How Young Is Too Young for Disneyland??

There are plenty of things for a 4 year old to do at Disneyland. There are also plenty of things he cannot do.

No worries, Disneyland has lots to offer and his day (or eve a few days) will be complete there.

both my kids went at 2 weeks. they have literally grown up there. We go less often now so it is still special. If you want them to get a lot out of it 4 is a GREAT age. My nephew has been several times but when we took him this last december (age 3 and 8 months) he was really into everything we did. My mom bought him some mickey ears and he wore them the entire time. Have a magical time!

4 is a great age. They're fully potty trained, tall enough for most rides, able to run all day while still good cat napping in the stroller. I'd do it!

We first took our daughter to Disneyland right after she turned 3. She wasn't into the dark rides, like Peter Pan, but loved the Gadget Coaster in ToonTown. She was too short for Star Tours and Soaring, but wouldn't have enjoyed those then. My MIL took her again last December at 4 and she was less skittish. She was tall enough for everything but the big rides like Space Mountain and went on all of them. We all went to Disney World last February, so she was almost 5 and the boys were almost 3 and 7 months. The baby was content in the stroller or the Ergo. My almost 3 year old is fearless, so convinced my daughter to ride Haunted Mansion several times. He was bummed he was too short for Big Thunder Mountain and Star Tours, but loved everything else. He wasn't fully potty trained, so we spent a lot of time trying to remember to take him potty often enough we weren't relying on the Pull-Up as a diaper.

At 4, all the magic is still real. Don't wait until he's big enough for it not to be magic.

I think 4 is a good age. I took my daughter for the first time when she was 16 months old because my husband and I got annual passes for our anniversary and kids under 3 are free. She really likes the carousel, dumbo, and jungle cruise at Disneyland, and some of the slower toddler rides at California Adventure. If your son is at least 40 inches tall, he should be able to ride most rides at Disney and California Adventure, including Big Thunder and Splash Mountain. He will have so much fun!

4 is great, as long as your expectations are realistic. My youngest at 4 at WDW loved the tea cups and the tree house best. We did do Peter Pan, Small World, Pooh, Thunder Mountain, Goofy coaster, Pirates, and a few more. Though tall enough, she rejected Splash Mtn and Space Mtn. But she was so happy just to play outside the Splash ride with a water bottle squirter from the gift shop, I still remember how much she delighted in just that small pleasure. She also loved Soarin. By 2:30, she was hot and done, and not at all caring about the parade. She also did not care for the haunted mansion. I'd say avoid Spring Break and Easter weeks, and go for it!

We took our kids when they were 5 and 6 1/2 and I thought that was perfect.

it depends on what you mean by "too young"......

There is plenty for the littler kids to do. But it can be overwhelming for them at that age. And they won't remember it. Yes, if you do pictures and talk about it every year and walk them back through their trip they will remember (sort of).

That's a LOT of money to spend on something that will likely overwhelm them and that they won't remember.

My opinion..... 6 or 7 is the best age. We took my daughter at 5 and other than the pictures and stories she has no recollection.

I think 7 or 8 is a great age for a first trip.
They'll remember it much better than if they go at younger ages.

It depends on what you want to get out of the trip. Are you taking him for a trip to remember when he's older? Or are you taking him at this age because of how excited he'll be to see Disney (at this age - it's SO exciting for them). If it's for a memorable occasion, I would wait a couple more years. If it's the other reason, go ahead and do it! They're only this age once, and 4 year olds are so mesmerized by these things - you'll have so much fun watching him, and he'll have so much fun experiencing it. Take him again when he's older if you're able to, so he can have a memorable trip out of it if you like. Either way, enjoy this age. In another year after the trip - he'll be in school and life goes 10 times faster at that point :)

We took our kids for the first time when they were 5 and 2. It was mainly for the 5 year old, and I figured the 2 year old would just tag along. I was really surprised at how much the 2 year old loved it! There were plenty of rides he could go on, but my favorite was watching his face during the fireworks show. He was just so amazed. As Missy said, it was still magic for him.
Since FL is a much bigger trip and park, we are waiting until the youngest is at least 5 and the oldest 8 for that one. Disneyland is much more approachable for a younger child- completely amazing, but not as overwhelming as all those different parks in FL.

I think 4 is a great age!!

Disneyland is great for all ages.

It really depends on the parents wanting to go. The young kids do not know what they are missing.

My son was 4 when he first went and watching him meet Buzz Lightyear was so cool. I'm curious if your son even knows who Buzz is, since TS3 came out a few years ago.

Not too young AT ALL! Seriously, at 4 he will have an amazing time. My son went for the first time when he was about 10 weeks old. We had season passes the whole year that he was two and the year that he was four. My daughter was about seven months the first time we took her.

There are many rides that a four year old can do. Anything in Fantasyland, plus rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear and many others. He may even be tall enough for some of the roller coasters.

If he is into the movie Cars, you should consider a park hopper ticket so you can go to Cars Land at California Adventure.

Try to head back to the hotel for a couple of hours in the afternoon to rest. You will all have a lot more fun if he isn't tired and cranky by mid-afternoon. Plan to be at the park from 8 or 9:00 until about 1:00. Then come back from 4:00 till 7 or 8:00. You'll get to do plenty of rides without overdoing it.

great age. he may get tired but he will enjoy it. just don't push him.. if he is tired and needs a nap.. take a break before he melts down..

My kids don't really remember much from when they were four and either do I. I would save such a trip for an age when he will likely remember it.

Took my oldest to Disney for the first (well, and only time) when he was 3.5 years old and he loved it! Take a stroller, it can haul stuff when your son wants to walk but provide a place to sit down when he is too tired to walk. Have fun!!!

Enjoy your trip and take lots of pictures! He will have a great time especially if he is already familiar with the Disney characters. My granddaughter has been going to Disneyland since she was 6 months old and she loves it.

I'm taking my daughter, who will be 4 when we go, to Disney World in Nov. She is SOOOO excited. So my thought is to take him and have a blast!

Never too young!
Depends if you want him to remember it or not. 4 years old, he may have some memories of it later in life. Especially if you take lots of pictures. He will love it.

I have had tons of fun with 2 and 3 year olds there as well (we had passes for a few years when they were young). But they don't remember it. Who cares, I do! I take tons of pictures. My 7 year old loves to see all the pics of her at disneyland when she was younger, and hear the stories.

id wait til hes old enuff to enjoy it fully n remember it for a life time-like 8-or 9 yrs old.i grew up in calif.going to disneyland was an insane treat when you have 10 kids in your family-wait til he can really enjoy it.

He will have an awesome time ! You will have an even better time watching his face light up over the characters , rides , castle , etc . Go and have a blast ! The best videos we have are of our kids at disney with the characters at the meals . Belle got my son to eat and my daughter yelled this is magical on the monorail ! Their first trip was at 3 1/2 . We had a ball ! Have a magical trip !!!!

Ps don't wait until he's old enough to remember . The magic is kind of gone . You can always go back when he's older !

4's probably good. i took a 2 year old, who had fun but doesn't remember a single thing about it.
khairete
S.