childs age at wdw?

[mikewdw]

what is the youngest you have taken a child to wdw? how was the experience? pros and cons? would you do it again at that age?
mikewdw

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

My youngest was 5 months when we went to Disney, and we all had a fabulous time!!! Although he didn't really understand, he was fascinated looking at everything. I liked taking him at this age because he was content being held or in the stroller, and didn't want to be on his own at all!!! He wasn't eating solids, yet, so that was one less thing to worry about. The only con was that he was too little to sit in a highchair, so eating out meant we had to hold him and eat one-handed (which we've perfected after three kids!).

 

[Disney Debbie]

We took DD for the first time the actual week she turned 3 and had a blast. She doesn't remember any of it of course - but we do and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm sure a lot of it depends on your child's disposition but DD was a very easy going little girl (still is! ) and except for the mistake we made of taking her to see "Captain EO" which then made her very nervous of ANYTHING dark everything worked out well. This was even back in the "pre onsite" days for our family and we were staying with some friends that lived in Orlando. Everything I'd tell people not to do now!! We ate breakfast at the house, packed a picnic lunch that we'd go out to the van and eat and let her take a short nap and then we'd eat somewhere in the park at night. Luckily she took after her mama and wasn't much of a "nap" girl! We had to do the baby swap on a few rides but most things she could go on (that was before ToT and R&R!) She loved the shows and the characters.

My big thing is I wouldn't take a child that wasn't potty trained or capable of communicating pretty well with you. I know plenty of others disagree - but that's my opinion.

 

[noasmom]

when my daughter was only 7 months old! it was great! she loved the characters. we went back 3 months later for july 4th and still the same outcome. the following year we took her and her sister who was then 7 months old and she had the same reaction. my oldest was now almost 2 and she was petrified of the characters! went back, yet again, and this time they were both hesitant. when they saw minnie, they loosened up, got an autograph book, and chased everyone around the park for the rest of our trip! we are going back again this year for xmas!

 

[disneydragon]

Took my son for the first time at 7 months old. It wasn't when we really wanted to take him, knowing that he wouldn't care or remember, but we were there for a reunion, so... That being said, he was an ANGEL for the whole trip. At 7 months, the pram/stroller was his legs for moving around, his bed for naps at the parks, and his chair for eating (and it was handy having him eating baby food because it was always ready whenever he was!) Absolutely no regrets about taking a 7 month old.

 

[tcfdick]

The first time we took our daughter she was almost 3. Our son for his first time was 18 months. They both had a great time and you would be surprised at how much they remember. We loved watching their faces!

 

[dmonroe]

We took ds #1 on his first trip to WDW when he was 2 1/2, and had an awesome time. He only remembers bits and pieces of it (he's almost 5 now!), but we didn't count on him actually remembering it! Ds #2 will be making his first trip at 6 mos. (this December!). I'm really happy to read so many positive posts about bringing infants to WDW. I figured 6 mos. should be pretty easy since he most likely won't be crawling or otherwise mobile yet! I'm thinking we may skip the next year when he is 18 mos!

 

[alloyd1170]

We took our 2 yr old son and he loved it (except for the dark rides and 3d movies). Id do it again in a heartbeat! The beauty of it was that he was free! He appears to remember quite a bit about it too. He always wants to look at his pictures and dvds from the trip. And when he sees a Disney commercial on tv he goes nuts. I had shown him several dvds before going, and he recognized the castle when we got there. The one thing I know he will remember is the monorails. Hes a train nut. Sometimes when we drive on the freeway, he looks out and if theres an overpass he yells train! We plan on taking him in January as he will just make the under 3 catagory again!

alison

 

[beattyfamily]

I think it's up to the family; each family has a different opinion or situation (once in a lifetime trip or annual trip?).

But, IMHO, our family's cut off age is 1 years old. I've taken our DDs as young as 1 and then every year since and I'd say between ages 3 and 7 were the best times so far but they were all great in their own way.

It depends on if you want them to remember it? If you don't care if they'll remember it. If you want them to still 'believe' in the magic etc...