Over my many years of visiting Disney Resorts, I have had countless conversations with fellow visitors regarding just how old a child should be for their first park visit.
Goofy, Evan (age 2), and Minnie Opening Mickey’s Toontown in 2008
The two most common questions asked of me are:
Why should I take my young child to Disneyland if they won’t remember it?
Is it worth the money to take such young children?
The decision regarding when to take young children to the Disneyland Resort for the first time is a very personal one. Some parents, like me, choose to take their children to Disneyland at a very young age. I first took my daughter Emma when she was 3 months old, and have visited countless times since then. Others choose to wait until their children are older, perhaps in pre-school or for a milestone birthday. If you’re one of those parents on the fence then this post is for you!
Emma, Me, and Goofy at Goofy’s Kitchen- October 2009
Why should I take my young child to Disneyland if they won’t remember it?
My Sweet Niece Amelia
Earlier this month I had the amazing opportunity to share my love of the Disneyland Resort with my pre-school aged nieces, Evelynn and Amelia. I made sure to document each and every part of our time together via photos and videos so that I can share the memories with them for years to come. It’s my sincere hope that even though they may not remember all of the rides, the character breakfast we shared, or the puddles we splashed on a rain-soaked Main Street U.S.A., that perhaps my pictures and videos will someday trigger memories of our adventures, our special bond, and most importantly the Disney magic!
Every child is different, but based on my experiences with my extended family, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that newborns and infants are not likely to remember visits to the park. Toddlers and pre-schoolers on the other hand, may not remember specifics, but they may very well remember the songs, smells, and most importantly their experiences. Parents on the other hand, will remember and cherish the Disney magic forevermore, the time spent together, and the opportunity to share photos and videos with their children through the years — laying the foundation for a love of Disney that will endure for ages!
Is it worth the money to take such young children?
If cost is an issue for you, as it is for so many of us, and you’re a Southern California Resident, now is a perfect time to visit the Disneyland Resort.
Disney recently announced major discounted rates on 3-day passes. Now through May 25, 2017, guests can enjoy all of the magic that the Disneyland Resort has to offer for less than $50 a day.
Click here for more information regarding the 2017 Disneyland Southern California Resident Discount.
If you’re not able to visit before May or don’t live in Southern California, don’t fret, there are still cost-effective ways to enjoy the parks with your young children. As an example, children under the age of 3 receive free park entrance and often free or drastically discounted food rates. Additionally, with a bit of advanced planning, you can offset your ticket cost by bringing your own lunch (or by following our tips for savings vs splurging on food at the Resort, kids meals and snacks) or purchasing t-shirts prior to visiting the resort. Lastly, if you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort multiple times during the year Annual Passes might be the most cost-effective solution.
My recent trip has reinvigorated my Disney spirit and also given me so many thoughts and ideas that I will be posting in the days and weeks to come. Stay tuned for the following new articles:
Tips for Character Dining at the Disneyland Resort: Pre-Schooler Edition
A Day in the Life of a Pre-Schooler at Disneyland on March 27th
Tips for Traveling with Children (Solo) on April 3rd,
…and much more!!
Girl’s Day Fun with Evelynn & Amelia
In the meantime, we encourage you to learn more in our vast catalog of posts on taking babies, toddlers and preschoolers to the Disneyland Resort.
- Height requirements for attractions at the Disneyland Resort
- 10 things you never thought to pack for your Disneyland trip with little ones.
- Downloadable packing list for the entire family
- How to deal with those scary sensor-flushing potties
- 10 things to do with a toddler while waiting for a rider switch
- How to manage diaper blowouts and cloth diapering at the Resort
Have a question you would like answered in a future post? Leave a comment below!
Kendra’s trip to the Disneyland Resort was hosted so that she could write this new series of posts. All opinions are her own and not influenced by the Walt Disney Company.
