Best Age for First Visit

Fidget1234 · Post by **Fidget1234** » Oct Fri 14, 2005 6:26 pm

I'd say wait a few years till they're old enough to still really believe in it all but old enough to be out of the whole nap phase. 6-8 is good but they may not be able to go on all the bigger rides but also if there is a seperation between parents & children u want them to be old enough to be able to figure out to ask for help & stuff like that or wander off w/ strangers.
Maybe its not so much an age, but a maturity thing. But I'd say 6-8, or 8-10 is a pretty good age. But there is alot for everyone of all ages, the teens have plenty for themselves as well as the tots & not to mention all the kids at heart!

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » Oct Sat 22, 2005 5:45 pm

We brought our kids for the first time when they were 5 and 9 - we waited until our youngest would "remember" the trip. Looking back, I really wish we would have started when our firstborn was about 2 or 3, I know they won't remember, but my husband and I would forever remember WDW through the eyes of our toddlers! Oh well, hindsites 20/20 and down the road when my kids get married and have their babies "grandma and grandpa" will take them to Disney!

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Oct Tue 25, 2005 9:29 am

My parents wouldn't allow me to go to Disney World until I was eight years old. It was a long wait, but well worth it! At that age, I could really appreciate the park, ride all the rides, and walk all day without having a total exhaustion breakdown. After all that anticipation, the parks have lived up to my dreams and beyond!

RiaLucia · Post by **RiaLucia** » May Fri 30, 2008 5:00 pm

I thought I would resurrect this post since it's been almost 3 years since I replied to this poll and quite a bit has changed since then.

I've been dating a great guy who has a 2.5 year old daughter. She's smart as a whip and loves getting her Disney fix as much as the next little girl. Living in SoCal, she's been to Disneyland several times already, most recently with her daddy and myself in February. What was great about her is that she wasn't dependent on her stroller, so we usually ended up parking it in one of the lands and going on several rides from there. She's also not really one to act up or have meltdowns in public, and we kept her pretty amused in the lines. So when I said to my boyfriend that I'm dying for a Disney World trip this year, he asked, "Do you think we should bring Alex?"

And I replied, "Of course! I'll book us a Princess Breakfast, and we'll put on her Snow White dress and..."

That's when I realized that I've become that person who loves to see and picture the look on a child's face when they encounter the magic, even if they won't remember it. When it comes to when to bring your kids to WDW for the first time--especially if you have to make a long sojourn to do it--it really does depend on your family, caretaker situation, and the temperament of your child, and therefore the best age to bring them can really vary.

Now, it's still up for debate with us as to whether or not to take her test her on her first plane trip this young, and whether or not it really would be better to wait until she is older and can participate in some of the kids programs so that we can have time alone. He may invite his parents along to share the fun and to help with watching her, BUT my point is that I have definitely turned a corner on this topic. I think it's whenever you and the child are ready, and if it's at infancy, 2, or 10, so be it.

Chernabog · Post by **Chernabog** » May Fri 30, 2008 5:02 pm

Any age!! It does not matter!!

Calypso · Post by **Calypso** » May Fri 30, 2008 5:29 pm

As young as possible. My girls first went when they were 1.5 and 4.5. It was awesome and I have the best pictures ever!

parkhopper26 · Post by **parkhopper26** » May Fri 30, 2008 6:42 pm

Our first trip with our son was when he was five. He was old enough to remember his first trip there and was also old enough to do a lot of the walking involved with a disney vacation.

cordray2643 · Post by **cordray2643** » May Sat 31, 2008 4:10 pm

My vote is 2. Just before turning 3. First, they get special treatment from cast members and characters, especially if they are outgoing and not shy. And of course they are pretty much free for admission and dining.

Calypso · Post by **Calypso** » May Sat 31, 2008 4:55 pm

of course they are pretty much free for admission and dining.

We took advantage of this, too. Not that my little one ate much.....

HakuOni · Post by **HakuOni** » Jun Sun 01, 2008 12:36 pm

i would say seven to eight because even though they are somewhat old ages. kids begin to settle and there is still a little imagination in them.

secondstar · Post by **secondstar** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 9:09 pm

My daughter was 17 months old on her first trip. Everyone told us she'd never remember anything and it was a waste of money. But I'll never forget the look in her eyes when she first saw "Festival of the Lion King." There she was, standing on my knees, jumping up and down out of control, eyes big as saucers, pointing at Simba. And there I was crying.

My wife and I have been to WDW several times and have always had great vacations. But we both agree that was our most enjoyable trip there. The following trip, when she was 29 months old, was our worst trip however. She was TOO EXCITED and TOO AWARE of what was around her. She was sooooo excited, she wouldn't eat. Wouldn't sleep. Wouldn't listen.

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 1:24 pm

My son will be 4 months old when we go in December. Of course, we're not going for his sake.

jcodirewolf · Post by **jcodirewolf** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 2:26 pm

Our Nephew went when he was 11 days old

Of course it was a special occasion, he was born just prior to me getting married at Disney World. And my brother was best man. It was sorta hit or miss if he or his wife or the kids would be there, they all made it (even if the 2 y.o. decided Daddy didn't need his suit for Disney World, and unpacked it.)

in general I think 11 days is a bit young to really get the most out of WDW. But since brother lives in Tampa they have been a lot (several times a year for there whole life.)

johno

SimonTemplar · Post by **SimonTemplar** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 9:26 pm

I totally agree that it is dependent on your child. Our son went the first time when he was 8 months old, but he actually remembers things from his trip at age three (he's now 11). On average, I would say that 5-6 is ideal.

pkbabygirl · Post by **pkbabygirl** » Jun Thu 05, 2008 1:54 pm

subsonic wrote:If I have kids, I'm not taking them until about 4-5. I want to make sure they are at least 40' tall to get onto some of the better attractions.

This is when we are planning to take my daughter around this age or for her 5th birthday for this same reason.

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Best Age for First Visit

What is the best age for a child's first visit to Disney World?