What is to younge

[Princesswoodymom]

I am looking for some thoughts on the best time of year for a visit with my 4 and 3 year old when I say to most we are thinking of going they say my children are much to younge but when else would the magic of disney be so real then at that age

 

[EthansMom]

Welcome Princesswoodymom,

The best time of year to go with the preschool set is any time that school is in session!

I've gone in September and in January (just after the holidays). September was humid and we did get rained on a couple of days -- it is hurricane season. January had a wicked cold snap, but as that was in the pre-kids days didn't bother DH and I. But at both times the lines and crowds were very doable. This year we're going in late April, which is supposed to be low crowd (in between Spring Break and schools letting out). Another time that is supposed to be low crowd is early December.

I'm of the firm opinion that Disney is one of the few vacations you can comfortably go on with young kids. There are lots of attractions geared to young kids. Plan on taking it easy and plan a nap/pool break in the afternoon if your kids are the type that need breaks. And just ignore anyone that says your kids are too young!

EthansMom

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would say either September, early October, Early December, any time between Jan 2- Mid Feb. They would enjoy the weather, crowds are not bad(trust me it is difficult to explain waiting to a 3 year old) and you should be able to enjoy everything you want. I would avoid June, July and the beginnign of August like the Plague. Also avoid a few days before Christmas to New Years Day.

 

[DisneyArk]

We love going in early November and early December.

It is magical to watch the preschool children at WDW. Nothing compares to seeing how much fun they have!! My husband and I loved having so much fun with the boys! I really can't say enough about how wonderful these trips during the early years are!

By the way, my best tip is to be flexible and let the kids stop and enjoy the things that really interest them!

 

[newholidayx2]

we first took DS when he was 4 - did alot of Fantasyland & Toontown
When we returned when he was 9 he wanted nothing to do w/Fantasyland - glad we went when he was young

 

[Princesswoodymom]

Thanks for the great advice this was my thinking have any of you been to the Halloween party in October is it worth doing and how is it for preschoolers sounds like a reason to think about late sept or early oct

 

[psumomluvswdw]

We have been to the halloween party several times and it is wonderful. We are actually taking my 17 month old grandson(you are never too young) to WDW on Oct 4 2005 and we are getting tickets to MNSSHP! Your children would definately enjoy it and Oct is the perfect time of year, not too cold but not melting hot, and not as busy! We say go for it and enjoy watching your children experience it all.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Any age is great to go to WDW~ My three have been going since they were babies and they have enjoyed Disney each time. There are different things for different ages & you have to do the parks different for the different ages but the kids will enjoy going!

 

[jckdisneybound]

We took my DD for the first time when she was 2. She doesn't remember but we all had the most amazing time. Oh, we try to go in October.

 

[pamouselover]

I think by the time the child knows who MICKEY MOUSE is can be a great time to go. My child was 14 months old the first time we took him. His Nursey was in all Mickey Mouse so he knew who he was seeing!
We have the most amazing video of him with Mickey Mouse.
We did not go again till he was eight and it was a different type of magic that we saw through his eyes.
I still have vivid memories of my first time...
it is something you dont ever forget!

 

[beattyfamily]

I am looking for some thoughts on the best time of year for a visit with my 4 and 3 year old when I say to most we are thinking of going they say my children are much to younge but when else would the magic of disney be so real then at that age

The ages of your children are GREAT! Don't worry about what other people think. Maybe they won't remember everything but that's what pictures and videos are for!

I've taken my girls from age 1 through 8 and and the most 'magical' ages were 2 - 4. They really believe it all and are in awe of everything!

Have fun and enjoy!

 

[Nicolepa]

IMO people who say kids are too young have never been to Disney, or if they have they are just too uptight! My daughter is 4.5 and has been 6 times, my son has been 4 times and he'll be 3 in April. We live in Seattle so it's not like it's an easy journey, but once we are there I can't think of a better place to be!

My daughter was 7 months her first trip and that was great. My son 5 months, that was a bit harder because he couldn't sit up so it was more work to have to hold him on every ride (he was a big kid), but we wouldn't change it for anything.

The key with small kids is to realize you aren't going to see everything, and to recognize you kids limits. We always go back and take naps, or at least take a long break in the afternoon, maybe have ice cream, watch a show etc. Also don't expect to go on the big kid rides. I don't feel it's fair to make them wait so I can ride space mtn or whatever. We do those if the kids fall asleep in the stroller or the grandparents can take them on other rides.

We have gone in Spetember for the last 3 years. It's VERY hot, but there are NO lines. The first September we rode Buzz, Teacups (3 times) and Pooh in about 30 minutes. If there are no (or minimal lines) I will let my kids ride the same ride as many times as they want. My daughter starts Kindergarten this year so we will have to pick a new time to go. We are so sad that we can no longer go in Sept!

 

[jckdisneybound]

The key with small kids is to realize you aren't going to see everything, and to recognize you kids limits. We always go back and take naps, or at least take a long break in the afternoon, maybe have ice cream, watch a show etc. Also don't expect to go on the big kid rides. I don't feel it's fair to make them wait so I can ride space mtn or whatever. We do those if the kids fall asleep in the stroller or the grandparents can take them on other rides.

We do the same thing, those tips right there will make the difference between a great visit to world, and what the world were we thinking.

Take a break, it will be great for everyone!

 

[joliesmom]

We started taking our DD when she was 6 months old and have been taking her since then. Each time with he is a totally different experience, all of which are great. We usually go in eary Dec or mid Jan. Go in Dec if you want to see Holiday decorations and swim, as last few times in Jan have been cold.

 

[SnowWhite]

We took our DD for the first time when she was 3. Everyone told us that she wouldn't remember a thing when she was older but she is going on 8 in May and she remembers EVERYTHING!!! She remembers more than we do aobut what rides we went on and what ones she missed (Dumbo, it was sooooo busy and she was napping) We went in October and the crowds were not bad at all, she had a blast and we are so glad that we didn't listen to all the people telling us not to go with her that young.


1981 offsite
1994 offsite
1995 offsite
2000 Holiday Inn Family Suites (cool hotel!)
Oct 2005 Pop Century/ CBR

 

[mickeymousefan]

Our first trip was when our DD's were almost three and 18 months. Our almost three year old talked about the trip and wore her Minnie Mouse ears for months. We went a year later and our older DD remembered lots of things. Our younger DD, who is now almost 3 and doesnt talk, squeals whenever she sees pictures or even a WDW commercial on TV. They may not remember the trips 20 years from now, but they will have a great time.

 

[kpk89]

Go ahead and take them .... they might not remember the trip years from now, but YOU will never forget those magical moments.

Have a blast!