Tell me some experiences when you took your 2 year old or younger,please. Good age?

[Disney73]

My son is 5 months old and I cannot WAIT to take him to Disney. It's my favorite place on earth! I'm trying to decide when we can plan our first trip. I know many people have said it's useless to take a child under about 5 years, because they won't remember it, but I have also heard others say it's great at the younger age because the kids have fun and the parents LOVE watching their child have so much fun... it's creates lasting memories for the parents.

I'm thinking of going in August fo 2006... I know, a long way off. My son will be 23 months old. I know he'll be walking and talking some at that age. I think it would be fun. I would love to hear some of your stories about when you first took your child, around that age, or a bit younger is possible. What did they love? Hate? Do you think it was a good age to go? Do you recommend we wait longer? Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[blessedby3]

Hey Disney73,
I have 3 children (DD15, DS9, DD6) and we have taken them to WDW at all ages. My oldest was 2 the first time we took her and she loved it. She was very verbal and a great talker at 2 yrs. and she remembered everything and talked about it A LOT after we left and remembered the rides she loved and the ones she didnt. She went back again when she was 4 (Disney cruise/land combo) and remembered what she did at 2 yrs. My youngest daughter's first trip was when she was 10 months old and it was very easy with her. She rode in the stroller or in the front pack the whole time, slept a bunch, and wasn't mobile yet so that was great. I was still nursing her, so there was no need for packing milk and keeping it cold. Just a few jars of baby food and cheerios and we were good to go. We have traveled with them at all ages in between and it has always been a great trip. I love watching my kids at ALL ages in WDW. Cant wait to get there this November!! Take your little one and make GREAT MEMORIES!!

 

[SmallWorld]

We have taken our children at all ages. If you love Disney, you will love it even more seeing them enjoy it!! We certainly did. When our littlest (2 yrs) was tired, one of us would stake out an afternoon parade spot. He would take a nap in his stroller, while the other took our older daughter on a few rides. We also insisted on going back to the hotel, swimming and napping in the afternoon on most days. My husband and I would often fall asleep, too!
I agree with the earlier posting--they are in diapers, so you don't have to run out of line for an emergency bathroom run---I also nursed, so that was easy, too. When they were tired, they would fall asleep in the stroller.

We did do a lot of videotaping back then. My now 10 year old son just had surgery--While he was recuperating a couple days on the couch, we hauled out the videos. He really enjoyed watching it and would say, "Oh, I remember that!"

 

[mmiller711]

My first trip with my girls they were 13 months and 5 months. We had a great time! We have gone almost every year since then. I will be taking my grandson this summer for his 3rd Disney trip!! He is 3. He doesn't remember much about his first trips but I do! His first haircut at the Main Street Barber Shop, how he loved to play in the fountains at Downtown Disney, how his eyes lit up when he first saw Stitch, the mess he made when his great grandma bought him his first Mickey bar (and insisted he be allowed to eat it with no help).
I say when you are ready to take them, they are old enough to go!
Enjoy all the magical memories to come!

 

[jckdisneybound]

We took my daughter the first time a month after her second birthday. Like you DH and I are HUGE fans, and couldn't wait to take her. Many people said it was dumb, blah, blah, blah. One it was the cheapest time to go (b/c she was free for everything). But she had an amazing time as did we. To experience Disney through a toddlers eyes is just makes your heart swell, it's all real to them. She loved the rides, most the characters (didn't take well to any face characters). It was all around an awesome vacation. Can't wait to take her again in a few months.

The other Moms mentioned it, just take a mid day break, Disney can really overstimulate the kids. And can take a wonderful vacation and make it a what in the world were we thinking vacation in a matter of seconds.

Go for it, it will be awesome!

 

[DisneyArk]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses on this topic!
We first took our sons when the oldest was 3 and the youngest was 18 months. We had an awesome trip! The 18 month old was taking it all in and LOVED it. I wish I could have caught every moment on video. My 18month old was so excited to see the characters and would run up and give them huge hugs. And the characters LOVED him. I was trying to rush him along so that other visiters could have a turn, but the characters would wave me back and continue hugging my ds.

My advice is to take things at a slower pace and let your ds look around and explore. Even if he's still a baby, talk to him and explain to him what he is seeing.

By the way, my sons love looking at pictures of our trip in our scrapbook. We went again 2 years later and both boys acted like they remembered things. They may remember the pictures more than the actual events, but my husband and I will never forget the magic we all shared. They have wonderful feelings about WDW and they want to go back!

 

[capenor]

Jumping in to say that we're taking our DD for her first trip in 10 days - she was 3 in November - and I simply can't understand that few people who've said we're crazy because she won't remember it - who cares? She'll ENJOY it thoroughly while we're there, and that's the most important part (well, and that we'll enjoy it with her) and as for remembering, that's what the pictures are for!

Go for it!

AV

 

[cinjam]

We've taken our sons at various ages: 11 months, 14 months, 2 years, 4 years. They ALL were excellent trips!!! I could not possibly wait until they were 5 years old! I take my children because the time spent in WDW makes the most beautiful memories for all us. My children "remember" the trips through our photo albums which are out in our family room, which they view often.

There are so many thing we do with our children that they won't remember: looking at clouds in the sky, playing with playdoh, showing them a cardinal in the yard. But we still do them anyway so we can build a relationship, help them grow, explore posibilities, share joy with them, let them see us cry happy tears, let them feel magic, and so on. To me, WDW falls into this category. I know you can accomplish all of these things outside of Disney, LOL, but for me it's extra exciting to do them there!

I am not sure if I explained what I feel well enough here. But Disney means so much to me & DH - it makes us happy and excited and giddy & we want to share that with our children right now.

If you can afford it and want to go - then go!

One of my best memories (I am welling up with tears as I type it out) is of my son Aidan, who was 14 months the first time he saw the Spectro Magic Parade in MK. He turned to DH and said excitedly "see dat?, see dat? see dat?" - over and over with exceitement and squeels of delight. At the time, Aidan did not say all that much (I didn't even know that "see that" was in his vocabulary) - but this was so clear to us and that he shouted it meant more to us than you could ever know.

OK - I have to go book another trip now!

Go, have fun!

 

[ksoehrlein]

I'd vote to take your son even sooner! We took DD when she was 6 months and were so delighted at her reactions to everything that we took DS when he turned 6 months as well.

DD went again at ages 18 months, 23 months, 35 months, 3.5 years (twice), and 4.5 years. DS went again at ages 10 months, 16 months, and 21 months. Out of those trips, the least enjoyable were the trip when DD was 35 months (potty training setbacks galore -- especially on the Disney Cruise) and the most recent one, which was when DS was 21 months. He is a climber, and managed to injure himself, requiring stitches, while climbing on the furniture in our hotel room. Also, he is a very mobile child, and waiting in line and sitting in the stroller did not suit him at all. He did much better at the younger ages.

It all depends on the child, though. YMMV.

 

[nygrl]

this has been a topic of discussion many times and flame me if you want but i and many of my friends have taken 2 year olds to disney and had miserable times. my ds hated it was scared of everthing dark(which is most rides in disney) and to this day tells me he doesnt want to go. we took my older ds when he was 5 and had a great time. only you know your own child but then again i thought i knew mine lol. i know the feeling of wanting to expierence disney as a parent but i have to say the trip when my older ds was 5 was 1000 times better than when we decided to take his brother along at 2. oh and i wont make the argument that they wont remember it because my younger ds is now 4 and like i said he is still scard to go he definatly remembers it and not in a good way!!

 

[monorailsilver]

We took our daughter when she was 15 months old & she loved it.

It helped that she was an early developer & was walking well at 10 months & she was very verbal & her bad mommy (me) taught her those important words-Mickey, Minnie, Pooh, etc...

When we walked into the Pooh room (where you take pics of Pooh, Tigger & Eeyore) at the MK, she nearly leaped out of our arms.

The CM's were amazed that a girl that little was so infatuated with the characters since they said most don't like them.

I even got her picture in The Disney Magazine Fall 2003 issue.

We are going again this summer & I only hope my son (who will be 21 months then) will love the characters too.

We only did one character meal at that time (Chef Mickey's) & she loved that too. We aren't the sit down & plan type & we like to play it by ear. We also made sure we went back to the room for naps everyday.

I know some people frown on taking little ones to WDW becasue they won't remember it. I enjoyed watching my daughter's eyes light up. And heck, I went when I was 3 also. I only remember sitting on the balcony at the Poly with my cousin watching the Electric water parade-this was 1975.

I just wouldn't plan too much stuff for the trip.

Kerri

 

[seetheworld]

My first trip with my girls they were 13 months and 5 months. We had a great time! We have gone almost every year since then. I will be taking my grandson this summer for his 3rd Disney trip!! He is 3. He doesn't remember much about his first trips but I do! His first haircut at the Main Street Barber Shop, how he loved to play in the fountains at Downtown Disney, how his eyes lit up when he first saw Stitch, the mess he made when his great grandma bought him his first Mickey bar (and insisted he be allowed to eat it with no help).
I say when you are ready to take them, they are old enough to go!
Enjoy all the magical memories to come!

Wow, what a touching post! You could write a beautiful ad for Disney! I agree w/you 100%. We have taken all of my kids early on [we are getting ready to take my 16 month old for the first time next month] and they seem to grasp the magic and love Disney right away. The memories for me are priceless and they have so much fun & grow from seeing and experiencing new things. My DD first went when she was 15 months old and her vocabulary grew on the trip like I couldn't believe. I say go! It's the greatest!

 

[seetheworld]

We've taken our sons at various ages: 11 months, 14 months, 2 years, 4 years. They ALL were excellent trips!!! I could not possibly wait until they were 5 years old! I take my children because the time spent in WDW makes the most beautiful memories for all us. My children "remember" the trips through our photo albums which are out in our family room, which they view often.

There are so many thing we do with our children that they won't remember: looking at clouds in the sky, playing with playdoh, showing them a cardinal in the yard. But we still do them anyway so we can build a relationship, help them grow, explore posibilities, share joy with them, let them see us cry happy tears, let them feel magic, and so on. To me, WDW falls into this category. I know you can accomplish all of these things outside of Disney, LOL, but for me it's extra exciting to do them there!

I am not sure if I explained what I feel well enough here. But Disney means so much to me & DH - it makes us happy and excited and giddy & we want to share that with our children right now.

If you can afford it and want to go - then go!

One of my best memories (I am welling up with tears as I type it out) is of my son Aidan, who was 14 months the first time he saw the Spectro Magic Parade in MK. He turned to DH and said excitedly "see dat?, see dat? see dat?" - over and over with exceitement and squeels of delight. At the time, Aidan did not say all that much (I didn't even know that "see that" was in his vocabulary) - but this was so clear to us and that he shouted it meant more to us than you could ever know.

OK - I have to go book another trip now!

Go, have fun!

I agree with this post 100% too! You made my eyes tear up too! Thanks for the words of wisdom and great post!

 

[littlestix]

I took my son last year when he was 2 months shy of his third B-day. He had a wonderful time and enjoyed more than I had ever expected. He had been afraid of "santa" and the "easter bunny" so you can imagine my surprise when he walked right up to Tigger and Pooh on our first day in the parks. He enjoyed many rides and even liked "the Lion King" in AK. We had so much fun that I'm planning another trip for this Oct.

 

[judben821]

Go for it! We've gone when my oldest DD was 2 and again at 2 1/2. Our last trip we took both DDs 3 1/2 and 5 months. Our 5 month old absolutely loved looking at everything. We thought she might be scared of the characters, but instead she was fascinated by them. She would hold their hands and just look at them. Obviously she will not remember this, but we certainly will.

My oldest DD, now almost 4, remembers everything from our trips. She always talks about the rides, parades, the character meals, the swimming.....

Hope you have a great vacation!

 

[mouse1203]

When you are ready to go it is time. We took DD when she was 6 mo and when she was 1. Twice when she was 2 and once when she was three. Her sixth trip is in the planning and she can't wait to go. She remembers everything and can not wait to go back. She is a little Princess and can wait to see all of them again.

 

[SnowWhite]

"Disney is for kids of all ages"

We first took our DD when she was 3 and everyone told us that she was too young and wouldn't remember a thing. Well boy were they wrong!! Not only did she remember EVERYTHING but she still remembers everything today and she is almost 8! She remembers things that even we forgot about the parks, the hotel, the car we rented, the weather, etc etc. We are taking her again this October as well as my (will be 2 in June) DS. We think he will freak when he sees Pooh and Tigger in person considering his room is decorated in Pooh Bear! I would take a child any age because there is something at WDW for everybody!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

My son is 5 months old and I cannot WAIT to take him to Disney. It's my favorite place on earth! I'm trying to decide when we can plan our first trip. I know many people have said it's useless to take a child under about 5 years, because they won't remember it, but I have also heard others say it's great at the younger age because the kids have fun and the parents LOVE watching their child have so much fun... it's creates lasting memories for the parents.

I'm thinking of going in August fo 2006... I know, a long way off. My son will be 23 months old. I know he'll be walking and talking some at that age. I think it would be fun. I would love to hear some of your stories about when you first took your child, around that age, or a bit younger is possible. What did they love? Hate? Do you think it was a good age to go? Do you recommend we wait longer? Thanks so much!!!!!

I've taken my girls from age 1 through 8 and I feel that between 2 and 3 are the MOST magical. Two years old is a GREAT age!

They are also FREE!

Their eyes light up on Main street, during the parades, the characters, the music. They can go on lots of rides. They really go with the flow!

 

[Mickeyorbust]

Disney World is great for any age. Took our first daughter when she was 2 and second daughter when she was 1. First daughter, at age 10 now, remembers some of the things we did and saw. Just take it slow, at that age they get tired fast.

 

[Aidensmom]

We live in Central Florida, and are theme park addicts, so get an AP to a different park in the area each year. Our 3-year old son went to his first park at 6 months old. He has been to MK twice, AK once, and to Sea World, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, and IOA more times than I can count. He has immensely enjoyed every trip, and even could guide you around some of the parks. He also talks about attractions at all of the various places, so he definately remembers them. 2-1/2 is when it really gets fun - that is when my son got over most of his fears of characters and rides, and shows in dark places. At his request, I am taking him on his 3rd visit to MK next week - we have been looking at the various attractions on the disney website and he already has his itinerary planned!