is 3.5 too young for disney world florida?

[littleredsquirrel]

Thinking of going in October when DS2 will be 3.5 and DS1 will be 5.5 DH wants to wait a year but I'm concerned that some of the magic might have been lost for DS1 if we did that (plus I want to go this year since I have holiday to use up!)

DS2 is exactly a metre and so might grow another 2cm by then to get onto more rides.

Other issues is that star wars ride will be closed in October since they're replacing it which is a shame for DS1 who is Star Wars mad

any views?

I wouldn't think that he's too young. I've been twice with DD, once when she was six, and this year when she was nine. I think that children certainly appreciate the more magical side of things when they're younger. DD was already fairly cynical at six, although loved it.

If you're happy to do Disney, then there'll be lots of rides that your DCs can go on.

It might be an idea to go back again when they're older, and do all the other parks (Busch Gardens, Islands of Adventure, Universal etc) which are designed for an older age range!

I think they'll have a great time in October and hopefully the weather won't be too sweltering either.

Yes the weather was a key factor (plus half term holidays) It should be about 28 so still nice and hot but not so hot that we'd fry immediately!

I am concerned about missing the magic. we went to disneyland paris 18 months ago with my nephew who was 7 and DH's overriding memory is of my nephew pointing a lasergun at Mickymouse and saying "Die Mickey" .

Actually DS1 was then 3.5 and he loved it (but admittedly he was too small for many of the rides)

The main issue is that if we went this year then it would be a good few years before we went again due to the cost and so we need to make sure that we time it right.

ds1 was 3.5 when we went, he absolutely loved every minute of it

My ds was younger than 3.5 when we first went and he had a great time.

Took a 20 month old and apart from the fact that NO meaningful sleep or eating took place for 2 weeks, it was the most fantastically enjoyable holiday - spent a week @ WDW and a week elsewhere in FLorida.

It's the experience, not the rides at that age, and it was totally worth it.

Went to see Mickey Mouse, and nearly brought the house down - DC went bonkers with delight. Really recommended, but it is full on and you need to be fighting fit to cope with heat , crowds and insane offspring.

I wouldn;t go till the children were older but thats more because its such a long day I don;t think my two would be able to keep going!! They're 6 and 4.

With my dc (2 & 4, then 4 & 6, 6 & 8) we always spent the morning in the park, had a long afternoon siesta then swim and then back for the evening, they coped fine and weren't worn out.

No way. We've been twice. First time DS was exactly 3 yrs old. Second time he was nearly 5 yrs old. He enjoyed it equally both times.

Right I'm persuaded on that one. Next question is that current plan is to go for two weeks and do it in a slightly more relaxed way. We'd stay at the animal kingdon lodge I think. Will it actually feel relaxed or are the disney hotels too disneyish to ever feel relaxed (I'm thinking of having a few non park days where we just hang around the pool etc)?

The boys are going to be soooooo excited

Animal Kingdom Lodge looked relaxing to me! You need Hulababy, she went there.

Also, the two water parks are lovely for relaxing days.

Sorry to put a downer - isn't October hurricane season? We are looking to go away at that time and DH was going on about why it wasn't a good time to go to that part of the world?

We have ben to Disney Florida - I reckon that it must be the size of the Isle of Wight! It is exhausting and you would be right to spread it out. Mine were older and loved it all, Typhoon Lagoon, also went to Discovery Cove and swam with the dolphins.

Have just checked - mid August to mid October is considered peak hurricane season. Definitely something to bear in mind. Florida is mild all year round, could you not go at another time?

We got married in Florida when DD was 3.4 (5 years ago tomorrow )

She loved it, although she must have been less than 102cm as there were rides she couldn't go on. The only bad thing about taking them at that age is that they don't really remember it. She has some vague recollections, but it seems a shame that she doesn't have as many memories as we do.