How do you manage expectations?

[Gisele]

I prefer to not have any expectations, that way if things do not work out so well, if at all, then I am not disappointed.

 

[5ofus]

I know where you are coming from! We took our two older boys to Tokyo Disneyland when they were 16mo and 3yo. My eldest does NOT do excitement. I knew this going in, but still, I was disappointed when he didn't show at least SOME excitement during our whole trip. But, that's just the way he is. He still talks about aspects of the trip randomly, now, three years after we went - real memories that haven't been 'made' by photos or videos and he talks about it like it was the best time of his life! So when we go in September, although he won't be showing outward signs of excitement, I'm hopeful that he will have a fabulous time. I'm trying to lower my expectations but it's hard. With three small boys, it's unlikely that any part of our holiday will look like a Disney promotional video, but I know there will be great moments and we'll focus on those

 

[d1sneymom]

It's hard to explain. We have been going for years to DL and always see all these people with kids. It took us 5 years to have DD and we thought we may never get to have a child. I just want it to be magical. I want DD to be happy and see her get all excited over things and like the rides and the food, whatever she can eat. And, instead, like Christmas, we end up with baby crying or angry or us not having a good time because she is sad. Does that make sense? I want magic to happen, I guess!

DH and I have been going to DL since we were HS sweethearts (going on 15 years). Our first visit with DS (now 7) was when he was 7 months old. MIL bought us a couple nights at GC and we were all excited. Our first night he came down with a fever. I felt so bad for him. DH had to go to the pharmacy to get Tylenol and he was just so miserable. We managed. We were still able to ride rides but made very much just about what he felt like doing (so at times he would fall asleep in my Ergo and we would sit on a bench, people watch and relax). We went off season (early January after the holiday stuff was over) so the park closed early and there weren't many parades and some rides were closed but we had fun. The second day he was MUCH better though we still took our time.

We took our second DS (now 2) at 11 weeks old. I must have still been delirious with preggo brain but it was our annual vacation time. I had a very hard time with BF'ing him and was pumping so I was gung-ho about bringing the pump, bottles, formula (pumping and supplementing with formula) everything just to make the trip. Wouldn't you know it DS figures out how to BF THE DAY BEFORE we left! No joke I was so excited but nervous about him all of a sudden learning how to BF and then taking him to an unfamiliar place and trying it there (I <3 the Baby Centers and the CMs who work there!!). It was fine! At 11 weeks old DS couldn't tell Pirates from Small World but he was only 11 weeks. The curious look on his face (from the lights on rides) as well his older brother "telling" him all about the ride made it worth it for us.
** this past trip last week for DS7 bday DS2 came down with ear infections in both ears** so pack a small medicine kit in your diaper bag just in case!!
Don't expect LO to "get it" rather just let her soak in the experience. And go with the flow. I know that doesn't sound ideal but babies kind of overrule all planning. If you ever noticed the mid-day meltdown from kids at the parks because parents are so concerned about cramming everything they can and forgetting their LO naps at a certain time or eats at a certain time. I think that's when it starts to feel like a miserable time rather than magical. Enjoy it with your LO!!

 

[nikkislaght]

My husband and I took our son to DisneyWorld when he was 4 months old.. I had no exceptions of him enjoying himself and "getting" Disney.. the trip was for us..
we just did our day like any other day out..
Diaper bag packed and ready for anything..
stroller for him to sleep in.
and front pack for cuddle time..
if he was awake when we saw a character., he was in the photo.. if asleep he was not .
You say infant, so Im assuming your baby is under 1?
Babies will pick up on your anxiety so try and relax and have fun, and go with the flow... sometimes hard to do with a screaming baby.. but if you are going with someone, when it gets over whelming I would leave the baby with them and go for a walk and come back when you have regrouped..


Last year when we went (son is now 8) I had to walk away from him.. we were both tired and he got on my last nerve. and rather than be one of those parents that scream at their kid in Disneyland I looked at hubby and said he is all yours. and had a wonderful 30 mins of people watching to myself..
when I caught up with them all was good and the rest of the day was wonderful..

Hope you have a good trip..

 

[lovebug33]

She will be 9 1/2 months on the trip!

 

[awdsmama]

It's hard to explain. We have been going for years to DL and always see all these people with kids. It took us 5 years to have DD and we thought we may never get to have a child. I just want it to be magical. I want DD to be happy and see her get all excited over things and like the rides and the food, whatever she can eat. And, instead, like Christmas, we end up with baby crying or angry or us not having a good time because she is sad. Does that make sense? I want magic to happen, I guess!

Honestly....she's an infant, keep your expectations low and realistic.

The happiness and excitement you describe will come more as she is an older toddler, younger child that truly understands who/what she is seeing and can identify the senses more.

Not saying babies cannot "enjoy Disneyland" but perhaps not to the magnitude you are describing

 

[adykate]

We were at Disneyland in early March with our 8 month old and not quite 2.5yr old DD's. First trips for them, I grew up going to (and loving) Disneyland, and my DH had been a few times and was NOT a huge fan due to crazy crowds the times he had gone. Prior to having kids I was a major "bootcamp" Disney goer. I had a plan, and if you couldn't keep up, you better just get out of my way, lol! But I also grew up envisioning how amazing it would be if I ever had kids to take there. Due to health reasons many years ago, there was a point I wasn't sure I would ever get back to Disneyland, let alone ever have kids to take there. So when we went in March I was just thrilled to just BE there. Sure I wanted my kids to love it as much as I do, and I hoped my DH wouldn't spoil the fun, lol! We planned our days around the kids usual schedules, but also found they would nap in the stroller way more than they usually did at home during outings. So we snuck in a few "big kid" rides during naps, with my DH and I swapping out, and they were just bonus fun. I let my toddler tell us where she wanted to go much of the time (once she knew what things were), and I just made sure I had younger DD's bottle ready to go if she got hungry, and I had the carrier to put her in when she got tired of the stroller. As others have said, you can't let other people's experiences set unrealistic expectations for you. My older DD was horrible with much of the picture taking, but absolutely LOVED meeting the characters and having them sign her autograph papers. I now laugh at some of the pictures we have with the characters because she is frowning or refusing to smile. They sure aren't "sunshine and roses" pictures when her hair is all crazy from napping in the stroller with a hoodie sweatshirt, a stain from lunch on her shirt, and a total scowl on her face! But I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. She started throwing a tantrum 5 minutes into WoC and we ended up leaving. I was bummed, but not heartbroken as I knew it was amazing she had lasted that long past her usual bedtime. We pushed a screaming younger DD all through CA, and I do mean screaming and ALL the way from front to back of CA, lol! Now DH and I laugh about it. THOSE are the memories you will love as the years go by! Just remember how badly you wanted her in the first place, and that you are just so lucky to have her to even do these things. Whatever happens while there is just icing on the cake . You have many years for her to really experience and enjoy Disney in a way you will be able to see. At 9.5 months, make YOUR memories with her by letting her take the lead, don't expect HER to make memories.

 

[MillauFr]

After spending a day at Knotts, which I actually enjoyed, it made me appreciate Disneyland more.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

There is magic in plentiful supply at DL, yes, with an infant! DD was 2 months old when we started taking her; that baby screamed like a banshee every moment she wasn't eating and never napped--barely slept more than 20 min at a time for 2 years.
At DL she just looked around at everything, day or night--no screaming. And she would even nap in the stroller! Have fun! And pack lots of extra outfits