How old for first trip?

[Bork]

Am I crazy? We are expecting our first child in a couple weeks and I can't stop dreaming about our first Disney trip with the little one. I've been to DL or WDW 7 of the past 8 years and I can't wait to see WDW through a new set of eyes. Anyone else been like this?

So my question is, what is a good age for a first trip? Being potty trained, walking, and on solid foods is a must.

By the way, we had a surprise trip in February, so the little one has actually been to WDW already.

 

[Amirah95]

I say 5 or 6...but I definitely say 6.

 

[F1Julie]

I'd say just shy of a 3rd birthday. That way your child will have free admission at the parks and eat for free at character meals. I don't think it's worth waiting until the kids are older for the arguments of them not remembering it or getting much out of it. I took my DD for her first trip when she was 3 1/2. She loved it and still talks about it almost a year later. At 3, they really believe the characters are real and they have so much fun.

 

[Amirah95]

I can agree with that, but you have to switch off with someone in order to ride the big attractions. You have to lug around a stroller and a change diapers or pullups. Sometimes children get fussy. My DD was a fussy baby in the summer months because of the heat. I guess that's why I said 6 was best for me. I remember debating when to take our DD to Disney. DH and I said we'd wait. It's all on personal preference.

 

[MinnieGi]

Since you have been to a Disney park 7 out of the past 8 years, you and your spouse may not be able to wait until your child is 3!!!!! I know we couldn't!

We took DD when she was 14 months for the first time. Our second child is due August 22nd and we already have a trip planned for Feb. 2005 when he'll be just shy of 6 months old. We are all excited about going and bringing the baby.

At 14 months DD was walking and on solid foods. Changing diapers at WDW is so easy b/c you know that every restroom has a changing table. Plus all the parks have baby centers where you can take a break and nurse, change diapers etc. DD loved WDW and woke up every morning of our stay to run over to her stroller and banged on it while saying, "Go, Go!" She couldn't wait to see what new adventure awaited her. She has been back now four more times. DD is tall enough to only do Kali River Rapids and I believe now Test Track, but there are so many shows and other rides she enjoys. Plus she loves the characters and has since we first took her. As another poster mentioned they are free before age three and also free at the buffets and character meals.

Your trip with a child may be a little different than your adults only trip but we find them so enjoyable!! Honestly they are more relaxing b/c kids make you take the parks slower and they really notice all the little things.

I don't anticipate many problems bring a 6 month old baby with either to WDW. We plan to have his stroller and also a sling for carrying. We plan to make use of the baby center and changing facilities. He'll be able to do quite a few of the shows, parades, and small rides like Winnie-the-Pooh etc.

So my advice is after you get settled into parenthood - when the Disney itch starts attacking - go ahead and plan your trip! You'll have a great time.

 

[Amirah95]

We're planning on getting pregnant in 2006 (pray for us--we're old). And I do have to say that I will be taking the baby to WDW. LOL! It's true, I'm addicted!!!! Besides, my DD will be 11 years old then and she can help out with the new baby when DH and I want to take a ride on TOT.

Good point MinnieGi!

 

[BevS97]

my eldest dd was 3 1/2, and 3 trips later we took her age 6 and her new sister age 3 months last December.

If you want to go to Disney, then go whatever age the kids are - you could not visit a more child-friendly place, and the kids will be happy.

I don't think walking, potty trained or solid foods are a big deal to be honest - lots of walking kids still use a stroller at Disney, and changing nappies really is not a big deal - in fact it's much easier than dealing with a newly trained child who has to go NOW.

Of all the ages we have had kids at Disney, 3 1/2 was probably the worst - just old enough to be aware of scary things, and to be extremely unsure about very large mice giving her a cuddle, etc. I would suggest going earlier before they get scared of new things.

Bev

 

[jbwolffiv]

I did not vote since we took our then 16 month old DD against many peoples better judgement and had our best trip to date! I would do that again with another child without thinking!

 

[LuvAriel]

THANKS EVERYBODY!!

I have been worried about going in Oct. with my 8 month old DD. She has a big sister (4 yrs old) who has been going since she was 2 1/2.

Just Listening to everyone,has made me feel so much better.

We love Disney so much, I just can't ressist going, I can't believe I even waited until she is going to be 8 momths old!!!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement!!!

 

[MinnieMe67]

Our DD was 3 1/2 and our DS was 18 months when we took them for their first trip and it was a wonderful experience! They are so much fun at that age and what MinnieGi says is SO true, you learn to enjoy the little things that Disney has to offer. And you learn to enjoy them from a little one's point of view. The memories are truly magical.

 

[2dogmom]

We went 2 times when DD was 2 and we had an awesome time. We are going again in a few months with a 4yo and 17 mo old. I am anticipating a great trip again. Go when you feel like it. It was so easy to bring diapers and change my DD. Actually, I liked it better because I didn't have to worry about getting to a potty NOW LOL

 

[aimee11621]

I'M GONNA GET SLAMMED AGAIN BY ALL THE MOMS!! IT FEEL IT . COME ON BRING IT ON!!

NEWBORNS AND INFANTS PLEASE STAY IN THE HOTELS WITH MOM !!!


TWO AND UP IS LOTS OF FUN AND A CHILD OUT OF DIAPERS IS MY VOTE!!!

I GOT TWO GIRLS I WAITED TIL THEY WERE POTTY TRAINED. TO MUCH STUFF TO CARRY AROUND. TOO MUCH HEAT TO PUT ON A DIAPER. POOR CHILD HAS TO WEAR THE DIAPER YOU DON'T!!!

LETS HEAR IT MOMS I'M READY

 

[Amirah95]

LOL @ Aimee! Back to my original thought. I just can't get with the stroller thing. I guess I'll have no choice. I'm going to have to talk to DH about this again.

 

[sif]

We went in April with boys 5 and 3 and a girl 5 months. Granted, the baby didn't know what was going on, but she was perfectly happy and content in the stroller or the sling and was an angel. The boys enjoyed themselves immensely and have not stopped talking about the trip, looking at their pictures, and "playing DisneyWorld" since we returned. The 3 year old will remember most of it (with help from pix and video) and the 5 year old will definitely remember it as he gets older.

Maybe it depends on your kids, but my young ones had a great time and we didn't feel like we had any less of a great time just because we couldn't see all the more adventurous attractions.

Incidentally, our 3 y.o. was not quite potty trained yet (we're still working on it) and he wore diapers and pullups while at WDW. No problem whatsoever. (Easier than worrying about accidents, actually).

 

[HopperFan]

#1 started going at 1 years old and #3 started going at 4 mos old, but the best was #2 who went at 3 years old. The first day, on the bus to MK...we came around a corner, he stood up, pointed and yelled "There it is, there is the castle!!!". There was this hush on the bus and everyone looking at him with a big smile. He had pixie dust sparkles in his eyes. Now 12 years later - he still remembers that moment as one of his best. Even wrote about it in a middle school paper.

I think age 3 is perfect. Old enough to be beyond the trappings of the young one like you wanted, old enough to express all their incredible feelings and excitement, but young enough to not question the magic all around them. It was an awesome trip !

 

[moinab]

I'M GONNA GET SLAMMED AGAIN BY ALL THE MOMS!! IT FEEL IT . COME ON BRING IT ON!!

I don't think you'll get slammed for your opinion, but please stop posting in all CAPS. It's considered shouting, and it is hard to read.

I guess you don't really want my opinion, since DD has been to WDW 7 times since she turned 1 year old in January. Also, last year, she went to SeaWorld 5 times, starting when she was 6 weeks old.

From what you have mentioned, I would say that you would probably want to wait until 5 or 6. ITA with BevS97 - a newly potty trained child is much more of a challenge than a child in diapers.

Good luck with your labor and delivery!

 

[daisylove]

We brought our DD at 6 months. I swear she stayed awake watching the fireworks until thevery last one and then promptly fell sound asleep. We knoew she was my child for sure! Just take it easy. and it is great.

 

[Gamblers]

DD was 4 and DS was 6 when they first went to WDW. My DD promptly fell asleep on the bus ride back to POR from the park. She didn't just fall asleep one day, it was everyday that we got on the bus. We stayed for 7 days. On our last day we went to MK for half the day before going to the airport. She fell asleep on the plane. She missed take off, the entire flight, and the landing. She woke up just as we were starting to get up to get off the plane. I wish I could do that!

 

[LisaZoe]

I think as long as you realize that your time at WDW will be different than when you've gone pre-kids, any age will be OK once your Pediatrician says it's OK for travel like that. Some things to consider:

1) More frequent "breaks" for feeding, diaper changes, naps, etc.
2) Riding on the "big" rides will either be out or you and DH will have to take turns.
3) More "stuff" to carry, although with midday hotel breaks you don't have to bring as much as you might think. In fact, since you'll need to bring a stroller, you'll have something to serve as a "pack mule" for your child's and even your own things.

My DD will be 1 month short of 3 when we make our first trip to WDW in Sept. I have to admit I'm glad she'll still qualify for free park admission as well as free meals at many restaurants (family service and buffet). We've also gone on an Alaskan cruise when she was 11 mo and gone to DLR when she was 23 mo. We had so much fun on each trip that I see no reason why we should put off WDW (Europe will wait until she can appreciate the cultural attractions, though).

I tried to wait to tell her about this trip until closer to our travel date for my sake because I knew she'd want to go now. I didn't do very well keeping the secret due to my own excitement . She's already very excited about this trip and looking forward to breakfast with the Princesses, one with Mickey and another with Pooh.

As for not remembering things at such a young age, I thought that too until my DD started mentioning things about our DLR trip with details I had forgotten. I know they were her memories and not just repeating what I'd said. Admittedly, she doesn't remember everything but enough to look forward to the trip ahead and talk about riding the teacups again.

 

[takemetoo]

Our sons were 3 1/2 and 9mos when we took them for their first visits last January. We didn't bring a stroller, just a sling and a backpack, carried the oldest when he was tired and rented a double stroller on a freezing day at Epcot. So easy! Our youngest nurses so the only babygear we toted was diapers and a change of clothes. Something to think about- a LOT of newly trained children are terrified of automatic flush toilets, so one in diapers really can be easier.

Something I don't understand is the waiting until the child is old enough to remember. Remember when? Into adulthood? Then why make ANYTHING special until they're old enough? We took the boys because they remember it NOW and probably will for a few more years (well, our oldest does and will), but also for our own selfish reasons. We just couldn't wait to see the look on ds#1's face every single second. Same reason we go to the zoo. Have Christmas traditions. I suppose if you are only going to go one time (like my family growing up) then you'd want to wait to make a lifetime memories, but the op goes so often I can't imagine waiting that long! We're planning our next trip and the boys will be 5 and 2 at the oldest when we go again.

Amy