how young is too young

[Heidijs]

VERY personal decision. I myself enjoy taking DD4 at this age now vs infant/toddler age due to all the nap times and diaper changing on trips. Sometimes it felt like more WORK for me than enjoying my trip...maybe if DH was a bigger help that would be one thing but we won't go there...so it's totally up to you. I see lots of people take their babies on here and have a great time. Just depends on what you expect out of your trip because obviously you'll have to take turns on rides and so on and bring bottles into the parks etc. Some parents don't mind all that but for me it would be more work than fun but that's just ME, that's why it's a personal choice. Heck I still hear how my DD4 is too young to go! That one drives me batty...

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

If you are going for the child then 6 or 7 would be the absolute youngest. I may get flamed for saying this but a 0-5 year old child will not remember the experience as an adult, and at that age children are happiest when they have a routine they can rely on.

This is a pretty ridiculous statement IMO. We took my son at 2 and again at 2.5, and while he might not remember anything once he is an adult, he still remembers it all now (at 3.5), and more importantly, we have the memories of him having so much fun.

 

[Heidijs]

If you are going for the child then 6 or 7 would be the absolute youngest. I may get flamed for saying this but a 0-5 year old child will not remember the experience as an adult, and at that age children are happiest when they have a routine they can rely on.

This is a pretty ridiculous statement IMO. We took my son at 2 and again at 2.5, and while he might not remember anything once he is an adult, he still remembers it all now (at 3.5), and more importantly, we have the memories of him having so much fun.

I went when I was 10 in 1982...I couldn't tell you squat about being at MK for two days...so I disagree on the age thing there. In this day and age with digital cameras, you can take hundreds of pictures to help jog your memory...for me, we had one roll of film and it still doesn't help me remember, and I have a VERY good memory...

 

[Huck Sawyer]

I disagree with the statements about going when your child will remember. Oh of my families favorite memories of all of our travels for over 30 years was our trip to MK in 83. I was just a month shy of 3, I got a yellow mickey balloon and as we were in the parking lot leaving the balloon came loose from the tie on my stroller and floated away. I can clearly remember that moment. I cried for a full day so hard that my dad and brothers went back on night and got me another yellow mickey balloon. We all still joke about it but for all of us it's the best memory. I was almost 3, I think you have more magical moments then you are younger I clearly do not remember most of my trips there from the age of 6-10 and we went at least 15 times during that time, because nothing special or new happened.

 

[United544]

Hi!

We have been to Disney World three times now with our kids and every time we have loved it! (or we wouldn't keep going...)

The first time my wife and I went with just our 6 month old daughter and left our other kids with the grandparents B

Last year we took our other two kids along, ages at the time were 5, 3 and 1.

We're going again here in January and now our kids are 6, 4, 2 and we'll also have our 7 month old daughter.

Obviously, when you take infants, you have to change your routine around a bit, but my wife and I (and kids) absolutely have a wonderful time!

 

[photobob]

Personally I wouldn't want to take an 8 month old to WDW. Obviously many disagree. In the end it is completely up to you, but the decision may be more clear to you after the baby is born and you find out how well he/she tolerates travel or going out and about. If you have a very fussy baby, chances are you probably won't want to go. If you have a baby that is very tolerent and does well with going and about, you may want to go. I think the baby could help you make that decision.

 

[andrews_dad]

Nt

 

[andrews_dad]

Mine was 6 months old his first trip. He loved it. The sights, the sounds, the animals at AK, the characters, Mickey and Minnie's house, the parades ... and the pictures we took are priceless!!!! My wife and I traveled the world before our 1st kid ... Europe, N. America, Carribbean, S. America... etc etc. We had been to Diz World a dozen times or more before kids, and that first trip at 6 mnths with the kid was our most memorable trip ever! Watching the baby take it all in and learn so much, it was a special, special experience. Oh, we hit SeaWorld with him that trip as well. Loved the Elmo show and the various animal shows.

By 19 months my son had been to Diz World twice, OBX once, and Atlantis in the Bahamas twice. It simply baffles me that anyone would suggest to NOT go, but I know those people are out there. "Are you taking the kids this time." my co-workers ask when they gear we are jetting off again. OF COURSE!

 

[bwilcox]

I've never understood the "They won't remember it" argument. If that's the case, you shouldn't give children birthday parties until they are 5. They won't remember it. Don't celebrate Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays until at least 5, because they won't remember them, either. If that were true, then the lives of Alzheimer's patients would have no value to them because they don't remember them. The measure of an event is not necessarily what you remember but the joy you experienced at the time. Besides, I have the CUTEST pictures of my children at WDW when they were 2 and 3 on their first trip. Those pictures and memories will be MINE to treasure forever, whether my children remember those moments or not.

 

[wild4dis]

We took al 3 kids when they were around 18 months and had a blast each time. WDW is a place of expectations, no matter who you are going with or when you have tio se expectations...sometimes it will be crowded, colder/warmer weather, if you are going with first timers, younger kids, older family members, etc.....you need to realize you cant always get what you want !!

with a young baby, you just plan on frequestn stops/naps, feeding...early nights and an overall sightseeing relaxing kind of a trip. when we went, we had grandparents with us, so we were able to ride some of the "big" rides while they watched the baby.

Our oldest DS is 18 now, on his first trip at 18 months, he was fascinated by trash cans !!, not sure why, but he loved any colorful trash can It has been a running joke in our family ever since, we spent all that time and money to fly to WDW and he liked the trash cans the best

As long as you are up for it....I would take a trip to WDW anytime

 

[sarahsar]

I'm not sure about the whole not-remembering-it thing. My oldest daughter has been to WDW twice in the last year - once when she had just turned 4 and once at 4 1/2. She remembers all kinds of things from both trips that surprise me at times. She also wants to talk about Disney World all the time, which I'm sure keeps the memories fresh in her mind. Will she remember all of this as an adult? Who knows. My guess is she may remember a few things, but of course not with the detail she does now. But I think both were really wonderful, special experiences for her. I love going myself, but the best part of these trips was seeing her reaction to everything. That was the magic for me!

As for our little one, I know she won't remember any of it. But she seems to enjoy herself at the time - loves seeing the lights, the characters, the sounds, the music. So again, it's fun to see it through her eyes.

If the original poster were going to take just one or two trips when her children were young, then I would definitely say wait until your child is older and will certainly remember more. But if you are lucky enough to know that you have a few Disney trips in your future, then I say go for it and enjoy it!

 

[Heidijs]

Isn't it funny how when you're that little you only remember the BAD things that happen? We went in 82 when I was 9 and all I remember was how ROTTON my step-brother was to me the entire trip. I remember riding on Dumbo and he pushed the button ALL the time...my mom lost her hat in space mountain and I got a horrible stomach ache somewhere in the park. That's about all I remember. I remember the trip to the ocean more during that trip...weird...the crabs that terrified me in the sand, the fear of being sucked out into the ocean, the storm that flooded our car cus they left the sun roof open. Good times!

 

[kpgriswold]

Bedrest sucks. So go for it, and happy planning!

Infants are vey portable, esp. if you will be nursing, and they sleep through almost anything. I certainly find it preferable to traveling with cranky toddlers! We took a WDW trip when our third child was 7 months, and one when our youngest was 14 months. The one with the non-walker was MUCH easier.

You do have to go with the mindset that you are not there to ride thrill rides. Focus on shows and gentle rides (babies LOVE Small World) and soaking up the Disney atmosphere.

How about December of next year? The weather will be cool and pleasant, the holiday decorations will be beautiful, and crowds will be relatively low. Plus you'll get great photo ops to give pictures to the grandparents!

Or go in October for the Food and Wine Festival and the baby can tag along and sleep while you sample everything.

I hope all goes well for you, in every way.

 

[disrev]

In December 2009, we took our daughter at 13 months.

A little backstory. We had been trying to have a child for 6 1/2 years with no luck. In that time, we became huge fans of WDW. While there, we would see other families together and dream of a time we could take our family there and enjoy it through their eyes. Over time, it became a bit of a bittersweet for us.

In the Fall of 2007, through what can only be explained as a miracle, we brought home our adopted daughter from the hospital at 2 days old. Within the first month, we were planning our fist big family vacation together.

So, back to Disney with our 13 month old. I vividly remember walking into DHS with her in stroller. She was talking up a storm (total gibberish) and caught the attention of another family walking in beside us. One of them asked, "How old is she?" When my wife said "13 months," he then asked, "Do you think she'll remember this?"
My wife and I together said, "We will."

My point? I don't think there is a too young. I think it's about going in with the right perspective. Be ready for a very different pace and focus. We had a great time together last year and are heading again at the end of January.

 

[sarahsar]

In December 2009, we took our daughter at 13 months.

A little backstory. We had been trying to have a child for 6 1/2 years with no luck. In that time, we became huge fans of WDW. While there, we would see other families together and dream of a time we could take our family there and enjoy it through their eyes. Over time, it became a bit of a bittersweet for us.

In the Fall of 2007, through what can only be explained as a miracle, we brought home our adopted daughter from the hospital at 2 days old. Within the first month, we were planning our fist big family vacation together.

So, back to Disney with our 13 month old. I vividly remember walking into DHS with her in stroller. She was talking up a storm (total gibberish) and caught the attention of another family walking in beside us. One of them asked, "How old is she?" When my wife said "13 months," he then asked, "Do you think she'll remember this?"
My wife and I together said, "We will."

My point? I don't think there is a too young. I think it's about going in with the right perspective. Be ready for a very different pace and focus. We had a great time together last year and are heading again at the end of January.

That's a beautiful story. It gave me chills. I agree completely with this sentiment. Our backstory is a little different from yours, but has similarities, and I have to say it does give you another perspective on the experience.

 

[Dcvintage]

I went to WDW for the first time at 10 months don't remember it but I love the pictures =) My parents invited my 19 yr old Aunt to come along and they all took turns with me. I went every yr after that. I can remember a tiny bit of my trip there as a 3 yr old but I can remember a lot age 4 and up. But who cares, the pictures of my baby/toddler trips are great and I can tell by their faces my parents had a blast.

 

[MickeyOCD]

We took DD when she was 6 1/2 months old, 1 yr old and every 6 mtgs until I got preg. With DS. Then we started all over when he was 7 months old. We didn't get to ride the big rides until DD was tall enough so the people movers were it for us for awhile. But that was OK with us, we knew that going in. The pictures we have of my kids' faces when they saw there favorite characters were worth the price of admission. I will have those forever. They won't remember it (same as for any vacation at this age) but I will. So go, plan away. Just bring a good stroller that can lay back to sleep in and has a shade. Also, if they are small enough to still fit, go ahead and bring the carrier that attaches to the stroller. It helps that you can still bring them on a ride with you after they've fallen asleep while waiting in line and if you stay later in the parks the you can carry them onto the buss without waking them to fold up the stroller. Hope this helps. Do what you think is best for your family, no matter what anyone else thinks!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Well I guess too young would be like just born or a few hours old.

Seriously 8 months will be fine. Have a great trip.

 

[mom2maggie]

I don't think 8 months is too young at all - especially since we are going to WDW in March when my little one will have just turned 7 months. Will she remember it? Obviously not - but she wont' remember me saying "I love you" 20 times a day to her either, and that hasn't stopped me!

 

[Shmily1]

We are wondering how young is too young to go to wdw. I'm pregnant right now, and have been on bed rest for 2 weeks. I'm not due until the middle of may so I have a long haul and a lot of time on my hands. DH thought I could plan a WDW trip for us as a new family to keep me entertained. What age do you think is okay to take our little one for the first time to wdw.

I was thinking next Jan/11 so the baby will be 8 months is that too young for us to enjoy a trip? or should we wait till the next year?

I sure hope not! We're taking DGS4months in 13 days!!

Enjoy your trip!!