Advice Needed - How Young is Too Young?

[HouCuseChickie]

There's no universal age that's too young...it's really just what's too young for your personal comfort levels and wants for this trip.

My nephew just had his first WDW trip and he's about 15 mos. My youngest child had just turned 2 on her first trip. Obviously, you have to deal with strollers, diapers, napping, sensory overload, etc. when going with a younger child...but it's also so real and magical for them at that age. And I wouldn't use the "they won't remember it" to be your guide...because I was 11 on my first trip and I don't remember more than bits and pieces of it.

 

[crispy]

My girls were 8 months old and 6 months old for their first trips (unless you count them going while I was pregnant!). I don't think any age is really too young, but I agree that you need to manage expectations. During those trips, we went back to the room for naps, stayed for fewer days, and didn't plan as many ADRs. We also were in bed early so that could get needed rest. Basically, we tried (and still do) to keep them on schedule while we were on vacation.

I really think 3.5 is a great age to go. Seeing their little faces light up at the sight of the castle or Mickey Mouse is just a priceless. Of course, they will enjoy it whatever age, but their is something very sweet about that age.

 

[JenniferS]

Too young....I worked in the park for a year....I would only take a child younger than 5 if I set my expectations for the trip very low....and took in the parks slowly an witha short list of must do's.
I would wait until they are 6.
I took mine when they were 11 and 9.

I took mine for the first time when they were 7 & 8 1/2. No strollers or extra gear required. Old enough to ride all the rides, but young enough to buy into the magic. No special food required. They had enough stamina to go all day some days, but didn't complain about an hour or two pool/hotel break in the afternoon if their mom and pop needed the rest.

I just returned from 10 days in the World, and I genuinely felt for those parents with infants and toddlers. 90+ degrees, heavy rain at times, full humidity, and no one looked like they were really having fun.

Others will tell you it works perfectly for them; you just have to adjust your touring schedule and temper your expectations.

To each his own.

 

[PrincessVic]

Our daughter was 18 months old when we took her the first time - for 2 weeks, and the 10hr flight from the UK! But there is nothing about that I would have changed, we had a great time. The first time she saw Mickey she nearly exploded with excitement (big fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!), and she loved every minute of her holiday. We had the stroller, so she could sleep when needed. As there are a number of rides hubby goes on that I don't, we headed for those when she was asleep and it worked really well.
As a result, have some great character pictures of her from 18 months (well, plus when I was pregnant!), and each year since - heading out next week and she is 5 1/5!

 

[Weather_Lady]

Our daughter was 4 1/2 on her first visit, and she was more than ready to fly for the first time, and to fully grasp the Disney World experience, riding every attraction she could and visiting with multiple characters. She had a ball, never had a meltdown and never required a stroller. Then again, she is a very athletic, energetic, adaptable and perceptive girl. Certainly the answer of when a child is ready varies by child. You know your little one best.

I do suggest that when you go, you all take a good long nap every afternoon. Those naps were, in my opinion, the key to why our kids did so well, and the reason that they (and DH and I) had no meltdowns or other crises.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

My wife and I are planning a trip in May and our 2.5 year old daughter is a huge fan. She will be 3.5ish in May. We want to ensure that she enjoys herself and isn't overwhelmed. We are thinking maybe 5 total days. Some family members think we are rushing this but I think she is ready. What are your thoughts on taking a kid this age?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

We went two years ago with my sister and her husband and my 3 year old niece. She LOVED it! She's kinda shy, so she didn't do M&G's too well (most of the pics with the characters my sister is holding her in them)... Aside from that she loved everything!

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I am the wrong person to ask as we have taken each of our three kids for their first trip when they were between 8-12 WEEKS old. I get grief from everyone they will never remember but, my thought is they dont have too..pictures will allow them to look back at what a great trip it was and realize how lucky we are to have the family we do.
Here is a tip, pack snacks and drinks so if your child is starting to get cranky from being hungry you can just stop and grab some grub. Once we started doing this, the kids handled the day better. Nohting worse than being in QS line waiting for food and having a crabby child! Also, eat at off times to avoid lines.
One more thing.....take a ton of pics and have the time of your life.

Great ideas!!!! I will use them when I go, too!!

 

[ProperPrincess21]

My youngest sister was 1 and a half when we went to disney for the first time. We stayed at allstar sports and we just recently went back and stayed at the same resort. She told us about how much fun she ha at the resort and she even knew where a bathroom was. We were all very surprised

 

[Sparkle81]

We took our son for the first time last month, and he was 2 & 4 months. We went for 10 nights and had quite a relaxed attitude to how it might turn out. He absolutely ADORED it. He's talked about the trip every day since we've got back, and he truly 'got' the magic of it all. I was in tears many times, seeing the pure joy on his face. Although he may not remember it all in the future, I will never forget how happy he was on that first trip. It was so worthwhile.

 

[Wikkler]

There's people on here who legitimately believe they want to give birth at Disney.

 

[CMBmommy]

I took my 11 month old and it was amazing! She danced and clapped in the lion king show and loved pirates and small world. We did the dining plan so we ate most the time but it was still an a,axing experience

 

[EOD K9]

I'll be taking my twins when they are ten months on a DCL cruise in early 2015. The wife and I have been to the World and taken Disney cruises before. We are not worried about hitting rides per se. We are going more just to be together and enjoy the atmosphere. It wont be a big deal to not hit rides. Its more for the experience and we are flexible enough to go back to the stateroom or hotel in the middle of the stay. Any thoughts?

 

[Andrew C]

I'll be taking my twins when they are ten months on a DCL cruise in early 2015. The wife and I have been to the World and taken Disney cruises before. We are not worried about hitting rides per se. We are going more just to be together and enjoy the atmosphere. It wont be a big deal to not hit rides. Its more for the experience and we are flexible enough to go back to the stateroom or hotel in the middle of the stay. Any thoughts?

I just got off a cruise in January with my 9 month old. It was definitely a different cruise experience as, of course, we thought of her needs before ours. No late nights and less adult activities! We were not on a Disney cruise either so there was no splash zone for her. Even though we had a good time (it was fun to take her to the beach for the first time), I think we would have had an even better time if we sailed with Disney. Looking back though, it was still worth it.

We have a Disney cruise and two trips to WDW booked, without our daughter. We are not going to take her to WDW until she is 2 1/2. Aren't we selfish? haha

 

[EOD K9]

@Andrew C Not selfish at all. I'm just hoping that since we've been there, we won't feel the need to have to do everything and just enjoy being away.

 

[slappy magoo]

If you want to go, go. Just don't set your expectations crazy high. Your kid might love every minute of it but then again...

Last trip my oldest daughter was 3.5, our baby girl was 6 months. Eldest loved most of it, was relatively well behaved. Didn't like a lot of rides, including things you'd think a kid would love. I think the only two she liked was Toy Story Mania and It's a Small World, the latter we rode at least 7 times. Philharmagic was a disaster and turned her off of any movies in 3-D. She's still convinced Goofini has loop de loops and nothing will convince her otherwise. Most of the fun was had with character meals, parades, and swimming. And to this day she asks when we're going back.

 

[George]

Personally, I don't think you should take a child until they are pushing you and changing your diaper. Gotta be Machiavellian about this people. Don't set yourself up as the sucker doing all the dirty work.

 

[MickeyisMyBestFriend]

I think taking her at 3.5 is a really good age. I started at 2 and my brother was 4 we all had a wonderful time. I think if she is normally well behaved then go for it. 5 days should be just right time.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I'm taking my 16 month old at the time for 15 days in September

 

[stevehousse]

Well I think I have everyone beat here! We have a trip booked in the middle of November, and we just found out we r having another baby, beig born beginning of October! My wife said she will be good to go so we r going with a 1 month old!!! Crazy!!!

 

[3Caballeros]

Well I think I have everyone beat here! We have a trip booked in the middle of November, and we just found out we r having another baby, beig born beginning of October! My wife said she will be good to go so we r going with a 1 month old!!! Crazy!!!

Congratulations! That will be some great photos for the baby book.