What age?

[jackie011]

I cannot even believe I'm posting this, but... My ILs are starting to talk about going to Disneyworld with my son. He's 2. They think that we should go soon after he turns 3. The whole prospect is making my head spin!! I feel like he's too little at 3. I'd rather wait until he's older and able to go on more rides and remember more of the experiences. But, at the same time, my ILs are newly 70 and still in good shape. They don't want to wait too much longer.

So, how do you even get started? What is the ideal age to rage a child? How long would you say is a good length of a trip? We live in the Midwest, so it would be at least 1 if not 2 airplane trips.

[kittycatlove]

We took DS for the first time at 2.5, though that trip was to Disneyland. He had a blast and it was great to see how much fun he had. I totally got the bug and booked a trip to Disneyworld when he was 3.5, and we just went again this past December at 4.5. We were going to go again this December, but it looks like we may have to push the trip to next May. We also took the IL's on both trips to Disneyworld as they wanted to experience it with DS as well.

With your DS being that young I would definitely recommend staying on property. Also if you go before 3 he will be free.

[hymen]

One of the most magical trips with DS1 was when he was 2. He was SOOO into everything, could nap in his stroller, LOVED a the characters - it was great. If your son travels well, I would definitely consider a trip at 3.

[curbsideprophet]

I was surprised how much DS enjoyed at 16 months. DD was 4 and enjoyed it was well. There are a decent amount of rides that do not have height restrictions.

We stayed at BLT. Being able to walk to MK was great.

[chicago]

We just took DD at 2 years. She wasn't able to ride the bigger thrill rides of course, but there were plenty of things she was able to go on. Between rides, the parades and shows, fireworks, and tons of fun foods to eat, she had a blast. We've been back since the last week of June and she's still talking about it daily, the rides we went on, taking the monorail, and she plays parade. Id take her back at this age in a heartbeat.

[ssmjlm]

Personally I would go before 3, so they're still free. I found that since we weren't paying for E, we could be a bit more laid back about seeing all.the.things. and really took some downtime.

[origami]

We took the kids for the first time right before they turned 3 so they were still free. They loved it but it was definitely easier at 4-5 because they didn't need to nap. There are enough small rides/things to do that the whole day was full. Now at 6 I have the issue that they are getting bored with baby rides but are too scared for the big ones they're now tall enough for. They still have a blast though.

[bcv513]

Go before 3 when the kid is free! Of course, I plan on taking a nine month old in December so I'm biased

[autumnfire]

We're taking DD when she turns 3 and DS will be 8 months  (November 10th) (Trip - November 7th-11th)
Reason being is she gets in free before 3. I could not justify paying for her at that age knowing we're just really going to be going around the park taking in the sights and not really do many rides.

We're also staying at a resort in Disney so that if DD is having a rough go we can just quickly go back to our resort and get a nap in her. Then go back in the afternoon when she's more up to it. Or we'll put her in her stroller.

This age I find is magical for her and recognition of characters. I really think it's one of the only times she'll truly feel like she's seeing the real Mickey and other characters around the parks. While she won't remember it we will and I know I'll cherish her reactions and have lots of photos from it all.

We will be driving there (17hr drive) through the night so that the kids can sleep and it doesn't really affect them as it would if their entire day was spent in the car.

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2016 20:09:21 GMT -5 jackie011 said:

I cannot even believe I'm posting this, but... My ILs are starting to talk about going to Disneyworld with my son. He's 2. They think that we should go soon after he turns 3. The whole prospect is making my head spin!! I feel like he's too little at 3. I'd rather wait until he's older and able to go on more rides and remember more of the experiences. But, at the same time, my ILs are newly 70 and still in good shape. They don't want to wait too much longer.

So, how do you even get started? What is the ideal age to rage a child? How long would you say is a good length of a trip? We live in the Midwest, so it would be at least 1 if not 2 airplane trips.

Do the trip with grandparents while they can still do it. 3 is a great age for Disney. LOTS he can go on, do and see. I recommend right BEFORE his third birthday so his ticket is still free. 


I have done trips at 13 months, 21 months, 2.5, 3.5 and 4. 

[TBM]

I can't think of any age that any of our kids/grandkids haven't enjoyed Disney. We took our youngest at 7 months, and I think the oldest grandson was 9 months when I started taking him weekly to Disneyland.

Even if they may not remember all (or any) of it, they enjoyed it so much at the time and the experiences were so good for them.

[bronxgirl]

DD was 3 on our first trip and she had a fabulous time. Honestly, I think the grandparents' ages matter more than the kid's at this point.If you can go right before his third birthday you'll save a few hundred dollars.

[revolution]

The last time we went, DS had just turned 3 by a month. (I am only slightly annoyed we couldn't manage to go just before he turned 3). He was SO INTO IT. It was fabulous. And there were a bunch of rides he could do and he loved meeting the characters. He also went at 13 months and had fun too.

I think every age is magical for one reason or another for the kids.

[jackie011]

I'm sure you're all desperate for an update... I shared the free before 3 thing with my ILs and mentioned that a friend said February is a good time to go (DS turns 3 in April). They told us they're in the middle of planning an Alaskan cruise for March (their 50th anniversary) so Disney will wait until sometime next year. They didn't seem too concerned about him being free before 3, but I also think they have no idea how much this will all cost. They went to Disney a few years ago with a group tour, and probably didn't have the price breakdown.

Either way- this is their thing, not ours. We certainly don't have the money to do this anytime soon, so we'll figure it out when they're ready to go. Thanks for all of your advice, I'll be back in a year or so!

[TamiTaylor]

We took j this summer at 3.5. He loved it. It was an amazing trip.

[hymen]

Aug 2, 2016 19:29:55 GMT -5 minniemouse said:

Age 35 months was our best trip ever, and not just because she was still free! Dd was super into the characters, not in diapers (less to lug around), very well behaved and not scared of anything yet (age 5 she was scared of the dark rides). We were able to sneak her into the BBB by saying it was an early birthday present.

DS1 became more scared of rides our last trip when he was 5 than he was at younger ages. We got him to go on Tower of Terror multiple times when he was 4, but he wouldn't even consider it this last time. It's weird how some time can make such a difference.

[kaycee]

We took DD for the first time at 15 months. She loved it and did awesome. We are going back this fall. She is 3 and DS is going to be 1.

[stinkyfeet]

Aug 1, 2016 21:02:51 GMT -5 hymen said:

One of the most magical trips with DS1 was when he was 2. He was SOOO into everything, could nap in his stroller, LOVED a the characters - it was great. If your son travels well, I would definitely consider a trip at 3.

This exactly.  They may not remember but YOU will never forget the look in their eyes when they meet a favorite character.  Or when they see the castle, flying Dumbo ride, etc.  I took both my kids at 2 1/2 or 3 and those were my favorite trips ever.

[Deleted]

Aug 5, 2016 13:39:29 GMT -5 stinkyfeet said:

Aug 1, 2016 21:02:51 GMT -5 hymen said:

One of the most magical trips with DS1 was when he was 2. He was SOOO into everything, could nap in his stroller, LOVED a the characters - it was great. If your son travels well, I would definitely consider a trip at 3.

This exactly.  They may not remember but YOU will never forget the look in their eyes when they meet a favorite character.  Or when they see the castle, flying Dumbo ride, etc.  I took both my kids at 2 1/2 or 3 and those were my favorite trips ever.

13 months old my DS saw Mickey Mouse for the first time on a float in the 3oclock parade ( before Festival of Fantasy) I will NEVER EVER EVER forget the look on his face. His mouth just dropped open. It was crazy. 

[gardengal]

Aug 2, 2016 9:49:30 GMT -5 autumnfire said:

We're taking DD when she turns 3 and DS will be 8 months  (November 10th) (Trip - November 7th-11th)
Reason being is she gets in free before 3. I could not justify paying for her at that age knowing we're just really going to be going around the park taking in the sights and not really do many rides.

We're also staying at a resort in Disney so that if DD is having a rough go we can just quickly go back to our resort and get a nap in her. Then go back in the afternoon when she's more up to it. Or we'll put her in her stroller.

This age I find is magical for her and recognition of characters. I really think it's one of the only times she'll truly feel like she's seeing the real Mickey and other characters around the parks. While she won't remember it we will and I know I'll cherish her reactions and have lots of photos from it all.

We will be driving there (17hr drive) through the night so that the kids can sleep and it doesn't really affect them as it would if their entire day was spent in the car.

My 1yo did tons of rides. He especially looked the Buzz ride. He'd do his happy dance once we got in line. We did that ride 3x. He's now almost 3 & we're going a gain & there's just a handful that he can't go on! She'll definitely do more than just taking in the sights. 

[autumnfire]

Aug 11, 2016 15:50:51 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Aug 2, 2016 9:49:30 GMT -5 autumnfire said:

We're taking DD when she turns 3 and DS will be 8 months  (November 10th) (Trip - November 7th-11th)
Reason being is she gets in free before 3. I could not justify paying for her at that age knowing we're just really going to be going around the park taking in the sights and not really do many rides.

We're also staying at a resort in Disney so that if DD is having a rough go we can just quickly go back to our resort and get a nap in her. Then go back in the afternoon when she's more up to it. Or we'll put her in her stroller.

This age I find is magical for her and recognition of characters. I really think it's one of the only times she'll truly feel like she's seeing the real Mickey and other characters around the parks. While she won't remember it we will and I know I'll cherish her reactions and have lots of photos from it all.

We will be driving there (17hr drive) through the night so that the kids can sleep and it doesn't really affect them as it would if their entire day was spent in the car.

My 1yo did tons of rides. He especially looked the Buzz ride. He'd do his happy dance once we got in line. We did that ride 3x. He's now almost 3 & we're going a gain & there's just a handful that he can't go on! She'll definitely do more than just taking in the sights. 

That's good to know! although I'll be happy if all she does is take in the sights given my current back issues lol