Best age to take children for the first time?

[Fall1]

I know this has probably been asked many times, but DH and I are trying to decide what is the best age for our children's first trip to the World. We had twins in June, they are our only children, and we are ready to start planning a trip. I was hoping someone could share their experience with a good starting age......Thanks!

 

[nessz79]

IF you plan on coming back several times over their childhood then I'd say anytime! They'll enjoy it in a different way at each age.

However, if this is a rare or once-in-a-lifetime trip then I'd say 6 or 7 so they can remember it, but yet it's still magical to them.

 

[kelscross]

The first time I took my girls they were almost 2 and almost 3. They enjoyed it as much as they do now (6 and 7 now). The 2 y.o. was afraid of most of the characters though. When they were 4 and 5 was the best I think...they really got into it. My 4 year old was speechless when she saw Tinkerbell come out of the castle. "She really is real Mommy" she whispered to me. It was priceless.

 

[brentm3]

...as early and often as possible!

We had DD there at 6 months by choice, and DS there at 4 months (by force...we won a trip to WDW prior to our DS being born. We had to use the prize and it expired when he was only 4 months old)

Both trips worked out wonderfully. Both times I wore the little one in a Snuggli for much of the trip, riding whatever we wanted (aside from the Mountains, etc...) Faced them outwards when they were awake, flipped them to face me when they napped.

Can't say they "got" a whole lot out of it, but they certainly were stimulated a ton by the environment...

My only concern is being mindful of the noise level, simply for hearing damage concerns...I never noticed how incredibly loud Universe of Energy was until I was protecting little ears from the sheer volume of the ding dang, err, big bang.

 

[everylastbreath]

Please read my post, we took my 2 year old Grandson, and it could not have been a more magical trip, Trip will be different at different ages, I believe the younger you take them the more magical it is for them. I can't wait to go back- read:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565254

 

[Cruz91]

The first time I took my girls they were almost 2 and almost 3.

Ours were pretty similar - almost two and just turned 4 - on our first trip. It was PERFECT. Our DS2 surprised us by embracing rather than fearing the characters. I think our DD being 4 was the perfect age. By the time they get to Kindergarten or 1st grade, they start to realize the characters are just that - characters. DD had NO doubt that Cinderella was THE Cinderella. We didn't want to wait till DS was older because we would've missed out on DD's prime time - so....

...as early and often as possible!

This is the best advice! Since that first trip, we've been back twice more with our next one scheduled in just a few weeks!!!

 

[ljcrochet]

I took my twin girls last october when they were 17 months old. And we are going again very soon (27 months). It is amazing to watch they discover disney.

 

[Elmo888]

IF you plan on coming back several times over their childhood then I'd say anytime! They'll enjoy it in a different way at each age.

However, if this is a rare or once-in-a-lifetime trip then I'd say 6 or 7 so they can remember it, but yet it's still magical to them.

After taking DD6 and DD2 for their first times in January, I agree with this.

 

[MinMouse]

I agree with the previous posters if it's a once in a lifetime . . . wait a little while. We continue to have wonderful Disney trips (with 9 & 12 yo DDs) but the most magical age for us was 4-5.

 

[GoinToDisney]

We took our dd when she was 17 months old, and she had so much fun. She waasn't afraid of anything yet, and was just amazed by the whole thing.

 

[Constant]

We agree with everyone, from the UK our DD is coming for her third trip this November and has been at 8 months 29 months and 34 months soon! Also Disneyland Paris when she was 18 months.

Some might call that obsessive but the main reason is that flights are cheap out of school holidays and we are now DVC members (and the dollar is good for us)

More than that is how much she loves the characters, we have photos of her refusing to let Chip and Dale go at 8 months old accompanied by a high pitch squeal of delight. I am not good enough with words, that or they don't exist to explain just how much she enjoys it. If they bottled joy then it would be made by families like us in Disney.

I am usually cynical and have a hard job in IT outsourcing and I walk on cloud nine for however long we are out there high on how much she is having fun and the wonder in her face at just everything. A cast member in DS commenting on how she was even hugging the trees outside the Narnia exhibit.

Try local theme parks or events with people in costumes or dressed up to see how they react. My nephews before my daughter arrived went to Paris and cowered in fear all the way through a character breakfast so anything you can do to work out if it is for them before hand will save you money and disappointment.

My wife has just pointed out that another reason we love vacationing in Orlando is quality of food, medical assistance (which we have had to use) and ease of buying baby / toddler necessities. You can't find anywhere more geared for family holidays.

 

[Colinsmom]

If you're thinking "soon", I'd do it either before they start crawling (as early as 6mo for some babies) or after they are walking (16mo or so should be pretty safe). IMO, the crawling stage is a tough time to travel because they want to be down exploring on all fours, and that kind of grosses me out, even in a hotel room. Especially because you have two little ones - harder to keep both off of the floor while one parent is showering, etc.

 

[hmmchowell]

When they're still in the womb cause then you don't have to rent a stroller!

 

[tweedlemom]

As long as you are willing to roll with their schedules, needs for naps, feedings, etc., anytime is a good time. You know your kids better than anyone. If you are willing to NOT go hardcore commando in the parks all day so you can go back to your resort, take a break and rest up for parks in the evening, then go whenever you choose! Whatever age you pick, your trip will be amazing! We had planned to take our sons on their first trip when they were 5 and 6. We changed our minds and took them at 3 and 4 and it was incredible! So glad we went when they were younger. Start your planning!

 

[GSDRescuer]

If it won't be their only trip and you are planning on many more....I'd say to start at 2 1/2. Our DGD was sooooooo excited, she actually shook with excitement!!!! She is still talking about Disney and when she will be going back next!!!!

 

[disneywith4boys]

I would say any time after they turn 2. My first son went at 2, 2 1/2, 5, 7 and will go at 9. The second at 13mo, 4, and will go again at 6, and my twins went the first time at 2 1/2, and we want to wait for the next trip until their 4 1/2. So far, each age has been magical, the 13 mo was adorable, but with twins I'd wait until they were over 2.

 

[kckmom]

We took our girls when they were 3 and 1. Everybody told us that they were too young to appreciate and remember it. They loved every minute of it and still talk about it, especially now since we are going down in 14 days. Maybe they won't remember all of it when they are adults, but they remember it now, and that is a big deal for DH and I.

I agree with other posters, take them as early and as often as possible. My only advice, have fun, take lots of pictures and enjoy every minute of your trip as they grow too fast!

 

[mrstomrice]

We took our olser ds for the first time when he was almost 2. We just got back a few weeks ago with our now 3 year old ds and our 10 1/2 month old ds. It was so great both times! Just seeing the look on both of their faces is well worth it! The baby won't remember a bit, but we have great photos and memories. He LOVED the characters, parades, fireworks, the pools, and the rides. If time is not an issue, you may want to consider the winter with the crowd and heat issue....August was hot, but Jake handled it well. He was also a crawler, and I felt a bit guilty at times keeping him in his stroller, but again, he handled it well. Everytime you take the kids will be wonderful for many reasons...we hope to get back next year and for years to come

 

[antree]

If you are going to go back, then I say plan away. My DS was 10mos. old the first time he went. I never forget him crawling to Mickey, Playing on the floor with Capt. Hook and Mr Smee. Chip and Dale sitiing on the ground giving him his bottle or having the Princesses fall all over him and leaving kiss marks all over his face. He loved it all and even had to have a Bobble head Mickey. He wouldn't leave the store without it. He is now 5 yrs old and we do go once a year, so he might not remember it at 10 mos but he does remember last years trip. Which included being afraid of all the rides and the characters. We leave in 47 days and he is refusing now to do some rides and see characters.
At least at 10 mos, 1yr, 18 mos. 2 yrs, and 3 yrs old he loved the characters and all the rides.
If my 1st time was at 4 yrs old and he was afraid to do anything it would have made for a not so pleasant trip.
Under 3 they are still free to get in, they sleep in the stroller and you can controller what you do.

But no matter what you will cherish the memories no matter what the age is.

I will remember my DS holding on for dear life as I was taking him to see Mickey at the age of 4 and him crawling to Mickey at age 10 mos.

Only you can decide what is best.
Have Fun!!

 

[The Disney Bunch]

This is a loaded question - you are going to get a ton of different responses. I don't think there is a good or bad time to take kids. When they are little, the memories are more for you. When they are older, the memories are for them. It is up to you. I wouldn't trade my memory of my 18 month old twins walking down main street for anything & yet there are people who feel they were too young. I also cherish my memories of my little on at 6 months being held by Mickey. I enjoy listneing to them talk about their last trip since they do remember that one. so it is really up to you!