When to bring baby for first time?

[blujaymama]

My DH and I are disney fanatics as most of you are. We usually would go to WDW 2x a year. Our little prince charming just arrived a month ago and already we are craving our disney fix! In other disney parent's experience, when is a good time to bring your child for the first time? I know he won't really appreciate it for a few years, but at what age is doing the parks actually possible, with or without family assistance?
Thanks!

[sdchickie]

We got annual passes at Disneyland when my son was 3 months old I was really suprised at how many rides he could go on at that age. At the time it was just me, a 3 year old and a 3 month old so we couldn't do the bigger rides like SM but if you have your Hubby there you can do the baby swap easily. I would say as soon has your baby can hold his head up and have some kind of control he sould be able to ride (and enjoy) alot of the rides. Small World was my son's favorite ride even at 3 months old. Plus the bonus of bringing them when they are so young is that they don't know they are supposed to be afraid of a 6 foot tall mouse!

[scarlet_ibis]

DD1 made her first trip at 23 months, with grandma and grandpa along to help. DD2 made her first trip at 10 months, also with grandma and grandpa along to help. DS1 will make his first trip at almost 7 months, with just us for the first few days, and then the other grandparents joining us.

The ONLY problem I have with it all is that, face it, Disney is a cesspool for childhood illnesses. We always come home with something ranging from pink eye to pneumonia. I am loading up on hand sanitizer and the absolute rule will be that nobody can touch the baby without first using it.

Another added complication with a smaller baby is finding a portable stroller that is both good for carrying onto the busses, but also reclines for a baby not strong enough to sit up on his own. DS is just on the cusp and we're hoping that the umbrella stroller will suit him well enough with the recline. We tend NOT to go back to the resort for naps and just let nappers rest in the stroller.

[KellyNY]

Originally Posted by blujaymama

My DH and I are disney fanatics as most of you are. We usually would go to WDW 2x a year. Our little prince charming just arrived a month ago and already we are craving our disney fix! In other disney parent's experience, when is a good time to bring your child for the first time? I know he won't really appreciate it for a few years, but at what age is doing the parks actually possible, with or without family assistance?
Thanks!

I saw babies as little as couple months old, but honestly I think it may be a challenge for parents and baby. It is hot, humid, crowded, baby does not like all of the above. I would bring the baby when he is at least 1 year old or around that. At this age he will be able to sit, stand, walk with assistance just a little bit and understand something. I think it is safe to try next May.

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Two years plus when they can interact.

[MissionMouse]

Our youngest was 8 months old the first time we took her to Disney. She could sit and stand but not walk alone and we went in the off season when it was cooler too. We kept the same routine as we did at home so staying at the PR was ideal to take a midday break/naps. Disney curtains, at least in the deluxe resort, are able to make the room almost entirely dark throughout the day. We took turns in staying in the room during nap time. This allowed one of us to go back to do something at another monorail resort or visit MK to watch a parade, etc. Overall , we spent less time at the parks and more at the resort. No bad, but it was a slight change and adjustment from other trips.

We have always dined TS for lunch and this allowed us a break from the crowds and temperatures without worrying about the crowds that you have to tend with at a CS place. We bought baby food outside of Disney. We also avoided certain activities with loud noises events and rides. So we did change the way we toured Disney. If your child is not happy..you will not be happy. Our pace was slower and we used child swap too. Lots of pictures and memories. While it was a lot more work it was worth it for us...just set realistic expectations of how you will be using your time and what you will see. Our youngest loved colorful rides and preferred MK-Fantasyland rides more than anywhere else. We were also relieved to find that she also loved meeting all the Disney characters as it is an uncertainity how they will respond. No illnesses after or during the trip.

[NikitaZee]

We went with our oldest when he was 7 weeks old. He did great - slept most of the time and travelled very well. My parents were with us, so there was always someone to stay with him in his stroller when we went on rides. He did go on several with us, including It's a Small World, which he really seemed to enjoy. We stayed at the GF - the monorail was a huge convenience travelling with a young baby. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and our little guy didn't get sick at all. We went with our daughter when she was 8 months old - she was much more aware of her surroundings and really had a great time. For me, bringing our own stroller was a must - they were in their own comfy environment and could recline and nap easily.

[slaball1]

Originally Posted by Pooh Bear Hugs

Two years plus when they can interact.

Wow, thanks I was beginning to think I was the only one... We were kind of strict on the rule of no Disney until two. That way they are older, more aware of their surroundings, could feed themselves and eat with us and in most were toilet trained.

[TinkPearl]

With our first DS we waited until he was 15 months old. He loved it, went on rides, enjoyed the parade and LOVED the Characters....wonderful pictures of him hugging them.

We just went this past Feb and our 2nd DS was 9 months old. I am SO glad we went then....he was still happy just to be in his stroller since he couldn't walk yet. He also enjoyed many rides and LOVED the Characters! If we took him NOW at 15 months...I know it wouldn't be much fun. He is WAY more active than our first son was at this age and would want to take off running all ver Disney! We are thinking of going in May when he's 2.....hoping he will be a little easier then.

Anyway, I think it really depends on the child but if you're itching to go I say go for it! In my opinion though, I would definately wait for cooler temps and lower crowds....much easier for baby. February was a perfect time for us!! Early Dec is a good choice too....

[luvsgrumpy]

Originally Posted by slaball1

Wow, thanks I was beginning to think I was the only one... We were kind of strict on the rule of no Disney until two. That way they are older, more aware of their surroundings, could feed themselves and eat with us and in most were toilet trained.

I have to agree too. The idea of carrying a diaper bag around and all their food, etc. was too much for me but maybe that is just my preference. We've only been 2x and in general our vacations are rare (due to DH's work) so when we go I want all of us to be able to enjoy it without having to worry about schedules so much. We're at the point now that the kids want to keep going and it's the adults who need the nap!!!

[scarlet_ibis]

Originally Posted by slaball1

Wow, thanks I was beginning to think I was the only one... We were kind of strict on the rule of no Disney until two. That way they are older, more aware of their surroundings, could feed themselves and eat with us and in most were toilet trained.

You are quite lucky then, as I am just starting to have some real success in toilet training my almost 4 year old. She'll be taking her fourth trip to Disney next week. DD1 is 6 and is making her 5th trip.

Originally Posted by luvsgrumpy

I have to agree too. The idea of carrying a diaper bag around and all their food, etc. was too much for me but maybe that is just my preference. We've only been 2x and in general our vacations are rare (due to DH's work) so when we go I want all of us to be able to enjoy it without having to worry about schedules so much. We're at the point now that the kids want to keep going and it's the adults who need the nap!!!

Breastfeeding moms carry their own food. Honestly, carrying anything has never really been any problem and my kids are so easy going that we don't worry about a schedule. If they are tired, they nap in the stroller and we go to Epcot and do stuff we like. In the event that we have more stuff than we want to carry around, we just get a locker.

[NC State]

We waited until our daughter was 7 years old. We didn't want to deal with diapers, milk and jars of baby food. She was old enough to ride rides with us and enjoy the trip. Our daughter is now 23 and don't remember any of the trip.

[Zeebs]

Whenever you want to take them.

If you want them to remember take them when they are older, if you want them to walk to the characters take them when they can walk, if you want them to acknowledge the music on its a small world take them at 3 months, etc etc etc.

It is all up to you.

Kirsten

[Colleen27]

Originally Posted by scarlet_ibis

Another added complication with a smaller baby is finding a portable stroller that is both good for carrying onto the busses, but also reclines for a baby not strong enough to sit up on his own. DS is just on the cusp and we're hoping that the umbrella stroller will suit him well enough with the recline. We tend NOT to go back to the resort for naps and just let nappers rest in the stroller.

We've got a Peg Perego that fits the bill. It isn't cheap if you buy it new, but its a common find an mom-to-mom sales and consignment shops around here and I only paid $40 for mine. It folds to umbrella-stroller size, weighs next to nothing, and reclines fully so it was comfortable for DD right from the start.

[FlightlessDuck]

I wouldn't bother bringing a child less than 2 years old. Maybe even 3.