How young is too young?

[Disney=Love]

So I was in Disney in August and was shocked when I noticed just how many babies there were. I figured it must be a hassle to always worry about how they'll react on rides, strollers, etc. I swear there were a few babies that couldn't have been more than a month old. I know a lot of parents on these board bring young children, so I don't want you to feel as if I'm attacking you. I just honestly want to know how young is too young for Disney? If if have brought babies to Disney, did you feel it was worth it? I really want to read many opinions. Thanks!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Most people who bring babies have older children who enjoy Disney and don't feel comfortable leaving the baby with someone while they vacation. So they bring the baby. No big deal.

As long as it is safe for the baby (not sweltering hot), I think it's fine at any age.

 

[Disney=Love]

As long as it is safe for the baby (not sweltering hot), I think it's fine at any age.

I just kind of feel that a vacation to Disney is great, but if you wait a few months or even a year until you don't have a newborn, the vacation experience would be so much better.

 

[Becky521]

My son was 6 months on his first trip and although he obviously didn't remember that trip, he definitely enjoyed it. We have pictures of him grabbing several character noses and he "danced" to the music of all the rides and all the shows.

 

[blessedby3]

Small infants are very portable and dont require much if you are nursing. Just some diapers, a change of clothes and the stroller. I found it very easy to travel with my children as very young infants. I too would easily go with a baby, but would probably want the baby to be at least a month old.

 

[shamrockshake]

I took my 6 month old ( now 4.5yrs) to Disneyland and She loved the lights and electrical parade. We went because we love it. We went with a family with a one year old, so 2 can watch the kids and the others go on the big rides. Even with a baby you can still go on most of the rides, just not the height restrictive ones. Then you do a switch off. They tend to sleep a lot while in the stroller, so you do not need to head back to the hotel for nap time. With a baby you have the advantage of nursing, and the baby centers are so convenient. I would send my husband off with our frinds and he could do star tours or some other big kid attraction while I nursed her, freshened her pants and changed her clothes. I found it was harder when we went when she was 1-2 years old, because you could not nurse her as needed, (or at least I was no longer nursing at one year). They are on solid foods, so you need to carry snacks and sippy cups ect. And they want to get out of the stroller and are so excited they would not nap in the stroller.

Don't get me wrong, We still go with them a few times a year now that they are older, and hope to continue yearly trips until they are older. This year we are making our first trek to WDW in Dec. It will be hard, and they will probably not remember it ( the 4.5 year old maybe) but we will have the memories and pictures. Hopefully we will be able to go again when they are 7 and 9.5 years old. Then they will remember!

I did meet a mom with a 1 week old in the baby center, and thought a baby that young would not have all the antibodies to ward off amusement park germs.

 

[macmahony]

We had our 6 week old there (also our almost 2, and almost 3 year old too). The baby was the easiest! She slept, and spent ALL day in the sling, she was great. When she was awake she loved the music and the lights, almost all of the characters googled over her.
I think it all depends on how easy the baby is, and how the parents are. We are very laid back, not germaphobs at all, so we were not worried about it at all. But, I have a friend who did not allow visitors, or to leave the house (except for doctor visits) for 12 weeks after the baby is born.
We had our girls knowing we were going to have to slow life down to there pace, but that has not prevented us from traveling, or enjoying all the other things we used to do.
No, none of my girls remember there first trip to disney, but they also don't remember the days there were born, the first day they crawled, there first birthdays, first playdates, and a lot of other things. They still enjoyed it as much as they did this year at 2, 4, and 5.
We also travel light, we (even the first trip, with a newborn) only brought one stoller, my kids have ALL hated the stoller...preferred to walk (actually the oldest runs everywhere...always) most of the time. The baby was always in the sling so it was easy for us. I would do it again with a newborn anyday over a new crawler (8, 9, 10 month old) That would of been harder for me.
I am sure you will get all sorts of responses, but for us it was magical in every way with a tiny one.

 

[DVC Jen]

I think it really depends on the baby's temperment and the parents and how well THEY are going to be able to adjust to being on a vacation with their baby.

Both of my DDs traveled extremely well.. it was never an issue. Other babies aren't as laid back therefore it wouldn't be as easy for that particular family.

 

[lovethattink]

My first son's first trip to Disney, he was 18 months. My second son, who is 10 years younger than the first, first trip was at 6 weeks. Disney is whatever you make of it. There is no person to young or too old for Disney. With the babyswap and the baby care centers, Disney has made it a breeze to bring babies. We have a PAP and go to a park at least once a week. I was able to go to the baby care centers and nurse ds #2 in the airconditioning rocking on a rocker, while dh and ds#1 went on thrill rides. When they were finished, we would do a swap and ds #2 got to ride things twice. At first the baby was just interested in the lights and different sights. Now he is 2 years old and knows every character by name. He knows which attractions he likes and doesn't like. In fact we went today to Epcot for a few hours after dropping ds #1 at school. We visited the characters at Character Connection. It was empty, so the characters took time to interact with him. Chip and Dale were a riot with him. They were rolling on the ground beside him, acting very mischeivious, and my son did the same. It was one of those moments where I wished I had a camcorder with me. Minnie is his favorite character, and I think she knew. She spent a good 5 minutes playing with him, until someone else came in line.

 

[n2mm]

My granddaugther is heading to WDW in a couple of weeks and she's 18 month old....this is her fourth trip now. First one at 6 months old to celebrate her Nana's 50's birthday...so obviously she had to be there. Next trip she was 9 months old and was there for the holidays, then again at 14 months for the May/spring trip. We are DVC members, so having the home away from home helps. When you have a baby in tow, having extra adults is the key to everyone having a good time.

 

[eblack0409]

I don't have kids yet, but my mother has already volunteered to go with us when we have a baby and take the baby to Disney so DH and I can ride the rides we love!!!!

I agree with the other West Virginian who posted.....the more adults the better!!!

 

[cybrkitn]

I understand what you are saying. I was pondering a similar question. DH & I were trying to plan in 2004 for a vacation to Dis in 2005 when our son would be 3. But I wasn't sure if he was too young and would remember it when he got older.

Our DS is now 4 and has a pretty good memory of things that happened when he was 2. We're leaving in three weeks and he doesn't know he's going .

DH and I want to start on baby #2 but I was afraid of getting pregnant before our trip and not being able to go on any of the rides. Thankfully, I'm not, but we can now start trying

There is one advantage of bringing an infant; they're free.

Oops, like to type more, but I gotta log off from work and pick up my DS from pre-school

 

[maelstrom]

I think that sometimes a family will book a trip so far in advance that by the time the trip rolls around, there is another member of the family! Not much you can do about that.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I too have seen real little ones that could not have been more than a few weeks old at the parks. IMHO, I would never take a baby that small to an amusement park. Call me old fashion, but there is no reason to be at an amusement park with a baby that young. Wait a few months until the baby is just a little older and go then.

 

[cleo]

I think it's up to the parents themselves to decide how young is 'too young'. My son went went he was 6 months. That wasn't too young for us. We had a blast, and he was just happy looking at all the lights and hearing the music. It was one of the easiest trips of his young life and made precious memories for me.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I think it is definately a "to each his own" kind of thing.

Our kids first trip is coming up in December. They are 9,7 and 4. We have wanted to go for years but for us someone was always too young. The downside is the oldest is way older than I would have liked for her first time, we missed that really magical window. The good part, for us, is we aren't travelling with someone who needs diapers or naps or has frequent meltdowns. For us that aspect of travelling with young babies/children was something we desperately wanted to avoid. Going to Disney is a big deal for us, not something we do yearly or even every couple years and to be spending this much $$$ on a trip for us it was best to wait till the youngest was out of that phase of life.

Allyson

 

[Quinn222]

I think that sometimes a family will book a trip so far in advance that by the time the trip rolls around, there is another member of the family! Not much you can do about that.

I was thinking the exact same thing. All you have to do is read these boards to see how far ahead people plan (and pay for!) their trips. Sometimes they get a new little traveller in the meantime

 

[mla2177]

I just went w/ my 2 yr old DS in July and my sister brought her 8 mo old son too and I think he was easier than the 2 yr old. My DS was scared of every ride where my DN wasn't since he was too little.

 

[writersblock42]

I used to think the same thing. I could not believe why some people would bring an infant to DW. However, next year, I may or may not have an infant, but the trip is already planned as a big family thing as my DH's Great-grandmother's dying wish that my MIL spend the money that she left the entire family on a big trip to Disney. So if we have a baby then we will still go.

 

[JABEAR]

We took our youngest son when he was 15 months old. While we were there a guy walked by and commented to people in his group, "That is the perfect age to bring a child to Disney World. Too bad he won't remember any of it." What a knucklehead.

It isn't what he would remember that was important. It is what his older brother, my wife and I will never forget! He had a great time and we made some great memories!

Any age is fine. What is the difference if you are going to a park at home or going to a theme park? When YOU are ready for it, go for it!