Best age to take babies?

[bekkiz]

I have no idea how I'll convince my DH of this crazy scheme but, I think I'd like to take our twins to FL. My grandparents live there (about an hour from Orlando). They are coming here in May to meet the boys, but they're getting on in age, and I'm not sure how many more cross country trips they have left in them. My grandmother did say that after May the next time they'd see the boys is when we came out for WDW.

So, all of you experianced parents, what age is a good one to take them? They'll be 1 in October (which is my birthday month too, so if we went then I could get the birthday perks!), but I'm sort of feeling like this time next year (they'll be ~16 months) might be better. But the weather is nicer in October. Or we could wait until like April/May of next year, better weather and they'll be a bit older. But waiting longer means my GPs are getting older too, and I would feel super guilty about making them wait so long to see the babies again. So, what age works best?

DH and I have been lots of times, so we're not really worried about us missing out on our faves, plus I think we would have my GPs come stay at WDW in another room and they can hang out with the babies from time to time while we go have fun.

DH knows that of all the places to travel, WDW or DL are great for babies. But he's totally freaked out about the idea of flying across the country with them. All he can say when I bring it up is "There's just so much stuff to bring!" So, if you have any tips or ideas to comvince him flying really isn't that big of a hassle, I'd appreciate those too!

 

[VAN]

I think I'd try to plan for next spring. That way the kids will at least be walking and can be set down for short periods. They will be perfect for strollers without the heads lolling around.

As far as "stuff", you might want to just plan to go to Target/Wallmart upon arrival and get the baby food, diapers, etc. Just take the car seats and stroller with you. Otherwise (if you have the money), buy inexpensive other stuff in Florida or see if the grandparents can "borrow" from other grandparent friends for your visit.

I have a friend that will fly to Florida and then go buy an inexpensive bike at Wallmart ($60) and then donate it upon departure. Much cheaper than renting.

Anyway, I think you will be fine as long as you plan on renting a car and pace yourselves.

 

[andrews_dad]

We took our little guy this past Xmas. He was 8 mnths at the time. What a GREAT trip! He LOVED everything. Favs included getting up close with the characters .... balloons... Pooh playground ... Peter Pan ... Small World (really loved this one) ... Dumbo ... walking paths with animals in AK .... splashing in the fountains at Downtown ... splashing in the pool at the hotel ... and SeaWorld.

All parks have baby stations for changing and nursing.

 

[lov2b@disney]

We took our little boy at 11mo and 16mo. He actually was easier at 11mo by 16 months he was WAY mobile and didnt want to sit still. He really enjoyed it both times....loved the characters and the parades. And at 3 he LOVES Disney!

 

[disneybridetobe]

I agree with the PP who said take your boys *before* they can walk. They're not going to want to sit still! We took DD at 14mo, and she took her first steps there! Anywho, she was just a peach and happy to sit in her stroller, and couldn't run away. She was thrilled to meet Pooh, Mickey, and many other characters, and she did just fine on the rides. She even got a little nap on Small World.

 

[fussymonkey]

Waiting in a queue line - however short- at Disney with a 16 mo old sounds like a the seventh circle of hell. My kids were crazy at that age, they have no concept of danger and all they want is to run, run, run. Once children start walking, until they are about 2.5, they are most suited to simpler activites where they can just run around without crowds and lines, like the zoo or the beach. We took DD to Disney World as an infant and she loved it. I think that as 11 mo olds, they will have a great time, then again when they are past the crazy run-like-the-wind toddler stage.

We are planning to go in October too. DD will be 4 and DS will be 28 mo. I'm hoping by then DS will be old enough to enjoy everything and to be a little more paitent in lines, etc.

 

[Fall1]

We have twins too and haven't taken them yet, but we are hoping for this October or November when they'll be 28/29 mos.

DH and I planned on taking them last October when they were 17 months and we freaked out at the last minute and cancelled.

I am hoping almost 2 1/2 is less scary!!

 

[stacy6552]

As soon as you're done being freaked out by germs, I say go.

 

[dougsmom98]

We have twins. Their first trip was when they were two. I was nervous because they literally would climb the walls at home, but they were fantastic and were very good in their stroller. The only problem at that age is waiting in lines. They were good in line, but they wanted to be held which was exhausting for us. Our backs felt like they were breaking by the end of the week. For that reason, I would take them when them when they were 1 year old. You could probably still use a Baby B'Jorn and while it would still be hard on your back, it would save on your arms.

 

[happygolucky123]

I have to say, from my experience travelling with non-walking babies is a LOT easier than traveling with toddlers!

Your little ones (who are just too cute, by the way!) will simply enjoy being with you and seeing some new sights at WDW, but the real joy will be in visiting your grandparents. I'd go in October!

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds was 6 months old on his first trip. This was an extemely easy trip. He chilled in the stroller, watched the crowds and slept when he needed to. Dd's first trip was for her first birthday. It was a little more challanging but not bad. She had just started walking 2 weeks before we went so she wasn't fond of being strapped into the stroller so much. As long as you have two adults I think either age would be ok - you're used to caring for them at home, you just do the same thing at WDW.

By the way, I wish I had a picture of my dd downloaded when she was about the age of your children in the picture - she looks just like the baby on the left (I got her ears pierced around that time so people would stop referring to her as a boy - even when she had a pink dress on).

 

[Kacey467]

I have a DD2 and DS3months..... We first took DD when she was 3 months and then 5 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months and 20 months. And then again when she turned 2 (feb14 w/ her new 3 month old brother) So I have experienced it at different stages. I will say IMO that the 15 months and to present trips were my absolute favorites. I feel like those were times she really got something out of it. She knew the characters and could excited about being there.

At 15 months the characters still scared her, by 20 months, she loved them, but wanted me with her to see them and this last trip at 2 she was all about the character with or without mommy.

That being said, no matter when you take them, you will have a blast. But it will leave you wanting more. Because you will have so much fun, you can only imagine how much fun it will be the next time.

I will say one nice thing about taking them when they are a little bit older is not having to haul all the "stuff". By the time they are 16 or so months they will be drinking easier with sippy cups (drinking whole milk), more acclimated to solid food and so on. You might not have to bring so much if you go when they are a bit older.

Regardless of when you go, Have a great time!

 

[ColinCodyMom]

We took both of our kids when they were just 11 months and we all LOVED it!! The kids were great and we didn't have to worry about keeping them still since they were just learning to walk!! These were truly magical trips because of all of the things they witnessed for the first time. It was great. I say take them in October.

 

[aleighjc]

16 months is hard because they will want to walk and have lots of freedom, but when they walk it wont be in the direction you need them too. I recall at that age they sit there and take a long time eating though, which is nice for eating out....

If you do it a little bit before a year when they most likely are JUST learning to walk, I think that might be a better time. Plus they still will most likely nap twice a day and hopefully be okay with napping in a stroller.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

We leave in just a few days for our first family trip. Ava will be turning 3 months old while we are there! I can't wait, it's going to be perfect!!!!!

 

[Disneymama09]

I would say when they start walking, it is much easier when you can set them down for a couple minutes when waiting in line, because most lines dont allow strollers... I took DD at 16 months , best trip I have ever had at that point. Disney is so great , when you can see the "magic" throught their eyes..