How old should a child be to go to WDW?

[DNBois]

I know that there is no exact perfect age to take a child to WDW but what is everyone's opinion? Is 3 too young and if not, what type of rides have you taken your toddler on at this age?

 

[debbiedoo]

I started to take my daughter ar 2 and a half. Then 3 and every year after that.

At three your child should be able to do lots of things. Most of the boat rides and fantasyland. Epcot is great too. AK was a good choice at this age. MGM has got great things. Playhouse disney on stage(which kids love), Mermaid, Muppets, the memories are great and you will find enjoyment too. I recommend renting the strollers there. They think that they are special

And don't forget----the pools!!

 

[kyirish25]

We started with my DS at age 1 and has been back every year now. This past trip he was 3 and I felt that was a great age. He really understands things now and had opinions on what was fun and what he wanted to do and who to see, etc.

At each age we were able to view WDW differently. We took the time to smell the roses and play in the fountains. Something I had never done before having a child. So I think really there isn't a correct answer to this.

 

[tink2]

Wow- you'll probably get a big response on this one. I have 2 children and both went at 6 months old. DD also went at 2 1/2, 4, and 5. DS also went at 2 1/2 and 3. No way is 3 too young- in fact, both of my children had terrific trips around the age of 3- as you see DD didn't go when she was actually 3- 2 1/2 and 4. At 3, they are so excited and into everything. Both children went on just about any ride without a height restriction at 3- except we stay away from Snow White's ride now, learned that the hard way with DD4. Oh, I wish both I could relive those trips again! At 3, both loved the characters, parades, fireworks, rides, shows, everything!!! DS was 3 on our Dec. trip this past year and still asks every day when we can go back. I say go for it! They are only young once and the magic is so wonderful when they are small! WDW is so magical with a preschooler!!!

You didn't say- do you think this is a once in a lifetime trip? If so, I might would wait until the child were 4-5, they have longer stanima and might would remember a little more. But, if you're like me, one trip and you're hooked!

 

[Bellefan66]

That my friend is the million dollar question,isn't it?? I think it depends on the child. If they seem interested,have a fairly good attention span and do well in crowds, then go for it. We took our son for the first time, when he was 2. He did great, but he was afraid of the "characters" in costume. We were in DL and have a pic of him, terrified in his stroller while looking up at what he must have thought was the bigget pig in the world!!It was one of the 3 little pigs.This was also in 1987!

 

[Dopey's Girl]

I think 3 is the PERFECT age. We took both of our ds's for their first BIG trip for their 3rd birthday. They both have lots of memories from it. Even for a 3 year old, you can't go to Disney and not remember something amazing! As far as what rides...they can really go on a lot, especially at the Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom also one of my kids favorites...still. MGM is OK for 3. Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid are awesome, Beauty and the Beast and Muppets 3-D are good, but a lot of the shows there are boring to a 3 year old, especially a young one. At that age, we usually spent 1/2 day at MGM. I'm not a big fan of Epcot at that age, but that's me. A lot of people say their kids liked it, I guess it depends on what your 3 year old is into. In any event, we spent 7 days for the 3-year old birthday trip and did not run out of things to do. don't forget the mini-golf on site and pools too. Also, the petting zoo at the wilderness campground is free. really LOTS of things for your little one. Hope you get to go and have a great time!

 

[lyeag]

I agree. 3 is a magical age to bring a child. My ds is three, and he talks about our trip EVERY day. ( we went over Christmas) MGM is a must do for Playhouse Disney. His eyes lit up and danced like a crazy man. He rode the Kali River ride at AK, and loved the huge play area they have with the bone yard dig. Not to mention we rode Buzz Lightyear about 10 times during our trip! 3 is not too young..... I wish I had been able to afford to bring his sisters when they were younger. There is NOTHING like seeing WDW through the eyes of a pre school age child.

 

[spiceycat]

someone says that anything under age 8 is forgotten by the child in a few years - however that say I brought my nephew at 4 and my niece at 2 -they remembered for a few years - until I brought DVC and started to go every year - now they almost get mad when I mention the earlier trips - like I can't remember that so it doesn't count.

that say - it is so magical to bring a young child - they actually believe that everything is REAL - makes you feel that way too!!!

the 8 or 10 can be excited - but nothing like your 3 or 4 year old.

 

[murcor]

I just returned from WDW with a just turn 4 and 5 year old. Well, everyone was skeptical about taking them at these ages. I backed it up by saying the vacation is for us as adults too for some R&R we will be doing pool/hotel days and when we go to the parks we will be going for the mornings only. Well......the kids were great, they did some 8 hour days at the parks, I was ready to go back to the hotel before they were. The next day followed by maybe a pool day or 1/2 day somewhere.

We went with the intentions that we would follow the leads of the children and not push them. I realize the tickets are expensive for 1/2 days but when taking young children I think you should expect this.

We did a full day at MGM, 1 and part day at Magic Kingdom and part day at Animal Kingdom, out of 7 full days we were there. Honestly, I dont we would do animal Kingdon again with children this young. Oh, we would have done a part day at a water park but it was too cold.

The kids loved Magic Kingdom, tons of rides for them.

Any questions let me know

Angela in Nova Scotia Canada

 

[the kabuki]

Kids Are Never Too Young & No Adult Is Ever Too Old To Go To Walt Disney World!!

 

[madalex]

Kids Are Never Too Young & No Adult Is Ever Too Old To Go To Walt Disney World!!

Amen!

And, for what it is worth, we took our youngest daughter for the first time at six months (and she's been several times since). We have some priceless memories of those trips, even if she does not remember them.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Age 0 and up is fine...negative 9 months, if you want to be technical.

 

[DNBois]

I am only doing some preliminary research; DH and I were supposed to head to WDW in January (a twice rescheduled trip) when we found out we were pregnant. We decided in the best interest of our child and my stomach (hah!) that we would cancel and save the $$$. We were able to get a refund on all of our money (including airfare, hotel and even our annual passes) so we put it away for the baby.
I just cannot wait to take our child to WDW and am already hoping to go Dec. of 2008 and from what everyone is telling me, it may be the perfect time. Am I that pathetic that I am already planning this - DH and I just love WDW and cannot wait to share that love with our little one

 

[liznboys]

I am only doing some preliminary research; DH and I were supposed to head to WDW in January (a twice rescheduled trip) when we found out we were pregnant. We decided in the best interest of our child and my stomach (hah!) that we would cancel and save the $$$. We were able to get a refund on all of our money (including airfare, hotel and even our annual passes) so we put it away for the baby.
I just cannot wait to take our child to WDW and am already hoping to go Dec. of 2008 and from what everyone is telling me, it may be the perfect time. Am I that pathetic that I am already planning this - DH and I just love WDW and cannot wait to share that love with our little one

Hmmmm, I think a 1st Birthday trip would be pretty cool!

On our last trip, our oldest two boys were 3 and 17 months. They both had so much fun!! There were plenty of attractions they could do. We were so glad we decided to take them at those ages. On our trip in about a week our boys will be 5, 3 and 11 months. We are so excited!!!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I took my son when he was 7 months and then both kids when they were 2 and 11 months old. When we go next month the kids will be 3 and 2. I like going when the kids are younger for a variety of reasons:

1) I am in control of the trip and they are along for the ride
2) They can nap in the stroller if they get tired (we take breaks for naps but sometimes they don't sleep)
3) They can go on many rides
4) I like watching their faces when they see characters and things on the rides
5) They don't really "get" souvenirs so there's not a constant whining about wanting something.
6) Under two and they're free! What a cost savings of taking a 2 year old over a 3 year old. Plus when they were under 2 they flew for free.

People will tell you that they don't remember going when they're young, but we have taken pictures and videos and the kids love looking at them. We plan to go many more times, so them not remembering the early trips is not an issue. I like having the pictures of them with characters as they get older.

 

[lclark0621]

My DS's first trip was at 9 months old. We all loved it!

His next trip will be at 21 months.

The perfect age is whenever the parents want to go. We plan on taking our DS every year.

 

[tae1218]

We took our DD for the first time right before she turned 2. We had a great time. We went back to the resort during the day to take breaks. The next time we went she was 5 and we still went back to the resort to take a break during the day and swim. We had just as much fun when she was 5 as we did when she was under 2. You can have a great time at WDW no matter how old you are.

 

[jiminyfan]

my son started at 6 months and is up to 15 trips now at age 5. He doesn't remember every detail of each trip, but his memory amazes us. He remembers a lot of details of a most trips.

 

[benedicttw]

We took the youngest DS at 9 months and have gone back at least once a year and he is now 8. It is not only about what they remember but the fun they had at the time and the fun the rest of the family has watching everyone react to different experiances at different ages. The memories that we developed for us are priceless. I think everyage is perfect for a trip to the WORLD.

 

[mjmcca]

I took DS for the first time when he was 9 months old. He went again at 20 months with my DD who was 2 1/2 months (momma wanted a vaccation before she went back to work after her maternity leave). We went back when DS was a little over 2 and Dd was 11 months. We just went this summer and fall adn they both keep asking to go back. DS turned 4 in october and DD will be 3 in March. They had a great time all of the trips.


DD went swimming for the first time in Florida ( not at Disney we were staying with friedns)when she was 2 months old. I would go for it whenever you feel comfortable traveling with the baby. They may not remember the trip but you will and the stimulation is how they learn.