Best Age to Visit Disney?

[MEredhead]

I know this has probably been discussed many times - however I had a hard time finding any old threads. So hopefully you will all be kind enough to point me to an old thread or give your opinion.

We took our DDs (3 and 1) to Magic Kingdom last month. We had just planned on going to Florida for a break from the harsh New England Winter. My DH and I had planned on only spending 1 day at Disney since we felt they were young. We were going to wait until they were older - maybe 4 and 6 -to do our BIG Disney trip. We just don't have the money to go back every few years.

However my DDs loved Disney! My oldest is sooo in love with the princesses. She totally believes they are real and thinks she is going to grow up and become one. I don't know how long this phase will last - and I don't think my younger DD will be that into Princess.

So long story short - we were thinking we should do our BIG disney trip next year. Or should we wait until they are older. I wonder if the excitement around the characters outweighs the rides they can't go on. For rides - we could just go to Six Flags a lot cheaper?

So what is your ideal age to take our DC to WDW if you could only go once.

Thanks!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

We took our ds who had just turned 6 in January. It was a perfect age for him as he still believed all the characters were real AND he was tall enough to go on all the rides. We had a perfect vacation! We plan to go again in a couple years when my dd is that age (she stayed home with Grandma and had a wonderful time). BUT my dd who is almost 4 is obsessed with the Princesses so I am taking her in a couple weeks for a "Princess" trip just dd and Mommy! We are both so excited! Now my ds would not have had such a great time if we'd taken him at 3 because he didn't care about Princesses or Disney so I think it depends on the age/gender maybe? I am fortunate that I got an unexpected bonus and had an AP to get room discounts etc so that I can take my dd now. If I could only choose one time though I think I'd wait and take her when she is at least 44" tall so she can enjoy the magic and the rides!

Shelley

 

[KristiKelly]

We have taken our kids just about every year since DS (our oldest) was 2-1/2 (now 8). I think 4 & 2 are great ages. They are still so innocent and believe. By the time DS was 6 he was telling us that Plutos tongue felt like plastic. Anyway, 4 & 2, you would definitely need to take breaks/naps throughout the day because it can be exhausting. The younger they are, the more magical it is for them. I say go for it!!!

 

[pedro2112]

Redhead,

If you are only planning on doing one "big" trip to Disney, I'd wait until the youngest is at least potty trained and old enough not to get tired out too quickly (but young enough to still believe in the magic!). I always thought 4 or 5 was the perfect age for a girl to experience Disney.

 

[INDISMOM]

I agree with Pedro2112. We also can't afford to go a lot. We took my oldest dd when she was 2 (now 8) and she doesn't remember a thing. We decided to wait until youngest dd was 4 or 5. She is 5 now and we are going in June. She watches the Disney planning video EVERY night. She can't wait!