Anyone out there take a child under 4 to Disneyworld? I'm just wondering if it's worth it to take a 2 year old since they more than likely won't remember the experience.

21.

I think 8 or so. Many rides need older and taller kids, they won't appreciate a lot much younger, and your are correct, they won't remember. I say save the $$ until they are older.

I think you answered your own question. I would wait until you have to take them.

Graziella,
I've been told that taking kids under 4 or 5 is too young. If spending the money now means it will be a while before you can afford to go back, then it is probably better to wait. However, if that is not the case, the only way to go is to stay on the grounds so that you can easily go back to you room for a mid-day nap and then go back to the fun later. Also, we found that the kids (4 and 6 at the time) enjoyed it the most when we took a day off to sit by the pool in between the days we park-hopped. That is, if you do a 4 day park-hopper pass take every other day off in between to relax. However, that might be too much for them. Just a single park pass (Magic Kingdom and/or Animal Kingdom probably) would be better for kids that young.

8-10 at the very youngest. I think anything younger and it is more work for the parent than fun for the child.

I took both of my children at age 4 and 5 to Disneyworld. At that age they so believed in "Mikey" and his friends. Do they remember that moment now, I doubt it, but we got lots of milage out of it for many years with them. Would not trade any of those great moments. At age 8 and older it is just different.
My granddaughter is now 5 and I will take her this year.

IMHO, age 5 is good, because they still have the fantasy, and the areas aimed at that age are small and easily managed. Then wait until at least 10, only younger if your child is tall. Don't make the mistake of going back when your child is just and inch or so shy of making the rides..everyone will be miserable. Look on the websites for height restrictions, and let your child's growth dictate the best time.

While I agree with previous posters on older children being optimum, don't hesitate to take your 2 year old if you want to go! It is definitely not a lot of work for the parent (relative to any other vacation with a 2 year old or even going to the mall w/ a 2 year old!) I live in Orlando and have year round passes and started taking my son at 1.5 and it has always been a great time. You just need to rrecognize your childs limits and not push too hard!

If this is a once in a lifetime trip I would say around the age of 7 would be the best!

Went to Disney a couple of years ago with a friend and this is what we surmised by observing the people around us (Epcot), late afternoon/early evening with children under 10. Fathers miserable, usually with drink in hand, parents fighting, mother miserable, kids tired, kids fighting with each other. Didn't look like fun.

We waited until our daughter was 4 1/2 to take her to Disneyland - she didn't want to go when she was younger.

She had a blast, and so did we. We went in January of this year, midweek, and the park was empty. We did not wait more than 5 minutes for ANY ride, including some of the adult rides I went on w/o kids.

She loves the princesses, and the rides for little kids are great. Tea cups were a big hit.

Personally, I think 5 years is probably the ideal age.

Coachboy

While I agree there is an appropriate age, I think it depends on the maturity of the child and his/her relationship with the parents and other siblings.

Graziella:

I believe 5 would be a better age. I remember at that age my 1st trip to Florida although there was no Disneyworld WAY BACK THEN.

I agree 5 would be a better age than 2. And some 2 year olds are scared out of their wits by the characters. Last spring we went and I have seen parents dragging their tired kids commando style through the park. The kids are whiny and when they see the characters they are afraid of them and their stupid parents push the scared kids to kiss them. 2 year olds don't have much stamina to do the park and the noise etc. is overwhelming. Take your 2 year old to the beach where they can sit happily in the sand and play and save WDW for when they are a little older.

I'd say 5, at least. We took the kids when they were nearly 2 (a few days shy of second birthday, so air was free)and 6. Went to the park one day only, did Magic Kingdom only. We went mostly so we could quit saying to the older child "We'll go one day when your sister is older" (didn't want the older to resent the younger!)

Older child loved it. Younger one did enjoy it, but it is more work. Need the stroller, nowhere to nap, hard to stay up for parade, can't go on some rides even in Magic Kingdom, some of rides scary for very young child even when can go (i.e. Peter Pan, etc.

We went mainly for the older child, and we'll go back when the younger is 5. Now, at 3 1/2, the younger doesn't remember the first trip at all. (But we took photos to prove it!)

We took the Disney Magic cruise last year when younger child was 3, and THAT was a huge hit with both kids. They are clamoring to go back.

While visinting my mom in FL,I took my then 3yr old daughter to WDW. It was one of the WORST DAYS I can remember. My daughter cried ALL DAY! It was truly miserable for all of us. She was tired and overwhelmed by the heat, noise and crowds.

Now she is nearly six, and wants very badly to go back. I'm sure she would be fine now, but the memory of that day is still too fresh in my mind to return!!

Age 5 or 6 is perfect with a few tips:
Read the Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld for time-saving ideas. Stay in the park for necessary naps and pool time. Visit Epcot early in the morning with a promise of going to the Magic Kingdom afterwards. Go when older kids are still in school. We followed these tips (offered by an experienced friend) and still remember it as one of our favorite vacations.

I think it depends on your child. Not having children myself, I spend a lot of time observing families in the parks. Some kids are ready for the Disney Magic at a young age and others aren't even ready when they're 11! My cousin took her daughter who's 3 and she loved every second of it. She loved meeting the characters and riding the Pooh ride and seeing all of the shows.

The first time I went to Disneyworld I was 4 (1977) and I do remember it. I remember my brother not letting me use the controls to move Dumbo up and down! I remember having a chocolate covered banana at the Contemporary and throwing it into the pool and getting into big trouble.

I just got back from a trip to DisneyWorld with my 4-year-old triplet grandchildren. They loved it. However, it helped that there were four adults to care for them.

We took our kids to Disneyworld at 3 & 5. The 3 year old was definitely too young, although he did have a good time. The 5 year old loved it. Years later we spent a day at disneyland. We went on all the rides that they previously were too small for. They enjoyed that too and it was a completely different experience. I think if the oldest child is under 4 or 5 it's probably not worth it.