Disney World Trip - Newark,NY

Updated on February 14, 2010
M.M. asks from Newark, NY
27 answers

We were planning a trip to Disney at the end of August, but I think we should put it off until the kids are a little older. They will be 8, 6, and almost 5. I think they will be able to enjoy more of the rides when the oldest is 10 (8 and almost 7). My husband doesn't agree with me. I'm looking for feedback from families that have gone and enjoyed it with younger kids, or wished they had waited until they were older. We only plan to do one big trip to Disney so this is it!

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N.D.

answers from New York on

Take them now. They will enjoy the magic of seeing the characters walking around and going into their houses. And the animation of the different rides will amaze them. When they are older they will enjoy a
6-Flags park better for the thrill rides.

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T.M.

answers from New York on

I just took my 4 year old to Disney last august and am also going again in 2 weeks. My son has not stopped talking about it since!! My opinion is that, as soon as they can remember, It's def time for Disney!

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L.M.

answers from New York on

I agree with hubby. Now is the time to go. My reason why is because once they get older, the magic will not be there.

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J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

We took my daughter when she was 4. It was perfect. She was not big enough to ride everything, but most of those things she didn't want to do anyway. She was the perfect age for the wonder and magic of Disney. I agree w/ some others, if you wait, your kids may miss some of that. Go now, and enjoy! It really is the most magical place on earth! and you will remember it always!

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C.H.

answers from New York on

This is a GREAT age for ur kids. It will all be super magical to them. We took our son when he was 5 & he loved it! You might want to use one of their double carts in case the younger 2 get tired from walking (we did, and it was helpful to have a place to put all our gear (snacks, handwipes, sunscreen, water, etc) rather than carry them all over.

L.W.

answers from Phoenix on

We're doing a trip to Disneyland in June/July, and our kids are will be 7, 4 and 2. We've gone to Sea World when #1 was 3 and #2 was 6 months and it was a lot of fun (I know... it's a totally different park with far fewer rides!)

I think the great thing about any of the Disney parks is that they have something there for all ages. Yeah, sure we won't be able to ride the fast rides and my husband and I will be doing the rider swap on some rides (I HAVE to ride Indiana Jones! LOL) but there are the rides that the kids will love and we'll get to ride a lot of things as a family.

My theory is to save a Europe trip for when the kids are older... enjoy Disney while they are still interested!

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S.K.

answers from Detroit on

Go now. They are the perfect age for Disney World. My daughter, age 8 1/2, and my son, age 6, have been 4 times already. Their first trip was when my daughter was 3 and my son was 4 months old. And we drove down there from Michigan. My daughter loved it. We did have grandma and grandpa with us while we were at Disney which made it a little easier.

We also went when my daughter was almost 6 and my son was 3. Again when my daughter was 7 and my son was 4 1/2. And again when my daughter was 7 1/2 and my son was 5. We flew down for these trips. And we are looking to go again sometime in the next year.

As others have said, as the kids get older, the magic starts to go away or at least change. My daughter still wants to go to Disney, but she's pretty much done with princesses. She already told me that she doesn't need to do the princess lunch anymore unless it's in the castle. In all of our previous trips, she was in awe of the princesses and couldn't wait to see them.

As far as the rides go, we never had a problem with the kids not being able to go on a ride that they wanted to go on. There are so many things to do that even if there are rides that they aren't big enough to ride, there are more than enough things to do to fill your days.

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J.B.

answers from New York on

Hi, I think you should go now. If you wait until your oldest is 10, they won't enjoy the characters as much. I think they are all at a perfect age right now. The younger ones will have a somewhat different experience than your 8 year old, but that's ok. When we went, our oldest was 9 and our twins were 4, and my husband took our oldest on all the older rides and she had a wonderful time, while our younger children enjoyed toon town and the little kid rides. We had a wonderful time. So, I say, go now!!! Have a great time!

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M.T.

answers from New York on

Hi M.,
We;ve gone twice. The first time we went, the kids were 9 and 5. They were great ages for the trip and we planned well, so we did a lot and had no meltdowns. The only things that the 5 year old did not go on which the 9 year old did were Space Mountain and Mission space at Epcot - my husband took the 9 year old on and she enjoyed those things a lot, and I didn't mind doing something else with the little guy for those two rides. My son also didn't go to MGM, my husband took my daughter one night, so she did go on tower of terror and rocking roller coaster, which of course the 5 year old didn't. He was happy to have an evening of swimming in the hotel pool instead of going to MGM, it was the only time we went in the pool while we were there.
We did go again, when they were 12 and 8,this time my son did Space Mountain - many times and loved it but I feel like the first visit was a little more "magical"

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I would definitely wait a few years. August is HOT and miserable. Throw in crowds and long
lines and you get very cranky kids. It also depends on how long you are going for. If you plan
on being there a week or longer then it might work because you can go back and swim at the
hotel pool. However, if you are there for four or five days and feel you need to get to all the
parks and all of the attractions, that would be a problem. So basically, the age of your kids
is OK if you were there in Oct. when crowds are less and weather nice. To deal with the
heat and crowds, a little older would work better.

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S.G.

answers from New York on

We took my 4 year old last year and loved it! I think your kids are theperfect age. We can't wait to go back.

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N.M.

answers from New York on

I went when my girls were 4 and 5.5. They enjoyed the "magic" of it, but were scared of the characters and overwhelmed with the size and all they could do. When we got home and asked what their favorite part was, it was the pool. They are now 12.5 and 11 and there is not alot of the trip they remember and they are dying to go again. Pictures help spark their memory, but it's fading fast. My son is 5, we are hoping to go again when he is 7 or 8 pending finances.

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J.K.

answers from Mansfield on

I don't think they will enjoy it more when they are older. They are all old enough to enjoy most of the attrations there. We went this past august my kids are 4,6,10. If I had waited my 10 year old would not have enjoyed it as much as he did this year. The magic of Disney will be gone (especially for boys) and it will just be another theme park. I think this is a great time for you to go!

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A.F.

answers from New York on

We just got back from our third trip to Disney with our kids who are 2 1/2. We have gone often b/c they have great grandparents down there that we visit. They LOVED it when we went this time. We got back 2 weeks ago and they just keep talkign about it. My son keeps talking about all the rides we went on and tells me he wants to go back and which rides he wants to go on again. My daughter was in love with all the princess things and loved the rides as well. Each kid is diffeernt. I had so many peopel tell me my kids were too young to enjoy it but they were SO wrong. There are many things for different ages so I'm sure either way your kids would be happy. 10 might be too old to enjoy the "magic" though. I'm not sure since mine are still litttle. I guess my point is you know your kids best so do what you think is right for them. Either way, enjoy it and take lots of pictures!!!

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J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

Disney is mostly for younger kids. We just took our four year old in January and the joy on his face was awesome. It was so new for him. We took each of our kids on their birthdays last year. 12,9,8, and 6 and of course the 4yo. They all loved it. There are only a few rides that are specifically geared towards olders.

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C.O.

answers from New York on

Definately go now. Try to go the last week in August, right before school starts. the parks are not crowded because kids in the south are in school and the kids in the north are home getting ready for school. But it is VERY hot. You can NOT go to the parks for 12 hours straight. it will be too much for everybody. Ideally you would go first thing in the morning, come back for lunch/pool/nap and than go back to the parks in late afternoon. Also you MUST make reservations at restaurants. Otherwise you will be stuck at the consession stands with long lines and everybody will be crabby and hungry!

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K.G.

answers from Syracuse on

We went to Disney World in December 2005, and our three children were 8, 6, and 5, 2 girls and a boy. The kids had a great time and they remember it. We did a princess lunch, which was awesome. Like you, we plan only to do one big Disney World trip. I'm glad we went when we did. The magic was still special. We went to FL for a week and we did Disney every other day, which was a perfect pace as it gave the kids a "down" day between a 12 hour Disney day. We did mini-golf and other local events on the "off" days. We also packed snacks and only did one meal out at the parks. It was an awesome memorable week! Good luck!

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J.H.

answers from Greensboro on

Both of my kids loved Disney at those ages. They also love it at older ages. The "magic" tends to disappear around age 10, which if you're only planning to do it once, you might want to think about it. They still have fun, but they don't see it as this big magical place. People who didn't get to go as young children also don't seem to get the "magic" of Disney as well later either.

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B.A.

answers from New York on

My answer is go now...not because of their age or the magic like everyone else is saying..but what happens if 2 years from now soemthing comes up and you can't go..then you will be more mad at your self for not going..also people fail to remember that Disney is not a vacation..it is a lot of work..the walking the crowds...but just go and have a great time! Take lots of pictures and trust me they will remember!

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K.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think now is a terrific time to go. We went when we had two 4 year olds and a 5 year old and they went on pretty much everything and had a ball. At this age, the characters are so real to them and larger than life. I think if they are too old, all that "magic" is lost.

I would go now. Don't wait.

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L.H.

answers from New York on

We took our daughter to Disney World for her 3rd birthday. So many people told us it would be a waste and she wouldn't even remember it. Well it was the absolute best time ever, for all of us! I also took over 400 pictures so I think that also helps reinforce the memories. I have an iMac and set up a slideshow to the song "It's a Small World". It's now 3 years later and she still talks about our trip. Two weeks ago we booked another trip there for her 6th birthday in April. We are all very excited to go again. Go, have a wonderful time and experience Disney through the eyes of your children.

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

Go!!! Disney is a great place and your kids are all the right ages! My kids were spaced pretty far apart, and we took my older daughter at 10 when my younger was almost 2. They both had a great time! There is so much to do there for any age and so much to see! If you wait too much longer the 8-year-old will be too old!

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L.

answers from New York on

Hi M.,
We went to Disney Orlando during the winter break with our 2 sons, 6 and 8. Thye had tons of fun and it was a blast from the get go.
We were also with our nephew who is under 2, all I can tell you is, from my opinion, don't go to Disney when your kids are under 5. First, they have a height restriction and you can't take your strollers inside any attraction. My bro-in-law and his wife parked their stroller outside the few attractions we could go in with their son and mostly they just sat around outside, eating and playing with their son. Then you have the long lines...
The only way little ones can enjoy is if you'll go to the Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. But forget the Epcot Center, The Blizzard Beach etc. You'll just find a few things to do with little ones.
Good luck.
L..
Working From Home, Helping Others!

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C.F.

answers from New York on

GO FOR IT!!! We went 2 years ago when our sons were 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 and it was SUCH fun!!!! We would sleep in a bit then go get breakfast,t hang out at the pool , then hit the parks mid afternoon. worked out great for us!!! have fun!!

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K.H.

answers from New York on

Definitely take them - the younger they are the more magical a trip. We took our son for the first time at 18 months and you can not imagine the awe in his eyes. There is something for every age and even the youngest will be able to go on most of the rides. Do not delay this trip.

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M.L.

answers from New York on

Perfect, perfect age is NOW!

We went in late 2008 when our kids were almost 8, almost 5 and just turned 3. The two olders one were at the perfect age for it and loved it to pieces, but it was tough doing everything with the 3-yr old.

I agree about the magical time being now. At 10, it does start to fade though the trip is still fun. :)

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S.D.

answers from New York on

Disney is an amazing and you should go now. However, August is extremely hot! If you could go in the fall that would be a great time. We went for Halloween in 2008 and it was great. We purchased tickets for Mickey's not so scary Halloween party everyone including the adults dress up in costumes. The park closes at 7:00 p.m.for everyone who doesn't purchase the tickets. Some of the rides stay open until midnight, they have a parade and you can trick-r-treat at the park. It was a lot of fun. Late November and early December is also a really fun time to go. They also have a Christmas party similar to the Halloween party. I do not recommend going during the Christmas break as it is very very crowded. If you can take the children out of school in early December for a few days is a good idea. Also, I recommend staying at one of the Disney hotels and getting the meal plan. It is well worth it. Ask your employer if they have any discount programs that you can maybe get discount tickets or contact Disney and see what specials they are offering. Enjoy! S.

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