Babies at Disney?

[fanofdisney]

What does everyone think of this? I don't mean a newborn, but we plan on going next year. And I plan on getting pregnant this year. My cousin took a 9 month old, and said she did really well. My husband thinks one is too young! What have your experiences been with taking babies and any advice? Thanks!

 

[tcolbert]

Little babies are much easier to deal with than older babies. Just make sure you both have time to rest and stay cool. We definitely took advantage of leaving midday with DS5 when he was younger. He went to his first dinner out at Cape May Cafe when he was three weeks old. He slept the entire time. AK has a terrific nursery/toddler rest area - it's air conditioned and there are rocking chairs, changing tables and highchairs. I know MK has a nursery as well, but it's changed since I've been so I'm not sure what it's like, now.

 

[3littleHalls]

We have taken our kids to Disney while they were young. We have been when our DS was 11mos and again when our 3rd child was 9mos. THose trips were much easier than when they were toddlers. I can't complain since our kids are pretty good. You just have to make sure they don't get hot, overyly tired or hungry.

 

[flynnmnstr]

We went last year with DS 3 and DS 5 months. It was a much different experience travelling with the two kids. I would probably be telling you to do it if this was your first. It was hard juggling their needs and we felt that we had to lug around so much stuff with us, plus the younger one was being breast fed and though I am not adverse to breastfeeding in publc (covered up and away from the crowds as much as possible); I choose to nurse in the baby centers for comfort and to cool off which meant DH and I were constantly splitting up. We just felt like it was a lot of work and not that Disney is a relaxing vacation in the least but we more exhausted than usual. We travel to disney at least once a year so normally we can relax at Disney because we don't try to see and do everything but last trip was constant moving.

That being said we are still leaving for Disney at the end of April for 5 nights with the boys, 4 1/2 and 1 1/2. Not that I think this trip will be any easier or relaxing but at least we'll be able to spend more time together as a family. Yes we will probably still split up so that the older one can go on some of the bigger rides but we just felt that the last trip we were constantly splitting up to fullfill one of the kids needs and not spending any time together. DH spent a lot of time alone in the Boneyard with our older one; now we can do it together. Another plus is that the younger one can eat mostly table food now so we will have to lug around less food/formula etc. Our older one has severe food allergies so we need to bring food for him so anything less in the cooler bag is a plus for us.

Even with everything I just said we love going to Disney on vacation and I would probably go for it if I were you. My only suggestion is to go for a shorter trip so that no one gets too exhausted or overwhelmed.

 

[nliedel]

I have taken 18 month olds, 3 year olds, 6 year olds and 8 year olds. I would take a three year old if it was two against one but not if there were other kids in the mix. I will never again, as long as I live, even if I am paid, take a baby. They would rather dig sand in a park. My opinion, in hindsight, is that I did not take the 18 month old for him, but me. The 6 and 8 year olds were perfect. As a result I will take them in sets (I have kids 6 and 8 and 1 and 2) until they are all teens and will go off on their own to some extent. The little ones get trips and the big ones get them and I get a lot more Disney. No fighting over rides or limitations because of the little ones. It's a perfect solution for our huge family (by today's standards).

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We took DS when he was about 9months. He did fine. Rode lots of stuff. Slept in his stroller. Loved watching what was going on. Took him again at 1.5...that was a little harder, but not bad...he wanted to be out of his stroller. He LOVED the rides though. Tell DH you'll save money by taking a baby...once they turn 3 ya gotta pay!!

 

[shellynn24]

I'll go against what is being said about bringing more then one child. I just went in Oct with myself and my two children and my friend and her DS 6 months. We did fine, my kids liked playing in the baby care centers while the little one was breastfeeding, it gave everyone a much needed break to cool off. I guess it all depends on how much you want it too work. If you would rather not deal with it it won't work, me on the other hand, I can't live without WDW and I WILL make it work! Have fun!

 

[amarberry]

My DD is 20 months old and has been to WDW three times: 4 months, 14 months, and 18 months. We weren't big Disney people before she was born, but we seemed to have become "Disney people" since she came into the picture!

The reason we went when she was 4 months old is because I wanted to take a vacation before I went back to work. We went back and forth about places to go and decided on Orlando (we didn't stay on property the entire time) because it was a family friendly destination and I figured that other travelers wouldn't freak out as much as a cruise or a more adult oriented resort if DD started to fuss. We (the adults) had a great vacation and my DD didn't have a bad time either!

We weren't planning the trip when she was 14 months, but the free dining plan promotion came up and we decided that it was too good of a deal to pass up. We had planned to go the following fall (2006), but I am so glad we went when we did. All three of us had a great time! It took DD a day or two to adjust, but she got into it so much more than I imagined! We had such a good time that we went back when she was 18 months old and had an even better time (she loved, loved, LOVED the characters this time).

I get so frustrated when people look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them we've been to WDW three times in the last two years . I get the "she (DD) won't remember it" comment all the time. Well, the people saying this just don't get it as far as I'm concerned! Of course she won't remember ANY trips that we take with her at this age, but we are not going to sit back and not travel until she is 3 or 4. We traveled a lot before my DD was born, and as long as we can afford to, we will continue to travel a lot with DD. We have just found WDW to be a very accomodating vacation destination to families with small children and we all have a good time when we are there. Some families go regularly on cruises or to all-inclusive resorts where you just lay around on a beach...we go to WDW!

Anyhow, to answer your question, I obviously don't think there is anything wrong with taking a baby. We they are really little, it is a very accomodating vacation destination for the parents and when they get a little older (but are still babies/toddlers), I think that they (and, as a result, you) will have a much better time than you would imagine.

Wow...I really rambled on...sorry!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We took the kids when DS was 2 and DD was 8 months old, then again when DD was 1.5 and DS was 3 ad DS#2 was in my belly! Now we are going again with DS almost 4, DD almost 2.5, DS 6 months. We already have another trip planned for the end of the year! We love taking the kids! It can be a little challenging at times as they get older and want to run- but taking a baby is cake. They can go on almost any ride and are happy with the simplest things. I say take the baby and you and dh will have great memories!