Families with kids

[toyotaae86lg]

We just took my 2 year old (almost 3) to the World for the first time this past september. She absolutely loved it and so did me and my wife. The happiness she had meeting characters was overwhelming but also we had our bits of cry storms, and tiredness that you would expect. Curious as to what your favorite age was with you children. In my case I really can't wait till she's old enough to ride some of the thrill rides with me but right now i'm just loving this age. Whats your favorite age? Why?

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

I can't say being I have only taken my oldest son when he was 5 almost 6. (Will be taking him at age 8 and youngest DS at age 18 months in November.) But I will say I thought 5 was a perfect age. He enjoyed the characters and fully believed in the magic of it all, yet he was big enough to ride nearly everything. He was also old enough to help make decisions and have opinions about things to do. We had a wonderful time. Looking forward to our next trip so he can ride Rockin' Rollercoaster with me and I can also experience Disney through the eyes of a toddler. I think there are great things about any age.

 

[Caseheidi]

We have taken DD three times, 18 months, 3 1/2 and at 5. All were different and great in their own way. I have to admit that the most recent trip was the most difficult, as she was much more poi aired, and while she wanted to do characters, she only wanted a select few over and over again. However it was a blast dancing with her on Main Street while waiting for the parade and her reaction to the fire breathing dragon is one for the books.

I am looking forward to our next trip (not until at least 2016) and seeing how it changes again. I am hopeful she will be ready for Splash Mt and HM next time, as well as POTC, as it has been too many years since I got to ride with my DH!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We took my son when he was 3 then again when he was 5 and when he was 7. We are going again next year so he will be 8 and the baby will be 20 months. I have to say it was fun taking him whdn he was 5 bc it was like he was experiencing the magic for the first time. My son is also a very soft spoken and goes with the flow and when we went this year when he was 7 I kept trying to get him into the planning but he wanted no part of it. He enjoyed the trip but it would of been more fun if I had some input from him. We are going again in April and this time he's actually getting involved in the trip. It was his idea to go to disney again next year and he actually wants to be involved with the planning. So I think when we go in April it might be the best year we've gone

 

[wdw4rfam]

We have 3 kids all 5 yrs apart. So we always have had various ages with us. Our first trip was when my oldest wad 5, DS was a few months. Now they are 6, 12, and 17, and we just got back a few days ago. There is good and bad about each age, but I think the 5-6 is best. My DD still believes that those princesses live there and the magic is 100%, as well as my son who is autistic, and still believes in all the magic. But we are really lucky because my oldest DD still loves Disney and doesn't mind going with us still and loves everything Disney too, and will ride the big rides with me.

 

[msmama]

I took my son at 10 mos, 2, 4, 5 and Disneyland at 6. (The 3 year old year was just too much to handle!)

I don't think I could pick a favorite.

10months was fun because he was just starting to walk and it was awesome to see the characters get down on his level.

2 was fun because he could talk to the characters now. And did. A lot. We also went to see one of the last space shuttle launches on this trip.

4 was just ok. Probably not a favorite.

5 we went for his birthday and lots of family joined us. His dad came with us, and both sets of grandparents came (though not at the same time luckily). We also went to Legoland. This was a longer trip so more relaxing (although less because of all the other people, too).

6 we flew across the country to Disneyland. We both got sick, it was unseasonably hot (like in the 100's) and he didn't want to ride any rides. So from a theme park perspective it was kind of a bust, but from a taking it slow and bonding perspective, it was kind of nice.

And after 5 trips, we still haven't reached the point of no tantrums or tears. My feeling is that's it's not a Disney trip until everyone has a meltdown (Mom included). But we're not allowed to have meltdowns at the same time - if we do - we leave.

 

[MandiC]

We purposely waited to do Disney until our older two were 7 and 9 (we left our younger two at home for the first trip). My oldest certainly wasn't as impressed by the princesses as my younger daughter but she did enjoy the meet and greets...just didn't seem as entranced by the characters. My younger daughter at 7 though...PERFECT age. She could ride everything (she's pretty small for her age so this might happen younger with taller kids, she had just reached 48" for our trip) and she just loved the characters. She didn't get tired/cranky from the long days walking around the parks, no stroller to worry about, no diaper changes or urgent potty breaks. I am hoping to bring our boys next year (our girls will be coming too) and they will be 4 and 6. I doubt our 4 year old will be 48" we will have to do the child swap which is kind of a bummer but we'll still have fun
I'm sure any age has it's fun parts but if I had to pick one age it would likely be anywhere from 6-8 depending on the child, their height/maturity/ect
If we would have had the money to do a Disney trip when our oldest or even second were 2 I think it would have been very fun, but we didn't and at that time we figured we would probably only do Disney once so we wanted to wait till they were older. Now that we have done Disney and are in a much better position financially we want to go more...but having 4 kids to bring, one of whom is a 'Disney adult' and one who will be soon it is pricey I'm sure we could make it cheaper by staying off property/cooking meals but that just isn't how we vacation.

 

[MommyMK]

My kids have been yearly starting as early as 10 months. The only age I wouldn't repeat was 20 months, I wouldn't go again with a 1 year old. It was a nightmare to keep her from running off in lines and she sobbed every time we put her in the stroller the entire week, which was many times.

Under 1 is cute, but they don't get much out of it. Everything after 2 is awesome.

 

[set1208]

I have four kids and I've taken them all at various ages and I'd say that this last trip (sept 24-29) with just me and my DS8 was the very best age. No stroller, car seats, diapers, bottles, naps, tantrums, carrying sleeping babies, lugging gear on and off the buses, being trapped in the hotel room at night because a baby may just self destruct if he isn't put to bed at 8. My son and I had the best trip ever. He was big enough to stay up late, swim on his own and make friends at the pool, take his own shower at night. We rode all the roller coasters and had no issues with height. I could send him into the bathroom on his own or I could leave him just outside while I went. He was interested in some characters but not so crazed that we had to stand in line for every one. It was just perfect all around. I've taken my oldest DD when she was 10 and it was just as good. I caught myself watching families with babies and young kids and feeling so grateful that I'm past that stage with my kids (mostly. My youngest is 4). I had so much sympathy for the poor parents whose toddlers were melting down because they were tired, hot, hungry....whatever the case may have been. When my kids were little on some of our past trips, people would say, "why bring them now? They're so little, they won't remember anything". My respond was always the same, I don't spend $5000 on a vacation to make memories for them...I'm spending the money so that I can have the memories. I will always remember the first time my 3 year old little boy saw Pooh and he hugged him like Pooh was his long lost friend. He held on for about a full minute and pooh let him keep hugging until my son let go. It was so sweet that it sent me into tears. That's why I took my young kids. I don't regret it for a second but I sure do love not dealing with all the stress that goes into traveling with little people.

 

[cmusschoot]

I have taken my kids yearly since they were 18/20 months or so (the rule was kids have to be down to 1 nap)

I think "newly walking" would be the hardest age.

Its tough keeping them confined to the stroller for most of the day - and they don't get as much "joy" as they might, if they were older.

My kids have never been fearful of rides (I am lucky that way) and have really enjoyed each trip as the reach new height requirements and are able to go on more "thrill rides".

I have loved every age for different reasons but 5/6 is the best in my opinion.

 

[SweetMissy]

Every age has it's good times and bad. The best I think is when our now almost 3 year old went when he was 4 months old. At that age, he was nursing, no solids, sleeping, hung out in the carrier, no tantrums, no wanting to get down and crawl/walk, no fighting with this siblings, no talking back, FREE flight, FREE to get into parks, etc. It's just a much easier age, IMO.

 

[set1208]

Every age has it's good times and bad. The best I think is when our now almost 3 year old went when he was 4 months old. At that age, he was nursing, no solids, sleeping, hung out in the carrier, no tantrums, no wanting to get down and crawl/walk, no fighting with this siblings, no talking back, FREE flight, FREE to get into parks, etc. It's just a much easier age, IMO.

Good points!

 

[Andytoo]

I always loved taking my kids at 5. They were tall enough to ride most rides but still young enough to believe it was all real. Have already decided that if and when I have grand kids we will try to take them around that age.

Our first trip was when my DS was 5 and it was great. Taking a trip next spring break for his senior trip (he's 17 now), just he and I. Can't wait!