The right age for going to Disney???

[exwdwcm]

i was looking for a thread like this. I am DYING to take our little one, but I wanted to get opinions on the 'right' age. I know it is all subjective, but still wanted others' experiences.

We tried for a long time to get pregnant and finally did IVF to have our little guy and so I've dreamed for years of taking our child to disney, even before he was conceived! so needless to say, i am antsy and cannot wait.

He is only 6 months right now. So I obviously have no immediate plans, but it is never to early to start planning a trip, right? We took my niece when she was 2.5yo. It was my parents, me, my sister and her hubby (2.5yo parents), my other sister and my great aunt. So we had a nice group. WE loved seeing Ally experience her first time at disney. we used child swap a lot or just sat out a few rides she couldn't do. It was magical to see it through her eyes, whether she will remember it or not. But she does remember some of it- now at 4.5yo. But WE remember and have pictures to last a lifetime and that is enough for me.

We will take our son many times, I am hoping every other year maybe, so it won't be his one and only trip. But I am thinking we might try and take him at about 2.5yo. or just over 2. I'd like to do a december trip, since we did our first Dec trip a few years ago with my niece and it was amazing to see the holiday stuff and have the low crowds. in Dec 2010, he would be just over 2 and i think i might try and convince DH to go then. we will see. he will only be that small once and i'll only get those pics of him in mickey's arms as a toddler once. Since we will go back often, i don't mind taking him young.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I took my eldest when she was 21 months old and my youngest will be 25 months old when we go and some people think that is crazy. I disagree. My DD loved it when she was little. She got so much out of it and spent 2 weeks smiling and laughing. I would not have changed anything. I am sure my youngest will enjoy it just as much this time.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Our boys were 3.5 and almost 5. Perfect and magical age for our first trip!!!

 

[TDISFAMILY]

My son turned 3 2months after his 1st trip and it was a wonderful. We had so much fun I booked our 2nd trip 4 months after we got home. He does remember alot of stuff from the trip and talks about it often. I don't know how long he will keep those memories but he will always have to pictures to remind him. He actually sleeps with a fallen apart postcard from "Mickey" and kisses it Goodnight.

 

[deedeetoo]

My dd was 16 months at her first trip. DS was a little over 2. But we go almost every year.

As others have said it all depends on whether you intend to be a regular or if this is a once in a lifetime type trip. For a once in a lifetime trip you probably want them to be old enough to remember everything but young enough to still be into it. I would say 5 or 6. My dd who is now 9 is past princesses and little kids movies. She is a teenager in training. Her goal in life is to be the next Hannah Montana. You want to go before your kids reach this stage.

 

[stopher1]

There was a marketing campaign a few years back that I personally think applies here... "bring them while the magic's still real". If you wait "too" long, you might end up regretting it. But if you are not able to get back often, then you might wait a little longer.

The further away from childhood I get, the less I remember about it! BUT, that's what is so beautiful about photos and video - they help you remember.

We were fortunate to live 10 min from DL when my DS12 was born, and he was there regularly until he was about 6, and DS9 was there a ton too. We went back to CA for a family visit when DD4 was 6 weeks old.

Since moving to the midwest for my employer, we've been able to go annually to both coasts and both resorts, but that might not always be the case. But our kids have enjoyed it - and even DD4 talks about previous trips. Scrapbooks and photos around the house help, of course, but often she will bring something up in conversation about a previous trip to WDW or DL totally on her own...and we haven't been on property on either side of the US since last Sept. So far she remembers.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

We have been taking my granddaughter twice a year since she was 10 months old.......I love the pictures of her and Cinderella over the years.....but at 10 months she seemed to like Pooh the best. (Could have been because here nursery was done in Pooh and the Gang!!)