I want to take my son somewhere for his 3rd birthday. Which is better Disneyland or Disneyworld? Or what would be an even better destination for a little guy?

I'm not sure which would be better 'cause I've never been to Disneyland...but Disneyworld and all it's surrounding parks are fantastic...plus if you're willing to travel down to Orlando, there are tons of things to do besides Disney...
Disney and Universal are the two biggies that have onsite accomodations...and both are great...
Disney has more parks of course, but Universal has great plans available that are a ton less expensive than Disney...

At that age? It doesn't matter. He'd be just as happy with a big box to play in, and won't remember a thing about it.

So, plan the vacation around two things:

1. Where do YOU want to go; and
2. Which one will yield the most memorable pictures/videos

Kids don't start really appreciating and remembering vacations like that until they're 8, 9, 10 years old.

My two cents.

Disney parks and theme parks are very scary places for little kids.
Plus they tire very easily.
Plus they don't meet the minimum height requirements for several rides.
It's just an expensive waste of money.

My nephews didn't REALLY start to appreciate amusement parks until they were 6 and 7.

My recommendation is take him a beach location. Kids love the water even at a young age, plus when they tire of the water, they can spend hours and hours on the sand.

But one option if you want a more lavish vacation is to take a Disney Cruise. They have the best daycare on the ships ever, with all sorts of activities, playsets, and movies to show the kids. It's the best family value of all the cruise lines, and the most stress free.

I took my 4 year old to Disneyland this past summer. Be prepared for them to have the time of their life! My little girl still walks around talking about it. We were in a Hotel very close by, and I went to the hotel with her in the middle of the day for a nap, and she usually never naps. But on this day she took a 3 hour nap!

rodeo is right...at his age, it wont matter to him...he'll be in awe of any of those vacation spots...one of the smaller parks may be a better idea...I think Sea World is fantastic because it is pretty much intruiging to all ages...the Sea World in Orlando has a great kids area with lil' kid rides and an area for geting wet...

roodboi said:

That may work too.

Orlando is only an 1.5 hours from Tampa/St. Pete's beaches, and only 50 minutes from the east coast 'Cocoa Beach' beaches too.

Sea World

Imago said:

we're so gonna include you in our vacation plans this year...


you can watch the kids for us!!!


note to self: kids may come back with fucked up haircuts...

My son will be 3 then but he's the size of a 5 year old now (pretty close in behaviour as well) and has already been on rides like a big kid roller coaster. He won't be scared at all.

But I do wonder if he is a tad too young to travel via plane for more than a couple of hours....

i'm with the big box theory.....








jus kidding, i would actually take him when he can cherish the memory more 12, 14. idk???

i took all my kids when they were little and now they are grumpy cause we don't get to do things together like that much anymore. I think I shoulda waited

Wait, I just remembered. We have Canada's Wonderland and there is the Toronto Zoo too.

Geez, I forgot that Canada actually has fun things to do too.

myfavorite said:

For my daughter's 8th birthday, I got her onstage with Prince.

It's been all downhill birthday-present-wise since.

roodboi said:

JustErin said:

The last plane trip with my girls, aged "almost" 3 & 5 1/2, was back in September. If your son is the type of kid that can sit for a few hours & color or read, then he'll do fine on the plane. We fly down to Disney World from Connecticut at least once a year. It is about a 3 1/2 hour flight. It's not the flight that is tough, but lugging all the stuff a toddler needs long with you... Stroller, bag of toys/games/dolls, etc...

BobGeorge67 said:

He's not a kid that will just sit still. I see him getting very antsy and annoying.

He can't help it, though. He just craves constant and varied stimulation.

I now think that's it's best that we drive somewhere this year (he's great in the car since he's totally strapped in).

I'd love to take him to Disneyworld but like some people mentioned I think it might be best to wait until he's a bit older and will have some great memories of it.

Mind you, he still talks about the day he went for a train ride in Thomas and that was last August.

JustErin said:

Personally, I enjoy seeing the look of wonder & amazement in their faces... There is something so pure about it.

My girls talk about their visits to Disney World all the time. But, being big Disney fans, there is a lot around to remind them of the trip.

JustErin said:

Got, Wonderland sucks. the first ride we waited more than an hour in line. and the other lines we were in, weren't short either. The food is expensive and you're not alowed to bring your own in. they check your bags and won't let you in with your own food.
Although, they are just building the biggest roller coaster in Canada at the moment, and I saw it. It's scary. I'd love to try it.

ArielB said:

I went a few years ago and it wasn't so bad.