Good ages to bring kids to WDW

[Lisa0503]

Hi Disers -

Well, I was just wonder what age is a good time to introduce kids to the magic of WDW. I was going to wait till DD was 4 and DS was 2 1/2 but I am getting antsy and want to go NOW!!! LOL Actually I have been toying with the idea of planning a trip for Oct of this year. DD will be almost 3 yrs old and DS will be 1 1/2.... Is that too young??? DD LOVED the Disney Cruise we went on this past fall and now loves all things disney/princess...

Also what is the height requirements for the rides?

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Oh boy...lets keep this one happy folks.

If you would like to take them at 3 and 18 mos. I say go for it. I know that my little one had a fabulous time at 18 mos. The characters were so real to him. The characters, in turn, were completely taken with this little guy. Alice made him weak in the knees, Mickey gave his tummy a tickle on the way in to MK, and he loved eating with his furry friends at Crystal Palace and LTT. There were plenty of rides to enjoy, and good restaurants that are kid friendly.

Are they going to remember this trip forever? Probably not, but it's a great vacation.

 

[DisneyArk]

I think every family is different. Some of it depends on how your kids behave in general.

We took our sons the first time when they were 3 and 18 months (same ages your kids will be). It was WONDERFUL!! Our youngest DS was very layed back and enjoyed riding in the stroller. Our DS who was 3 was a crazy man in general, but he was awesome at WDW. It was the most fun our family had had together at that point! We were all having fun at the same time! Plus it was just pure magic for both boys.

I wouldn't trade those memories for anything!!

But we did have a very relaxing trip and frequently stopped to smell the roses. We did not push the boys to do everything. For example one day at MK we spent an hour letting my DS3 play with a toy on a bench while his brother slept. I could have stressed out about wasting park time, but instead I just let him relax.

If you've been on a cruise then you have a good idea what to expect. On a side note - our 18 month old started his terrible 2's about month after we went to WDW and we were VERY happy that we were not at WDW during that phase!

 

[mjmcca]

I take my kids all the time and started when DS was 9 months. Go and have a blast ut know goign with kids will be totally different than going with adults.

 

[iluvallthingsdisney]

I think it would be fine to take the kids now. I think everyone will have a good time, as long as you are not park commandos. I really enjoyed taking my children to WDW when they were very young. There are many attractions and shows that the whole family can enjoy from babies to adults. The baby care centers in the parks make feedings and diaper changes easy.

Some tips which will make your trip more enjoyable would be to:

1) Choose one of the WDW resort hotels. That way you can pop back to the hotel for a break incase anyone has a meltdown.

2) Try to avoid the high peak seasons and the heat of the summer months.

3) Let the kids sleep late in the morning. Don't wake them up early.

4) Bring your own stroller. The WDW rental strollers are not suitable for children under 3.

5) Make sure you go back to your hotel sometime during the afternoon for a break, a swim and a nap. Everyone will be much happier.

6) Tour the parks at a slow pace. Whatever attractions that were missed can easily be experienced on your next vacation to WDW.

Good luck making your decision!!!

 

[Dislifer]

I took my daughter when she was about 2. Ok...no flames here but IMHO...now, in retrospect (13 years later) I say...how DUMB!!!!!!
It is easy for me to say now...wait...but I know you want to share the joy with them...just don't forget R-E-A-L-I-T-Y. For instance, "melt downs"...it's just too much stimulation so don't over do it. My daughter was ok but it's a very different vacation than if you wait a few years. You just have to give it some good thought!
Will they remember the trip? Do you want to spend lots and lots of $ now...maybe that is not an issue...I don't know or do you want to hold off a few years???
My girlfriend brought her daughter when she was 4 and she had a horrible trip. Her daughter was cranky, would only wear dresses, fussy, etc. Then when as she got older, she went back to WDW many times and everyone enjoyed it much more.
Just think about it!

 

[pweyl36]

If You Want An Enjoyable Time Age 5 Or Older.thats My Opinon

 

[egoldber]

If you want to go, why wouldn't you go? Your younger child may not remember the trip, but your 3 year old will. And just as importantly, you will! My DD's first trip was at 14 months. She enjoyed herself (as did we) tremendously. So much so that we have continued to go back to WDW once or twice a year since. We are leaving tomorrow to go again and this will be her sixth visit (if I am counting correctly??). Does she enjoy it MORE now that she is 4 and really knows the characters, well of course. But she has enjoyed herself every time she has gone and so have we.

Plan a trip and have a good time!

 

[katyjeka]

We are returning this Dec. with our 3 daughters(11,5,3). Our oldest was just nine months on her first visit and we had an awesome time. Every so often we will watch our movies and remember something special about the trip. I know our youngest and possibly our 5 year old(she will be just 5) will remember very little of our upcoming trip, but I know my dh and I will leave with many wonderful memories to cherish. It's funny, but I'm sure our kids had little burn out moments, but we really do not remember them. We know that one day we will be able to see Disney without the strollers, naps, etc, but until then we will enjoy it as a family with "young" kids. When returning to the WL one night, a bus driver, told my husband that although "Disney" is for everyone, its the children who make the magic real. I guess your able to tell from my post that I would encourage you to go. They may not remember any of the trip but while at Disney, it is so real to them. You will not be sorry for the memories you'll take home with you. Janice

 

[camdensmom]

I think it is really up to you and your husband. We are going next week with our 8 month old. We've had a few people tell us we're crazy because he won't remember it. I typically respond with, "but we will." If they push further I point out that he won't remember the books we read him each night, but I'm not going to stop reading to him.

We plan to visit Disney several times with him and any future babies. I'm looking forward to experiencing it at all the different ages. For now, I'm just excited to take our first family vacation and really enjoy having the week together to swim, people watch and see how he reacts to the sights and sounds.

If you are the type of family who only plans to take one or 2 Disney trips over the course of the next 10-15 years then I would say wait a little while, but otherwise I say go for it and enjoy it for what it is right now.

 

[go cowboys]

I think that there is no age that is too young if you are willing to adapt your vacation schedule to the child. We go every year and so my youngest daughter ( 2 ) has now been three times. She is all about Disney and tells us almost every day about the pirates dirty foot, and the dog with the key in his mouth. Its adorable!

I have friends who don't take their young children because "they won't remember." I always tell people that even if they do not remember, I will. Disney is a great place to make my memories of my children growing up.

My only advice is to stay on property. Its always easier to go with the flow when you can flow back to the resort and return to the parks later without having to give up your whole day because of a tired child, sick child or the dreaded blow-out.

 

[Nikel]

We're heading there leat Nov/ early Dec. My ds will be 3 years and 2 months, and my dd will be 1 year and 10.5 months. I'm not sure how much she'll enjoy it, but I really think my ds will love it. We live near Dollywood, and he loves to go.

 

[hezell123]

We took our 2 1/2 , 3 1/2, and 5 yr. old. All enjoyed but the 3 and 5 year old were truly excited. They knew where we were and loved it. The 2 year old could of been on a bus and thought it was great. Us, as parents, of course loved it. So , in my experience, I would say 3 and up is a perfect age

 

[BlueBayou]

I live within driving distance to Disneyland and my 5 year old and almost 3 year old have been there almost every single year. It is great to be able to eat places and not worry about being the only children there. If your kids travel well and you take it easy, it's a blast.

That said, I am waiting until my kids are older to take my dream trip to WDW.

I thought I would go about this time, however my most recent trip to DL changed my mind. My oldest will ride TofT, Splash Mt and BTMRR but won't go on POTC or HM. My youngest isn't 40inches yet (at 5 my oldest was just 40inches - they are short). 40 is the height restriction for Splash and BTMRR. I am going to wait until my youngest is at least 40 inches. It is one thing to have to deal with my oldest not wanting to ride things... but adding my youngest not being tall enough into the mix was a little challenging. She wanted to ride things my oldest was getting to ride. She is a brave, daring little girl.

Good luck on deciding what is best for your family.

Sher

 

[Magalex]

The first time w/ our DS was in April 2005. He was 4 1/2 yrs old. It was great. I started a Disney savings as soon as I was pregnant(Great saving Idea). Because of preschool: He was very patient in line. Also understood what "after lunch" "we will do that again another day" meant. So there was no fussing. Plus it was great not carrying around a diaper bag. Potty trained was a big reason for us to wait. The #1 tip is to stay on-site w/ young children. It was awesome. He will be 6 or 7 the next time we go and we are still planning to stay on-site.

 

[dixipixi]

I think it's nice to take them at least once before they turn 5. At that age they love seeing the characters and they enjoy all the "baby" rides (as my DS now 12 calls them!).

I think I would wait until they're at least a year old. I never really thought about it until our last trip. We were at the YC and we were picked up first on the bus. One morning the bus filled up (seats) at the YC and still had to stop at BC and BI. There was a family with a newborn (yep...under 3 mos old). They had this HUGE stroller, 2 other (very young) children and 2 of the biggest diaper bags I've ever seen.

This was June and it was SO HOT. I honestly don't know how they managed. Everyone that could stand up did so and this lady and her kids had a seat, but they may not have been so lucky at other times.

Just something to think about.

 

[R4racing]

I think it very much depends on the child and the family. We took our DDs at ages ranging from 5mo to 6 1/2. I must say, with my kids it was just priceless the expressions and the whole additude of my kids at 2 1/2-3. My middle child was especially fun at these ages. Simple things like seeing the castle were just the greatest thing for her. And then seeing the castle again at night with the changing colors, it was like she had never seen the castle before. I'm not sure how much she will remember about these trips, but I know that there are things the adults will not forget. Yes, there were some meltdowns (and with 3 kids, I knew there would be) While some of these, in hindsight, could have been avoided, it seems that for us it is the good things you remember most and not so much the meltdowns.

Now, if I had a chance to take my youngest DDs again at 18mo and 3yrs, I wouldn't even hesitate to take them at these ages. (ok, not so sure I'd do it in the middle of summer, but spring, fall, winter and I'm there)

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I have a 4 year old DS and a 9 month old DD. Ds's first trip was at 7 1/2 months. DDs first trip was at 4 1/2 months. I don't care what people say, it was GREAT. NO, they will NEVER remember it. But we will, and there are lots of pictures and memories of those trips. We now make it a tradition, to go to WDW every year with the kids. It's interesting seeing what they like and dislike, and how that changes from trip to trip.

If you want to go, GO FOR IT!!!!! You will have an amazing time, no matter how old your kids are. Only you know your children and what they can handle. Just be sure to go at THEIR pace, and you DEFINITELY shouldn't expect to be Theme Park Commandos that trip.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION!

 

[linda_loo]

I think it is totally what you make of it, and adjusting your expectations to be appropriate for the age. I honestly think there is no magic age. I have taken my 2 girls when they were 1.5 and 3... I have taken busloads of teenagers and it's all about planning appropriate activities, planning for the best and the worst and enjoying every smile you can.

(took our girls when they were 1.5 and 3, taking them next month, when they will be 2.5 and 4).

 

[Lisa0503]

Thanks so much for all your wonderful responses!!!!! I feel so much better after reading your responses. Well, I have been talking it over with DH and going over the family budget to see if we can honestly afford a trip to WDW this fall and the decision is made. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY!!!!! I am so excited. Now that the decision to go is made, I have tons of planning to do. (I really needed a project...LOL) I have tons of questions and I know these boards were a wonderful resource when planning our first Disney Cruise so I am sure you will be so helpful now that I will be planning our first family trip to WDW!!!! This trip will truely be for the kids and we definately plan on tailoring it to meet their needs. We definately plan on staying onsite and going back to the room in the afternoon for some downtime/naps. Now onto the planning. Any suggestions will be much appreciated!