Go when the kids are 3 and 5 or 4 and 6?

[hcmommy]

I know all kids are different but I am trying to figure out when to go on our next trip. We can go in May when the kids are 3 years 2 months and just turned 5 in mid May or when the kids are newly 4 and 6 in the summer months (mid June to mid August). 3 and 5 will be the last time we can go in May because we will be starting "real" school after that and will be stuck with summers because I know we will never go during school breaks or holidays during the school year. I want to know when they may get more out of it. Our last trip with a 1.5 year old and 3 year old was tough! We don't go every year, just every 2-3 years. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[4forMe]

My suggestion would be to wait until they are 4 and 6 because the 4 year old should be fully potty trained by then. Not having to bring a diaper bag to WDW is wonderful! I don't know if you have boys or girls - it seems like most boys take longer to train (at least it did for 2 of mine).

I would schedule the trip for mid June as July and August are VERY hot and humid (we've been there both months).

I'm sure you will get different responses. This is just my opinion.

 

[skw444]

We took our girls when they were 2 and 5 and again when they were 3 and 6. We thoroughly enjoyed both trips with them, but if I had to only choose between 1 trip, I would choose the older age. I'm not sure how tall your children are, but there were some rides (specifically Soarin) that my 3 year old couldn't ride because she wasn't tall enough (but she's on the small side). At age 2, she surprisingly remembers events from the trip, but her age 3 trip...she can tell you all about it like it was yesterday (she is 5 now). At age 4, you will be past the potty training stage and may even be past the nap stage. If you go after 8/15 you can get the free dining deal that they have going on.

 

[Bunnyfeather]

I wouldn't count on it being a really different experience either way. A kid who turned 4 yesterday is not going to be much different from one who turns 4 tomorrow. Potty training will be what it is, enjoyment, stamina, cooperation and all will probably be about the same for those particular kids in May and in July. Look at your kids now and you will probably see what are likely to be the biggest challenges in a year with these kids, some things will be worse in a year due to age and some will be better, but generally speaking a wild child will be wild an easily distracted child will get distracted and wander and a child who gets whiny when tired will get whiny when tired.

 

[ktlm]

I would pick 3 and 5 in May. May is a great time to go, and the crowds are a lot better than in summer months, so the lines will be shorter with the little ones. It should not be quite as hot either, although last May when we were there they were experiencing record highs. We took DD twice at age 3 and had great trips. (We also took her once at 2 years 10 months and it was the best of all because everything was magical). At the ripe old age of 4, she already questions whether things are real, so it was nice to be there when everything was still completely real and amazing to her. The only issue I think you might have with a 3 yr 2 month old, is that the 3 year old probably won't be tall enough to ride the "big" rides. DD was not on her trip when she was 3 yrs 2 months, but she was on her trip when she was 3 yrs 10 months. If your 5 year old is a daredevil, you may have to split up to ride some of the height restricted rides.

 

[ktlm]

a wild child will be wild

Not necessarily true. I have a wild child, and she is better behaved at WDW than she ever is at home!!! What a nice surprise! Gotta love that Disney Magic.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I'd be inclined to pick 4 & 6, as the 4-yr-old should be tall enough to ride more stuff. A lot of attractions have a 40" height requirement (Splash Mtn, Thunder Mtn, Soarin', Test Track, to name a few) and our last trip was a lot easier since our youngest was tall enough for those rides. He loved them and it was so nice to *not* have to do "baby swap" for everything.

 

[remed1978]

We have gone when my children were 2 and 5 years old, as well as 3 and 6 years old. I would say that if carrying extra things such as diapers are a problem for you, then you may want to wait. For us, it really did not make any difference because we would be carrying a backpack with wet wipes reguardless. Our kids can always find something to get messy with! We found that the year we went when our son was 5, everything for him was magical. The following year when we went when our daughter was 3 (almost 4), was when everything was magical for her. She really thought she was a princess! Sure, there were things that she could not ride, but there was usually something close to the ride that would keep her entertained. With all that being said, I personally would not worry as much about the slight age difference than what time of year would be best. If this is probably the last time you will be able to go in May, when the crowds will be less than during any of the times when school are out, I would go in May.

 

[hcmommy]

Just to be clear because I don't know if I stated it very well in my first post. These trips would be 1 year apart. May 2011 they will be 3 and 5, Summer 2012 they will be 4 and 6.

I'm liking the thought of no diapers and being able to ride everything without baby swap...

 

[Bunnyfeather]

Ah, well never mind then! Sorry I misunderstood. We had the same dillemma and decided to do 3 and 5 and be able to go in a less busy season before DD starts school next spring. However, I don't think we will need diapers for our then 3.5 son. He will be too short for a few of the big rides at 3, but we can go back when they are 5 and 7 and have a more big-kid experience then.