Ideal Age - Consideration for the Future

[MrsHam]

Hello :wave:

We're going to WDW in December this year, and will be real commando style, fitting in everything we can. We'll hopefully be starting a family after this trip, if all goes to plan.

We're real planners and always like to know a rough timeline for our next trip.

My question is, when is a good age, in your experiences to take a little one to Florida? We're travelling from the UK, but won't really mind flying with kids (we fly several times a year, and don't see that stopping because of kids, so hopefully we they'll be seasoned travellers by the time we go).

We will be doing everything at the quickest pace this time, and actually looking forward to taking the slow lane next time with a little one in tow. We're already set for letting them dictate the timetable, and if that means a day at the hotel, then so be it. We want to be able to see things from their view, and get a whole new take on the magic that we are too tall to see :sohappy:

I know this could start a debate on 'that's too young, they won't remember' and although I agree that up to a certain age, they won't remember, but we'll all have photos and video's to look back on. And they will enjoy it at the time. I first went at 11 and can't remember most of it, but I wouldn't say I was too young...

Thanks for any comments and suggestions

 

[Monty]

I took my son at 5. He had a great time. He doesn't remember specifics of that trip, but mostly because we've gone together ten times since!

I am a firm believer that you should go when you want, whether the baby will remember doesn't matter. Your baby will be with you and experience you having a good time, bonding like that lasts a lifetime. My son is now 14 and we are a lot closer than the majority of parents and teenagers, I believe that some of that is because we did so much fun stuff together when he was little. We didn't start going to WDW until he was 5 only because I had never been myself and wasn't sure what to expect. I regret not going when he was younger.

You've got the right attitude, you realize your pace will be determined by your child[ren] on future trips. Go and have fun! Your kids will remember when they remember but that doesn't mean they won't benefit from it on the trips they'll never remember.

 

[happymom52003]

My youngest was 12 months old on our first trip, and we all had the time of our lives. We had a perfect week...I think out of all of our WDW vacations, that trip was my favorite.

We will probably have a third child at some point, and I can assure you we will go to WDW long before the baby's first bday!

Monty is right....go when YOU want to go. We also regret not taking our oldest sooner...he was nearly 5 years old on our first trip. If I could do it over, we would have started going when he was a baby!

 

[kangaand2roos]

I don't think there is a right age. It depends on your family. My husband and I went before we were married and did our trip just like you are describing, fit as much possible in. Now we have 2 children and we first took them when they were almost 4 and almost 2. It is a completely different experience. You will not fit every ride in, you will ride Dumbo 50 times, you have to take alot of breaks for food, naps, and just general calm down time from being at Disney, you deal with strollers and melt downs. You might have to deal with things like being afraid of characters around 2 or afraid of the dark like my son was but it's an individual thing for each kid. As I said I took my kids the first time when they were almost 2 and 4 and I loved the trip even though it was crazy but we ended up going the following year and it was a completely different trip then the year before because they were that much older and we are crazy enough to go again this year. There is always something you'll have to deal with kids so I don't think there ever is an ideal age. All that said there is nothing that compares to the excitement on their faces and magical look in their eyes and it is completely worth every penney at any age.

 

[Disney Soldier]

So far some great replies, I think. Honestly, you are the judge when it comes to this. They are your children and you will do a great job deciding when is too much or too little for them during your stay. With the technology we have today in media, your trip can be greatly documented. Whether you carry a video camera or a regular camera or even none at all and have the photo pass.
My children did not experience there first them park until Nov 01. We took them to Sea World after 9/11 on the Salute to Heroes, they gave free admission to all military, law enforcement, firefighters and EMT personel. My son was 12, middle daughter was 9, and youngest daughter was 7. They really enjoyed it. There first Disney trip was in Dec 06. We found the older the better in this topic. They can ride pretty much everything they want and go to different areas of the park or even different parks if they want now. Believe it or not, they stay with us the whole time. 20, 16, & 15 now, They want us around more than ever. Who woulda thunk it?!? We really love them and enjoy our time together. That is what's important, have fun regardless of the age.

 

[stitchsMom]

I agree with the other posters, the right time (not age, it really is about personality not age) can only be determined by you and how you think you children will handle such a trip. My sister and BIL didn't think their newly turned 2yr old would be "old enough", or that it would be worth it because she "wouldn't remember anything." They went with us last year anyway and had a wonderful time. They learned during the course of the trip how to make a Disney trip work with a little one so that they all enjoyed it.

This year they pondered going to Mexico (thank goodness they are not!) or the Wisconsin Dells - but guess where they are going? DISNEY! My niece requests every day that they drive her to Flooida to see the Cassel and Sleeping Booty :ROFLOL:And because of their experience last year they were able to work out a schedule that will make this trip even more enjoyable. Your children will lead the way, and give enough cues, that if you are willing to follow along... Disney can be a great trip no matter their age!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

:wave:
As kangaand2roos states, it depends on your family more than the actual age
What I will say is that IMO, you might want to wait until the child is a little older, like when they are potty trained, and also so they can remember things.

 

[mousebymarriage]

Both of my kids were 7 months old on their first trips and things worked out fine. My kids are now 12 and 7 and they have been to Disney almost every year since they were infants. Everyone is different and you have to do what is right for you. In my opinion taking an infant or toddler is no big deal, sure they won't remember the trip but the pictures and videos are priceless. If you love Disney like my hubby and I do, don't put any trips on hold until your kids get older. Kids are remarkable and most adjust to vacation quite well, just remember to relax, take it slow and enjoy being in the happiest place on earth with the ones you love.....Mickey and Minnie! Oh sorry, I mean your family!:ROFLOL:

 

[MrsHam]

Thank you all for your great replies. We had discussed not thinking about our next trip a little longer, until any kids we have could appreciate it, but then we were thinking about it, and wondered why we'd decided on that. Your posts are just affirming what we thought, that actually, as soon as we can comfortably afford it, there is no reason not to!

Whooohoooo! Now we just need to figure out when we could save up by... *goes and starts counting the pennies in the penny jar* :lookaroun

Thanks :sohappy:

 

[DisneyMom4]

Each of my biological children have gone a infants (ranging from weeks old to 9 months old). My one adopted child went 7 weeks after she arrived in this country at 8-years-old. Each trip was wonderful and special to me -- unique in it's own way.

There will never be a perfect time to take your child to Disney. Every family is different. It sounds like you and your husband have the absolute perfect attitude that it takes to bring your child to Disney -- the willingness to slow down and enjoy a new different.

Go when your change jar is full and you're ready!

 

[kstella]

You just have to make accomodations for the age. A younger child will obviously need a break in the afternoon and is less tolerant of disruptions in feeding and sleepiong schedules. We first went when my DD was 9, tall enough for all the rides, old enough to go all day and to understand the words "knock it off or else" and still young enough to feel the magic.

But, like others have said, it's up to you.

 

[Master Yoda]

There is no perfect age. The real question is weather you are willing to make the sacrifices necessary for your child, regardless of what age they are, to have a good time. If you must do the parks commando style then realistically they will not be able to keep up unless they are teenagers. If you can slow things down a bit and take things at your child's pace then no age is too young.

 

[toystorymaniacs]

Both of mine went at 8 months (if you don't count the trips when I was pregnant with both of them). This September will be my 7 year olds 12th trip and my 2 year olds 3rd. Each age and stage brings something new and wonderful. Both of my kids could say soem version of Mickey around their 1st birthday and I consider that a parenting success .

 

[disneygirl1]

I personally think any age is a great age to take your child to Disney! My son was 17 months old when we took him for the first time. He had a blast even though he was so young. His face when he saw a character was priceless. Now I have a little Disney Nut on my hand. The boy has been to Disney every year of this life and I just love the expression on his face each and everytime we go!

 

[rlaeromech]

Plan your next trip!
If you have kids.... take them! Period!

 

[clee687]

My son's 1st visit to WDW was when he was 22 months. He jumped head first into the TERRIBLE 2s there. My happy, fun, easy going baby turned into a gotta have things my way monster!!! But if I had it to do over again, I would take him in a heartbeat. If you're going to fight a monster all day anyway, the scenery is much better at WDW than at home! We still have wonderful pictures and video and lots of good memories. He was too wiggly to sit still for any show or parade or fireworks but did love the rides. His next visit (for his 3rd birthday) he did much better and it was so fun to see how his reactions to things had changed. That is such a great part of taking your kids there. They change so much so quickly and with each trip they will be able(or willing) to do things they couldn't/wouldn't on the last trip. Every trip is magical!

 

[superniftychick]

My boyfriend and i had been talking about going to disney early next year but, we just found out i am pregnant and due feburary 2010 we are now taking the extra time to save and planning on going for the babys second birthday. The baby may not remember the trip but we will always remember the fun and magic a 2 year old expiriences at disney.

 

[Belle91]

I guess 6 is a good age. That way they will remember it. That way you won't have to deal with a stroller if you brought a baby.

 

[durangojim]

My opinion is that you can take a child at any age to WDW. Our son will be 4 in August and our daughter turned 1 in March. Both went to WDW for the first time before they were 2 months and have been 2-3x per year since. It has been wonderful seeing how their expericences with rides and characters have changed since getting older. My son whose favorite rides are POTC and HM will often sing the theme songs from the rides at home. Many times while I'm putting him to bed he'll say, "Daddy, let's talk about Disneyworld." and we'll talk about the rides and experiences that's he's had. On our most recent trip in May, he was tall enough to go on Thunder Mountain, and I have his first ride on video along with the smiles and him yelling "Yahoo" as he let go of the bar and raised his arms up! Capturing these moments as photos or videos make the question of age and if he'll always remember it moot to me. My daughter's reaction to the charcters has been fantastic. At six months we ate Crystal Palace and it seemed as though she recognized Piglet as the stuffed animal that she carries around with her. Taking a picture of her squeezing his nose is a memory I won't forget. If someone wants to wait until their kids are older, that's fine, but make no mistake, a young child can have loads of fun at Disney, no matter what the age.

When the kids are that young, you do have to go at their pace. That's why, when we're able, we try to stay longer so none of us are rushed. Taking a break in the middle of the day for naps and a swim is a necessity in my opinion. Yes, it is more work carrying strollers, but in terms of memories, how many adults remember all the details of family trips even when they were in their teens? I think whether a child will remember the vacation is the least valid of an argument regarding this topic.

Overall I think taking your child to WDW at any age is a great way to strenghten family bonds and capture memories that as a parent are priceless.

 

[AndTiggercameto]

I agree with the no right or wrong age..it's how you feel as parents when is the right time. Our first visit my 3 kids were aged 4,5 & 7...the youngest one has no recollection of going but has lots of photo's & video footage to watch. Our second visit they were all 2 yrs older (6,7&9) and remember this trip well. We also flew from the UK, the kids were great on the flight...have plenty of new bits & bobs to amuse & make sure they drink lots of water, & most of all HAVE FUN!! :ROFLOL: