What age is the best for first visit to Disneyland?

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Feb Thu 18, 2010 11:22 am

When's the best age? Well, you could be like my uncle was with my cousin: "18. Then he can pay for his own ticket and go in on his own." I took him to EPCOT shortly after his 18th birthday and that was his first time EVER in that park. He had been once to MK with a school group.

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Feb Thu 18, 2010 3:13 pm

99 soulz, your daughter is still just as cute as a button! Thanks for sharing the picture!

I agree with boilerbabe! Start 'em young! I think my first trip to DL was at 4. I was scared of everything (except Peter Pan, IASW, HM and the Tiki Room)! I didn't even go on POTC again until I was 12 or something...I was a 'fraidy cat, what can I say? The odd part is, Mom told me that I was never afraid of the HM. I suppose it makes sense...it is after all my favorite!

But there was no access to the movies/characters back then like there is now.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Feb Sat 20, 2010 10:49 am

I also remember when I was 3, everything was real to me! All of the characters! My fav. has always been Mickey, when I saw him I ran up to him and hugged him, I would not let go of his leg! My parent's had to come and remove me(they didn't have the huge crowds like today of waiting in line for the characters)! The poor person in the Mickey costume, probably thinking, get this kid off of my leg!

I remember Goofy pulling on my pig tails, that I didn't care for.

We would always go every other year to WDW. My fav. happy place!

rphillips14 · Post by **rphillips14** » Feb Sat 20, 2010 10:52 am

I took a Disney trip when I was 18 but I was going into the military and couldn't appreciate it for what Disney is...

My REAL first trip was when I was 45 and it changed my life. I think it's great to go young but it takes a cynical old coot like I was to have a life altering visit.

Akyriel · Post by **Akyriel** » Mar Thu 04, 2010 3:55 pm

I think older is better both for the child and for you... 7ish is perfect age... old/tall enought to enjoy the bigger rides and still innocent enough to love Fantasyland too

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Apr Sat 24, 2010 9:50 pm

I was 6 when my parents first took us to Disney World. I don't remember a thing except for what the pictures show me. My favorite is a picture of my "brave" eldest brother pushing me toward Captain Hook while he is safely standing to one side. And my Mom still reminds me how I almost made her sick on Dumbo going up and down ~ evidently I really liked having control of a ride! I think if you are fortunate enough to go more than once, take them when they are little and have a complete sense of wonderment about meeting the characters that have come to life in front of their very eyes. If you only can go once

then I would agree with Akyriel, 7-ish...

NaCler · Post by **NaCler** » Apr Sun 25, 2010 11:22 am

In just over 2 weeks, my little girl is going for her first time and she is 2. I think you're asking for a lot of work if you take them before they are 1. We'll still have to deal with naps and temper tantrums, but when you compare it to all the memories you create, it's worth it. For ME anyways...

greendoor678 · Post by **greendoor678** » May Mon 10, 2010 10:57 am

While the kids may not remember the trip, it is very special for the parents to watch the expressions on the kids' faces. We are planning a trip for our son's first bday and I realize that he won't remember it but the adults are excited about his "1st trip". Since it sounds like you all make a lot of trips then you can always revisit through the years as they will build their own special memories.

Also, it will be really cool to have pix of them as little tikes and say "look how little you were the first time......" you know?

Just because they won't remember it, I don't think it should deter you from visiting.

jlpeaches255 · Post by **jlpeaches255** » Jun Sun 06, 2010 7:53 pm

We took both of our kids for their first time before they were 2. I loved that aged. If you have been before and don't need to "do everything" then I would say bring them!! Kids remember what is reinforced in their minds. My son does not remember his first trip, (23 months old) but he "remembers" the second trip which was only a few months later because we have videos of the second trip and he has watched them a million times. He is 9 now and he will tell you stories from that trip as if it was just last year.

eowynflynkfinger · Post by **eowynflynkfinger** » Jun Fri 18, 2010 3:37 am

Hi,

our kids were 4 1/2 and 7 years old when we went with them to Disneyland Paris for the first time. In a few days they're having their next trip to DLP and this time it will be for 5 days.

They know the characters well so that they aren't afraid of them. But our kids know amusement parks well because at their first trip they were four months old (my big son) and accordingly 3 months old (my younger son). And we go several times a year to amusement parks.

In 2006 my husband and I had our first trip to DLP without our kids and it was a very good idea. We made a video of our trip so that our kids could see, what they're looking forward. Last december we went with our kids for the first time there and they had so much fun there, although it was just one day we were there. It was amazing.

I can't wait to go next thursday to Disneyland Paris. I am so exited.

Greetings from Germany
Verena

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Jun Fri 18, 2010 6:33 am

eowynflynkfinger wrote:Hi,
our kids were 4 1/2 and 7 years old when we went with them to Disneyland Paris for the first time. In a few days they're having their next trip to DLP and this time it will be for 5 days.
They know the characters well so that they aren't afraid of them. But our kids know amusement parks well because at their first trip they were four months old (my big son) and accordingly 3 months old (my younger son). And we go several times a year to amusement parks.
In 2006 my husband and I had our first trip to DLP without our kids and it was a very good idea. We made a video of our trip so that our kids could see, what they're looking forward. Last december we went with our kids for the first time there and they had so much fun there, although it was just one day we were there. It was amazing.
I can't wait to go next thursday to Disneyland Paris. I am so exited.
Greetings from Germany
Verena

It sounds like you have had some nice trips both with and without your children

Don't forget to write a short trip report with some pictures when you return! It would be nice to see some DLP park photos

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Jun Fri 18, 2010 8:54 pm

Oh yes! We would like to go one day, but getting to see some DLP pictures would be wonderful!!!

rphillips14 · Post by **rphillips14** » Jul Sun 04, 2010 2:51 pm

Any time!!! You are never too young to experience the magic of Disney!!!

rphillips14 · Post by **rphillips14** » Jul Sun 04, 2010 2:55 pm

You should problably stay away from Dinosaur and Space Mountain.

Joepsycho4 · Post by **Joepsycho4** » Sep Tue 07, 2010 4:56 pm

Thank you all SO much for your replies. I know several months have passed since I opened this thread, but here is a bit of an update. We are set to drive from SW Washington state to Disneyland in mid October. We are staying at the Paradise Pier and have 5 day park hopper tickets. We are starting the drive mid day and most of the traveling will be while the boys sleep. We have started exposing them to Disney movies and TV shows (the only TV they watch besides Sesame Street). We have also been telling them that we are going to go visit Mickey at his house. They have fallen in love with Mickey and Pooh Bear. The younger of the twins carries his Pooh Bear around with him constantly. We also bought tickets to the Halloween party and have purchased priority seating for Fantasmic so we wont have to wait in a crowd for an hour +. We have made reservations at the PCH grill for a character breakfast and are debating buying a meal package for WoC. We are VERY excited to go!

99Soulz, your daughter is Super cute! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Any suggestions on things to keep them busy during the trip? Or any suggestions on what to bring, not forget, or just general advice?

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