Taking children under 5 years old..would you or wouldn’t you?

[Michguy04]

We just got back from our first trip to DW. We had planned on going when our boys were 7, but DH won 2 free round trip tickets to FL so we said “why not go now?” DH did some great research for our trip and we had a wonderful time. I can totally see why people wait when their child is older to go though. I personally wouldn’t recommend taking a child under 5. With how much money the trip costs us I can’t see where our boys would have enjoyed themselves being younger. We witnessed many families with 2 or more children under 5. Yes they could be season pass holders, but all of them couldn’t be. Anyone have any thoughts on taking younger kids? We started our 2013 trip bank already. Our boys will be 9 at that time.

Carol

 

[jodifla]

We just got back from our first trip to DW. We had planned on going when our boys were 7, but DH won 2 free round trip tickets to FL so we said “why not go now?” DH did some great research for our trip and we had a wonderful time. I can totally see why people wait when their child is older to go though. I personally wouldn’t recommend taking a child under 5. With how much money the trip costs us I can’t see where our boys would have enjoyed themselves being younger. We witnessed many families with 2 or more children under 5. Yes they could be season pass holders, but all of them couldn’t be. Anyone have any thoughts on taking younger kids? We started our 2013 trip bank already. Our boys will be 9 at that time.

Carol

Took my son at 5 months, 13 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 35 months and countless times since then. He's now 8.

We enjoyed each and every trip. Since we go to Disney all the time though, and did have APs, we could just do a few rides, and spend the rest of the time looking around, or listening to music. Plenty to explore there. And since we are DVC members, we enjoy just relaxing and swimming back at the resort.

 

[mommalissa]

We took our kids when they were four - that's three four year olds- and they did fine. They had a great time and talk about going back all the time. We went to the parks everyday and stayed for most of the day. We planning to take them again this fall for the Halloween party. Before we went (MIL took the entire family for the first trip) I had thought they were too little but they proved me wrong. They rarely rode in the stroller and waited patiently for our turn on the rides. It was an awesome trip and we made some wonderful memories.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We took our dd at 13 months (2004), 22 months (2005), 25 months (2005), 34 months (2006), then twice in 2007, and twice in 2008, and then once in 2009. So she has been 9 times and is 6 years old......only one of those trips happened after she was 5 so I can definitely say I don't have a problem and feel like it's definitely worth it to take a child under 5. Oh and we live in Oklahoma so all those trips involved flying or driving 20+ hours to get there (Only 2 thank goodness) although we did have an annual passes for the first three trips. Granted she was free for 4 of those trips. We will be skipping 2010 but hope to be back in 2011 with her and a new baby

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

My DSs are now 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 and next month will be their third trip. We are not AP holders or DVC members, and we live in Minnesota so it's not like it's just around the corner for us. Each time we have taken them has been so magical! They have enjoyed everything they have done and, in a week-long trip, they are unable to do everything they would like to do. Each trip, they look forward to doing things they haven't done before or were too small for on the last trip. There is so much for little ones to do that it is certainly worthwhile, IMO.

From a parent's standpoint, I love taking them as toddlers and little guys! To just stand back and watch the innocence of two little boys who totally believe in the magic is breathtaking. I can't tell you how many times I have held back tears while watching them laugh and enjoy themselves. I didn't quite hold them back last trip though, when DS2 (well, not quite....turned 2 a month after our trip) ran up to Terk and fell into his arms and said "I love you Terk!!" He must have hugged Terk for a good two minutes, which gave me time to gather myself back up! Their experiences are so different each time that is truly a joy to watch them grow at Disney!

 

[HardShell]

We just got back from our first trip to DW. We had planned on going when our boys were 7, but DH won 2 free round trip tickets to FL so we said “why not go now?” ...

We had similarly planned on waiting until our oldest (if not youngest) was at least 6, the age at which I first went (and vividly remember to this day).

All of that went out the window when my Dad (a popular professional speaker among other things) had to speak at a conference at the Contemporary in July 2008 and decided we should make it a "family trip" -- Junior wasn't quite 4 and the twins were only 16 months!!!

But we had a blast and I wouldn't take anything for that first trip, grandparents and all...

... I haven't been able to talk my folks into going again with us, but we went back that very November (and did MVMCP while we were there), again the following September (for my wife's and Junior's birthdays, and did MNSSHP too), and unless something happens we'll be back this June (Junior will be almost 7 and the twins are 3).

We've enjoyed every trip and the kids LOVE everything Disney.

So, yeah, it wasn't our original plan and there are challenges with very little ones... but I say embrace the challenges and enjoy the heck out of the MAGIC!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

We took my boys when they were 1 and 2, again at 3 and 4, again at 5 and 6 and last fall at 7 and 8.

The first trip was the best. It was so much fun. We have priceless photos. The boys would fall asleep in the stoller when needed, they were well behaved, no tantrums. I loved it.

The worst trip (but it was still great) was when they were 5 and 6. They were just at an age where they were fighting with eachother a lot, and it was driving me crazy.

I can't wait for our next trip when they are 9 and 10, but I miss the days of them believing more in the magic.

 

[imthatgirl]

My kids have been going their whole lives. Kids under 5 like to have fun too. Plus after the age of 5 they loose that wonder....you know that look on their face when they think they're actually meeting the real Mickey Mouse. After 5 they know it's a guy(well usually girl) in a costum, it's so not the same.

There is nothing more amazing then seeing the look on a 2-3yos face as they round every corner....priceless!!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Been there, done that, will definitely do it again. DD was at WDW at 14, 22, and 28 mos. She's going again in December, and we're taking along a 3 month old.

So in one word: Yes.

 

[tiredsigh]

My oldest was 5 when I first took her to WDW. She is 11 now and this will be her 4th trip. My 34 month old went at 18 months and now at 34 months. All trips have been great! Going with a toddler can be a lot of fun. Our family would not handle commando touring well. I think that commando touring with a young child would be tough. Otherwise, young children love wandering around parks

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've gone with 2 year olds twice and a 4 year old once. They all had a blast.

But I would never try with someone younger than that. I'm just too grumpy and set in my Disney ways to deal with diapers and strollers and stuff now

 

[robinb]

My daughter was 4 months on her first trip. By the time she was 5 she had visited WDW approximately 8 times, plus Disneyland California, Disneyland Tokyo and Disneyland Paris. Think of all the fun we would have missed if we had waited !

 

[MommaB]

Taking my toddler to WDW was the absolute best trip we've ever done. And we travel a TON. I'd scrimp pennies for years to relive it! It is beyond magical and super easy. Naps in a stroller and a much mellower pace then sprinting from ride to ride so we hit them all. Everything is brighter through their eyes!
I can't give the under 5 crowd enough praise.

 

[katied]

I think it depends on how often you'll be going, and what kind of trip you want to take.

We take DS on all kinds of trips. He's now 3, but he's been to Disney 6 times and he's been to Europe 3 times. He's also traveled all over the US with us. The fact is, we like to travel and DS has been going everywhere with us since he was 5 months old.

At WDW, we stay at DVC generally, have kitchen and laundry in room, take mid afternoon nap breaks, and know we'll be back in a most 1 yr, so whatever we see/do, great, but no rush, etc. I've even taken DS on my own to WDW - it's such an easy place to manage with little ones, and he has a great time there. We've already booked our next trip for DS and soon to arrive baby #2. Baby #2 will be 7 months, and DS will be 3 1/2 for that trip. Again, we'll take it slow and easy, but I expect to have a great time.

But - if you don't travel alot, are spending years to save for the trip, etc, I can see how you want to maximize the value out of the trips you do take, and want the kids to be older. I think if they're too old though, some of the Disney magic is lost. There's a certain excitement in DS thinking all the characters are real and believing in everything he sees.

 

[PA Princess]

All of our kids have been to Disney before the age of 5. We vacation as much for dh and I as we do the kids, and the simple fact is that Disney makes a family trip truly a vacation like few places are able to.

I seriously know of no other place that is easier to do with small kids than WDW. Where would you travel before kids are 5? Would you not travel until after kids are 5?

Travel to us is too important to wait for a magical age. As well, our kids are spread far apart (currently, 15, 14, 8, and 5). Do you wait for the youngest to be 5? This paramater would have required us to wait 15 years to take the family to Disney - just not something we were willing to do.

Traveling as a family is truly a joy and an adventure for us and we choose to do it as often as we can. Disney has been a favorite for all of us for many years.

 

[Bunnyfeather]

My children have both been traveling since infancy and my DD went to DL when she was 5 months old and she had a blast, never stopped smiling the entire day. We are taking the kids to DW for the first time at ages 5 and 3 next spring. If we could afford to do a big Disney trip every single year I think ages 4 and 2 (right now) would be great, too. My kids thoroughly enjoy life and are full of wonder right now, DW is totally made for their age (and every other age, too). The experience is different with no kids, different with little kids, different with older kids, different with teens. I'd personally enjoy experiencing all those different types of family adventures.

My husband did have a moment's worry that probably my DD and almost definitely my DS will have little if any memory of this upcoming trip. I told him my reasoning is that I will have these memories when I'm 95 and can't walk across the room. We'll go later when they are older and they can have those memories and when they are grown they can take their little kids and make some memories to cherish when they are old and gray. Same thing with a kid's first birthday party-that's fun for the kid in the moment, but memories made for the grownups.

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

We took our kids last year for their first trip - my daughter was just under 3 and my son was 4.5. We stayed 10 days and drove from Ohio, to boot, just for added craziness.

I always said I wouldn't take kids that young, but let's face it - it had been WAY too long and I wanted to go back!

They couldn't have done better - we learned that they are awesome travelers and I couldn't have been happier taking them at those ages. With mid-day naps, they were great at night. It was so wonderful to see them experience everything for the first time, especially being little enough to totally and completely buy into all the magic. I know a number of our family members (none of whom have ever done Disney) thought we were crazy, but that's ok - if not for the decision to take them to WDW, it would have been something else that got us the crazy label.

 

[andrews_dad]

My two year old has 4 passport stamps. Two to Bahamas for Atlantis on Paradise Island. Been to Diz for about 4 weeks of his 24 years of life. Plus one week in Outer Banks. He's a well-traveled kid. We would not change it for the world. We'd been to Diz 20 plus times before him, and Paradis Island 3 times before him.... and the trips with him are by far our best ever. I have a phoo of him kissing Mickey's nose right here on my desk at my office. Priceless!!!!

 

[persimmondeb]

Depends on what your circumstances are, what your child is like, and what you intend to get out of the trip.

We had figured to go once, and none of us had ever been, so we waited until DS was 11. We did not regret having waited, since he was able to go all day without complaining, and will remember it for the rest of his life, and we were also able to have the trip we wanted, without having to cater to the needs of very little kids.

However, DS is mildly autistic, and waiting until he was a little more mature definitely made it easier on all of us (no need for a GAC, and he was okay in things like POTC which would definitely have frightened him a year or two earlier). Also he was much more attuned to the "magic" and willing to suspend disbelief than most older children would be.

This will be our third trip since '07, so obviously we're Disney converts, and if I had realized that we would make multiple trips, we might have gone a little earlier.

Now that said, I was admiring my brand new nephew (April 23) and wishing he could come to Disney with us (and his parents, of course!).

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

My little ones were 2 & 4 when we went last year. It was fine! My oldest was 13. There's a HUGE gap between them. Now at 3,5 & 14 we are going back. I'm a firm believer of living for today and planning for tomorrow. I'm taking my children wherever I can now because I have no idea what tomorrow holds!