best age to take our son?

[ashpinoza]

so, we originaly planned on going for christmas in 2010. our son would be 2 1/2 but we dont want to wait that long and if we go before july 2010 we save 350.00 on a plane ticket since he flies free under 2 years old. i would LOVE a christmas disney trip, but he would only be 1 1/2 if we went this christmas. we are considering which month would be the best to go and his age. i would think he would be more entertained closer to two so we considered june, a month before his birthday. but i think christmas would be amazing, ive done disney christmas before and its so much fun! ive heard people say their 10 month olds enjoyed disney even, so i guess i just want some extra input, when did you take your children and how did it work out? and what do you think is a good month? i myself have been to disney SEVERAL times, as a kid but havent been in 10 years! i cant WAIT to go! and my husband has never been there, and we now have a baby, so im really wanting this to be an amazing family vacation, any tips are appreciated!! thanks

 

[TamiV]

We took my dd for the first time when she was 3 and 2 months and my ds when he was 2 and 8 mos. Both times were in May. I have been to Disneyland both at Thanksgiving and Christmas and both times were crazy busy! I would suggest May, the weather was beautiful, the lines were short if there were lines at all. You'll want to keep you little one in the stroller as long as possible, holiday times will mean lots of waiting in line with no stroller which can make for a grumpy family!

I completely understand the free airline ticket though. It seems nearly every spring they have the kids fly free promotion so I would hold off and watch for that. In the meantime, get a Disney Visa card and start using it for all your purchases. Pay it off every month to avoid fees, and watch your free Disney Dollars add up! You can use it for park tickets, food or souvenirs...even your room if you stay on site!

Just my two cents!

 

[Zephirin]

We took our daughter when she was 3 1/2. Many told us she would be too young as she would not remember. My feeling was that it's not so much about the memories as the experience in the moment. At that age, it was magical. She really met Cinderella. Playhouse Disney was like being on the show.

We have been to WDW 4 times and those moments were the most special. I don't think it would have been the same if she had visited earlier as she would not be familiar with the characters.

Young children also burn out quickly as there is so much stimulation. Parents with young children often try to push the limit at their child's expense. Naps and down time are still important.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We just got back, my son was just over 2 and my daughter was 11 mos. They both had a great time! We're going back at the end of this month We are taking them to wdw this dec and they'll be almost 3 and 1 1/2. The trips right now are more for you then for them. Watching their faces get super excited at all of the sights and sounds was amazing. They just take it all in and the little things were more exciting to them than the actual attractions. Playing the in the bugs land fountains and throwing pennies in the fountain in toontown, those kinds of things.

When you go it completely up to you. We saw babies who were probably weeks old and up. If you truly feel you do not want to wait, dont. I am sure you guys will have a great time...it just might not go as you planned...go with the flow and relax...enjoy Christmas is great but busy! So if you will be more nervous in crowds I'd wait until next may or so.

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

I recently took my son and he had just turned 2. He loved Disneyland. And he is still talking about it everyday. Days at Disneyland can be long and tiring. We realized that we had to take breaks for naps in the afternoon. That way my son was refreshed for the evening at the park. In my opinion 2 years old is a great age to take your kids.

 

[ashpinoza]

We took my dd for the first time when she was 3 and 2 months and my ds when he was 2 and 8 mos. Both times were in May. I have been to Disneyland both at Thanksgiving and Christmas and both times were crazy busy! I would suggest May, the weather was beautiful, the lines were short if there were lines at all. You'll want to keep you little one in the stroller as long as possible, holiday times will mean lots of waiting in line with no stroller which can make for a grumpy family!

I completely understand the free airline ticket though. It seems nearly every spring they have the kids fly free promotion so I would hold off and watch for that. In the meantime, get a Disney Visa card and start using it for all your purchases. Pay it off every month to avoid fees, and watch your free Disney Dollars add up! You can use it for park tickets, food or souvenirs...even your room if you stay on site!

Just my two cents!

oh thats an AWESOME idea on the disney card thing! you know i considered that a couple years back when we were talking about the vacation, but it kind of left my mind and i forgot about it! i mean we are planning on using income tax, we use that for our vacations but i could just put it on the card and pay it off to get the points! thanks!

 

[ashpinoza]

so in everyones opinion, when is the LEAST busy time to go if youve been there several times throughout the years? i really want a calm time since he is young. i know chrismtas is very busy, it always was when we went, so perhaps may would be good after all?

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We have been taking our girls since they were infants. Our most recent trip my youngest was 2 and she LOVED it. Talks about it everyday.

In recent years, we have been in January, March, September and November. From those times, the slowest times for us were in January and September (avoiding holidays, of course!)