A *magical* age?

[DrummerAlly]

I'm a first time parent with a perfect little 16 month old girl (read: clueless about the months and years of parenting ahead). We took her with us when she was 3 months old and had the WDW trip from hell, though I won't rehash that here. Now the question is when to return and try again. 2? 2.5? 5? 18? Mommy needs a dose of Mickey.

At what age was your trip magical for your youngster? I know at 2 or 3, they're certainly not going to remember it, but at what age can you honestly say your child enjoyed it? At what age were they able to enjoy a parade or a trip through its a small world? At what age were you able to spend most of your time enjoying the parks and hotels and just a tiny fraction of time in the baby care stations?

I feel like if we were to bring her back now she would enjoy parts of it (a huge upgrade from last year where she enjoyed NONE of it), but I still don't think it would be magical for her. I'm toying with the idea of a trip when she's 2 or maybe 2.5. Thanks!!

 

[cbettua]

I have been taking my boys since 7 months. I couldn't choose a "magical age" since I feel like every time we have gone has been.

 

[RandomPrincess]

My kids have been (collectively) at 9m, 11m, 18m, 22m, 2.5 and 4.5 everything 18m and older was enjoyable for them and us.

At 18 months my DD was old enough to truly enjoy it for the first time. She knew Mickey and his friends she was old enough to tell us what she wanted to do and not do. She understood what a princess was if she didn't know them by name. She could engage with us during the rides.

Our last trip my DS 2.5 and he was having a great time! He was iffy on meeting characters but the ones he was interested in meeting he was thrilled. He loved Buzz and TSMM the Tea cups and the Speedway.

Every kid is different. My DS (2) is very ride adventurous he is ready to jump any ride or coaster but he's not into shows or parades. My DD (4) will go on rides but sometimes need encouragement or a pep talk to try new rides. She loves shows, parades and M&Gs.

We had a great trip with both of them. Took it slow, prepped them on the rides shows etc in advance so it wouldn't be as scary or overwhelming. We followed their cues to avoid melt downs. It's nothing like when DH and I used to go on couple trips but it's just as fun!

 

[Ember]

We brought my youngest when he was 22 months and it was hell. He was hot and miserable and we had to lug tons of stuff with us. His older brother was 4 and he was a breeze. We took them both again last year when the youngest was 3 and we had the best vacation! He was potty trained and really into a bunch of Disney characters. He was very vocal about what rides he wanted to go on and what he wanted to see and do. The best part is that we are planning our next trip and he remembers a lot of what we did on the last trip. The biggest thing we have to remember is to take a break in the middle of the day to eat, go to the resort, nap, whatever. As long as we leave the park and rest for a bit we are all better off.

 

[DrummerAlly]

We brought my youngest when he was 22 months and it was hell. He was hot and miserable and we had to lug tons of stuff with us. His older brother was 4 and he was a breeze. We took them both again last year when the youngest was 3 and we had the best vacation! He was potty trained and really into a bunch of Disney characters. He was very vocal about what rides he wanted to go on and what he wanted to see and do. The best part is that we are planning our next trip and he remembers a lot of what we did on the last trip. The biggest thing we have to remember is to take a break in the middle of the day to eat, go to the resort, nap, whatever. As long as we leave the park and rest for a bit we are all better off.

What you describe there is exactly what I anticipate if we were to try again soon. She hates the heat and the sun (we are new englanders... Sun is rare haha). I originally said not until she's potty trained but I'm starting to think even partially potty trained would be acceptable.

She's still so little, but she has a documented expressive speech delay that she's in speech therapy for. I'm hesitant to bring her until she's a little better at communicating her needs and desires to us just so that it's easier for us to follow her lead. They learn so much at this stage that it's possible that will happen soon though.

 

[Nemo14]

We brought my daughter when she was 2 and she loved it, but I will say that my favorite time with her was when she was 5.

 

[Ember]

What you describe there is exactly what I anticipate if we were to try again soon. She hates the heat and the sun (we are new englanders... Sun is rare haha). I originally said not until she's potty trained but I'm starting to think even partially potty trained would be acceptable.

She's still so little, but she has a documented expressive speech delay that she's in speech therapy for. I'm hesitant to bring her until she's a little better at communicating her needs and desires to us just so that it's easier for us to follow her lead. They learn so much at this stage that it's possible that will happen soon though.

I think you will be fine as long as you plan appropriately and remember to take lots of breaks. It also depends on what time of year you are planning to go. We went in August which was probably not the best time for his first trip and then we tried to do everything possible while we were there and did not take any breaks where we left the park. Maybe try taking her for a full day trip to somewhere local and see how she does and that may give you a better idea of how your days in Disney will go?

 

[RandomPrincess]

Also if possible travel in the winter when it's "cooler" at WDW Jan/Feb are great times to go crowd wise too.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

My younger one had just turned 2 on her first trip and my older one was 4. The younger one, while still 2, was closer to age 3 on her second trip and the older one turned 5 on that trip. I want to say that I saw the most "magic" with them somewhere between that almost 3 and age 4 range. i.e. Old enough to really get it, but young enough to believe in every bit of it.

 

[DrummerAlly]

Thanks so much everyone. It sounds like that magical age might be the 2-3 age for us.

Maybe try taking her for a full day trip to somewhere local and see how she does and that may give you a better idea of how your days in Disney will go?

It was funny, just before I read this, I said to my husband "let's do a mini-vacation to NH and go to Santa's Village and Story Land this summer instead." If that goes well, I think maybe Disney next spring or fall will go well!

 

[Plutos Pal]

We took our oldest DS on his first trip when he was 4 and it was a great trip. He was very into all the character meet and greets, character meals and most of the rides. My DW and I wanted him to be able to remember the trip and he still does and keeps asking us to go back. We will be returning in December 2014 with both of our DS's. It will be the first trip for my younger DS who will be 4. I think it was the perfect age for boys. They are both potty trained and they can tell us what they would like to do.

 

[Weather_Lady]

There is no one answer. If YOU want a WDW vacation and are ready for it, there's no reason to question whether your daughter is old enough and/or will remember it or will find it magical. Go, work around her schedule and her limitations, and have a magical time for yourself.

That being said, we pledged to wait until our children were: (1) out of diapers; and (2) big/strong enough not to need strollers. We still kept to their bedtime schedules, and the entire family took a 2-hour nap break every afternoon. As it turned out, we hit those milestones and took our first WDW vacation when our kids were 4 and 6, and it was perfect. Any earlier, and one of the kids would have had a meltdown at some point. Any later, and Mommy would have had a meltdown from WDW withdrawal! No diapers to change, babies to breastfeed or bottlefeed, or strollers to push -- now THAT'S magical!

 

[DrummerAlly]

There is no one answer. If YOU want a WDW vacation and are ready for it, there's no reason to question whether your daughter is old enough and/or will remember it or will find it magical. Go, work around her schedule and her limitations, and have a magical time for yourself.

Sadly, that just didn't work out for us. When we went with our daughter at 3 months, we had no goals, no plans, we figured we'd just go with her flow, just like everyone suggests. My only goal was to enjoy some time with my husband and daughter. When I say that we had the trip from hell, I'm not exaggerating. She still wanted to breastfeed every hour, but refused to do it anywhere that wasn't the nursing room in the baby care centers. We literally couldn't make it from the hotel room to the park without a melt down. If she was outside (we went in December, so it wasn't even hot), even in the covered stroller, she was miserable. If she was in her baby carrier, she was miserable. So, we went the park, went to the baby care center, walked outside and she screamed, and then went back to the baby care center (repeat for four days). It was very stressful on all of us.

Anyway... I guess my point is that the "work around her schedule and limitations" advice (which I always thought was sound) does not guarantee a good trip for everyone.

You guys all have some great stories and advice. I think we're going to do a mini-vacation to a toddler friendly park around us, and then if that goes well maybe take a trip to see the mouse when she's 2.5 or 3. In the mean time, I guess I'll keep my sanity by perusing these forums and you tube.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Sadly, that just didn't work out for us. When we went with our daughter at 3 months, we had no goals, no plans, we figured we'd just go with her flow, just like everyone suggests. My only goal was to enjoy some time with my husband and daughter. When I say that we had the trip from hell, I'm not exaggerating. She still wanted to breastfeed every hour, but refused to do it anywhere that wasn't the nursing room in the baby care centers. We literally couldn't make it from the hotel room to the park without a melt down. If she was outside (we went in December, so it wasn't even hot), even in the covered stroller, she was miserable. If she was in her baby carrier, she was miserable. So, we went the park, went to the baby care center, walked outside and she screamed, and then went back to the baby care center (repeat for four days). It was very stressful on all of us.

Anyway... I guess my point is that the "work around her schedule and limitations" advice (which I always thought was sound) does not guarantee a good trip for everyone.

You guys all have some great stories and advice. I think we're going to do a mini-vacation to a toddler friendly park around us, and then if that goes well maybe take a trip to see the mouse when she's 2.5 or 3. In the mean time, I guess I'll keep my sanity by perusing these forums and you tube.

Ugh - trip from Hell is right! I got stressed out just reading your description!

In that case, I'd really suggest waiting until everybody is walking well, out of diapers and able to cope with some minor changes to their schedule. On the bright side, by then maybe all this NextGen stuff will be worked out and your vacation won't be at the mercy of a corporation's billion-dollar testing glitches...

 

[Gabe1]

I'm a first time parent with a perfect little 16 month old girl (read: clueless about the months and years of parenting ahead). We took her with us when she was 3 months old and had the WDW trip from hell, though I won't rehash that here. Now the question is when to return and try again. 2? 2.5? 5? 18? Mommy needs a dose of Mickey.

At what age was your trip magical for your youngster? I know at 2 or 3, they're certainly not going to remember it, but at what age can you honestly say your child enjoyed it? At what age were they able to enjoy a parade or a trip through its a small world? At what age were you able to spend most of your time enjoying the parks and hotels and just a tiny fraction of time in the baby care stations?

I feel like if we were to bring her back now she would enjoy parts of it (a huge upgrade from last year where she enjoyed NONE of it), but I still don't think it would be magical for her. I'm toying with the idea of a trip when she's 2 or maybe 2.5. Thanks!!

My DS first trip was 14 months old and every year after that. He was easy going and had the spirit of adventure.
By two he didn't care for characters though, fine at a distance, just don't come to close. Never a bad trip.

My DD was 2 months old and it was an amazing trip as she had her days and nights mixed up from birth and this trip changed that and she slept through the night always after that trip. She too had issues with characters around 2-4 years old. Mickey stole her Frosty Flakes during a character breakfast and my DD who was quietly eating in her highchair had a freak'n meltdown, so bad we left immediately. Poor Mickey felt so bad.

The hardest trips were during the potty training times. That was rough, not much notice do they give you so we visited the restrooms before every major attraction. Nothing like launching on SSE and a kid saying I've gotta go....

Best I can say is know your own kids temperament. How are they when they get tired, crash in stroller or meltdown? Do they sleep well in strange places? Do they need quiet? Do they travel well on planes, cars, buses?
Both my kids were so easy going nothing phased them. But my DD didn't like strangers talking to her. We told people flat out she is afraid of strangers and will scream, that seemed to keep guests out of her face.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

The first time we took our now almost 25 yr old son to Disney, he wasn't quite 3 yrs old and remembers EVERYTHING we did back then. He was already potty trained, so no problems there. We didn't do rides like Splash Mountain with him at that time, but would switch off. (Me, then hubby). His first meeting with Mickey Mouse, was just magical. He still remembers it!

 

[DrummerAlly]

Ugh - trip from Hell is right! I got stressed out just reading your description!

In that case, I'd really suggest waiting until everybody is walking well, out of diapers and able to cope with some minor changes to their schedule. On the bright side, by then maybe all this NextGen stuff will be worked out and your vacation won't be at the mercy of a corporation's billion-dollar testing glitches...

Best I can say is know your own kids temperament. How are they when they get tired, crash in stroller or meltdown? Do they sleep well in strange places? Do they need quiet? Do they travel well on planes, cars, buses?
Both my kids were so easy going nothing phased them. But my DD didn't like strangers talking to her. We told people flat out she is afraid of strangers and will scream, that seemed to keep guests out of her face.

Both of you are right... I just needed to hear it from independent observers. I need to base it on her temperament, not the typical child's temperament. She doesn't do well off her schedule, doesn't like to sleep if she's not in her crib, doesn't like to be too over stimulated. My husband and I are free-spirits, maybe as she gets older she will too. All the same, waiting until she's ready to go back to WDW is going to kill me. At least you're right, Weather Lady, NextGen problems should all be worked out by then. (BTW - You have the user name that I would have taken if I had thought of it! Are you a meteorologist by any chance? I have a B.S. in Meteorology that hangs uselessly on our office wall.)

I just want her to have a magical trip and enjoy our favorite spot like we do.

 

[Weather_Lady]

At least you're right, Weather Lady, NextGen problems should all be worked out by then. (BTW - You have the user name that I would have taken if I had thought of it! Are you a meteorologist by any chance? I have a B.S. in Meteorology that hangs uselessly on our office wall.)

I'm not a meteorologist, but my first name is a weather condition.

BTW, while I know some would think this advice was sacrilege, if I were you I'd consider taking DH and going to WDW by yourselves, if only just for a long weekend. My sister and her husband recently took their 4-year-old to WDW for 4 days, but left the 2-year-old at home. He, like your little one, is wedded to HIS bed and HIS routine, and they thought he wouldn't enjoy WDW very much yet. His grandparents came over and babysat/housesat while my sister was gone. In short, everybody had a ball. The 2-year-old loved having Grandma and Grandpa's nonstop attention, Grandma and Grandpa loved having this time with their youngest grandchild, and the rest of the family had a carefree time in WDW, unencumbered by a toddler (or by any worry that he wasn't getting great care in their absence). If you have nearby relatives who could fill the "doting grandparent and housesitter" role, it's a possibility...

 

[DrummerAlly]

I'm not a meteorologist, but my first name is a weather condition.

BTW, while I know some would think this advice was sacrilege, if I were you I'd consider taking DH and going to WDW by yourselves, if only just for a long weekend. My sister and her husband recently took their 4-year-old to WDW for 4 days, but left the 2-year-old at home. He, like your little one, is wedded to HIS bed and HIS routine, and they thought he wouldn't enjoy WDW very much yet. His grandparents came over and babysat/housesat while my sister was gone. In short, everybody had a ball. The 2-year-old loved having Grandma and Grandpa's nonstop attention, Grandma and Grandpa loved having this time with their youngest grandchild, and the rest of the family had a carefree time in WDW, unencumbered by a toddler (or by any worry that he wasn't getting great care in their absence). If you have nearby relatives who could fill the "doting grandparent and housesitter" role, it's a possibility...

It's a great idea and I actually have thought about leaving her with grandma for a long weekend. What stops me from that is how much I'd miss her and I'd be left thinking "oh she'd love this, we should have brought her" the whole trip (when in reality, she probably wouldn't, haha). I think I might take my energy to plan a super awesome mega trip in 2015 or so... And watch you tube videos.... And listen to the next gen doomsdayers here complain about how much wdw sucks now.

 

[Sparkle81]

In all honesty, it really does just depend on the child as an individual.
We took our son for the first time last month, and he was 2 & 4 months. He absolutely ADORED it. I cried when he saw Mickey for the first time- his face was full of disbelief mixed with pure joy. We did tons of character meals, and he loved them all although he wasn't quite as enthusiastic about the princesses at Akershus, but I think that's just because he didn't know them as well.

He did tons of rides, especially as MK from Dumbo, to Peter Pan, to POTC to Haunted Mansion. Bizarrely the only thing he didn't like was the Backlot Tour at the Studios because he didn't like the fire.

We were maybe more relaxed about his schedule because we had a 5 hour time difference to overcome, so we just went with the flow. He napped in the stroller after lunch every day & although we assumed we would be going back to the resort for nap times, we ended up staying in the parks for the day as he would be raring to go again when he woke up!

He isn't potty trained but if anything, found it relatively easy that way as we just made sure we changed him regularly & didn't have to worry if he would need pee whilst we were in line for something!

All in all, every child is different. I guess you just need to go with an attitude of 'what will be, will be' and try and create as many memories for the family as you can. Our boy has mentioned at least one thing that happened on our trip EVERY DAY since we've been back!