The perfect age??

[dopeylover]

Took our daughter a week shy of 12 months. I loved it! Yes, we were in our room a bit earlier than usual, but she had a great time! We brought her on a TON of things. As for the stroller, I loved having it. She napped nicely in it, and we had great storage space in ours (we brought our own).

I would NEVER bring our daughter right now. At age 2, she's just getting out of the 'I'm scared of everything' phase, and she has ZERO patience waiting in lines or for her turn. And mid-summer, she decided she's scared of certain rides. It would be a nightmare.

Working on a 2013 trip now, and she would be 3 1/2. I wonder if we should wait one more year, but I don't know if I can! She loves ALL things Disney so much, we've booked, and we're going to make a final decision next summer when we see how she's grown patience-wise.

 

[DisneyWall-E]

In utero.

 

[Beholder]

Not sure of a "perfect" age, but our biological daughter has been going from about age 3. Our adopted daughter never got to experience WDW until she was 11. The biggest difference it terms of reaction was interesting. Our Bio was raised in Disney had a much more "personal" connection with Disney, while our Adopted had more of a detached reaction. Not that she didn't love it, she did, but it was less expectation, less magical. Being older and more cynical I think led to the different reaction. Of course her childhood was very different than that of your average child, but it was interesting nonetheless.

 

[Raven66]

Our personal preference was to wait until our daughter was 5. It worked out great. She was just about tall enough to ride everything. She did not want a stroller even tho we offered to get her one. No diapers, or bottles. I still brought an extra outfit in case she wanted to get wet. She is now almost 16 and is still excited to go next year. And we still plan to stop for characters, even Princess's.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Better to go when they are too young to remember everything than never go at all. Life does not always go according to plan.

There is a catch with that if you only go once. I had a friend from my childhood that told me over 22 years that he that went to WDW once, but had no memory of the trip. That person thought his mom was lying to him about going to WDW as a result of him not having any memories of the trip.

That means there better pictures for the kid to look at when he or she is older in that case if that is the only trip to wdw. I am saying that because kids are capable of calling parents liars without any proof like the friend from my childhood did.

 

[Clever Name]

You have to be at least 21 to enjoy all that WDW has to offer.

 

[cornandacobb]

Took kids #1 and #2 at ages 6 and 2, 8 and 4, 10 and 6.
Going this year and kids #1, #2 and #3 will be 12, 8 and 22 months.
Can't worry about the 22 month old if the rest of us want to go. She may or may not remember anything but she will certainly enjoy the heck out of lots of stuff, and in turn, we will be enjoying her visit. We won't forget the memories of her enjoyment.

And the ages don't really matter to me since 51% of the reason I go is for me!

 

[cowanfamily]

There is no "best" age - it depends upon your individual circumstance. Better to go when they are too young to remember everything than never go at all. Life does not always go according to plan.

I agree, you never know if you'll be here when they reach the perfect age. I take my 4 kids as often as I can. It's not always what they remember, sometimes it's the memories we hold of them. My 6 yr old made his first trip at 4 mos., 2nd at 6 mos and has been 4 more times since. He loves the place. He also loves looking at the pics of him being there as a baby. You never know what curve balls life will throw you. So for me the perfect age is 1-100!

 

[Goofyernmost]

There is no "best" age - it depends upon your individual circumstance. Better to go when they are too young to remember everything than never go at all. Life does not always go according to plan.

Your philosophy is fine and as an avid Disney fan totally understandable, but then you have to ask yourself, what difference is there between going and not remembering it or not going at all. Doesn't it have the same end result?

 

[woody98]

I've been taking my 2 DD since they were 22 months and 9 months. Now they are 12 and 10 and are experienced at vacationing Disney style. Now working on my DS who is 3 and been 5 times. Need to train them young.

 

[bigorangeandy]

The perfect time I think should be go whenever you get the chance, as you cannot know what hand life will hand you. The parks are always changing, and rides and shows that are here today, maybe gone or under refurb when you reach that "perfect" age. We started taking the kids when they were 7 and 9, and went last December when they were 17 and 18. Different ages have allowed us to do different things as the kids got older they could do something by themselves that you wouldn't do when they were younger. We were not in a position to take the kids when they were much younger, but have enjoyed watching them have the experiences they have. This past December they got up and did the EMH at AK, while me and the wife slept in for a bit.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I really don't feel there is such a thing as a perfect age; however, I do think there is an ideal starting age for each individual person/family. While I couldn't see bringing a child younger than 18 months, I know people who are perfectly happy bringing newborns and others who wouldn't do well with a child under 5.

I remember when growing up that the drs in our area used to tell all of the parents that 6 was the ideal age since it's the first age that any of them felt it was feasible for a child to be stroller free and be able to last a full day. Then there's that "at least he'll remember it at that age." Well, I'll tell ya what...my brother was 6 on our first trip and I was 11. He needed a stroller halfway through the first day in MK and we only remember bits and pieces of that trip- and like I said...I was 11. So, based on the debunked memory and stroller logic...I'd choose to go earlier...like between ages 2 & 4 so that the child still fully believes in every ounce of the magic.

I also see lots of people say to wait until the child is potty trained. DD3 had just turned 2 on her first trip and was still in diapers...on the flip side, she was about 2 yrs and 9 mos on her 2nd trip and fully potty trained. Let me just say there was little to no difference. Actually, I take that back...it was a tad easier when she was in diapers since I didn't have to sprint with her to the bathroom to prevent a potty emergency/catastrophe. And instead of carrying a backpack full of diapers, I had a backpack full of clothing changes - ya know, just in case.

Still having a 2 yr old at Disney was PURE MAGIC! She's approaching 4 and she still believes she's met her favorite cartoon celebs. Reality is starting to hit DD6, but b/c I've seen how magical it can be for the younger set...I say THE YOUNGER - THE BETTER...IF...and ONLY IF...YOU'RE PREPARED FOR IT...because it is a very different touring experience...but amazing in its own way. Then again, if you're only going to go once or maybe twice in their lifetime- then I see doing it older, but if you make multiple trips...I'd start early

 

[LivFreeorDisney]

We've done all ages from 4 months to 4 years up to this point also going with 1 child and with 2 and each trip is different. We never plan out our days and we see how the kids are feeling to see what we do. So far the best rage has been 3 to 4 years old for us.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

What do you feel is the perfect age (or nearly perfect) age to bring kiddos to WDW?

We've done both 8 months and 4 and 6, then 2, 6 and 7. I definitely think we're going to wait until my 2 year old is around 6! No strollers, NO diapers and can ride *most* of the rides! LOL

My personal opinion is that a child shouldn't be brought there until they're at an age where they can appreciate AND remember the experience. So I would say 6 or 7 should be the earliest. The experience is basically lost on a child younger than that, because at those younger ages all they can really do is 'coo' and 'ahh' over the pretty colors they see or seeing things around them they may be able to pick up and examine.......basically everything they can already do either at home or in a walk through of the local mall. I like to think a trip to Disney is something pretty special, something each member of the family should be able to enjoy and reminisce about together. Infants and toddlers wouldn't have a clue they were even there unless they saw themselves in some family photos. Sure, the parents would remember taking them, and that's all well and good for THEIR memories....but what about the child? Then there's also the factor about the whining and the crying and so forth that the much younger children are prone to that really disturbs the enjoyment of others. But you know, it's going to vary from person to person. Some want to take them as long as they can get them in for free (at a very young age) and others wait until their ability to appreciate and recall the trip is a little more well developed.

 

[The Mom]

Your philosophy is fine and as an avid Disney fan totally understandable, but then you have to ask yourself, what difference is there between going and not remembering it or not going at all. Doesn't it have the same end result?

Not for the parent. And there is no guarantee that you will be able to bring them when they reach the "perfect" age. So my feeling is: If you have the money 2.You have the time. 3. You have the desire - go for it. It may be decades, or tragically never, before everything aligns again. If going to WDW with your children is on your "bucket list" then go for it - and don't worry about whether or not they are the perfect age.

Now, if you are doing it only to make memories for your children (rather than to have a vacation where you all can enjoy yourselves) then you should wait until they are older.

I may be selfish, but I didn't want to delay having family vacations until my children were old enough to remember - be it a week at the beach, or in the mountains, or at WDW. And WDW was certainly the most kid oriented. I was going to go on vacation anyway.

And like many families, by the time one reached the "perfect" age, I had another who was too young. But if I waited until they all reached the perfect age, one would be beyond it.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Not for the parent. And there is no guarantee that you will be able to bring them when they reach the "perfect" age. So my feeling is: If you have the money 2.You have the time. 3. You have the desire - go for it. It may be decades, or tragically never, before everything aligns again. If going to WDW with your children is on your "bucket list" then go for it - and don't worry about whether or not they are the perfect age.

Now, if you are doing it only to make memories for your children (rather than to have a vacation where you all can enjoy yourselves) then you should wait until they are older.

I may be selfish, but I didn't want to delay having family vacations until my children were old enough to remember - be it a week at the beach, or in the mountains, or at WDW. And WDW was certainly the most kid oriented. I was going to go on vacation anyway.

And like many families, by the time one reached the "perfect" age, I had another who was too young. But if I waited until they all reached the perfect age, one would be beyond it.

On that I completely agree. As long as everyone realizes that it is for the parents and not the child, there is no reason to not just do it while you can. They are only small for but a very brief period of time. I never felt that early childhood reaction need, but then again I'm dead on the inside, so I didn't feel it to be worthwhile. It's all in what makes us feel good and our personal priority feelings. Children of different gaped ages is another very good reason to not wait.

 

[Robbi129]

We waited too long to take our kids to Disney. They were 14 and 12. They both loved it and had a good time, but asked if the next year we could go to Cedar Pointe instead.

 

[YoungNY]

I think 2 years and 11 months is the perfect age for a first visit. Then 4 and every two years after that. I think taking them when they are young enough to really believe in the "magic" is important. When Tink flys from the castle they really believe it's Tink and not just some lady on a wire. Yes, they won't remember it, but you will.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Any age past stroller age. Otherwise, don't bring them to a Disney park. PLEASE!!!!!!!

 

[luv]

Well if you bring someone under 4 then you are bringing them for you not them because they won't remember. ..

...Just realize if you go the unpractical route you are doing things for yourself not the child.

I disagree. Many people take children to Disney just for the kids. I've known plenty!

Just because children won't remember us singing Itsy Bitsy Spider, reading Pat the Bunny or taking them places doesn't mean they shouldn't have those experiences. Nor does it mean that since they won't remember it, we did it all for ourselves.

Eta: the reason I would NOT take a pre-school kid is for me. I don't want to deal with a kid that young at WDW.