How young is too young to really enjoy Orlando

Just curious to see other peoples opinion.

I am bringing my two three year olds (they turn four while we are down there next month. I think four years old is about as young as you can be and still "appreciate" being down there. My oldest was almost four when we brought her the first time (mine and my wife's first time also) and she talked about everything she saw, especially the Haunted House, for at least a year after. We went down again when she was almost six and she remembers that trip better.

What do you think, how old should your kids be, before you spend the money on such a big vacation?

We discussed this recently and decided that any children younger than 4/5 would not appreciate it all. ALthough it must be great to see the looks on wee ones faces. I queued up to meet Tigger when I was 33 and what a picture that made!!!!

We took our son for the first time when he was a few months below 3. This meant that we didn't have to pay for theme parks for him. We then went again when he was 5 and a half.
Sam spoke about his first trip quite a lot and often got his autograph book out to read who had read it. His one aim on the second trip was to get donald Ducks autograph as he did not get this first time. Admittedly we could go on a lot more rides on the second trip, but Sam does still remeber both trips. Now we have a villa he will have a lot more trips to remeber!

i think 4 years is a great age!!!!!!!
dont know about the flights tho' my kids when they were that young suffered with bad ears constantly and the 10 hour flight from the uk could have been bad for the ears, but we did the Butlins thing when they were small now theyre grown up there ears are fine, our daughter was 7 when we first went to florida and she loved every minute of it all!!!!!!!!
i dont think it matters what age you take them...........
personnal choice!!!!!!!!

My youngest is 3 next month, we were out during August and she still talks about every thing we did including hurricane Charley! I personally think its great at any age, but then we go everyear.[8)]

My children were 4 and 6 when we first went there and were young enough to think all the characters were real so it was worth it just to see the looks on their faces.

Maureen

http://www.orlandovillas.com/villaview.asp?villa=1267

Amy was 6 months the first time so we drove round the florida coastline as we knew it would be a few years before we could do it again once she realised about the parks. Wetook her back at 20 months she knew pooh and his friends, For her 2nd bithday party we met with friends at chef Mickeys she tells everyone about her mickey party, when you ask her about parties. Ask her where she is going for holidays she says either amy's disney house or minnies place! Our friends little one just asks about going to the other house in Flolida to see the cuddly guys.
Seeing the magic on her face and the reaction is fantastic, the excitment now she knows more builds on our excitment, but who needs a child to go to Disney we went 5 times before she arrived!:D

It depends on what your definition of "enjoy" is. To my mind, to really enjoy something like Orlando, you must be able to have a lot of fond memories of your experiences afterwards. Therefore kids less than 5 years old would miss out to a large extent even if they appeared to be enjoying it at the time. I think 6 years and above would be the right age.

I think 4 is pretty good!! Though I have no regrets at all that we took our daughter for the first when she was 17 months! I remember it as a great hol, and we didn't pay for her to go in the parks then, and most of the things we were prepared to go on, suited her too:):D[8D]However, I have pictures of her screaming when ever a character came anywhere near her, ok at a distance, but not close[msnscared]Now, at 12 she does ALL the scary rides by herself, while her whimpy parents wait for her;)and Rugby tackles a character if they attempt to move away before she has had her obligatory tourist shot with them:D:)

If you are taking your kids then you'll enjoy it, there is so much for that age group; when I took my three year old she thought it was great and thinks she still remembers it. Just do the little kids stuff; you will not get on those big rides but the photos of the little ones will be with you forever. Just keep it simple.[msnsmile2]

You're never too young or too old for that matter to experience the magic of Florida.[msnsmile2]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jolliffee
If you are taking your kids then you'll enjoy it, there is so much for that age group; when I took my three year old she thought it was great and thinks she still remembers it. Just do the little kids stuff; you will not get on those big rides but the photos of the little ones will be with you forever. Just keep it simple.[msnsmile2]
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Oh, we're going as much for me as for the kids, so I plan on doing the bigs rides. I am just curious to what other people feel is a good age. I do think four is a good age. That is why we planned it aroung their birthday.

Notice, I didn't ask how old is too old. I plan on enjoying Orlando until ... well who know.

We have been taking the kids with us to Florida since the youngest was a babe in arms (they are now 6 and 10). What started as a holiday of a lifetime, became a regular trip as there was always something new to see and do. I also think 4 is a good age - it's a magical place at any age for kids (and big kids too!):D

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
It depends on what your definition of "enjoy" is. To my mind, to really enjoy something like Orlando, you must be able to have a lot of fond memories of your experiences afterwards. Therefore kids less than 5 years old would miss out to a large extent even if they appeared to be enjoying it at the time. I think 6 years and above would be the right age.
[/quote]

To me this is a strange use of the word "enjoy." "Enjoy", to me, means having fun in the present tense. At age 35, I have forgotten some of my happy grade school events, such as halloween nights or competing in swim meets, but this doesn't negate their value in my life.

As for the question of "too young" -- I think it depends on the child. Some very young children are overwhelmed by WDW. But if you think your children would take all the excitement and stimulation in stride, and, very importantly, if YOU would enjoy a trip to WDW, then I see no reason why a trip with wee ones to WDW is "wasted" any more than a trip to a beach they'll someday forget or to any other place. Families with very young children need holidays as much as other families and I can't see any better place to do it (and, believe me, we've tried others!).

This old topic, I've had discussions with my friends about this loads of times. The age old quote 'they won't get anything from it.

This next trip will be our 25 months old fourth trip (and our soon to be 5 year olds too).
We went when she was 3.5 months old and whilst she won't remember it she had a damn good time.
Sights, sounds, smells, in fact any exeriences at any age develop a young baby.
If early life experiences didn't have any effect then how do baby's learn to sit-up, walk, talk etc..
Why don't we lock them in boxes until they are old enough to enjoy certain things (an exteme point I know and I can assure people I do not lock my child in a box ;))

They will not remember the trip, I will not argue that point, but I'm sure all these experiences shape how their personality develops and Disney ain't a bad way to go about it.

Then there is the other reason to take your young ones, and this may seem selfish, but *your* memories. The laugh of an infant, the puzzlement on their face at that crazy cartoon character, the eye's that just scan about absorbing information...Priceless in my opinion.

I also agree that the older they get the more they get out of the holiday but, for me, any age is a great time to take a child (or parent) on holiday.

Damn, sounds like a rant but I just feel that infants do get something out of a holiday just that it is probably a little less tangible than memories.

Brizzle

I have said this a few times on this forum, it really doesn't matter what age your children are when you take them to Florida, most of the time you are also going for yourselves, children of any age ( under 2 years ) will love the visual side of things, stop worrying about whether it is worth it, for one thing you wont be paying for them under 2 years ( for anything so it cant possibly be the cost side of things)

Children over 2 usually go to a playgroup or nursery ( I know... not all do, but a vast majority do ), between the age of birth and 5 they will learn more at that age, than what they will for the rest of their lives. If you kept them shut away from everything because you're not sure if they will benefit from it, then why have children in the first place.

My own kids have been going over to the States since they were toddlers ( 3 yrs upwards ) I now take my grandkids, the eldest is on his 17 th trip and he's only 5 yrs old, he remembers everything. Take photo's and talk about the trip to them, it will keep the memory alive and no doubt you will return over and over again...like most of us have.

My husband lived in Canada & California from aged 18 months till he was 7 years old and can remember most of his childhood there, its not rocket science... young children have minds like little sponges and they soak all the information up, its also up to the adult to expand on it, thats how your children learn.

Just go and enjoy and dont worry about ages, it really doesn't matter.



:D

Ours have been going since they were about 5 months old and love it. They had a great time even as babies there as they were made such a fuss of by everyone.

I discussed this issue with my unusually bright and perceptive 10 year old niece after taking her to Orlando this spring. She dimly recalls her parents taking her to some Amusement Park in Singapore as a 3 and a bit year old; has very good memories of our Euro-Disney visit as a 6 year old...and now Orlando. She has always said that she wished she could remember more about the Singapore trip; the fact that she recalls going there but not the details frustrates her.

Kids SEEM to 'enjoy' colourful activity as long as it is not too noisy or too bright. Although we adults like to tell ourselves that they are REALLY enjoying it, can we be sure?

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo

Although we adults like to tell ourselves that they are REALLY enjoying it, can we be sure?
[/quote]

From the photos we have from over the 2 and half years Amy has visited and the fact she talks about the place so much, yes I can be sure.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:

Kids SEEM to 'enjoy' colourful activity as long as it is not too noisy or too bright. Although we adults like to tell ourselves that they are REALLY enjoying it, can we be sure?
[/quote]

I dont think its a case of "seem" to enjoy, they really do enjoy, as I said, everything to a child is visual, what they see and hear makes all the difference, the colours, the noise, the atmostphere.
Why do parents throw parties for young children, why do you take babies and toddlers to the park, why do you read bright colourful books to them at an early age, why buy Noddy, Tweeny and other videos for them, why do we buy bright/noisy toys???? Because this is how they learn.

Disney characters are a huge part of any childs life whether they have been to Florida or not.

In my opinion Florida has everything you are never too young or too old.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by brizzle
This old topic, I've had discussions with my friends about this loads of times. The age old quote 'they won't get anything from it.

This next trip will be our 25 months old fourth trip (and our soon to be 5 year olds too).
We went when she was 3.5 months old and whilst she won't remember it she had a damn good time.
Sights, sounds, smells, in fact any exeriences at any age develop a young baby.
If early life experiences didn't have any effect then how do baby's learn to sit-up, walk, talk etc..
Why don't we lock them in boxes until they are old enough to enjoy certain things (an exteme point I know and I can assure people I do not lock my child in a box ;))

They will not remember the trip, I will not argue that point, but I'm sure all these experiences shape how their personality develops and Disney ain't a bad way to go about it.

Then there is the other reason to take your young ones, and this may seem selfish, but *your* memories. The laugh of an infant, the puzzlement on their face at that crazy cartoon character, the eye's that just scan about absorbing information...Priceless in my opinion.

I also agree that the older they get the more they get out of the holiday but, for me, any age is a great time to take a child (or parent) on holiday.

Damn, sounds like a rant but I just feel that infants do get something out of a holiday just that it is probably a little less tangible than memories.

Brizzle

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i agree with you, sights sounds smells,all sorts of things, i know of someone that can remember being a baby, hard as that sounds who are we to argue.....as you say we keep wonderful memories alive!!! kids absorb anything and everything good or sometimes bad..........
i just couldnt have taken my kids at a young age because of their ears were always bad and always had infections couldnt have put them through a 10 hour flight!!!!!, i would have suffered for days and of course they would have to, we went to menorca a few years ago and the two youngest then aged 11 and 4 had trouble for 3 days with their ears!!!!!!!!!

I'll tell you the way my mind works on this issue. Let us suppose Joe Bloggs took his 3 year old daughter to Orlando and she, like everyone else seemed to be very happy. Unless Bloggs is a real Orlando fan like ourselves ([msnsmile]), he may decide 'that's it' for the family, especially if there are financial limitations. So, the girl will then miss out on Orlando when she is, say, 8+ years old and eligible for all the rides etc, even though she may want to go again.

I've met a lot of people who plan to make JUST ONE big trip to Orlando. It is with such families in mind that I said it will be better for the children if they are a bit older.

In that case then yes I would agree with your sentiments Nostromo and it does make sense to take a child when they are older and can remember it better.

What most of us are saying here though it based on the fact that Florida is becoming a lot more affordable to a lot more people and many, many families make more than one trip in a lifetime to Florida. Quite a few go every year or even more.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
I'll tell you the way my mind works on this issue. Let us suppose Joe Bloggs took his 3 year old daughter to Orlando and she, like everyone else seemed to be very happy. Unless Bloggs is a real Orlando fan like ourselves ([msnsmile]), he may decide 'that's it' for the family, especially if there are financial limitations. So, the girl will then miss out on Orlando when she is, say, 8+ years old and eligible for all the rides etc, even though she may want to go again.

I've met a lot of people who plan to make JUST ONE big trip to Orlando. It is with such families in mind that I said it will be better for the children if they are a bit older.
[/quote]

with you on that too, its a personnal thing!!!!!!!!!!
we all have to do whats right for us.............................

The number of times in theme parks I have remarked on little children being shouted at by overstressed parents, the little ones too hot, too tired and crying... or fast asleep and missing everything! I think parents get upset at their children sometimes not responding the way they thought they would.

I would say a minimum of five years old and reckon about seven years old will give them the holiday of a lifetime which they will never forget. I think hot and crowded theme parks with lots of queuing up, is the last place to take small children.

I once sat at a cafe in Magic Kingdom and to this day, regret not interfering when a father at a neighbouring table, driven to rage by his small son's refusal to eat anything, suddenly kicked him under the table and hit him so hard around the head that his mother rose to protect him. I still feel shocked at what I saw. Not typical I know, but both parents and children can suffer from stress and heat.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk

What most of us are saying here though it based on the fact that Florida is becoming a lot more affordable to a lot more people and many, many families make more than one trip in a lifetime to Florida. Quite a few go every year or even more.
[/quote]

You're right, although many people don't realise the fact. I have done my bit to popularise OV site among my surgery staff, friends and acquaintences and persuade them that a villa would be cheaper and far more comfortable on an Orlando holiday, apart from big savings on flights, car hire, park tickets etc.[msnsmile2]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:The number of times in theme parks I have remarked on little children being shouted at by overstressed parents, the little ones too hot, too tired and crying... or fast asleep and missing everything! I think parents get upset at their children sometimes not responding the way they thought they would.

I would say a minimum of five years old and reckon about seven years old will give them the holiday of a lifetime which they will never forget. I think hot and crowded theme parks with lots of queuing up, is the last place to take small children.

I once sat at a cafe in Magic Kingdom and to this day, regret not interfering when a father at a neighbouring table, driven to rage by his small son's refusal to eat anything, suddenly kicked him under the table and hit him so hard around the head that his mother rose to protect him. I still feel shocked at what I saw. Not typical I know, but both parents and children can suffer from stress and heat.
[/quote]

I'd say this incident is more to do with parenting skills than anything else and could happen at home as well as on holiday.

We let our children do it at their pace, we just tag along on *their* holiday.

We missed the Christmas parade at MVMCP party last year because they were tired so we took them home. We weren't tired and were good for a fair few more hours but the kids always dictate how much we do on holiday (normally it's us tired from them dragging us here to see Mickey or there to ride Dumbo).

Last April they decided they were tired by lunchtime so we spent most, if not all, afternoons at the villa.
We also schedule our trips so that heat is not an issue.

I've said before that I agree that there is a certain age where they get more from the trip (my near 5 year old will get more from the next holiday because she has more experience than the 2 year old) but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy it before they reach this 'magical' optimum age.
I'm past my optimum age, I'm sure, but I enjoy it [:P].

I just think people shouldn't get hung up on age, young or old, and do what they think is best for their child. If after the first trip my children did not enjoy it then I would not have gone back until a few years later. All the evidence pointed to the opposite.
After returning the 18 month old would screamed excitedly at the telly 'MOUSE'!!! when any Disney adverts were shown and would come and get us when we returned....and still does....and she loves looking through the photo's.

If you plan to go once in a lifetime then sure wait until they are 4/5 years old but it is a personal thing because everyone is an individual and takes things different ways.

Brizzle

Much appreciated Nostromo [msnsmile2]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk

What most of us are saying here though it based on the fact that Florida is becoming a lot more affordable to a lot more people and many, many families make more than one trip in a lifetime to Florida. Quite a few go every year or even more.
[/quote]

You're right, although many people don't realise the fact. I have done my bit to popularise OV site among my surgery staff, friends and acquaintences and persuade them that a villa would be cheaper and far more comfortable on an Orlando holiday, apart from big savings on flights, car hire, park tickets etc.[msnsmile2]
[/quote]

Then it's fine if you can let the children dictate the pace and you didn't mind missing the parade - other, less patient parents would though! There are as many of one kind of parents as the other...

This is just asking people's opinions and the varied answers reflect the coping mechanisms of individuals I think. There is no magic age, but consensus seems to prefer a minimum 5-7 age given a choice, especially a once in a lifetime trip which is all many families manage.