Bringing an 8 month old to WDW

[Meech Loves Mickey]

We've been taking our boys to WDW since they were 7 and 6 months old.

My main advice would be to just be flexible. You know your baby better than anybody and know when they are hungry, tired and/or cranky.

The Baby Centers are very nice and a great cool place for them to relax and a good place to nurse if you so desire. They also have a changing room with big tables and lots of room for changing diapers and cleaning bums. They also have baby products there if you need anything: diapers, cream, formula, baby food, etc. They are well stocked.

That being said, we only ever used the Baby Center a few times. If we were close by we would stop there if necessary. But there are changing tables in every restroom and plenty of places to feed and/or nurse your baby all over the parks.

Since you are going in December, I would be sure to bring at least 1 super warm outfit for your baby (more if you have room) and a blanket. We went the first week of Dec. 2010 and there was a record cold snap in FL! My kids had to wear their pajamas under their clothes and we had to buy blankets there for them. You never know what Dec will be like.

 

[Meech Loves Mickey]

Besides, how could anyone think taking this little guy to experience this would be a waste of time of money?

ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Not to offend anyone on here, but just my opinion, babies that young should not be at Disney. Crowds, heat, noise, I'm not a parent, but that can't be healthy for a child that young. They obviously won't remember any of it, I feel it's an extreme waste of money for the parents since obviously the trip itself won't be the priority. Obviously to each their own, but I know sometimes I accidentally bump into or elbow somebody in front/behind me in line, god forbid it's a baby....

Um, what? If you are not a parent, you wouldn't understand. We brought our 4 month old in November and it was one of the best trips ever. Even at 4 months you could see her different expressions when meeting the characters and riding Small World. We loved our trip and she made many people smile because she was one of the younger babies in the parks.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Crystal824]

Wow, some of these posts are crazy. We took our DD to WDW for the first time when she was 9 months old. We had a great trip. As one of the PP so eloquently put it, we did take her not for her enjoyment but for our own. We LOVE WDW. We had traveled there at least once a year for many years before she was born. Once she came along, we didn't feel that we had to give that up just because we now had a baby.

You do have to be a bit flexible with an infant. For instance, we found out she HATED fireworks during Wishes so we left going through the shops and didn't go to any other nighttime shows that trip. While she liked to watch characters from a far, she didn't like them close to her on that trip. We didn't do meet and greets. She really did enjoy people watching, trying new food, and many of the attractions. She really liked Disney Jr. Show, Dumbo, and Small World at that age.

You also have to prepare a bit more for your trip. I ordered diapers, formula, wipes, finger foods, baby food, etc. from Garden Grocer and had them delivered. I also think a good stroller is important. We rented a CityMini. DD could easily nap in that stroller. It was so awesome now that we have another baby, we bought a double.

We made use of the baby care centers when we were nearby. WDW does not have many changing tables. There is usually one in each restroom. There can be a line. At the babycare centers, there are many.

I've got to say, DD has been to WDW 4 more times since that trip. That was probably one of the best. She had no opinion on what she rode. She couldn't walk so she couldn't wander off by herself. These days she is 3 and on our last trip, she had definite opinions on what we were going to do next and didn't want to sit in her stroller at times....On the flip side, she is no longer afraid of fireworks or characters.

 

[MarineVet]

I tip my hat to those traveling with infants to WDW - I never could have done it. A double tip to those who are mindful of the child's needs and act accordingly. I did see one 3 week old baby last year and it was hot! The mom was telling a woman that this was her first child, and they just decided to come after she was born!!! Yikes!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Not to offend anyone on here, but just my opinion, babies that young should not be at Disney. Crowds, heat, noise, I'm not a parent, but that can't be healthy for a child that young. They obviously won't remember any of it, I feel it's an extreme waste of money for the parents since obviously the trip itself won't be the priority. Obviously to each their own, but I know sometimes I accidentally bump into or elbow somebody in front/behind me in line, god forbid it's a baby....

Not to be impolite, but some babies are actually born in hot countries, their parents don't move away until they get older. Should I not take my baby shopping to the city on a Saturday because it is crowded and noisy. It cost me hardly anything to take my baby since she didn't have a plane seat or a WDW tickets. Oh and as for not remembering it, it's MY vacation too. Shall I just stay home and lock my children in their rooms until they are old enough to remember things. It's quite apparent you don't have children.

To the OP, I took DD at that age....easy as pie, far easier than taking an a older child in many respects. Do it, you won't regret it!

 

[crazymomof4]

Not to be impolite, but some babies are actually born in hot countries, their parents don't move away until they get older. Should I not take my baby shopping to the city on a Saturday because it is crowded and noisy. It cost me hardly anything to take my baby since she didn't have a plane seat or a WDW tickets. Oh and as for not remembering it, it's MY vacation too. Shall I just stay home and lock my children in their rooms until they are old enough to remember things. It's quite apparent you don't have children.

To the OP, I took DD at that age....easy as pie, far easier than taking an a older child in many respects. Do it, you won't regret it!

Yes, for sure easier than a teenager!
(it HAD to be the "eyeroll" smilie for this comment)
Seriously, I love my teens but sometimes...... sheesh!

 

[desiree71081]

Not to offend anyone on here, but just my opinion, babies that young should not be at Disney. Crowds, heat, noise, I'm not a parent, but that can't be healthy for a child that young. They obviously won't remember any of it, I feel it's an extreme waste of money for the parents since obviously the trip itself won't be the priority. Obviously to each their own, but I know sometimes I accidentally bump into or elbow somebody in front/behind me in line, god forbid it's a baby....

A parent knows what their child can handle. My husband and I took our 6 month old, Gabe, in March along with our other children. Even though Gabe won't remember the trip, we have a lot of pictures to look back on when he is older. Do I regret "wasting the money" on the trip? NEVER. I do not feel anything was wasted because we made amazing memories. We are actually going back in September just myself, my husband and Gabe. This trip will be even more special because we will be celebrating the 1st anniversary of his open heart surgery.

So once again, I do not regret taking a baby that won't remember the trip because I will remember it and will tell him all about it. I could have very well lost him because of his heart issues and still could. Do not take one day for granted thinking your baby is "too young" for Disney World. You never know if this trip is the last one you may have. Life is precious. Make the most of it.

 

[SillySallySews]

A parent knows what their child can handle. My husband and I took our 6 month old, Gabe, in March along with our other children. Even though Gabe won't remember the trip, we have a lot of pictures to look back on when he is older. Do I regret "wasting the money" on the trip? NEVER. I do not feel anything was wasted because we made amazing memories. We are actually going back in September just myself, my husband and Gabe. This trip will be even more special because we will be celebrating the 1st anniversary of his open heart surgery.

So once again, I do not regret taking a baby that won't remember the trip because I will remember it and will tell him all about it. I could have very well lost him because of his heart issues and still could. Do not take one day for granted thinking your baby is "too young" for Disney World. You never know if this trip is the last one you may have. Life is precious. Make the most of it.

Awesome story! And what a fantastic way to celebrate that anniversary! Hope you have a fabulous return visit.

 

[crazymomof4]

A parent knows what their child can handle. My husband and I took our 6 month old, Gabe, in March along with our other children. Even though Gabe won't remember the trip, we have a lot of pictures to look back on when he is older. Do I regret "wasting the money" on the trip? NEVER. I do not feel anything was wasted because we made amazing memories. We are actually going back in September just myself, my husband and Gabe. This trip will be even more special because we will be celebrating the 1st anniversary of his open heart surgery.

So once again, I do not regret taking a baby that won't remember the trip because I will remember it and will tell him all about it. I could have very well lost him because of his heart issues and still could. Do not take one day for granted thinking your baby is "too young" for Disney World. You never know if this trip is the last one you may have. Life is precious. Make the most of it.

Amen to that! Best wishes to your family!

 

[linznjody]

We took our trip last year for our 4 yr old. However, our 8 month old had an even better time than she did! She didn't know to be afraid and LOVED Pooh, TSM, and especially Dumbo and the teacups. We had to really try to get our other daughter to try things because she was scared and hadn't experienced anything like it before. Almost makes me wish we had taken her sooner.

Things that helped us:

• To help with the heat, I bought a clip-on fan that I put on the stroller.
• Put something on the stroller so you find it sooner (especially when the little one is starting to melt down and you want to find it FAST). I recommend something that glitters/reflects light so you see it both during the day and at night.
• Go at less busy times if you can. We went at the end of September, and our longest wait was 15 min. That really helped us do what we wanted and didn't put extra stress on the little one.
• Best of all: take a grandparent or two with you to help

 

[pachelbel9]

If anything, going to disney with my 8mo made me wish we'd travelled more while she was that young and portable. I wish we'd taken one more trip to Europe before she started walking. I found it so easy to travel with baby. Don't fall for the marketing that implies you need a million baby gadgets to leave the house. Diapers, change of clothes, food, hat/sunscreen, and a small toy or two are all you NEED in a backpack. A well-made baby carrier is worth every penny (Ergo, Beco, Lillebaby, Boba, etc). I try not to give advice to expecting parents, as I know they get a ton of unsolicited advice, but when I can't help myself, the one thing I tell them is to not be afraid to travel.

Now that my LO is a fast toddler with a mind of her own, all bets are off!