How young is too young?

[Mickey Fanatic]

One of my all time dreams is to go to the World with my niece and nephews. Everyone maintains that they are too young to appreciate it. I think that they aren't.

How young do you all think is too young?

BTW right now my nephews are 3 and 18 months and my niece is also 18 months. My parents and are thinking of going spring or fall 2006.

 

[ptslp]

As a lot of other people on this board have said, if it going to be their only trip to Disney, you might want to wait a few years. If they will be going back a few times, then they are at great ages!! We went this past April with ds 2 1/2 and dd 6 months and are going again in September. Ds still talks about his favorite rides and asks to go back.

One thing to remember is that the trip will be mostly about the kids, not about the adults. We kept that in mind- it was a trip for us to watch our kids experience Disney, not a trip for us to see everything we wanted to see. We skipped a lot of rides/attractions because we didnt' think the kids would do well on them (Snow White, some of the movies, etc.). They had a blast. We also talked up the trip to our ds for a long time, prepped him for the trip- watched the Disneyland singalong songs video, talked about what he would do when he met a character (shake hands- because he was leery about a hug-though he was hugging and kissing all the characters within minutes!), etc.

Hope you have a nice trip!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We're taking our daughter for the first time this December. She'll be 6 months old!! Of course, it'll all be completely lost on her, but the trip's more for us and taking plenty of baby pictures and do something my wife and I have always avoided like the plague, taking pics with the characters.

 

[jag90]

DD was 13 mos old for her first trip and DS was 2 mos old. Granted, we live 2 hours away and both kids have been 6 - 8 times a year since their first trip so the concern of them being too young to enjoy a "once in a lifetime" experience was never present for us.

Based on the timeframe given for your trip (Spring or Fall of 2006), it seems the kids will be at least 8 mos older than they are now if not more. I say Go For It!

 

[Emmaline Lola]

We're taking our daughter for the first time this December. She'll be 6 months old!! Of course, it'll all be completely lost on her, but the trip's more for us and taking plenty of baby pictures and do something my wife and I have always avoided like the plague, taking pics with the characters.

You say that the trip will be completely lost on your dd at 6 months--but I have to tell you, I live in Orlando and have been taking my dd (6 1/2 months) since she was 8 weeks.

We went MK for my dad's bday on the 15th of this month, and went into COP for some A/C, get away from the crowds, and to give her a bottle. Well, my dd talked (babbled) through the whole show to the man and dog on stage and was laughing at the stage when the theater moved! I was shocked she was so tickled!

You will be surprised by how much you dd will "enjoy" this trip! Have a great time! And get loads of pictures!

el

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You say that the trip will be completely lost on your dd at 6 months--but I have to tell you, I live in Orlando and have been taking my dd (6 1/2 months) since she was 8 weeks.

We went MK for my dad's bday on the 15th of this month, and went into COP for some A/C, get away from the crowds, and to give her a bottle. Well, my dd talked (babbled) through the whole show to the man and dog on stage and was laughing at the stage when the theater moved! I was shocked she was so tickled!

You will be surprised by how much you dd will "enjoy" this trip! Have a great time! And get loads of pictures!

el

That's good to know! Thanks!

We're actually moving to Boca Raton next May so we look forward to seeing her grow up at Walt Disney World. We travel to Disney twice a year now, but I think we'll see that number rise (just a bit ) once we move!!

 

[webray]

Definately too young to appreciate it, or to really have fun with. Wait until they are 6, 7, 8 or older range. Then you can really have a great time with them. No baby swaps, etc.

Now, if you wanted to take them, hang out at a disney resort, do a couple character meals, etc. They might, but I doubt it, enjoy this. Especially the baby. At the age of 2 is typically when children start becoming afraid of Santa, characters, etc. All depends on the child of course.

Taking a child to disney is very different than doing it with adults. You are on the childs schedule..18 months and 3 year olds need naps..a big portion of your day is spent tending to children instead of enjoying the parks and all they have to offer.

I would say start small, as I suggested above and wait until they are old enough to really enjoy the parks fully before spending all the money on tickets.

 

[lovethattink]

In my opinion, nobody is too young or too old for WDW. There is something there for everyone. We have PAPs. We have an 11 year old and a 15 month old. The 15 month old has been going with us since he was 6 weeks old. He loves riding the monorail and trams best.

At MK he likes Dumbo, the carousel, Small World, Peter Pan ride, HM, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Buzz lightyear, POTC, Jungle cruise, Tiki room and Aladin's Magic carpets.

At Epcot he likes all the rides that he meets the height requirements for. He really likes playing the games after the attractions. He especially likes the games after Journey to Imagination. He'd walk on those pictures that make noises all day if we'd let him. At the Living Seas, he'll spend a long time looking at the fish. He especially likes the tank with the fish from Nemo. He liked Turtle talk with crush because Nemo is his favorite movie. The attractions with movies at World Showcase do not hold his attention. They work fine if it's naptime, otherwise we have to skip them. He was very "figity" at American adventure. A sippy cup was a big help there, but we haven't gone back since. We skip the China movie and the Canada one because they are standing ones.

At MGM he really loves The voyage of the little mermaid and the video games after the animation attraction.

At AK, he loved the Lion king show and Kilamangaro safari. He loves animals and was very content just watching them. The Tarzan show was too loud for him. He liked it, but kept holding our hands over his ears.

Our passes include the waterparks, and he loves both of them. He also enjoys the baby pools at the resorts. We make sure we bring some water toys to play with.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I don't think you can be too young or too old for Disney or any vacation.

My DS was in the womb on his first trip................. I don't know if he remembers it!

 

[zurgswife]

My youngest first trip...I think ranks as one of my favorite trips and she was only 3 months.....

But my kids have gone at all ages and each age has had something special for us and them. So, my opinion is any age is a great age....

 

[SamanthaL]

My DD's first trip was at 2 and DS was 1 on his first time. I would not trade the memories for anything in the world! They were both caught up in the magic of it all. Everything was real!
If this were the only trip we could afford however we would have waited.

 

[kilee]

We took my neice in 2003 when she was 16 months. She did well. She didn't really know what was going on. Now she's alittle over 3, and all she talks about is going to Disney World. We tell her she's been there, but of course she has no memory of it.

If this is going to be that once in a lifetime trip, or once in a decade trip then I'd wait a bit longer. Mostly so they have some small memories of it. If you think you'll be going every few years or less- then by all means go for it.

 

[meatballsmom]

I think it really depends on if you plan on going back again with them. I took my son at 3 and I think it wasn't the best age to take him, especially if I had no plans to go back. Did he have fun, yes. But, he was at an age where he wanted to do everything but couldn't because of his height, he really still needed naps so he either got wired from being so tired, or would just pass out in the middle of doing something and the worst thing is now that he is 6, he doesn't really remember any of it. I am taking him back this October and believe he is now at the perfect age. He is so excited. Like I said, if this is the only trip you will take with them, I would wait. If you plan on doing more trips, then by all means take them. They will have a good time, but remember you won't be able to do as much as you think you can, just because of their ages.

 

[adisneymama]

My DD was 14 mos old on her first trip. She had a blast. Didn't want to leave the parks, and would push her stroller into the door in the mornings saying GO, GO, GO! She was 2 her second trip, again had a blast. More things clicked this trip of course, but she knew where we were as soon as she saw the signs. We are going back in Sept for her 3rd trip and I can't wait to see the look on her face this time!

Your neice and nephew are not too young. It will be different than an adult only trip, but it will be a blast. It is so heartwarming to see their faces light up and to see them smiling. If you are there for the kids to have fun and are looking forward to taking them, then do it! It will most likely become a trip you will want to take over and over again! I can't wait for my nephew to be a little older (he's only 6 mos!) so that he and my dd can go together. (With or without my brother and his wife! LOL)

Go have a great time!

 

[lovethattink]

If you decide to take the children to WDW, I'd strongly suggest having them watch the following videos.

Disney's SingAlong Songs Disneyland Fun Volume 7 Set in Ca, but has most of the same rides and characters that will be seen at WDW

Mickey's Fun Songs Beach Party at Walt Disney World Show's some of MGM, Poly, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon

SingAlong Songs Flick's Musical Adventure at Disney's Animal Kingdom Set in AK, so gives an idea of what to expect.

Mickey's Fun Songs Campout at Walt Disney World Great if camping. If not, it shows characters like the Bears from Country Bear Jamboree.

DS(15 months) gets so excited when he recognizes a place or a song from his videos.

 

[meatballsmom]

If you decide to take the children to WDW, I'd strongly suggest having them watch the following videos.

Disney's SingAlong Songs Disneyland Fun Volume 7 Set in Ca, but has most of the same rides and characters that will be seen at WDW

Mickey's Fun Songs Beach Party at Walt Disney World Show's some of MGM, Poly, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon

SingAlong Songs Flick's Musical Adventure at Disney's Animal Kingdom Set in AK, so gives an idea of what to expect.

Mickey's Fun Songs Campout at Walt Disney World Great if camping. If not, it shows characters like the Bears from Country Bear Jamboree.

DS(15 months) gets so excited when he recognizes a place or a song from his videos.

I did the same thing with my son too!! He still loves watching those videos.

 

[lovethattink]

I did the same thing with my son too!! He still loves watching those videos.

My videos are so worn out! We bought them back in the 90's for my oldest son, who's 11 now. (In fact, to this day, he still calls the laua the "huki laua" lol. I hung onto them all these years and now our newest edition is getting full use out of them!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Well, since you wouldn't be going another year (give or take), the kids will be 2.5 and 4 by then, which IMO are great ages to go. My experience has been different than that mentioned by another poster. Both my kids were scared of characters at age 1, but the little one outgrew it by the time she was 2. (The older one still hasn't outgrown it at 7! well, really it's turned into indifference.)

Many people recommend hitting the parks early, then coming back to the hotel for a rest in the afternoon, even if it's just adults. If you plan on doing that, it'll work out perfect for the kids' naps, anyway.

We're taking my 2.5yo in 2 months and I know from the way she enjoys our Six Flags and our water park, she will have a blast! Yes, we'll need to attend to her needs (hmm, I do that all day at home, too!), take more breaks and do more kiddie things than thrill rides, but as a parent, seeing the joy on my child's face is absolutely worth it! Heck, for the last 7 years, we've spent most of our Six Flags time in the kiddie section, just watching them ride rides we can't fit on. I'm thrilled that at WDW, there are so many rides we can ride together, as a family.

Plus, 2.5yo's are free!

Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Does the child swap really work? I don't mean the process of swaping the child, which obviously, easily can work. I mean waiting in a long line with your child knowing that he/she will not be getting on? I would think it might be a little tough for the little one to hold it together in that sort of situation.

 

[VSL]

Like others have said, if it's going to be a one-off thing, wait a few years. If not, go!

BUT... I'm wondering, is it their parents/your sibling(s) who are saying that they will be too young? Maybe they want to take them for their first trip to WDW and can't afford it yet? Or would they be going with you? If so, maybe they'd like to go alone for their first trip, or maybe they just want to wait a while.
I'm just speculating here though!