How old was your child?

[tinkerjo]

we are taking the kids for their first time ever in January at that time they will be 6&8. part of me wishes we could have gone earlier but we are in Canada and the pandemic kind of threw a wrench in those plans. Due to the cost this will probably be a once in a life time trip, I think they're at a really good age and I already get tearful thinking about them seeing Cinderella's Castle for the first time

Perfect ages for a once and done trip. Old enough to remember, young enough that the magic is still there!! Have a great time!!!! BTW, I get tearful every time I walk into the MK. I just have so many great memories there from when I was little and when the kids were little.

 

[brockash]

At what age did you take your 1st child at Disney World? Thanks!!

1st child turned 4 on the trip.

2nd child was 4 months

3rd child was 7 weeks.

 

[UnderneathAMagicMoon]

Took my just turned 3-year-old recently and it was something of a nightmare. The first day and a half he tolerated the parks, after that he would scream and thrash in his stroller after being in one for about 20 minutes - just completely shut down. Even when we got back home he was off, acting out and tantruming around the house. I’m a lifelong Disney addict so I’m sooo bummed, I’m not sure if he’ll ever be a “Disney kid”. I’m taking him to the pediatrician because I’m starting to wonder if he has sensory processing issues - but I’m not sure even that would explain his reaction to the parks. I read stories of kids who have sensory processing and related issues and the parks are still magical for them. Another child attending with us has high functioning autism and he had an amazing time - so I’m not sure why my son acted like Disney was about as fun as a root canal. Still holding out hope that he’ll do better at a different age!

 

[DisneyMama811]

Took my just turned 3-year-old recently and it was something of a nightmare. The first day and a half he tolerated the parks, after that he would scream and thrash in his stroller after being in one for about 20 minutes - just completely shut down. Even when we got back home he was off, acting out and tantruming around the house. I’m a lifelong Disney addict so I’m sooo bummed, I’m not sure if he’ll ever be a “Disney kid”. I’m taking him to the pediatrician because I’m starting to wonder if he has sensory processing issues - but I’m not sure even that would explain his reaction to the parks. I read stories of kids who have sensory processing and related issues and the parks are still magical for them. Another child attending with us has high functioning autism and he had an amazing time - so I’m not sure why my son acted like Disney was about as fun as a root canal. Still holding out hope that he’ll do better at a different age!

I think the reason he acted like it was about as fun as a root canal is because he's 3.... even for a neuro typical person without sensory issues Disney World is full of people, bright colours and loud noises, given that your little guy is only 3 he's spent almost his entire life living in a pandemic where you had to stay home and stay away from people.... to suddenly be in a place with thousands of people was probably kinda overwhelming for him. I bet if you wait til he's a bit older you'll have a great time

 

[UnderneathAMagicMoon]

I think the reason he acted like it was about as fun as a root canal is because he's 3.... even for a neuro typical person without sensory issues Disney World is full of people, bright colours and loud noises, given that your little guy is only 3 he's spent almost his entire life living in a pandemic where you had to stay home and stay away from people.... to suddenly be in a place with thousands of people was probably kinda overwhelming for him. I bet if you wait til he's a bit older you'll have a great time

Thank you, I hope so! I think because Disney is such a big deal to me (so many dreams of one day enjoying the parks with my child), I panic about him never liking the parks instead of going for a “wait and see” attitude, which would of course make more sense.

 

[VegasDisneyMom]

DS #1: 2 years old (on his birthday)
DS# 2: 4 years old

 

[fab1976]

At what age did you take your 1st child at Disney World? Thanks!!

My first child we waited until age 3. Got stuck on the “they won’t remember anyways, we’ll wait til he’s older”. Forget that nonsense, we took our second when she was 9 months old . We did avoid. The parks with the 1-2 age category, some kids would be ok but the little one wouldn’t have been.

 

[DaniPoppins]

My daughter's first trip was for her 1st birthday!

 

[nw6675]

DSS - 12
DD - 18 months

 

[mco65]

My oldest daughter had just turned 5 when i first took her to WDW in 1994.

 

[Jacq7414]

When she was almost 2.

 

[mrsap]

DD was 2 1/2.
DS was 16 mo.

I do NOT regret it at all! Enjoy it!!!

 

[Jayunit09]

16 months, we were supposed to go to the Caribbean, but a hurricane destroyed the airport/island for a while. We pivoted to Disney and we have such great memories and pictures from that trip. DD6 (now) got her first haircut at the barber shop on main st!

 

[DVC Sue]

First was three but he didn’t care much. He just wanted to swim in the hotel pool

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

My kids were 10 and 7.
that was in 2000

My grandson's 1st(only) visit was a few weeks before he turned 6

 

[Rory607]

Our oldest was almost two for her first Disney trip. My husband assumed she was too little to enjoy it, but we were going to be in the area and I talked him into one day. He was wrong, obviously, lol! She loved it.

When our second child was turning one I convinced my H we needed to celebrate it at WDW. Our oldest was four by then and we had the best trip. Our kids are middle and elementary age now and they still love it. Every age has brought its own version of magic!

 

[Rory607]

16 months, we were supposed to go to the Caribbean, but a hurricane destroyed the airport/island for a while. We pivoted to Disney and we have such great memories and pictures from that trip. DD6 (now) got her first haircut at the barber shop on main st!

My DS got his first haircut there, too. It is such a fun memory!

 

[Samalama]

Our first family trip my son was 4 almost 5 and my daughter was 2.5. It was a great trip for both, but a real value for my daughter because she had a great time and she was still free! She’s also very tall for her age so she could ride all the kid rides.

 

[loves to dive]

My son was just shy of 3, there were only 2 parks then - MK and Epcot. We took his daughter when she was 5 months old and she went again this last Sept. when she was 18 months old.

 

[Keeblerelf928]

Our first we went when she was 2.5 but had gone many other places before. She is a well seasoned traveler at 7. Our youngest first trip was 9 months, then again right after she turned 3 and going again right before she turns 4