What ages to go for a "big trip"?

[kisaacs]

I have two children:
DD is almost 2, born 5/08
DS is 7 months, born 9/09

I've already taken DD to WDW once when she was about 10 months old. We had a wonderful time.

But, I want to take them both on a trip that will stick in their memories for a while and be very "magical". When I was little, we did a trip to WDW, stayed at the Contemporary, had a "gold key plan" where everything was paid for, rented boats, went to all the parks, watched the fireworks from our hotel balcony, etc.

I want to do it up for my kids the same way, but it's going to be expensive, so I can only afford to do it that way once. I'd like it to be their first real Disney experience. Though I'm sure we'll go again after this time, it won't be in the same "over the top" way. Additionally, my parents want to join us on this trip.

We're starting to save for this now, but I'm trying to figure out what the ideal ages are to take this trip. When they're 3 & 4, 4 & 5, 5 & 6, older?

Any thoughts?

Kristen

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

how old were you when your parents took you on the "big trip"?

 

[bumbershoot]

Everyone is so different; it's hard to predict what they will and won't remember. DS can still remember stuff from the trip we took when he was 2 (though he didn't talk about it after we got home for 6 months!), but has forgotten things from our last trip.

I myself barely remember my honeymoon, and it was not even 7 years ago!

Whereas I have these hazy memories of two trips to Disneyland when I was a kid...

You just never know.


I personally would have the BIG trip later on. Kids are so easy to impress when they are little. You don't need the big deal huge amazing trip. So many people have said that kids tend to LOVE POP Century much more than, say, the Contemporary, because it's just so bright and colorful and fun. For us, if we were doing a One Big Trip, I'd do it when DS was a teen, not as a little kid. And have many little inexpensive trips in between.

 

[brergnat]

Not really sure why you feel you need to really "do it up", with young kids. As another person said, little kids are EASY to please. I, personally, would rather take MORE trips more often with my kids at all different ages than do ONE BIG trip that the rest will never live up to, kwim?

We just took our boys for their first trip and the oldest is 5.5 and the youngest had just turned 4. This was a good age, but I think it will be BETTER next trip, when we are DONE with the stroller, and DS4 is able to better communicate, not get crabby when he doesn't get his way, isn't such a picky eater, etc.

My personal "ideal" age to take kids would be between the ages of 6-8. DH and I agreed after our last trip that we'd be back in two years, putting our kids at 6 and almost 8.

Our kids really loved swimming, but the younger one isn't independent in the water yet (the older one is) and that made it a bit more labor intensive on DH and I's part. Plus, in general, the kids are too young to be totally independent with anything (eating, getting dressed, bathed, etc.). Our older one is much more independent these days, and he was REALLY easy on our vacation, and it showed us how just a couple years can make a HUGE difference.

For you, I think I'd do a trip when the oldest is 5 and youngest is 3. That would be a good "first trip." Don't go all out, though. Maybe go all out on the RESORT (pick a deluxe), but don't worry about the waterparks, and renting recreational stuff every day, and having three sit down meals, etc. That's TOO MUCH for kids that age (and the dining thing is hard with kids those ages...they don't want to sit for one two hour meal, nevermind three in a day...). I'd recommend a deluxe with club level (meals in the lounge are a DREAM with young kids), then stick with basic park hoppers (no water parks, etc.). With the Club Level, you''ll get a bit more in the way of pampering, personal attention, etc. as well as food and drinks in the lounge, which is great.

 

[mjkacmom]

I took my oldest 2 when they were 2 and 4, and neither remember it. I think 6 - 8 would be the earliest if this was not a frequent thing.

 

[kisaacs]

The age I was at that trip is fuzzy in my memory, but it was the year of the monorail fire (we were in that long line at epcot), so I must have been 7.

I think I want to go all out once because although we went to Disney probably 4 or 5 times in the 10 years after that first trip, all those trips blur together as another vacation. But that first one stands out. I very vividly remember spending the afternoon at water country with my dad, sitting on the balcony every night watching the fireworks, going to the Hoop-De-Doo review, wanting to go on the rocket ships in future world but the line was always really long, having french toast for the first time at Chef Mickey's (or whatever it was called in the contemporary at the time), getting all the characters' autographs, getting "Mickey Mouses" (shirley temples) at dinner every night, and singing "It's a Small World" on every Disney monorail.

It was truly unbelievably magical. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to recreate that experience with my kids. The only way I know how to do that is to do it the way it was done for me.

So that's the logic behind it...don't know if that helps at all, but that's what I'm thinking

Thanks for all your input so far!

Kristen

 

[djp0630]

Honestly, I thought DD being 3 1/2 and now 4 for our May trip are awesome ages. She loves the characters, obsessed with princesses, and believes in everything. We are going in May for our 2nd trip with DD 4 and DS 1 and he is a little young to fully enjoy it. So for a "Big Trip", maybe when your daughter is 4 and son is 3. 3 is a great age for a first trip!

 

[candielips]

I would save a big trip like that for when they are much older. Just continue to enjoy your trips as they are now until you feel they are both old enough to remember.
One thing to keep in mind, while all of those things were magical to you, your children will probably remember different things and cherish different things. I think doing all of the same wonderful things w/ your kids that your parents did w/ you will mean much more to you. I can only imagine sitting on the balcony seeing the same fireworks that you did w/ your dad, will def bring a tear.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

We are going for our big trip this year and I have 3 girls their ages are 10, 6 and 2 years.. I think about 3 and 4 they will remember and will have a great time

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

We are planning on taking Ella when she is 4 or 5. Either to celebrate starting Kindergarten or to celebrate graduating Kindergarten. We want to make it a big trip too. Hopefully both sets of grandparents and Dh's brother, nephew and wife.

 

[DCbride]

I took my older kids every other year from ages 2 and 4 through about 10/12. I think under age 7ish the trip is all about what you get from watching their faces light up when they see a real princess or have a bear hug from a live pluto. These pictures are priceless and the memories for you are amazing. For my 2 the best age was 9-11. They are tall enough to ride and enjoy the big rides (TT, RRC, etc) yet still liked to have their photo with the characters. This trip we stayed at the BC and they really enjoyed the pool area. We still go about every other year with them and the magic wore off a bit around 16, until their senior trip. Now they go for family time and to see their sister experience the parks.

Now with our little DD2, we have taken her over 5 times already (older ones had commitments). We stay at a moderate and realize that since she is free for just about everything, we are getting a pretty "inexpensive" vacation that we will always remember (we have APs). This summer she turns 3 and we will definitely have to take that into consideration when budgeting. which means we will not go as often..