What age is good to start taking kids to DLRP?

[dlpSteve]

With a baby on the way we have thougt a bit about next trip to DLRP and at what age we would be able to take our child. In May 2010 our new arrival (to be) will be 2 and I thought that may be a good age, or is that still a bit young?

I'm sure it depends on the individual but we don't want to go just for ourselves, we want our child to get as much as possible from the trip and if that means waiting longer then so be it.

Feels strange to not have a trip to DLRP planned and to not thinking about one for more than 2 years! I'm getting withdrawal symptoms already!

 

[BRobson]

Hi Steve - how long to go now? Is mum to be keeping well?

We took Molly to WDW then she was 14 months and she really enjoyed it ! I think 2 is a good age . You get a lot of reaction at that age and my two really took to the characters so there is nothing better than seeing your little ones have a cuddle with Tigger

They loved Small World and clapped all the way round - of course you are limited to the rides you can all ride if you still want to do the thrill rides but you will get a kick out of your little one having fun. Both of mine both rode POTC at 2 and enjoyed it

I think as long as the kids are having fan then the parents have fun - there is no best times to go Anytime is good!!!!

 

[NULAH]

Hi. We waited until our DS was 3 before taking him. This was a personal choice and others will disagree but we felt it was important that he was old enough to convey how he felt about different rides etc and really appreciated the whole experience down to helping us plan the trip.

It was also an advantage that at the age of 3 he is no longer in nappies and can tell us when he needs to go to the toilet, eats from any standard menu, no longer naps during the day and can stay up that bit later in the evening without getting (too) cranky.

He had an amazing time and constantly relays stories to anyone who will listen about his holiday. Our DD is 7 and so she was more than ready for the trip but we felt that waiting for our DS to turn 3 suited our needs perfectly.

 

[sara969]

Think it does depends on the child really.
Some 2yr olds dont like going on rides and are scared of the characters.

We are going to DLP this Nov, my daughter will be almost 3yrs old, she is extremely confident and nothing scares her which is extremely tiring for me as im constantly running after her and have to have eyes all over the place

My daughter loves rides and has been going on rides since she was 10months (little rides)
As shes got older we have taken her to a few theme parks and shes been on flying elephants (age 23months) and went on the laser quest ride in Chessington (which was very noisy and dark)
Shes not scared of characters now
(however we took her to Alice in Wonderland when she was 19months and she cried when she saw the white rabbit
But shes absolutely fine with characters now.

So it really does depend on the childs personality, likes & dislikes....
I havnt been to DLP yet but alot of people here have told me that there is plenty to do and go on with toddlers

 

[Shimmigirl]

we took our dd (who is now 4) when she was 2 years 3 months, and although she doesn't really remember much of it she really enjoyed iit and loves looking at the photos and video of herself there.

If you go in the quieter months - we went end of September - the characters spend ages with the children - especially the tiny tots - dd had chip and dale to herself making fuss of her for about 10 mins in discoveryland, and about the same with pluto too, he went off round the side of videopolis on a walk with her and when some older children tried to but in he refused and pointed to dd and kept walking!!

The only tiresome bits can be waiting in line to see favourite characters (with us it was pooh!) or not if you don't feel like waiting and the childs reaction - whatever choice you make it will not be right!!
And although babyswitch is a godsend - it can seem like ages waiting for your child and the adult whose tuen it isn't!

Our only other problem was dd had been potty trained for 3 months before we went, but she regressed a bit over the holiday as she was excited and sometimes forgot to say she wanted to go. So be prepared and take loads of pants and bottoms (or at least ones that wash in the sink and dry quickly - we had some jeans drying on the edge of the bath for 3 days)

HTH a bit - we are trying with a 9 month old ds and a 4 year old dd this year. I can see a lot of time waiting to see princesses!

 

[mulan1]

we took dd when she was 20 months and she had a fab time, i think it's down to your individual preferences, your child-to-be's disposition, and so on. As the parents you will be best able to decide what is the best decision for you and your child. The colours and stimulation would probably be quite good for a lil un...congrats btw, I hope you are blessed with a righteous and healthy child, amen!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Definatley down to individual preferance and you know your child better than anyone.

Kyra was 2 years and 3 months when we went and loved it and still talks about how she danced with Minnie etc.
I would love to of taken her earlier but didnt have the money.

Whatever age you take your child im sure they will have a magicial time

 

[Rachie B]

Hi. We waited until our DS was 3 before taking him. This was a personal choice and others will disagree but we felt it was important that he was old enough to convey how he felt about different rides etc and really appreciated the whole experience down to helping us plan the trip.

It was also an advantage that at the age of 3 he is no longer in nappies and can tell us when he needs to go to the toilet, eats from any standard menu, no longer naps during the day and can stay up that bit later in the evening without getting (too) cranky.
He had an amazing time and constantly relays stories to anyone who will listen about his holiday. Our DD is 7 and so she was more than ready for the trip but we felt that waiting for our DS to turn 3 suited our needs perfectly.

I agree

i don't think i would take a child less than 3yrs old ( unless we had an older child going aswell IYSWIM )

I know lots of people have and do though
i guess its a very personal thing, and depends how disney mad the parents are

 

[Cyrano]

DD10 was around 15 months when we first took her. She actually remembers some of it, but obviously not all of it.
We have some fabulous memories and did not feel we missed any attractions or rides by taking her. In fact the opposite was the case. We had lovely strolls around Hotel Cheyenne and walking to the park with her pram.
Time was spent enjoying the detail and obviously concentrating our time in Fantasyland.
I'm sure you would all get a kick out of planning and enjoying family time at DLP

 

[ema74]

Hi there,

Congratulations!!! When is the baby due? Sorry, just curious

The first time we went was when DD1 was 4. She got a lot out of it and loved it!!! I was 6m pregnant at the time and we swore we'd wait until DD2 was at least 2. But caught the bug and we were back the same year just before Xmas. DD2 was 3m old - never too early to introduce Disney
And we went back again last year in July when DD2 was 10m old and she went on all the rides we went (obviously not on the big ones )

I'd just say, see how you all feel and go when you're ready.

 

[tennisfan]

Hi Steve, I hope you & the mum to be are all well.

We took my niece last year when she was 18 months old. My brother in law thought she wouldn't enjoy it but she loved the characters & she loved the music, especially the parade & the shops. She loves looking at the photos of the trip too & can tell us loads about them.

She remembers some of it as she has recently had an argument with another 2 year about who has seen the real Mickey & she only has to hear the music on the advert before she drives her father mad saying its Mickey etc I have converted her easily, just have to hope I can do the same when my new niece/nephew is born in June

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks so much for all the replies - makes me hopeful of a trip to DLRP maybe even sooner than we had originally expected.

Denise is doing well - she's 30 weeks pregnant today!

I love DLRP myself, I can't imagine how great it must be to see it through the eyes of your child.

 

[Ware Bears]

Glad Denise is keeping well Bet you soon have a trip booked and don't forget to keep us posted with any news ~ baby or holiday!!

 

[tennisfan]

Glad evrything is ok Steve, not long now. Please keep us informed

 

[wideeyes]

I would be happy taking a baby from around 6 - 9 months as they can interact with the surrounding and I imagine they would love visual rides like IASW.

 

[jillrobinson]

Glad to hear everythings going well for both mum & baby

I'm sure it won't be too long before you're planning your first family trip

 

[disneyangel]

We first took Jessica when she was nearly 3. We went off season - September and took advantage of a 4 for 3 deal at the Seq lodge.

We had a lovely trip and I felt she was just the right age for her first trip. She loved Fantasyland especially IASW .She is a little more reseved than some kids her age and was absolutely terrified of the characters up close on our first trip though which was a bit of a shame.

Only problem we had was her bedtime milk. We had to make do with UHT milk from the shop which she was not too fond of. (Had she been a little younger the hotel and using a bottle the hotel would have given us some but as she was onto a cup we had to do with the UHT from the hotel shop which wasn't always in plentiful supply.)

If you do plan going at an earlier age it may be worth staying at an aparthotel with a fridge or kitchen area so you can do bottles etc a bit easier and it also gives you more living room and space for buggies etc . The other advantage is when jnr goes to sleep you can have some adult time . Onsite you would have to be tiptoing around the room unless you wanted to go to bed too.

We have always loved staying at the Marriot and off-season you get great deals there. There is also the place at Val D'Europe which takes Tesco vouchers to consider.

I'm sure I wouldn't have to convince you and Denise to buy annual passes

 

[Reiana]

We took our daughter to DLP when she was 9 month old and she really loved it. She wasn't scared of any the characters, not even scared of Jafar or Frollo and you know these guys aren't that cute. Here favourite characters at that time were Chip'n Dale but now it is Goofy or Mickey. She can't decide between them.
We took her again in January (age 14 month) and she still loved it.

 

[Marjol]

I've been with my sister and her kids two times now and both times were great.

Trip 1 was when my niece was 22 months and my nephew was 5 months. My niece wasn't scared of anything and really enjoyed the trip! My nephew was ofcourse very young, but he was smiling the whole time, he really responded to the bright colours and sounds.

Trip 2 was when my niece almost turned 3 and my nephew was 1,5 years old. They both had a great time, although my nephew was very scared of the characters

Trip 3 is coming up very soon, we're leaving next thursday! My niece is almost 4,5 years old now and nephew is turning 3 on the trip! My sister had another baby girl, and she is almost 6 months old now. We're positive it will be another great trip!

What I'm basically saying is that children even like DLP when they're very young! Just take the little one whenever you feel up to it!

 

[poohmadmum]

My DD was first introduced to DLP at 1 year old. We all had a good time and took things easy. At that age she especially liked IASW. She's probably been to Disney every year since then and WDW at 4, 11 and 13 so she's as Disney mad as I am now. I don't think she was particularly comfortable with the characters until she was 3/4 years.

I know you and Denise are Disney mad too. Once you have had your baby you will know the best time for you to go. You and Denise have been to DLP several times so you know what's there and would be able to take things easier with a little young and not need to rush around trying to do everything - just enjoy the atmosphere in your favourite place. You will certainly see DLP in a different light - through your child's eyes.

Keep us posted on news of baby.