So, how did your 3 (or almost 3) year old enjoy WDW?

[MommyBryn]

We took DD this past winter and she was only 11 months. She still got quite a bit out of the vacation, as she's always been somewhat mature for her age and so she just seems to really enjoy and "engage" in that sort of thing. But we're thinking of going back next winter, and she'd be almost 3 (her birthday would be at the end of the month after we got back....so she'd still be free for everything ). My dad, though, thinks she'll still be too young to REALLY enjoy it (he doesn't REALLY think that, though...he's just trying to use her as an excuse in case we may not go LOL)...I think he's a nut. I think she'd have blast- she already enjoys those things so much more, and she knows her Disney characters now and likes rides and stuff. I KNOW she'd have a blast!! But tell me how your 3 year old did?

(BTW- we'd have another little baby by then- about 9 months old- so we'd be able to go pleeeenty slow for DD! )

 

[dunbarfamily]

Our first trip: DS was 2.5 months shy of 4, and DD was 9.5 months. They both loved it, though DD was afraid of charectors.

Second trip: DS 1.5 months shy of 5, DDwas 22.5 months, and I was 5 mths pg with baby #3. Both children really liked the trip, dd still afaid of charectors but loved princesses and the Castle. She got a lot out of everything and still remembers that trip. She asked for months when we could go back, as if it were only a bus ride away.

Third trip: DS 5.5 years, DD 2.5, and DS 5 months. This trip we were able to do more shows. DD REALLY into princesses and had a blast with magic. Its a great age to go. They believe everything. DS #1 is more skeptical, but still believes.

Finally, for our trip coming up in Jan (Less than a month!) DS 6, DD 3, Baby 9 months. I think kids will do great. DD says she's not going to be afraid of charecters, I think she will be. We're doing a Disney cruise and then 5 nights at Villas at WL. We're really looking forward to it since the children are at great ages for traveling, especially to Disney.

I hope this helps. You will have a ton of fun, and your daughter will have a blast too!

Congrats on your pregnancy!

 

[deedeetoo]

Both our kids have been at WDW at about that age. DD was 2 yr 9 mos on one trip and ds was 2.5 on his first trip. The main piece of advice I would give is remember that they need naps and don't expect great behavior at dinner time. We were lucky that both of our kids slept well in the stroller. DS had stopped taking naps at home, but fell asleep every afternoon at WDW. DH and I would trade off during this time - I would watch the kids while he went on a ride or shopped and then we would switch.

On the trip when dd was 2.9 we were off site and it was winter so we did not eat any TS on site. With ds we were on site and had several TS scheduled. We found that even with the nap, dinner was a difficult time so we ended up cancelling everything but the character dinners. By that age my kids were OK with the characters but every child is different.

 

[MommyBryn]

Both our kids have been at WDW at about that age. DD was 2 yr 9 mos on one trip and ds was 2.5 on his first trip. The main piece of advice I would give is remember that they need naps and don't expect great behavior at dinner time. We were lucky that both of our kids slept well in the stroller. DS had stopped taking naps at home, but fell asleep every afternoon at WDW. DH and I would trade off during this time - I would watch the kids while he went on a ride or shopped and then we would switch.

On the trip when dd was 2.9 we were off site and it was winter so we did not eat any TS on site. With ds we were on site and had several TS scheduled. We found that even with the nap, dinner was a difficult time so we ended up cancelling everything but the character dinners. By that age my kids were OK with the characters but every child is different.

Yeah, thankfully DD has always been on a "baby-led" schedule so she sleeps whenever, wherever (IF at all! She's NEVER been much of a sleeper)...and our next baby will most likely be the same (we don't do "scheduling" or anything so it makes being out and about much easier). DD did fine with naps this past winter in the stroller, and we usually go back to the resort in the middle of the day and also in the evening anyway.

 

[reginaastralis]

My daughter will be three in three weeks, and she would live at Disney if we let her. I've noticed as she's gotten older, it's gotten easier. Sure, we still have melt downs, but they are easier to talk through. Also, she went through a stage where she hated the characters, but now is loving them again. She is always talking about going to Disney to see so and so.

For her birthday, she told me we're going to Disney to have dinner with Cinderella and to go to the Pirate and Princess Party. Then, she looked at me and said "Mom, you know, we're never able to get into the castle, it's always locked."

See ... your three year old will get it.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My ds (now 7) was almost 3 the first time he went. So many people told me he was too young, but his sisters were 41/2 and 51/2 so I didn't want to wait any longer.

Well let me tell you - he still remembers everything about that trip! He was mesmerized by the castle and the monorail. We stayed at the GF and he would wake up earlier than the rest some mornings (while it was still dark!) and I would put him in the stroller and we would sit by the marina and he would just sit for the longest time watching the castle change colors (while I drank my coffee).

One of the reasons we started going every year was the way ds literally fell in love with WDW.

Have a wonderful trip - book a lot of character buffets, under 3 eats free!!!!

 

[rangermom]

We went in May when DD was 3.5 yr and DS was 1.5 yrs. A lot of people thought we were wasting money since they were so young, but our oldest DS was 8.5 yr, so I wanted to go when he was still some what young. All of my kids loved it and Disney really made it easy with kid swap and there are many rides that even babies can ride. DH who is very cheap and only did this trip to make me happy came back telling everyone how great it was and how Disney really makes it easy for families.

We enjoyed it so much that we bought DVC and went to DL in November. DD (3 almost 4) talks about it everyday and can tell you which park has which castle and every character we saw on both trips.

Our youngest probably won't remember either of these trips when he is 20, but we will and there is nothing like a young child's face when they are WDW or DL.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

I agree with the other posters who said they remember more than you think. But isn't a family vacation about YOUR memories too? This is what I say when I was questioned about taking our children on cruises at young ages. You'll have the photos and stories to relive your vacation for the rest of your lives.

 

[susykt4]

We took our extremely schedule-oriented son for the first time at age 2 years and 5 months. He likes to have everything "just so" and was very intimidated by crowds and costumed characters at home. We were terrified he'd wreck our trip but went for princess loving DD (almost 5 at the time.) DS LOVED WDW!!! He loved the parks, the characters, the buses, the monorails, EVERYTHING! We did keep him on his nap and bed schedules, but otherwise ate or whatever when we felt like it.

We returned when he was 3 years, 2 months and again when he was 4. He's been great every trip and asks when we're returning. If my pain in the butt son can love Disney so much and behave so well, your easygoing daughter should be in heaven!

 

[MommyBryn]

I agree with the other posters who said they remember more than you think. But isn't a family vacation about YOUR memories too? This is what I say when I was questioned about taking our children on cruises at young ages. You'll have the photos and stories to relive your vacation for the rest of your lives.

Oh heck yeah!!! That's why we didn't think twice about taking her when she was only 11 months. We live on the other sideof the country so it's not like WDW is just a drive away, so if we get the chance to go, we're going!!! But I still got criticized for not taking her when she was "old enough to enjoy it." I'm sure I'll get that again this time with the new baby.

 

[NotUrsula]

Too young? Not at all. My youngest went the first time at 10 weeks, and is about to enjoy her second trip at 6 months.

However, there is one possible "gotcha" that you have to be aware of specifically with 3 yo's. Sometimes even experienced WDW kids who have been to the parks several times will suddenly balk at riding just about ANY rides. This age is a common time for young kids to begin to understand the concept of danger, and when the idea sinks in, suddenly they are apprehensive about any experience that is at all out of the ordinary, even if they have done it before. DS did this to us at 3; I remember being so frustrated that I wanted to (figuratively, of course) wring his neck. He was suddenly terrified of all the rides that had previously been his favorites -- we spent a LOT of time in playgrounds that visit. The following year he was fine again.

 

[liznboys]

I think around age 3 is the perfect age for a trip to WDW. They are at the age where they truly believe in everything, the magic is reality! And I definitely agree that they remember a lot more than we realize. We celebrated my 3rd son's 3rd birthday there this past March. He brings up little instances and things we did and saw about that trip now and then. He remembers things on his own! He refers to it as "my birthday trip". And he keeps asking us when he gets another birthday trip. We've created a monster! lol

Don't let those Disney naysayers stop you...

 

[alexy]

We were in WDW in May for 8 days with our then 33 mth old DS (as well as DS 10 & DD 9). It had to be our best trip yet! We did it all from sun up to sun down planning everything so we never waited more than 15 min in line. Yes, there were a few melt downs, but everything else pushed those memories aside.

With the Dining Plan, we did a fair number of character meals and our little guy had a blast with all the characters. My favorite memory was DS introducing Mickey Mouse to his grandma at dinned: "Mickey, this is my Grandma" Awe. . .

We just returned from a beautiful Caribbean cruise just before Thanksgiving. It was a lovely vacation, but we still choose WDW as our favorite vacation spot. My reply to all those naysayers who say they are “too young” is that it’s the perfect age because the little ones still believe and I will remember it forever.

 

[Schmeck]

Our youngest DD was 2 1/2 on our first trip - she had a great time, except we met Goofy first, and he is TALL! and she was scared of him... We bought her a small Mickey plush and told her "Mickey will keep you safe" and then all was fine. She even had her picture taken with Mickey and Donald and Minnie, without me! She went on POTC and Haunted Mansion, which I thought would freak her out, but she knew Mickey would keep her safe, and that everything at WDW is just for fun.

Now, my niece went at about the same age, and everything freaked her out, the entire trip, sigh...

 

[WantToGoNow]

My daughter was 3 weeks short of her 3rd birthday when we went last year. She had a blast - and that's all she's talked about since. She was just a smidge too short for the big attractions which upset her a bit because she wanted to ride everything. It's been over a year now and she still talks about things that happened while we were there.

 

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

All my kids went to Disney while they were two. 2yr 5mo., 2yrs 6mo., 2yrs, 4mo, and 2 yrs 11mo., they all liked it-that's why we kept going back for the age. It really is amazing what they remember. They all talked about things that we didn't have pictures of and we hadn't talked about, so they were 'pure' memory. One was Minnie's cake/ kitchen. Some mention small details like what color Dumbo they rode. My youngest (3) just revealed to us that the ride we thought he enjoyed the most freaked him out. He said he doesn't like the ride with the babies whose eyes blink. He was talking about small world and we got more of the story from him- who knew?!