What age to take kids for first time?

[brandont]

I have a two year old boy and a newborn. When is the right time to bring the two year old for his first trip? I think he is ready, but are we ready for a two year old at WDW?

 

[fantavet]

I'm going to get flak for this but this is only my opinion. A 2 year old will barely have the memory to enjoy this trip. If the child can't remember the trip years later then did the child actually go? We know physically the answer is yes but if you can't remember it then what is the point?

I say 7 is great for a first trip. Young enough to appreciate the magic (and remember it ) and have enough energy to last longer in the parks.

Then go back once the the child is in the early teens so now you are skipping the kiddie rides, going on the wild stuff that the child missed the first time around, and now the appreciation is for all the wonder, the "How did they do that" kind of stuff. Same place but a whole new trip in your child's eyes.

I've been to Disney as a child at age 5, then 12, then 23.
Gone with kids at the age of 3 and 8 months old (MISTAKE) and finally going back with kids at ages 16 and 13.

 

[kyirish25]

I have taken my DS at ages 1, 2 & 3. Each trip has been special in itself. Will he remember being there at age 1, nope, but I do remember and have all those memories of his eyes lighting up seeing Buzz Lightyear and all the other characters.

Now at our last trip he was just a week shy of 3 (had to get that last free trip in ) and I do feel he remembers this trip. He talks about certain rides and characters all the time. But should I let 5 year pass until he would go back I think those memories would take a back seat. But since we are going back this year it will just enforce those memories and make this trip even more magical.

 

[CEDmom]

We've taken DD to WDW when she was 2 1/2 and again when she was 3 1/2 We also took her to DL when she was 4 1/2. Because of other committments we won't be going to WDW again until 12/06 when she's 7. She remembers all the trips because we keep them alive for her through pictures and stories of what we did. Each one is special for us as well. I think any age is a good age as long as you keep things on a level appropriate for the child. What DD enjoyed at 2 1/2 isn't the same as what she enjoyed at 3 1/2 so each time was a new adventure.

When you think about it how many childhood memories do you have completely from your own mind vs. what your parents helped you to remember as you were growing up?

 

[lclark0621]

We took DS when he was 9 months old & his second trip will be this month when he is 21 months old.

I dont understand the "waiting until they remember" line. We go just about every year, so who cares if DS wont remember his first 2 trips? DH & I will!

The look on my DS's face when he sees the characaters or is on a ride he likes, is totally worth it! And if I thought that "he wont remember it" for everything, then there would be no point in playing with him since "he wont remember", or tickeling him since "he wont remember", or giving him Christmas gifts because "he wont remember", or take him anywhere else on vacation since "he wont remember"etc.

I remember, and he loves it at that moment, so it is totally worht it!

Plus until they are 3, kids are free, so why not take them?

 

[Colinsmom]

We took DS on his first trip to Disney last December at 2.25 years old. We felt that it was a GREAT age - he loved the characters, the shows, many of the rides, and had the language to talk about things when he got home. He still looks at his photos and talks about his trip daily (today he was talking about going on the Monorail to "Dinsey Wood"). And even if he doesn't remember it in 5 or 10 years, we most definitely will!! His enjoyment of the trip was priceless!

We plan to go again in September 2005, right before he turns 3.

 

[KimWDW]

We're taking our son for the first time this fall and he'll be 3.5. I think that's a good age because he won't need naps or diapers. But, maybe I'll need a nap.

I think a lot depends on the child, too. Some 2 year olds can be easier than some 3 year olds (those terrible twos tend to come at three instead!).

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I dont understand the "waiting until they remember" line. We go just about every year, so who cares if DS wont remember his first 2 trips? DH & I will!

The look on my DS's face when he sees the characaters or is on a ride he likes, is totally worth it! And if I thought that "he wont remember it" for everything, then there would be no point in playing with him since "he wont remember", or tickeling him since "he wont remember", or giving him Christmas gifts because "he wont remember", or take him anywhere else on vacation since "he wont remember"etc.

I remember, and he loves it at that moment, so it is totally worht it!

LOL! You are sooo right! No sense bothering with the babes at all until they're at least 2 or 3. I am laughing at myself, too, since I was once guilty of this sentiment. We took our first DD when she just turned 5. It was the perfect age. However, we are going again this year with our DD(now 8) and little sister, just turned 2. We can't wait. I know that DD2 won't remember it, but I couldn't care less. She will LOVE it and the rest of us will remember it for her.

However, the "old enough to remember" it issue does exist for families who are contemplating only one trip to WDW during their kids' childhoods. Then, obviously, you'd want them to remember it. If that's the case, I'd vote for age 5. It's still young enough to appreciate the younger kid stuff that will be lost in a only a few more years. The older stuff you can enjoy at any age.

Jackie

 

[yyzgurl]

It's true that your 2 year old may not remember the trip. But YOU will remember the trip for a life time. We brought our DS (23mth) in December and we will NEVER forget the experience. To see the excitement and wonderment in his eyes is absolutely priceless. I swear it still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.

My husband and I loved WDW before we had a baby. Now, it's at a whole different level. We can't wait to go back with DS in May to make even more memories!!

So the bottom line is that your child at age two won't remember the trip but will enjoy it while he's there and for a little while after. But the trip will live in your hearts forever.

One last note, it may be a good idea to tape your trip (parades, favourite trips, character meetings, etc) as our son "remembers" the trip by watching the tapes over and over.

 

[va32h]

My youngest was five weeks old on her first trip to WDW.

Now, when we booked the trip I didn't know I was pregnant...so that's my excuse!

But it was a great trip - I carried her everywhere in her Snugli, and she was a perfect angel.

I did get some flak for it - but my feeling is this: vacations are not just for the children. They are also for the parents - who are after all, the ones who work all year to pay for the vacation. Disney World is where my husband and I wanted to go - and as it happens, it is also a fun and child-friendly destination for our children.

 

[metta4]

At the time of our trip in April DS #1 will be turning 3 and the youngest will be 1.5 yrs old. I think it will be a wonderful trip. Will the youngest...or even the oldest rememebr it 6 mothns from now or 6 years from now....probably not..but we (DH and I) have wonderful memories ( and pictures) to share with them as they get older about our first trip to WDW and celebrating DS's bday there.

If we choose not to do things with our kids just based on them not remembering it years from now then we would all be sitting around doing nothing. The moments of excitment and joy your child will experience in the here and now is worth it in my opinion.

 

[OntFamily]

I'm going to get flak for this but this is only my opinion. A 2 year old will barely have the memory to enjoy this trip. If the child can't remember the trip years later then did the child actually go? We know physically the answer is yes but if you can't remember it then what is the point?

Using this line of thinking, you can never go on vacation, because the child won't remember it.

Go for yourself, and your child's enjoyment is a bonus !

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My youngest was 21 months on his first trip. He's now 37 months and he talks about that trip. Sure he may remember it more from the video we took but he knows that's him. Even if we didn't have the video and he didn't remember it, I will hold in my heart forever the memory of him literally RUNNING across a near empty Crystal Palace and collapsing into Pooh's arms saying "my Pooh! LOVE Pooh!" over and over. We walked in the MK and straight to our PS at CP so that was our very first Disney experience with kids. I could have gotten in the car and gone back home again after that and still feel like I got my fill of magic. He may not remember it but I will...my husband will...and my parents will. It will bring tears to my eyes forever.

My personal feeling is that preschool age, between 2 and 5 is PERFECT for a first trip. They are young enough to believe in the magic and that is priceless. Much older than that and they are aware that this isn't the "really real" Mickey or Buzz or Cinderella but rather a CM pretending to be the character. Yes, they enjoy it and they have fun but there is just something so magical about seeing their eyes get HUGE and light up when they get to meet the "really real" characters. At that age there are plenty of rides and shows that appeal to them. My 2 3/4 year old son was tall enough for Splash and BTMRR this past Christmas and that brought a whole new level of fun for us. (I did get my share of "what an evil Mom" looks from people as I carried my screaming child away from BTMRR...what they didn't realize is that he wasn't screaming b/c I made him get on the ride, he was screaming b/c I made him get OFF of the ride. )

So my advice is take them while they are still little. You'll never get the chance to go back and experience the wonder of bringing a child who REALLY believes in the magic.

 

[Toadman99]

It seems this is discussed often on these boards. A lot of people will tell you that taking your child at age 2 or 3 (or younger) is great, and I'm sure it is. Also note that a lot of these people return multiple times. If you are like me, you are probably going to lay out cash for a WDW trip once, maybe twice for your kids (and for you). IMHO, if you are going to WDW with a 2-year-old, you are going as much for yourself as you are for the child (I hope). so decide if that is the best way to spend your time and money.

Another angle - do you have an idea what your future travel plans are going to be? Are you going to be taking your kids around the world, or elsewhere around the country over the next 10-15 years? Then maybe WDW is good while they are smaller, and save that trip to Europe for when they are older.

My personal experience is that we were not really in a position to do a WDW trip when my kids were younger. We scored a free trip to Disneyland when my youngest was about 2. I will say she was VERY excited to meet Minnie Mouse (and cried when her time was up). This year, the money is there, and the kids are 7 and 9 and I suddenly realized that NOW is the time to go (before it's too late), so we're doing it.

- Todd

 

[ROBIN4NY]

I think it depends on your finacial situation.If it is the case that maybe your family can take one of these big vacations every 5 years or maybe once in a lifetime type of trip, I would wait until your youngest was at least 3.
If not, I would not avoid going just because they are young.You and your dh are making memories for your family for a lifetime.Disney is great at any age.For my first trip My ds was 8 mos and dd 3yrs.It was a wonderful trip.(There are baby stations in each park making easy to take care of the babys needs)Good luck in your choice.

 

[calena]

I would be more worried about the newborn than the two-year-old. I think the two-year-old could have fun, enjoy some of the stuff and you can do baby-swap at other things if you want. I just can't see carrying an infant around the parks in the heat and the crowds.
I also think it depends on if this is your "only" trip to WDW or the first or many. If it was the "only" trip I think the ballpark age of 7-9 seems to be great. Not to say the younger ones don't enjoy it, but by 7 they can really enjoy it and since it is all new, they want to do Dumbo and Winnie-the-Pooh etc anyway.
We took our kids to what I thought would be our "only" trip last year. They were 3,7,9. They loved it. We loved it. They all loved it for different reasons. We loved it so much, we went back this year! We loved it so much we will go back again, probably in 2007. A two-year-break would be good. The kids will be 6,10,12 then.

 

[robinb]

Gone with kids at the age of 3 and 8 months old (MISTAKE) and finally going back with kids at ages 16 and 13.

I'm sorry that going when your kids were infants didn't work out for you. I went when my DD was 4 months, 8 months and then 14 months (and so on, 2-3 times a year until now). Honestly, the time we were there at 4 and 8 months was great. She stayed in her stroller, she didn't run around/away, the characters loved her and she had a great time.

Back to the OP. Obviously, I think any age is OK for WDW. Your 2 year old will have a blast! However, if you are going on your Trip of a Lifetime then I would suggest you wait until your kids are older.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have a two year old boy and a newborn. When is the right time to bring the two year old for his first trip? I think he is ready, but are we ready for a two year old at WDW?

You will get very varying answers to this. It's a matter of preference and a matter of other things too like is it going to be one of many trips? Once in a lifetime trip? Do you want your child to remember everything and be able to ride everything?

For me I've gone with a child from age 1 through 8 and I can honestly say that it was by far the most magical between ages 2 and 4 and they went more with the flow and there was less whining. Their remembering wasn't an important thing to us. That's what photos and videos are for.

As they get older, the magic fades a bit and they certainly whine more, at least my girls anyway!

Good luck!

 

[robmary]

ok, our first child was a son. We took him at 7 months old. We did alot even at that age. Then we took him again at 18 months old and I was 7 months pregnant. This was during 4th of July! I know I was asking for it. The trip from you know where. 18 months old and the heat. A bad combination. The next time son was 4 and daughter was 2. That went well. Now every year and it gets better each time.

My one suggestion is get the free travel planning video from WDW. We just got the new one and the kids watch it almost every day. It really orients them to the parks and surroundings, so when they get there, they are like we saw this on the video. They love it. One last thing we have learned, if you want to see everything, don't plan on it. With kids you do what you can do. It has taken a while to accept that, but with doing it we have had more enjoyable and relaxing vacations there.

 

[rt2dz]

As a lot of people said, it is really going to depend on what you think your future DW plans are. We took our kids for the first time at 3.5 and 7 months. We're going back in May at 4 and 14 months, then again in Dec. 2006 at 5.5, 2.5, 15 months. I would have taken my son much earlier, but difficulties with my pregnancy made that impossible. But obviously, we'll be going to Disney frequently (once each calendar year).

My 3.5 year old LOVED it. Talks about every day. Asks to go back constitently (we leave each trip as a surprise at this young age. The baby is portable and really enjoyed watching things.

Every experience a small child has from the time they are born is a learning experience. Whether or not your child remembers it, isn't important. It's what they learn from it, even when it isn't evident. Research shows children with multiple experiences (parks, zoos, etc) tend to be brighter children. NOW, before people flip, it doesn't mean children without those experiences will be stupid, just that you bring out more potential. There was also a big research study done not to long ago on children's memories that prove children who went to WDW at 18 months could remember details at the preschool/early elementary level without the help of photos and videos and being told about it. And even if they don't, who cares? It's your memories. And your vacation too!

I would check with your child's dr. about taking a newborn though. How newborn? THAT might not be a good idea, depending. It might not be a problem at all though either. And if it's not, take the newborn--the are so very portable.