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Do you want to take your children to Disney World, but are not sure when is the right time? How old should your kids be? You want them to be old enough to remember the experience, but young enough to really enjoy it. So, what is the perfect age to take kids to Disney World? Keep reading to find out!
Disney trips are as varied as families. This means that there is no one right answer to the perfect age to take kids to Disney World. What is right for your family will be different from your neighbors. It all depends on your family’s personalities, budget, and expectations.
This article will guide you through the various issues to consider so you can decide, for yourself, what is the perfect age for your kids.
Once you decide when you should take your kids, check out the best time to visit, as well as my step-by-step guide, quick tips, and best resources for help planning your Disney World trip.
Issue #1: How often will you visit?
Now, I know this may seem like a silly thing to consider when we’re talking about the perfect age to take kids to Disney World. But, it is actually an important factor.
If this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you want your kids to be old enough to actually remember it. In this case, I would recommend waiting until your children are at least 7-8 years old before you go.
If, however, you plan to visit Disney World more than once before your children are grown, then consider taking them when they are younger. The magic is so real for younger kids! The look in their eyes when they see their favorite characters or watch the fireworks is priceless!
We took our son for the first time when he was only 19 months old. I will never forget the look on his face when he saw Buzz and Woody for the first time.
While your kids won’t remember their trips during these first few years, you will have special memories that will last a lifetime.
Issue #2: Budget
Unless you have unlimited funds, you should take into account your family’s budget when deciding how old your kids should be when you take them to Disney World. This is primarily because of Disney’s pricing structure.
Children under the age of three are free. Kids between the ages of 3-9 pay children’s prices. For everyone age 10 and over, you must pay adult prices.
So, if you are debating between taking your child when they are 9 or 10, definitely go when they are 9. It will be much cheaper for you. Similarly, going when your youngest is 2 instead of 3 will save you a lot of money.
Issue #3: Kids’ Personalities
Another important factor to consider when deciding what is the perfect age to take kids to Disney World is your kids’ personalities. Can they go with the flow or do they need to be on a strict schedule? Are they easily overwhelmed by lots of sights and sounds? Can they wait in lines without throwing a fit?
If your little ones are laid back, then take them at a younger age. If, however, they don’t handle change well or have trouble staying in one spot for more than 5 seconds, you should probably wait until they are older.
Issue #4: Fright Factor
While Disney World is designed to be family friendly, there are parts of it that can be scary to young children. Some attractions, like Haunted Mansion or It’s Tough to be a Bug, can terrify some kids. Additionally, some toddlers are afraid of the characters.
Of course, you can avoid the characters or a scary attraction and still have a great time. But, if your kids’ fright factor is higher than most, I would recommend waiting a couple years before taking them.
To help you determine whether your children would be able to handle the attractions at Disney World, pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It includes a description of every show, ride, and attraction which will give you an idea of what things may scare your kids. You can order a copy from Amazon.
Issue #5: Travel Experience
The last issue you should consider when deciding the perfect age to take kids to Disney World is travel experience. Now, this one is really more for your benefit than your kids.
If your children have traveled quite a bit, then you have nothing to worry about. But if your little ones have never ventured beyond grandma’s house, then think about how they will react to the travel portion of your trip.
Will they be able to sleep in a strange bed? Can they stay in a car seat for the duration of the trip without screaming bloody murder? How will your kids react to being on an airplane if they have never flown before?
Unless you think that your child will have a meltdown that will paralyze the entire family, this lack of travel experience should not be a deal breaker for you. But, by thinking through this issue, you can make a more informed decision as to whether you should take them to Disney World now or wait a little while.
Thinking about this will also allow you to better prepare for your trip when you do decide to take them. Check out my tips for how to avoid child meltdowns while traveling for more help on this.
Conclusion
The perfect age to take kids to Disney World is a very personal one. The right answer for one family may be the wrong answer for another family. The above issues are all important factors which should be taken into account when answering this question for yourself.
While this is one question you will have to decide for yourself, I hope this article helps you to determine the right answer for your kids. Whenever you decide to take your kids, I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Happy travels!
P.S. Are you planning a trip to Disney World and not sure what you need to do or when? Do you feel completely overwhelmed by it all? My Disney World Trip Planning Checklist can help! It will guide you through every step of the planning process! And it’s FREE! Grab yours in the box below!
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