Best age for a kid to visit?

[mikethern]

We all know that DW is great for all ages. My question is... If your kid could only DW once, what age would be the perfect age to visit? I am guessing 7 years old?

 

[Elmo888]

I would say a tad older - around 8 or 9 years old. For a one and only trip, 7 seems a little young. I don't think that a 7 year old would enjoy as many attractions as a slightly older child, and a 9 year old still can "feel the magic" without feeling too old for it. (Yes, I still feel the magic, but I think that you need to catch a child before they get into that pre-teen/teen age where they are judging cool vs. "not cool".)

 

[lizziewhan]

the disney planning guide book that i have says if you are going to take your kid only once age 10-12 is best...they arent too old to want to run off and do their own thing and they are still young enough to enjoy the magic

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If you only go once, 7 would be great. Maybe a little older, so he or she is big enough for the "big rides".

 

[TheAceOfAces]

I was 6 during my first trip, which I think was a good age. I was still young enough to be fully into the magic, but definitely old enough that I still remember that trip. I personally think this was the best choice on my parents' part; looking back, it wouldn't have been as good if I was too little to do anything (or even worse, not remember it at all) or if I was already too old for certain aspects of the Disney magic.
I might add that this first trip of mine was slightly tarnished by the castle cake (which my mom actually bought a statue of and proudly displayed it in our living room for years ), but obviously that issue wasn't age-related...

 

[justskip70003]

id say 8 would be perfect!

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

That's really funny you ask this. It was also our intention to just take the kids once. We finally settled on when the kids were 8 and 6. We figured they were old enough to remember the trip but young enough to still enjoy the magic. We were right on those two counts, but we were way off on it being the once and only trip. We've been back every year since then and threw a couple of DL trips in as well...... In fact this time next week we will be there!!

 

[Sugar Jones]

It depends on what you expect. If you want your kids to remember etc..... We just went in September and my kids were 3, 6 & 8. The 3 year old by far had the best time! She was in awe the whole time we were there and the rest of us had so much fun watching her

The boys enjoyed the rides more and loved it, but my 8 year old was too old for the "magic" side of kwim?

So I would say age 5-6 is the best for ride/magic wise.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

If I only had 1 shot to take the kids, my oldest would be 9 and my youngest 7. That way they are tall enough to do what they want and old enough to still really be taken by the Magic.

 

[vcgirl925]

I've been taking my kids since practically birth, once a year. I'd say 6 or 7 is a good time. Mainly because at that age they still BELIEVE! They still think the characters are real and they still get exicted to meet their favorites. To me it's about the magic and the imagination that goes with it.

 

[wdwislife]

every age!

 

[Deon.Newmankgyxc]

i think it is about 10 age

 

[Trinitys Ghost]

Sounds like it depends on the parents (who make the ultimate decision) and the kids (are they good at remembering?). If and when I have kiddos, I'll aim to take them to a Disney park when they're elementary school aged. However, if said kids are well behaved and tend to remember momentous occasions, perhaps an earlier age will do.

My folks took me to DL when I was a baby, and many times after that (started going to WDW at age 11). I can't say I remember any of the times I had at DL when I was very, very young. I do remember when I was around 7 though, and finally got to go on a few rides (Toad, Autopia) on my own, with family in a car behind me. That...was a momentous occasion.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I think it depends on the kid. If he/she is tall and precocious, 6 or 7 might be best because he/she is tall enough to ride most, if not all, of the rides and mature enough to follow directions, stand in line well, and not have too many meltdowns, but still young enough to truly believe.

 

[sumsmommy03]

I'm in the minority here We took our son when he was 3.5 and it was the most perfect vacation! He was in awe the entire time and loved everything from the WS in Epcot to the Princesses and rides in MK. We have pictures of him with the lipstick kisses on his face from Ariel and he was over the moon happy. He is almost 7 and to this day remembers almost everything about that trip. He could go on almost all the rides with a few exceptions and he probably wont' go on them this trip even though he's tall enough.
We are going back in 2 weeks so our daughter (4) can experience the magic.
I think it really depends on the child. We couldn't have taken our daughter before now. She's almost 4.5 and it wouldn't have been the same vacation had we taken her at a younger age.

 

[Fanboy]

We took our DD7 last month for the first time and she had an absolutely terrific time, but I just think we should have maybe gone a little earlier. She loved meeting the princesses and enjoyed the autograph sessions, but pulled me aside at one point and gave me the old "daddy, they're really just people dressed up in costumes" accompanied by a knowing nod.

I think if we took her at 5, when she wore nothing but princess costumes whenever she could, she might have been able to mine a little more magic from the experience.

Trouble with going 2 years earlier, aside from financial concerns, is that DS would have been only 3 and then we'd be doing the stroller thing and midday naps and all that. As well, at this age he's able to remember a lot more of the trip - especially meeting Lightning and 'Mater in DHS - so perhaps there may have been an increase in his magic at the sacrifice of hers.

My point being, it's tough to find that sweet spot when you have two kids.

 

[PMDR59]

I'm in the minority here We took our son when he was 3.5 and it was the most perfect vacation! He was in awe the entire time and loved everything from the WS in Epcot to the Princesses and rides in MK. We have pictures of him with the lipstick kisses on his face from Ariel and he was over the moon happy. He is almost 7 and to this day remembers almost everything about that trip. He could go on almost all the rides with a few exceptions and he probably wont' go on them this trip even though he's tall enough.
We are going back in 2 weeks so our daughter (4) can experience the magic.
I think it really depends on the child. We couldn't have taken our daughter before now. She's almost 4.5 and it wouldn't have been the same vacation had we taken her at a younger age.

The boys 1st trip they were 3 and 4.5. By far it is one of my favorite trips to Disney!!!! I would say if its only going to be once, then around 5.

I love the pics of DS in awe of the Princesses, Now at 10 & 11, I cant get them to GO NEAR a Princess!! Last year on my MIL 1st trip she had to do the princess breakfast, you cant believe the moans and groans from them. DS 11 had me hysterical when his Uncle Jeff (30 something single uncle) jumped up to take a picture with Jasmine. DS said "Uncle Jeff only wants a pic with jasmine cause shes half naked"

 

[gk90]

We took our DD7 last month for the first time and she had an absolutely terrific time, but I just think we should have maybe gone a little earlier. She loved meeting the princesses and enjoyed the autograph sessions, but pulled me aside at one point and gave me the old "daddy, they're really just people dressed up in costumes" accompanied by a knowing nod.

I think if we took her at 5, when she wore nothing but princess costumes whenever she could, she might have been able to mine a little more magic from the experience.


My point being, it's tough to find that sweet spot when you have two kids.

I have to say that I'm really sorry that we didn't go when DD was 5 or 6 and really into all the princessy stuff--it would have been more magical for her at that age. BUT when she was 5 we had DS who was 3 and a holy terror--by the time he was 5 he had settled down and was well behaved but I don't even want to imagine the nightmare our trip would have been with him at age 3. As it was we 1st went when the 2 of them were 9 and 7, and we had a great trip--we thought it would be our only trip but we liked it so much that we bought into DVC!

Here's a site with lots of input on what ages your kids should be:
http://**************.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-oldtall-your-children-should-be/

 

[kadesha]

I think 5/6. I want my kids to believe in the magic when they are there. We have been going since my kids were 2 and every trip is magical, so any age would be ok. I wouldn't want to wait until they are 9 or 10 though because most kids that age aren't going to believe that they are seeing the real Mickey Mouse, they'll know it's just a guy in a suit. At least that is my experience with my neices and nephews. If I could only take one trip with my kids I'd definitely want it to be magical!

 

[dmank]

I think it's best to go when the kids are into the magic of it, rather than when they are old enough to ride all the rides. There are rides everywhere/at every theme park in the world. Disney is not about the rides, it's about the magic - the parades you can only find at Disney. The characters who make you feel so special. And the shows.

I have a 2, 5 and 7 yo. The best time for them was 4, when they really really loved acting like pirates and princesses and loved the characters.

I will wait to take them to Universal when they are 10 or 11. For now, it's Disney. My DS7 is outgrowing the magic (and so is DD5 actually), but DS2 loves it all. I really think you need to get them there at age 4.

All that being said: My favorite moment at Disney was when my first born was just over 1, and he stood up and clapped for Mickey when he saw his very first Disney parade. That's for me though, not for him!! But I will never forget that moment.