In the Character Interaction thread Life is for Living is for living mentioned that he might not have too many more trips before kids enter the equation. We have a lot of Newlyweds on here so I was curious if anyone else is thinking along those lines. We're not sure if Disney will still be fun once we have to bring those little ones along. 
In the Character Interaction thread Life is for Living is for living mentioned that he might not have too many more trips before kids enter the equation. We have a lot of Newlyweds on here so I was curious if anyone else is thinking along those lines. We're not sure if Disney will still be fun once we have to bring those little ones along.
Disney is completely different with kids, they say. Just a different trip altogether! That said, we'll probably leave the kids with grandma for the first couple of years -- they won't remember it anyway!
May 2008 CSR 
I have done Disney World both ways...with and without kids. I would LOVE to report it is the same experience...but it's not.
First the sans kids side...the whole experience can be done at a much leisurely pace. You do things your way...ride what you want...eat what and when you want...slip off to a quiet corner and smooch...oooooppppppsssss sorry...TMI
Now for the trip with kids. This was the most unpleasant happiest experience ever. To see their eyes light up was wonderful, expecially when one of the characters happened by. But the whole trip is done at their pleasure...they want...you do...whether you want to or not.
Personally, I think there should be a "No Kids Day" at Disney...3 or 4 times a year at least.
My daughter just got back from taking my 6 year old granddaughter. She said the same thing. She did say she found taking a nap break in the middle of the day is the best thing she did.
Life is what you make it...then there's Disney!!!
I have done Disney World both ways...with and without kids. I would LOVE to report it is the same experience...but it's not.
First the sans kids side...the whole experience can be done at a much leisurely pace. You do things your way...ride what you want...eat what and when you want...slip off to a quiet corner and smooch...oooooppppppsssss sorry...TMI
Now for the trip with kids. This was the most unpleasant happiest experience ever. To see their eyes light up was wonderful, expecially when one of the characters happened by. But the whole trip is done at their pleasure...they want...you do...whether you want to or not.
Personally, I think there should be a "No Kids Day" at Disney...3 or 4 times a year at least.
My daughter just got back from taking my 6 year old granddaughter. She said the same thing. She did say she found taking a nap break in the middle of the day is the best thing she did.
Nap in the middle of the day is a must anyway! 
Brad wrote:In the Character Interaction thread Life is for Living is for living mentioned that he might not have too many more trips before kids enter the equation. We have a lot of Newlyweds on here so I was curious if anyone else is thinking along those lines. We're not sure if Disney will still be fun once we have to bring those little ones along.
Disney is completely different with kids, they say. Just a different trip altogether! That said, we'll probably leave the kids with grandma for the first couple of years -- they won't remember it anyway!
I have to agree . . while kids are still a fews years off in our plans . . we have decided that they can stay with grandma until they are old enough to handle disney without diaper breaks and frequent meltdowns (I said frequent, I am not delusional enough to think there won't be any meltdowns)
Personally, I think there should be a "No Kids Day" at Disney...3 or 4 times a year at least.
We were chatting in another thread about Disney possibly having an Extra Magic Hours for adults in the evening once a week or so. That way they wouldn't have to close the parks during the day, and adults could have some kid-free time in the parks at night! I still love that idea!
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2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian
Caitie and I have talked about this a lot, of course - how old we think the kids should be before we take them. We decided around 3-5 would probably be their first trip - old enough to appreciate the parks and old enough to do some (if not all) walking. If we decide to go before they are that age, the kids will have a great time with grandma and grandpa!
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
I've done Disney with and without kids (and as a kid ) and I must say - I like it more WITH the kids. Yes, you go at their pace but it is soooo awesome to see the excitment and happiness - even when a meltdown happens, at the end of the day they got to see Mickey and fireworks and they most definitely learned/experienced something new. I just love it.
I would have to say 4 - 5 years old is the perfect time to start taking kids. Now, I don't 'follow' that but because of my experiences I'd have to say that age is best.
Updates while we're there and trip reports >> Disney Vacation Trip Reports
I've done Disney with and without kids (and as a kidI would have to say 4 - 5 years old is the perfect time to start taking kids. Now, I don't 'follow' that but because of my experiences I'd have to say that age is best.
Great suggestions UL! Thanks. I think when the kids first go, it'll be one or two parks over a week...we'll take our time and make it about them.
May 2008 CSR
Great suggestions UL! Thanks. I think when the kids first go, it'll be one or two parks over a week...we'll take our time and make it about them.
When taking kids it CAN be fun and relaxing - pick a resort you will love to be at because you will spend lots of time there napping, swimming and just relaxing - kids can't be over loaded that will put the into meltdown mode for sure! I learned that the hard way!
Best places for kids is definitely MK and AK 
Updates while we're there and trip reports >> Disney Vacation Trip Reports
bali wrote:
Great suggestions UL! Thanks. I think when the kids first go, it'll be one or two parks over a week...we'll take our time and make it about them.
When taking kids it CAN be fun and relaxing - pick a resort you will love to be at because you will spend lots of time there napping, swimming and just relaxing - kids can't be over loaded that will put the into meltdown mode for sure! I learned that the hard way!
Best places for kids is definitely MK and AK
No kidding!
GREAT tip that you need to pick a resort you'll love. Then you'll be tempted to relax as much as you SHOULD relax on a Disney trip!
May 2008 CSR
You could probably do a great vacation the way Joe does it with kids. Just relax at the resort and venture out to other free locales. Skip the parks entirely.
You could probably do a great vacation the way Joe does it with kids. Just relax at the resort and venture out to other free locales. Skip the parks entirely.
I bet if you had say a 3 year old, you could have a great vacation just by getting a room at the Wilderness Lodge and no tickets the park. My biggest problem with that would be that there'd be places I'd want to eat in the parks.
Every time I see kids on the horizon I start running the other way!