"What age is the best age for Disney"?

That is one of the most common questions that flood the Disney advice boards and gets the comments rolling. Everyone has an opinion and everyone knows best, but I’m here to tell you, the best age for Disney is...their age.

And the best time to visit Disney is…right now.

My children have basically grown up on Main Street, U.S.A. My daughter was 18 months old her first trip (she's 18 now), and my son was 9 months old (he's now 10). They have lived and breathed Disney their entire lives. When my daughter graduated high school earlier this year, I gave her the option to travel to Jamaica as a graduation present, or back to Walt Disney World. She chose Walt Disney World, and I threw in a Disney cruise on the Wish pre-parks since it was such a special occasion that will only happen once in her lifetime.

Every Disneyland or Walt Disney World trip I take with my family is different. Every trip is filled with special memories that I can never replicate or get back. I will never forget when my son, Riley, who is on the spectrum, finally interacted with a character for the first time (it was Goofy in ToonTown pictured below). Thank goodness my phone was out and ready and I managed to capture that moment. I still remember, 8+ years later, the tears welling in my eyes and feeling a lump in my throat grow. Believe it or not, the parks have helped him overcome lots of challenges (but that is for another post).

I share that with you because I understand that those moments when my kids were little, were 100% for me. Maybe you want to wait until they're older so they remember, but I'm telling you, you will want those memories when they're young to cherish forever, and while the Disney magic is so, so real to them.

In case you still need some convincing, here are my top reasons to visit Disney Parks while they're still young...

Kids under 3 are free! They do not need a park ticket!
Disney is made for family travel. They have splash pads, seating areas and Baby Centers stocked with every item you could need. Baby Centers have tv's, private nursing rooms, air conditioning, changing tables, and emergency items you may need available for purchase.
There are numerous services available to make your trip so much easier while traveling with the family. There are stroller rental companies that will deliver a steamed, cleaned stroller to your resort. These strollers recline for napping, have huge canopies for sun protection and ample storage for all your stuff.
If dietary needs are a concern, or if you have picky eaters, grocery delivery services are a great option to deliver fresh groceries and necessities right to your resort, they can even deliver swim diapers, sunscreen, anything you need to help make your stay as smooth as possible. And who wants to pack groceries and diapers? One thing that occurs at the resorts that isn't very well known, is that people will post in the resort Facebook group, any leftover beverages, wrapped and sealed food items, even umbrella strollers, that they are leaving behind (typically in the resort laundry room). Paying it forward and sprinkling a little pixie dust on another family is always fun to do!
A good majority of the rides throughout Disney property have no height requirement, meaning you can get on these rides with those babies and enjoy it as a family. If it is a ride that the baby cannot ride, there is a rider switch option available where parents can take turns riding while the other stays behind with the little.
This may be the only time before they're bigger and cooler than you to get them into matching family shirts. Trust me on this one.
Aside from rides, there is so much to take in just being in the parks. Parades and snacks, fireworks, characters, sights and smells, it's magical for everyone, even the tiniest guest.
Remember, they will never be this age again. A Disney vacation with your family creates memories that will last a lifetime.