How old was your child/children when....

[attackwithnorth]

I am 25 now, but my parents took my brother and I for the first time when we were 2 and 3, and almost every year I've gone since. It created early memories and my mom tells me that even at that early age, the trips were enjoyable for us and for them.

 

[pednurse]

I was 7 and my brother was 9 on our first trip back in 1977. DH (the oldest of 4) was 14 on his only childhood trip and didn't like it. So it took a while to convince him to take our kids. We just took them this summer on their first trip to WDW (and they had a blast, and even DH enjoyed most of it although he'll never be a big fan) and DS was 9 and DD was 5. I would have like to have taken DS when he was a bit younger, but truthfully DD would not have been able to handle the long days at an earlier age than this year (she requires more sleep than DS ever did at her age or she gets sick), so this year worked out very well for us as a family.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

I waited a loooong time to even be able to have children to take to WDW. So, that's why we planned a trip with our children as early as we did. We went in October of this year. DS had just turned 2 and DD was just about to turn 1.

WE HAD A BLAST!!!

Will they remember their first trip? No. But, we will and we have pictures. Did they sleep through some rides and attractions? Yes. But, us kids at heart still had a good time. Did they have meltdowns? Sometimes. But, we were prepared with how best to prevent them (nap! nap! nap!).

DD was sleeping through POC and it was cool and relaxing and we just had the best time. Someday when she loves the POC ride just as much as her mommy, I'll tell her that she slept through it the very first time she ever rode it. I bet she won't believe me.

DS absolutely loved Fantasmic. He was glued to the entire performance. I'll never forget his face at the end. DH and I both had tears in our eyes. It was...magical.

They loved it so much we're planning on going back again soon and you know what? They probably won't even remember their second trip either.

 

[DVCJones]

We took our first DD at 15 months. On our next trip we had a 11 month old and a 3 yo.

I firmly believe that they are never too young. Sure, they might not remember it, but they are getting a lot of stimulation with the music, characters, etc.

 

[dgagnon519]

I waited until my youngest was 3. When I was there I saw new borns. I also met a group of women who went together and they were all 75+.

I took tons of pictures and my kids love looking at them. We are going again this year at 4 and 7.
I wish I had taken my daughter when she was younger. Her first trip was at 6.

 

[TinaLala]

I took my oldest DD when she was 6 mo and she still loves to watch the movies of herself at thatage seeing Mickey and the Princesses. My youngest DD I took at age 18 mo and I swore I would never take another child in diapers again!!

I think you have to think are you going for them or are you going for yourself. Can you afford to go again or should you wait until they are a little older and can appreciate some of it better. We wish we hadn't gone so many times when they were younger so that we could go more now and we wish we had purchased the DVC back in 95 when it was only $10,000.

Do what you think is right. Don't worry about what others will say. If it's going to be a family vacation for you then do it.

 

[_queenie_]

Two of them were 9 months, the other one was one was 10 months. It takes a little work, but it's a cute and fun age. Had a 4 month old at Atlantis, that was tough.

 

[MommyBryn]

My DD was 11 months. She's always been pretty mature for her age (sad for mommy) so even at that age she was interested in lots of things most her age weren't, and even though we didn't do much baby/kid related stuff she still had a blast.

 

[starbox]

Our kids both got their first trip for their third birthday. When DS turned 3, we had grandparents keep his baby sister (9 months). When DD turned 3, DS was 5.

It was PERFECT!!! They do have some memories of the trips - and of course we have lots of memories.

My first trip was for my fourth birthday - my little brother had just been born and he stayed with my grandparents so that it was a special "big sister" trip. I can still remember it.

 

[waltskids]

DS was 3 months when he first went to WDW. He did wonderful on the plane and rode all the rides we could ride as a family. We have some wonderful photos.

 

[monorailsilver]

My oldest was 15 months (and got her picture in The Disney Magazine), my middle child was 22 months & my youngest will be 2 years 5 months when she goes in August.

 

[mommykds]

I am of the thinking that you are never too young or old for WDW. Even with a young baby, they love the colors, music, & (sometimes) the character interaction.

Oldest DD 1st trip 18 months. Loved everything!
Middle DS 1st trip 6 months. Smiled the whole time, loved characters.
Youngest DD 1st trip 23 months. Was frightened of characters, loved rides.

 

[JoiseyMom]

They first went to WDW??? I guess I'm asking how young is TOO young for WDW??

DD was 18 months, DS was 8 months.

 

[CarolinesMom]

My DD was 6 months old at during our first trip. It was fantastic and she had a great time.

 

[dheinle]

My DD was 22 months. I had a convention for work and my DW and DD came along. We figured she wouldn't get much out of it but anyways she was free. Boy was I wrong, she loved WDW. She loved the pool at CBR and the characters.

She is now 5 and a half and just the other day she said "Daddy remember that time the fairy godmother came to our room and read me stories" We got a baby sitter one night and went to see Cirque. I could not believe she remembered it.

My DS was 11 months on his first trip and then 16 months to get his first haircut at the barber shop. We just came back from another week and he is now 3.

Before the last trip I never thought they could be too young. But this trip was tiring for some reason (mid 80's, high humidity in November maybe?) and both kids were beat by the end of the week. I thought we had planned enough down time during the week but I guess not. My son fell asleep on me almost every day for naps and at night. By the end of the trip I said to myself we are waiting a good 3 more years before the next trip. But I am sure we'll get the itch and be back sooner.

On the last day my DS and I went to the MK to see Mickey one more time. The best part of the whole week was him saying "Hi, Mickey Mouse!" and giving him a big hug. Then when leaving he said "Bye bye, Mickey Mouse."

Dennis

 

[Candikayne]

I took my now seven year old DD to Disney when she was 6 weeks old. I planned that trip before she was even a thought. She was my second child. I went with DH, and DD. We had a ball. My sis even came along with her 12 week old DD. It was fabulous.

My 5 year old's first trip was at age 3.
My 16 month old DS's first trip was this past Aug., when he was exactly 12 months..

Come to think of it...I always seem to be taking a baby/toddler/pre-schooler to see the Mouse.

 

[amelia1]

2 and 4. They had a great time but were a bit overwhelmed at times.
They didn't like some of the louder shows and the 3D attractions. Too much for them.
We will probably skip this year and go again in 2009.

They first went to WDW??? I guess I'm asking how young is TOO young for WDW??

 

[Cory's Gal]

We took my DS right after he turned 2 almost a year ago! January was a great time to go, cooler temps, low crowds. We had a blast and a year later he still talks about everything from the trip! We are expecting our second baby in a few months and will take the kids when the next one is 2 also! It was such a special trip!!!

 

[o2bacelt]

DD was 20 months the first time she went, 28 the second time, 3 years 2 months the third time, and she was 3 1/2 the 4th time.

She'll be going again for her 5th visit as a surprise 4th birthday trip.

After that we're all going to be in withdraw until we figure out when we're going again.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My son was 6 months on his first visit and my daughter celebrated her 1st birthday on her first visit.