How old were your children on their first visit to Disney World?

[JKB DIS]

My husband and I have recently become first time grandparents, and can’t wait to take our grandson to Disney! I am wondering at what age your children first visited Disney World. My children were 10 and 6 on our first visit. My niece was 3 and seemed to handle it well. I am just curious about others’ experiences.

 

[Hubalorian]

We took our son right before he turned 3, basically all the skills of a three year old but didn’t need a park ticket! He was amazed and is a core memory seeing his sense of wonder at everything

 

[Schneewittchen37]

My son was about 15 months. My daughter was 26 months. I think 2 is an amazing age for the first visit.

 

[JKB DIS]

My son was about 15 months. My daughter was 26 months. I think 2 is an amazing age for the first visit.

I was leaning toward 2 or 3. What a wonderful thing to see Disney magic through the eyes of a little one! . Thanks for your input!!

 

[JKB DIS]

We took our son right before he turned 3, basically all the skills of a three year old but didn’t need a park ticket! He was amazed and is a core memory seeing his sense of wonder at everything

I forgot that a child doesn’t need a ticket until they turn 3. Great idea to go right before a third birthday! I’ll keep this in my toolbox when convincing family members of when to plan our first trip with our new grandchild.

 

[Specter]

DDs first visit was at 10 months (our oldest niece went at 11 months years before, too), then again at 34 Months, 40 months, and most recently just a few weeks ago 2 months before she'll turn 6. Each trip was very special and fun for us to see her experience it all. The 10 month trip was definitely super slow paced and we've just taken things at her speed since. She's a little daredevil now. Her favorite ride this last trip was Flights of Passage, followed closely by Guardians of the Galaxy and Space Mountain. Her first trip we left days before the Covid shutdown so we tell her how she was one of the first people to ride Runaway Railway, too, which she thinks is a great ride and a pretty cool flex for an almost 6 year old.

 

[JKB DIS]

DDs first visit was at 10 months (our oldest niece went at 11 months years before, too), then again at 34 Months, 40 months, and most recently just a few weeks ago 2 months before she'll turn 6. Each trip was very special and fun for us to see her experience it all. The 10 month trip was definitely super slow paced and we've just taken things at her speed since. She's a little daredevil now. Her favorite ride this last trip was Flights of Passage, followed closely by Guardians of the Galaxy and Space Mountain. Her first trip we left days before the Covid shutdown so we tell her how she was one of the first people to ride Runaway Railway, too, which she thinks is a great ride and a pretty cool flex for an almost 6 year old.

Wow! She is a daredevil! I can’t ride some of those rides!. You make a good point, each trip is special but different depending on the child’s age. How fortunate you were to get her first trip in before the Covid shutdown.

 

[cattycat2]

Hi---We took our son for the first time at 5 years old and had a great time!! We faithfully did RD, took a break after lunch in the park, and literally took naps everyday back at the resort. June was hot so it can depend on the month you go but taking those breaks are essential to prevent the meltdowns.

On our first trip, I ordered him a Mickey Mouse basket from a company online---it was delivered before our arrival and was on the bed when we walked in. I'll never forget what he said....."Mom, how does Mickey Mouse know I'm here? Priceless!

 

[ExcitedForWDW]

8 and 9 and imo the perfect age! No strollers no naps and never complained about walking 20k steps a day lol.

 

[Anna131517]

6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. Admittedly at those ages the trip was more for the adults and the kids were just along for the ride! But they’re free under 3 (and also eat free at buffets) so we always made sure to squeeze in one more trip before we had to pay for them! I’d say 5 is peak princess age. The other age to watch out for is 10. Once they’re 10 you pay adult prices for them.

 

[loves to dive]

My son was just shy of 3 the first time he went. It was also my first time by the way. We both fell in love and he has gone at least every other year since then. I started going every year about 15 years ago and now go at least 3 times a year. He has a little one of his own now, she is turning 4 next month and has been at least 4 times that I can remember already. She went her first time when she was about 8 months old. She loves it too. I was babysitting last week and a picture of us popped up on my phone and when I showed it to her she said "Grammy let's go to DW right now, do you have my car seat for your car".

 

[Disfamily55]

We took my oldest for her third birthday (my second was 9 months at the time). My youngest went at 14 months his first time. We go regularly and every age has challenges but seeing the magic change over time and them find different parts of the parks is really special now!

 

[Ronaldo17]

Our youngest son was 12, the older one was 15 and didn't want to go, he stayed at home with the grandparents!

 

[lovin'fl]

We first took ours when the twins were 4 and our son was 6. Was soonest we could afford it plus we wanted them able to walk without needing a big stroller.

They are 26 and 28 now and, hopefully, someday there will be grandbabies (have to find partners first). If, and whenever, we have grandbabies, we will probably take them right away. In a stroller. Cannot wait.

 

[JKB DIS]

We first took ours when the twins were 4 and our son was 6. Was soonest we could afford it plus we wanted them able to walk without needing a big stroller.

They arr 26 and 28 now and hopefully someday there will be granbabies (have to find partners first). If and whenever we have grandbabies, we will probably take them right away. In a stroller. Cannot wait.

I feel the same way! Our grandson is just a month old and I can’t wait until his parents will agree to a Disney trip. I will probably have to wait a few years.

 

[JKB DIS]

Hi---We took our son for the first time at 5 years old and had a great time!! We faithfully did RD, took a break after lunch in the park, and literally took naps everyday back at the resort. June was hot so it can depend on the month you go but taking those breaks are essential to prevent the meltdowns.

On our first trip, I ordered him a Mickey Mouse basket from a company online---it was delivered before our arrival and was on the bed when we walked in. I'll never forget what he said....."Mom, how does Mickey Mouse know I'm here? Priceless!

I am a big fan of the mid day break. The last few years we have been heading back to the resort in the afternoon to take a break and relax by the pool.

 

[JKB DIS]

We go regularly and every age has challenges but seeing the magic change over time and them find different parts of the parks is really special now!

I agree completely! Every age has challenges. I am looking forward to seeing the magic through the eyes of my grandchild.

 

[JKB DIS]

I was babysitting last week and a picture of us popped up on my phone and when I showed it to her she said "Grammy let's go to DW right now, do you have my car seat for your car".

I love this! I would have wanted to get in the car and go.

 

[JKB DIS]

The other age to watch out for is 10. Once they’re 10 you pay adult prices for them.

Yes, we made that mistake on our first trip. Our son had just turned 10 a few weeks earlier. We will definitely get our grandson to Disney before he is 10

 

[JKB DIS]

8 and 9 and imo the perfect age! No strollers no naps and never complained about walking 20k steps a day lol.

Great age to keep up with the adults!