Our new Mousepadder, Mapdan is the proud father of a little baby girl and we were discussing at what age he should take, Isabella to DL. He said 4years old. But I told him that I was taken there for the first time at about 2 years old and according to my parents I loved it. So what are your thoughts? What is too young?

OH NO!

There will be a HUGE variety of answers to this......

.....wait until they are out of the stroller because I hate strollers at DL.

.....wait until they don't cry because I don't want my experience bothered by listening to a crying baby anywhere in DL.

.....children shouldn't be allowed in DL at all.

.....doesn't matter as long as you don't breastfeed them where I can see it.

.....it's abusive to take babies to DL.

I'm sure there are others, but in the less than a year I've been on this site I've seen all of those! My three kids each did great and loved it when they went at 2.5 years old.

Originally posted by scaeagles
My three kids each did great and loved it when they went at 2.5 years old.

So, do you think that kids can appreciate and understand enough at 2 or 2.5? I would think that they could.

I've seen 6-month-old babies love it there too. They probably won't remember it, but that wasn't the point. I could see that they really enjoyed it. It's an audio/visual feast for young eyes of all ages.

The best time to take kids is whenever the parent wants to and feels comfortable to do so.

We first took our daughter just after her sixth birthday, and she did wonderfully! She was tall enough to ride pretty much any ride, and had enough stamina to withstand the crowds, heat, etc. I really think any age is fine as long as you adjust things for their age and temperment. Very small children might be frightened by the large characters and all the stimuli, but as long as you follow their cues and don't try to do too much they usually end up having a great time. As for the people that get cranky about bringing small kids in- too bad! :cool:

Originally posted by fairytalelover
So, do you think that kids can appreciate and understand enough at 2 or 2.5? I would think that they could.


Maybe not. Took my dd when she was 17 mons. but mom and dad sure do get a kick out those little faces lighting up!!!! and its forever on video tape:D

My daughter liked it when she was not quite 2 years old, this year she was 3 and a half and now all she seems to do is ask when we are going back to DL.

She is especially eager to ride Space Mtn. It will be so much fun!

Anyone who says little kids should not go because they don't like strollers or crying should shove it- DL is not just for them.

My daughter's first trip was at 4 weeks. Now she's almost 8 and still loves it. You just have to adjust what you do to what they're ready for.

When she was a baby she loved the characters but around 2 until about 5 she only liked the princesses as she could see their faces.

Everything is very kid/baby friendly - there are lots of changing stations in the bathrooms as well as the baby station on main street. It was easier to take her to Disneyland than to the mall.

I have read all of these responses and they are all great answers! :) My little girl is 5 months old right now and I'm just starting to form a bond with her since I'm the non-custodial parent. I really shouldn't rely on taking her at a specific age...rather than if both of us are ready for that adventure. Whether she is in a stroller or walking or whether she is potty trained or still in diapers is not a concern. I would most likely get a hotel room next to the resort and stay for at least a couple of days...that way if both of us get tired, we can rest in the room for a bit, then go back later in the day. If she cannot go on rides because of height restrictions, there's nothing that says that we can't just walk around and enjoy the experience and stimuli DL has to offer. DL is not going anywhere and neither is my daughter.

I took the Little tods to the Park when they were less than a year old. (One at a time, natch.) Took full advantage of the non-age-and-height-specific attractions (Monorail, PeopleMover) and walked around a lot.

I cannot say too much about the wonderfulness of the Baby Center and the Cast Members therein. The Lovely Mrs tod and I used to argue about who got to go in there and change diapers.

Take the kid. By all means. If it's a bad idea you'll figure it out quickly.

--T
:fez:

Too young for Disneyland is defined to be so young that you wouldn't want to spend the money to take the kid(s). [Note: although the kids are free before 3 years old, the other costs involved should be added in.]

In our case, the only time that Disneyland was inappropriate for our kids was when we lived in Virginia and the costs involved to fly out were far too great.

Perhaps more helpfully ...

We've got a nearly 9 year old, a 6 year old, a 3 year old and a baby who is 1.5. We've been going (off and on, depending on which years we've had the AP) since the oldest has been 5. All have enjoyed the place.

Stroller's as an issue are a far more interesting discussion. Myself, I feel that they are a great way to try to break up roving packs of teens.

Redrhino

Maybe they should have a special lane designated for people with strollers?
I feel bad for the people having to get through those crowds with the strollers.

I say the kid must be at least 18, that way I don't have too pay for them. :fez:

J/K:) Seriously, think whatever age that the parent is mentally willing to take them to DL.

If a baby is crying at DL or misbehaving, since I don't have kids I can just get up and move somewhere else or only have to deal with it for a short amount of time, where as the parent has to deal with their child the whole time they are there. I am sure that it is no easy chore to take a baby or and young child to DL. However I don't blame them for want to introduce their son or daughter to DL at a young age.

I can't wait to have a kid and take him or her to DL. Knowing me I will take them the day after they are born.:D The feeling a parent must gets from seeing they kid laugh or smile for the first time at DL is probably worth all the grief that they would have to deal with throughout the day.

Good for the child? I'd say anytime.

I've always believed around age 5 they would be able to participate more and remember it.

Mapdan,

To prepare for taking your child to the park, at whatever age you decide to take her, I recommend you read through the Parenting in the Parks (http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/) columns that AdrienneK writes. We also have a Parenting in the Parks (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=13) forum (where this thread will probably end up getting moved to...although I can't move it from here) where other issues or questions are brought up. Lot's of good information in both sources.

:)

Well, those folks qualified to say so usually recommend that the child have exited the womb prior to going - though I hear of many cases where the child attends prior to that point, though they typically do not get to enjoy the attractions.

Depends on the parent, depends on the goal of the day.

My children were 19 days and 17 days old on their first trips. The first one was not planned, it was an impulse trip for a mix-in. Second one was planned.

All 4 of my children (one baby lost, my now 5 y/o and my now 2 y/o, one still incubating,) have been to the park and experienced attractions from within the womb. ;)

Adrienne

My oldest went for the first time when he was 18 mths he's now 9 and it's been so much fun watching him enjoy it at all different ages!

My youngest was comfy in 'da womb the first time he went, ;) the second time was a month after he turned a year, he'll be 5 in one month!!

With both boys they've gone at least once a year every year since their first trip and each age has had it's highs and it's lowsn but every trip was a fun and memorable one. It's so much fun remembering what they did and didn't do at certain ages and my oldest will tell you, at the parks, things like "That's CA Screamin' I rode that the first time when I was 7 it was my first looping coaster" "thats Matterhorn I rode that the first time when I was 3 1/2 it was so much fun" etc etc etc.

So, basically what my rambling is leading to :p is go whenever you feel it's the right time for the two of you! LOL

We were just there last week with our 1 & 3.8 yo boys. The 1yo was a big hit walking the parade routes before the parades. We have been each year for the past three now (we don't live close) with the boy(s) and each trip is unique and special for all.

One thing to keep in mind - they think that everything is real. Buzz is really THE Buzz - that is really a big pooh bear (or fuzzy golden giant to the 1yo) and not someone in a suit. Their reactions at this age are priceless (well, it does come with a price tag I guess) unpredictable and won't last forever.

I've taken a 4 yr old to DL, and a 18 mt and 7 yr old to MK. The 7 yr old was a big difference. She will always remember it. She bonded with the park (and minnie mouse). I would want to have all my kids get to go at the 5 to 7 yr old age. Earlier than that- it was "just" agreat day. We all had fun, it was easy and we were together. Sites, sounds, smells abounded- but mainly-we were together. I know my 18mt old responded to that. He would have been as happy with a day at the mall, but as a group we wouldn't have been. They love the joy you feel. It feels like family. So, if you want the kid to really feel and remember the specific joy of Disney- I would wait until at least 5yrs. But for the joy of a great day- go now!

I have taken my kids (now 10 & 4) each year since they were born....sometimes twice a year. My son (the 10 year old) has loved Disneyland each and every time, and interacted well with the characters. My daughter on the other hand was terrified of the characters, up until our last trip (she was then almost 4)....and then she suddenly "loved" them (except for Aladdin at Chef Mickey's....she told him he had scary hair:eek: ). I think it depends on each child....they all have different personalities. I know when I was a child, my parents took us at least once a year, and my earliest memory of Disneyland is when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I say take them when you are ready, and make adjustments for them as you go.:)

I think it should be when you feel comfortable taking your child whatever that age may be. I took my son for the first time at 6 months and my daughter at 2 months. My daughter didn't too much besides sleep or eat through all of the rides and it was more for us than for her. My son, although he won't remember his first trip, I always will. Seeing his face when he saw a character for the first time or seeing his chubbly little head framed by mouse ears was just priceless. When he was little, yes he enjoyed the day but the memories of him enjoying it were for us to treasure. So I say, when you feel ready to take her, take her. It's something you'll never forget. Do read Adrienne's articles though because there are some wonderful tips in them. Have fun. :)

Both of my kids went in the womb, the oldest went at 21 months, then again at 28 months with his little sister who was 5 weeks. For me those were good ages because we took the breaks needed to keep the 2 year old happy. Plus when we went under the Disney sign at WDW the second trip, his face just lit up. He remembers going plus when we look at the scrapbook, he points everything out.

Recently at Paramount Carowinds (local for us), he asked for the TeaCups... we had to explain that it was only at Disney but it showed us that he did infact remember it.

So in my opinion it is based on the adult and what they are prepared to handle. I would highly recommend whether you go to DL or WDW stay as close as possible to the parks if you have a little one.

We took number one at five weeks. Didn't stay too long, pretty much four or five hours. Ate lunch, maybe dinner. He slept most of the time.

Number two went at about six weeks. Didn't stay too long, pretty much four or five hours. Ate dinner. She slept most of the time.

As passholders, we have been there numerous times since. At the age of three, my son is already calling Disneyland his favorite place.

When they're young and if you think you are willing to risk public exposure and/or the elements, infants travel relatively quietly when you're just walking. The Baby Care Centers makes it so much easier!

Favorite activity for the newly parented: Listening to the Piano Man over at Carnation Corner while having an ice cream.