Looking for opinions for 3 vs 4

[Chrispygal]

I will start by saying I know that ANY age I take my daughter will be wonderful. She has been 2 times already and is only 22 months. The next trip will be our "big" trip where I will bring DH. DH has zero interest in Disney (how did I marry him?!) but I told him he has to come once when we go in "prime" princess time for my daughter. I want her to be old enough to reason with and be excited with anticipation, but still young enough to truly believe in the magic of it all.

I know DD and I will have plenty of chances to go again but I'm not sure DH will want to, so I am trying to pick a great age to experience for this trip. Any opinions or experiences with pro/cons of this age range? We really want to go in low crowd times so we will either go Fall/Winter/early Spring after she turns 3 or the same after she turns 4.

TIA!

 

[MsDiz]

Four is a better time IMO because your DD would be tall enough for many rides. My kids never believed in Santa for the sheer terror of him that they showed. But in Disney, they were more than eager to run up and hug characters and princesses. When my DD was 3, she couldn't ride many things because she was just a tad short, but my DS at 3.5 was just tall enough. As for myself, I really thought that I was being shrunk in Disneyland's Inner Space ride and was bawling in horror at nine years old! Sheesh. But as a mom, I enjoyed that the kids were totally happy at all ages. Just do what you think works for your own family

 

[Simba07]

We took DD when she was 4 and DN when she was 3. Both had a good time, but I think DD did better with characters. Both could do most rides, but DN is exceptionally tall for her age. A more typical 3 year old would have missed out on more. I also think that 4yos have more patience for lines and such. I know I am impatient for my other DN to turn 4 so we can go back, but we all decided it would work out better at 4.

 

[MandiC]

4. I just don't think kids are as into characters until they are closer to 4 than 3 add to that more patience and the ability to understand a little more reason (we wait in this line and you get to see/ride 'such and such'). I think 3 year olds can be a bit difficult anyways a more intense version of 2 year olds

 

[ktlm]

We've been at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. 3 is a very cute Princess age. I don't think you can go wrong with either age, but 3 was a total Princess obsession at our house- all Princess all the time. The characters made a big fuss over her when she was 2 and 3 too- she got some great interactions. We actually went twice when DD was 3 thanks to some good discounts, and at her 3 year 10 month trip she was tall enough to ride most of the thrill rides- didn't mean she was crazy about them though. Just because they are tall enough doesn't mean they will like them, or want to ride them. She was a little bit of a pain one of the ages, it was either 4 or 5, I can't remember which. She was just more opinionated and a bit whiney that year. Funny was there was a discussion on the DIS about it- several people had the same experience with their kids, great younger, but there was that one year in either the 4 or 5 time frame that they noticed the kid was just a little more difficult. Guess it is just a stage they go through around that point.

 

[snoopy5386]

Whenever she is 40 inches. I have a short one who didn't hit it until almost 5 and a tall one who hit it at 3.5. They both loved Big Thunder Mtn, Soarin, Test Track and Splash. Once my youngest was tall enough, it was great to finally ride all the best rides as a family instead of constantly having to split up. We own dvc and we go every year so I've been through every age 2x now. My just turned 4 yo is very excited to go back this year and loves the princesses very much. Either age is great for BBB and princess meals. For me 40 inches would be the biggest determining factor.

 

[mm1971]

I vote for 4. There is a better chance she will be tall enough to do all of the attractions. I know my DD was scared of the characters at 3, but that doesn't sound like you have that problem. I just think 4 is a little more practical based on our experiences. Everyone is different though.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

At least four, if not five or six.

 

[Chrispygal]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'd love to go at 3.5 because it's sooner, but DH and I talked and 4 it is. Unless I can change his mind sooner!

 

[5stljayhawks]

jan/ feb (not president weekend) Valentines day is nice if you put kid in disney daycare and take hubby cali grill!! or ohananas for dinner. october halloween is a great time. Cool and there is MNSSHP. Just be aware during the first of the some rides will be in rehab but low crowds.

Before three for sure- she is free... there are 1,000,000 for dad to get into disney - starwars, fishing, golf, epcot drink around the world. There is also the racetrack for driving school. then running, walking.... if driving, think outside park- there at tons of things in orlando/kissimmee to do.

What are his hobbies/likes we can help direct?