Best Age for a Child's First Visit

Amy · Post by **Amy** » May Mon 30, 2011 8:32 pm

gullyf wrote:
Amy wrote:Cute photos gullyf ~ I have to admit I had to look up what a rebozo is...you managed to carry them around with those until age 5
I also like the fact that the characters interact with the kids on eye level, although I can't imagine trying to get up from the floor gracefully while in the character outfits!
Yes, of course they needed less carrying each time we went. As they get older, they ride more with their legs wrapped around your hips, so the rebozo acts more like a third arm just to hold them in.
Almost every character we met got down to kids level for them, even those not in a character suit: Mary Poppins, Peter Pan and Wendy, JoJo, even the Incredibles. Not all got right on the floor, but, like Minnie, at least kneeled, and the kids just ate it up.

That is great that the characters do that. We don't spend much time with characters since Mom and I aren't traveling with any youngens, but I have to say I didn't notice a lot of characters kneeling or getting down to the kids' level. Maybe they just do that with the tiniest of guests?

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » May Mon 30, 2011 8:36 pm

I think I was in the first grade when exposed to Disney and have been enchanted with theme-parks since (I even like USO when it first opened)...

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Tue 31, 2011 7:49 am

mindflipper wrote:I think I was in the first grade when exposed to Disney and have been enchanted with theme-parks since (I even like USO when it first opened)...

USO really was a great park when it first opened...because it was truly a movie park. WDW had the whole "magical theme park" thing covered and USO came in with the really cool movie theme. The rides were very well done and some of the queues were pretty good like BTTF, E.T., and King Kong.

Then I guess WDW's MGM Studios took off a little more in the years after that and USO countered with IOA and made it more of a "Six Flags" with some theming sprinkled in. They've gotten back to theming a bit more with Harry Potter...but WDW is now about 50 laps ahead and not looking back.

I will always have fond memories of my early 90s trip to USO though...and how well done the park actually was considering it was not a Disney park.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » May Tue 31, 2011 8:40 am

But the original USO park does lack the movie theme and feels more...cartoonish? Jimmy Nuetron? Shrek? The Simpsons? Rocky and Bullwinkle? Is it a movie-themed park, or is it one based on Saturday Morning Cartoons?

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Tue 31, 2011 8:44 am

I thought they did a good job on creating a classic movie version of streets in NYC and Los Angeles...like WDW did at MGM.

I will say though that it was kind of a hodgepodge of attractions now that I think about it a little more. You have to admit that the BTTF ride was cool considering how long ago that was...and that the park was fairly well done for a non-Disney park.

WDW just got much, much better over the next 20 years than USO did...even with the resorts and rides they added.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » May Tue 31, 2011 8:50 am

theBIGyowski wrote:I thought they did a good job on creating a classic movie version of streets in NYC and Los Angeles...like WDW did at MGM.

I will say though that it was kind of a hodgepodge of attractions now that I think about it a little more. You have to admit that the BTTF ride was cool considering how long ago that was...and that the park was fairly well done for a non-Disney park.

WDW just got much, much better over the next 20 years than USO did...even with the resorts and rides they added.

I like the Portofino over at USO. If you ever seen Portofino, I think they've captured a lot of the look of the Italian seaside resort.

Amy · Post by **Amy** » May Tue 31, 2011 12:30 pm

theBIGyowski wrote:I thought they did a good job on creating a classic movie version of streets in NYC and Los Angeles...like WDW did at MGM.
I will say though that it was kind of a hodgepodge of attractions now that I think about it a little more. You have to admit that the BTTF ride was cool considering how long ago that was...and that the park was fairly well done for a non-Disney park.
WDW just got much, much better over the next 20 years than USO did...even with the resorts and rides they added.

Definitely a bit of a hodgepodge ~ but I agree with you on the Back to the Future ride, that was pretty amazing, especially for something in the 80's. And I remember ET quite fondly. I really liked how they had the smell in the ride, very similar to the Journey into Imagination at EPCOT

Satchel T · Post by **Satchel T** » May Tue 31, 2011 12:43 pm

We felt the same way but went ahead and took our little guy when he was 2! Crazy huh? But he loved it and rememebred so much. Then again at 3, loved it even more and now this year again at 4. The great thing about it was watching him progress throughout the years and being able to ride more rides and enjoy more, but still there was enver a moment where we thought we should have waited. It'll be a blast!

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Tue 31, 2011 12:47 pm

one thing we can all agree on...

no matter what age...it is priceless for the parents to see their children interact with the characters and other CMs...and to see that interaction change and grow over the years just adds to it

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » May Tue 31, 2011 1:34 pm

Amy wrote:
theBIGyowski wrote:I thought they did a good job on creating a classic movie version of streets in NYC and Los Angeles...like WDW did at MGM.
I will say though that it was kind of a hodgepodge of attractions now that I think about it a little more. You have to admit that the BTTF ride was cool considering how long ago that was...and that the park was fairly well done for a non-Disney park.
WDW just got much, much better over the next 20 years than USO did...even with the resorts and rides they added.
Definitely a bit of a hodgepodge ~ but I agree with you on the Back to the Future ride, that was pretty amazing, especially for something in the 80's. And I remember ET quite fondly. I really liked how they had the smell in the ride, very similar to the Journey into Imagination at EPCOT

I loved the now extinct Hanna & Barbera ride over at USO. Wonderful combination of computer generated and hand-drawn cel animation.

Sharonofwindham · Post by **Sharonofwindham** » Jul Fri 15, 2011 11:18 pm

I have been with all different ages, and I truly think that taking your twins at three is a super idea. There is something special about their sense of wonder at 2-3 yrs that is just amazing at Disney. Sure they won't remember everything, but they do retain alot, you'll be surprised. Just be prepared to take it slower with lots of breaks and snacks to stave off the tantrums( that goes for adults too)

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Jul Fri 15, 2011 11:37 pm

I think the under 3 yr old crowd are really just too young. I never understand why so many take babies under 1 yr old so much to the parks...

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Jul Sat 16, 2011 8:38 am

mindflipper wrote:I think the under 3 yr old crowd are really just too young. I never understand why so many take babies under 1 yr old so much to the parks...

Because they are free? I think it would be fun to see the delight on a 1 or 2 year old's face, but I do think it would be a definite challenge

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Jul Sat 16, 2011 11:07 am

Dragging around the stroller and diaper bag, having to spend the time quieting down the baby when he/she is fussing, trying to get it to nap...do the parents really have that great of a time? In the end, I think it make's them as cranky as the baby.

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Jul Sat 16, 2011 2:15 pm

mindflipper wrote:Dragging around the stroller and diaper bag, having to spend the time quieting down the baby when he/she is fussing, trying to get it to nap...do the parents really have that great of a time? In the end, I think it make's them as cranky as the baby.

Well, yes, I would think it would be a little more challenging, but you would probably have to be changing the diaper and calming the baby down and getting them to nap even if you weren't at Disney. At least during the quiet and non-cranky hours you are on vacation at Disney! But no, I can't imagine taking infants there. They certainly aren't getting much out of the vacation and they aren't going to remember the memories either

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Best Age for a Child's First Visit

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