What age did you first bring your kids to Disney?

[Annadesu]

lol yes, sadly, it is a one time trip... Disney is just too much money, now. And we're so far away.

Seems like 6-8 seems to be the age a lot of you are stating. I'll try and go with that!

I know at such young ages, they're not going to remember EVERYTHING, but even if it's just a few little things they remember, and a good feeling, then we're happy. lol

 

[DVC-Don]

Our kids were 3 & 4 back in 1995 on our first WDW trip. They don't recall it but, the pictures we took are priceless.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Your plan sounds good. I think anywhere between 5 and 9 is the sweet spot. The younger end will maybe appreciate meeting characters more; the older end will tend to have more stamina for long active days and patience for waiting in lines. Agree with pp, I'd prefer not to deal with naps and strollers.

Also, keep in mind that at age 10, you will pay adult prices for park tickets and meals. And if they will be missing school, it's also generally easier when they're younger.

 

[Micca]

Our twin DDs made their first trip to WDW at 18 months but we were living about 80 minutes away from the parks at that time. We took our DGDs at 4 & 5.5 for their first trip a year ago, and for their second trip a couple of weeks ago (at 4.5 & almost 6.) Honestly they are still a bit young for it, and it's a lot of work to keep them comfortable. I expect they'll be seasoned Disney guests in another year or two.

 

[Kitty 34]

Our 1st trip, our sons were 17, 11 and 9.

 

[Meriweather]

2 and 5 on first trip. It was to Disneyland

WDW they were 8 and 11. We are on the west coast, so it took awhile.

Edited to add that DGS went to WDW for the first time at 17 months and loved it.
She then went to DLR at 2 1/2 and loved it more. She does remember some things from that trip.
We go back in June with her and she is constantly talking about it....she will be 2 months shy of 4

 

[JediBonas]

We took our twins for the first time for their 2nd birthday. I think that first trip was amazing. We are in NY and have been every year since then, this will be our first year not going as last year their behavior was horrible (they were five).

 

[mjkacmom]

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!

My first trip with kids were when my oldest were 2 and 4. My 2 year old preferred the hotel pool over the parks.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

DS was 3 and DD was 2 but we have been multiple times. If I was doing a one time trip and never going again I would go when they are around 5-6. I think it's the most magical age.

 

[Colleen27]

Our older kids were 4 & 7 on their first trip, and I think for my oldest that was too old. He was old enough to be aware that characters are just actors in costumes, and to feel "too cool" for some of the "little kid" stuff like Dumbo. But that was meant to be a once in a lifetime trip so we wanted to wait until both kids were old enough to enjoy it.

Our youngest was 16 months for her first trip and I think that one is my favorite of the dozen or so Disney trips we've taken over the years, because at that age magic is absolutely real to them and it is so cool to see it all though their eyes, especially since we went at Christmastime. But she was baby #3 and by then we knew Disney wasn't going to be once in a lifetime so we saw no need to wait until she could do more of the rides.

For a one-time trip, I think 4 or 5 is a good age. Big enough and old enough for most of the rides (not all, but Disney isn't really about the thrill rides anyway), but young enough to enjoy characters and shows and magic too.

 

[Magpie]

lol yes, sadly, it is a one time trip... Disney is just too much money, now. And we're so far away.

Seems like 6-8 seems to be the age a lot of you are stating. I'll try and go with that!

I know at such young ages, they're not going to remember EVERYTHING, but even if it's just a few little things they remember, and a good feeling, then we're happy. lol

Mine were seven and nine, the first time we visited WDW. We also believed that it would be a one time deal!

That first trip, I'd say our nine year old definitely enjoyed it more than the seven year old, but a lot of that had to do with stamina, personality, and the fact that our seven year old son was an undiagnosed hypoglycemic eating a diet of ice cream and french fries, so his moods were all over the place.

Every trip has been completely different, and no matter what age the kids are (or even if we bring the kids at all!), it's always fun and memorable.

One of my favourite trips was right after my son turned 13. It was our third trip, but his fourth (due to getting to go along with a friend's family when he was 11). He'd got his medical issues under control, shot up to over six feet tall, was in eighth grade, and had morphed into a clever, cynical young man. Hilarious, and a really nice person, but there didn't seem to be much "kid" left in him. It took about two days at Disney, and me forcing a birthday button on him, and the next thing I know, I'm hearing him laugh again. He's smiling, and not in a sarcastic way. He's sticking Winnie the Pooh buttons on himself. He's high-fiving performers in the parades, hugging costumed characters, and wearing a Captain EO t-shirt and a Jack Skellington hoodie.

It was... magical!

 

[PrincesCJM]

Based upon these responses, I am in the minority. My oldest first went to WDW at 13 months, then again at 2 years 10 months. My youngest hasn't been yet but will be 16 months on our trip next year. I hope to be able to bring him back for another trip before he turns 3 (that way he is still free park admission)

 

[mjkacmom]

Mine were seven and nine, the first time we visited WDW. We also believed that it would be a one time deal!

That first trip, I'd say our nine year old definitely enjoyed it more than the seven year old, but a lot of that had to do with stamina, personality, and the fact that our seven year old son was an undiagnosed hypoglycemic eating a diet of ice cream and french fries, so his moods were all over the place.

Every trip has been completely different, and no matter what age the kids are (or even if we bring the kids at all!), it's always fun and memorable.

One of my favourite trips was right after my son turned 13. It was our third trip, but his fourth (due to getting to go along with a friend's family when he was 11). He'd got his medical issues under control, shot up to over six feet tall, was in eighth grade, and had morphed into a clever, cynical young man. Hilarious, and a really nice person, but there didn't seem to be much "kid" left in him. It took about two days at Disney, and me forcing a birthday button on him, and the next thing I know, I'm hearing him laugh again. He's smiling, and not in a sarcastic way. He's sticking Winnie the Pooh buttons on himself. He's high-fiving performers in the parades, hugging costumed characters, and wearing a Captain EO t-shirt and a Jack Skellington hoodie.

It was... magical!

Our last trip was when my oldest was 11, same mindset, dislike the family, friends are everything... It was a magical trip where she turned back from being a tween, loved all of the babyish rides, pin trading, tons of pictures of group family hugs. It ended as soon as we got on the plane, but it was nice when it lasted.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

6 & 11. The 6 year old was right at 48", so that allowed her to do everything she wanted to do, but she was still young enough for it all to still be "magic". I wish we could have taken the older one a little sooner, but she still loved it & still (5 years later) REALLY wants to go back.

 

[prprincess]

Both were 18 months old on their first trips. Which people always say, is a waste because they won't remember. But the trips were more for mine and my husband's enjoyment, of course, and we still made great memories!

 

[aprilgail]

Based upon these responses, I am in the minority. My oldest first went to WDW at 13 months, then again at 2 years 10 months. My youngest hasn't been yet but will be 16 months on our trip next year. I hope to be able to bring him back for another trip before he turns 3 (that way he is still free park admission)

LOL- that is actually the reason we did the first Disney cruise at 2 1/2- all we had to pay was 99.00!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our daughter was 5 and son was 2 our first trip. Our son doesn't remember it at all. In fact, his second trip was at 6 and third trip was at 9, and his memory has merged those 2 into 1 trip.

 

[Kirk]

Been bringing my DGD yearly since she was 6 months. First time she really "got it" was at age 4 when she went absolute bananas for Piglet at Crystal Palace. For her brother it was at 6 when he rode Seven Dwarfs. I "get it" every visit watching the kids discover and light up!

 

[Minnesota!]

My kids were 1 when they went (closer to 2, but still...)

Honestly, I went at 9 and remember VERY little. Like 3 random things. If you are going to wait until he remembers it all, you will be waiting until he is at a teenager.

I say go when he is at the age where YOU want to remember it. The magic, the fun, the squeals, etc.

 

[Kae]

DS was 4 and it was a week long vacation, DD was 18mths 2 day side trip.

Kae