Good age for childs first visit to WDW

[jodifla]

Yes, take her right before she turns 3, so you don't have to pay for her.

Not sure what the big deal about the stroller is. We bring our umbrella stroller, so it's no big deal. I like it better than having DS walk. This way, I know right where he is.


We've been taking our DS since he was 5 months old. He loves it there, and still asks to go all the time at 4 years old.

Kids may not remember it for the rest of their lives when you take them when they are small, but it stays with them LONG after the trip.

 

[jlsDisney]

Last year we took are dd3 and our dd15m. They both had a great time. My dd3 talked about it and wanted to go back for 9 - 10 months. Then she found our we are going back again, in a few days to be exact. They have both been very excited about going and can't wait. My 15m old was old enough to ride a surprising number of rides and she loved them all, especially Buzz. The pictures we have are amazing. At the beginning of the week, she didn't like any of the characters but the "face" characters, but by the end of the week, she couldn't get enought of all of them. It worked really great for us. This year, she's two and I know she'll have an even better time than last year.

 

[Joni317]

Don't be afraid to take your little one. I love Disney with little ones! They think everything is real, which makes it so magical for the parents! We took our first trip with kids when ours were 18 months and (nearly) 3. It was wonderful. We went back for another trip within the year. Conviced hubby to buy and AP --hee!hee! Anyway, I wouldn't trade those trips for the world. They may not remember everything about them, but we take lots of pictures and they love to look at them. I think they do remember somewhat, especially the older one. Again, the most wonderful part of taking little ones is that the magic is real to them.

One piece of advice, if you're waiting until your child turns 3, I would go a little before then, so they could get in free. Children under 3 are free! That's another reason we went twice in one year! BTW, our family thinks we're crazy for taking toddlers!

We leave in 2 days with ds5, dd3, and dd19 months.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Hope73]

We took our daught whos 4 for the frist time. Shje was totally amazed by all of th magic and princesses.

 

[Heidict]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I have now managed to convince my DH that she needs to go before she is 5!!

I wish we could take her now. If only we lived closer and could just drive there. But as it is, we can't afford it right away. So, I will start saving now, and of course planning now.

I think we will go in 2 years, just after Thanksgiving. She will be 2 years and 10 months old, so we won't have to pay for her, it will be Christmas time and pretty and not nearly has hot or crowded.

So, 2 years to plan.........

 

[brandylouwho]

We just took our daughter for the first time (she is 2 yrs 8 mos) and she LOVED it. Will she remember it? No, but we'll be back again and again-or so I hope. Her expressions were priceless and I could almost feel the absolute awe she felt wherever we went.

We did everything in Fantasyland (except Snow White), we did Playhouse Disney Live & the Stars & Motor Cars parade at MGM (her fave parade), she liked Turtle Talk with Crush, the character interactions, eating at the Biergarten & Illuminations at Epcot. She absolutely loved breakfast at the Crystal Palace with the Sesame Street Characters. She was luke warm about breakfast at the Castle.

Now we did take her to Jamaica when she was just 2...to a Beaches Resort with Sesame Street characters, which she feared greatly. (She was a Sesame Street fan, but a 6 foot Elmo was just plain scary to her). And she didn't love the beach like I thought she would either. That 8 months made a world of difference!!!

So...it depends on the attitude and personality of your child...but I think age 3 or so would be great (or go when she is almost 3 so she is still free).

 

[pweyl36]

5yrs old. No bottles,diapers,strollers,naps,tantrums.Just pure fun

 

[atisikitabasket]

My son is an outgoing little guy took our first trip at 2 1/2 and he was just overwhelmed the first 4 days he didn't want to do anything but sit in his stroller and play with his leap pad he wouldn't look at anything. Then the final 2 days he feel in love with Fantasyland. We were sad it took him so long to warm up.

Then we just went in May he was 3 1/2 and loved everything. Some of the rides he got a little nervous on like Buzz lightyear but he was ok if he covered his ears and realized it wouldn't be loud. He talks about our trip a lot and he really enjoyed it this last time. We are going back in Feb. because I want to take him as much as we can while he still has that little innocent twinkle in his eye.

I would add we do take a break every day in the afternoon for a nap and swim and it works out well no bad moods yet!!!!

 

[kcrew]

I think it really does depend on if you plan to make repeat trips throughout childhood. If so, anything goes. However, if you are like us, and probably will only end up taking your kids once or twice, a little older certainly makes more sense. You also need to take into consideration your own enjoyment for the trip. How will your child's age affect that? Do you want your child to be able to remember the trip?

I just went and my youngest is a mature 6. I wish I would have waited maybe 2 more years. The hours and the walking were really tough on him.

 

[masterslacker]

I'm taking my DD just right after she turns 5. I think it's the perfect time based on her interests right now. Loves the Disney princesses and is able to hang in for a full day of activities. I also think she will remember the trip at least through her childhood and maybe if lucky when she's an adult but we'll see.

 

[CindyAnn]

Welcome to the Dis, Heidict! I'm laughing to myself at your question, because this might not be the right crowd to answer that particular question. Can you say obsessed fantatics???

When our DS was born, we decided that we would be able to go for three trips, and the ideal ages would be 4, 8, and 12. Turns out that we were absolutely right! Unfortunately, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11 turned out to be just perfect, too! DS took his first trip at 2.5 years old, and it was perfect. DD didn't make her Disney debut until 4 years old, and that was perfect, too.

So long as your expectations are reasonable for your child's age, you'll have a fantastic time.

Cheers,

 

[Rainman]

I have three boys. We have been with a two year old 3 times. A three old once, 4 year old once. Our last trip our two year old had the best time. We where amazed at how much he asks about the trip. He truly enjoys reviewing the photos from the trip.

If it is not once in a life time trip and you plan on going back, then I would go for it.

The three year old age is spcecial. The magic kingdom has so much for them. But realize they will not have but some memory of the trip when they are older. Also, at three they cant go to the park for 12 hours.

We are so glad we took are children at an early age. My DW was very worried when we first went that are sons where too young (3 yrs 10 month & and 1 yr old). It ended up being a great trip. It is the happiest place on earth for a family with young children.

 

[PatricenPete]

I'm the absolutel worst person to ask. We took our DS for the first time for his 1st birthday. Will be remember any of it? No, but he had an amazing time and WE will rememeber it for ever. It was one of the best trips ever.

We were planning on taking DD when she turned 1, but couldn't wait and we are actually taking her this December. DD will be 5 months and DS will be just over 2. We are crazy, I know.....

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi Everyone,
I am really new to DISBOARDS and I am also new to chat rooms so bare with me! I am trying to learn how this all works, the abbreviations and so forth but that aside....
Yeah!!! I have found crazy WDW people just like me!!!! I'm not alone!!! I have been going to Disney my whole life but since I had my daughter in November 2002 we have gone every year...October 2003, October 2004, May 2005 and now we are going in TWO WEEKS for 2006! I CAN NOT WAIT! My son will turn one there on the 12th and my parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on the 15th! So in honor of those two events we have spurdged and are staying at the Grand Floridian for 8 NIGHTS!!!! I can NOT wait!!!! I hear all of you who talk about what it's like to bring the babies who probably won't remember the actual trip.....THEY MAKE THE TRIP (and you remember every minute of it!)
Debbie in Chicago (where today it was pretty chilly).

 

[Cruz91]

As soon as I saw the original question - I thought what so many have said. I would say any time after 1 or 2 yrs old is great - as soon as they can interact and smile and laugh. We went when daughter was 4 and son 2, and that was perfect. We were gonna wait till DS was older, but would've missed out on the 'awe' expressions from DD!

DON'T WAIT!!!! GO!!!!

(then go again and again and again and again )

 

[tribus121]

we just got back and our DD4.5 had a blast would of tried every ride there is if it was'nt for the fact that she is only 39' tall so I woud wait till after they are 40' tall