What do you think is the best ages to bring kids?

[BensWife]

We took our kids to their first Disneyland vacation in June. I know it was a little early for them to like it (3 years and 8 months), but we took them anyway! Our 3 year old still had a blast, but was too small to really get to do much. After our trip, DH and I decided we HAVE to go back when the kids are older. In your opinion, what is the best age to take kids? DH and I are going in 3 weeks (just the 2 of us) and between the June vacation and this coming getaway for us, we will need some time to payoff what we have done and to save for next time. The kids are 2 1/2 years apart. How old should the kids be when we go back? 7 and 9? 9 and 11? Thanks!

 

[aussiegirls]

We went at 6 (turned 7 whilst there) and 9 and I thought it was absolutely perfect.

I am glad that we didn't do it whilst younger and I wouldn't want to leave it too much older as by then they will prob not want to walk around with their old mum

xxx

 

[never2muchdisney]

We have been taking our kids & grandkids to DL since they were born. We don’t think there is a perfect age. We enjoy seeing DL through the eyes of all little people of all ages.

But, we also go with 4 adults, which makes the trip perfect. We can share time with the little ones and take turns on the bigger rides with baby passes. It’s the perfect way to see both parks. My recommendation: never go without your kids at any age, just always bring extra adults to share the fun with!

 

[stubby]

On our first trip we took our girls at 5, 3 and 1. None of them remember much(except from pictures)...we are going again in October and they will be ALMOST 10, 8 and 6. I think at least the older 2 will be able to enjoy and remember this trip.

 

[farmfresh]

Tend to agree...I think mine were 6 and 8, but in any case, able to walk without needing a stroller, old enough to understand the need to plan , tall enough to ride everything, and able to stay up late on the odd night.

But no idea about the top end...currently 11 and 13, and just as excited about September trip. The only thing that seems to have changed is that they are less amazed by the characters. (princess fever has worn off!)

 

[Nala83]

Consider the magic of 40 inches. Being 40 inches tall gets you on almost everything in DL (all but Indy) and most of DCA. 42 inches gets you on a few more things in DCA (all but Screamin I think).

If you're only planning on one more trip with the kids, you might think about waiting until your youngest is tall enough to go on the "big" rides.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

awww, we loved taking dd when she was 3... she had so much fun, a smile plastered on her face for days. It didn't matter that she wasn't tall enough for everything yet... the magic is very real at that age.

At 4, she understood it better, was a bit taller and could go on Soarin... that was a big deal. So, we loved going at 4 also!

At 5, she knew what to expect in all areas, really enjoyed the character reaction, and had more stamina. So that was a fun age too...

We're going back when she is 6 1/2 and hopefully will be tall enough for Indy, dd doesn't know she is going yet, but I know she will flip out when she finds out (the morning of), she knows that Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth and looks forward to going again...

So, uugh, all ages are good as far as I'm concerned!

 

[GrandBob]

We took DGD to WDW two years ago, at age 5. It was perfect! She was so into the princesses, and we got tons of good photos of her at all the autograph sessions and Cinderella's Royal Table. It was truly a fantasy wonderland.

Took her to DLR last year at age 6. Again, a great time. She was still heavily into princesses, but also, she was tall enough to ride Indy and all sorts of other "big kid" rides.

Took her to DLR again last week, at age 7. We had a wonderful time, of course. Rode tons of rides. But when I suggested Princess Fantasy Faire, she turned it down. She said "they're just a bunch of people in costumes." I felt let down, like she had declared Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were fakes. Like I said, we had a wonderful time, but some of the magic was gone; forever sacrificed to the realities of growing up.

Bottom line - don't wait for them to get too big. The time when they're little is truly precious.

-Bob

 

[NewbieMouse]

I think the ideal age is 7-10. Our girls are younger than this and we still have fun, but I think that will be the 'best' age. Lots of stamina, still excited about everything, old enough to be "reasoned with" yet young enough to still want to hang out with you and not have too many attitude issues.

 

[Kiwianna]

It probably doesn't matter too much if you are going to have regular visits.
But if it is likely to be a once only holiday, I would rather wait until they were old enough to have lasting memories.

 

[pinktink83]

Around age 7 they are usually tall enough to ride pretty much everything. Just keep measuring them until they both hit 52", lol! I wouldn't wait much longer than that!​

 

[AmyPond]

I think ALL ages can be fun at Disneyland. There's not magic number. I think it really depends on the individual. Some kids do great and have a fantastic time at really young ages. Some are a big pain in the parks at a young age.

 

[vpalmer]

My answer is for WDW and DL combined. Between the two, my DD went at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The only "bad" year was four. For some reason, she was extremely timid that year and went on less that year than any other year. It was incredibly strange to me, but I have talked to other parents that said the same thing about their four year old at Disney. I think it may be a developmental thing that may manifest itself more in some kids than others. We still had a great time when she was four, we were just pretty limited in what she would ride.

 

[mvf-m11c]

We think that the proper age is around 7 like everyone else. I have taken my DC when she was 3 years old and she loves to meet the characters, go on the rides and watch the parades. Than when she got older, she got more interested in the big rides and the nighttime shows.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think ALL ages can be fun at Disneyland. There's not magic number. I think it really depends on the individual. Some kids do great and have a fantastic time at really young ages. Some are a big pain in the parks at a young age.

Absolutely. I think there are easier and harder ages to take a baby/toddler (just walking to about 18 months can be hard since they start to be timid and don't want to be confined to a stroller as much). We are there for the kids not to ride the big rides (we didn't ride Maliboomer until our 4th trip on our passes because ODD wasn't tall enough until then).

 

[canadadisney]

For DL I don't think there is a perfect age. We took out 2DD at 5 and 7 and then again at 6 and 8. Both times were great.
Last year we went to WDW when girls were 7 and 9. After the WDW visit we agreed that we would come back when the girls are older. We had a great time but the size of the parks and long hours we overwhelming. I actually have a picture of me dressing and brushing my 7 year old's hair while she was still sleeping.