Best Age for a Child's First Visit

FrankieC79 · Post by **FrankieC79** » May Wed 25, 2011 12:05 pm

My wife and I have 3 yr old twins (one boy and one girl). I want to plan a Disney Trip as soon as possible. I like to try and go at least once a year. However, we have concerns that the kids may still be at an age where they will not fully appreciate it, and it may even take a bit of the fun out of it for us. We took them in April 2010 for a week when they were not even 2 yet. But we had my father and stepmother there to help us with them, and even then there was still a lot of things we just couldn't do having the kids with us. We will be going alone this time...with the kids.

People always say that if you take kids before a certain age, it is a waste of time and money becuase they will not truly appreciate it and even remember it. So, i am asking you fine people for advice and opinions. What do you feel the best age is for a child's first trip to disney?

Amy · Post by **Amy** » May Wed 25, 2011 1:08 pm

I think there might be a thread addressing this very subject Frankie...I don't have time to search at the moment as I am on my way out the door for lessons, but maybe someone else will be able to post a link for you...if not, I'll check when I get home this evening....
I would think your kids would have a great time, but no, they likely won't remember the trip as they get older. But you will have pictures to help remind them...

jacobcary1 · Post by **jacobcary1** » May Wed 25, 2011 1:43 pm

Amy wrote:I think there might be a thread addressing this very subject Frankie...I don't have time to search at the moment as I am on my way out the door for lessons, but maybe someone else will be able to post a link for you...if not, I'll check when I get home this evening....
I would think your kids would have a great time, but no, they likely won't remember the trip as they get older. But you will have pictures to help remind them...

I agree, I am planning on waiting until my youngest can walk all day by themselves without complaint's. I am guessing around 4. My 1st visit I was 4. My dad says I did ok, But I dont remember much of that visit. We used to go every other year.

jeremyleo · Post by **jeremyleo** » May Wed 25, 2011 2:31 pm

Our very first visit (DW and I) was with our children, then DD 3 and DS 18mos. It was a busy time of year (Easter) and we had only planned on 4 park days (with hoppers). We decided to go with the kids at that age so that DD could get her first WDW experience when she was so enamoured with Ariel (DD is a red-head), and DS was "free" (free park entry, sat on our knee on the plane, ate off our plates at restaraunts), so really no extra cost to have him along. Although more work than subsequent future trip when the kids were older, it was a great experience for all of us. Even though both kids have no real memory of that first trip, their enjoyment and reactions 'in the moment' was priceless for us, and we still have pictures and video from that trip to share with the kids (and we often do).

We used a stroller every park day (rented double stroller - it was a must) and used 'ride swap' when we needed to. We left alot behind when we left for home from that first trip, but we knew we'd be back (we typically go every other year).

I guess that short answer is "It depends on your kids". IMO, experiencing WDW through children's eyes can be as much fun, if not more, than travelling without them. And you can always take advantage of the kids' club or Fairy Godmother services if you want an adult meal or an evening to tour on your own to hit the attractions you miss when the kids are with you.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » May Wed 25, 2011 3:15 pm

According to my aunt and uncle, the best age for a child's first visit is 18 years old. That way, he can pay for the ticket (or have a generous cousin like me buy it for a HS graduation present).

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Wed 25, 2011 3:17 pm

my parents took me when I was 4 years old...and I still remember parts of that trip

jacobcary1 · Post by **jacobcary1** » May Wed 25, 2011 3:24 pm

Age 4 seems to be the popular vote. It seems your visit in 2012 would be ok for you and your twins.

Amy · Post by **Amy** » May Wed 25, 2011 5:00 pm

I went when I was 6. I don't remember a thing about it other than when I see the photos. Then, I doubt I am remembering anything, just enjoying the few pictures we took. With digital photos and video readily available these days, I would take them now while they are little if you are able. Then you can relive the joy of them seeing the characters and enjoying the attractions when they get to be surly teenagers....whoops, I mean when they are older

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » May Wed 25, 2011 7:08 pm

Thinking on it, if all kids had to wait until 18 years old to go for the first time, then we could the parks without all those pesky kids running around...

jacobcary1 · Post by **jacobcary1** » May Wed 25, 2011 7:15 pm

Amy wrote:I went when I was 6. I don't remember a thing about it other than when I see the photos. Then, I doubt I am remembering anything, just enjoying the few pictures we took. With digital photos and video readily available these days, I would take them now while they are little if you are able. Then you can relive the joy of them seeing the characters and enjoying the attractions when they get to be surly teenagers....whoops, I mean when they are older

I think you have a great idea there. The ease of digital photos and video almost can make a trip worth it at a young age. I would love to see myself when I was younger at Disney. Regretfully there was no video or digital cameras when I was young.

rphillips14 · Post by **rphillips14** » May Wed 25, 2011 10:17 pm

My son was 5 on his first trip and in some ways, 5 is actually easier than 6 or 7. The stroller makes all the difference because it becomes a very different trip when they cannot ride in the stroller. Still any age is good at Disney!

Amy · Post by **Amy** » May Thu 26, 2011 4:15 am

rphillips14 wrote:My son was 5 on his first trip and in some ways, 5 is actually easier than 6 or 7. The stroller makes all the difference because it becomes a very different trip when they cannot ride in the stroller. Still any age is good at Disney!

That would make sense. If you are having to carry around a child who is tired but too big for a stroller, that can make a big impact on your general state of mind, and body, as well.
I would have to agree with people that a lot depends on your child. I have watched my friends' video of their trip to Disney. Their children at the time were not quite 2 and 4. They went in August and neither child handles the heat well. The kids look miserable in the video and like hot, little beets in the pictures. It was super crowded and I don't know that my friends enjoyed much about the parks. I think they only went to the MK and possibly AK. They have no interest in returning since they did not have an enjoyable time. The kids have told me that they wish Aunt Mamy would take them to Disney since they know I love it so and know not to go during the summer

I only wish I had the means to do that while they are still sort of little (now ages 8, 13, and 15)
My youngest niece is almost 10 and I would love to have the opportunity to experience the parks with her as well, but my sister-in-law has some quirks that would make for a not so enjoyable trip for F1gment or me. I did go to Disneyland with my other nephew and niece when they were about 7 and 9. They were hot, alternately bored and sort of interested in attractions, but would have been just as happy, if not happier, with a trip to an amusement park with only "thrill" rides and not so much theming.

That was not as enjoyable a trip as I would have thought it would be. My Mom, brother and I had more fun later in the week when we went and took the Keys to the Kingdom tour while the kids went to school and their Mother went to work

I think I have mentioned it in another thread somewhere that my brother was all "humbug Disney" but really ended up enjoying that second trip a lot more than the first one. I don't think he has been to WDW except when I went for the first time when I was 6 and he was 12 and my oldest brother was 14. Maybe that is the problem, not enough exposure to cause enchantment. I think if I could get him to Tokyo DisneySea I would have a Disney convert on my hands! My oldest brother goes to Disney quite often and enjoys it throughly...minus the expense!

jacobcary1 · Post by **jacobcary1** » May Thu 26, 2011 8:24 am

I don;t think I can follow Amy's book up there. But I agree with the fact if your having to carry the kids the whole time its no good. I also agree that summer is not the best time to go due to the heat and crowds. I have had my best Disney vacations in the fall. Which usually falls on the food and wine festival. Which brings beautiful decor. I am not much for the wine though. I am all about the food.

Amy · Post by **Amy** » May Thu 26, 2011 8:47 am

jacobcary1 wrote:I don;t think I can follow Amy's book up there. But I agree with the fact if your having to carry the kids the whole time its no good. I also agree that summer is not the best time to go due to the heat and crowds. I have had my best Disney vacations in the fall. Which usually falls on the food and wine festival. Which brings beautiful decor. I am not much for the wine though. I am all about the food.

Sorry ~ it was early ~ I was feeling wordy

I would love to go during the food and wine festival sometime, but I would have to close my eyes and simply hand over the credit card for the snacks. I don't think I would ever be able to consciously pay those prices for those tiny little snacks

FrankieC79 · Post by **FrankieC79** » May Thu 26, 2011 9:24 am

Amy- You hit my biggest concern right on the head. Its the lack of enchantment due to lack of exposure or exposure to late in life. I mean, my parents didnt take us until I was in 4th grade and my brother was in kindergarden, and I definitely do want to wait that long for their first trip. We obviously still became enamoured with it, my brother ended up going to UCF because of Disney and still lives down there now, and is a seasonal employee at MK.

You guys have been great!! I am getting the feeling that the age 4 is a good age. Unfortunately, that means I will have to wait until June 2012 at the earliest. So, maybe I will push it and try to get a trip January of 2012, cause I wanted to run the Half Marathon that month.

Thanks again guys.

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Best Age for a Child's First Visit

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