Best age for WDW and Disney World advice

[Leilani]

Hi there! I was just wondering, what is the best age to start taking your child to Disney World? We're going to Disneyland this year, my DD and I, but I would like to take her to Disney World maybe next year when she's 8. It would be a first for both of us. So if anyone has any tips, what they wished they had done, what they wished they had NOT done, any recommendations, any insights, any planning tips, all would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Also, how many days would you recommend for first timers? Thanks!

[oregontraveler]

I would think 10 days for a first trip would be a good idea. That gives you a feel for all the theme parks, hotels and other activities: mini-golf, restaurant shows & water parks. First off, WDW is much more spread out than DLR. Kinda like its own little city. You can find alot info reading about trip reports from Florida. You will need to pace yourselves, take afternoon breaks.
There will be much walking involved. You almost need to start planning way in advance for restaurant reservations, ADR's.
Depending on the time of year, walk-ups are not going to be in your favor. I would either buy a new copy of the Unofficial Guidebook or check your library for one.

[TinaMouse]

Age 8 is terrific! They can fit on pretty much everything and the "magic" is still there for them. Heck the magic is still there for me and I'm 42!

[currence]

There is no right or wrong age to go. Every child is different, every family is different.

If this is a "once in a lifetime" trip, many parents wait until their kids are old enough to ride everything (yours should be) and old enough to remember the trip (again, yours should be). If you think you may go more frequently, going when they are younger is no big deal.

We have gone often enough that recently we have taken to doing something extra-special each trip. Last trip it was water skiing/parasailing. It was amazing! Many trips it is Cirque du Soleil. I want to do the Train Tour next time I go with my dad. But the extras cost money and I would really only recommend them if you have a firm baseline on the parks. Otherwise, I think it's the equivalent of adding a few more chocolate sprinkles to an already over-the-top ice cream sundae. Yes, they are yummy, but they are not really needed for full enjoyment. I'm currently planning a trip for friends that are going without me. They will not be doing anything but park storming and the water parks. I'm sure they will have a great time.

At 8, let her help you plan. After going to Disneyland she should have a decent idea as to the types of rides she likes/doesn't like. Go for as long as you can afford (both time and money) and don't worry if it is less than ideal. Some of our best trips have been much shorter than ideal (we once, essentially, went to Paris for a long weekend. I wouldn't recommend it but I also wouldn't take that trip back). Take the park at her pace and don't worry if you don't get everything done that you were hoping to.

I have a memory of wanting to rush to get to the next enjoyable activity that I had planned and was trying to hurry my kids out of what they were doing and worrying that they were taking too long. Then I stopped, realized that my kids were having a blast and didn't care about the next activity, and let go of my worry to join them in enjoying the moment. I highly recommend going at your kid's pace. You may not see everything you want to. You may spend more time doing something than you think it deserves. But if you both have a great time, hopefully there will be another trip in your future where you can do the things that you may not get to on this trip.

ADRs do book 6 months in advance. So if you want to do Disney Dining, you will want to plan that far in advance and call on/near the 6 month mark.

[tappenfeat]

Well, it's different for everyone and how well your children adjust to that type of vacation with the right planning and naps in between...I started taking my DD's as young as 9 months old. As long as you plan correctly according to their naps, feeding times, and not over doing it, you should be ok.

With an 8 year old, that is a perfect time! One piece of advice: GOOD SNEAKERS! And buy them a little ahead of time, have her break them in so they are not brand new right on your trip.

Good shoes are the key to keeping a kiddy (and adult) happy with all the walking you will endure in WDW. Listen to your body when you are tired and take breaks, take a nap at your Resort and then return to the parks at night. It's a great refresher and everyone will be happy.

A dip in the pool mid-afternoon is also a good way to kick back and allow your tootsies to breathe from so much walking.

My kids appreciate a nice ice cream break and people watching in the afternoons as we sit in a shady spot.

But, the right sneakers broken in a little before a trip always works best for my DD's.

At 8 years old, the BBB in the castle is also a GREAT way to keep a little princess feeling special. We have experienced that a few times and the last trip we went to the Pirates Make-over next to POTC. That was a big hit with them also.

Have a magical time!

[Leilani]

Thanks ! I agree with you about the planning ahead. WDW seems so much bigger than Disneland it's easy to get overwhelmed, but I guess just relax and enjoy.

[SnyderD]

We took my son at 5. He loved it, but as everyone has been saying: PLAN AHEAD! You know your child and how he/she acts, what they dislike/like. For example, my son had a hard time because we said good-bye to his routine. So we tried to add little things back into the vacation that helped him. I would also say a week to 10 days would be a great length for a vacation WDW.



---
Doug Snyder
www.preaching.com

[oregontraveler]

Thanks ! I agree with you about the planning ahead. WDW seems so much bigger than Disneland it's easy to get overwhelmed, but I guess just relax and enjoy.

Keep in mind, you are going on vacation Planning ahead means you have a good idea of what's available. So when your daughter needs some down time, you can be ready with a few options. Not sure what your budget or tastes are. But whether you are going for 1 week or 3 weeks, you probably won't have enough time to see everything this time around.

[scoobydooby]

Both my children loved WDW aged 8. I think it is a perfect age, they still love the magic but can ride everything too pretty much. At that age both mine still needed an afternoon swim or nap and not too many late nights. They also both loved the water parks at 8, but were both very competent swimmers at that age.

[Drince88]

There is/was a book published "WDW For kids, by Kids" or something along those lines. My then 8 year old nephew who was so much more comfortable when he knew what to expect LOVED it - as did his older and younger brothers.

[scoobydooby]

There is/was a book published "WDW For kids, by Kids" or something along those lines. My then 8 year old nephew who was so much more comfortable when he knew what to expect LOVED it - as did his older and younger brothers.

Good advice. You tube is also your friend here but do check some of the language before you view with children!

[mikala]

For our girls, they have been going every year since birth and they are 5. The excitement, memories, and anxiousness for the next trip are a constant. We have stayed at all moderates and have always stayed 10 nights, which gives us so much time to see more than just parks.

Magic doesn't begin to describe it. Although our kids have traveled since birth, every child is different. There really is no such thing as overstimulation for our girls, and last trip we had about 12 ADR's. Use your own judgement and have a ball.

[fleming]

8 is perfect IMO

[mousecanuck]

Age is perfect, and I agree with 10 days for a first trip. You can get a lot done/seen and get a really good feel for it all. Our trip was a 'once in a lifetime', but we might, now, maybe someday go again (though I suspect it'll just be us, or maybe us and our son as DD is gradding, university and heading out to the big wide world soon so I don't know if she'll be around if we ever make it that far again )

And what everyone said about a mid-day break/swim or nap (or both) is good advice. Plan a nice sit-down meal each day, too (and research and make reservations). And know you won't see everything, even in ten days. We missed a lot - we did a lot, and we did some of our favorites again and again, but there were still things we missed (never mind all the little Disney details!) Buy the Unofficial Guide, use Touring Plans on line (it's worth it) and make the best of it and don't stress if you don't see everything or if plans don't quite go as planned - pick your highlites and enjoy the rest!!!