In your Opinion: Whats the best age to experience WDW for the First time?

[Grendalynn]

Now that Dear Son #3 has arrived, I am anxiously awaiting his first trip to Walt Disney World!! YAY!!! We have brought our frist two boys at 13 months and almost 5 years, and then again at 2 3/4 and 6:

DisneyWorld, MGM and Epcot in March of 2004 - 1 week
Land and Sea adventure October 2005 - 3 days on land/Poly & 4 days at sea/DCL (Flounders is so nice for the little ones...)


They/We each got different things out of the experiences at the different ages, But I am in a muck about weather to start saving for a week at Disney World or for a Disney Cruise. I amnot sure what to do first, the DCL so the we can get our Disney Fix and still have a vacation when he is so little. And/Or wait for WDW so he can experience the World when his is more aware and knowledgable of the all the Disney magic.... Does that make sence?



Opinions Please....

 

[Perditamarie]

Hello fellow New-Hampshire-ite:

Congrats on your baby. I would bring your baby to WDW whenever -- if anything, it is easier w/a baby than with a toddler, especially when you are outnumbered. You will have wonderful memories of WDW w/your baby and your older two need not wait until baby gets older. I firmly believe a baby can soak up the magic too, and you can actually do a lot with a baby. If a cruise is easier for now, go that route. Babies are very portable, so go with what feels best for your family. Start saving either way -- that way you get your fix and whether you cruise or WDW, you know you will always be back.

 

[surfer_ed]

Well said Perditamarie!!

We have been 2 times with DD now 2 and got something different out of each trip. At 18 months she laughed and clapped during the Festival of the Lion King, which brought a tear to my normally reserved wife's eye.

Previously, DW was of the opinion, if they can't remember than they are too young. I was of the opinion that any expereince with your child is what you make of it and at that young everything is so REAL.

We bought into DVC and usually only go into the parks a day or so each visit. I am not sure MGM or EPCOT would hold my 2 year old's interest but AK and MK are great.

Now in March DS first visit at 3 mo....

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

DD was almost 3 during our last trip. What a perfect time in terms of seeing the magic in their eyes! The look on her face when she saw the princesses for the first time is something that I will never forget.

 

[sss]

Hi,
We have been to disney twice with our kids and are going again in 8 days (yippee!)
Trip #1 our twins were 14 months old and for the rest of my life i will never forget the joy and happiness and them standing and cheering at the country bears jamboree...we all had an amazing time and don't regret it for a second
Trip #2 our twins were almost 3.5 and our "baby" was 14 months....what a difference! Now the twins hated the country bears jamboree (too loud) BUT watching my very talkative daughter rendered literally speechless when she met cinderella was AMAZING....it was a whole different trip and amazing in it's own new way...this was the trip our baby decided all on her own she had had quite enough of baby food thank you very much and wanted what the other kids had. What fun! Her favorite part was the birds (you know, the real ones!) BUT we have to give her a break because she had an ear infection.

As for our upcoming trip, wow, what a difference again a year makes....the twins have clear and distinct memories from last year and our baby is all about princesses (last year she couldn't care less..infact, the fairy godmother made her cry but it's not the godmother's fault, just for the record, she was very sweet) and we're all excited out of our minds...
Moral of the story...never too young...unless of course you go in the summer and your baby is too young to wear sunblock..then that would be the ONLY thing that would make me think twice.
WE aren't cruise takers (my sinuses hate cruises) so I have no opinion about cruise vs. wdw.
HTH
SSS

 

[Harvestmooner]

I am also from NH!!!

We took our kids for the first time my son was 4 months and my daughter was 6 1/2. My son doesn't remember it, but we have beautiful photos of his experiences. My daughter just loved it at that age. If we waited for my son to be older-maybe my daughter would have not experienced ALL the magic. She was old enough to enjoy everything and remember it and believe in everything. It was a great trip!!!
Enjoy your trip-whatever you decide to do!!

 

[Grendalynn]

I am also from NH!!!

We took our kids for the first time my son was 4 months and my daughter was 6 1/2. My son doesn't remember it, but we have beautiful photos of his experiences. My daughter just loved it at that age. If we waited for my son to be older-maybe my daughter would have not experienced ALL the magic. She was old enough to enjoy everything and remember it and believe in everything. It was a great trip!!!
Enjoy your trip-whatever you decide to do!!

This is exactly what I think - If we wait for one to a certain age, the older boys will miss things at their particular ages... I guess we will just have to go many times - darn it!!

New Hampshire is well represented on here these days...must be this cold snap taht we are finally having - making us all want to fly South! lol

 

[kribit]

Ours were 4 and we thought it was the perfect age. No diapers, bottles, worrying about putting strange things in their mouths...

Seriously, if we had the opportunity we probably would have gone earlier, it was just our schedule that did not permit an earlier trip. Aside from my son having 1 breakdown in Epcot, both of my kids loved it and did very well for the whole 8 days.

I don't buy the "wait until they're older...they won't remember it comments." If you have the desire and patience to go while they are babies, I say go for it.

 

[LaraK]

For mom and dad? Any age. For the kids? Just before they turn 3...they're still free, but old enough to experience the magic and (if you're lucky) out of diapers.

 

[traci]

Our first trip to Disney World our babies were 8 months and 22 months old. We had such a blast we went back. I remember when we were planning the trip I found the Disboards. Another member told me that some of the best memories they had was when their children were babies. There is something so magical about watching their little eyes light up at such a tender age. Although they wont remember that first trip, we will, and they will see pictures and such. Now at 2 and 3 they constantly bring up Mickey Mouse and wanting to go see "mommy's castle" It is great!! Take that baby and have fun!

 

[gcrw11]

You are never too young for WDW. My kids have gone every year since they were babies and they are now 15 and 8. They are as addicted to Disney as we are. That's a great thing.

 

[Grendalynn]

In Summery, I guess we/you/they are never too old or young to experience the Magic of Disney!! I still feel the Magic, even coming on these boards, and I'm 30 years old! Just seeing the Disney Commercials and hearing the Disney Music gives me the goosebumps! Of excitement of course!!

 

[natale1980]

Dexter (DS) went to Disney for the first time when he was 6 weeks old. It wasn't all that bad since I had been to Disney 30+ times and didn't mind missing out on a lot of things since he was a little crabby and eating every two hours.
I was still on maternity leave and my parents where going so I said what the heck??? Looking back I don't regret going at all...
The second time he went he was 10 months old and had a blast!!! We all did!! I have the best pictures and he loved the character... he wouldn't stop giving Minnie kisses. We bought a few costumes after Halloween when they went on sale and he was priceless in them!!!
We are going back next month and he will be 22 months... I can't wait!!!
His little cousin (11months) will be with us.

-nat

 

[LCtonra]

My dd went in utero...hope thats not too young.

 

[rt2dz]

I am of the opinion that any age is a good age. My little ones have been at various times covering the ages of 7 months, 15 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years. Each trip has been wonderful and they defiently carry something away from it from each trip--if not memories, something else. DS#2 fell in love with Mickey & Donald (previously unknown to him) at 15 months that he carried with him to his next trip at 2 (2 1/2).

Now, as far as a cruise goes, they cannot participate in the children's programs until 3 and potty trained. You could pay for a babysitter or keep baby with you at all times, but that is not the way I like to cruise, so on that one it is my opinion to wait.