How young is too young for disneyland?

[Helpmelmaooo]

Partner and I are thinking about booking Disneyland Florida for October 2020. My daughter will be turning 3 in December 2020. My mum has said it will be a waste of money as my daughter will be too young (too hot, too much walking, she won't be able to go on rides etc) but I wanted to get opinions from other mums, would you take a 3 year old go Disneyland or wait til the child is older? She's my first child so I don't have older kids to compare but I have a 3 year old niece who I think would bloody love Disneyland now?

My sister and I went to Disneyland in LA age 7 and 9, which was perfect ages really, so I'd concur with the people suggesting 6+. [kudos to a brilliant travel agent who found my mother a deal when she was trying to book Australia to UK to visit our granny, which gave us the stopover as the cheapest option!]

If it's a once in a lifetime absolutely not, my children have vague recollections of things that happened at 3 but not full memories. We hope to take ours twice: they will be 9 and 6 first time and teenagers second time. Even Disneyland Paris I couldn't imagine getting much enjoyment out of, for me it's when they're out of push chairs when holidays really start to become fun. That said DLP is a much cheaper and viable alternative to help you put off Florida.

I’ve taken DD at 5 and 7. She can remember going at 5, but 7 was easier as it can be long days especially with fireworks.
I wouldn’t take her any younger, it’s a tiring holiday and it’s much easier when you aren’t using pushchairs.

If you are only going once I would leave it. I would definitely time it for a free dining period. Once food is paid for you only need to pay for tips and you can spend very little there. No transport costs, no entertainment costs.

If it's once then wait. I think the minimum age to really enjoy it is probably about 5/6. That said the one and only time I went I was 12 and it was the best thing ever. I remember it really well.

@Hollowvictory The only Disneyworld is in Florida.

California and Tokyo as well as Paris are Disneyland.

For the OP, you don't sound like you can afford it really. If it is once in a lifetime then wait until your DC will actually be able to experience it all and remember it. I'd say 10 is a fantastic age

Went to DLP with extended family at christmas, including niece, 3, who hated most of it but thankfully slept for hours during the day. Was petrified and screamed at meet at the 2 character meets we tried her at and wasnt really bothered by teacups, dumbo etc. She doesnt even remember it now. My kids first visited at 5 and love everything from watching vlogs to shopping for custom ears. Leave it a few years.

It's not "Disneyworld", it's (Walt) Disney World in FL. Sorry to be a pedant.

We started taking our DC to Disneyland (CA) when they were two. But I'd say they reliably remember things starting at about aged 3. More with older children, but you also need to look for the height requirement . Some of the rides at WDW require a child to be 40 in (or taller) to ride. It can be so disappointing for a child to get to a ride only to find that they aren't tall enough. I grew up in So Cal and it was always a big deal when you reached the height requirement to ride one of the 'big rides'.

Age three is also when they must have their own ticket to enter the parks.

Oh, yes...if this is the ONLY time you'll be able to go, I'd go when your 'shortest' DC reaches 44 inches tall with shoes on*. The only rides with a taller requirement are Rock n Roller Coaster and Primeval Whirl which are 48 inches.

*Shoes as in trainers or shoes one would wear for a long day on one's feet. Once saw a mum put her DD in high heels (princess-type dress up shoes) to get her on a ride. The CM made her take them off to be measured.

You're right, it is Disney World, my phone changes it to Disneyworld

Maybe I need to email Apple.

Dd was 2, total waste of time and money

DD was 7 and it was good. Still a little awesome for her and able to walk, queue and understand when she was tired.

Just taken DD5. She loves rollercoasters and was tall enough for all of them but she couldn't have given less of a shit about Disney itself. Doesn't like characters and wouldn't stop to talk to any of them. She also preferred being in the cheapy pushchair we got for her rather than walk. This saved my sanity a bit and stopped her whinging!

I think my ideal age to take her would be 7 or so. But some of her friends have been at 3/4 and loved it. I think it depends on the child and the Disney-ness of the house they grow up in!

We went last year with our just 2 year old and 4.5 year old. Honestly I felt both were too young for it (we were very lucky to have most of it paid for). However we absolutely loved it! We will probably go again when the youngest is 5. If it's a once in a lifetime thing I would wait a good few years

Disneyland Paris is absolutely perfect for a 3 year old as it’s way smaller than the Florida parks. Go at low season such as Oct-Nov (not half term) and you’ll probably be able to go on some rides again and again without getting off if they aren’t too busy. My kids went at 2 and we’re too young to enjoy it then, went crazy for the characters and loved watching the parades from their pushchairs. Plus you can just go for a few nights if you want so much cheaper and less overwhelming.