Child's first trip

[howlongtillsummer?]

Just wondering your opinion on the youngest age a child could realistically be taken to WDW. I had had a trip booked for my daughter when she was three and cancelled it because I thought she would be too young for the heat. After taking her two years later I really believe she would have loved it back then and regret the missed years.

So, for the sake of discussion, lets say July for a three week trip, not once in a life-time. What do you think or any interesting stories.

 

[Elise79]

Well we took DD in March for a week then we are going back in September for 2 weeks. She had just turned 9 months in March and is going to be 15months in September

We always knew we wanted to take her with us as soon as we could and we really enjoyed our March trip and it helped her development a lot

Looking forward to September now so we can see how much she has changed in those 6 months

 

[Janine1983]

Im going for my 7th time this Oct..but it will be my ds first time and he'll be 2 yrs and 4 months!!! Am really REALLY looking forward to it!! xx

 

[wayneg]

I think it depends if its a once only trip(rarely is) or good chance of repeat trips.
For our DS he was 3, then again 5(then 20 trips between 5 and 14) there are things they can do at all ages, always being tall for his age he quickly grew out of small rides.
If you are doing multiple trips don't think they can be too young, I would love to see out 18month old God daughter there. If its a one off trip very difficult for the best age.

 

[walkerford]

We took our daughter for the first time when she was 23 months and she loved it- the heat was less of a problem for her than for her parents! Our son was just over 2 years old and the same went for him. I hear people say about their kids being too young , I cannot disagree more, they get different things out of the experience at different ages.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Joshua first went with us when he was 10 months old (see picture below).
Obviously at that age he isn't going to get that much out of the holiday but apart from a few tears on the plane mainly at take off and landing it was generally a good holiday.
*I really need to stop crying on the flight*

Lots of good memories, we did a tour of Florida that year staying in Naples & Sarasota as well as the Rosen Center on south I drive.
He was absolutely fine, I suppose in reality he was too young but as for the ideal age for the first trip it just depends really, if taking a really young child or baby I would always advocate talking your own stroller.

Some great memories especially walking over to FAO Schwarz at Pointe Orlando, he loved it there, to be honest cannot really remember too much on the theme park days but he was certainly okay throughout the holiday, including all the travelling in the car. I will have to get out my old camcorder tapes where all these memories are stored.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We took DD for her first time to WDW when she was 14 months - we all had a great time.

As Wayne said - if it is a once only trip you might want to wait until they are a bit older.

 

[Young Pooh]

We took DD when she was 23 months but knew that this would be a regular trip every 2 years as we are DVC members.

If it was a once in a lifetime trip then I would probably wait until they are arund 8 or 9 (get the trip in before they are charged as adults).

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

We are taking our DD in 2 weeks, she will be 9 months old. We have just come back from Majorca wher she coped beautifully with flights and heat, take off and landing did not bother her at all!
She also went as a 6 month old foetus lasy year LOL! when I was pregnant.

 

[WickedPlans]

No point in regretting what you didn't do!

Personally, I have been 3 times before I had kids. Then we waited until they were a lot older to take them. They will be 10 & 11 on our first family trip next Easter.

I didn't want to go and look longingly at all the things we couldn't go on because we had the kids with us, I wanted to wait until they were old enough for us all to be able to enjoy the same things together.

We have had fantastic UK holidays in previous years, now we are finally ready to go long haul.

I should point out that there is only 14 months between my boys and they are both autistic, so many things that may be possible for other families, were impossible for us.

 

[Dimplenose]

We waited until DD was 4 as this was to be a once in a lifetime trip. We went back when she was 8, 11 and we're going next week, she's now 15. Her brother is 3 years older so was 7 for his first trip.

At 4 she believed in all the magic - it was the best trip by far for me but she doesn't remember too much (her memories of all 3 trips merge). We didn't use a stroller but went at her pace (although DH carried her on his shoulders if she flagged.)

 

[team harris]

We agree with everyone else - if you are going on a once in a life time holiday then it's better to wait until the child is older to do most things. Our first once in a lifetime trip with children our boys were 9 and 7, and did virtually evrything. Now going for the 3rd and final (I think not!!) trip of a lifetime with 12 & 15 DS and we still have planned things they have not done before!

 

[irongirlof12]

I think it doesn't really matter, as long as you take into account the age of the kids with you when touring the parks. Being in disney is about being a 'family together' for all ages, and there are plently of very young children there.

We took our eldest DD when she was 4 and people said to me that it was a waste of money ( non-disney folks - ahem) and she would not remember it. well, she does remember a lot about it and we have photo's to prompt loving memories.also, it's not just about the kids having a good time, it's about the family unit enjoying each others company so if the time is right for you then go.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Well said IronGirl - it's definitely all about the family time for us. We are not going so much for the rides but that we love WDW as a resort in the same way some people go back time and time again to the same place in France or Spain or wherever. The non-WDW contingent just don't get this but do I care - NO!! LOL!! I know we will have a great time and never mind those who make comments.

 

[T16GEM]

DS was 11 months and DD was 26 months on their first trips, they then went again at 23 months and 38 months! They love it!
The memories of DS on his first trip are priceless, I think visually he got a lot out of the holiday, loved the characters and tried to eat Flik's (from bugs life) hand at a character greet!

 

[grannyed]

When we first took our DGd aged almost 7 in 2006 she loved it and still remembers lots of what we did...she longs to go back.

Her little sister was 2yrs 3months and she loved it....learnt to say "WOW" when we were there.......she has no real memories herself but she loved it and loves looking at the photos.......she also longs to go back

They have another little sister now who will be 18 months when we go next year.

As I've said the two older girls long to go back and - up to now - have no ldea that we are planning a trip for next year.

For our son and DIL it was their first trip in 2006 and they also long to go back....so long as you take everyones age into account (including the oldies) it is wonderful!!!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I love the idea of a surprise trip. I just couldn't hold it in.

(And she would find my dining reservation spread-sheets, ammended sheets and smashed things I had thrown at the wall when I couldn't get availability!!)

But it is a really lovely idea in theory!!

 

[~Piglet~]

We are going back for the first time as a family next year, DD will be 3yrs 6months. We had our photo albums out today of our previous trip and she kept asking where she was

We took her to see the Mickey Mouse Magic Show earlier this year to see what she made of the characters and she really enjoyed herself. We made the mistake of telling her that she would see Mickey herself next year, and so every few weeks we have to explain we're not going just yet

 

[dennyboy1]

my youngest was 6 months old when we first went - highlight of the trip was getting his 1st haircut (he didnt have much!) at the barbers in MK - still got the very small lock of hair, certificate and hat here at home, 7 years ago that was