should I take a 4 year old

[lindap1]

Ok, Here is my problem. I want to go to the world in 2010. Our daughter will be 4 on Dec 26, 2010. The problem--my husband thinks that's too young. I've talked to lots of people and they have taken their child/children at that age and it was great. He wants to wait until she is 5, I don't. Should I keep at him? or just keep quiet and quietly plan a trip (without booking) and occasionally bring it up?

 

[chunky_azz]

I personally think it is a great age cause they believe in all that so much. But that is just me and we went in Sept. 08 and we took my dd 4 and my ds 17 months and I wanted to leave my son behind as he is a bit rowdy, but my husband said no they both go or no one goes so I took him and Im soooo glad I did cause even tho he wont remember any of it he had the best time and I have some of the best pics of him, my fav is the one where he is looking up at Ariel like he is in love and then he gave her a kiss and I also have that pic, so I disagree that they are too young. You just have to remember they are small and will have meltdowns at time cause Disney is huge and they need that rest once in awhile so get up more energy. Just taking it slow was they key for us and it worked we went for 7 days and had no meltdowns cause we took our breaks in the evening for naps and it was a blast.

But I tell you I had lots of people tell me my kids were too young and once I explained to them all the things we did they just said oh cause they have never been to Disney and compare it to Six Flags.

 

[ktlm]

Keep at him! We took our DD, who will be 3 in February, for her 1st trip last month (wanted to take the benefit of kids under 3 being free). She had a terrific time and all she talks about is going back. It was absolutely wonderful watching her experience everything for the first time. The best was that the characters and princesses were absolutely real to her, so the fact that she was meeting them and hugging them put smiles on her face like I had never seen before. There was one point when she was meeting Cinderella (her favorite) and singing a song to her, that another mother came over to me and said that she had tears in her eyes from watching. It will be a little slower with a young one (I think we rode Small World and Peter Pan over 5 times each because she was absolutely crazy about them), and if she is like mine you can expect to spend alot of time in character lines, but it is an experience I don't think you can get at an older age when they are a bit more "jaded". So what if she might not remember it (although I remember things from that age and my DD can tell me things that happened over a year ago that I'm the one who doesn't remember), you will!

 

[brockash]

Ok, Here is my problem. I want to go to the world in 2010. Our daughter will be 4 on Dec 26, 2010. The problem--my husband thinks that's too young. I've talked to lots of people and they have taken their child/children at that age and it was great. He wants to wait until she is 5, I don't. Naturally his mom thinks that's too young, but she isn't going anyways, so her opinion doesn't matter. Should I keep at him? or just keep quiet and quietly plan a trip (without booking) and occasionally bring it up?

Not kidding, it's probably the ideal age. They're basically big enough to do almost everything, yet still believe in the magic of it all. I took my DS for the first time when he was 3 turning 4, and I'm so glad I did. We've been twice since, once at 5 and 6, and while we of course had a wonderful time; it's nothing like when he was 4. It was all just so magical to him. We now have a DD and she's been at 5 months and 17 months, and I can't wait to take her right around 3 or 4. Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fabinva]

My DD was four the first time we took her and to me it is the perfect age

 

[only1alexa]

Ok, Here is my problem. I want to go to the world in 2010. Our daughter will be 4 on Dec 26, 2010. The problem--my husband thinks that's too young. I've talked to lots of people and they have taken their child/children at that age and it was great. He wants to wait until she is 5, I don't. Naturally his mom thinks that's too young, but she isn't going anyways, so her opinion doesn't matter. Should I keep at him? or just keep quiet and quietly plan a trip (without booking) and occasionally bring it up?

My kids are 4 and 5 and have been there 9 times since the oldest was 17 months old. I tried the early trip just to help me with planning future trips. I figured they were so young they'd be easily entertained as I checked out the World in person and took notes to help me figure out how much time I really needed for each park, what I should pack, what the attractions were really like, etc.

My son told me at age 3 that he wanted to see things that he remembered from his trips at age 2. He absolutely still remembers things he did since that age and totally LOVES WDW as does DD (5). I think 4 is a great age to take your DD and I would definately tell your DH that 4 is not too young. At worst it will help you get a real feel for what a trip to WDW is really like so you can plan an even better one in the future.

Happy planning!

 

[LadyShea]

What does he mean by "too young"; too young for what?

My DS had a ball at 21mos, and even more fun on his 3rd birthday. We had an enormously good time watching him have fun. Good times for all, LOL!

 

[la79al]

We took my stepdaughter right after she turned 4 and while it was cool that she was big enough to ride almost everything, I felt that she was already too big for some things. At the same time, I am a little concerned about taking my DD when she just turns 2, so I would think around 3 would be the perfect age.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Ok, Here is my problem. I want to go to the world in 2010. Our daughter will be 4 on Dec 26, 2010. The problem--my husband thinks that's too young. I've talked to lots of people and they have taken their child/children at that age and it was great. He wants to wait until she is 5, I don't. Naturally his mom thinks that's too young, but she isn't going anyways, so her opinion doesn't matter. Should I keep at him? or just keep quiet and quietly plan a trip (without booking) and occasionally bring it up?

Are they crazy!? It's the perfect age. Yeah, ok, years down the road she may remember a few things, but they're YOUR memories too!

We took DD at 14 months, and do you think I regret it? HECK NO! I hope to take her again when she's 2. (and 3... and 4... and 5.... and so on)

Have a blast and take lots of pictures! Plan away!

 

[DISNEYNV]

Maybe she means too young for an ONLY trip to Disney? We took our DD at 18 months, 2, 3 and this past trip she was 4 and I have to say it was the best age so far! Still into the characters and could ride almost everything. Plus at this age they love the parades and shows. My DS was only 13 months on our last trip in December and was great but I can't wait to see how he reacts when he is older. My DD also remembers pretty much about the trip when she was 3 so I am sure your DD will remember slot of the trip if you went now. Some people remarked to us also about taking them when they are so young, but I just politely told them that it won't be there one and only trip to Disney so it doesn't matter If they remember every moment. And even if it is the main thing is that you had fun and created memories through pictures and video with your family...trust me if you take her this year your husband will be hooked on taking her back for another trip to Disney in the near future!

 

[Elmo888]

No, she isn't too young!

I would ask him why he thinks that she is too young. Too young for what?

There are a few reasons that I can think of that might be reasonable answers. The first is if he wants to go stroller-free and have her walk the whole time (some people feel strongly about this, but a stroller is a good place to put things!). The second is that he wants her to remember it in adulthood (I went at 5 and 6 and have memories from our trip). And the third is that this will be the only time in her childhood when you will go (kind of related to reason #2). If this is the only time in her childhood that you plan to take her, I would wait until she's a bit older.

If you end up waiting, she will still love it. We couldn't take DD#1 for her first time until she was almost 7, and she still was into the princesses and the magic.

 

[Kit'smommy]

I agree that it is the perfect age. But then I am 35 and think I am the perfect age for WDW.

Take your little one and have a great time.

 

[tzolkin]

What exactly does he think she's "too young" for?

I have heard of many people who think younger kids can't do any of the rides. I think they believe Disney is like most amusement parks, but really there is so much for little ones to do.

We just went for the first time last May. Our kids were 9, 4, and turning 2. They all had a wonderful time and still talk about Disney every day. They were definitely not too young. There was so much to do and it was amazing to see the excitement in their little faces. We are planning another trip this May.

I would also push the fact that you will be able to go in an off season while she's 4 (depending on your jobs) without having her miss school. Maybe that will convince him.

 

[lntsmom]

Take her! I took both my boys when they were that age...and from experience, I think it is the perfect age for a first trip! There are things she will have grown out of by 5 or 6...the whole Playhouse Disney thing for one.

Both my boys were able to understand the concept of travel at that age. They were old enough to be trusted to not run away. They knew the Disney stories well enough to enjoy the rides and shows.

The downside was that the days had to be a bit shorter and I had to lug a stroller along.

Now, if the reason your dh doesn't want to take her is because she'll hold the rest of the group back, I guess I can see his point. I think I'd suggest using the Fairy Godmothers or another such group to give you support...either take her to age appropriate activities or stay at the resort with her...for a day or two of the trip rather than leave her out altogether!

 

[kacaju]

The bigger question is...will you take her back again? I have a friend who took their children a few years ago, her youngest was around 3-4 years and they are going again because the child doesn't remember being there. Yes she has the pictures, but at age 9 she doesn't remember the trip itself.
We waited until our youngest was 7 years to take her because it is very possible it would be a one time trip for our kids and she is now 9 and still remembers her trip.
So... I guess if you think this will be her only trip, then I'd wait.. if you KNOW you will be bringing her back then go now and later!!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

No one is EVER too young or too old for Disney!!!

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Take her, she will have so much fun. We took my daughter to DW for her 4th bday. It was great. My son was just about 1 at the time and he was amazed by it all. We went back again this past Dec and my DD is now 5 and my son is 2. They both had a great time again and ask to go back about every other day. All I hear from my son is HUG MICKEY. GO FOR IT! It is magically to see DW through your children's eyes. I do not think you will have any regrets.

 

[tam626]

My son was 3 when we went in October & he loved it! He was in awe of Mickey & just had the time of his life!

 

[RMulieri]

My dd was 4 when we took her for her first time.She had a blast rode just about everything she could( she is petite and does not meet most height requirements).She enjoed the characters and the food.Her favorite thing was Epcot World Showcase!

 

[SnowWhite607]

My DD was four the first time we took her and to me it is the perfect age

My DD ws 4 also and she loved it. Everything is still so real to them then, the characters, TinkerBell, the magic, etc......