[LittleMissMagic]

From what I remember, I've always enjoyed Walt Disney World. And Sea World... and Universal Studios. I'm just a theme park fanatic.

But.... it was when we moved to Florida when I was 9 years old that I fell in love with Disney. We had APs, and I'd insist that we go every weekend. I had so much fun...... enjoyed it so much. My dad and I were always the ones to map out the day and come up with a plan, I definitely think that helped.

[ssn]

DD was just about 3 for her 1st trip. I couldn't wait any longer to take her!!! Her reaction to the characters was priceless and was worth every penny of the trip. On the rides she was afraid on alot of things - and we paid for that in the next couple of trips after that (she refused to go on the Peter Pan ride until she was 6 b/c she remembered being afraid of the alligator & she wouldn't go back on Pooh b/c she thought the bees were chasing her!)

The trip when she was 6 was hard b/c there were alot of rides that she really wanted to go on, but wasn't tall enough (she's small for her age!)

Last year when she was 7 was the best b/c she could go on everything - the only things she still doesn't care for are the 3-D shows. She said she's not a fan of things jumping out at her! But at least I don't have to go on Peter Pan alone anymore!

[Monique]

Both of my children were 3 years old the first time we took them to WDW. At this age they were able to enjoy most of the rides and truly believed in the characters. But I would have to say that it wasn't until age 5-6 that they were able to enjoy ALL that WDW has to offer. My children are thrill seekers so they couldn't wait to be able to ride all of the roller coasters.

[12Amigos]

It really depends on the child. DD turned 3 during her first trip and she had a wonderful time. However, she was TERRIFIED of the fireworks so we ended up having to modify our ADR's to make sure we were far away from them every night. She's 8 now and we still avoid them.

DS took his frist trip at 5 months. He was in love with all the characters and really enjoyed the lights of Spectromagic. He took his second trip at 11 months, by then he was aware of who the characters were and actually had fun. He even enjoyed the rides he was able to ride....most of all POC !

My BFF came with us on the trip when DS was 11 months old. She had her two sons 8 and 6 with her. DS 8 was afraid of almost everything. The drop in Malstrom and Sorin' sent him into a panic attacks. DS 6 however, rode the mountains and TOT with pure excitement on his face.

I really think it's about knowing your child and what you think they can handle. I never expected DS 5months to be as excited about everything as he was.

[Andrea]

We decided that 5 would be the magic age- and it was perfect. DS was tall enough to go on everything, and he turned out to be a thrill ride junkie! The only thing we skipped was Haunted Mansion (he thought it sounded too scary), and the only thing he really thought he didn't want to do ever again was Pirates.

He had fun with the characters, even though he sort of had the idea that they're "helped". That didn't diminish his enjoyment any more than it does mine.

I still can't believe I told my 5 year old... "Sure, you can go on the RocknRoller Coaster."

If we'd gone when he was a little younger, I think he would have been disappointed not to be able to do some things. And if we'd gone when he was considerably younger I'm sure he would have had a lot of fun, but that's an expensive trip for someone who would also have a lot of fun putting a quarter in a drink machine.

For the next little one, if we're lucky enough to go sooner rather than later, it'll be when she's still free, and it'll be more of a trip for DS than for her. However, her grandparents have already spoken to my pregnant belly, saying, "And when you're 5 years old, you'll get your trip to Disney World!"

[tonyksl]

At 2 and a half for my DD and DS. I took my son at 18 months, but, he didn't really care. He actually enjoyed Sea World more because he got to spend the day looking at fish. At 2 and a half, they really got into the characters and all of the rides they could ride.

[DayDreamer]

Our girls were 7 and 5 years old. We wanted them to remember their first trip and boy did they ever. One of the best trips we've had.

[dixie]

DD was 3 on our first trip and she loved WDW but not that long long flight. At 5 she really really loved WDW the characters and everything Disney.
However, we are still taking her at 19!!!!!!!!! and thats just expensive!

[Princessbaby]

My DD's first time was at 12 months and it went very smoothly because she enjoyed all the music and lights, etc. She was able to sleep in her stroller when she needed to. At 3 she had several meltdowns and did not want to interact with any characters when it was finally our turn to say hi.
My youngest DS was 3 the first time he went and he was more interested in eating Mickey bars and sitting in his stroller. He had several meltdowns if we asked him to go on a ride or visit with characters. He as so excited to meet Buzz so we went to see him and my son freaked- I think Buzz's size was a little intimidating. He went again at 6 and LOVED it! He got what it was all about and knew by waiting in line for something there was going to be something great at the end. He was also willing to go on rides and was excited to do it. He didn't throw any fits and it was great this time around for him.
My oldest DS was 6 when he first went and he had a blast! He rode all the rides- thought he was cool going to EMH with just mom and dad while the others had to stay at the resort and sleep with grandma and grandpa. It was a great experience with him. He went again at 8 and it was even better!!
So, in our experience, 6 seems to be the magic number to take our kids! This is one of the reasons my countdown to our next trip has so many days in it- it's about two weeks after my DD turns 6(well we are also building a new house next year so our money is going to that). But 5/6 really seems to be a good age to start going.

[Dana]

My DD haas been going to WDW since she's been two years old. I would say that the trips were much more fun when she was tall enough to ride everything...they just get better as she gets older to tell you the truth. the only thing I miss is that look in her eye when she saw her favorite character...that look is mostly in the 3-6 crowd...amazing look. She still gets it when we go to CP for breakfast and she see Pooh..

[dac921]

The first time we went to WDW MissSmig was 3 and HollyLynne was 6 - MissSMIG says she doesn't remember much, the girls went with their Dad when AK opened, but I really don't hear much about that trip.

When we went in 2006 MissSMIG was 13 and she had a blast

[Amanda O'Malley]

My friend's nieces enjoy disney a lot. They were 1.5 and 3 last summer, they can name characters and really enjoy rides.

[StaceyDarling!]

Well, we took my niece when she was 1, 2, 3 and this time she'll be four. And she really liked it when she was 2, but she TRULY started enjoying it when she was three! And I am soooo excited to see how excited she is this year.


And my other niece has also gone when she was 1, and will now be going this year, she'll be two, but she is already sooooo excited for "Her Mickey!"