Best age to take child?

[jonestavern]

From the point of view of the child remembering the trip then 7+ would be best - BUT my best trip was when DD was 4 and was completely absorbed into the magic, I have such special memories of that time.

Libby

As OPs have offered, it does depend on whether your trip will be a one shot deal or you are considering going more often.We had to adjust our expectations, & calculate that due to DS' lack of stamina--he was 7 yo--that we were just not going to be able to cover everything we would have liked to do. If you go in the summer, bear in mind that Florida is very humid as well as hot. We are from the colder climes of New England & found July in Florida just about unbearable--despite the air conditioned lines.
What worked for us: we'd wake up & get to the parks before early openings (EMH), have an early lunch ( in the parks) then return to the resort(CBR) for a swim & a long nap & quiet play. We'd dine off-site & head back to the parks around 6 pm. The only time we strayed from this schedule was to make a 2 pm reservation at Coral Reef. DS was totally exhausted, getting cranky, then 'passed out' for a nap. We skipped the restaurant & trailed back to CBR. Lesson learned!
whatever you decide enjoy a wonderful trip & welcome to the DIS!

Jean

 

[TandCmum]

we took our 2 last year aged almost 2 and 4. They had a ball and loved every minute. We have some fantastic memories from that trip as they are still at the age of innocence where they believe the characters are real etc. DS (4) has talked about it everyday since we returned 3 months ago. Saying that it was hard work, the flights weren't particulalry easy keeping them occupied and they did have their moments, but it wouldn't put us off taking them again. We are next planning on taking them in 2007 when they will be just about 4 and 6 and TBH i think the extra 2 years they have gained will make a big difference to our holiday.

Suzanne
xxx

 

[Clare D]

We took our DS when he had just turned 2 and last year just before his 3rd birthday. He loves WDW and doesn't mind the flight at all as to him it is all part of the experience. On our last visit he went on different rides to what he went on the year before and still talks about them now.
I think the best thing is to follow your heart. Once you have been be prepared to visit again and again though.
We are off again in Nov and doing the cruise. DS will nearly be 4 and is sooooo excited already.

 

[Hilary]

I agree with going whenever it seems right for you and your family - we're all different.

However, I wonder whether the real question people tend to answer isn't so much "what's the right age for my child to go to WDW?" as "what's the right age for my child to be when I take him/her to WDW so that he/she will react in the way I think indicates he/she is getting the best out of the experience?"

A young baby will enjoy it's time in WDW with you just as much as anywhere else, but if you feel you might be disappointed if they don't remember the magical moments as well as you do (and as well as you'd like them to), then it might be better to wait until they are around 7+. Hopefully, family holidays will be magical for children wherever they are, although I imagine everyone posting here thinks WDW is the best!

Have fun, whatever you decide is right for your family

 

[aviva5675]

It depends how many times you think you might go--If it will be rare or once in a lifetime, Id wait till the child is a little older--tall enough to ride anything they want. We went when our DD was 10-- she was young enough to enjoy all the magic but juuuuuust tall enough to go on the bigger rides, which she loved. At the time I thought it'd be our one and only trip---and now were going back in Nov! She will be 14 this time, and is looking forward to it just as much.