What age did you first bring your kids to Disney?

[Annadesu]

My husband and I would like to bring our son to Disney World, at some point. But we live far away, and it would be a "one time" deal because of the cost. But we do want him to look back on the trip with fondness, as he gets older.

I understand Disney is a lot of fun for smaller kids. However, we were thinking to wait a few years before bringing him? As in, once he's tall enough to ride whatever he wants, and old enough to remember the trip in general. I guess that would fall between 6-8 years old. His dad is tall, so I think we won't have to wait very long for him to hit 48 inches. lol I also remember going to Disney in great detail, around that age.

I guess I'm wondering what you all have done? I wish we lived closer... lol

 

[Disneylover99]

My kids were 3 and a half and 6 and a half on their first trip.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My husband and I would like to bring our son to Disney World, at some point. But we live far away, and it would be a "one time" deal because of the cost. But we do want him to look back on the trip with fondness, as he gets older.

I understand Disney is a lot of fun for smaller kids. However, we were thinking to wait a few years before bringing him? As in, once he's tall enough to ride whatever he wants, and old enough to remember the trip in general. I guess that would fall between 6-8 years old. His dad is tall, so I think we won't have to wait very long for him to hit 48 inches. lol I also remember going to Disney in great detail, around that age.

I guess I'm wondering what you all have done? I wish we lived closer... lol

Well, we live close to Disneyland. Can't recall specifics, but I'm pretty sure all our kids were there when they were babies.

But, I think your plan sounds good. Although, if it looks like he's going to hit the 48 inch mark sooner, 4 or 5 isn't too early.

 

[Pixiedustaway]

We are in New York. Still an expensive trip but we have been a few times. My oldest was 2 when she went for the first time. My youngest was closer to 3. They are now 7 and 9. We just went in April and they went on all the rides they wanted to. Do what works for you. There is no ideal age.

 

[Gorechick]

My twins were 7 when we took them for the first time. I wanted them to be able to walk on their own, eat a variety of foods, and be tall enough for most rides.

 

[Shanti]

I first took my son to WDW when he was five and it was magical, but he doesn't remember a thing. If you truly plan to do a one-time only trip, I recommend age 8. By then he'll likely be tall enough & brave enough for all of Disney's rides, but will still experience wonder.

 

[katmu]

My sons were 7 and 8 on their 1st trip. I think that was a great age for a first trip as they were tall enough to go on everything but young enough to still be in awe of Disney.

 

[aprilgail]

My daughters first trip she was 2 1/2- we did a week at Disney and then a 4 night Disney cruise- it was the best time- it was so awesome seeing her in such awe of everything. We went again at 4, 5, 7, 9, 12,14 and 16 but none were as magical as her on that first trip, to me that was such a perfect age! I know people were like "why bring them so young when they won't even remember it"- but I will remember it and always look back on how special it was!

 

[Minerva Mouse]

My daughter was 5 her first trip and again at 13. She remembered bit's and pieces from the first trip, but nothing concrete. I think 7 or 8 would be about perfect. OP I don't think you mentioned your sons age, but if you have a few years between now and 7 or 8, I recommend that you start saving. If it's a once in a life trip, take the time and go all out.

 

[Neesy228]

My daughters first trip she was 2 1/2- we did a week at Disney and then a 4 night Disney cruise- it was the best time- it was so awesome seeing her in such awe of everything. We went again at 4, 5, 7, 9, 12,14 and 16 but none were as magical as her on that first trip, to me that was such a perfect age! I know people were like "why bring them so young when they won't even remember it"- but I will remember it and always look back on how special it was!

I heard a lot of the "why bring them so young..." question too. And I used to respond the exact same way -- I will remember it!

We took each of our three kids for their first trip when they were about 2 1/2. Those were the best trips! We have had many subsequent trips, but that age (although it can be exhausting) was my absolute favorite. They were in awe of everything. We have some of the best pictures from those trips.

We have traveled many places and our kids may have been too young to remember them, but I can't see waiting to travel with your children until they may be old enough to remember the trip for a long time. Life is short. Go and enjoy. If they don't remember, you can still tell them the stories!

 

[E&Cmom]

We haven't been to WDW yet but we went to Disneyland when they were 6 & 9. We had done a Disney Cruise before that though when they were 7 & 4.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Well, we live close to Disneyland. Can't recall specifics, but I'm pretty sure all our kids were there when they were babies.

Same...my daughter was 6 months her first time! She rally started enjoying our trips around 5/6/7....

 

[bcla]

Our only child was 27 months old on the first visit to Disneyland around Thansgiving. My kid was used to watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and had several Disney toys. We basically said "we're going to Mickey's house", although there seemed to be a little bit of disbelief until it actually happened.

At that age my kid fully understood what was going on and was totally giddy. We had to deal with height restrictions though. No Star Tours or major roller coasters, but my kid was still tall enough for Gadget's Go Coaster. There was still plenty to do. We also had a day at SeaWorld and another at Universal Studios, although Disneyland was the obvious highlight. The photos we have document how special it was.

We went again on back to back weekends the next summer before my kid turned 3 and we would have needed to buy tickets. During that trip we soaked up Cars Land, although that was before my kid saw Cars. The photos are still treasured.

 

[NZMUM]

I always said we should take DD when she was 7. It just happened to work out that's how old she was when we went to DL. DS was 4. We went to WDW when they were nearly 10 & just turned 7.
We would like to take my niece & nephews. But I have said they can't go until they don't need strollers. No way am I dealing with them. Our kids never used strollers at the parks. Nephews/niece are currently 6, 5, & 2 so we've got a little while to go.

 

[elphaba91]

My sisters and I were 5, 8 and 10 when we went to Disneyland. We're from Australia so it was a once in a lifetime thing (well, once in a childhood as it turned out for my younger sister and I). I think 8, the age I was, was perfect. I was old enough to appreciate all the details and can remember so much about the trip, but was still young enough to really believe all the magic.

My younger sister was old enough to really enjoy it at the time and was tall enough for most rides (except Indiana Jones and Rocket Rods). However, she can't remember a lot of it; she can certainly remember some stuff (like falling over in the Tomorrowland fountain), but far from everything. Plus, having just returned from WDW and seeing countless tired, grumpy little kids in strollers, I'd be hesitant to take someone too young.

In my older sister's case, she too still loved everything about Disneyland at her age, but I think many kids going on 11 would be getting a bit too cool for Disney.

 

[indimom]

We took ours for the first time at 5 and 7. Obviously, they both loved the trip, but now that they are 20/17 the older one remembers it more clearly than the younger. I'd go for 7-8 if it's really going to be a one-time trip.
WARNING: Ours was planned as a one time trip also. We had such a great trip, we've been back 3 times since.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

DD was 3, for both WDW and Disneyland (though those trips were a good 10 months apart). We chose then because DH and I were both 3 when we first visited the World. She's 4 now and remembers the trips, but then we talk about them quite frequently. She'll be newly 5 the next time we go.

I will second the warning above: A lot of people have used this board to plan their "once in a lifetime" trip, only to find out it really was just the first of many.

 

[monorailsilver]

My kids were 15 mo, 22 mo and 2.5 for their first trips. I was 3.5 for WDW and 5.5 for DL. I remember bits about both.

We lie in CT so we don't go often either, we are on the every 5 year plan.

 

[mamamary]

My kids were 6 and 8 on their first trip.

 

[tvguy]

My husband and I would like to bring our son to Disney World, at some point. But we live far away, and it would be a "one time" deal because of the cost. But we do want him to look back on the trip with fondness, as he gets older.

I understand Disney is a lot of fun for smaller kids. However, we were thinking to wait a few years before bringing him? As in, once he's tall enough to ride whatever he wants, and old enough to remember the trip in general. I guess that would fall between 6-8 years old. His dad is tall, so I think we won't have to wait very long for him to hit 48 inches. lol I also remember going to Disney in great detail, around that age.

I guess I'm wondering what you all have done? I wish we lived closer... lol

My kids both went for the first time when they were 4, too young in hindsight since they were still taking naps so we lost about 3 hours every afternoon. So 6 to 8 would be in the range I would recommend. I went for the first time when I was 8, and I don't really remember it. I just remember 2 months later seeing that the hotel we stayed in burned down in the Watts Riots! DW was 12 for her first visit, with her dad after her folks divorced. When we started dating she asked me why they always show fireworks in news stories about Disneyland. She had NEVER stayed past 6 pm!
She married into a family that spends ALL DAY in the parks, 630 am with early admission, until 1 am, back when Disneyland used to stay open that late.