Favorite age to take your child.

[ariel1974]

I was wondering at what age did you enjoy taking your child the most. My son is 4 we took him 6 months ago and it was so magical. We had the best time he hasn't quit talking about it in the last 6 months it is so cute. We pretend we are on rides and he remembers details I don't and I have been 5 times. We want to go back so bad that we might actually do it again in September. Children change so much and every trip is different even in less that a year. So let me know what was your favorite age and why.

 

[beattyfamily]

Boy, is that a tough question!

We've gone at ages 1, 2 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6 between our two DD's!

I'd say probably it's between 2 and 3...because after that they tend to whine and complain more. At that age, they just go with the flow and don't complain too much. It just seemed so much more magical at ages 2 to 3! Their faces light up when they see everything like the lights and Main Street etc...!

BUT it's also nice to have our older DD go on rollercoasters with us...but she's a whiner!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Took my grandkids for the first time last summer ... they were 5½ and 7. They had a wonderful time ... mostly went with the flow (very little whining) ... they are still talking about it and are eager to go back again this summer!

Cheryl

 

[magic teacup]

We waited quite a while before coming to the most wonderful place on earth. DS was 8 and DD was 6. That mostly was DH's idea because my DD tends to have "broken legs syndrome" around him and *needs* for daddy to pick her up over his shoulders to ride. We waited for them to both be able to walk reasonable distances without needing a stroller. Honestly my hats off to you guests who do the stroller thing, I am amazed how you do it . We like swishing with the crowd. They do have the whine gene though. I think its most magical when they are toddlers though, it must be. Their faces just don't light up that way for long, or point at a character and get really excited. I wish we had taken ours before they were 3 (and free to get in)

 

[laceemouse]

Our kids are 12,10,8, and 5. We have been many times with them all different ages. It really depends on the kid. I don't do thrill rides because of motion sickness. Thankfully none of mine have ever been really scared of the shows or dark rides. I think the 3 through 5 age frame is good. You are past the baby food, diaper, bottle and nap stage and they are just so happy to be at Disney! A warning to you all, as they get older they kind of start to go through a "Disney is not cool" phase, at least my oldest one is. I have told her she can just stay with her aunt and uncle next time we go but I don't think she will buy that. I am hoping this is just a phase! Enjoy your little ones while you can, they grow up so fast!!!

 

[grinningghost]

So far the best has been when DD was 7. She was finally tall enough to ride the biggies and truly enjoyed herself. Of course, she is really looking forward to this trip - she will be 14 and will finally get to roam the parks without mom and dad - just her and her friend. I'll have to let you know how that goes...

 

[clutter]

We've done 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5.5 and 6, but it's only me and one child, and she's not a whiner. Each age is magic for different reasons.

Our shortened trip last week was turning out to be the best. But there is now the realization that the characters are people in costumes, so you gain more appreciation, but lose a little bit of the magic as they get older.

 

[antmaril]

Our first trip as a family was when our son was 4 years old. I thought it was amazing. We went on the Big Red Boat for four days and then did WDW for three days. It was the best vacation of our lives. We had a fabulous time. He just LOVED everything.

My son 16 now and we have gone to WDW many times -- but nothing even comes close to that first trip when he was 4. Memories to last a lifetime!

 

[Dizzie]

We go every year with our DS8, DD 4 and DS1. Our favorite trip was when DS just turned 6. He was big enough to do most of the rides, could walk on his own, could communicate without meltdowns, etc. He truly loved the magic! At Indiana Jones, the lady sitting in front of us watched DS instead of the show because he was having so much fun.

Of course we love every age at Disney, but if we could only go once for each child I think we would choose 5 or 6.

 

[carone0318]

I agree with clutter. Each year has been magical. I find that each time we take our children it has been special. When we go down in a few days, I must admit that I am concerned about the time we will have because our ds is 2 and he is a terror. It will be an exhausting trip and we will be tried by him, but it will also be filled with laughter and memories. I can't wait to build another year of memories....

 

[Cameo]

Between the two of them, we have been with DD and DS at ages 18 months, 2 1/2, 4 1/2 and will be going this fall at ages 6 (birthday girl!) and 3 1/2. One thing I know for sure is during the next trip, we will all be able to go on Splash Mountain and BTMRR together! Plus, no more diaper bag or special foods for the youngest!!! Those things will make it more magical for me.

There have been great moments for each kid at different ages, but my kids were mostly overwhelmed by the whole experience as little ones. I think the older they get, the more they are able to have fun, and not just be nervous and worried about all the commotion and people. I'm actually looking forward to the trips when they are 6 and 8 or 8 and 10 as being great trips.

 

[Baloo]

That's a toughie...I started taking Erich when he was 7mths old and we usually go twice a year.

Around four and a half was fun..it's so amazing what they think and see.I really loved it when Erich was 7 and tall enough he could ride the biggies with me.

I feel magic everytime I go there and I'm about 10x older than four!!

 

[CuteKatCar]

It's funny you should ask this because I was just thinking about this today. We were walking into Circuit City and my DD10 holds my DH's hand. (DD7 was already holding my hand).

It made me think about when we were at WDW when they were little. We leave in 3 days and I wish I still had a toddler. 2 1/2 was the best age. They were so excited - hugging the characters, jumping up and down with excitement, CM's paying attention to those little ones. I love when we watch the video and my girls are yelling for the characters during the parades - or the Tapestry of Nations parade and the puppets came over and touched them.

I know this trip will also be magical. For the first time, our family is riding Space Mountain and RnRC. (They did ToT and Splash when they were 5 and 8!!! ). They also LOVE to eat - and adult food, too. So it will be fun letting them try all the good stuff there is to eat in the restaurants.

So, if you haven't taken your little ones - DON'T WAIT. Pretty soon that age will be over and you'll miss some of the greatest memories of YOUR life

Anna

 

[lindaso]

There's nothing like a preschooler at Disney! That was really Jasmine and Cinderella and not just someone in a costume. She's in kindergarten now and still believes in characters so I'm hoping it lasts until October when she'll be 6. If not, we'll have to have the talk so she doesn't ruin it for her brothers.

But I am looking forward to when they're all older and able to walk on their own without a stroller or a diaper bag.

We're planning to go back every 2 years to enjoy each different stage for each of our kids.

 

[Tsunami8]

As a father of 3 girls (18, 8 & 6), I have to disagree w/ the majority of replies. I am soooooo glad my little ones are past that pre-school age. If I had to ride Dumbo or sit thru another dumb stage show (ugggh) one more time, I would explode. Don't get me wrong, they are all ok the first 10 times, after that I was looking forward to the mundane People Mover. But when we went last October, I had the best time since I was a teenager. My little girls were so great. Both of them had no fear of anything that Disney could throw at them. Since it was October and the parks weren't that full, we rode SM and TZTofT several times. We did test track at least 1/2 dozen times! I was soooo glad to skip over much of Fantasyland. We had such a blast we are heading back again this fall! Forget the Pooh ride, give me a giant turkey leg to share w/ my little girls and Splash Mountain to almost bring it back up. That's my laughing place!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We started taking our kids when my son was 2 and my daughter 4. They are now 16 and 18 respectively and have many Disney trips under their belts. I can't really find a time that was best, they have all been different. It was pretty exciting seeing the look in their eyes those early years, but as they got older they could go off by themselves giving Mom and I time to ourselves, which was good too. Last year my son and I played golf for the first time at Disney, and that was one of the best days of my life.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I don't have a lot of experience to speak of- not even my own since I've only been twice (recently) in my whole life!
But I can only speak about the experiences we have had and the ages of our children.
I think it all depends on the child, ofcourse- but for US...... this is what I'm thinking.
Our youngest was barely 2 the trip with the family and she spent the majority of the time in the stroller (except on the few rides she could ride and WOULD ride also). Probably not a whole lot of fun for her- but she didn't complain. And she was just a little too young to have the "light" in her eyes at seeing the characters/etc- she'd either get scared or shy.
Our middle child was barely turned 5 before that trip- just young enough to still be thrilled about everything, and amazed, etc- but old enough to walk with no complaining. The ONLY thing I can say is that he did not like being too short for some rides- but that probably wouldn't have been such an issue if he didn't have a big sister that COULD ride them. LOL
Our oldest had fun on the rides- but at almost 9yrs old (and I realize all children are different- I know I would have been different had I gone at 9yrs old!) she did not get into the characters/etc. And she CAN be a whiner occasionally- and didn't enjoy us all going at the pace/schedule of the younger two, especially the youngest.

Now, our next trip this November? I'm pretty sure my son will still be "into" the magic, our youngest should be even more (she is totally into the princesses and such already- and talking about living at WDW in Cinderella's castle ofcourse LOL) excited and enjoy herself even more at that age...... and my oldest? Well, we've already planned to try to make this trip more fun for her- and as it works out.... pleases my DH more also since it's not exactly his idea of the funnest thing in the world to do (ie: going nonstop at WDW and US/IOA. He's not big on "rides" really either. He's that way at Six Flags also and he thinks it's uncool for a grown man to get excited about WDW, Mickey/etc. *sigh*). What we plan on doing is having some days or afternoons where he goes back to the resort with the youngest, maybe the middle child too sometimes- and then we'll have some time where our oldest can ride what she wants to her hearts content (lines allowing LOL) and not have to ride "baby" rides and not have to go as slow as the youngest child/etc. I think she'll enjoy that a lot better. And heaven knows she'd enjoy a little one on one time with mom- because ofcourse the younger two do end up taking most of my attention most of the time (especially the youngest).

So hopefully- even though she'll be almost 10- she'll have a great time..... even better than last time!

I don't know what I'll do when they get to the teenager years- if they don't enjoy WDW as much as myself. I guess I'll just make solo trips..... party poopers. LOL

 

[jerry]

Our oldest was 5.5 on his first trip, our second was 6 on his. This is a good age (no pushing or carrying them) and they are still fascinated by everything. If possible take a video camera. This will preserve the moments of the trip for ever. The memory of the trips in their early years will fade over time. The video is one way to revive it. Our youngest son is now 16 and he constantly pulls out the old Disney trip videos to watch. We have a good time going over old memories while we plan for our next visit.

 

[jacksmom]

We took our ds for his first trip right after his 4th birthday. We had planned to wait until he started school, but we couldn't wait! It was a great trip, he thouroughly enjoyed! In fact, the first time he asked to go back was about 1hr. before we got home from our 10 hour drive. My husband thought he would quit asking after a while, but no! After asking regularly for several months my dh said to me one day "why haven't you planned another trip?" That was all it took! We went back 10mos. after our first trip, became DVC members, and have gone twice since and my ds is 6. Each trip has been magical! I tease my ds that he will be writting a guide to Disney soon. He is so knowledgable about Disney: rides, dining, resorts, characters. It is amazing how much he remembers from each trip! Now, we always have a trip counter going! I think 4 was a great age for a first trip!

 

[mkcp91]

When I was working in the MK, I talked for a little while with a woman who was with a young boy. She was his grandmother and told me she takes each of her grandchildren to MK for their 5th birthday - just her and the lucky child. She thought that was the best age - they are young enough so that everything is "real," but old enough to endure a long day.

Well, I told that story to my mother and she decided she would do that when she had grandkids. What a great YaYa!

Flash forward about 10 years - I can't wait anymore to plan a trip with my boy - he'll be 3 when we go in December. That made YaYa get the Disney bug, so she is now taking my DS (and the rest of the family!) next September - DS will still be 3!! DH is nervous that 3 is too young - I'm glad to hear that so many of you had a great time with this age group!

I hope he still gets his 5th birthday trip. If YaYa doesn't take him, I guess I'll have to!