How young is too young to really enjoy Orlando

[Ray&Sarah]

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

[beer snob]

<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]
[/quote]

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.

[LesleyB]

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!)

[jminmaine]

<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!).

[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

[Calamity Jane]

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.

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

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.

[Nostromo]

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?

[amy]

<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.

[Calamity Jane]

<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.