Best age to visit??

[twissie]

Hi, I hope you guys can help me. I've been trying to figure out what age is the best age to take my DD to WDW. I'll try to explain all the factors but any advice or personal experiences would be much appreciated.

DH and I honeymooned at WDW (SSR) in 2010 and had DD in 2011 as something of a Disney souvenir and can't wait to take her back. Since we really spoiled ourselves on the 'trip of a lifetime' honeymoon we are worried about going back and downgrading as it were as we don't want to spoil the honeymoon memories. So we figure we can probably only afford to do it once more before 2020 when we plan to return for our anniversary. (I should explain that our trips are more expensive because DH is exceptionally tall and doesn't fit in economy on a plane).

My questions are if you could only take your child once between age 3 and 10, what age would you think best? And what time of year (we aren't bothered about taking her out of school) is the best? (Our honeymoon was September)

We are going to DLP this year when she will be just over 2 so will have a little Disney-fix then.

Thanks

 

[brer_rabbit]

My first trip to WDW was at 4 years old - I think that's a bit too young as I don't remember much and was a bit to small for some of the rides.

I think about 7 or 8 would be the best age - they would probably be big enough to go on all the rides but young enough to find it magical! Plus it gives you a few years to save up!

I usually go to WDW in November - the Christmas decorations start going up and the weather is warm but not too hot

 

[wilma-bride]

I can only really advise from our point of view since we chose not to take our son until we felt he was old enough to appreciate it.

Our son was 5 when we first took him to WDW. At that age, he was old enough to walk round the parks (for the most part - he did have a buggy one night for Wishes as we knew we would be there late and one day at Epcot as we'd had a late night the night before and he was still really tired). He was still young enough to 'believe' (if that makes sense) but old enough to interact with the characters.

He was too short for a couple of the rides he'd wanted to ride - Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster but that wasn't a major issue (we made sure he understood before we went that he wouldn't be able to ride) and it meant he had something to look forward to on a future visit.

One of the downsides were that he didn't cope very well with late nights and early mornings - we had to do one or the other (however, now, at the age of 10 he is still the same ).

To answer your question, if I could only take him once between 3 and 10, I would say around 7 or 8 - big enough for (most of) the rides but still young enough to interact with (and believe in) the characters.

 

[wilma-bride]

(I should explain that our trips are more expensive because DH is exceptionally tall and doesn't fit in economy on a plane).

What do you mean by exceptionally tall? Would extra leg room be no good to him? Or an exit seat? Even if it meant he had to sit in an exit seat while you and the little one sat behind/in another row?

Have you considered the Thomson Dreamliner - their premium seats are reported to have up to 38" seat pitch (better than PE on VA/BA, I believe). And Premium seats start from £269 on certain routes.

 

[khibs]

Firstly our favourite time to visit is Beginning of November as the weather is just perfect, we have rarely had rain at this time and temperature is just perfect for us. The crowds are also very calm and quiet at the beginning. We have taken my daughter at ages 2,3 & 4 and she has loved it everytime!! I think if I was in your position I would want to take DD before she was 9 or 10 just to ensure that she still believed in all the magic! I actually think the kids enjoy it at any age I just took our 10 month old son and the character interaction with him was amazing and even though he won't remember me and my family will remember his face forever. If you are going in 2020 maybe schedule a trip in 2015/2016 then it's in the middle of your honeymoon and anniversary trip!

 

[joolz1910]

If I had to choose just ONE age, I would go for 8. Like others have said, young enough to get the 'magic' and old enough for the bigger rides / scarier attractions. My 8 year old loved the character interaction, BBB, the rides, etc. My 5 year old was a bit scared of everything and my 13 year old was too 'cool' to throw herself into the magic.

 

[twissie]

Thanks for the advice, its so helpful to hear the realities of how much they can cope with at different ages to get the most benefit from the trip. Obviously the trip is mainly for DD but I wouldn't want to feel like she meant we weren't making the most of it, if that makes sense, it is a lot of money at the end of the day.

He is just under 7ft, in the past we have managed with exit seats, the problem is that no airline has ever allowed us to pre-book them, which means that if we get to the airport and they have all been sold, we can't go, which happened once - its not a comfort thing, its a bones don't bend thing - which certain airlines don't understand and makes me so angry!!

We once flew with Air France and were fine on the way out but on the way back the extra legroom seats were all taken, the only way we could get home was either waiting 2 days for another flight or by buying an extra seat and him sitting sideways across the row with his feet across my lap- it was awful!

I'll have to look into the dreamliner, thanks for the help!

 

[Sencybil]

Its tricky, there's no perfect answer.

When I booked over a year ago, my daughter was 4 and princess mad. But I'm a bit suprised now she's not that bothered, and is likely to be even less entralled when we (finally) go in October. Also, she's wise to furry characters being people in suits. On the other hand, she will be tall enough to ride everything at Disney (except RnRC, which I don't want to ride anyway!).

I think she will still 'believe' in some of the magic, and I'm hoping once we're there she will get swept up in it all and WILL appreciate the princesses and other characters.

I hope she's old enough at 6 to remember at least some of it - but it's also about the memories that dh and I will have of her reaction to it all.

My point is that there's no single point when everything would have lined up to seem like the perfect time to go. Each stage has its own joys.

I'll bet waiting for your dd to be 8 seems like a very long time away I'd say anytime past age 4, when you can balance having saved enough to have the kind of trip you want against how long you can bear to wait until you go again, you'll have a magical time with her.

Sency xx

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

On our first trip, my sons were 5 and 7 and it was perfect! Granted, we didn't open AND close the parks each day. We took advantage of the resort pool for some down time. We didn't run like mad, trying to see every single thing. But we followed their lead and they surprised us with how much they WERE able to do. They were young enough to really still have the magic in their eyes, but old enough to remember many details. Of course, it's going to be different for everyone.

And I also wouldn't rule out "stepping down" and maybe doing two lesser trips instead of one big one! Through a child's eyes, AS Movies, a Little Mermaid room at AoA, or even POP may be every bit as magical as a deluxe resort. Plan on just one park a day--easier on the budget, the legs, and the stamina! She's certainly not going to care about park hopping as long as she gets to see everything! Since your schedule is more open, plan on a free dining time of year to take advantage of that.

It will all still be magical and not a let down because you have your sweet little addition with you!

 

[twissie]

You're right, waiting 6 years does seem like forever, but I'm really scared that if we go too soon we will miss an opportunity to go when she will appreciate it more. But then I can also justify reasons to go sooner!!

DH and I aren't mad on the big rides so missing them wouldn't be an issue at all, but we did something most evenings, which I know I would really miss if DD was too young and we had to stay in the room every evening. It's such a fine balance.

 

[Chilly]

DH and I honeymooned at WDW (SSR) in 2010 and had DD in 2011 as something of a Disney souvenir and can't wait to take her back. Since we really spoiled ourselves on the 'trip of a lifetime' honeymoon we are worried about going back and downgrading as it were as we don't want to spoil the honeymoon memories. So we figure we can probably only afford to do it once more before 2020 when we plan to return for our anniversary.

I was just wondering what you meant by this? I'm guessing you are saying you went deluxe for your honeymoon so feel you need to continue with deluxe for future trips meaning you can afford less trips. If that is the case then I think you are probably worrying for nothing. We honeymooned at WDW and stayed at the GF, AKL & Poly & went on a DCL. We retured less than 10 months later and stayed in a MOD hotel (POFQ). This trip was still wonderful and we weren't spoiled by our honeymoon.

 

[Elise79]

Our DD has just turned 5 and is exceptionally spoilt as she has already been 10 times.

If I had to pick just one time it would be now. She still believes that Mickey and the princesses are real. She can walk the parks without a stroller and is happy to be out at night. In fact not once have we been back in room early!

I also wouldn't worry about going to a moderate rather than SSR as they are just as beautiful. We love CSR and would stay there again if we didn't have DVC.

 

[orangetiggs]

My twins are four in nov and they will be on their third trip this year and i went when i was pregnant.

They love it and always ask to go back to the disney house and remember all the rides they went on and all the characters

I think any age is good, the first time we took themat 23 months one twin learnt so much and came back talking more and alot more confident in herself and im so pleased

 

[queendisney]

And I also wouldn't rule out "stepping down" and maybe doing two lesser trips instead of one big one! Through a child's eyes, AS Movies, a Little Mermaid room at AoA, or even POP may be every bit as magical as a deluxe resort. Plan on just one park a day--easier on the budget, the legs, and the stamina! She's certainly not going to care about park hopping as long as she gets to see everything! Since your schedule is more open, plan on a free dining time of year to take advantage of that.

It will all still be magical and not a let down because you have your sweet little addition with you!

Flights from the UK are expensive and long and as the OP's husband is so tall and therefore likely to need even more expensive seats, I think this would add enormously to the cost of their holiday. But I agree I think from a childs point of view some of the value resorts could be perfect. I loved AOA when we visited it. Also our tickets are great value for two/three weeks from the UK..

We took a load of nephews one year and they ranged from just turned 8 to 17. They all enjoyed it in different ways. Luckily the 8 year old was tall enough for most of the rides, so could join in with the others.

 

[NC Disney Fan]

I would have to agree with 8 as being the perfect age. We first took our DDs when they were 5& 7. While they didn't need naps, the younger was a bit apprehensive about things and definitely wore out by the end of the night. I thinkk by 8, your daughter will still enjoy the characters and even relish pursuing autographs and pictures without being scared. Additionally, she will be able to ride all the rides and not get scared about things like the haunted house. It really is a great age. That being said, my 10 year old last year still loved her Disney trip but I could see the magic was not as great as it had been in years past. At 10, they are over Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and even autographs are questionable. Ii vote for 8 ish!

Regarding time of year. Look for free dining to be offered over there in the UK. I think they have done it in the recent years for travel in September. As you know from your honeymoon, this was a good time to go. We travel every year in Sept (the 3rd week) and take our girls out of school to do so. You just can't beat the free dining and the lower crowds. While we went once in November, for us the pschizophrenic weather was a bit much. Cold one day, short weather the next. Crowds were low like in Sept but my girls adore pool time and Sept assures you can get that without freezing (even though they say the pools are heated--not enough for my thin blood apparently). Hope this all helps.

 

[darthtatty]

weve been a few times but thought the best age wise with our son was when he was 8. He was over the height for the Disney rides and most of the Universal ones.

We got married there and pretty much upgraded everything, it was so expensive but worth it. weve been a few times since and not upgraded, weve still enjoyed it just as much.
We try to do something different each time, just so each trip is special.

 

[twissie]

Thank you everyone so much for your opinions, I really appreciate all the advice.

Just realised I did my maths wrong, she will be just turned 9 in 2020, so I think maybe I will campaign to DH to go once when she is 5(ish) and then when she is 9 for our anniversary.

I'm feeling reassured about changing resort too, maybe save SSR for the anniversary and try somewhere cheaper first.

Just need to work on the flight situation now and I'll be on for a 3 year countdown

 

[darthtatty]

wooohooo hopefully you can talk him into it.
we took our son the May before he started school, so he was nearly 5. perhaps try and take advantage of not having to miss school.

 

[MrRomance]

We took our daughter at 4 and she doesn't remember anything of the trip. She was really grumpy on the trip too because her sister was bigger and could go on a lot more rides. She was (and still is) very small for her age but is super adventurous and intelligent so in her mind, she was being "picked on" for being small

My advice would be hold off until your DD reaches 5. Although if she has your DH genes she'll probably be big enough for any rides she wants to go on!!!

As for the legroom, I totally understand. I am not exceptionally tall, in fact I'm fairly short, but I have ridiculously long legs. My dad was 6'4, I'm 5'10 but I have the legs of a 6'4 person. My legs are the same length as my dad so I have real trouble in economy. We have used P.E. for our last 5 trips but I don't know if that would work well for your DH. It's a lot cheaper than business!

 

[Anri]

The very first trip I went on was when I was 6 and my sister was 3. She barely remembers it but we did have a good time. We mostly did all the mild rides and shows as we weren't in to the "big" rides at the time. The only problem was that we got very cranky very quickly. We went in June and it was hot and we were tired. I agree with others that November is a great time to visit. The weather is great and the Christmas decorations are just starting to be set up.