OT: how young is too young for a trip to disney?

[alicia1506]

Ok so we have made a decision to start trying to have children. This means that next year will be our last trip pre children. We would live to take our child to disneyland but want them to be able to enjoy and appreciate the magic of disney.

How young would you think is the earliest we could take a child to disney?

 

[becpee]

We took our DS at 3y11m so very nearly 4, and it was the perfect age

He was great on the plane there, remembers so much of the trip, and still talks about it.

An younger than that (for us going so far) it might not be as memorable for them, and might be memorable for you for all the wrong reasons

 

[Caroline NZ]

Our children were aged 4 & 7 for their first Disney trip ( we had taken them to Australia at younger ages though). We had a magical time. But then I believe that the first family trip is always the most magical

 

[Snickals]

W took baby girl at 8.5months she loved interacting with the characters and watching the shows, she loves musical things. I know she won't remember it but we have lots of photos and videos

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I think Snickels has a great point, even though her baby doesn't remember, they as her parents have wonderful memories from their trip. And the photos and video for the little one to enjoy as they get older.

Of course if you could only afford to take them on 1 trip, I'd wait.

Oh and congrats on making such a big decision.

 

[alicia1506]

thanks for your thoughts... it will take a while for my body to become 'baby ready' so technically we won't be 'baby ready' for approx 9-12 months, which is why we had to make the decision so far in advance. i am currently on BC which is great BC if you want to not be pregnant, bad BC if you want to start trying real soon

we were thinking around the 3-4 year mark, that way you don't need as much 'stuff' ie formula, stroller, diapers, carseats etc and we were also thinking DLR as less walking than at WDW. we want it to be memorable and the beginning of a lifetime love affair with disney, but still gives us heaps of time to save up money as i know babies are expensive, and this will impact our lives in ways we cannot even begin to imagine

see... look at us planning a DLR trip for our child 5 years in advance and we aren't even pregnant yet... lol. a little compulsive, yes.

 

[5ofus]

We took our eldest two to Tokyo DL when they were 16 months and 3 years old. Our now 5yo eldest, still remembers and talks about the trip (but he has a freakish memory). DS2 remembers nothing, but loves watching the video and talking about it. He's my Disney baby

DS1 is quite a serious child and didn't show much enthusiasm on the trip. He needed a bit of a nudge to get on most rides and a big push to get on some. He didn't like any ride he couldn't see ie. most of them! Teacups, carrousel and Dumbo were his favourites because he could see exactly what he was getting into. I think this is part personality, but in my experience, kids also go through a fearful stage at around 3 years old where they have kinda discovered that there are things to be scared of, but haven't quite learnt how to assess real threats yet. DS2 is 3.5 now and is starting to grow out of HIS fearful stage.

Having said that though, the way he talks about the trip, he very clearly enjoyed himself and is already planning out which rides he's going on in 2015 It's just not in his nature to be over the top.

DS2, my Disney baby, loved every single thing about TDL. I have this amazing photo of him from behind where he is standing, holding on the rails of a fence, just gazing at the castle. He stood like that for about five minutes (a lifetime for a 16 month old!) with this look of wonder on his face. Priceless. I don't think I'll ever forget that!!! Then there is the character meal when he met Minnie...

this picture says it all really! How could I think he was too young for the trip with memories like this?

Even if neither of them remember a single thing about the trip, both my DH and I do and that is worth so much

 

[5ofus]

thanks for your thoughts... it will take a while for my body to become 'baby ready' so technically we won't be 'baby ready' for approx 9-12 months, which is why we had to make the decision so far in advance. i am currently on BC which is great BC if you want to not be pregnant, bad BC if you want to start trying real soon

we were thinking around the 3-4 year mark, that way you don't need as much 'stuff' ie formula, stroller, diapers, carseats etc and we were also thinking DLR as less walking than at WDW. we want it to be memorable and the beginning of a lifetime love affair with disney, but still gives us heaps of time to save up money as i know babies are expensive, and this will impact our lives in ways we cannot even begin to imagine

see... look at us planning a DLR trip for our child 5 years in advance and we aren't even pregnant yet... lol. a little compulsive, yes.

Hehe, Alicia, we've been planning our 2015 trip with the boys for six years... DS1 is only FIVE! We started planning before I conceived as well - nothing wrong with having a plan!!! Mind you, we changed it from 2014 to 2015 as we decided that 4 was a better age for DS3 than 3, since we'll have the other two to contend with as well. 4,6 and 8 sounds more managable than 3,5 and 7

 

[BecBennett]

We went when my little brother was just under 3. He had a great time there, but tells me the only thing he remembers about it was that he got a giant cookie

You've just got to weigh up what's more important - you having these adorable memories/photos of your little one enjoying Disney, but having to deal with a little one while there.

Or waiting until they're old enough to remember it themselves, but having to wait all that time.

 

[battymum]

You dont pay for them under 3 - on the plane or in the park!

So I would say 2years 11months!

Frugal mum here!!

You could be lucky and they will be out of nappies and sleeping in a bed, and eating real people food! Although you would need a stroller and car seat.

By the time my DD was 2years and 3months - I had baby twins as well - so no Disney for our family until they were teens!!

 

[JessNewbs]

We have planned ours around the best age for our daughter. She will be 5 this January coming and we are going in May. From all of the research I have done this is the perfect age for us!

 

[alicia1506]

hrmm. waiting 5 + years seems a long time... how do you do it???

maybe we can sneak off for a quick adults only trip at some point

i don't think our finances will allow for regular trips, but age 5ish seems like a nice age.. thanks everyone... that age range makes a lot of sense...

i desperately want kids, but i feel like we've only just started to explore the world as adults and i'm struggling with the idea of giving up on that independent travel.

... ahh, first world problems

 

[Melbourne5]

Our kids were 11,8,3 on our first visit to the mouse.

The 11 yo was 16mths when we took him to Fiji the first time.

The 8 yo was 2 when he and his brother ( above) went on a whizz bang tour of thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia

The 3yo was 6mths old when we went to Fiji with his two brother.

So there is no perfect time. You just have to work out what's practical. For us there were a number of years where Fiji resorts were our pick as the kids and therefore us had the best time.

We did leave it a few years before doing to DL to ensure the youngest was toilet trained ( a big stress relief) to enable us to have the best time as a family

 

[Aust]

Our girls were 6 and 3 for our first trip, and this trip our little boy will be 3 yrs 10 months. For us 3 was old enough to brave the long flight (and both kids slept quite a few hours so that was great), and even though our then 3 year old daughter doesn't remember much of the trip, our memories of her interacting with the characters and believing in everything are priceless. I'm so glad we went when they were that young for that reason, it was all the more magical. When I went with my 9 year old niece she was more interested in thrill rides and bored by anything not fast or upside down.

In general - I'd travel a long distance with a baby before about 6 months (especially if breastfed, so easy), and then after 3. I reckon the time between them becoming mobile and becoming that bit more mature and easy to deal with at 3 would be really hard to handle on a long trip.

 

[Aust]

And Alicia - travel as much as you can first!! it's so much easier and cheaper without kids! I wish someone had told us that, we didn't do nearly enough! I'm always telling my brother and his wife to do as much as they can before they have kids (and they're doing me proud, off on their second trip to Europe at Christmas).

 

[battymum]

Alicia,

You have to remember this forum is not a random sample of the population. Many, if not most, Australian children NEVER get to go to Disneyland.

And that is OK. No one will call the authorities.

There are many things you will need to provide for your family and a trip to Disneyland is wayyyyyy down the list.

I know you are only pondering and looking into the crystal ball, but really your child (ren) will have a great life, because they have parents who love each other and them.

You live in QLD, take them to the Gold Coast, you will have just as much fun, (said children will not know any better)

Who knows what your financial situation will be down the track.

 

[ctl]

We took our DS and DD when he was 4 she was 11 months. We had a great time, but definitely had to do the double stroller thing. Neither of them remembered that first trip, but we got great memories. I think 4 or 5 would be the best as the child can do lots of things and you have less hassle with formula, potty-training etc, also you have lots of time to save for the trip. Good luck.

 

[mrjef]

I would have to say that there is no such thing as a child being too young to go to Disney!

We have five kids and the first trips have all be before the age of 18 months. Several times the first trip for one of our children has been before their first birthday. They may not appreciate the magic, but they have a great time taking in all the sights and sounds!

My advice is to take them early and often!!

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

Our boys were 9 and 2 on their first trip, 11 and 4 on their second trip and now they will be 18 and 11 on this next trip. (I'm still in shock that the 18 year old wants to come lol)

I say go whenever you can. The memories and photos no matter what age are precious!!

 

[alicia1506]

Our boys were 9 and 2 on their first trip, 11 and 4 on their second trip and now they will be 18 and 11 on this next trip. (I'm still in shock that the 18 year old wants to come lol)

I say go whenever you can. The memories and photos no matter what age are precious!!

to be honest, i was 30 when i first went to disneyland, and i thought it would be a ho hum theme park. walked in and was awestruck by the magic and instantly fell in love

i think if i had've had the opportunity to go as a kid, i would have jumped at it so i am not surprised that your 18 yo wants to get in on some of that magic