Lots of people ask me what the best age is to take their kids on a Disney vacation. There's not a one size fits all answer or a magic age! There are pros and cons to taking kids of any age and all kids are different. Here are some things that I've found that might help you make the decision for your family.
Pros to taking little ones:
First of all, kids under 3 are free! You don't have to pay for tickets or a meal plan for your little ones and Disney allows you to get an extra person into your room if one is under 3 (you can have 4 people age 4+ in your 4 person room, plus your little one!). Also, if your kiddo is under 2, you don't have to buy an extra seat for them if you're flying. Taking your child right before their 3rd birthday may be a great time because they are older and can enjoy more, but you don't have to pay for them!
Also on the cost side, kids begin to be charged adult prices at age 10 (I know, it's crazy!). That means tickets and meal plan prices go up quite a bit once your kiddo turns 10. That's something to keep in mind as well.
Little ones often have a little more excitement and can enjoy the magic more than older kids. There's something special about seeing a little one meet their favorite character or experience a ride for the first time.
There is a lot to do for little kids at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Yes, there are rides with height requirements, but your little ones will not be bored! Disney parks are really designed for the whole family to enjoy!
Cons to taking little ones:
You may feel like a pack mule. Between strollers, diapers, extra clothes, snacks, pack and plays, etc, there's a lot more stuff to deal with when going with littles. Most parents are pretty used to this since you feel this way just going to the grocery store, but there's a lot more to bring and consider on a bigger vacation with little ones compared to bigger kids.
You'll have to plan for the bigger rides. If you and the other bigger folks in your party want to ride the "big" rides, you need to understand and utilize rider swap or figure out who will sit out with the little ones. Side note: If I'm your travel agent, I will help you figure out other things to do with your little ones or non-riders when you're doing the big rides! Don't just sit there and wait; there's plenty to do!
You will need to factor in their sleep schedule. Some kiddos can sleep in the stroller and others may need quiet and dark for a good nap. This may mean you need to take an afternoon break. A lot of families also wrap up their days early so their little ones can get to bed. This means you may miss the fireworks or other nighttime activities.
"I want to wait till they will remember it"
I understand this feeling and if you think you will only take one trip to Disney, then I totally get it. My kids went for the first time at the ages of 5 and 7 and that was a good time for us. In some ways I wish I could have taken them earlier, but that's how it worked out for us. If you know you will take multiple trips, it is fun to go at different ages to see what they enjoy and how they change over your different trips (one trip they may love the characters, later they may not be able to get enough of the thrill rides!). If you think this is your only trip, I would probably wait until they can fully enjoy all the rides and you're not dealing with strollers, naps, and early nights.
Again, there's not a perfect answer and it gets even more confusing if you have a large age gap between your kids! My advice is to take several trips as your kids grow up. If you work with a travel agent and use money saving strategies, it is doable for a lot of families and I'd be happy to work with you to tailor your trip for the stage your family is in right now!
Contact me today for more information on planning your Disney vacation!
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