from your experience, is age 3 too young?

[reginaastralis]

GO!

My daughter has been going since she was five months old. I can't even count how many times we've gone.

She is almost 2.5 years old now. The last time we went was Pirate and Princess, the time before was the most magical! We walked in, and turned at Casey's. Julie looked up and said "Hey mama, what's that?" "Cinderella's castle" "Cinderella's house, mama?" "Yep Julie, Cinderella's house" "Mama, you mean Cinderella sleeps there!?!?!" "Yes Julie, Cinderella sleeps there." "Wow Momma!!! Can I sleep there?!?!"

It was so special! I tear up everytime we go. I'm a sap, but there's something about seeing the magic through their eyes.

Do me a favor, when your little one walks up and see's the castel for the first time, get that picture! The look of awe, the mouth wide open ... get THAT picture. It's the best feeling in the world, to give the magic to someone else.

Something we did a couple of months ago, when Julie went through a stage where she only liked face characters and Mickey, we would show her the pictures of her and the characters from previous trips. I think something similar would work from the computer. Dis is Julie's favorite website. Mamma, Mickey! I dislike having her with me while I am on this site! I can't scroll if she's looking at a picture. TEHE.

And just to warn you, they're little time bombs sometimes. Plan for the unexpected. Julie is a "pro" with the characters. However, she just went a couple of weeks ago with my parents, and was TERRIFIED by Mushu and the other two Amigos that are out with Donald. She actually ran away in fright from the Three Amigos. Mushu scared her so bad, but Mulan made her a magical moment by comforting her (while Juliette called her Cinderella). It was adorable.

Pack a good comfortable stroller, some snacks and some juice boxes, and be ready. We bought the Princess signature book where the pictures slide in and Julie "practices" her character names. Also, if she just won't nap, I suggest the train. It does an amazing job at zonking those little ones out.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not too young.

We took DS first when he was 1.5, and it was easy. I wore him in the mei tai most of the day, he enjoyed himself, and had a nice time.

Last year he was about 2.5, and just last night he was "playing Disney", and remembering a TON of what we did last year (DH and I don't talk about it much b/c we want his memories to be HIS memories, so we follow what HE says rather than bringing it up), specifics from the rides and such. He had a lovely time, and even napped in a stroller (we didn't even own a stroller then so that was a big deal). At the end of the day, while sitting in the Ergo (on my front and he was facing me) and we walked to the tram and parking lot, he looked up at the twinkle lights, put out his hands, tipped his head back, and sighed "Diz-knee-laaaand".

So...3 isn't too young.

I'm looking forward to seeing what he's like on this trip, when he'll be 3.

 

[las3888]

DS (25 mos) has gone now 4 times and hopefully soon to be 5! Everytime he goes he blossoms. He really loves it. We have always done alot of prepping for him - listened to some Disney songs, watched a few videos, went to the Disney store, got familiar with all the characters, read some Disney stories. It was then very meaningful to him. He really loved it and we will continue to go through all ages. They may not remember it, but at this time, my DS asks on a regular basis 'let's go back Disney World'...it melts me!!!

 

[tigger813]

We took DD1 when she was just 3 and she remembers all of it still: now she's almost 7. We took DD2 last year when she was 2 and she loves everything Disney. We'll be taking her when she's just 3 this December. Hopefully she'll be tall enough for more rides this time. DD1 is tall for her age so she went on almost everything when she was 3:except Space Mountain, RNR and Tower of Terror. Last summer when we took her she rode EVERYTHING numerous times!

Tracey

 

[lillygator]

you'll get tons of different answers but I say go!!

 

[KidGoofy]

My brother has went twice and he is turning two in less than a month. He had so much fun and I really don't believe they can ever be to young.

 

[TJA]

Disney is special for all ages, even babies. We've been taking our twins since they were 7 months old and have incredible memories.

 

[TMB1203]

GO! We have been taking our 3 yo since he was a baby.
He loves going. Sometimes he wakes up and asks if we can go to DisneyWorld today.

He has a great time there. He loves the rides (will ride Buzz as many times as we will let him) and meeting the characters.

I love seeing that sparkle in his eyes!

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

When we went in '03, my daughter was 4 and my son was 21 months. We thought that she'd be the perfect age, and he would "have lots of pictures to look at." He freaked out when we got on the plane, and we were worried as we made our way to the Well, we were surprised! My son had just discovered Buzz Lightyear, and we were staying at All Star Movies. We have it on video where he saw the giant Buzz for the first time - the look on his face is priceless (definite Mommy moment!). He remembers just as much as his sister - he's the one that's been saying at least once a week since then, "Mommy, we need to go back to Disney World." We're going back in June, and he will start talking about it out of nowhere - "Mommy? Know who else is in Disney World? GOOFY/PLUTO/LITTLE EINSTEINS(take your pick, he's listed almost all of the characters now)." So, for my family it worked. I'm a teacher, and I know every kid is different - I've read some pretty unhappy stories. If you think your little one can handle it (or go with the flow when he/she gets to tired and snooze in the stroller) I say go for it.

 

[hvivona]

My youngest was 3.5 last year and did great. We didn't use a stroller...she did all the walking! I think it helped seeing her big sisters going nonstop. But, really it was great. Only a little whining here and there but nothing bad. We took breaks mid day and carried water bottles so I think that helped.

 

[nateryan]

They will remember for a long time after the trip. Our trip when DS was 3.5 was our best yet. We went when he was 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5. Of course, one huge advantage was that he was 40 inches tall so all 3 of us could go on most rides together.

I was just watching home video of him on the Indy Speedway, priceless. I can't believe how fast they grow.

 

[Cory's Gal]

We took my son who turned 2 the week before our trip. He had a blast! It was 3 months ago and it still comes up several times a day! He LOVES watching the videos we took and looking at the pictures too! He recalls moments I even have forgotten!! It was magical and wouldn't hesitate to take a toddler or a preschooler! Have a "magical" time!!

 

[SavvyMom]

We took our oldest when she was almost 3. She loved it!!! It was during her "Lion King Years." We were content to pretty much do what she wanted to do. We would get through, say, Hall of Presidents by telling her if she was good we would go see Lion King for the 569th time LOL. I highly recommend it to kids of all ages.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Go Go Go.... We celebrated 2ndDS's 3rd birthday at WDW. He had so much fun the whole trip. In fact, he was easier to handle during that trip than he was when he was 4.5. He developed quite the attitude in a year and a half. He remembered the trip for a while and when I would show him pictures he could tell me what they were of, but after a year or so, he forgot about being there and didn't remember anything which made his next trip like another first time trip for him.

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

We took DS at almost 2 and will be going back again this year when he is almost 3. We took my parents with us and I think that helped a lot - they watched him a little bit each day so we could have a little time to explore and go on rides. We also kept up with DS's naps - I think that made a big difference (and was nice for the grownups to get a rest too!). We'd go to the park in the am and stay til about 3-4, go back and rest, then back to the park around 5-6. I know he likely won't remember most of either trip, but it was awesome to see him enjoy Buzz Lightyear and all the other characters! totally worth it from my point of view!