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Message
re: Taking a 3 year old to Disney World?
Posted on 12/29/21 at 8:18 pm to LSUfan4444
Posted on 12/29/21 at 8:18 pm to LSUfan4444
He has plenty of energy and my wife and I aren’t fat asses. Thanks for your concern though!
1
Posted on 12/30/21 at 6:45 am to Number2
quote:
He has plenty of energy and my wife and I aren’t fat asses.
Do you know how many miles people walk on average on a day at WDW? I mean, you seem like you know it all so I'm going to guess your answer will be yes but 8+ miles a day walking can take it's toll on even the most active and fit person.
Most 7 year olds on the planet can't handle that, day after day, but sounds like your energetic kid is the exception.
We definitely took ours when she was 7 but we started taking her when she was 1 and through the years the trips definitely changed. We were able to get more done when she was in the stroller than those first few years she was out 5-9 years old. Now that she's 12 the last few trips we're finally back to where we can get as much done now as we did when she was in a stroller but it took a change in how we approached each day. Mid Day breaks are almost necessary now for any trips over a couple of days.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 7:44 am to LSUfan4444
For me in deciding on an appropriate age to bring my son the decision was based more on his enjoyment and being able to process , remember , and appreciate all that’s going on. How much ground I can cover or pain in the arse factor are not what I’m looking at. Disney is gonna be a long day just about any way you try to tackle it. I’m 35 years old. If it were all about me I’d prob bypass Disney altogether and go to universal. Just my .02
Posted on 12/30/21 at 7:47 am to jkylejohnson
We took ours at 3 for first time and the best part is interacting with all characters getting autographs
Problem is doing that now with covid
Problem is doing that now with covid
Posted on 12/30/21 at 7:57 am to jkylejohnson
quote:
If it were all about me I’d prob bypass Disney altogether and go to universal.
If they are into thrill ride enthusiasts I agree. The re-rideability factor of most of their rides just isn't there for me like they are with Disney.
I could do Pirates every day on a 7 day trip but something like Minions Mayhem is something I'd do maybe once a year or so (if even that).
BUT, no doubting as they get older and taller UO and IOA are awesome options. Next week we've got two days at UO before moving over to WDW for 4.
We never factored in our daughters ability to process, remember or appreciate what we did for vacation. Enjoy, absolutely, but we wanted to take vacations when she was under 5 years old and didnt want to leave her home all the time. We did at times and did other stuff in addition to WDW but we never found anywhere that went to the lengths WDW does to accommodate families with people of ALL ages.
Alot has changed through the years with cutbacks, COVID, etc but on grounds child care, child swap at attractions so both mom and dad can ride (with the rest of a group), being able to board the monorail and keep s sleeping child in the stroller, tons of entertainment options all accessible without needing a car, etc.
Golf, spas, some fabulous dining, shopping, movies, mini golf, outdoor movies, fishing, water parks, recreational activities like archery, horseback riding, volleyball, safe car free running/walking areas, swimming and we havent even stepped foot into one of the theme parks yet.
I will say, it isn't for everyone but that rings true regardless of age IMO
Posted on 12/30/21 at 8:31 am to LSUfan4444
quote:
I mean, you seem like you know it all
You presume to know 1) how our family will approach the Disney trip and 2) the fitness and stamina of my 7 year old. And I’m the know it all?
We are purchasing Genie+ with the thought that we will have more sit down time with the extra time not standing in lines and we understand we will not do it all. He will have two cousins his age with him, so energy levels will be high.
And btw, we will have a front facing stroller for the 6 month old. So in the event that my 7 year old is worn out to the point that he can’t walk (which would surprise me) he can jump in that and we’ll strap the 6 month old to us. Hope that helps you sleep at night
Posted on 12/30/21 at 8:42 am to Number2
quote:
You presume to know 1) how our family will approach the Disney trip and 2) the fitness and stamina of my 7 year old. And I’m the know it all?
I didnt presume, I asked you and you answered. And I don't know the stamina of your 7 year old, like I said. I guess yours is the exception.
Most 7 year old cannot handle 8+ miles a day of walking regardless of how energetic they are. Over time, those energy levels dwindle because they just arent physically equipped to handle it. shite, I run 25+ miles a week, swim probably 5000+ yards and bike 40-100 miles a week plus and I know it's a burden on me but again..i guess you guys are the exception because you're not fat asses and are energetic.
quote:
we understand we will not do it all.
This is the same basic understanding most people need when traveling with a kid of any age...thats my point (not to you, just in general).
Not taking a kid at 3 or younger because there is so much they can't do, the same is true for 7 years old. It only changes.
Take them at 2, take them at 7. There is no magic age...they're all great but how you do it needs to be different based on how old they are, are they in a stroller, what time of year (temps, etc), where you're staying (off-site and on-site and value or moderate vs deluxe where you can walk back whenever you want), etc.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 9:18 am to Celery
Is your 3 year old small enough to lie and claim they are 2? 2 and under are free. No way in hell it is worth paying for a 3 year old.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:01 am to LSUfan4444
I understand where you’re coming from, but for most people who aren’t Disney or theme park enthusiasts, they want to get the most out of their trip when spending 3-10k (or more).
I (and most people) don’t plan to go to Disney every year, so the question is, when is the best age to first bring a kid? So, assuming someone doesn’t plan to go every year, I think 3 is too young to get the most bang for your buck. I went when I was 3 and I remember nothing. 6-8 is the perfect age, IMO. My 7 year old is tall enough to ride all the rides and young enough to still enjoy the characters and more “kiddy” stuff. In a couple years he might not be into that as much. A child will also have a better memory of everything at 6,7,8 vs 3.
So you seem to be saying “take them at every age!!” When for most people, who don’t want to spend 3-10k on Disney every year, that isn’t ideal or realistic.
I (and most people) don’t plan to go to Disney every year, so the question is, when is the best age to first bring a kid? So, assuming someone doesn’t plan to go every year, I think 3 is too young to get the most bang for your buck. I went when I was 3 and I remember nothing. 6-8 is the perfect age, IMO. My 7 year old is tall enough to ride all the rides and young enough to still enjoy the characters and more “kiddy” stuff. In a couple years he might not be into that as much. A child will also have a better memory of everything at 6,7,8 vs 3.
So you seem to be saying “take them at every age!!” When for most people, who don’t want to spend 3-10k on Disney every year, that isn’t ideal or realistic.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:14 am to Number2
quote:
So you seem to be saying “take them at every age!!” When for most people, who don’t want to spend 3-10k on Disney every year, that isn’t ideal or realistic.
I am saying that waiting until their 6 or 7 as opposed to 2 or 3 doesnt make it any "better". It only makes it different. There is no magic age when it becomes better for kids and each age group has specific advantages and disadvantages.
I am not saying that as kids age they can't do more things but the same logic can be said that 12 years old is better than 7 because they are more physically developed and can handle the physical demands better.
16 is better than 12 because they can really venture off on their own, take WDW transportation on their own and are more self sufficient in using a debit or credit card, knowing how mobile ordering works, etc.
21 is better than 16 because they can drink and go around the world, etc.
Each kid and family is different so I would never advise anyone that three isn't a good age to go because it's a great age to go. Is it the same as with a 7, 12, 16 or 21 year old...no but it doesnt mean it's any less magical.
The key, regardless of age, is to have realistic expectations and a realistic strategy of how you want to handle the trip.
Decisions like staying on site vs off, deciding whether to swim and nap at lunch or just try to go from rope drop till fireworks, bringing or renting a good jogging stroller so kids can just stay napping in the stroller when they're tired, deciding to plan sit down meals for lunch and dinner when people are tired and need the rest as opposed to breakfast, what days to use Genie + and Individual Lightning Lanes and at which parks as opposed tom just rope dropping then leaving ay 12pm, planning an "off day" somewhere in the middle of the trip, not being afraid to just sit by the pool and relax for an entire day to recharge, etc. All of this goes a long way and the biggest mistake I most often read and see is people trying to force touring styles on kids or families that they just can't realistically handle.
This post was edited on 12/30/21 at 11:22 am
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:35 am to Celery
The child will remember the trip better when they are older, but the 3 year old will have a good time regardless.
I’ve brought kids of all ages to Disney world and we’ve always had a great time. We want to take our youngest soon because she’s never been and she’s already 6!
I’ve brought kids of all ages to Disney world and we’ve always had a great time. We want to take our youngest soon because she’s never been and she’s already 6!
Posted on 12/30/21 at 12:17 pm to BigB0882
quote:
Is your 3 year old small enough to lie and claim they are 2?
Unfortunately, she is like a toddler Wilt Chamberlain.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 12:25 pm to Celery
Keep her in the stroller and nobody will question it. Ours was "two" until she was almost 4.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 3:39 pm to DaBeerz
quote:
We always said we weren’t changing diapers at Disney world. Been waiting on Covid now, Mine are 9 and 6 and looking at finally taking them
My 3 year old has been out of diapers except at night for almost a year, maybe longer I don't know.
As said it depends on your kid, we've been multiple times with our kids under 5 as we live in Florida.
Now, I don't know if I'd go to Disney with a kid under 3 and spend 7 nights in the park with 5 days in parks. They'd get worn out.
But I'd absolutely take a 2 or 3 year old to a park for 2-3 days. As said, Disney is set up for little kids vacations better then anywhere else.
Posted on 12/30/21 at 7:47 pm to baldona
quote:
My 3 year old has been out of diapers except at night for almost a year, maybe longer I don't know.
They didn’t just get out of diapers but we weren’t going to go with all this Covid BS over the past 2 years either
Posted on 12/31/21 at 11:30 am to Celery
Lot of people will say it’s a waste of money, but we had so much fun with my 3 year old daughter
It was all magic to her, she was a great sport. Absolutely awesome trip for what it was
ETA: 3 days in the parks was plenty
You’ve just got to know you’re going with a 3 year old going into it.
If I was just gonna do it once, it’d be 5-7 years old
It was all magic to her, she was a great sport. Absolutely awesome trip for what it was
ETA: 3 days in the parks was plenty
You’ve just got to know you’re going with a 3 year old going into it.
If I was just gonna do it once, it’d be 5-7 years old
This post was edited on 12/31/21 at 11:31 am
Posted on 12/31/21 at 3:23 pm to Celery
I would generally say no. You can take a 3 year old anywhere in the world and the highlight for them will be a playground with swings or a small waterslide into a pool or a rusted trampoline.
I wouldn’t take any trip for a 3 year old. If you want to go and the 3 year old comes along great and I’m all for traveling with toddlers, but I would never travel for toddlers. Wait until at least 5.
I wouldn’t take any trip for a 3 year old. If you want to go and the 3 year old comes along great and I’m all for traveling with toddlers, but I would never travel for toddlers. Wait until at least 5.
Posted on 12/31/21 at 3:40 pm to Celery
just be ready to do "its a small world" over and over and over.
I would wait until 5 or 6
Now a fun place for a 3 year old is the San Diego zoo, Sea World, and Safari Park
I would wait until 5 or 6
Now a fun place for a 3 year old is the San Diego zoo, Sea World, and Safari Park
Posted on 1/1/22 at 12:45 am to jamiegla1
My 3yr old went twice in 2021 and he loved it. He constantly talks about it. We have to watch YouTube videos of certain rides. That’s why we decided to take a second trip. He’s tall enough to ride most rides now other than the bigger coasters but he was able to do Slinky Dog and Mine Train.
If you are able to not be a miserable douche in life you’ll be fine. If you go into it thinking it’s going to be miserable you’ll be miserable.
If you are able to not be a miserable douche in life you’ll be fine. If you go into it thinking it’s going to be miserable you’ll be miserable.
Posted on 1/1/22 at 6:21 am to Celery
I took my daughter when she was 3, and we had a great time, but I think that 4 or 5 is better.
I am so glad, though, that we took her when she was young enough to believe in the magic: having lunch with all the princesses blew my little girl's mind, because she really believed that she was meeting the real people in the movies.
I am so glad, though, that we took her when she was young enough to believe in the magic: having lunch with all the princesses blew my little girl's mind, because she really believed that she was meeting the real people in the movies.
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