Selfish to take a baby to disney world?

Libby6 · Mar 25, 2015

Thanks so much everyone!!!

chloelovesdisney · Mar 25, 2015

My son was just about 6 months on his first trip and we all had a very enjoyable time. I think that is actually an easy age to go and they like to look around and see everything.

Gumbo4x4 · Mar 25, 2015

msmama said:
I don't understand those "won't remember" statements. I mean, a baby isn't going to remember me playing with them or holding them, but you don't just lay them down and ignore them all day!

Heck, my son forgets what he had for breakfast by lunchtime - should I stop feeding him?!?!

Baby won't remember, but YOU will. And I'd totally bet that baby will LOVE looking back at pictures when she's older!

Obviously, the "they won't remember" comments are based on the notion that Disney is a once or twice in a lifetime kind of trip. And for many people, it is. If you'll only take the kids once, you want them to remember.

Now, if you plan multiple trips, the notion doesn't apply. But, it's not difficult to understand where it comes from

Honeybee83 · Mar 26, 2015

Libby6 said:
I recently began thinking of going to Disney world next year, when my daughter would only be about 6-8 months old. No other kids. general reactions so far have been-

"She won't remember anything, and you and (hubby) will be exhausted."

"Why would you want to even go with just a baby, you don't have older kids to go for!"

"She won't have all her shots- too risky".

I totally agree that she won't have specific memories. The measles outbreak at Disneyland does scare me. And it's true we don't have older kids who would really enjoy it- we really were just excited about taking a vacation with our baby and enjoying disney ourselves too (we both love it). Our plan was to stay onsite and spend a lot of downtime lounging at the resort.....is it honestly better to wait a few years?

The only "problem" that I even heard there was possibly the vaccinations. However, she'll be small enough that she won't be touching all over everything, and if you use hand sanitizer and wash your hands frequently there should be minimal risk. We were asked all the same questions last year when we took our 2 1/2 year old daughter to DW. We shot video while we were there and she still wants to watch her Disney World video over and over. Just because you're a parent to an infant doesn't mean you need to be a shut in. Enjoy each other as a family. Go and have a BLAST!

puffkin · Mar 26, 2015

We go 2x a year (DVC, AP holders) so my kids have been there pretty much every age from 3 months on. Last time I checked, vacations are for everyone, not just the kids. If YOU want to go, you will have a fantastic time and there will be so many babies there you will feel silly even wondering about why you were worried. My kids were the easiest as infants. 13 month - 3 years.....still fun trips but they definitely were more challenging. My kids look at the pictures of their baby trips ALL THE TIME and we have so many great memories of them. I wouldn't hesitate to go at all with a baby.

mousefan215 · Mar 26, 2015

I have been MIA on the disboards for awhile, swapped my disboards addiction for the Bump boards! Lol, But I'm back and wanting to plan a DW trip!! I was about to post the same exact question! I have a 5 month old and was trying to decide between a trip for her 1st bday or her 2nd. Of course my Disney loving friends say go for the 1st bday... Everyone else thinks I'm crazy!! I say go for it with your 9 month old!! Every baby is different, and only you know how well they'll handle it!!

Lmans77 · Mar 26, 2015

I would..on our first trip we took our 23 month old DS and 4.5 year old DD because DD was prime princess time. Of course DS doesn't remember it but he had a blast while he was there, as did all of us. Great great trip.

2binak · Mar 26, 2015

We took DD when she was 8 months old and we heard the same comments. Yes, we have memories of that trip and she doesn't but that's the case for all of her infant and toddler years. She doesn't remember anything about those first few years of her life but that didn't mean that we shouldn't have done things to create memories of that time with her for Dh & I to have. In fact, some of our favorite memories of DD's early years are from our trips to WDW. Go...have fun and make memories that you and your DH will cherish for years to come!!!!!

Gr8t Fan · Mar 26, 2015

We took each of our 4 kids for their first trips when they were between 8-12 weeks old and had a blast. After all, we had to use our vacation time for maternity leave, so we figured we might as well take an actual vacation during that time. We got plenty of "they won't remember it" comments, but we made sure to tell the naysayers that the trip was for us just as much as it was for them.

Go and make wonderful family memories. You'll look back on them for years to come and smile.

Hawkeyegirls · Mar 27, 2015

I would go if its because you two want to go and you would need to take her along since shes young (not wanting a sitter already-totally understandable) but I wouldn't go just because you want her to experience it already-many more years for that

I do agree though that it would be a lot of work, especially if you go when its really hot out, then your park hours would be limited.

glassslippergirl · Mar 27, 2015

If you're looking for life-long memories for yourselves, this is the way! My first trip was in 1977 when I was 11 months old. My dad still tells the story of my first time on IASW! We took DS two years ago when he was 10 months. The memories and photos we have are some of our most unique and special. I don't think it's selfish at all; it continues to bond our little family. I did write a trip report on disboards. DH set up an email account for us to send letters to DS which he can access after his 18th birthday. I sent him a link to the trip report so that he can share that memory when he is older.

On a logistical note, our trip with DS at 10 months was a whole lot easier than our trip a year later with DS at 22 months. He was going through a scared of everything phase, and most rides ended in tears.
My best advice with a baby in the parks is to make good use of the baby centers. They are super-nice and have everything you need but can't bring like awesome changing tables, high chairs, microwaves, free bottled water (big jugs, not bottles you can take away with you), and some privacy for breast-feeding (degree of privacy depends on the park-- totally private at DHS, not so much at MK).

hopeful4fl · Mar 27, 2015

I think all of us (including Adults who are young at heart) also "remember" a lot of things from pictures. Your DD will, once grown up, have some connection to Disney and the trip.
Heck, I still show my kids pics of I fishing with them when they were 2 and 3.

awalker1015 · Mar 28, 2015

Agree with others. If you think you will go again, go ahead and take her. But I also agree waiting to see what kind of baby she is. I would have never taken either of my kids to WDW until they were at least preschool age because they were terrible travellers/sleepers. Even short trips to see my parents were miserable.

MmmSuite · Mar 28, 2015

I mean...who cares. Shouldn't babies have fun, too? I don't get those comments at all. And I think selfish is quite the stretch. My husband went at 12 and doesn't remember it. I have a friend who went in her teens and was hot and miserable and thought it was a waste.

You could have a 17 year old and, goodness forbid, they have an accident and not remember. It's not like you'd like back and say....dang I wish I didn't waste this trip on them now that they don't remember.

I will say I had reservations about taking my one year old last year. I have a 6 and at the time a 7 year old and I was worried it would be difficult juggling them and I didn't know how she'd be on the car ride and long days. I'm SO glad I didn't leave her home! She had a blast! Her eyes when she saw Mickey! I can't wait to see her in Disney again. There are so many spots for downtime for the littles. My oldest and youngest had fun just walking up and down in Tomorrowland while the middle was on a ride. It's one of my favorite memories of the two of them. Just walking. I'm glad I didn't miss out on that because she was too young.

She watches the videos and looks at pictures and goes "that's me" "that's baby". Take your baby to Disney and enjoy it!

DSNY4ever · Mar 29, 2015

We took our DS as a baby and had a blast! Unfortunately with the measles outbreak our doctor said "no" to taking DD to Disneyland, so our trip was cancelled and we have moved it to when she is 15 months this fall. This will be the longest we have gone without a Disney trip in many years!

If it wasn't for the measles I would be taking DD. I love the memories of DS as a baby in Disney!

DSNY4ever · Mar 29, 2015

sorry, double post

AriesAriel · Mar 29, 2015

Our trip will be a one time trip (gosh it's SO expensive!) so we did wait until our kids are 5 & 6. I realize they still might not remember it, but if I'm gonna shell out the kind of dough it takes to go to Disney, by golly - I want them to remember it! LOL!

We are staying at Boardwalk, etc - all because I know it will be our only trip there. (unless we hit the lottery - and don't you have to buy a ticket for that? LOL!)

NotTheBatesMotel · Mar 29, 2015

It's not selfish at all. I didn't realize until I was a parent how much unsolicited "advice" people will hand out on absolutely everything-vacations included!

We took my son to Myrtle Beach when he was 6 months old. Does he remember it? Nope! He had a blast though and we did too.

If it is a "once in a lifetime" trip, I would wait. If not-go for it! I heard all kinds of negative warnings/advice about taking my 2 year old to Disney for his first trip earlier this month. We had an amazing time. Was it completely different and more work than my pre-kid trips? Yep! It was also hands down one of the best weeks of my life. Like all the other advice you are/will be receiving, take most of it with a grain of salt. You will know what the best decision is for your family.

TravelingTotMom · Mar 30, 2015

Not selfish!

Even before kids, my friends and I would talk about the appropriate age for the first Disney trip? 5 or 6? As young as 2? Well, we made it a whole 7 1/2 months after he was born till we took him, and it was AWESOME.

There is so much stimulation there for babies, and we didn't know how much he would actually understand, but it was more than we thought. He watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so he knows Mickey. And when we were in line to meet Mickey, he realized who it was and starting squealing and kicking his legs. We also had great interactions with other characters (he had just learned to high-five, so he gave one to Donald), and he got tons of character interactions during the parade. Dumbo was our first ride, which he was kind of taking in, but by the time we made it to It's a Small World, it was all smiles and bouncing up and down. Heck, he even rode Pirates with no issue!

Anyway, we are looking forward to taking him back next month for his first birthday b/c he had just as much fun as us, if not more. He got his first pair of mouse ears and then proceeded to check himself out in the mirror with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen - and he actually kept them on for at least 10 min. straight!

Also, just keep in mind that a day at Disney is a long and tiring day, and even the most happy babies can/will have a meltdown at some point. In fact, my son's first meltdown ever in public took place in the MK. Immediately, I was feeling embarrassed, but as I looked around, instead of glares, I saw lots of parents with looks of understanding. We weren't dragging or kid on a ride or depriving him of a treat - he was simply tired and in need of a nap. And the meltdown was very short-lived, so just prepare for one at some point - and think of it as a rite of passage.

Kayabee · Mar 30, 2015

If you go with the logic that a baby won't remember a vacation, then you wouldn't be going on one for years. My ds doesn't remember his first WDW trip and he was 4 years old.
If you and your dh want to visit WDW with your baby, go for it, don't listen to the naysayers.

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