How young is to young?

[DisneyPhD]

I have 4 kids and have taken children as young as 9 mos to Disney. IMHO, I personally, would not plan a trip to Disney for a 17 mos old JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILD. In other words, I think it's perfectly fine to take a 17 mos old to Disney, and they will enjoy what they can understand. They won't be able to ride most of the rides, and they will probably be terrified of the characters. But they can tag along with mom and dad and hang out while MOM and DAD have a good time. Does that make sense? I have taken babies to Disney several times and while they enjoyed themselves to some extent, it wasn't enough to justify making a trip just for them. DH and I love Disney and enjoy taking our kids, but when they were really young we made the trip more for ourselves than for them. Now that our 3 kids are older we go more for them than for us because they are old enough to truly experience the magic, and they can ride most of the rides, and yes, they will remember it (my older kids are 4, 6 and 8). A 17 mos old might remember the trip for a few months, but after that, they won't remember it.

I am not discouraging you from going, by all means if you and your spouse love Disney then by all means go! But I would keep your expectations in check, most toddlers do not enjoy the change in routine that comes from going on vacation and at that age stranger anxiety is at its peak....they might scream in terror at the sight of a giant mouse I have had more than 1 vacation ruined when my expectations for my children did not materialize, always be flexible when traveling with small children!!!!

I agree only go with a young child if you want to go anyway. If you would rather go somewhere else, go there and bring the child too. (if that is what you want.) However we like WDW and went many times before we had kids too.

Oh and they will be able to ride most of the rides. There is just a few 3 to 6 or so, in each park they won't be able to. The great majority then can ride and enjoy. Start slow and work your way up just to be sure. If something freaks them out it might be hard to get them to relax again.

 

[nliedel]

It is such an individual choice. We sort of have a tradition in our family that we take the boys just before their third birthday (while they are still free). We also take them later. Our trip this week will just be with the 6 and 8 year olds because they really deserve a very special treat. We had two babies in the last two years and was on bedrest for months and in the hospital for months too. The oldest boys brought me lunch every day and were without hands on Mommy for a long time. They are special boys who deserve a special treat with just them.

 

[justhat]

Madison had no fear of the characters until our trip last weekend, when she was 19 months. At 14 months she loved them so much that she'd cry when we had to wait in line because she wanted it to be her turn. When it was finally her turn she'd run up and hug and kiss whoever it was (she loved every character, didn't matter who it was) and not want to leave. At 9 months she was the same way, but she couldn't walk yet so we had to carry her to the characters. This was a child who would cry for mommy when daddy was holding her, but when she saw a character she could have cared less about mommy and practically jumped into their arms.

At 19 months though, she was much more cautious. I wouldn't really say afraid, cause she still wanted to go up and see them, but it was a quick hug and kiss then a u-turn for mommy. We would have skipped the characters if she were actually afraid, but she would see them and get excited and point and want to go see them, but when she was right up close she got a bit nervous. We realized the 2nd day that if she stayed in her stroller she liked them much more, I guess she felt safer about them that way. So we'd roll her up, she'd lean out to give a kiss and wave hi, then we'd park her next to them, take a photo, and we were done.

 

[kangaand2roos]

when we go in december it will be my daughter's (not quite 3 at that time) 10th time, and my son's (will be 10 mths) 4th. as long as you take it at her pace, you should be fine.