Hi all - please move this, if I am in the wrong spot!

I have been reading the Unofficial guide, and it said in there that any age under 7 would be a waste of time and money! My son will be 5 next year, when I am planning his first trip to WDW. The thing is, I am taking my parents too (and they are not getting any younger!)

Am I crazy to take him when he is 5? Am I even crazier to take my parents too?!

Is it a waste of time for someone under the age of seven to go? (According to the book...)
Personally, I dont think so. Heck, GusJr went 3 times before he was 2 - and that included 2 DCL cruises. He loves to look at pictures and video of himself during those first trips.

But here is the catch... you have to know your own kids. If they are the kind of kids that can handle a huge amount of stimulation, you will find that they will not have any problems from moment one. If that is not the case the key point is to pace yourself and if you detect a meltdown coming, then its time for a break at the hotel or a change of pace. But once again - the key phrase here is that you have to know how your kids react in certain situations.

As for bringing parents. I did it once and will be doing it again soon. And to be honest, I made some mistakes in helping provide them with the best trip possible the first time. Like younger kids, they may have a pace of their own. :) (Do please read that with some humor and good intentions.) Sometimes when you are involved with all of the excitement of being at Disney you tend to not "hear" each other. So my advice is to make sure you have good, open communication with them and make sure that communication happens throughout the trip. But overall, I think taking parents/grandparents are a great way to create wonderful, lasting memories. (Take lots of pictures and video.)

In many families, given the disparity of ages of the children, it is not practical or desirable to wait until the youngest child is 7. Certainly, when you are traveling with young children, you need to adjust your scheduling to their needs. Our first trip with the kids were when the younger one was 2 and the older was 5. We never spent more than 4-5 hours at a stretch in the parks, and would always take a break to return to the hotel and relax and swim. Then we could go back and do a few more hours. Very often one of us would go back to the hotel with the child who had, clearly, had enough, and was at the risk of a meltdown. For this reason, we have rarely been in the parks in the mid-afternoon, unless we got a late start. Last year, we did get a late start one day, and I was in a store when, at the same time, around 3PM, several young kids, from different families, had a simutaneous meltdown. I'd be willing to bet they had been at the park for hours, and had just had enough. I am taking my parents for their first trip, in March, and have assured them that I am only providing a "representative" experience, and they will not be expected to do "commando" park days. I have a two-bedroom DVC villa, so there is plenty of space and privacy, and we will take breaks with them, just as I do with my kids, anyway.

It depends on your child and your situation.

We take ds annually to WDW. He is now four so he's already been there four times. This is a combined trip to see family that lives in Orlando as well so we'd make the trip to Orlando anyways, why not make a trip to WDW part of the fun.

We always stay on property taking advantage of being able to return to the hotel room in the afternoon to take a break from the parks, go use the pool or just nap.

We don't try to do everything. A kid this age, Magic Kingdom is your best park but it still is nice to take a half day here and there and visit the other parks. Our son was easier when he was younger. He has gotten more skittish about going on rides now.

I think your son will have a great time. Will he remember a lot of it? Probably not. How much do you remember from when you were 5?

I took my oldest daughter when she was just shy of 3. She had the best time. She loved every minute of it. She stayed awake for everything, would not nap and was not cranky in the least bit. As soon as we loaded onto the tram at night, she immediately fell asleep in my husband's arms. I don't regret it for a second.

I took my youngest daughter when she was 3 1/2 and the oldest was 6 1/2. She slept through everything. Crystal Palace with Pooh & friends.....asleep. Spectromagic.....asleep. Hoop de Doo Review.....asleep(how anyone could sleep through that is beyond me.) We still had a great time.

Every kid is different. At 5, he's gonna have a lot of fun. Don't put too many expectations on the trip. Just go and have a great time.

I say any child under EIGHT. The less strollers, the better. I have tons of students that say, "I went to Walt Disney World! I was three...I don't remember anything about it." And the sad part is, many of the people that go once, will not return for a very long time, or if at all.

So what's the point of hauling a kid around the park all day in the heat? Every time we go, my wife and I see throngs of kids passed out in strollers and parents' arm by eight o'clock, but the parents don't want to leave because they want to see fireworks.

I think it's borderline child abuse. Kids don't need to be up that late to see something they're not going to remember in a few short years. It comes down to this:

Who are you trying to please by a spectacular vacation? Your young child or yourself? Are you trying to live vicariously through that child?

Then again, it's your money, not mine.

I say eight.

A guide book is just that. It's to GUIDE you, not for you to follow it to the letter. I took my son at the age of three. He still remembers it. We took his daughter when she was five and then again right after she turned seven. She remembers both times. When she was five, she didn't like any attraction that was dark, spit water at you, had anything that jumped out at you, or had fire of any kind in it. She rode waht she could and my husband and I (we've been many times before) took turns waiting things out with her so her parents could enjoy them together (daughter-in-law's first time to Disney World). For the second trip, she didn't even go into Magic Kingdom at all because of the crowds (it was Christmas week). All three of those visits with a child seven or under were some of the best we've ever had. Because it forces you to slow down and look at things from a child's viewpoint.

The guide books (and I think I know the one you are refering to) and generally written with the intent of giving people the best options of seeing EVERYTHING they possible can. There are a few books for touring with kids and those are the ones you should be looking at, not the general ones. NOt the ones that have touring plans that you are expected to follow. Yes, you need a plan but YOU decide that plan with guidance from the books (and us here).

If I took the guide books advice for everything, we'd hate Disney World. There's no way in hell we're getting up at the crack of dawn to make rope drop.

Go with your child and have YOUR vacation. Not what some stranger's idea of what your vacation should be.

I say any child under EIGHT. The less strollers, the better. I have tons of students that say, "I went to Walt Disney World! I was three...I don't remember anything about it."

I think it's borderline child abuse. Kids don't need to be up that late to see something they're not going to remember in a few short years. It comes down to this:

Who are you trying to please by a spectacular vacation? Your young child or yourself? Are you trying to live vicariously through that child?

Then again, it's your money, not mine.

I say eight.

Our four year old loves to look at the video's of when he went to WDW at 1,2,3 and four. We do an annual trip combined with a family visit. He comes up with phrases that clearly indicate that he remembers various things about WDW.

We have been going every year since DS was 3 and DD was 6. On our trip this year they will be 9 & 11. They had a great time on each trip. We stayed off property until this past October and never took any breaks in our day. When DS was tired he'd nap in the stroller with out any problem. My kids love to look at the old pictures as well. I say it's up to you, if the kid can handle how ever you get there and is not the type who needs to be in their own bed (vs. hotel bed/crib) I say go for it.

I think that it is up to the person. I know from going with a 2 yr and 4 yr that breaks are needed. Also keeping them occupied while waiting in lines help from getting them to start whining and complaining. We worked out that to start when they are used to getting up and not forcing them up earlier started the day better. Also breaks back at the POR pool with lunch gave us plenty of time to get back to the park or another one and catch more rides and a show. Also before the trip mom would take the kids with her when she went for walks and it helped get them used to walking for distances.

We visited WDW for their first visit when our kids were 4-1/2 to 5 years old and I thought it was the perfect age. I wouldn't worry about waiting til 7--that seems old to me, but just my opinion. Seeing the wonder on their face is magicical. We just went for 2 days and they are now 26 and 20, so for some of us age doesn't matter, but for others it does. I say go for it while your parents are able to join in.

My youngest went to WDW for the first time when he was 3. It was his 3rd b-day. He was instantly hooked, and he's as much a Diz nut as I am now. He knows the parks backwards and forwards and has only been back once since this 3-yo trip (when he was 4-1/2).

I agree with what GusMan said word-for-word. Know the kid; don't expect to park commando--

I also agree that it is MUCH easier after the kids are potty-trained, over naps (although we still have "down time" each day), and out of strollers. So if those things are big deals, then wait.

I think that anyone going anytime to WDW is great....well, maybe not on Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, or 4th of July, but you get the picture.:p

due to a family situation - my wifes family is in Califorinia, we met in Orlando 3 years ago. My kids were 2 1/2 and 4. We decided to spend a few days in Disney, my kids loved it. Afterwards, they both would say things like, remember when we saw cinderlella or remember the dumbo ride, etc. My son, the 2 1/2 constanslt y talked about the purple hippo in small world, we rode that 4 times! We had such a good time, we went back again last year - kids were nuts about it again, we went to all 4 parks and had a blast. They still talk about it and remember all the details.
We are going back again this year, and the kids are excited again. we're an active family and Disney is fun and exciting for us. My wife and I love the kiddie stuff. I could understand why it may not work for some families with small kids, but we had a blast!

I tend to agree that it's more enjoyable for the parents if you aren't dragging a diaper bag and pushing a stroller. No matter what, though, you have to go at the pace of the slowest person.

I went last spring with 3 of my nephews (and their parents) right before Easter, and I was really glad we didn't have to deal with the diapers and stroller. The youngest was 3, and he really needed his naps, but we all needed the break due to the crowds and unseasonably warmth (shorts and T-shirt at midnight, no problem). One day, the ONLY reason the 3 year old fell asleep before me at nap time was because he fell asleep on the bus, and I 'had' to wait until I got to the room. It was nice for his parents and older brothers that I was along, because then all 4 of them got to go to the pool that afternoon!

(And no, we didn't have a stroller for the 3 year old. I thought my sister was crazy for not bringing theirs along, and I was fully prepared to rent one, but we really didn't need it, since we were going at the youngest's pace, and he got carried some, but not a lot).

It's as simple as this: the younger the child, the more flexible the parents and the rest of the family will need to be. If you have several kids and the youngest is still a toddler, it's going to affect how much fun the other kids (and the parents, especially the mom) will have, so this should be taken into consideration.

Personally, I think 5 is the perfect age for a first trip. True, the child may not have a lot of memories from this trip when they grow up, but they WILL have a great time during the visit. I still remember when I went at age 7 for the first time (the first year of WDW); my uncle showed up one Sunday morning and said that he wanted to take us to Disney. I was so excited! I remember very little of that visit, but I do remember being excited and having fun (and being really scared of the Haunted Mansion)!

If this is also the parents' first visit, they will have to fight the temptation to try and do everything or to try and get their money's worth. It just won't happen. Go at your child's pace, let them enjoy the experience, take loads of pictures and video to remind them of the visit and all will be well.

So, in short, if you take a younger child, go at their pace, not yours. If you cannot do this or will resent spending so much money while not seeing as much as you wanted to, wait until the child gets a bit older.

I think it's borderline child abuse. .

That's a little harsh don't you think?

My son was about 18 months on his first WDW trip and we had a fabulous time.

Honestly if I had to pick an age that was "too young" I'd say anyone not really toilet trained is too young, it's much easier without the diapers and the running to the bathrooms (with the just toilet-trained).

That said, both of my kids went several times before that point and I don't regret my decisions at all.

There is nothing like being with a little kid who thinks that Mickey, Goofy, or a Princess are real. That look is priceless.

That's a little harsh don't you think?

My son was about 18 months on his first WDW trip and we had a fabulous time.

While I'm sure your son had a fine time, I tend to agree with steamboatpookster in that there are many many kids that are not having a fabulous time, but are being dragged along well past their endurance in the high heat and humidity. It just about breaks my heart to see little infants in strollers sweating as they're napping while their feet slowly cook in the direct sunlight! I think it's entirely possible to visit with a very young child and have a terrific time. But that doesn't excuse the many parents who do it wrong.

My first visit to DL was at age 6. And while I can't recount every minute, the whole visit left an indelible mark on my childhood. I used to be of the opinion that a child should be maybe 5 years old at the youngest. But then a couple years ago I got the privelege to visit with my younger brother, his wife, and my 2 1/2 year old niece. We took things very slowly, did only the rides that were appropriate for her, etc. Just spending the day looking through her wide eyes was very special. And while she would never remember if she did Pirates or not, she sure does remember meeting Mickey!

I say go for it, but pace yourselves. Leave plenty of time for naps, keep the snacks and fluids coming, and don't force your child onto any ride that he doesn't want to do, no matter how safe you know the ride to be. One of my worst park experiences was riding the Storybookland Canal Boats with a 4 year old girl who was absolutely terrified of it (Monstro at the front end sure didn't help much!), but her idiot mom and grandma just plopped her down in the boat, and then basically yelled at her to be quiet the whole ride. Not cool for the kid, and definitely not cool for the rest of us riders!

Have fun, and let us know how it all goes!

Obviously there are kids who can handle WDW at a young age. But what most of you are not considering is that the people that post on this forum are not your "average" WDW visitor. Like Dan said above--I've seen kids in strollers that were burnt to a crisp that had no clue as to what was going on. As a smoker (former, woohoo!) I sat many hours watching people. Not a lot of smiling kids--or parents for that matter.

What I do see a lot of, are spoiled children that don't smile being followed by parents that aren't getting along. I also see many parents pushing a stroller that do not look like they are having an enjoyable time. The kids tend to be the happiest when they are back at the hotel, swimming in the pool.

Take a look around the next time you go. Sit for 15 minutes and take a mental note of all the people you see. Who are the happiest? Which age group tends to be enjoying themselves the most?

The people that I see enjoying the parks most are the couples without kids. No offense to you parents out there, but that is what I've noticed. The honeymooners seem to be the happiest.

And yes--if a child is sunburnt and has been in the parks for over 8 hours, I believe it IS child abuse.

The first time I went to WDW was Thanksgiving week of 1998. My honeymoon. My wife had been numerous times as a child, so she knew what to expect. Even though she tried to "explain" WDW to me, I still didn't get the big picture.

The first day in the parks, I ended up leaving her and going back to the hotel. I was miserable and exhausted--but she was on cloud nine, because she's a "Disney-Freak". There are a lot of first-timers that come to WDW and I wonder how many of them were prepared or will ever return?

So I'll repeat myself--a member of this forum may have a three year old that can handle the parks, but said member's neighbor may not, simply because that person may not be a Disney addict.

And for me, I can't see paying the exorbitant amount of money it takes to go to WDW just to push a child around in a stroller all day. Seems like there are cheaper vacations to amuse a child.

i guess to each his own. I've seen kids and parents miserable in the super market or waiting to sit with santa. Everyone is different. I can honestly say my kids did not tolerate Disney, but truly enjoyed it. They talk about it all the time. A few weeks ago my son, now 3 and 1/2 wanted a story before bed and I was not very inspired, we started talking about the MK. He was describing the sword in the stone, peter pan's ride, the carosuel etc. He had fanstasyland memorized and he went there 9 months ago! We enjoy our kids and have fun with them, its an experience, not a destination.

The people that I see enjoying the parks most are the couples without kids. No offense to you parents out there, but that is what I've noticed.

I guess we all FIND whatever it is that we're looking for. :confused:

I've actually had people ask me if it's really worth going to the parks WITHOUT kids. And I say CERTAINLY it is!

I've been with our kids, with other kids, with other families, and just with my wife. Each trip has been fun. It's a different trip when we're with kids, rather than just with each other. But there's something really magical about seeing the parks through the eyes of your children. Actually the first time we took our kids, our son was 6, and our daughter was almost 3. They both had a fantastic time, and it's quite obvious they both remember that trip to a certain extent.

I've read trip reports on this very board from folks who went to the parks without children, and just complain, complain, complain--the drive, the traffic, the busses, the crowds, the weather, the food, the other park visitors,etc. So I certainly don't think you can make any generalizations about couples without kids enjoying the parks more than anybody else.

So, really to answer your question, are you crazy to take your son when he's 5 .. ?? Absolutely not!! In fact, I'd almost go so far as to say that if you have the opportunity/ability to take him, and you DON'T just because he's 5 (& not 7 or 8 or whatever), then THAT's what's crazy !!

Walt Disney World is a great place for kids--of any age !!! :D

DD5's first trip was when she was two and she's been twice already. Yes, it was a better trip when she was almost four, but we went at her pace. We didn't expect to see everything and do everything. We napped in the afternoon and took breaks when necessary. Would I bring a two year old back in the heat of summer? Heck no. It was HOT!! Until both of my kids are older, we won't be going back in the summer. We'll go in March or December. My youngest will have just turned two when we go in March. DH and I went on a solo trip this past summer for our anniversary so this time we especially won't feel like we have to do/see everything. I'm just going to be happy to be at WDW! When we were there, all I could think about was how much fun the girls would have, so our upcoming trip is for them.
I agree with some of the other people: you are the one that knows your own child and what they can and cannot handle. :-)

One of my worst park experiences was riding the Storybookland Canal Boats with a 4 year old girl who was absolutely terrified of it (Monstro at the front end sure didn't help much!), but her idiot mom and grandma just plopped her down in the boat, and then basically yelled at her to be quiet the whole ride. Not cool for the kid, and definitely not cool for the rest of us riders!

This is what it comes down to for me. The kids' age matters mostly in relationship to the parents own endurance. I've seen way too many cranky parents yelling at kids to sit still, slapping and other things that make me cringe. It's usually the case that the parents got pushed past their own endurance.

Oh and parents that don't find magic in watching their kids experience something are going to have a hard time.

I remember one of my most memorable moments was at night watching the little ones at Epcot, kneeling down on the sidewalk awed by the fiber optic lights and the patterns and colors... that was true Disney magic and seeing a kid experience it was priceless.

The kids' age matters mostly in relationship to the parents own endurance. I've seen way too many cranky parents yelling at kids to sit still, slapping and other things that make me cringe. It's usually the case that the parents got pushed past their own endurance.
This is a good point. Parents can have a meltdown as well. The bad part to that is that the meltdowns usually have more impact on the rest of the traveling party. (ie: trickle-down effect.)

At the same time, when a parent does not recognize the signs of a meltdown from their kids, that can cause issues as well. I mean, a trip should never get to the point where you are dragging a hysterically-crying child through the parks. Pay attention to your kids and react accordingly. Be proactive if at all possible.

You know your child best. 5 can be a really good age.

My younger son was 9 mos. first visit and has been several times since. The hardest age for us was going on 3 yrs. - all the other trips have been easier than that "I want my way" age.

Depending on your child, just know when to take it easy.

My older son was 7 the first trip and the whole time kept asking to go back to the resort to go swimming - go figure His first trip to WDW and was more concerned with swimming.

Thank you all SO much for your advice and suggestions! I know that my son will have a great time, I just need to keep reminding myself that this trip is for him and is not about me!