What is the best age to take a child to disneyworld in Florida?

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Why

It depends on what you are looking for when you go.
If you want to ride the rides (roller coasters), wait till your child is 36" or higher - Approx 4 - 5 years of age and the child will be able to ride most but not all of them.
If you want your child to be amazed with Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella or Mickey Mouse, then 3 is the best age. They can ride the kiddie rides and still have the sparkle for the characters.

I went last year for Halloween and it was amazing! My son was 5 and just past the stage of characters but he loves the rides. He was not able to ride the Rocking Roller Coaster because he was not 48" yet. That was the only ride they would not let him on and the wait time for that holiday was 5 minutes in each line.

I would also consider how long the lines are going to be because younger children are less paitence when waiting in the sun. Some of the lines appear smaller because the lines are hidden in buildings and around gardened areas. The busiest time is Thanksgiving and Christmas, so just be aware you may wait 30 min - 45 min per ride.

Natterjack9

Depends on the kind of trip. If it is a big family trip, with even the extended family going (Aunts, Uncles, etc.) than any age is a good age. If that is not the case, I would say 4 is o.k. I took my daughter for her first trip when she was 4, and we had a blast. The following year we went on a big family trip, I had a 1 year old son and my daughter was 5. Again, we had a great time. I know the argument is that the kids don't remember the trip, and it is a waste. I say that is a cop out. Honestly, how many trips or special events does anyone remember when they were younger? I have bits and pieces from my youth, but don't remember what happened last year let alone 25 years ago (that would have made me 12.) There are a few more rides the kids can do as they get older, but in reality there is something for everyone at Disney, that is why it is so magical. I am on my way back again in 15 days and can't wait. My kids are 11 and 6 now, and are bouncing off the walls!

Have a great trip!

tech_girl

We began taking our son when he was a year old - the pictures we have are priceless! He has specific memories of trips to Disney beginning around 2 1/2 - 3 years. He is 10 now, and still loves to go. There is much to do for kids of all ages.

micheletmoore

We took my older son when he was 25 months and he loved it. He does not remeber it (he is 8 now) but we do. We remember his first time meeting Mickey. We remember that he was really not talking much, some words, but mostly grunt and point, but at Disney when we could not tell what he was pointing at he called Dumbo "uppy down" He loved the rides, all of them. Since he was tall for his age and had reached 40" he rode Barnstormer, Splash, Big Thunder, Kali, Test Track, and Star Tours...loved them all. He loved the parades, the fireworks, the tank at Coral Reef, the stores, everything. He especially loved the fountains that the kids play in. We also took him to Sea World and he thought that was amazing. I have pictures of him sitting open mouth on the edge of his seat watching Shamu. No, he does not remember, but we do and what great memories they are!

We went with him the second time 1 month before his 3rd birthday. While 2 was great, 10 months later it was even better. He was really talking and still remembered the 1st trip. We were there over 9/11 and after the attacks the parks were almost empty (everyone was trying to get a flight home, but since we had driven, we didn't worry and no new visitors could get there because there were no flights) so we got to ride everything as much as we wanted with no wait. So Ty got to ride Peter Pan 4 times in a row (his choice) and since he had grown now he was tall enough for Space Mountain. The attendant was so tickled at his hair standing straight up and his wide eyed, "Again Mommy Again!" that he sent us a back way and had us avoid the line. He rode in the front the 2nd time and had the guy cracking up with his "WOW that was even better" He still loved the characters and still believed they were real. He was young enough to not question the magic. He thought it was all great. The only time we had any problem was after Illuminations one night. He had gotten used to being able to say again and getting it, and when it ended and he said "Country Ball AGAIN!!" we couldn't deliver. He LOST it. We had to carry him screaming COUNTRY BALL AGAIN to the front of the park. It was actually a little funny because the adults around us were very nice and said, "we know how he feels, we want to see it again too." We promised to come again and he calmed down and we had our usual stroll through Mouse Gears as the park empties out and came again the next night. It was our BEST trip.

The next year we went back 11 months later (we had annual passes from the last trip and got 50% off the room, so tickets were free, and we stayed at All Star for $50 per night, cheapest vacation we ever took). Almost 4 was still good. He had out grown some of the cuteness. Pops Train was still true, but everything else had a correct name :(. Also at this point he didn't want to nap so we had a few issues with tantrums but overall still a great trip.

Our last trip was 11 months later again. We went with my parents, it was June, it was HOT it was crowded, and we will probably never go during this time of year again with a young child. It was too hot and the lines were long. If that is the only time you can go, buy the little mister fans and the neck things that keep you cool. Let the kids where swim suits instead of shorts for boys and under clothes for girls, let them play in any fountain you can. Keep a bottle of water (NO SODA) in their hand and plan on eating more sit down for a chance to cool down. It is easy to get sick because of the HOT then A/C ups and downs you do as you walk around and then ride a ride, so be sure to get plenty of rest and take it as easy as you can. Still this was a good age. Ty was starting to suspect that they were costumes, but he still enjoyed it. The only down side is Ty was 47 3/4" and just missed the cut off for Rockin Rollercoaster. He made us buy new tennis shoes there that he swore were thicker, we measured him 20 times at the ride to see if he could stand up taller or had grown (at his insistance), but he was too short. Devistating.

We are going back this year with Ty for his 9th birthday, but this time we will have his little brother who will be 2 months shy of 3. He has already met Mickey at a Disney Store opening. He has seen the pictures of Ty with characters and seen the Sing Alongs that have pictures of some of the rides. We are hoping he hits 40" (he is way smaller than Ty)because he too is a thrill lover and we want him to ride Splash and all the others, but if not we will do child swap. Tyler is looking forward to Rockin Rollercoaster. He is 57" now so we are looking forward to Sea World where he is going to ride the Krakken. Colby is going to be all about the magic, but at 8 while Tyler will have fun, he knows that is not the "real" Mickey. He sees how the Pooh ride runs on rails, it is not going to be real for him.

For those who say 6 or older, I disagree. The first time should be all about the magic and the believing in the experience. Most 6 year olds now act 10 and know there is no Santa or Easter Bunny. They are more grown up and less believing, and even at 6 they are already starting to be a little "too cool" to just let go and have fun unless they have already been and know how great it can be. To me to save it until they can remember it is silly. Do we not have Christmas until they can remember? Introduce them to other life experiences? Take them to the beach or the zoo? No, we start early, so they have an appreciation and so WE can see their joy at the new discoveries and experiences.

â™¥ Mrs. Graham â™¥

You can take a child with any age to Disneyworld, it is a kid's dream whether there 2 or an adult at 22, it doesn't matter. The first time my mom took me was when i was still in her stomach, the second time i was 4 and had a blast, the next time I went was when i was 13, the next time at 16, and we are about to go again here in April and I am 20, I was lucky growing up that I got to go so many times, but you can take your child any time, they might not be able to ride some rides, but if any there is only about 3 they may not get to ride, other then that have a blast!

If you plan on visiting DisneyWorld many times throughout the child's life then I'd suggest two and above. Our daughter's first trip was at the age of 1. Of course she doesn't remember any of it but while we were there she was fascinated by all the colors, movement, and music. She was especially fascinated with Small World. We do not regret taking her at such a young age. The following year at 2 1/2 we returned with her. Now this trip she does remember as well as the trips at the age of 4, 6, and 7. Each trip that we've done with her has been a different experience altogether for reasons of the various developmental stages. So my advise to you is if you plan on returning many times during the child's lifetime then the sooner the better. If not then I'd probably wait until 6. At this age if you have a girl in particular she'll love to dress up as a princess and have her picture taken with the princess characters. It will be fun for her and fun for you to watch. :)

TrixyLoo

5-95!~ We're all children at heart when we go to Disney!

Erick c

probably about 5-8 so they can remember going

shoe s

Godzilla

4 to whenever you die cause your never to old to go to disneyworld

Casey

5 is the best age, because hes so small and it seems so big and magical

L J

I would say not before age 5. We are Florida residents, and really wanted to go, but we waited until our youngest turned 5 and it made a big difference. She has great memories.

superbird

My opinion of IDEAL is 8-13.....but there's stuff for everyone except itty bitties like 3 and less.....I mean, crowds are exciting, but.....

sheepeshlysheepy

Probably not around the pre-teen-early teen years (11-14.) At that age, Disney world was *for babies* and being around parents *isn't "cool"*
I'm almost 17 and have never been there....but I'm going when I'm 18 and I can guarantee I'm gonna have more fun than any kid there!!!!!

juliagulia281

I think 5 to 8 is a good age. If they're younger they won't remember anything, and if they're older they won't appreciate the "magic". Kids imaginations are much bigger at a younger age. Although I'm almost 20 and I still think disney is the most magical place on earth :-)

Zee

The best age is around 6 or 5. When I went to Disney world, it wasn't until I was 10 because when I was 6 my baby sister was born that year.

Exoilfeildtrash

8 they will appreciate and remember it more.

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