How young is too young?

[ktlm]

Sorry for the typo earlier , she will be a little over 3. Is there plenty that someone that age can do? Dumb question I'm sure , but I figured I should ask. Thank you!

That is a fantastic age. There is very little at WDW that a 3 year old can't do. There are a few height restricted thrill rides in each park, but by far most of the rides and attractions are great for all ages She might be 40 inches at 3 (DD was 40 inches on a 3 year old trip) which would get her on most of those rides IF she wanted to ride them- but you will find a ton to do for her without those. There are plenty of rides for her to ride; shows for her to see; places for her to explore and see, and assuming she likes characters (my DD loved them, but not all do), plenty of characters to meet!

Another reason we loved taking DD to WDW as a preschooler is that there are so many things that entertain a child of that age there. Unlike other vacation destinations, everything is all right there and easy to get to for a little one to have a fabulous time, you don't have to look for things for that age group. You get there, stay on property, and in addition to the kid friendly resort, Disney carts you around with their transportation to places full of things to amuse your child, yet that are really fun places for adults too! If your child happens to throw a fit, you can be comfortable in the fact that the place is full of other kids with parents who understand (and who may have dealt with the exact thing at an earlier point that day)-- or that if you wait a while, you will probably run across a kid throwing a bigger fit than yours threw. DD, who was "spirited" as a preschooler, was better behaved there than at home which was a nice bonus for us. DD had very few fits at WDW- the biggest one I remember was at age 3 when we were getting on the boat to go from MK to WL to catch the bus back to the airport to go home. She did NOT want to leave WDW and she let everyone know! It is such an easy vacation destination with a little one.

 

[Micca]

Parents should take their children whenever they feel up to it, which will vary from one family to the next. Practically speaking, I think the trip is more enjoyable when a child is potty trained, can feed themselves, and be comfortable walking enough that getting on & off of rides isn't going to be a big deal. I'll agree that the kids remembering the trip isn't as important as the adults enjoying seeing their children surrounded by the magic.

 

[LostMason]

My son was 2 yrs. 10 months for his first (so far only) trip. His favorite things were the Lion King show in Animal Kingdom, riding the monorail, and getting kissed by the princesses. He did not like any of the dark rides, which was a bummer, but did have a great time. We're going back in 2 weeks....3 years since our last trip...and cant' wait!

 

[Aurora0427]

My wife and I have a girl who's right now 19 months and we were wondering what's a decent age to first go to Disney world We were thinking that a little after 3 woud be a decent age to take her. Is that tooyoung or is that a good age for week at Disney World?

This question is totally subjective. There are people who think taking a baby to WDW is amazing. I'm not one of those people. We've taken our daughter at age 2, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5. Out of those trips, the trip at age 3.5 was the most magical. She was extremely excited about the characters, enjoyed doing the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, could ride mostly everything, could stay up a little later without nap time, and was just generally easy and fun to be around. 4.5 was fun too, but that trip at 3.5 was absolute perfection.

Of course my husband and I have wonderful memories of the trips at age 2 & 2.5, and my daughter did have an amazing time at Chef Mickey at age 2. If you're looking at going just once when they're young, I personally think age 3-3.5 is perfect. We are Disney freaks, but I'm still not taking our new baby until she's at least two.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We just got back from a trip with our 12 month old. It was perfection. She LOVED the characters, LOVED every ride we took her on (even "scary" ones like HM and Pirates she was pointing and looking around.)

Every kid is different. My parents took my sister and me as babies. Our reactions were the same as my DD. Good with characters, fireworks, etc. Pure awe during IASW.

We didn't even do all the things we could have done with DD. That's how much she could have done.

We go back at least every other year. If I was going to only go once, I'd wait til my child was older and could remember. But since we go back regularly, we will take our kids from babies on. I am glad we waited until 12 months simply because she was so aware and could say and recognize Mickey, point to things, etc.

Side note: We saw 2 week old twins on the TTA last week

 

[kohlby]

After going a few times without kids, we said we would wait until no one needed a stroller once we had kids. Then a relative wanted to meet up there when our kids were barely 3 years old and a two month old! The next trip had an 8 month old and 3.5 month old. (We went twice that year - we wanted to put what we had learned about travelling with children to use!) We didn't go back again until we had three children - kids were 11 months, 3.5 year, and 6.5 years then. We were still saying we didn't want to go with a toddler - we purposely skipping going during that stage with our middle child despite her not being a challenging child. Then we got a great PIN code and ended up going when the youngest was 2.5 years old. After that, we go to either Disney or Universal or both every year.

As for best age - I'm going with almost any age UNLESS it's going to be a one time trip or a rare trip. If it's a one time trip, then I'd wait until 48". If it's going to be every year, I wouldn't even think about age. If it's every few years, then I'd go at 40". All three of my kids hit 40" when they had a trip at 3. (That's with shoes. One child was borderline at her trip with shoes and she was 3.5. Another hit it easily before 3).

*None of my kids were napping at 3, so that made it easier. Potty training wasn't perfect with all then. We did use pull-ups on kids who wouldn't always tell us fast enough or just so we wouldn't have to stress.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

We took our daughter at 14 months, and she LOVED meeting the characters! She also enjoyed the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom, the Winnie the Pooh ride at Magic Kingdom, and the play areas at each park. Other than that she didn't really react much to anything. She was probably bored riding in the stroller a lot. However, we all still had a great time.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

We like the week or two before they turn three so their ticket and buffets are still free

My daughter is 17 months, and I have been dreaming of going again when she is almost 3. That's if we can afford it.

 

[DavidNYC]

No age is too young. But there are some considerations. We started taking my kids at six months old, but we love going and have been going almost every year. If you're doing it mostly for your child, or you're not sure how often you're going to get there, you might want to wait until she's a little older and can enjoy more things. Also depends on whether you might have help with childcare now and then. For example, we had our nanny with us which let us have a few hours late at night to ourselves. Makes a big difference over the course of a week.

 

[Atrain13]

Thanks for all the great information everyone! It's good to know that the trip should be fun even at her age. My wife and I went 3 years ago (way too long of a wait) so we are excited to go back again and we completely understand that this trip is all about our daughter. Luckily I think I have my parents on board for going with us so childcare will be along to help!

 

[btk2333]

no such thing as to young IMO - we took our twins at 10 months, 18 months and are about to take them at 22 months. We and they have loved each trip. We travel with them frequently though- will probably do their first international trip sometime around 2.5 years old or so- maybe Shanghai Disney opening day!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

My opinion as far as what I want most would be "old enough they are out of diapers". The last thing I would want to deal with at WDW would be diapers. And a stroller. Plus, if you are flying, there's all that extra hassle. I mean, how do you even get a stroller on a plane? I have no idea!

Now, that being said, our first trip as a family was with our 2 year old. There were diapers and a stroller. It was fine. But not I'm 15 years crankier and less patient. And we drove that trip.

Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited.

 

[kohlby]

Thanks for all the great information everyone! It's good to know that the trip should be fun even at her age. My wife and I went 3 years ago (way too long of a wait) so we are excited to go back again and we completely understand that this trip is all about our daughter. Luckily I think I have my parents on board for going with us so childcare will be along to help!

That will be helpful - but even if you don't, that doesn't mean it can't be done. We never had help when we went and it really wasn't a big deal.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I've seen babies as young as a few weeks old at WDW so really, no age is too young.

However (your post has a typo and you didn't actually put the age) trips are different at different ages. I'd say until about 4/5 my son doesn't remember anything about his Disney trips (his first one was at 10 months). Before that I was going to WDW because I wanted to go (and therefore he came along) it wasn't so much about what he wanted to do and remember (not that he didn't have fun while we were there and do things that I knew he'd enjoy).

It also depends on whether or not this is a once in a lifetime trip, a once every few years trip or a regular yearly vacation destination.

If it's a several times thing then I definitely thing going before the child turns 3 (so is still free) is worth it, personally.

I agree with this. I first went to Disney when I was three. My dad said it was the best Disney trip he's ever taken. I don't remember anything about the trip, but he does. They also were comfortable taking me at such a young age because they knew eventually we'd be back. As PP said, many people take their infants to Disney World and have wonderful trips. There definitely is no perfect age to take them, every trip will be different, and you certainly can't be too young to go to Disney.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

My opinion as far as what I want most would be "old enough they are out of diapers". The last thing I would want to deal with at WDW would be diapers. And a stroller. Plus, if you are flying, there's all that extra hassle. I mean, how do you even get a stroller on a plane? I have no idea!

Now, that being said, our first trip as a family was with our 2 year old. There were diapers and a stroller. It was fine. But not I'm 15 years crankier and less patient. And we drove that trip.

Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited.

Hahaha, this totally proves that everyone feels differently. I thought diapers were a breeze and I'm actually terrified of when DD has to use all those nasty toilets! I'll take diapers any day over squeezing into a stall and trying to get her not to touch anything gross Maybe I will change my mind when she is older!

We are drivers typically for long trips (DD has done 3 17+ hour drives in her first year of life) but we did fly to WDW. You can take the stroller through security and check it right at the gate. Easy peasy (but after this flight we did decide to definitely drive next time, for other reasons.) We prefer a long drive to layovers, delays, cancellations, etc.

 

[savvy?71]

Hahaha, this totally proves that everyone feels differently. I thought diapers were a breeze and I'm actually terrified of when DD has to use all those nasty toilets! I'll take diapers any day over squeezing into a stall and trying to get her not to touch anything gross Maybe I will change my mind when she is older!

This reminded me of that same trip I posted about earlier in thread--the one horror--AUTOMATIC FLUSH. My 2 yr old daughter was fairly traumatized by them, quite sure she was going to get sucked into the bowels of Earth. We quickly learned the Post-It trick. My husband and I became these frantic lunatics whenever our daughter had to go to the bathroom: "Do you have the stickies?" "Where are the stickies?!" "She wants the pink stickies!" We were so thrilled she was out of diapers & pull-ups but at one point we were like "should we just get a bleepin' pull-up?!"

So yeah, that took a few years to get over. At ten she is still quite untrusting of those toilets and immediately checks hotels, airports, restaurants, etc

 

[alliecat523]

My opinion as far as what I want most would be "old enough they are out of diapers". The last thing I would want to deal with at WDW would be diapers. And a stroller. Plus, if you are flying, there's all that extra hassle. I mean, how do you even get a stroller on a plane? I have no idea!

The gate agent will give you a tag to attach to the stroller. As you walk down the jetway you leave it by the door just outside the plane door. The ground crew will load it underneath for the flight and return it to the jetway for you to pick up at your destination. ;-)

 

[ktlm]

I mean, how do you even get a stroller on a plane? I have no idea!

.

It is really easy. You gate check it. They give you a tag down by your gate and then you wheel it down to the plane and hand it to the guys right there. As you exit the plane, it is usually already sitting right there when you get off, and if it isn't it will be there pretty quickly. On ME, they just stick it under in the luggage area. We actually missed the stroller on our first trip without it. If you are rushing to make a connection at an airport, you can move a kid a whole lot faster if you put them in the stroller. DH would be in charge of the carry ons and I would be in charge of the kid and stroller. At WDW, it provided a storage area (but you can't leave anything in it you care if it gets stolen when you park it), cupholders, and also it was a lot faster getting a kid from point A to point B, especially if you are late for something. Young kids don't move that quickly, and they also tend to stop about every 10 steps at WDW to look at something or want to stop and go in to everything you pass by, so when you are in a hurry to get from one place to another and don't want to stop every second, it was great to put the kid in the stroller and move fast. The only thing that was kind of a pain with the stroller was having to fold it up and maneuver it on the buses, but you could leave it open on the monorail and also on some of the boats going to and from the parks.

 

[Dis703]

My personal age minimum is right around 2. And generally, as long as it isn't a once in a lifetime trip, I encourage people to take advantage of going before their LO turns 3 because they are free to get into the parks and can even eat at buffets for free.

My oldest went at 26 months for the first time and my twins at 22 months. Both were fabulous trips.

 

[Dis703]

My opinion as far as what I want most would be "old enough they are out of diapers". The last thing I would want to deal with at WDW would be diapers. And a stroller. Plus, if you are flying, there's all that extra hassle. I mean, how do you even get a stroller on a plane? I have no idea!

See now I tend to think the exact opposite. Diapers were so much easier to me than managing a toddler who is potty trained. No worries about running out of the line to get to the bathroom in time. No accidents. I barely used the public restrooms (which I HATE using) because we just popped into the baby care centers or changed wet diapers in the stroller. I actually delayed potty training specifically until after our Disney trip with my first and kept my twins in diapers last trip even they though had just mostly potty trained in the weeks prior. I may actually miss them this time around, lol.