How young is too young for first trip???

[Justsyd2]

Wow - I must be terrible! I'm waiting until my GS is 11 before I take him to WDW. He's 8 now, and can't do more than 5 hours at Six Flags without needing a nap, (or us wanting to give him away). I want him to be able to experience all of the parks, and to be able to make it through the long days, also I figure at that age he'll be able to enjoy the small, medium, and large rides, and remember them.

 

[ryansall]

IMO, Six Flags is a lot more tiring than Disney. You have to wait a lot longer for rides, and the rides are a little more stressful on your system. If you have a good touring plan and can take a break in the middle of the day, an 8 year old will be fine at Disney.

 

[MyVirtueAidan]

My daughter is 18 months now... We had celebrated her 1st Birthday at CP in the MK... She had also began walking fully by herself 2 days into that trip. Everyone said that is wasn't worth it but she till this day is surrounded by the memories of that trip... It was worth every penny... Going back this Dec where she will be 2 and a half.

 

[amergren]

We leave next Saturday with our one year old DS, and really excited! Like Jason mentioned earlier, it's really for us. DS won't remember it, but I'm pretty sure he'll enjoy it. And honestly, the thing I'm looking forward to the most is taking everything at a leisurely pace... we need a vacation, and not one where we need a vacation following the vacation... so going with our one year old will force us to slow down!

We bought into the DVC at the end of 2008 so we'll be going a number of times in his young life. Like DisneyCowGirl mentioned, if this was a once in a lifetime vacation then definitely wait until they are at least five years old. But if you think you'll be going a number of times, then why wait?

 

[redrosesix]

I think at that age, it is more like you are taking them along for your vacation rather than planning a vacation for them. So, if you want to go to WDW for your vacation, you should. You know how much work it is taking care of a baby, and how many extra things you will have to pack. But if you are having a fun and relaxing, you will all have a better time.

We used to go a lot of places when mine was a baby (they're so portable). Having said that, I know one family that decided not to go this year because their only child is just 2, and soooo busy! They realized it wouldn't be relaxing for anybody!

 

[Ride Junkie]

This is good info to know! We're planning to go to DL for my 40th birthday, and I'll have a 6 month old by then. Even though she will be really young, maybe she will still be dazzled by all the lights & sounds.

For those of you who used the baby carriers (like a Baby Bjorn), did you use the ones where the baby is facing forward (not facing you)? That seems like a great way to carry the baby around.

 

[redrosesix]

This is good info to know! We're planning to go to DL for my 40th birthday, and I'll have a 6 month old by then. Even though she will be really young, maybe she will still be dazzled by all the lights & sounds.

For those of you who used the baby carriers (like a Baby Bjorn), did you use the ones where the baby is facing forward (not facing you)? That seems like a great way to carry the baby around.

I used the one facing me until about 4 months, when she started getting more curious and wanted to look at something other than me. And then we changed to the forward facing carrier. It's a great compromise until they are content to be in a stroller ie. not being held as much.

 

[timzagain]

I took my eldest Dd when she was three - everyone told me that she was too young but she had a blast. And she still remembers details from that trip 13 years later.

My youngest DD's first trip was when she was 7 - she had fun, but the "awestruck wonder" wasn't there! I kinda of missed those one-of-a-kind Kodak moments that we had with DD#1's first trip.

The whole family travelled to Disney last year, including my 11 month old nephew went last summer - he enjoyed it, just taking in the sights, since he was too much too small to do anything. He won't remember any of it, I'm sure which gives his parents an excuse to take him again.

 

[liznboys]

We took our oldest for the first time when he was 3, it was great.

If I were you, I'd at least go before yours turns 3 so they're free. As far as going any earlier than that, it's all about when you feel like it!

 

[waltskids]

We took our DS when he was 3 months, 7 months, 9 months, 12 months (his first b-day was at Chef Mickey's ) and 21 months. We have wonderful memories from each trip and we aren't thinking twice about traveling with our new baby girl for her first trip.

 

[Jennygt]

We took ds when he turned 12 months and he loved it and so did we.

 

[Skwinkles]

Call us crazy, but our 21 month old has been to Disney 3 times in her short life. The first time we took her at 8.5 months. The trip was obviously for us, not her, but she did great. She's an easy baby and slept well in her stroller. She was content to stroll around and look at everything and she was super excited to see the characters - she LOVED Mickey!

Her second trip was at 13 months and again she was quite content to see everything that was going on, and she actually seemed to enjoy some rides, like IASW. Pooh, carousel, etc. Characters were a huge hit again, and she napped in her stroller.

But it was really her third trip that we could see the difference where she was super excited and enjoying herself. She was 18 months at the time. She watched the shows with excitement, bouncing and clapping at Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo. She would ask to go on rides again yet still napped in her stroller.

We've always had great luck with taking our dd, and each time brought different great memories. I would say if this will be your only trip for a while, wait until a little later. We're going again this coming May when dd will have just turned 2 and I can't wait!

 

[kissy]

We took my dd's on thier first trip when they were 7 and 2. DS's first trip will be sometime this year (still debating between may or sept) so he'll be either 6 months or 11 months.
In all my trips to disneyland I've seen tons of parents with newborns walking around disney.

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

I think the answer to this question varies ... a lot.

Before I had children, I thought WDW was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I made fun of our friends who took their two-year-old son. After all, he would NEVER remember the trip. Then we had our first DD ... who was princess-obsessed by the time she was 2 & 1/2. So, our perception changed. Was that first trip, solely for us, her parents? I would say no ... even though we are the only ones who remember it. She had a FANTASTIC time and enjoyed the trip. She doesn't need to remember it ... that is what scrapbooks are for.

My girls have been at WDW as follows:

Older DD (now 9) ... at 2.5, 4.5, 6.5 and nearly 9

Younger DD (now 6) ... at 18 mos., 3.5 and almost 6

I should say both are into Disney and both are roller coaster junkies and have been INTO rides since they were very little.

Our trips have ALL been GREAT. However, each trip is different. What you can do w/ a 4.5 yr. old & 18 mos old is different than what you can do with a 6 & 9 yr old .... which is also different than what would happen with teenagers. You have to plan accordingly .... and don't be upset if you miss out on Space Mt. or Everest when you go w/ little bitty kids.

Of course ... the best part about this ... since trips are different ... it gives you reasons to go back!

 

[Crisgw]

We took our youngest DS right before he turned 8 months. We all had a great time Our oldest DS was 3

 

[Briar_Rose]

We took DD for her second b-day. She slept in her stroller for most naps, stayed awake till the parks closed on most nights, went on every ride she met the height requirements for, knew most of the characters names and had a wonderful time. We did have my parents to help us, but they were 68 and not in poor health (heart problems, bad knees and diabetes). My parents were more of an issue actually and more worn out since they wouldn't take breaks. She still remembers parts of the trip and I think she had a better time then my first trip when I was 8 1/2, since she believed everything was real. I think diapers are much easier to deal with then a child who is potty training/newly potty trained. Plus she wasn't as stubborn or opinionated as she is now at 3 1/2. However we went for free dining and having so many sit downs was exhausting for us since she could only sit quietly for so long, although character meals were fine. I am currently debating if we are better off going in May 2010 when my kids will be 4 1/2 and 22 months or in Sept when they will be 5 and 26 months. I would love to go this fall but I plan to go back to work in Sept. and won't be able to take vacation yet. I think I may go crazy waiting so long.

 

[PoohBear543]

Just got back from WDW on 1/18. Went with DH, DS who's almost 4 and DD who is 6 months. Went for DS's 2nd b-day in 2007 and he loved it and now 2 yrs later trip was even better. It's amazing how each time it's a different experience because they are a different age and into new things. DD was wonderful. She would fall asleep in stroller often during the day or on our shoulder during the darker rides. She had no trouble nursing anywhere and loved the rides. The sights and sounds were fascinating to her. She got so excited in the little mermaid show, small world, and mexico boat ride. She rode everything she was tall enough for!! It was the best experience and even though she won't remember it, I wouldn't trade it. BTW definitely go to Harmony Barber shop for their first hair cut. She got Mickey ears that said first haircut and the cutest Mickey "Bravery" certificate.

 

[michael's mom]

We took our son when he was almost 14 months old for his first time, and granted, he doesn't remember that trip...but we sure do. We had his first haircut at the barber shop on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. I had read on this site that they do that and then refused to cut his hair before hand, although he desperately needed it cut at about 10 months.

Every parent that enjoys Disney wants the perfect first Disney moment with their child and I think that every age is different, but if you do the right things you can get it at any age. Aside from the haircut, my favorite memory of Disney...ever...is when my son watched Festival of the Lion King in Animal Kingdom. His eyes lit up and were saying WOW for the whole time. Not only was I crying because he was laughing and shouting for joy...but my dad...the man that until then I had never seen cry....shed a tear. It was one of the most precious moments that I have had with my son and I will never forget that. We have plenty of pictures and stories to tell him about his first time.

I say, go when you want to go with her. You will enjoy her first time. We are taking DS back again in a few months and we are expecting that he'll get a lot more out of it...although he still probably won't remember it when he's older.

Another poster mentioned this but, until they are 3, they are free so why not go ahead and head down when she's 1, 2, and almost 3?

oops, sorry, that's the "if I could live there I would" side of me

 

[Suellen]

DD was almost 4 months old for her first MNSSHP. She was a green M&M and had a fab time looking around and enjoying the fresh air! She was also able to "ride" a lot of things with us.... no problems!

We took her again at 9 months old and again at 10 months old. She enjoyed it in different ways each time.

I say go for it when you feel like going!

She will be enjoying her 4th trip in 6 weeks at 20 months old! and no we don't live close... we live really, really NOT close!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We took ours on our first trip at 11months and 3yrs. Even the baby had a ball. She loved Its a Small World so much we went on it 6times. No she doesn't remember it, but we do and have some fabulous photos and memories.