How old for first trip to WDW?

[TheLeonhardts]

DD is 11 and will no longer be an only child this Fall. We've been hitting WDW annually since she was 5. It's been a long time since we've done the baby thing. So, to all those experienced parents of the 3 and under set, I have a question:

How old was your child the first time you took them to WDW? If you had to do it all over again, what do you think the best age is for a first trip?

Thanks!

Judy

 

[tzvdmd]

DS was 2.
If I could do it over I wouldnt change a thing. Seeing him think he is seeing "the real" Mickey was great!

 

[CamColt]

Our oldest was 15 months on his first trip and the youngest was 8 months. I would do it over again, but I should add we had extended family on both of those trips. 15 months was actually very easy(easier than when he was 3 1/2 ). My only "complaint" about 8 months was that DS was still on baby food and strict feeding schedule, which meant we had to stop what we were doing, say at noon, find a bench,whip out that messy food and start feeding him. It wasnt too bad, but a bit of an inconvenience with that food being so messy.
I do feel you are never too old or too young for WDW!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Our DD was 18 months when we took her for the 1st time. This was good b/c she could walk and eat regular food and was old enough to really be into everything. It was also good b/c at that age they can still get free admission!!! We took DS for the 1st time when he was 6 months old. It worked out fine, he was alert enough to notice and take in plenty of the action and we have some great pictures of him w/ the characters. We were lucky that we had DH parents w/ us and we used the baby swap. I would do it over again in a second. IMO, I don't think I would take a very young infant, but if you go on their schedule, any age will be fine.

 

[y2khardtop]

18 months was good with our nefew. He slept through the indoor stuff, and wasn't scared of anything. We anticipate having a 1-year old on our next trip, and we'll just have to see how things go.

Dave

 

[ValerieK]

DD was 7 mos. She loved it. I have the most wonderful pictures of her getting ecited seeing Pooh for the first time. She is 3 now and she loves to look at them.

 

[tink2]

DD and DS were both 6 months old for their first trip and I must say, both were easier then than later when they were over 2! lol
It was terrific- the best pictures with characters holding and kissing them! Mind you though, we did have extended family with us- grandparents are the best!!!
Go and enjoy it- have a magical time!

 

[crazywig]

Originally posted by CamColt
My only "complaint" about 8 months was that DS was still on baby food and strict feeding schedule, which meant we had to stop what we were doing, say at noon, find a bench,whip out that messy food and start feeding him.

we took ds at 9m and this was my only complaint as well! carrying aroung the jars, etc.

we're taking him again in june, he'll be just over 2....i can't wait!

 

[Magic2000]

I have three DDs and they were all between 15 and 18 months old on their first trips! It was great!!! Traveling with a young child makes you "stop and smell the roses" - which was great!!!

My DH & I have the best memories of our girls enjoying Disney - and all the characters. The kids like looking at the pictures of them as babies at Disney!

 

[Chicago526]

My nephew had just turned 3 when we had a big family trip in May '03. He loved it, and still talks about it EVERY SINGLE DAY with my SIL and brother. His younger brother was about 10 months at the time, and although he didn't apreciate the parks themselves, he did still have fun just being around the family and having so many interesting things to look at.

I don't think there IS a wrong age to go to WDW for the 1st time!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Our DGD was only 3 months old for her first trip. I'm sure she doesn't have vivid memories, but she loved the fireworks and the characters & CM's made a big fuss over her. We have lots and lots of pictures of her first trip and she looks at them all the time. She has gone back 3 time since (and she is only 3 yr. old now) and we take a picture of her in the same place (near the Partner's Statue) each trip. When she's older I think it will be great for her to see how she grew up with Mickey.

We are counting the days until our next trip and we will be doing the land/cruise. She can't wait to ride "The Big Boat"!! (and neither can I!!!)

 

[TINK61]

DD was 3-1/2. She's 13 now. I was 6 mos. pregnant and thought we do it now or wait another 3 - 5 years so the new baby will be old enough to enjoy. Glad we did it. She was like the Everready Bunny. I wish I had those batteries in me!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't think that any age is "too young" as long as it isn't real hot outside. I've gone before during summer and I see some very young infants out in the sun all day. At that age their cooling abilities aren't real advanced and they are too young for sunscreen. I don't think that bringing an infant during a cooler time of the year is so terrible, though.

My youngest was 13 months old for his first visit (he's the youngest of 4 children and the others were older for their first trip). He ended up going 3 times that year and, even though he didn't remember it, he had a great time. I just brought him last month (he is now 4yo) and he was at a great ago to enjoy most every ride and should remember a lot of it.

If you're going to go often and it isn't a once in a lifetime trip go whenever you have the energy and money.

T&B

 

[PrincessMommy2]

We went when our oldest DD was 2 almost 3 ( a 3rd birthday trip) and youngest DD was 8 months. Both kids were great. I have to say we were a little nervous because we were getting a lot of "advice" from family members that the kids were too young, they would not remember it, we would have to miss doing things because we had them, etc. We had the best time. DD2 was awestruck when she finally saw the castle. We had to drag her out of the castle after breakfast with Cinderella and all the princesses. Neither my DH or I feel as if we had to miss doing anything because we had the kids with us.
My feeling is that they are so "innocent" for such a short time. The magic just would not have been the same if she did not really believe the characters were real and lived there. I want to keep going with her as often as we can before she does not believe anymore. My niece is 6 and knows the characters are not real and I think that's so sad! I know she will still have fun even after she realizes it's not real, but these years are priceless. JMHO

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by crazywig
we took ds at 9m and this was my only complaint as well! carrying aroung the jars, etc.

we're taking him again in june, he'll be just over 2....i can't wait!

That will be such a great relief not having to carry that stuff around again. Just wait for that first diaper free trip!

 

[tink2]

We have our first completely diaper free trip coming up!!!!
Last trip DS was in pull-ups and NO MORE!!!!! That will make the backpack lighter and roomier!

 

[TheLeonhardts]

Wow!! Thanks so much!! I needed a reminder of the challenges of little ones -- jars of food and diapers. I like the 15 month - 24 month age idea. Actually, DH has a conference in Anaheim at the Convention Center when the baby will be about 3 months old. If we have a contented little sleeper, the 3 of us might just hop the plane with him and do DisneyLand. I'm missing my Disney fix. . .

Thanks, again!!

Judy

 

[Gaiusrex]

We took our daughter when she was 2 going on 3. She was afraid of many rides, but she had a blast (I got a little tired of the Peter Pan Ride ). We'll be taking a 13mo old in November. She should have fun too.

Like Magic2000 said, going with a young 'un makes you go slower and not rush to ride everything. Being able to stop and smell the roses makes it an actual "vacation".

Don't let anyone discourage you by saying the little one won't remember it. You go to have fun now. You go to experience the moments. Memories are nothing without experiences.

 

[G&J's Mom]

We are going for the first time in June and taking DD 4 years old (in May) and DS 2 years old. Some days I feel apprehensive like I should have my head examined for attempting this or just maybe I should wait until they are older. But then alot of days I am like, GO FOR IT!! It is exciting and kind of scarey.

I have read both good and bad on this board about going with small children. The advice and personal experiences have been invaluable. I think if I go at "their" pace we should be fine. RIGHT? I hope!

I look so forward to their excitement, so for me it is worth the risk.

I hope that I can come back and like alot of you seasoned WDW travelers have a wonderful experience to share.

Wish me luck!

Denise

 

[madge]

Originally posted by TheLeonhardts
DD is 11 and will no longer be an only child this Fall. We've been hitting WDW annually since she was 5. It's been a long time since we've done the baby thing. So, to all those experienced parents of the 3 and under set, I have a question:

How old was your child the first time you took them to WDW? If you had to do it all over again, what do you think the best age is for a first trip?

Thanks!

Judy

our first family trip, the boys were 9 and 3. Perfect ages for both of them....admittedly, it wasn't our best trip. we really had no idea what we were doing our youngest daughter was born in 2001, and her first trip was at 8 months. she had a ball, as did we.

I tell people all the time that right before 3 is a good time to go, since under 3-year olds are free, LOL.

for a once in a lifetime trip, I'd say 5-6-7 are all good ages.