How old were your children the first time you took them to Disney?

[Disney73]

I know this is a crazy question, but I'm curious. My husband and I recently found out we are having a baby. Even before we were married I would talk about the day that we can take our children to Disney for the first time, since I'm such a Disney fan.

So, how old were your children the first time you took them? What age do you think they appreciate it the most for the first time? What's too young? Thanks.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

My kids were 9 and 5 their first visit.

We were only supposed to take them that 1 time . . .vacation of a lifetime . . .BUT . . .we've been back yearly.

I wish that we took them when they were younger than when we first took them because now at almost 15 and 11 it's not the same. The reason we waited so long was partly financial and partly we thought that anything younger than 5 was too young. I do not feel the same way now.

When we go I see all these little kids . . .wondering where the time went when my kids were little . . .If I had to do it over again I would of went when my youngest was 3 and my oldest 7. I probably would of taken my oldest before the 2nd one came along as well . . .

 

[QBUSH]

We took ds for the 1st time when he was 2. I don't think he enjoyed it nearly as much as we did - all he wanted to do was ride the monorail and swim in the Poly pool. Next trip he was 4 and seemed to get a lot more out of it - we continued to visit yearly after that. Now at age 12 he is totally and completely hooked!

 

[CamColt]

My oldest was 15 months on his first trip, then we went back again when he was 3 1/2 and his brother was 8 months. Weve been back at least once a year since and the kids are now 7 &4.

IMO, at each age for each kid its a totally different experience. For example one year one kid will love the characters, the next year he wont, or one year one kid will be difficult(DS#1 at 3 1/2), but less than a year later he will be the happiest kid in WDW and love everything.

If you couldnt tell I feel no age is too young or old for WDW.

 

[strawberryblonde]

My son's first visit to disney was DL and just for one full day. He was 12 months old and wanted to walk everywhere. We rode Dumbo first then went to ToonTown so he could walk around and explore. We went through Mickey's house and saw Mickey Mouse. My son was in love , he laughed and played with Mickey. I wish I had it on video tape but at least I have some photos.
We went to WDW the next year when he was 24 mths old. We went back to the room for a nap every day. We all enjoyed this vacation very much. My Daughter loved Mickey at 24 mths old as well. Something about him kids love. Neither of my kids liked Santa until 3 years old but they liked Mickey right from the start.
Congratulations on your baby and enjoy your future trips. Each trip is different depending on what stage you are at, each is fun in it's way.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

Katy took her first trip to Disney at 7 months. I know she enjoyed it as she was forever giggling and kicking with joy. Mom carried her in a chest carrier which was great for rides. She loved the carousel and of all things POC. She squealed with delight when she got a little spray in the face on POC.

What made it even more special was the fact that it was Mother's Day weekend of 2003. She was aperfect angel all day long on Mother's Day even though she was cutting her first tooth.

We went again in October 2003 and Katy really began to notice the shows and characters. We went to all of the 3-D shows and she loved each one. We would go in and sit down and she would start clapping on her mother's lap.

We hope to be going again in May for her third trip before two years old. It is just great to experience the World through her eyes.

 

[WDWLinda]

We took our son when he was 15 mo. because my husband had a business thing in Orlando and OF COURSE we couldn't let him go alone!

IMO, any age is fine for a little kid - hey, my son is thrilled to go to the supermarket, so he'd be happy anywhere. You're not going just for him or her, you're also going for yourselves. And I think when you fit the kids into your life, like taking them on trips and to restaurants when they're young, they adjust better.

Sure, there are attractions even in Fantasyland that at 2.5 yrs he's still too young for. We took him 2 weeks ago and he didn't want to do certain things cuz they were dark or too loud - but he still had a great time and we had a great time watching him.

I'd say don't wait til your baby is the "right age", just go whenever you can fit it in and you'll all have a great time...different way of doing it for sure with and without kids, but you'll have a ball.

Happy planning!

~Linda

 

[WDWMom]

DD was 2 1/2 and she was great and loved everything. Next trip she was all most 4 and DS was 6 weeks old. DD was great again and even DS was a piece of cake. Much better than when we was 18 months and we went. He wanted to walk everywhere and we also had a 3 month old who never left the stoller because we couldn't keep up with the 18 month.

By the time most kids are two they are a lot of fun. They know the characters and the kids themselves are a ton of fun. I have some great pictures of my kids seeing Mickey for the first time. They don't remember but I love going back and looking at those pictures.

 

[Desnik]

DD was 9mo and DS was 8mo. We have gone every year since DD first trip. On our last trip, DD was almost 6yo she was looking at things like it was her first time!! She said she didn't remember alot of stuff. At 3yo she would talk about her trips to people and remember everything!
I am not one of those people that would only take my kids once and it has to be an age that they'll remember everything. I love looking at my pictures of Micky holding DD at 9mo! I have video, pictures and wonderful memories of our trips. For me there is no perfect age or time, we enjoy our children and love making wonderful memories with them at every age!!

 

[disneyfan551]

I agree with the above poster...any age is perfect! They go through stages and will enjoy different things each time! There is no wrong or right.

We took Kendall when she was 7 months old and she truly loved it. My dh who usually hates to go to WDW every year, now enjoys going just to experience it with her! No matter how much I love going, watching her is entirely the best part!

She was 2y/3m for her next trip and it was even better. Now she shrieks anytime she catches a glimpse of Disney on tv, and says, "ME, ME!!!" (she has speech problems, so this impresses us! )

She'll be 3y/3m for our next trip, and I don't know if I can wait that long or not...

Go and enjoy yourselves!!! You will NOT regret it!

 

[tzvdmd]

DS was 2 when he first went. He has gone atleast once a year since. Now that he is 6 going on 7 I think he is the Old Pro of WDW.

 

[Vanryan]

Our first trip DD was 5 and DS was3 and I was 8 months preg with DS#2. We went back the next year, so 6, 4 and 10 months. Same phenomenon as mentioned earlier. DS#2 was afraid of the cast member at Restaurantosaurus, but not the characters! My girlfriend tells a great story of her son at 2 toddling up to Mickey and falling into his arms saying "I lud you Mickey!"

Her philosophy is take them at 2 for you, and again at 5 for them. I have a friend who keeps telling me that they're never going to remember it prior to 4 and I keep saying, but I will! Besides, the photo albums of them at Disney as babies and little kids is so wonderful, think of the great time my grandkids will have looking at them.
My SIL went when her littlest (who was a wild thing) was 18 months. Screamed in the stroller and wanted to run through crowds all the time. (You know how when they are little they can fit through the crowds so much easier?) So for her it was a true nightmare She could either worry her kid was going to get lost or listen to the screams. She also had a 5 and 7 year old with them too, so it was a lot of work.

I guess depending on the kids it makes a difference. My kids are a treat to spend time with in the parks, I just wonder if I'll have to fight to get them out of SAB to go!

 

[mickeymule]

Mine were 9 (on our honeymoon in '96) and the younger was 3 1/2 (2001) at that age she loved small world etc. We just went back for the first time all 4 of us in december, where he was 16 1/2 and she was 5 1/2. Had a ball...

 

[jody]

Our daughters were almost 3 and 5 the first time we took them. They had a great time. We're going back for the third time since then this spring. They will be 13 and 16. They still love it. Each age is a different experience and they're all fun. In some ways I think it's even more fun now that they're teenagers.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Well, I don't have any kids, but I'm 27 and the first time I went to Disney, I was 6 and my brother was 1.

 

[disney4us2002]

The first time we took our oldest he was 2 and we went because I love Disney and missed it as our honeymoon trip was five yrs earlier.

The next time we went the oldest was 7, middle was 4 1/2 and baby was 14 mos. That time we went because I had to see the castle dressed a cake, lol! This was an awesome trip because the youngest was really not walking yet took two steps to reach Mickey's outstretched hand at MGM AND I have the whole thing on videotape!

The last time the kids were 13, 9 and 6 and remember it well and are now the biggest driving force in returning - yippee!!!!!!

Congrats on your new addition. I hope your love of Disney is passed right along to your new baby.

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

Being from Florida and having gone so many times my kids have gone since they were months old. Having 3 kids (10,7,2) they all go at different stages of their lives. This is my 10 year olds 7th trip, my 7 y/o 6th trip and my 2 y/o 3rd trip with possibly 2 to 3 more trips still to go this year.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm not sorry at all that they were that young. If fact, it was because we were at Disney the 2 1/2 yr od was potty trained. Whenever we went, I put her on. By end of trip. She was done.

The oldest is now 6 and I can see that changes in the different rides that she likes. It was a little sad that Toon Town isn't as interesting but Space Mountain, now that she is tall enough, is a thrill.

I'm so grateful to have those toddler memories and pictures!

 

[liznboys]

Congrats!!

We took our kids for the first time last March, they were almost 3.5 and 17 months. I am also pregnant and on our next trip the newbie will be 11 or 12 months old.

Before we had kids, we always said we'd wait till our youngest was 4 years old to take them to WDW. BUT, last winter we couldn't wait any longer and HAD to go! LOL! It was a totally last minute trip, planned a month before we left. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!!!!! Boy were we glad we decided to go while they were still so young-they both had a blast! We plan to go atleast every 2 years from now on.

 

[da disney fans]

We don't have any children yet, but I have been visiting Mickey (Disneyland) since I was an infant (actually, my first visit was in utero ), and honestly, I don't remember anything about it until I was about 5 or 6 years old. Earlier than that, I don't think kids get that much out of it. At that point, it's definitely a trip more for the parents than the kids, IMO.

My husband and I went to WDW on our honeymoon, and it was his first ever Disney experience, at age 23. He said he was really glad he hadn't visited before now, since he thinks adults get the most out of the experience.

We've talked about it, and we definitely won't be bringing any future kids to Disney until they're at least 5 years old. DH thinks 10 would be a better age to start... I can't wait that long between trips!