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Original poster

Disney world - best time to take a small child?

48 replies

RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 11:51

DH and I used to visit Disney world regularly, but since starting TTC and having DD we haven’t been for 3 years now.

We have a few bits to save for over the next couple of years but are looking to start planning her first visit. She would be 4.5 at the time of the trip l and I’m not sure if she might be too young to get much from it.

I went for the first time at 5, and I ‘think’ I remember it (‘think’ because I’m not 100% sure if I actually remember it or because our family talk about the trip so much I have been conditioned to ‘remember’ it if that makes sense)

I’d ideally hold off until the May after when she would be 5.5 but we are trying to tie this trip in for our 10 year wedding anniversary (recreating our honeymoon for our anniversary) so are a bit tied to those dates (as celebrating our 11 year anniversary there doesn’t have quite the same vibe)

Is it worth scrapping our plan to recreate our honeymoon for our anniversary to get an extra year in so she could maybe enjoy it more? Or is 4.5 a good age?

Thanks in advance Star

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 30/04/2024 11:58

I went to DLP at 14. My memories of it are still fleeting. Think back to events in your life. How much do you truly ‘remember’?
I would say she is a good age. Old enough to enjoy most of what is on offer and be able to cope with long days and some queues.
The timing is important to you so I’d just go for it.
1 more year will make little difference to how much she remembers about it in the long term.

Squishwallow · 30/04/2024 12:02

How often can you afford or want to go in her childhood? We go every 2 years and my eldest first went when she was 2. I'd say it depends on how much is for you and how much for them and also, crucially, how tall she is. If you need to wait a year so she can go on a lot more rides then it's worth it. __

Original poster
RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 12:04

Squishwallow · 30/04/2024 12:02

How often can you afford or want to go in her childhood? We go every 2 years and my eldest first went when she was 2. I'd say it depends on how much is for you and how much for them and also, crucially, how tall she is. If you need to wait a year so she can go on a lot more rides then it's worth it. __

It’s likely not to be a once in a lifetime holiday, but we have other big trips planned for the 3-4 years after our anniversary so it’s either when she is 4.5, 5.5 or waiting until she is 8/9 which I think might be a bit old for the magic element.

OP posts:
spiderplant56 · 30/04/2024 12:06

We took DD when she was just over 2... was a big plus under 3s are free and we genuinely had the best time and it was a magical age to take her.

We were meant to go again when she was 6 but that was postponed a year due to covid. We go again next year and she'll be 9.

She's too cool for "Disney" stuff now but loves the rides so I'm glad I took her while she still liked Disney stuff and was into the characters still.

Just go when you want to, don't worry about her age. There is so much to do and it gives you the opportunity to do/see bits you may have missed when just going adults.

stayathomer · 30/04/2024 12:08

4 was hard with ds, he was over excited at times, and would try to run off, then we’d have huge lows as he got tired but I think there’s something to be seen at all ages (as you probably know already!)

Aworldofmyown · 30/04/2024 12:18

DS has been 3 times, first time he was one. Then at 3 years old, we've just come back again and he's now 8.
He loves looking at all the pictures and definitely got something different out of it each time.
On another note, we also usually go every couple of years, but covid delayed our most recent visit. The cost has skyrocketed, for everything. Food, park tickets. What you get for your money is much less, disney have wiped out many of the loopholes where you used to save a bit if money.

Original poster
RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 12:26

stayathomer · 30/04/2024 12:08

4 was hard with ds, he was over excited at times, and would try to run off, then we’d have huge lows as he got tired but I think there’s something to be seen at all ages (as you probably know already!)

Yeah this is what worried me, I know theoretically a year won’t make that much of a difference but I am also wondering if a year at school, having a more formal routine etc. might make DD a bit less ‘ahhh’ at 5.5 instead of 4.5

She is currently 15 months and an absolute asshole at times so it’s hard to think about what she might be like as an older child - as I was a very placid child and she has the devils mischief Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 12:27

Aworldofmyown · 30/04/2024 12:18

DS has been 3 times, first time he was one. Then at 3 years old, we've just come back again and he's now 8.
He loves looking at all the pictures and definitely got something different out of it each time.
On another note, we also usually go every couple of years, but covid delayed our most recent visit. The cost has skyrocketed, for everything. Food, park tickets. What you get for your money is much less, disney have wiped out many of the loopholes where you used to save a bit if money.

I’ve been trying to keep up my inner Disney magic by watching all the Disney vloggers and it’s astounding how much has changed in such a short space of time!

It’s why we are more keen to save for a bit extra to make the trip still as magical (as we like to stay on site etc.)

OP posts:
stayathomer · 30/04/2024 12:40

RachelGreensFlair
My kids have been twice, once pre Covid, once post. Eldest was 16 and they all had their ‘oh my god’ moments so definitely don’t worry!!

MrsMoastyToasty · 30/04/2024 12:45

Years ago we went and my nephew was too short (he's still a short-arse as an adult) and too scared to go on many rides aged 5. His 7 year old brother had a whale of a time.

reluctantbrit · 30/04/2024 13:05

I don't think school will have a big impact, lots of DD's school mates went (mainly Disneyland Paris) during the first 3 years, we went when DD was just under 6.

No idea if she got a lot of memories out of it but she definitely had tons of fun based on the pictures we took.

None of us has any plans to go again, it's not our thing but I know people who went then with pre-teens/tweens and also had a great time. But that was then more Florida, not Paris.

Chanel05 · 30/04/2024 13:07

If you can afford it then go!

My daughter is 3.5 and she will be going to Orlando for the fifth time this year. My son is 1 and it'll b his third visit 😂.

RaspberryRipple2 · 30/04/2024 13:15

I have 8 and 11 yos and have been when they were 2&5 and 6&9. In my limited experience pre 5 and after 8 are the best times, because while 5-8 might be peak Disney princesses age, it also seems to be peak scared of things age! May not be the same for every child but was for both of mine, so while they still went on everything convincing them to try new experiences (when it’s in the dark and might be scary) I was more difficult at those ages. We are planning our next trip for 2026 and my 8yo is still a bit apprehensive of the things she found scary 2 years ago, but I expect she’ll have well grown of it by then!

I don’t think there is a perfect age - you’ll just have to go multiple times 🤣

Mindymomo · 30/04/2024 13:18

We first went when my sons were 3 and 6, neither remember much about it, but it was magical for us when we turned a corner and my youngest saw the parade of Toy Story soldiers and queuing for over an hour in the hot sunshine to meet the characters. We went again 2 more times, so they remember more of these visits and we lastly went to Disney California.

Trainstrike · 30/04/2024 13:24

I'd factor height into it as well (difficult at this age I know!) 42 and 48 inches are the magic numbers these days to unlock most of the rides. We're first taking ours at 7 and 8 and will plan to go again then at about 12 and 13 when they can have a bit more independence.

Aworldofmyown · 30/04/2024 13:52

RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 12:27

I’ve been trying to keep up my inner Disney magic by watching all the Disney vloggers and it’s astounding how much has changed in such a short space of time!

It’s why we are more keen to save for a bit extra to make the trip still as magical (as we like to stay on site etc.)

Show quote history

We were due to go last year but left it the extra year so we'd have a bit more money and hoping the cost might settle slightly.
Disney have always charged for everything but they are literally squeezing every last penny wherever they can find it!!

budgiegirl · 30/04/2024 14:06

We first took my kids when they were 3, 6 and 7, and again 2 years later. The youngest remembers nothing at all about it (although she did enjoy it very much), the older two remember quite a bit about it.

I think a 4 year old will enjoy it, and get quite a bit from it, but is unlikely to remember much (if that matters to you). I think I'd wait a year until she is 5, that's a great age to go for the first time.

Squishwallow · 30/04/2024 14:34

Fwiw I think there is too much placed on it being memorable. You enjoy it while you're there. I think that's all you can ask for really.

Original poster
RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 14:49

Trainstrike · 30/04/2024 13:24

I'd factor height into it as well (difficult at this age I know!) 42 and 48 inches are the magic numbers these days to unlock most of the rides. We're first taking ours at 7 and 8 and will plan to go again then at about 12 and 13 when they can have a bit more independence.

Thank you for this, she is currently on the 75th percentile line for height so I she should be able to do a fair amount of the non rollercoaster rides by 4/5 if she stays growing at the same rate!!

But yes will probably need to revisit if she ever wants to go on all the rides! (Unless she ends up a wimp like her father Grin)

OP posts:
eurochick · 30/04/2024 14:54

4 was perfect for my daughter. She was totally star struck by the princesses but also big enough to go on quite a few rides. The walking was a bit much for her though so she ended up on our shoulders a lot.

Squishwallow · 30/04/2024 15:01

eurochick · 30/04/2024 14:54

4 was perfect for my daughter. She was totally star struck by the princesses but also big enough to go on quite a few rides. The walking was a bit much for her though so she ended up on our shoulders a lot.

They (Disney bloggers and the like) recommend buggy for anything under 6 at Disney/universal. We will be taking one for my 5 year old even if it's just to avoid me becoming a mum-mule

Original poster
RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 15:06

RaspberryRipple2 · 30/04/2024 13:15

I have 8 and 11 yos and have been when they were 2&5 and 6&9. In my limited experience pre 5 and after 8 are the best times, because while 5-8 might be peak Disney princesses age, it also seems to be peak scared of things age! May not be the same for every child but was for both of mine, so while they still went on everything convincing them to try new experiences (when it’s in the dark and might be scary) I was more difficult at those ages. We are planning our next trip for 2026 and my 8yo is still a bit apprehensive of the things she found scary 2 years ago, but I expect she’ll have well grown of it by then!

I don’t think there is a perfect age - you’ll just have to go multiple times 🤣

Thank you for this! Yes keen to avoid that fearful stage, as quite honestly I’m scared how badly I’ll navigate it (I don’t have a lot of patience for wimpery and am worried I might not be the most empathetic Blush)

She is young and fearless now so I know that day might come!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 30/04/2024 15:06

We took ours from 4 , and DLP from being born . I’m never that bothered about will they remember it as long as they actually enjoy it at the time . Our children are adults now and we’ve done loads of things that they can’t remember but I have lovely photos and reminders of the great times we have had .

Original poster
RachelGreensFlair · 30/04/2024 15:07

eurochick · 30/04/2024 14:54

4 was perfect for my daughter. She was totally star struck by the princesses but also big enough to go on quite a few rides. The walking was a bit much for her though so she ended up on our shoulders a lot.

Thank you for this, it’s great to hear that your little one enjoyed it at that age! Annoyingly on my first trip I was 5 and my brother was 3, so can’t even use my mum for help as she thought my brother was a bit young (but no one has a crystal ball to say he’d have been better a year later!)

OP posts:
VioletW · 30/04/2024 15:12

I went aged 5 and do have positive memories.

If id gone aged 8 I'd likely have remembered more. Not sure it'd be a reason not to go though.

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