My son is turning 5 in February. I thought it would be fun to take him (and our soon to be 3 yo dd) for his 5th birthday. We live an hour south of Disneyland, so we would have stay over a night. Hubby thinks the kids are too young and that's it's not worth it to go if the kids can't go on ALL the rides. I think there is so much more for a child to experience at Disney besides just the rides. The parades, the shows, all the visual stuff, etc.
So how young were your kids when you first took them? Would you have waited until they were older? Hubby thinks we should wait until both kids are at least 8 years old.
If we do decide to go, my parents and sister would meet us there. Would it be offensive to ask them to pay their own way? Hotel and all? If they did this, DH and I would definitely pay for their dinner or a couple of meals. I know my family wouldn't be offended if we asked them to pay, but I would feel bad.
The kids want to go since all of their preschool friends and close family friends have already gone (but I haven't mentioned going for my sons birthday in case we decide not to go). Also my in laws sent some money at Christmas specifically for a trip to Disneyland.
Another option would be for us to go to Legoland, which is only 30 minutes from us.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Thanks for all your input ladies! We are still thinking about it. But I think that since DH's parents gave us money specifically for Disney (he says his Mom would be a little put off if we used it for Legoland because she really likes Disney) that we will go. He just needs time to work it all out in his brain. Plus when I tell him all the rides that the kids can go on and that we can do the parent swap for the bigger rides, I think he will be convinced. Plus I found an $80 room right across from the main entrance at a hotel that we have already stayed at. We also offered to fly his Mom out from MD to spend a week with us so she can go to Disney with us with our mileage points. If she takes us up on the offer, that will seal the deal for my hubby. I think we will ask everyone to pay their own way and just take them out for my son's birthday dinner.
no reason to wait! there is so much to do there at any age. I recommend staying at a hotel close enough so you can come and go especially if the kids need naps.
My kids where 7 and 10 and that was the perfect age! My sisters also came with us and one of them had teens, they had fun but it wasn't magical for them. My other sister had a 5 year old and he was too little to go on some of the rides, and got really tired. My kids could go on everything and they didn't give out half way through the day. Now they are 12 and 15 and they still talk about how much fun they had. I think my husband and I had just as much fun as they did, it was a great vacation! If you go with young kids I recomend you stay at one of the hotels in the park, that way if they get tired it is easy to go back and rest for awhile.
She was 2 and had SUCH a great time! There is so much to do for little ones. It is all about the magic and believing when they are young. The characters were the best! If you wait until they are 8 they will be past that age of princesses and magic but will be able to go on more rides. I would definatley say GO!!
Both my daughters went for the first time around 2. I wouldn't change it at all. It was still magical for them and they loved it! Your son will get in free and you can probably get your daughter in free as well. I say take them now, they'll enjoy it so much!
I brought my kids when they were 5 and 7. I think that it is so expensive that it is not worth the money to bring little kids. I would bring them when your little one is at least 4 or 5 and then your older one will be older. He will still enjoy everything and can go on the bigger rides too. It is all a matter of money. However, if you have the money to spend freely, then go now and then again later.
I think you should take them to Disneyland. We hold annual passes and my 2 and a half year old asks to go all the time even though he's been there 10 times in the last few months. 2.5 and up is when they really are enthralled and there is PLENTY to keep your whole family busy for the entire day. Plus, your daughter will enter free before she turns 3.
You may consider getting the park hopper tickets that get you into CA Adventure as well because there's quite a bit for the little ones there too - a whole area of Bug's Life-themed little kid rides in addition to a Playhouse Disney show.
Be sure to read through the various pages of this site written by local mom before you go for great tips for getting the best experience with kids in tow: http://disneylandwithkids.com/
Here's something I just learned from that site:
Rider/Baby Swich Program
Did you know that you can ride attractions at Disneyland/California Adventure with height restrictions even if you have munchkins in tow? There is a rider switch program available at any ride with a height restriction. At the entrance of the attraction there will be a cast member that will be able to assist you and explain the switch program. You will be handed a pass-similar to a fastpass. You will wait in line- while the member/s in your party will be able to sit with the children. Once it is your turn to ride the other member/s in your party can come up. Once you have finished riding you can "switch" the kiddos and the other member can ride. Each pass is good for two riders and is only to be used once per attraction.
I took my son to Disneyland when he was 18 months old. He loved it although by evening he was exhausted and became frightened of Micky Mouse. There is something to do for every age so no age is too young. I did have to wait over 7 years to go on the Indiana Jones ride because my kids where too young (or too scared) to go on it. Make use of the fast pass for any rides that take them. We have done 22 rides in 12 hours with the fast pass. My brother-in-law is a master manipulater of the fast pass. lol
At 18 months or two years my neice was thrilled just to watch the Dumbo ride from her stroller. It probably won't take much to excite them, even without rides. Your husband might be disappointed through. ;-0
I live about an hour away from Disneyland and we have always made it a day trip, from early morning until the park closes or the little ones crash, which ever comes first. So an overnight stay is not a necessity but it is a convenience if you want a slower paced day and rest time.
As for Legoland, that is definately for the under 10 crowd. So you might want to do Legoland now and Disneyland later.
Have fun!
I agree with your husband IF you have to make a special trip to CA or FL just to go. However, I grew up an hour from Disneyworld and could drive there an back in a day.
Don't feel bad about asking your family to pay! Everything Disney is expensive and if they want to join you then it's their's to pay for.
Have fun!
We've been taking our son since he was 1 and he loves it. He is now 2 1/2 and is tall enough to ride the Matterhorn (not that he does, but he could!) The height restriction on that is only 35 inches. Use the rider-switch on the bigger rides and everybody's happy. At 2 1/2, there are only a couple of things our son can't go on, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. Unless I am forgetting something, he can go on everything else...oh, maybe not Star Tours. But there IS so much more to Disneyland than those few big rides! Our son loves Small World, Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, the tree-house, the Mark Twain paddlewheel boat, exploring Tom Sawyers Island (you could be there for hours!), Dumbo, the Carousel, Casey Jr., Story-book land, TeaCups, everything in Toon Town (Mickey's house, Minnie's house, Goofy's house, Donald's boat--in fact 8 would be too old for these, I think), Autopia, Submarines, Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters. He can go on Pirate and the Haunted Mansion, but lately has been electing not to, although he loved Haunted Mansion when it was fixed up for Nightmare Before Xmas. Plus, the parades are fantastic and the place just looks amazing all the way around.
Pack a picnic lunch to save a ton of money and Barbilee had excellent advice as to how to invite the relatives.
Have fun. Disney is great for this age. You won't have time to go on ALL the rides and see all the shows, so this time, maybe you don't go on all the big rides (I'd opt for Space Mountain and Indiana Jones, if I had to limit!) By the way, I've heard Legoland is better for older kids.
Happy Birthday to your son!
my kids were both 2 weeks old. =0) have probably been about 100 times already. but we have it easy. to ease the cost check out the new promo on the disneyland.com website: SPEND A DAY GET A DISNEY DAY. sign up to volunteer and you will get a FREE ticket to the park. the whole family (anyone else who wants to come.) can go and volunteer and get in free. YOu must be 6 or older to volunteer, so you would only have to buy tix for the little ones! There is a whole lot to do at disneyland and they will have a great time. Go mid week when it is not so crowded. if you want more specifics of my fam's fav activities at the park feel free to PM me. But check out the opportunity to get in FREEEEEEE! also you can use the free tix to udgrade to annual passes!!!! (if u want)
You have sooo many responses already but I just wanted to add this since our children are very close in age. For my daughters 5th birthday, we went to Disneyland for the 1st time. My son was 1 month away from being 3 years old. We all got season passes and they LOVE IT!! I would definitely say take them. And as for the rides, they only ones my 5 and 3 year cant go on are the big ones. But everything else they love. The rides are not everything. Have SOOO much fun when you go!
Since we are only an hour away and most of my friends have passes - we took my daughter when she was 2 (met out of town friends there) well, she is 7 and has memories of it - we took a lot of great photo's and she recalls so much when she looks at them. After that visit (we got a pass too) I took her a handful of times but a few of those visits we only went to the shopping area - that is all she needed and I didn't mind! We took her there for her 5th Birthday, my son was 2 (his first time if you don't count the visit when he was only 12 weeks old). We had an indcredible time with the kids on that visit - they both had a blast! I once told my husband, if we only do things we hope they will remember, well, why bother doing anything? These experiences are still important (places you go and things you do before they are maybe 3ish) right? I mean, you still want to have fun with them. You don't NOT take them to the park because they won't remember it, right? LOL! It is expensive though, I get that! Legoland, in my opinion - is JUST AS GREAT! We went there for my sons 4th Birthday, my kids love it there.
If we invited say my Mom or MIL, we would pay. But that is just one person, I don't think there is anything wrong with your family paying their own way, just make sure that is worked out ahead of time so it isn't awkward and maybe help them get some good deals.
Lastly on your hubby's point - what he is saying is valid. But keep in mind, the experience when they are 8 will be completely different. At 8 you will all be rushing around to get in lines for rides and waiting and waiting (unless you get a fast pass of course), at their current age, they will enjoy just walking around and taking in the sites and sounds, you don't HAVE to ride this or that (not usually anyway) we just let our kids walk and followed their lead - I don't think we did any rides the first few times, which some people might think is insane, but CA adventure has a really cool play area that we spent many hours at. Anyway - I'm going on and on and on... whatever you guys decide, Legoland/Disneyland, one thing is for sure -the kids will have a blast! (Legoland is overpriced, but there was a time when we lived minutes away so we had a pass and we went 1-2x a week, so we've seen it all and the kids LOVE it).
Hi S., Disneyland! One of my FAV subjects. We lived in South Pasadena for a year and the first time we went to DL was when my children were 2.5 and 6. We actually went 37 times that year (50 minute drive ONE WAY without traffic)! I KNOW CRAZY! But it was perfect. Then when they were 7 and 10 we lived in Irvine for 3 months and we went 22 times. Again PERFECT!
Here is what we did. We fed the girls lunch, then when it was nap time we drove to DL. that hour sleep was great, we would get there and they were ready to go. We brought fruit and small snacks into the park and off we went. We packed a “picnic dinner” for the drive home. It worked perfectly every time. When they were a bit older, we forgo nap time and packed more food.
Only being an hour away you could do this type of trip, but if you choose to go for a day or two and bring family, that works too. I will tell you the kids loved DL just as much at 2 and 6 as they did at 7 and 10. (I loved it at any age!)
When the kids are younger there is so much more AWE in what they see. The attraction rides are for all ages and the kids LOVE them. My youngest was always afraid of the Snow White ride…it’s a little dark and scary with the witch.
As for the family say this: “We are taking the kids to Disneyland and would love for you to join us. The cost of the park for the day is $??, we will be staying at ?? hotel and the cost is ?? per room. We would love to treat you to a special family diner on ?? night for being a wonderful family. Would you like to come?” Then there are no questions about who is paying for what.
S., go, have a great time, Disneyland is great. BTW – we did it all in SoCal, DL, LegoLand, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags. DL and SeaWorld were the only ones at their younger ages that the girls wanted to return to. LegoLand to me is for kids over the age of 8.
B.
Family Success Coach
Our son was almost 3 when we took him. He loved it, but was scared of most of the rides. Legoland is better for that age...but that's my opinion. How that our son is 7, he thought Legoland was ok, but is more interested in California Adventure and Disney. 5 was the optimal age for both parks.
S., Most people think my hubby and I are nuts but we have had annual passes to D'land since we started dating 15 years ago. Our oldest was 5 weeks old when we took her for the first time and the youngest was 2 months. We go there every 6 to 8 weeks. We are all Disney lovers and my girls have never known to be without it in their lives. By the way, I was 6 weeks old when I went for the first time but my great-grandfather was visiting California from Minnestoa.
my son was 6 weeks old the first time we took him. we've got annual passes. that being said he's now 2.5 and loves to go to disneyland. he's now at the right age where he gets it. it's a lot to take in for kids of any age so making "sure" the kids go on "all" the rides is setting yourself up for tears and whining. a hotel is a good thing because you can go back and nap or decompress and then take a shuttle, if you're off property, back at night to see the fireworks. seeing disneyland through the eyes of a child is really magical. it's also not too much to ask your family to pay for themselves if they wish to be included. disneyland is a big expense and you shouldn't feel obligated. if you can do it, i highly recommend the park hopper pass. california adventure has really fun stuff for the kids and if the parents need a drink to decompress there's a bar "hidden" at ariel's grotto or the beer truck on the wharf. enjoy yourselves and my best advice is to take disneyland in slowly or the kids and you will not enjoy yourselves. have fun!
There's lots for young kids to do at Disneyland! Perhaps your husband doesn't want to make the trip if he is worried he won't be able to go on the more adult attractions? I just went there with my granddaughter who is 13 months, it was her 2nd time. There were lots of young kids there. She went from 9am to 7:30pm, at which time her father came and picked her up and then my daughter and I did more and stayed for the fireworks. There were 3 adults, (myself and my 2 daughters and the baby) in our group. They gave us fast passes when we entered a ride which the baby couldn't go on, so the waiting adult could then go on quickly after the others got off. The baby loved the parade! We split up for a few hours, but all in all she was very able to enjoy Disneyland!!!
We live 1 hour north, and we usually do Disneyland in one day just driving down there. At the park it cost $71 per adult to get in, buying your tickets online is much less...it would have been $64. I got in free on the Birthday get in free program. It cost $14 to park. It's expensive, but we had a great time.
Our oldest daughter was 18 months but she was too young then, when we went back when she was 4 she loved it, still talks about it now so no, I don't think they're too young.
And unless you've invited your family and told them you would pay everything, I don't see why they wouldn't pay their stuff, it gets pretty expensive, they can't expect you to pay for it.
We took our 2yr old, and friends took their 2.5 and 3.5 yr olds. We ALL had a blast. There is so much to do for the little people. We couldn't even get to it all and we were there for about 5 hours. We live an hour north of Anaheim, and drove down and back. I don't see needing a hotel, but that is your call, for sure. good luck!
13 months! I plan to take him again for his 2nd birthday in just a few days. He did come back with stomach flu or food poisoning... not sure which but we enjoyed our time there none the less!
I wanted to wait till my daughter was at least 3, preferably as old as 5, but my husband had other ideas :) We took her for the first time when she was 2 and she really enjoyed it.
We are only 30 minutes from Disneyland so my daughter's been going since she was 19-20 months old. She LOVES it! Loves the parades, the shows, the characters. So I think your kids are at a great age to take them. My 29 month old is tall enough to ride the Matterhorn so I don't think there are many rides that your 3 yr old wouldn't be able to go on but my daughter likes certain rides anyway so we normally do the same ones every time - actually, even before I had her I only did certain rides, too, so I don't think you have to ride all the rides to get your money's worth :)
As for your family, I'm not sure why you would feel the need to pay for everything. I'm sure they wouldn't expect for you to pay their way and it would be appreciated if you treated them to dinner or something (but again, not necessary).
Hope you guys have lots fo fun if you decide to go!
My husband was totally against going. We too had saved birthday money for a trip. We ended up going when my twins were almost 6 and my "baby" was not quite 2 1/2. We loved it so much my MIL took us back a month later, and then a month after that I took my twins for their birthday. We had a blast, made such great family memories. My 2 year old still talks about it. I know he will probably (eventually) forget his first 2 trips but, right now we all are having fun listening to him talk about it. And WE will always have those memories of him at Disney. And the pictures of him with the characters--which are to die for! My twins having been 3 times in such a short time, I believe they will have life long memories. I rationalized it like this... we throw them birthday parties, take them to the park, beach, on walks, to playdates, sporting events, camping, out to dinner, we do crafts with them etc. etc. etc... fully knowing they are not going to remember all of them, if we're lucky they will remember bits and pieces from all the experiences we give them. So why should disney be any different? My twins are scaredy cats, but my 2 year old is a dare devil and if he was tall enough he would have gone on the matterhorn! Personally I think 8 it too old. They are not so innocent and full of wonder like a 5 or 6 year old is. Go for it. And I highly recommend the Howard Johnson. It is farther away--but still walking distance to the main entrance, but their kid pool is AMAZING!!!! Rates are quite reasonable too. Have a blast!
Hi S. ,
I took my twins before they were a year old. There are
rides you can go on together. We have a pass and they are
now 2 1/2 and we go once a week and I take them alone.
We might just go on 2 rides and come home or might stay
longer. They now tell me what rides they want to go on.
It is so much fun! I say go for it. Your kids will love
it. And by the way we live 30mins from Disneyland so
1 hour is nothing. Have fun
T.
Hi S., The first time our oldest son went to Disneyland was 3 and we had a baby in a stroler, he had a blast, he was in awe over the visual stuff the colors the sounds, the people, he wasn't to much into the kiddie rides but he loved everything else. J.
We took our daughter when she was 11 months old. We went cause it was free for my husband's birthday. It was fun but we are going again soon and she is closer to 2. I know she will really enjoy it. There is so much to do besides rides! Also, there are actually a lot of rides your kids can go on. I am glad we went when we did just because there is so many things to see! Your family should pay on their own. For everything. They are choosing to meet you right? If you want to pay for some of their meals that is up to you. You shouldn't even have to ask them to pay. I kinda feel like I am missing part of the story? Someone sent you money for it?! Go!! Have fun. Good luck!
Children under 3 are free. We've taken our 2 year old son to Disneyland twice -- when he was 22 months old and 2 weeks ago (at 26 months). He seemed to have fun both times. Also, as many have already noted, there is much more to see/do there than just the big rides. Rather, if you waited for your kids to be able to ride all the rides, they might be too old to enjoy the cute "kiddie" rides in Fantasyland, California Adventure, etc.
We took our daughter right before she turned 2, and again at 2 1/2, and she loves it. We love it. Forget the rides, it brings a whole new level of enjoyment to disneyland to see your toddler delight in all the simplest parts.
My husband likes the rides, so he does go on some of the grown up ones by himself while I wait in line to meet Tinkerbell and stuff like that... our daughter isn't that into the fantasyland rides (where you go on a little car into some rooms and all this stuff happens around you... it's just too overwhelming). Even the Pooh ride, where all the characters are familiar and sweet, was too weird for her. But she loves dumbo, carousel, the little trains, small world. And she LOVES the characters and the parades. And roaming around toontown where you can go in Goofy's house, etc. We haven't even been to Tom Sawyer island with her yet, which I also think she will like. That's on the list for next time. There is alot to do for the small kids even if they can't get on a bunch of rides.
2 is definitely a good age to start taking the kids (your daughter may get in free, if she looks small, 2 and under is free and they can't really ask for ID on a toddler, ya know?) And no offense but I think waiting til your son turned 5 to take him, when you only live an hour away, is a travesty! (JK :)
We've also taken our 2 y/o to CA Adventure twice now if you want the info on that one.
You will definitely feel like it is worth it, both kids will LOVE it!
Any age is fabulous for Disneyland. My three year old has been 7 times. He TOTALLY gets the experience. LOVES Mickey Mouse and all the characters. LOVES the rides (he can actually get on most outside of the larger "thrill" rides). 5 and 3 are great ages for Disneyland... Legoland... why? I wouldn't feel bad about your family paying their own way. Disneyland is expensive enough for your immediate family. Sounds like they want to be there to experience the time with your children, so a nice meal would be nice to cover for them... try a character meal. There is Minnie and Friends (my favorite) inside Disneyland and Goofy's Kitchen inside the Disneyland Hotel. Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure has the princesses. In CA Adv, there is a live Playhouse Disney show that your kids will LOVE if they watch those shows. They can go to Minnie and Mickey's house in Toontown in Disneyland. There is so much for the little ones to do and see. You're right, it's not about the rides, it's the experience and memories. Have FUN!!!
btw, my 5 1/2 mo old's first trip was at 6 weeks old and we will be going this month... :)
