Best age for a kid to visit?

[donna in Oz]

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 )

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I only went one time as a child. I was 11 and my brother was 7. We both had a really good time, but I do know that my brother was too short to do a lot of things. I think it's hard to pick one age because families have kids with varying ages but I'd probably say that for ONE trip all kids need to be tall enough to do all rides.

However, the downside of being 8 is that by 8 you know that the characters aren't real. I LOVE that my kids think that they really met Cinderella and Mickey Mouse, that Cinderella really does live in the Castle. It just makes for some priceless character interaction. My DD had the best conversation with Snow White about the dwarves because she wanted to know why they weren't back from work yet (it was evening and we saw Snow White by the Wishing Well).

So from the perspective of rides, I'd say that 8 is ideal. But really, it's SO magical to watch a pre-schooler at Disney World. The sight of our 3 year old and 4 year old see Disney was enough to make my Disney hating DH (he SO didn't want to go) ask to go back.

 

[gonesaleing]

When my kids were small, I would ask them every spring, "What do you guys want to do for vacation? Go down the shore or go to Disneyworld?" Each year I would get the same answer 'Let's do the beach again this year and do Disney next year." Consequently, Disney never came.

In 2006, when my kids were 10 and 12, we finally took our much saved for trip to Disney. We stayed at BWV and had an awesome time. Here is my take on age appropriateness.

Older kids have more tolerance and more independence. They can handle the heat better, can articulate their needs better and don't have meltdowns. They can keep up with you and you don't have to have a death grip on them, lest they get lost in a crowd. You aren't tied to nap times and you don't need strollers and diaper bags. Our last trip in 2009, kids were 13 and 15and I could let them go to the pool and arcade by themselves and we spent 2great days at Blizzard beach.

Now the down side of taking kids when they are older is that you miss the whole wonderment aspect. Kids who are amazed at everything they see and little princesses running around after their stay at the BBBoutique. I did miss that but in the grand scheme, if I'm going to spend lots and lots of money on a vacation, I want the kids to remember it and 3-4 year olds aren't going to.

Again, just what worked for my family.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

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?

0-115 I might say I'd be leery of 12-21 though, some teens are 'too cool'

 

[nytimez]

0-115 I might say I'd be leery of 12-21 though, some teens are 'too cool'

Best answer yet.

Seriously, the "best" age is when you are ready, willing and financially able to take them, and when you think they'll enjoy the experience. Everything else -- like advice on these boards, including my own -- is really just noise next to that.

 

[Karpkg]

We took our kids for their first time last year when they were 6.5 and 5. We wanted the youngest one to be at the point where he could remember. He was just about 41 inches tall so he missed out on EE and other 44' and > rides, which he cried when we would do the child swap and DD went. We found out he was quite the thrill seeker. (Loved Barnstormer, Splash and BMTRR).

We found that in 1st grade children talk and DD came home crying one day saying she was the only one who hadn't gone to WDW yet. (We didn't tell her we had one planned during fall break in Sept. We hadn't even told her what Disney was!)

Best time for a one time visit? I would want it when the kids can retain memories...5, 6 yrs and up, or when they hit that height where they won't be so restricted on rides.

First time to start before many trips? I would say 3-5 yrs; so as a parent I'd catch that special moment of 1st time awe on their faces and everything magical is real.

 

[DisneyMim]

For me any age, but we go 2-3 times a year and have been since our kids were young. It would be very hard for me to suggest a perfect age for a one and only trip and I know this isn't what you asked, but I would say you should try to go at least twice. Once when the kids were young, say in the 4-6 range and then again in the 10-12 age. When my kids were young I never thought I would enjoy it just as much, and maybe in some ways more, now that my kids are adults. It's very hard for me to tell anyone to just go once. My sister (and the only non-Disney person in the family) took her kids once. They were around 10-12 and they complained about everything, the resort (Poly and mind you they were bumped up to club level!!!), the weather, the rides, yada, yada yada. They can't understand why we like it. Maybe this is why we don't get along that well. SORRY, I didn't mean to get off topic!!!...Now, in reality, the perfect age is when YOU can go, age IMHO doesn't matter.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[Max Webster]

When there 44" tall so they ride almost every ride in the 4 parks.

Cheers!

Max

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

When my kids were small, I would ask them every spring, "What do you guys want to do for vacation? Go down the shore or go to Disneyworld?" Each year I would get the same answer 'Let's do the beach again this year and do Disney next year." Consequently, Disney never came.

In 2006, when my kids were 10 and 12, we finally took our much saved for trip to Disney. We stayed at BWV and had an awesome time. Here is my take on age appropriateness.

Older kids have more tolerance and more independence. They can handle the heat better, can articulate their needs better and don't have meltdowns. They can keep up with you and you don't have to have a death grip on them, lest they get lost in a crowd. You aren't tied to nap times and you don't need strollers and diaper bags. Our last trip in 2009, kids were 13 and 15and I could let them go to the pool and arcade by themselves and we spent 2great days at Blizzard beach.

Now the down side of taking kids when they are older is that you miss the whole wonderment aspect. Kids who are amazed at everything they see and little princesses running around after their stay at the BBBoutique. I did miss that but in the grand scheme, if I'm going to spend lots and lots of money on a vacation, I want the kids to remember it and 3-4 year olds aren't going to.

Again, just what worked for my family.

I have to say, though, my kids remember a lot from our trip! When I told my DDs that we were going back, my 4 year old - who was 3 years, 3 months during her first trip - told me that she wants to ride the Winnie Pooh dream ride, the ride with Dumbo, and the teacup ride. And she wants to eat with Winnie the Pooh. My older daughter, who was 4 years 10 months, gave me her list and remembers more detail from the rides than I do! She remembers scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean, the dream sequence that scared her on the Pooh ride, the little race cars in Tomorrowland, how we walked through the Castle but didn't actually go inside, how there were two different Ariels (she noticed that Ariel's tail looked different in the show at DHS - according to DD, that Ariel was an actress - compared to the Ariel in MK)... Definitely don't underestimate the ability of the little ones to remember. They are such sponges at those ages! WDW, for them, is having their dreams come true. They don't understand what WDW is exactly (since they haven't been there, it's not concrete whereas places they have been before -like the beach - are "real" to them) before they get there, but once they do it is so magical for them!

 

[scott2997]

We too have taken our daughters early in life. My 3 year old will be going for her third time in the Spring and my 1.5 year old will be going for her second time. There is truly something wonderful about the amazement in their eyes...even at that young of an age. Especially with girls and their love of the princesses and the castle.

What's funny is - we went to Magic Kingdom the first year with the intention of going to see our local band in the parade...with no intention of ever making it a yearly trip. And last year we were staying on an East Coast Beach (our normal vacation spot) and couldn't get Disney out of our heads! We went on the spur of the moment and loved every minute. We just couldn't imagine being that close and NOT going! Oh and the darn commercials on TV that are constantly reminding you of what you're missing doesn't help either! Darn Disney Marketing!

We only go for a single day to a single park (Magic Kingdom)...but it's sooo worth it! One of these years we'll stay on property and go to more than one park...probably when they're both 5 years older or so.

Such a Magical Place!

 

[cc-atl]

I think 5 yrs old is the perfect age.

It's true that ages 10-12 can ride more attractions, but to me the belief in the characters and in the magic is special.

There is nothing like watching a childs face during a parade or show when they truly believe they are seeing the real Peter Pan, Princesses, etc.

I think most 5 yr olds still believe while also being able to walk, eat a variety of food, etc.

 

[WheelCEO]

the last time I was there, the apparent best age was "fresh out of the womb"

 

[Poohbear5]

We took our kids (twins) at age 3, 8, 14.

All were fantastic trips but at 3 they tire easy and are frightened by some rides, at 14, they were off doing their own thing alot.

Eight was perfect. They loved the characters and wanted to try most rides and shows and could stay up late with a midday break.

 

[Robo]

Best age for a kid to visit?

I think sometime between the Pleistocene age or the Mesozoic age.

By the time they reach the Iron age, they can get a bit rusty.

 

[Colleen27]

For an only trip, I'd actually say a little younger... 5 is a storybook/princess age to me, I think that would be the perfect time for an only trip. By 7+, kids are starting to question "magic" like meeting fictional characters (and Santa and the Easter Bunny and such; I couldn't believe how quick all that went away once they started school).

With most of Disney's height-restricted rides only requiring kids be 40" younger kids can ride nearly everything, and if I was only going to take my child once (God forbid; I'm currently planning my 2yo's second trip!) I'd want it to be when the magic is all still real.

My older kids were 4 & 7 for our first trip, and the 7yo was a bit old for the magic at that point. He was too "cool" for Pooh & Friends, not really into Mickey, and all "girls are icky" about the Princesses (this was before the big Pixar additions of recent years). The 4yo was great! Wearing Princess dresses to the parks and having tea with Aurora and just very into every little thing. She was a little on the fearful side when it came to rides, though; on our second trip at 5-turning-6 she was much braver.

 

[kmk1180]

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?

Is that a trick question?

I didn't think that was possible.

At least not for my kids. Now that they've been there, there's no way I can keep them from wanting to go back.

 

[asmit4]

Age is just a number so I have some 'rules' for a one and only trip:

1. Must be at least 40 inches
2. Must be out of a stroller and be able and WILLING to walk for the entire day. (most of the day)
3. Must be WILLING to ride the standard rides like Space and Thunder Mountain


Some kids can do this at age 4, some kids not til age 9 or 10. I have friends who took their 4yo and they LOVED it- tall enough and a little daredevil capable of enjoying the magic. The MOUSE was THE mouse Handled the lines beautifully, never cried, walked the whole day...

At the same time- I went with my nephew a few years ago. He was 8 at the time and was HORRIBLE. He complained the entire time, didn't want to walk, refused to go on most of the rides...just a bear. He just wasn't mature enough IMO to handle the parks.

Sooo...it depends on the kid- sometime btwn 4yo and 10yo

 

[brerdawg]

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?

From 1 to 99!

 

[SafetyPinndSally]

My parents took me first when I was five and then again when I was seven.

I hardly remember anything from the trip when I was five...except meeting Barbie and Ken at Epcot. I remember a lot more from when I was seven and at that time I still believed in all of the Disney Magic(although I still do...even at 22).

So I'd say between ages 7 and 9 should be good for most kids.

 

[shelemm]

Eight years old is perfect. Plenty of wonderment still to be had, don't worry about that.