How young is to young?

[CMorton]

My wife and I went on our first trip to WDW last February, and it was the best vacation we have ever taken. My wife is due to have our first baby in about 3 weeks and we have started to plan when our next trip to The World should be.

We have been thinking that at about 4 y.o. he will be able to expierence most things without the issue of taking him out of school.

I know like this seems like a long time in advance, but it is a very expensive trip and want to make sure that everyone involved has a great time. Any help is fantastic. Thanks!

 

[TaraZ]

We are taking my DD next January-- she will be 3 y.o. at that point. But you'll see that people take all sorts of ages!

 

[LadyShea]

We took DS at 21 months and had a blast. I think some of it will depend on your child and his/her temperament and interests.

 

[gabriellyn]

Congratulations on your bundle of joy - how exciting!

We took all 3 of our children - ranging in age from 12 years old to 15 months. They ALL had a blast - even the 15 month old! My advice would be to go as soon as you can afford it and keep going back whenever you get the chance!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

On our first trip our youngest turned 2 while we were there. We also had our other daughter who was also 2 (my girls are 10 mos apart ) and my son was 6. They all had a great time! I guess it really just depends on the child. Good luck!

 

[southtexasmom]

My youngest was 8 months the first time he went, it was good trip, he loved looking at everything.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

I have taken both of my children to WDW and on DCL for the first time very early. My son was 8 months old his first trip and my daughter 5 months old on her first trip (obviously not the same trip). There is no "right time" for Disney. You have to do what works for you. Personally, I wouldn't be able to wait until my child who isn't born yet (congrats BTW) to be 4 before I went to Disney again. But then, I have been called an addict.

 

[cigarboo]

We've been fortunate enough to have been able to take DS7 & DS4 every 6 months since before birth. It seems at every trip, they were able to enjoy each trip(minus at 5 months, DS didn't know what the heck was going on, but we loved the idea of taking him and he didn't mind) because we never rushed and we only did the things we thought he would like. When we first started, it was pretty much just walking around and seeing the parade and going home early. No big deal since we had already seen everything before. Now it's going on the "big rides." Just judging from their changes through the years, I would say late 4 to mid 5yo is probably my 1st choice of age, if I were only planning 1 trip. Young enough to still totally believe in the magic, but old enough to enjoy a good amount of rides. At 4, he will likely meet the 36" height rides, maybe even the 40" rides. They'll probably not remember the trip into adulthood, but they will definitely remember for a while. My DS7 and Niece 7, started realizing the characters were people in costume around 5 1/2- 6. They saw feet under some costumes and noticed the Cinderella in the parade did not look like the Cinderella at the dinner. Doesn't make the trip worse, but I really miss the days when they whole heartedly believed. Once it's gone, we can only pretend.

Congratulations! Kids are a great excuse to go to Disney more.

 

[3mickeys&me]

We took our boys for the first time when they were 2 & 4 1/2. My husband was worried our little guy was to young. I really wanted to go with the kids before our oldest started school. So off we went and they both had a blast and dh and I were thrilled to see that both our kids had a blast. On our last day we went back to the MK one last time for some shopping and our 2 yr old cried leaving the park saying he wanted to go back to Mickey's Castle LOL!!!! Yup he had a good time

 

[shmedly123]

we took our two DD's this past September when they were 3 1/2 and 15mos and are going back soon so obviously we had a good time with them. My oldest DD was 40 inches tall and was able to ride most of the rides and had a great time...the little one liked the colors but didn't really understand a lot of it.

I would definitely recommend that when you do go that you pay attention to how your child is doing and don't try to visit "commando" style, head back to the hotel for naps if he gets cranky. The parks aren't going anywhere so take your time and enjoy them, if you miss an attraction just do it next time. Which leads to my second bit of advice, go during the "off season" if possible...there is nothing worse than waiting in line for 60mins to ride Dumbo when the same ride is a 10 minute wait in the off season.

so to answer your question the right time to go is when you are ready.

 

[ldo]

we took ours younger, but we were near Orlando anyway (so only cost of ticket for the day). For a $$$ trip, 4 is good. At 4, kids have watched some Disney movies and "know" the characters like Little Mermaid, Mickey Mouse, Cars, all the princesses, etc. and will be excited to see them. At 4, they can probably go without a nap and can tolerate a bit later bedtime. They should also be OK at a sit-down meal. 3 "might" be OK, but it depends on the kid--many still have melt-downs and lots still need an afternoon nap. If you have an "easy" 3 year old--then plan for 3--and if not, 4.
Best wishes. Elaine

 

[bluefairy21]

Our first trip with kids was with my DS of almost 2 yrs. Then we went when the boys were almost 4 and 1 1/2. Next trip they will be almost 6 and 3 3/4.

When we had bad moments - and there were lots- my DH and I said to each other, "What were we thinking?" But after the trip, you only remember the good moments and not when they were screaming at the restaurant or peeing on my lap at Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

If I were to take one and only one trip to WDW, I would wait a little longer. But since I plan on going many times, there is so many different things to enjoy at different ages. What the kids enjoy most when they were 2 will change next trip. At the end, it's the memories you have that matter.

 

[staci]

We took my ds 2 weeks before his 2nd birthday. He had a great time. Now that he is 4 1/2, he only remembers bits and peices, but loves watching the videos of himself as a baby enjoying the parks.

April we will be going again, this time with our daughter who will be 22 months, and our son, who is on his way to 5. He is thrilled to death to go back, although honestly he was more into the characters last time, and now he is more interested in the 'thrill' of things. I know he will have a whole different appreciation for everything this time than he did last time. It will be an entirely different trip.

They enjoy it differently at different ages. I agree, that the trip at 23 months with him was more about my memories, and his experiences living in the moment. We did plan a more budget -friendly trip that time (free dining, value resort) so it didnt break the bank.... That said, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if given the opportunity. I am so excited to take dd so I can experience it all through her eyes this time.

 

[JoanneNC]

We opted to go now that my DS is turning 6 and my DS#2 will be 18 months - we didn't want to wait for DS#2 to get older and have DS #1 not be in the magical stage - so we get to plan our next trip back

 

[DisneyPhD]

My opinion is when you feel comfortable and confident traveling with the child and taking them out around a lot of people.

For me that is about 6 months old.

My kids went for the 1st time at 8 1/2 months old and 7 months old. The youngest went again at 9 months old. That age is actually easier then say 18 months old. They both have been twice for ever year they have been alive so far, but that will trail off since I can't take them out of school more then once a year now that they are older.

It really is personal mater. If you love Disney and you want to wait until they are older, you have to wait to go yourself or leave them with someone. I would rather have them with me at WDW.

It also really depends on when is a good time for you to go. If high traffic times or really hot times are the only time you can go it might be harder.