What age did you first bring your kids to Disney?

[kahrani]

I took my daughter to DL for the first time when she was 10 months (just her and me). My sister lives in Boston and I live in New Zealand so Los Angeles is a stopover for us when I visit her. I know she won't remember it but I loved just being able to explore and play with her and see her wonder at it all. We went again the following year so she was just shy of 2yrs (both July trips) but this time with my husband too so we got to enjoy seeing her interact with a lot more and experience the magic.

We are planning a WDW trip for her 5th birthday and will have a 2yr old with us too (he's due in July so sadly no America trip for us this year!) She is a huge Disney fan and I hope she will be able to remember some of this trip. I'm not sure when we will return to WDW after that but hopefully before she turns 10!

As a child we had a once-in-a-lifetime trip when I was 7 and my sister was 5. I remember a lot of it clearly but my sister doesn't. My dad has home videos he took so those are great to watch every once in a while. I always wanted to go back after that but didn't get to go to WDW again until my honeymoon when I was 29! Visited DL Paris a few times before that though (I'm from the UK originally).

I have a dream of visiting all the Disney parks with my kids - Tokyo, Shanghai and HK would actually be easier to get to from New Zealand than Florida, but WDW will always be my 'home' I think.

 

[nene0182]

My son was 9 the first time we went to WDW.

 

[Disneyliscious]

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

I took my nephew when he was 7 and he barely remembers it now (mid 20's). I took my oldest son at 10 and again at 16. He loves Disney. My youngest son was 10 as well. He remembers it. I went for the first time at 15 and remember the "feeling" of it all but not much else other than a few rides that stand out. Thank goodness for photos. I would suggest 10-15 years old for the first time its going to be a one time deal. But let me tell you, Disney can never be a one time deal. You find ways to cut costs and go back

 

[Monykalyn]

First trip-oldest DD was 6.5 and middle Dd was 16 months. Oldest doesn't recall much from trip, and middle obviously remembers nothing-but DH and I still think that was one of the best family trips, ever. Took 10 years to get back-and had another kid now-he was 8 when we went 2014-and that is probable a sweet spot for age really. I'd say 7-9 age is good for child to appreciate and remember things, plus young enough to still have the "wonder" of it all. Although I don't think magic is lost at any age

 

[tinderbox]

Our son was 6 1/2. He loved the experience and handled it well. Walked his little legs off and never complained. He still recalls specific experiences from that trip...and we have visited Disney World 4 times since then.

 

[Tattylou]

My kids were 3 (about a week away from turning 4) and 5. That being said, I knew it wasn't going to be a one time thing bc I am obsessed with Disney. It was a magical, wonderful trip. My younger son is a huuuuge Mickey fan so to see him meet THE mouse for the first time...words can not explain the magic of that moment for me. We have been back for several trips since then.

 

[Liberty Belle]

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.

Well, I understand that there's a benefit to remembering something enjoyable, so you can somewhat relive it over the years. And I do get that for many families it's a once in a lifetime thing, so they want to get the most of it, but I've heard people say they would not go unless a child will be able to remember it and that's what I just don't understand.

 

[aprilchem]

We took our kids when they were 10 months, 3, and 4. We've been back once since, when they were 3, 5, and 6, I think.

They are now 7 (almost 8), 10, and 11 and have no interest in the Magic Kingdom AT ALL. My 7 year old just read the first two Harry Potter books (and the other two have finished the series) so they're all about Wizarding World. We'll be spending a week in Orlando this summer and will probably do Universal because of that.

 

[LISAMWDW]

My daughter was 2 years old. I have tried to take her every year but also broaden her horizons with other vacations too.

She still loves it and she is 20 years old.

 

[RedAngie]

DDs were 5 and 8 on their first visit. Disneyland.

 

[aristocatz]

We took my oldest when she was 16 months. Although she has no memory of it, she had a wonderful time "in the moment" & my family & I had wonderful memories with her. We are going in December & it will be my youngest's first trip. She will be almost 3 & my oldest will be 5. I"m really looking forward to it!

 

[georgina]

My kids were 8, 6, and 3.5 years. I am not a fan of the idea of taking one less than 3; to each their own however.

I was 36 my first trip!