Page 2 | How old was your kids when you started taking them to DisneyWorld?

Kelcat9494 · 2020-08-02T18:14:28+00:00

Hello, What the title says really, DH and I usually go every year but with a baby due in January I don't really want to spend all that money when they won't remember or enjoy it, what did you guys do? Or what do you guys think? X

Helgathehairy · 06/08/2020 11:00

kelcat9494. When you do start taking your little one my biggest advise would be an integra solar sling! For Most rides without a height limit you can leave baby in sling if parent facing (handy if fast pass and baby is sleeping)

BarkandCheese · 06/08/2020 11:07

Ten weeks, but my in-laws lived just down the road. I probably wouldn’t say younger than three realistically, they don’t get much out of it before then. Bear in mind that trips with a young child will be very different, they need naps, can’t go on quite a lot of the rides and might turn out to be terrified of the characters or get scared on a ride then refuse to go on anything else, the fireworks are too late at night for them and their favourite thing will almost certainly be the hotel pool.

To everyone saying why bother, my child isn’t interested, surely you only go once and pulling this face just scroll on by. People like different things, I don’t go on sports lovers threads to tell them sport is deathly dull so don’t bother watching or vegan threads to suggest steak for dinner. This is no different.

RaraRachael · 06/08/2020 11:18

First time we went DD was 9 DS was 5 and we did all the Magic Kingdom bit. She can remember some stuff about it but he remembers nothing.

Next time we went they were 13 and 10 and took them to the Roller Coasters and big ride parks whichever they are and they can both remember a lot about that trip.

summersolstice43 · 06/08/2020 11:21

My DD is 15 and has never been, I wish I was in a position to take her but been a single parent is difficult. It would be a once in a lifetime thing for us unfortunately.

Mrsjayy · 06/08/2020 11:25

I loved orlando the DH said he has "done it" so wouldn't go back I don't even go on many rides I just enjoyed the whole experience I don't understand why people come on threads about Florida pull a face and leave, is it a superiority thing?

BiBabbles · 06/08/2020 11:55

For enjoyability, I think my parents had it about right with us being 8+ if you have to to far to get there. It's pretty tiring as it is so I wouldn't do it younger than that unless doing it as a day trip knowing you're not going to do much.

If the goal is remembering, I have to say that even having been 11-14, I don't really remember much in detail, it wasn't really the most memorable amusement park I went to and it kinda blurs with a lot of other Orlando/Florida ones if you try to do, as many do, of doing them together across a week+.

NeutralJanet · 06/08/2020 12:08

We took DD when she was 7, she loved it, it was a good age in terms of being old enough to get on some of the more exciting rides like Space Mountain and the slinky dog rollercoaster, and not having to worry about hiring a buggy or anything. We stayed on site at a Disney World hotel so there were shuttle buses all the time if we wanted to go back for a break in the middle of the day. She definitely remembers it and wants to go again but I won't go until things are back to normal with fireworks displays, parades etc back on, it doesn't seem worth the expense of going to not get the full experience.

Aragog · 06/08/2020 12:12

Dd has been at a variety of ages.

She went to Disneyland Paris at 18 months and that was what lead to our first WDW trip - she was 2y 4m and loved every second.

She's since been 9 or 10'm times between the ages of 2 and 17, as well as visits to Disney in Paris, California and Japan. We were supposed to visit Shanghai and Hong Kong ones this summer! At 18y she still hasn't outgrown Disney!

Dd enjoyed the parks in different ways at different ages.

Mustbetimeforachange · 06/08/2020 12:14

Mine were 10, 12 & 15. They all enjoyed it but for us it was a once in a lifetime trip & we've done different (non theme park) fabulous holidays since. We did spend a day at Universal in LA, but didn't fancy Disney again.

Aragog · 06/08/2020 12:15

However, does its enjoying WDW and visiting america as a whole, I wouldn't book it right now. I'm not sure when we will next visit the US as they really haven't got a hold on Covid at all and I can't see it changing any time soon.

Re memories - it depends if you only going to go once or not. It identifies really matter if they remember it for years to come in many ways though - so long as they enjoy it at the time, that's what really matters.

Aragog · 06/08/2020 12:17

Disney is a one off special holiday surely?

As this thread shows, not for everyone.
We normally go once every couple of years. More recently just for a week in February or October.

But we are fortunate enough to be able to have more than one holiday a year including more than one long haul trip.

Waytoomuch82 · 06/08/2020 12:47

* Disney is a one off special holiday surely*

It’s a one off something. But sure as heck not a “special holiday” IMO

FAQs · 06/08/2020 12:54

Daughter was 8 when we went to WDW Florida and 12 when we went to WDL California she enjoyed both for different reasons but I preferred when she was 12 as I could afford the slightly more babyish rides.

Although I screamed on the rocking Big Wheel in California and totally embarrassed her 🤣

FAQs · 06/08/2020 12:55

Afford = avoid

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 06/08/2020 13:00

We did Paris two years ago at 5&7. They have good memories of it, but not many. But they enjoyed every second of it while there (well, DD2 didn't enjoy the finding Nemo ride, but everything else!) It was worth for the good time while we were there

So it depends what you want... If you want them to remember it for ever, I'd say 10ish. If you want to have a good time and make happy parent memories... 3/4+. Just happy parent memories... Any time.

BrowncoatWaffles · 06/08/2020 13:04

Three months for DD and four months for DS but we're another family that goes often.

You're right that won't remember it, but we do. Disney World is a big part of our lives and a lot of memories. DD laughed for the first time in the queue for the monorail (whatever floats her boat!) and DS tried solid food for the first time eating guacamole with crudites in Peco Bills in the Magic Kingdom.

Also, at this age they're free - it's more upsetting now they're older and it costs a fortune...

MarcelineMissouri · 06/08/2020 13:09

We also go every year and both our dc had their first trips when they were about 14 months old. They are now 8 and 5 and have never been anywhere else

If I was only going as a one off then for my dc and their age gap i would probably go for something like 9/10 and 6/7 years old. Really it’s just amazing at any age though. Including for adults!

Daisy12Maisie · 09/08/2020 14:47

Mine were 7 and 9. It was an amazing trip but my youngest was exhausted. So my advice would be minimum age 7.
We have been back to Florida since but to universal studios.
I will definitely take them again but we have other things booked first

Wtfdidwedo · 09/08/2020 14:51

DSD had just turned 4 on her first trip with us and she was 40 inches which was a great height for rides. My two seem to be similar heights to her at similar ages so far so we plan on going when they're about 4 and 5 to try to get maximise rides. 42 inches opens up a few more too. We did DLRP a couple of times when DSD was 2 to see how she got on with rides and characters first.

Buxx · 09/08/2020 15:00

Out of curiosity how much did it cost for a family of 4 (2 kids under 10) to go to WDW Florida?

We've done DL Paris and I must admit I loved the haunted mansion My DS was only a year at the time but seemed to love the fireworks and parade

Original poster

Kelcat9494 · 09/08/2020 15:04

@Buxx

Out of curiosity how much did it cost for a family of 4 (2 kids under 10) to go to WDW Florida?

We've done DL Paris and I must admit I loved the haunted mansion My DS was only a year at the time but seemed to love the fireworks and parade

Before lockdown I paid £2500 for flights and two rooms for 3 adults and 1 child, tickets for Disney 4 of us and universal for 2 of us were £2400 and god knows how much for spending money 😂

OP posts:

Wtfdidwedo · 09/08/2020 15:08

Flights are about £400pp off season and £900pp during term time for direct flights. We paid about £700pp for indirect in school holidays.

ShaunaTheSheep · 09/08/2020 15:13

My DC were teenagers when we went. We got up early to hit the parks, chilled in the afternoons then headed back out for fun dinners and stayed out until the parks closed. No tears, tantrums, naps, sunburn etc etc that the younger families were struggling to cope with.

Buxx · 09/08/2020 15:20

So approx £5k for flights/accommodation/tickets.

If you had to guess on spending money what would you guesstimate at? was that 'a blow the bank have what you want' holiday or going on a budget? Sorry OP being completely nosey so don't answer if you're not happy too! Just trying to work out a budget for going and having a blow out holiday. Looking to go 2022 to really spoil kids when all this crap is over.

What I enjoyed about it was the ability to be a big kid with them and just play! You have to consciously park your 'I'm being ripped off and everything is over priced' head at the door and just go with it.