Whether or not someone is planning a vacation, I always get asked — “What is the best age to take your kids to Disney ?” As a Disney Travel Agent in Kansas City, I’d like to think I have the answer to that, but of course the answer is usually “it depends.” I think all the moms out there would agree that there should be a magical calculator that runs on pixie dust with a very complex algorithm to calculate your kids’ ages plus levels of maturity and interests, multiplied by the time of year and your sanity…equals… no, sorry this doesn’t exist yet. So what do I tell them?

NOW!

My son, at age 9 months, seeing Donald Duck (his favorite) at Tusker House character dining.

Now is the best age to take your kids to Disney. You will never regret taking that family vacation, making memories together, and seeing your child or children experience Disney for the first time. You might be saying, but we want Johnny and Susie to remember it. My son visited Walt Disney World 4 times before he was 2 years old. He won’t remember it, but I absolutely will.

I will remember seeing his face light up in complete delight when he met Donald Duck at our character dining experience. I will remember the look of wonder on his face as we rode It’s a Small World for the first time. I will remember him getting his very first hair cut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street U.S.A.

These memories are more for me than they are for him. Sure, we will take him back when he is older for him to remember it, but for now, I enjoy seeing the park through his innocent, pure, and delightful eyes.

And you will too!

Disney was designed for families

It is okay if they nap during your Chef Mickey reservation! Because Disney is for families — and they make every moment magical!

Disneyland was created by Walt Disney so that parents and children could have some place to go together and both enjoy it. So every age is the best age to take your kids to Disney. First and foremost Disney vacations are for families and about making sure you have a magical experience. Starting from me relieving the stress of booking, planning and making reservations as your Disney Travel Agent, to the cast members at the Disney Parks & Resorts that make your vacation days magical.

Disney also makes traveling with little ones easier than ever. We booked a Disney Cruise Line vacation prior to knowing we were pregnant with our son. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous about taking an 8-month-old on a Disney Cruise, but I trust in the Disney company, so I called and had our unborn infant added to the stateroom reservation.

They were so accommodating about it! They had a crib and a diaper genie put in our stateroom for no extra charge. Our waiter was so patient with him each night at dinner and brought out freshly pureed veggies and fruit for him. There were on-board activities just for his age like playtime in Andy’s Room and Jack-Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash! Needless to say, although we may not have planned to take an 8-month-old on a Disney Cruise, it is still to this day one of my favorite family vacations! It was the best age to take my kid to Disney!

I always encourage families to take a trip sooner rather than later —(and I’m not just giving you this advice as your Disney Travel Agent, but in general!) Don’t miss out on an opportunity for your kids to live in the magical world they believe in. There will come a day when they have to grow up, so enjoy the window of time when they still want to believe.

And if the pandemic taught us anything, it is that we have to be present and enjoy the time we can travel and spend time with family. You never know what could happen. I had many families that need to postpone or even cancel their trips. They thought they had it planned for the perfect age to take their kids to Disney. But life had other plans, and two years later, we’re making the best of it!

I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t be afraid to take the trip because you’re worried they won’t remember, or they aren’t old enough, or tall enough, or if it fits in their nap schedule. This age is the best age to take your kids to Disney. Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee, so take the vacation.

There are always new, fun things to enjoy at all Disney destinations, so the return visit will be a completely different experience — for you and for them. Enjoy the present moment and the wonder your children possess at any age.

Contact me, your Disney Travel Agent in Overland Park, today to start planning your magical Disney vacation. My Disney vacation planning services are free when you book your vacation package with me.

It may be their first trip, but definitely not the last!