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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

What's the best age to take my cd to disney world?

19 replies

JenniMoo · 21/06/2014 07:53

DH really wants us to go in a few years, but (unless we suddenly come into some money!) it will be a one off, so I want us to go when they're the perfect age. Obviously there's the balance of the magic, going on the rides, remembering it.

There are 3 years between them, what ages would you (start saving up...) to take them?

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mummymeister · 21/06/2014 09:21

its a bit of a trade off really. if they are young 4,5,6 sort of age then there is the real magic bit that they believe in the characters. however this will mean there are some rides they cant go on. You also have to pace yourself more. if you wait until later say 10,11 or 12 then they can go on everything here and at Universal but they don't believe in the same way. we took ours to Paris when they were small then to Florida from aged 9/10. have a look at the dibb website and also buy some of the books WDW with kids is a good one and this might help. sorry, not sure I have been very useful.

Original poster

JenniMoo · 21/06/2014 10:23

Thanks for the info. It is helpful! As dc2 isn't yet 1 we have plenty if time to think about it.

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rookiemater · 21/06/2014 17:15

We took DS when he had just turned 8. It was a great age as he was old enough to do all the walking round the parks, but not too old to totally enjoy the magic of it.

I'd say the trickiest age would be when they were too old for a buggy, but not up to lots of walking say 3-4, but then we did see DCs of that age in buggies which wouldn't be a bad idea because of the distances you walk and the heat.

As there is 5 years between them I'd say 5 & 8 would be good.

Onykahonie · 21/06/2014 20:42

We went when ours were 9 and 11 (after SATs!) and had an amazing holiday. Whilst they weren't into the Disney 'magic' at that age (and we had to pay for adult park tickets), they were fine with the flights, could go on all the rides and can still remember it all.

We went to Disney Paris when they were younger, so experienced the characters etc there.

Original poster

JenniMoo · 22/06/2014 08:27

So, 5 and 8 gives me 4 years to save up, and sounds like good ages.
I quite like the idea of Disneyland Paris in the meantime, I'd l

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Original poster

JenniMoo · 22/06/2014 08:27

Love to go at Christmas actually...

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mummymeister · 22/06/2014 11:52

Paris at Christmas is a bit cold and wet. it does take the edge off the "magic" a bit when you are queuing up and it is like this. we went in Nov to DLP. had to have the kids bundled up in layers and did get fed up of being outside in the rain. its also a really expensive time. what about going in September. schools are back but the weather is still OK.

spababe · 22/06/2014 19:54

Don't go at Christmas because it will be too cold to use the water parks and it will be hellishly busy. October half term is the perfect time to go.

Lordofmyflies · 22/06/2014 20:48

I think 5 and 8 is a lovely age to go - they will still be into Disney and the magic. Discovery cove is amazing and I think you have to be 5 to get in the water with the dolphins, so they would be old enough to do that too, along with Florida Legoland, Seaworld and the waterparks.
At 5 they would probably be too young for the majority of the rides at universal studios though, so if you are looking to do it all, wait till the youngest is 8 or so.

foxdongle · 02/07/2014 21:33

We took ours to Disney Paris aged 5 and 7, it was on for 3 nights so about right for that age.
and to Florida at 10 and 12, which was obviously a longer holiday and more parks . There were a couple of the rides at universal that they wouldn't go on- the hulk and another really high coaster, but went on everything else.
Hopefully we may take them to the one in California (which we went to as a couple before dcs) when they're a bit older.

Original poster

JenniMoo · 03/07/2014 17:34

Thanks for the info.

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ruby1234 · 08/07/2014 13:03

We have been twice for Christmas - the water parks are absolutely fine to use!

We went in the days before you couldn't take your children out of school, left UK around 12th December. All the parks were really quiet, we got on nearly every ride without having to queue ages, sometimes we went on it and then on it again straight away. Great seats at all the indoor shows. Was nice and hot/warm during the days (shorts & t-shirts) just needed a jumper in the evenings if we were staying out late. It did get busy once the USA schools broke up, and Christmas Day was absolute chaos, but an excellent memory for the DC's.

Was a lovely time of year to go, we went to the Mickey Mouse Christmas Party night at Magic Kingdom - they made it 'snow' on Main Street USA. Free hot chocolate and cinnamon shortbreads - really was magical.

Have also been in May and July - far preferred the winter holiday.

Original poster

JenniMoo · 08/07/2014 21:03

That sounds amazing!

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Portugal1000 · 13/07/2014 18:32

We took our son in 2005 when he was 5. It was meant to be a once in a lifetime trip. We'll we were hooked and next month we will be going on our 11th trip for 25 days. There's so much more to do than theme parks but I would say any age is good. We took my 6 year old nieces last year which was great as I got to do all the princess stuff with them. Just a shame they can't come this year as there is a lot of a Frozen stuff going on.
We have been 6 times at Christmas which is fantastic, especially if you can go early December as parks are very quiet but you get all the decorations etc. we went to the water parks countless times in December. It was never too cold. We have been 4 times in summer school holidays and though it's hot it's never been too hot. You just have to be super organised and really research the best parks to go to on what days. Lots of websites for that but I would recommend www.easywdw.com or www.touringplans.com
Also the best guide book out there is The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. There are lots of trip planning websites with forums and the most popular one is www.disboards.com. Just post any question and someone will know the answer.
As a family holiday I don't think it can be beaten.

ANLBXX · 13/07/2014 21:50

We are planning a trip for August 2016 I know long way off but starting to save,can anyone recommend any tips of the flights please? Ie best deals or where to look . Thanks

ANLBXX · 13/07/2014 21:50

We are planning a trip for August 2016 I know long way off but starting to save,can anyone recommend any tips of the flights please? Ie best deals or where to look . Thanks

Minus2seventy3 · 14/07/2014 12:35

We took DD to Disney World Florida at four and a bit - it's truly magical for them at that age, though there's limitations on rides (was actually her "second" time there, as DW was pregnant on our first trip, so we often joke to her that she's already been twice). Younger than four, I'd be worried you'd be wading an opportunity, and may be better waiting. Plenty, though, for them to get lost in and enjoy, and the "cast" (staff in costumes, though I never told tyke that!) are amazing, they live and breathe the roles (contrast that to Paris, where we went last November when DD was 7, which we found rather disappointing - it's a park with a hint of Disney compared to the real thing).
We're going again in a few months, and I'm finding it difficult keeping it from DD, such is my excitement (I'm a big kid, honestly). DD will turn 8 while we're there, and while I'm looking forward to sharing the "scary faster rides" (her phrased) with her (she's tall enough now for most), she's still "into" the whole Disney thing enough that we can squeeze a little more of the magic of of it (Bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique biked for her birthday) before she's too grown up.
Anyway, rambling over; whatever age, enjoy it, and don't believe the naysayers and skeptics - it's a wonderful holiday

groovejet · 17/07/2014 14:34

I also think 5 & 8 are great ages to go, we have been a few times and although it was lovely seeing the girls when they were younger and how magical it was for them I feel that the last time we went was the best trip, and the most relaxing one and no push chairs to think about was easier.

We tend to go late October time, get the Halloween and Christmas events then also tends to be pretty quiet, found the weather more comfortable as well warm but not stifling hot.

Cleanthatroomnow · 17/07/2014 14:55

Assume we are talking about Florida...the heat in summer can be brutal and can really slow you down. I think that's when older children have the advantage as they can handle it better. We took ours aged 6 and 9 and i would say it was just about right. They both have vivid memories of it but were innocent enough to fully embrace it. Personally, I think it's a waste of money to take really young kids.

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