What age is best for a trip?

[abby]

My DD is almost 6. We have been to DL twice and I want to take her to DW. Since we will likely only go to DW once (We live in Oregon) what age is best? Is 7 too young, or 10 too old? I want to go while she still enjoys the "magic" but is not too young. Any advice?

 

[cara loves the poly]

Personally, I think she is at the perfect age right now! I think anything under 4 is too young.

 

[ntburns22]

We took DD when she was almost 6 and it was a very magical trip for her. I am glad we didn't wait any longer.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I think now would be a great time. My kids have ranged from 4 months to 9 years on the trips and they've all had an awesome time. Even the 4 month old - she loved looking at everything! And now at 21 months (and three parks later) she cheers and yells everytime she sees Mickey or a Disney commercial.

 

[stacy6552]

Good now! Go before the princess magic wears off!

 

[skooniebird]

I would not go with a child under 5 again. They get too tired, and too overloaded. 6 is great, especially, if they are tall enough to make height requirements for some of the bigger rides and enjoy them. Our bigger kids 11 and 13 got the most out of the trip. Liked the history of Walt and understood the whole countries thing at Epcot and all more.

 

[staci]

JMHO, but if you will truly only be going ONCE to WDW, but are able to get to DL more frequently, I might wait a few years for WDW. I agree that some of the 'magic' will be gone for her, as far as believing in the characters, and princesses and all. But, at least in my experience, MK is by far the favorite for younger kids. While MGM, EPCOT, and AK have GREAT things for younger kids, they also have a LOT that could be experienced and appreciated at an older age. Since MK at DL and WDW are suppose to be quite similar, I would probably wait until she were 9 or so to do the once in a lifetime trip to WDW, so she could get the most out of all the parks. But I would take her back to DL one more time in the meantime to experience the magic of a young child at disney!

Again, JMHO!

 

[Snow Shoe]

We took the DB's when they were 5 & 8 the first time, and our DD when she was 7 yo. Our DGS went when he was 18 mo and now is going back at 3 yo with us this July. He doesn't remember much of anything, except for watching the videos taken of him there. This is just the beginning of many visits for he and his mom and dad.

Now if this was going to be the only visit to WDW, then I would wait till they could remember being there and all that was going on. However, if this was going to be the first of many visits, then start them young I say!!!

 

[payneful]

We took our first trip when our DS had just turned 2 and our DD was 3 (almost 4). That was 5 years ago and we have gone every year since. They have never used a stroller and had a great time each and every year. We just go at their pace and allow them to enjoy themselves and realize when they need a break (there has never been a meltdown). There may not be perfect age, but each year they get excited just seeing WDW. We watched the WDW video today and are getting ready for this years trip!!

 

[mjmcca]

I love hte under 3 and they are free time! But if it is going to be a once only trip then wait till she can ride everything.Once she is over 48 inches I think you will be in the clear.

 

[4lilpoohs]

I think every age is the perfect age I think 6 is a great age as long as she is tall enough to ride most of the rides.

 

[ChristusG]

I think every age is the perfect age I think 6 is a great age as long as she is tall enough to ride most of the rides.

I agree! I started going to Disney at like 6 months old and have been tons of times between then and now (I'm 25 now). The magic never wears off. My daughter is 23 months old.....she went at 6 months, at 19 months, and again at 22 months. Each time was great but this past time (at 22 months) was the best so far. She really loved the characters. I think that your kiddo's age is perfect right now!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok, I am a any age is a great age. Every time it has different things for them as they grow.

However with your distance and most likely only going once I think now is a perfect time.

My DD turns 5 in a few days and she has been to WDW 8 times now. Everytime is great, but they do keep getting better. About now is perfect, it would be great. (here baby sister will be 20 months old, and it will be her 4th trip.) Before you think we are nuts we have AP and are DVC members. However we do live 5 or 6 states away, I forget becuase we always fly.

We are in rather the same boat, but reverse. We want to see DL, but because of the distance will most likely only go once (or at least once while they are young, mabye again when they are older.)

But we went and booked another trip to WDW again this May instead of CAL. It just was cheaper and easier.

Still I really want to see CAl one of these days.............

Have a great time, what ever you decided.

 

[Nanner]

Both my brother (much younger than I ) and my nephew took their first trips to Disney I believe was the summer before Kindergarden. Neither went back until they were late teens. Ask them now and they both say it was the perfect time to go. They both remember quite a few details and have fond memories. I agree each age is a different experience and there are pros and cons to going now or waiting. I guess the real question is what are you looking for in the trip? The wide eyed wonder of a little kid? (although going to DL before it wont' have quite the "wow" factor of a true first time Disney visit) or being able to experience everything? Also ask yourself how much do they get out of DL at this point? If enough to, in your mind, take them the next step which is WDW then I'd say go for it!

Also never say never......you very well could be going again and again and again

 

[momrek06]

My DD is almost 6. We have been to DL twice and I want to take her to DW. Since we will likely only go to DW once (We live in Oregon) what age is best? Is 7 too young, or 10 too old? I want to go while she still enjoys the "magic" but is not too young. Any advice?

GO NOW!!! Take her and the family and go now....BECAUSE, you are going to WANT TO GO AGAIN!!! YUP, do not wait. You and the fam will have the absolute TIME OF YOUR LIVES and will say to yourself...I am so glad I listened to everyone on the DIS Boards because we are having the best time ever, I am so glad we are here NOW and we will BE BACK.....and that said, plan another trip for when she turns 10!!! YUP, that is my honest opinion!!!

 

[golden1]

If you will only go once to WDW I would wait until your child is little older like 8 or 10 because then they will appreciate Epcot and DS a lot more. Since you are closer to DL, I would keep going there because the real fun at this age is MK.

 

[gris gris]

Hi, I went for the first time when I was 5 and I remember quite a bit about the trip. I remember the hotel we stayed in, the monorail, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, making my grandparents stand in line for PoC and then not riding it because I was scared I also remember being in the Haunted Mansion and seeing a ghost sitting next to my grandfather - that freaked me out!!! I remember more about that trip than I do trips when I was older. We took DD when she was 4 months and will be going again this year, she'll be 4. I think anytime is a great time!

 

[BooScout]

Hi! Newbie here!

I think it really depends on the child. Some kids (like my wonderful niece) are just too young at say, age 2, to really enjoy a trip to Disney World. She was the kind of kid who darted off the moment she was out of the stroller, so she had to stay strapped down most of the time. After a few days of that she was completely fed up and let everyone in the World know it! (I pity the poor guy who sat in front of her on the plane home!) Now, however, as a 4-year-old, she would do much better. Her cousin on the other hand, went with us on a day-trip to MK when she was 2 and was a delight. Her little face lit up the moment we stepped onto Main Street. She walked with us and didn't fuss until she was ready for a nap.

 

[eeyoregon]

Hello fellow Oregonian! I feel that 7 or 8 is the perfect age to experience WDW. My son's were each 8 when the first experienced WDW and it was great. Depending on maturity level, age 6 could work too. It's an overwhelming place for adults and I think that for kids under 6, it's just too much - that's just my opinion. Of course I have boys so I have never experienced the princess magic

Good luck and have a magical time!

 

[mikymouse]

We just got back with our almost 6 year old and he LOVED IT. He was really into the characters until day 3... figured it out after seeing the charcters in so many places. I am glad we went now as he still enjoyed the Magic and had more endurance that the 4 year old. The 4 Year Old truly was captured by the magic.. really believed but did not last as long! Glad we didn't wait another year! GO FOR IT... LIFE IS SHORT!