can have a good time.

Some of my friends don't get it. They tell me, "They're never going to remember it." Don't listen to people like that. You live for the experience, not the memory. That is what pictures and videos are for. I went when I was 6 and 8, and I remember almost none of it. I remember the monorail, the plastic animals on the jungle cruise and Pirates of the Carribean. Did I have fun? Yes. Am I bitter that I don't remember it? No.

Heck, I don't remember much from when I went 5 yrs ago.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I ditto everything. We didn't get to go when the kids were little as much as we would have liked, but they were at the different times, 2, 6, 8, 12, 13, and 16. They were all wonderful ages. Granted when we talk about it now, they don't remember allot of the "younger years". They are now 25 and 19. I don't think when you look back, it's the specific memories they carry when they're very young, but the fun and family time spent.

The only thing I'd do different, is make sure that I did things very specific to their age and not worry about the rest the first time we went. The kids were 2 and 8, we were clueless and in awe and one of those families in line and kids getting tired and whining. I wish I'd have just worried about characters and children's rides and knew how to avoid the lines.

And speaking of ages to go, we've enjoyed it in our 30's, 40's and now VERY early 50's (ahem). My inlaws were in their late60's/early 70's and the last time my MIL went she was 79. Had a blast everytime. I guess that covers 2 to 79 in our family and I can't say that there's any time we had more or less fun!!!!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, I think it somewhat depends on if it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip or you will go again trip.

I took our oldest at 2 1/2 and it was SO magical and amazing. There's still the magic and she was still free!

I also took her again when she was 5 and my younger DD was 1 and it was great but the younger one was a bit cranky but not that bad she just took everything in!

They've been going every year since so I've experienced every age from 1 to 8. I'd say my favorite ages for them were 3 (potty trained but still very magical) and then 7 (when my older DD could ride ToT!!!) All ages between 2 1/2, 3 and 8 were great!

It depends on if you want them to go free, if you want them to 'remember' it, if you want them to go on EVERY ride.

I'd do age 3 again in a heartbeat but 7/8 is great too for a buddy to go on ToT with!

I just want to add that every year is different and magical in it's own way. Just as your child grows and they do something different and cute at each age, that's how Disney is. When they were 2 or 3, seeing the Castle and the characters was so amazing and magical for them. Then as they get older they don't 'believe' as much. Not quite as magical but they can go on more rides. I also felt that at 2 and 3 they went with the flow more and my older DD was the one who complained and whined the most. She was 7. So the complaining and whinning isn't necessarily for the little toddlers!

Do what you think is best. Weigh what you want to get out of it and what you want your kids to get out of it and then go when you think it's best.

Have fun planning!

 

[trracers]

My DD6 has gone three times at 2, 4 and 5 and we are going again in 66 DAYS!!!

She loves it and although she doesn't remember much about being 2 at the World, she KNOWS she had fun. She loves to look at the pictures and say...LOOK MOM, I MET PINNOCHIO WHILE I WAS A BABY SLEEPING IN THE STROLLER...LOOK MOM...yadda yadda yadda. She loves looking through the albums. She has her favorite rides/shows/food and always looks forward to going back.

We are going with the family that we went with the first time and she has picked out pictures that they must "redo" at their 'now ages'.

Last year was a Mommy/Daddy/Daughter only trip and we had a trip to remember and I am hoping that this one will be too!!

Here's to SHORT LINES and NICE WEATHER!!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

took my DD at 3 and she had a blast...I don't care if she won't remember every moment because I DO!! I would not trade it for anything. We have pictures and video and just seeing your child light up at Cinderella or the Peter Pan ride makes it so worth it. Heck if we all thought like the people that say " THEY WON"T REMEMBER" We would not take our little ones to do anything.

I think you should go for it.... Just know with little ones that you have to work in breaks. We would spend the mornings and then go back in the afternoon for a swim and nap.. then back to the parks later in the day Worked out great.

Plus with little ones you can go in the off season. Summer may be too hot and miserable with a Toddler or baby. We went the week after Thanksgiving and it was perfect. The Christmas decorations even made it more special.

I think you should go and have fun!

 

[ChuckGA]

Having taken our two children various times from 17 months to 6 years, I think the best age for a one-shot trip would be from 2 1/2 to 6 years old depending on the child. A 2 1/2 year old who is easily frightened and scared of crowds might be too young and a 6 year old who is "mature beyond their years" and has lost the magical imagination of a child and points out how fake everything is should have gone earlier. Not that either case would not enjoy the trip, but it will not be the "best" first trip it could have been.

If you are going every two years or more then who cares. I would rather do a trip with a child who was 3 and then again when they were 8 than 18 months and again at 6 1/2.

Chuck

 

[Barbmouse63]

My DD has gone at 13 months, 5, 7 and 9. My DS has gone at almost 2, almost 4, and 6. I must say that every age has been great as there are things that are magical at each. It has been really cool to watch their progress on each trip. For example, this last time there was nothing my DD couldn't or wouldn't ride! In my opinion each trip gets better and better but I wouldn't trade the looks on their faces on their first trips for anything. I know we've been lucky too because we knew we would continue to take them. If it were a once in a lifetime trip I'd probably choose 5 or 6 as THE age.

 

[dizagain]

I think the poster who said it depends on if it's a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip or the first of many said it best...

We (ok, I) planned for quite a few years for our first family trip taken last May. Just couldn't afford it. Finally made it last year with DD's 7 and 9 - pure magic!!! They were totally enthralled and couldn't get enough of the place! I do think that their ages were great - old enough to walk for a week straight, "hold it" when necessary, etc.

We had thought we might go again "someday" prior to the trip, but we're definitely returning next May and probably every two years after that!! Since I've never taken a very young child, I don't know what it's like....I'm sure it has magical value of it's own. I DID say to myself several times during the trip that I was glad we had had to wait until they were a little older. I'm sure you will love it no matter WHAT age your children are!! Have fun dreaming...it's a big part of the fun!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

My take on this is different.

The first time I took my kids they were 5 and 6- a nightmare- way too much work, and too much crankiness. At 7 and 8 it was better, especially the 8 year old. Seven year old was still too young and got overly tired quickly- we would have to get a stroller for the afternoon/evening.

Nine and ten was way better with both kids, they could tour the parks with decent stamina and remember the entire trip.

The last two trips have been the best- far and way.

I would suggest you get a copy of the UG and read what they say about "who's dream is it anyway?"- or something like that. Early in the book somewhere, don't remember exactly where....If you are going for you, take them when they are younger. If you are going for them- wait until they are old enough to walk the parks by themselves without getting tired and are at an age when they remember the trip.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited until the youngest was at least eight (preferably nine)- my experience at nine and ten was when the trips became easy to take and were much more enjoyable, so this would be an ideal age (for me) for the first trip.

We have all seen the miserable families tromping around the parks. Most of them (in my experience) are families with little kids. Everyone is different, but you asked for an ideal age- and for me that is 9.

Blessings

 

[DizBelle]

I second the statement of mic_key_mouse. A little older would be more enjoyable for the entire family.

 

[blanq]

I too have read the UG's comments about whose trip is it anyway, and they gave me something to think about before I took the plunge on our first family trip to WDW. What I would like to add is that I feel it is very important to assess not only what age you feel your child can handle and enjoy a trip to WDW, but at what age can you handle and enjoy your child on such a trip. We waited until our DS was 6 for his first trip, and we have been every year, once or twice per year, since. One of the reasons I waited was because I knew I could not handle diapers or millions of potty stops, strollers, tantrums, tears, or begging. At 6, our DS could navigate the parks on foot and was a trooper about it, could handle a "no" without falling apart, could ride a good chunk of the rides, and was still at an age where he was enthralled with the "magic" of the experience (although he will tell you that at, almost 11, he is still enthralled with WDW magic!) It gave him, and me (and his dad) a wonderful and memorable first family WDW experience.

 

[dotterson]

I agree, to me diapers and other gear would be a downer, but that's me!

We first took our DD at 4 1/2. We stayed at the Poly. It was over 97 degrees each day (late Sept.!) and boy, was she a trooper! (Each photo her head looked drenched!)

We'll never forget the look in her eyes when she saw the characters! She thought they were all there just for her! (And, held up the lines when she needed to speak to each one at length!)

We've been to Disney World, Cruise, or HH every year or less since. Nothing beats DW (altho she really liked the cruise.) In fact, her Pre-K notation on her certificate said "most likely to work at Disney!"

She's 12 now. The fun never ends -- just things change. She likes the thrill rides with Dad, still likes the characters, and loves the whole trip.

You need to access how your own kids will react and behave. Each child is different. (For years, she talked about how great the Peter Pan Place was when we had an adult dinner out without her.)

Hope that helps.

Oh, we loved it so much we bought into DVC twice!

d

 

[robinb]

My daughter was 4 months old on her first trip and it worked out great . I really didn't care is she got anything out of it since we sure did!

 

[birdiesunshine]

We took our DD for the first time when she was 10 months and it was a wonderful trip. We just came back 3 weeks ago and she is now 21 months and we also brought my 8 yr old nephew. That trip was even better than the first. We are going back in Oct and my DD will be two and we look forward to another amazing vacation!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It also depends if there are siblings. A "perfect" age for one might not be as good for the others.

We waited until our children were 4, 7, and 10 to go to WDW for the first time. We figured we'd go every few years and did it again when they were 7, 10, and 13, but by then we'd had a fourth child who was 13 months old. I wouldn't have gone on a "once in a lifetime" trip with a 1yo, but we wanted to go back before his siblings were too old.

That year we bought annual passes and the baby ended up going 3 times (one time we left the older siblings home with grandparents and my 1yo and I went along with my DH on his business trip). He had a great time, but of course didn't remember any of it.

I returned with my now 4yo "baby" in February (we'd been to Universal a couple times during this time) and will return a couple more times this year with him (darn APs do it every time). He now remembers and loves WDW and is at a great age for almost all the rides.

The bottom line--if I wanted to wait until a child is old enough to remember WDW at least somewhat (and there weren't siblings to consider), I'd wait until they were 4-5yo. I think that is the perfect age. If it were a once in a lifetime trip I'd wait until they were 6-7 so they would clearly remember it and be able to do most of the rides.

T&B