When would you take them?

[DONALD38]

Just wondering, Wife and I had are first child, Sometimes it's hard due to $$$ or waht you may have but we decided that we would wait until our child or children turn 5 years old before we take them to DW. This way to us there is a better chance that they would remember things and enjoy themselves than taking them at an earlier age (0-3yrs old).

I know some say they take their kids from newborn to 3 years of age and say the child has a good time, but how do you know they are? Can they actually tell you they are and remember the trip?

 

[PlutoPony]

Another consideration, if you're not planning to go to WDW on a regular basis, is how tall your child is when you take them. Can they meet the height requirements of some of the "big" rides - Splash, Space, etc. (assuming they'd be interested in riding them)? If not, you might want to consider waiting until the next growth spurt hits - which usually isn't too far off with kids
Have fun whenever you go!

 

[java]

Well we don't do the trip just for the kids to remember it. We have the best memories of DS(18months) getting a big kiss from Sleeping Beauty and that look on his face was priceless(we have the photo) So we went for our enjoyment at that time more than for his memories. We saw the joy in his face...but he could have had just as much fun with our constant attention at the beach. If you don't enjoy disney(how could you not?) then it is not worth the trip. But if you enjoy it, those first trips are wonderful!

 

[Skroops]

We couldn't wait that long!! We went at 16 months. It wasn't for the baby, it was for US!!! He won't remember it, but WE will! It was priceless. He loved certain things, like the music! He really enjoyed the happy people saying "hi" to him all day, and the colors of the characters! Anyhoo, it's a personal decision. If you are doing it FOR the child, then yes, definately wait. You can have as much fun at the Holiday Inn down the block.
Do it for YOU, you'll have a blast! Use the baby swap, take your time, enjoy the landscaping, music, and parades! It is a wonderful family vacation.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

When would I take them, you ask. I would take them NOW! (if I could), lol! I took my girls on their first trips (not the same trip) at ages 3 and 22 months. We all had a great time.

I knew they wouldn't remember it, but I remember it, and those are the best memories I have. If you are sure you will only be going once, I can understand the reluctance to take a young child. It was worth it to us to take the girls.

 

[Dopey's Girl]

We took our first child right before he turned three. (That way he was old enough to have some memories, but young enough to be free!) The second child went along from infancy to 1 1/2 but then we held off till he was almost three for his first BIG trip! Both my boys remember lots from their first trip. We have pics and talk about it. But I agree with other posters, it's really about us as parents SEEING the magic on their faces! But with a place as magical as Disney, they'll definitely remember something!

 

[3mickeys&me]

Our kids were 2 and 4 when we went for the first time and they loved it. It was a great trip. They do remember their first trip there and my 2 yr old cried the day we left because he DID NOT want to leave Mickey's House LOL. He knew where he was and he had alot of fun...

We try to go every 2 years or so. It worked well for us.

 

[Mellie0119]

DS's first trip was at 2 years 2 months and he "remembers" it from the pictures, his second trip at 3.5 he actually remembers. DD has gone twice- once in-utero and once right before her first birthday. She loved the trip last time, got a bit overwhelmed by the characters at times, but over all it was great (cutting teeth and all). I think she'll get a bit more out of it this trip at 19 months old, but won't remember it for a while. As posted above, if you enjoy WDW, go and have fun, it's a whole new world seen throught the eyes of a little one.

 

[Poohgirl]

I am taking my two boys (8,7) for their first trip in April. We had thought about doing it when they were younger, but they have been BIG ride lovers since they were very small. I thought it would be such a tease for them to see many of the fun "big kid" rides but not be able to ride them. So as soon as my youngest hit 48" in Dec. I said "Do you know what that means? We're going to DisneyWorld!" He was thrilled!

 

[Rachie0507]

I'm bringing my kids this year for the first time when they are 3 & 5. I wanted to bring them at 2 & 4 but DD suddenly was terrified of all things in costumes, and I'm pretty sure that would put a damper on the trip! I agree with a lot of the other posters, that a trip at a young age is for the parents' memories not the childs. I've been trying to explain this my in-laws since my kids told them we are going. I know they won't remember everything. I know that won't appreciate a lot of it. But I love WDW so much, that I want them to experience it while it is still completely magical and I'll have those images in my mind forever.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

My parents first took me when I was 7 and my brother was 2.

They have the cutest pictures of my brother getting hugs and kisses from the characters, and his eyes being wide at everything.

To be honest, I remember nothing from that trip. I also remember nothing from most of the annual trips we took until I was about 12 or so and even then only very little aside from that it was fun and I really wanted to go back.


If I had kids of my own, I'm almost positive that I'd be taking them from ages 1 and up...

 

[Got Quattro?]

we USED to think the same way. My wife and i went to disney world some 18 times together before we had our child. We always said, we would wait untill she got older, like 5 or 6 so she would remember it.

Well, we couldnt stay away, and went when she was 18months, and she loved it. We went agian the next she and she remembered that she had been to these places before. She always asks to see pictyures and watch the video from her first 2 trips.

We then went last november when she was 3 years 2 months old. We did not tell here where we were going. Well, as soon as she saw the main arch over the road way with all the charecters, she went nuts...."we are at disney world...yeah"...it makes me so happy every time I think about it.

Well, in 2 weeks my 3 1/2 year old daughter will be making her 4th trip to disney world. She asks every day when can we go back.

 

[live4christp1]

Our first trip was last year, the day after our DD turned 1, our DS was 6. We had always put it off for one reason or another, thought it was to expensive, without really researching it, etc. Thought we would take them then, that way 6 yo DS would remember, then go back later when DD was 5 or 6 so she could have her memory trip. After we got there we fell in love with Disney, DD had as much fun as anyone, she loved the characters, though I know she didn't really understand what it was all about and the only memory she will have of it is what she gathers from the video we took. There are so many rides that they can go right on with you, not like a Six Flags park or the like where they would spend the whole time waiting while others rode. We decided to make it an annual trip. With careful planning it can be done rather inexpensively.

Wish now that we wouldn't have waited to take DS. There is just something about the unihibitiveness of a toddler, aren't worried about what others say or think, not shy to show their excitement. Have to work hard to get my 7 yo to loosen up and have fun. DD usually stills the show as most small children do, though we try to be equally attentive to them each, others don't realize that the older child sometimes feels left out when the younger one gets the attention, especially after you were an only child for 5+ years. Would have liked to taken him on his own trip when he was small.

Hope this helps!

 

[Tiger Fan]

We took DD first when she was 3 and it was magical. She does remember quite a bit from that trip and it also started her love of all things Disney like us and now she's been 8 times (she just turned 8 last month). We have also taken my two nieces and they were both younger than 3 and it's always been wonderful. I think each family has to decide and know what's best for them and if you only plan to go to WDW once or twice ever then maybe a little older makes sense, but I don't regret one minute or dollar spent when we've taken the younger ones. Have fun whatever you decide.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[the kabuki]

Oh, under 5 yrs. old is a terrific age.They are just full of joy & wonder bieng there.

Do you not read to your child before 5? Take them to the library? The zoo? The Park? They're not going to remember these things either, but you still do them.

 

[calie_j]

We took our boys when they were 7 & 8 (dd was a baby and didn't go) and considered that the perfect age, still young enough for it to be magical/old enough to remember more & do more. When DD was 5 we took her to DL and that was perfect for that age to take her to the smaller park, we had to split up more so DS could go on the thrill rides. Now we are taking DD to DW this yr and she will be turning 8 on the trip, just 1/2 inch to grow over the next 8 months and she can ride all the rides depending if she's ready to (she says she won't ride Space Mountain cause she has to sit alone but is willing to try the others). I don't think the kids missed out on anything by not taking them when they were younger or regret not taking them. There's so many places in the world to see that DW is a once/twice in a lifetime trip for our family. It all depends what works for you and this works for us, although I am hoping to go back in 2yrs when DD is competing in gymnastics and can go with her team for nationals

Calie

 

[sskem96]

We took DD8 when she was 2 just for 1 day at MK because we were visiting friends in FL and couldn't go all that way without a trip to WDW. We always said we'd go when they were 5 and 8. So last year, I said to DH, "You know, we always said we'd go back to WDW when the kids are 5 and 8. Do you realize that DD#2 will be 5 in Sept. and DD#1 will be 8 in Dec.? Do you think we could start planning a trip?" He said, "Can we afford it?" And I said, "No, but when can we? This is the perfect time to go and we need to do it!" So he gave me the go ahead to start planning. I booked airfare last July and booked our room as soon as the codes came out, I think it was Oct. I was starting to sweat whether we were going to be able to eat while we were there or not, but we got our taxes done a couple weeks ago and got back twice what we expected, so we're good to go! I kept saying we were going to be the only ones at WDW with a tin cup begging for change so we could buy food! My kids even picked up on it because DD8 had a homework assignment last night to write a paragraph about what she would do if she won a million dollars. She said she would take it to WDW so we would have plenty to eat! I told her not to worry, there will be plenty of for us all!

 

[skuttle]

Why does it matter if they remember or not? You'll remember their first trip, won't you? We're bringing DS for the first time in December...he'll be 2 1/2. We would have gone in May, but we had to push the trip back. Will he remember? Maybe not, but that doesn't matter to me. I know he'll enjoy that week we're at WDW. We'll have tons of pictures to help refresh his memory later in life. And DH and I will definitely remember the first time he walks down main street and the first time he sees mickey mouse.

 

[Aidensmom]

My son, who is now three, has been going to theme parks since he was 6 months old, and has been to every one in Central Florida. Not only can he remember them, he could act as your tour guide at several of the parks - I am not exaggerating! Disney is a very magical place for a toddler, and best of all, before they turn 3 they are FREE.

 

[roscodog]

We took our DD when she was 2 years 9 mos. I don't know how much of it she remembers but I think that she kind of remembers the experience. She had a great time and watching her interaction with the characters was priceless. She's been back at least once a year and each year is different. She just turned 6 and is at that age where she can differ between pretend and real. She still loves her time at Disney but when they are so young, it is really a magical experience.