Suck It Up, It’s Disney Part 4

SUCK IT UP, IT’S DISNEY!

Even since before I opened shop as a travel agent, it was no secret—I LOVE DISNEY!! I also love road trips, camping, and all-inclusive vacations.  But, I digress.  Over time, I have heard all of the arguments/complaints against going to Disney.  Yes, there are a lot of you out there that begrudgingly book your Disney vacation because every kid should see it once.  In this f-part series I will examine why you should not only put aside your “issues” with visiting the Great Mouse House, but also have fun doing it!

PART 4:  DOES AGE MATTER?

Lastly, I’d like to talk about what age to go.  There really isn’t a right answer here.  So, I’m going to break it down by age group (with some photographic proof) to help you decide when is the right time to go.

BABIES:  You will see infants all over the parks.  I’ve seen babies as young as 2 weeks there!  On the plus side, babies can be very easy to have in the parks, especially if you are there with extended family.  They sleep a lot and are welcome on any rides with no height restrictions.  Our first trip with kids was with a 7-month-old and it couldn’t have been easier.  We got a lot of time to focus on what my older daughter wanted to do.  Which is nice since sharing her time with us was new to her.  When the baby was awake she even managed to get in on the action, proving that Disney Magic is recognizable at any age (see photo 1 & 2).

TODDLERS: This is one age-group I usually don’t recommend.  Sure, they enjoy it.  The joy and amazement on their faces at that age is priceless.  But waiting is SOOOOO hard from them.  If you are going to venture to Disney with this age group, plan on going during low season when the parks aren’t so crowded.  Also plan to take breaks from the parks.  At this age it is especially important to not try to cram too much in.  Go for a short trip and only see 1 or 2 parks.

PRESCHOOLERS: This is by far my favorite age for a trip to Disney!  It is the sweet spot for remembering the trip AND thinking they can move into Cinderella’s Castle with their favorite princess (I know because my daughter tried it!).  You would think they wouldn’t remember, but you would be surprised how big of an impression Disney can make on a young mind. (Check out photos 3-6 for evidence on how magical it can be at this age)

ELEMENTARY: By the time they get to about five or six, Disney is still magical, but they understand that the characters aren’t “real.”  That doesn’t mean there is no magic for this age group (see photo 4).  Plus, the older they are, the more rides they can go on.  Forty inches is a pretty good benchmark for anything that isn’t too fast or scary for the non-thrill seekers in the family.  But, by this age they are many are mentally ready to try out the rides for 48 inches and taller.  Staying up late is also a an added bonus for this age group since Disney takes on a whole new look at night and the fireworks shows are AMAZING.  

ADOLESCENCE & ADULTHOOD:  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, Disney isn’t just for kids!  Preteens and teenagers like the freedom of exploring the parks on their own.  Disney is a fairly wholesome family getaway, so you can feel safe in giving them that freedom.  Also, as we all get older we get to live vicariously through our children.  Their joy is our joy.  But, even without our kids, there is so much that can draw an adult in (just check out my Dad’s first encounter with Chewbacca).  Disney offers nightclubs, festivals, and plenty of nostalgia to all of it’s older guests.  

This concludes my mini-series on all things Disney.  I hope that I have helped to put you in a positive mindset for your Disney vacations.  With a little knowledge and help from me, you can build a trip that will make memories to last a lifetime!