When to go? Children at what ages?

[LandChildWorldAdult]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but if you all will bear with me, I'd be appreciative. We will only be able to afford to go once or twice while the children are growing up, so I need to choose carefully.

My children are DS 7 - 9/99, DD 4 - 3/02 and DS 1 - 11/05 . I would like for them all to remember the trip, so I am thinking of waiting until DS#2 is 4, perhaps 2/2010, but that will make DD almost 8 -- I hope that won't be "too old" for princess magic ... but then they would all be able to spend a night or two during the trip in one of the kid clubs, so DH and I could enjoy a few fancy dinners .

I know many of you have BTDT at various ages, so please, dish! Tell me what worked best for your family, what you would think about if you were me, where you would stay (I've definitely noticed that having 3 kids puts me in expensive territory, but DH and I are old and stayed at WL when we honeymooned, soooo) The good , the bad and the ugly

Thank you very much in advance. I'll be here waiting

 

[Elmo888]

I understand your dilemma. DS#2 probably won't remember much, but DS#1 is at a prime age. Did you know thatyour DS#2 is free while under 3, and you can stay at any resort with 4 plus one child under 3? Maybe that helps your dilemma.

We just went with DD6 and DD2. I know that DD2 won't/doesn't remember much, but I just felt like we couldn't wait any longer with DD6. She will be 7 in a few weeks (we went last month), and I didn't want to wait until she was almost 8. I felt like we had to strike while the iron was hot, and go again in a few years when DD2 will remember. I guess that it depends on how many times you plan on going. If you could swing another trip in 4 years or so, I would go now.

Our plan was to go again in another 3 or 4 years, but now we are planning another trip!

We stayed at WL on our honeymoon, too!

Do you know anything about the All-Star Music Family Suites? It might be a good option for you if you need a little extra space. We stayed at WL in Jan., too, but I felt like we needed extra space with that pack n play in the room!

 

[NemoMOm]

We took DS at 7 mos, 11mos, 18 mos and next week 24 mos. He doesn't remember anything but his father and I do! Watching his reactions even as a baby was priceless! We have a picture of him at 7mos touching Goofy's nose and his expression was like "What are you?" Each time we go we mark how his reactions change. We would not change it for the world. Although my mother would like us to stop going to WDW so much and visit her instead

 

[Elmo888]

We took DS at 7 mos, 11mos, 18 mos and next week 24 mos. He doesn't remember anything but his father and I do! Watching his reactions even as a baby was priceless! We have a picture of him at 7mos touching Goofy's nose and his expression was like "What are you?" Each time we go we mark how his reactions change. We would not change it for the world. Although my mother would like us to stop going to WDW so much and visit her instead

LOL!!! At the "What are you?" and the visiting your mother instead of WDW parts!

 

[Darcy03231]

I took mine for the first time when they were 6 (DS) and 8 (DD) and for us that was the perfect time. Since your oldest is already 7, I would try to go sometime within the next year or two. Even if the youngest doesn't remember it, you'll have the pictures and if you go before he's 3 he'll be free.

 

[Disney4Drew]

We got the "he won't remember your trip" line more times than we could count before taking DS to WDW (a few weeks shy of being 4). I think you should go whenever you children will enjoy it! Really...do you not take them to the playground or not have Christmas for them because they won't remember it? That's the way I look at it. Go and have a GREAT time!

 

[TheDizMom]

Since you have said you would probably go twice I say go in the next year or so when your DD is really into the princesses and then again when your D#3 would be old enough to remember everything. This way you would get the best of both worlds. If your DD is anything like mine the princesses are the end all to be all, so you don't want to miss that stage where they are so excited by the prospect of seeing them. My DD will be turning six when we go over spring break and is still just as excited about seeing the princess as she was when she was 4. Because of this you would probably be ok to wait a bit longer, but I also know a lot of her friends are saying they don't like them anymore. After the first trip then you could wait until your D#3 is 5-6 and he'll remember trip number 2 better.

Right now you are really a family of 4 in terms of expenses. That at least gives you a little more in the way of funds to work with. I would only say though that the rooms at say the AS resorts tend to be a bit small and once you put the pack-n-play in there for the little one your space will be even more limited. We were 4 in one of those rooms which got a bit crowded, but we also felt we were there so little we could tolerate being on top of each other for the short amount of time we spent in our room.

 

[cedmonds]

There was no way we could afford to go when my two older ones were little and then we had our third (SURPRISE) when my dd was 11 ans ds was 10 . Well needless to say we waited some more and when we finally went dd was 19, ds18 and baby was9. We had a wonderful trip and the older two had such a great time and appreciated everything including watching the little one enjoy wdw. I know each family has to do what is best but I am happy we waited. I love just picking up and going. we go in the no bag line ,no stroller or supplies. Now that we are all finally finished graduate and post graduate degrees and the kids are in college we can go more frequently. we recently purchased DVC points and each time we go they all still want to come. I think for my family waiting was a good choice. Good luck with what you choose and remember the magic of disney is for all ages

 

[starbox]

We took both kids the week before they turned three. It was magical. I'd recommend a trip when your youngest gets close to three.

 

[jenseib]

I agree with the others who say to go before the youngest turns 3. I think she will remember some of it too. But then you get her in for free, and the oldes will enjoy the magic. Then wait a few more years for the next trip.

 

[runwad]

We waited till our youngest just turned 5 and I think that was perfect no naps no baby stuff to lug around but we did get a stroller because it was just too much walking for the 5 & 7 yr old, plus we had a 9 yr old. We didn't start taking any family vacations till we got out of that baby stage with all the kids and its been great.

 

[Atchley]

Anytime is a great time! My DH and I enjoy watching the kids more than I think the kids do! Your memories are just as important as your kids.

 

[SmallWorld71]

While I believe that any age is a great age, my favorite is the old enough to not be afraid but young enough to still believe in magic age. When I went last year, DS7 was in awe of everything. He enjoyed the thrill rides, the simple rides and got so excited by the characters. DS11 was the same way at that age. So while kids of all ages enjoy it,at 35 I still squeal with delight when I see Eeyore, I think that you will have the most magical memories for them and yourselves if they are able to each go once while they still believe in things like the tooth fairy and Santa Claus - in magic!

 

[pigletof4]

We actually leave next week. We had been waiting until ds was tall enough to ride some of the bigger rides he's a little guy even though he's almost 6, he just made the 42" mark. My dd will be 8 in July and we just had our suprise baby this past July so I know she won't remember a thing. I am already thinking of when to go and I may try to go before dd2 is three and before dd1 is 10. Go have fun.

 

[Princess Roo]

I also agree with going before the youngest turns three!

I wanted to mention that the Moderate rooms at Port Orleans Riverside allow 5 people in them. There are 2 double beds and then a trundle bed. We didn't have a lot of money for vacations when growing up and my family stayed there twice...the last time when we were all preteen/teen. My sister and I shared the bed and brother was on the trundle. I'm sure it was crowded, but it didn't feel like it because it was DISNEY

 

[girlsx4]

I wouldn't wait that long! If you can afford it twice, I would go before your youngest turns 3 and then maybe 2 years later.
We went for the first time in Nov. of 2005. My girls were 10, 7, 5 and 2.(she had just turned 2 a few weeks before we went) They all had a fabulous time. I will never forget the way my youngest DD was w/the characters. She was hugging and kissing them. It was priceless!!
We are going again later this year and my girls will be 12,9,7(she will turn 7 the last day there) and almost 4.
I think any age is perfect!!

 

[MommeeOfAPrnzess]

I took my dd who was 2 at the time and had the best time! Everyone said to wait until she could remember but I didn't and I am glad because I got a picture of me holding her and she leaned over to Mickey and kissed him one the nose! No one told her to - she did it on her own!
She will be 5 on our next trip and will she remember the trip - maybe but we have pictures of the first trip and of course this coming one!
Go when its comfortable for you - age really doesn't matter!