Disneyworld - What age is best to take kids?

This is a blog written by my sister Michelle, who has lost count of how many times she's been to Orlando! Maybe 15 times.... This is the first in a series of blogs about her experience with this #holidayofalifetime that so many people ask us about

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I have worked out I have taken a child to Orlando at ages 4 months, 16 months and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 years. I can honestly say that there is appeal for all ages.

I took two of my children at 4 months old (not at the same time!). I strongly recommend pre-booking a bassinet for the plane journey. Doing so will make the flight more enjoyable and you should find the baby sleeps for the majority of it. You can take your own car seat (which I have always done) or hire one from the car rental company. Make sure you book a rental car with space for your pushchair as well as the luggage!

So to the parks. My biggest concern was the strong heat and sun of the Florida summer. However, I found this not a problem. So much of the parks are in air-conditioned spaces or under shade. The majority of the queueing systems cleverly cater for the heat, sun and queue boredom-busting well. I fondly recall taking my 4-month-old and 5-year-old to meet Cinderella. She gave equal attention to both and even asked if she could hold my baby, cooing at him. Magical!

Taking a young child to the Disney World Parks, of say age 2 to 7, is truly magical. Yes, this sounds cliché, but you really will create memories that last forever in their lives as well as your own. They whole-heartedly believe the magic and you can’t help but feel it too. Seeing Disney World through your young child’s eyes is exceptionally special. Practically, it can be a lot of walking for young legs, but the theme parks have this covered. Whilst the pushchair may be long since unused at home, Park Strollers can be rented at all theme parks. Larger, yet lighter than pushchairs, children up to about age 8 can fit in these to rest their legs, get some shade, nap or for a sheltered place to rest and watch a parade. And you have a place to rest your bags.

I had the most uncertainty in deciding to take my elder teens to Disney. Would they be too ‘cool’ for this? Definitely not! These holidays with my teens bring out their inner children. It’s my teenage children that wear the Disney ears! Far from feeling embarrassed, they wear them with pride. They still enjoy meeting the Disney characters and 100% enjoy playing along in the character magic for their younger siblings and reminiscing about their childhood favourites. Of course, the majority of their time is spent on the thrill rides, which the big parks do so well. And I absolutely love riding these thrill rides with them, creating lasting memories in shared terror and thrill. With the older children you can enjoy great restaurants and the parks late at night. Staying late in the Magic Kingdom to watch the park closing Fireworks Spectacular is the most astounding event I’ve even seen. My now 16- and 20-year olds are still asking when we can holiday in Orlando again.

So when is the best age to take your child? The answer really is, any age! Your experiences will be different depending on their age, as you will spend more time on the attractions and aspects you consider will most appeal to them. But there is no doubt you will feel the magic at any and every age!