What age did you first bring your kids to Disney?

[Fintastic]

Our daughter was four when she first went. Looking back, we should have waited. She doesn't remember anything from that trip. We do have pictures and all, but ideally we would have waited a couple of years. We live close enough to drive to Disney World, but cost is a factor so we're not "go every year" people. We're more like "go every decade" people.

For this trip she'll be 14 and her brother will be 8. It will be his first trip.

 

[L&Lfan]

I don't have kids, but my parents brought my sister and me to Disneyland for the first time when I was 8 and she was 7. Their rule of thumb was when we could walk and go to the bathroom on our own.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My oldest was 9 and my youngest was 10 months. My oldest was a bit old for a first time trip. It was still great, but age 6 or 7 would have been better. Btw, it was fun for my 10month old, too. We went back two years later and then 4 years after that. Really wanting to go back.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Btw, I've never really understood the "memory" aspect. If they enjoy themselves, isn't that what's important?

 

[hereyago]

My dd was 5. She does remember snip its of it. I am hoping to take her and dgd (will be 3) next year. And I have this image in my head of going into Magic Kingdom first and then taking a pic of them walking in together.

 

[NFLDERS]

4 & 8 years olds.

 

[powellrj]

Our magic age was 4. We knew the trip wasn't a once in a life time trip. For a once in a lifetime trip I would say 9 would be perfect.

We are going to take the grands next year and they will be 8 and 11.

 

[NFLDERS]

Btw, I've never really understood the "memory" aspect. If they enjoy themselves, isn't that what's important?

If a family is not likely to attend again in the near future because of the cost than, the age is imo for the "memory of" important. In my post I stated our two sons were 4 & 8. Our 8 year old remembered everything while, our 4 year old hardly anything. We are in Canada and it was costly for us to take them; we were able to return with our youngest son again when he was 12. Our older son by then, 16 years old, and was not interested.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Btw, I've never really understood the "memory" aspect. If they enjoy themselves, isn't that what's important?

I've seen lots of very small children who were MISERABLE at Disney LOL

 

[mickeyboat]

DDs were 3 & 4 on our Disney Cruise and 8 & 9 on our WDW trip. If they ever go back, it will be on their dimes!

DDs don't remember the cruise, but DH and I do, and we love telling the girls stories about the trip. DDs do remember our trip to WDW, and 8 & 9 was a good age. They could behave and enjoy our ADR's, they were patient waiting in lines and they were able to ride everything they wanted to. They did do a lot of bickering, though, which really disappointed me, but they always did a lot of bickering at that age, so I shouldn't have been surprised.

I think what this thread is telling you is that you can have a once in a lifetime experience at any age. Good luck!

 

[Pooh2]

My twins first trip was when they were nearly 3. It was also my first trip at age 28. We had lots of people say it was a waste of money because they would not remember it. They may not remember it but I do! I cherish the memories and photos of that trip!

 

[MimiOfTwo]

DD was 10. I regretted not taking her sooner. Ive taken my grands every year since they were one. No regrets there. They have a blast every year. But if it were their only trip I'd say wait until their 6 or 7.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

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!

I haven't read this entire thread yet, but had to stop here and comment. I totally agree with you! We had the same philosophy as you, we wanted to have fun and see and experience things and places and didn't want to wait until our kids were old enough to remember it.

Now we did wait until our kids were 11 and 13 to do our first of four National Park vacations. However, we didn't wait until then so that they would remember it, we waited until then so that they would have fun and enjoy and appreciate the wonder around them in some of our countries most amazing places.

As far as Disney, our oldest son was almost two on his first trip and our youngest was one. Even though we live in NH, we have gone to Disney every year, sometimes 2 and 3 times as year as well as 3 trips to Disneyland. Honestly, each trip has been amazing!! I am not sure if a perfect age exists.

At any rate, everyone should just do what's right for them and their family. There is no correct answer. Pretty much whatever age that you bring your child to Disney is going to be loads of fun!!

I would just more focus on the "in the moment fun" then the "lasting memories". Speaking from experience on our first western trip, when my boys were 11 and 13, they certainly "remember" going to Yellowstone, but in the ten years that have past since that first trip, they mostly remember Old Faithful, not everything else that we did over the two days that we were there. The same goes for others National Parks that we visited that trip. Same goes for our second western trip when they were 13 and 15. They remember the highlights. Now, the trip we did 5 years ago when they were 16 and 18, is still very fresh in their minds and they remember lots and lots of details. But time does dull memories, even for us adults!!

 

[bigbabyblues]

My kids were 3 and 18 months on their first trip. That was probably my favorite trip, but the next 9 were all great too.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

We have family in California, so we took our kids to Disneyland when they were 2.5 and 4.5 during a family visit. We went to DL again when they were 4 and 6. DS, who was 6 at the time, really remembers a lot from that trip. DD remembers meeting all the princesses because that was the focus of the trip for her. We didn't go to WDW until they were 11 and 13. They both remember everything about that trip. Since then, DD has been to WDW every other year. DS hasn't been since he was 16 and says he won't go again until he has his own kids.

 

[momto2girls]

My older daughter was 2 when we first took her to Disney World. We took her younger sister when she was 13 months old. They were two of my favorite trips ever.

 

[blackdogg]

First trip was 2 & 5 for our eldest... we go on a mostly annual basis now and are about to take our younger kiddos on their first trip... that will make it 13, 10, 2 & 5 months--- there is no right age per se since you can really enjoy it at any age for different reasons. All of that being said I think about 7 is a great age to be old enough but not too old... we have taken special birthday trips for each of the elder kiddos at 7 Happy planning to you!

 

[Planogirl]

DS was one the first time. It was his birthday week and we took him almost every year after that around his birthday. He had a blast and so did we and that's what really mattered imo.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

My boys were 14 months and three the first time.

They will be going for the 6th time in just a few weeks (they are now 8 and 10.) Each time was special.

I LOVED when they were little and the "magic" was there, but it's pretty awesome at this age to not have to deal with a stroller, naps, and meltdowns.

 

[mmouse37]

Took our first born at six months, and then had 2 more. We go every year so they were all very young.

Already brought our 2 granddaughters twice and they are not even 2 yet.

Heck, we were going for me probably more than the kids!!! Whether they remember the trip or not our granddaughters had a ball "in the moment" this past January. They loved everything.

MJ