How young is too young?

[TheOtherVillainess]

I got bored this evening and made the mistake of getting out my old ('01) vacation planning video. I went through my old trip reports and photos of my last trip. I started missing WDW all over again and wishing I was there.

That got me thinking. Now that we have an child...how young is TOO young to take to WDW? And would it be totally selfish to take a vacation (WDW or otherwise)without the baby?

TOV

 

[CALIFLADY]

Man, this is a debate in the makings, I can tell...

That being said, I don't have any children, so I'm not getting into that debate (is 9 months too young, or should I wait until they're 5 when they can actually remember the trip?).

A solo or childless trip? Absolutely! Do it! There are things at WDW (and other places) just for adult entertainment that you won't get to enjoy with your young ones, so go enjoy them! Then take the little one and spend the week in Fantasyland just for them...

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

DD2 went to WDW when I was 7-8 weeks pregnant and again at 6 months. She was much easier at 6 months than she was at 22 months! LOL

 

[dcgrumpy]

I took DS at 4 mos and DD at 6mos. Planning on taking #3 when they're about 5-6 mos.

 

[Kermit]

James will be plenty old enough as soon as it's not quite so hot, like in September or October.

 

[Melora]

We took our first ever WDW vacation when youngest was 6 months old. He was relatively easy to take (started crawling while we were there). Slept a lot and enjoyed all the music and sights.

I could never take a solo trip when I had a baby because I was breastfeeding for their first year. (and beyond...)

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Well I wasn't thinking of taking him that soon, Kermit, but maybe in a couple of years. That would give us time to save up the $$$ to go back.


TOV

 

[Dan Murphy]

I waited till they were 19 and 22...years.

 

[Mimi Q]

I took my youngest DD when she had just turned 2, and she LOVED it. My DH thought she was way too young, but he even admitted it was a great vacation when we got home.

 

[diznee25]

And would it be totally selfish to take a vacation (WDW or otherwise)without the baby?

No, it wouldn't be selfish. In fact just the other day my husband and were discussing this same topic. We feel our relationship as husband and wife is just as important as our relationship with our children. The stronger our marrige is, the better family life is for the children. It's very important that couples spend time alone away from the kids. That can mean a Saturday night leaving the kids with a babysitter, or it could mean a 5-7 vacation. And don't feel guilty because Disney is thought of as a childrens destination. It's also for couples young at heart! I'm sure you'll have a great time there, even without the little one there. (I actually plan on leaving my baby with my in-laws if we get the need to go out to WDW.)

...how young is TOO young to take to WDW?

I don't plan on taking my children to WDW until they're at least 5 or 6 years old. As you can see from the other responses, there isn't a "Too young" of an age! Just depends on your preference.

Diznee25

 

[DSNY FN]

We took our youngest daughter to WDW at the ripe old age of 8 months. Our oldest daughter was 3 months old when my wife and I GF at the time went to WDW and left her home with my mom. Our son went for his first trip this past Dec and he was just 1 so I really don't think there is a bad age to take them and no it isn't selfish to leave them home with someone either.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Well, as you can tell from my siggie, it was (and still is) our original intention to take him when he's around 6ish. But I'm hoping I can talk DH into a trip with DS before that, or maybe a trip to US/IOA without DS along. DH has really talked about wanting to go to US/IOA (someplace I have no desire to go but would tolerate visiting for DH's sake). I'm beginning to think maybe we could work out a compromise. Go to US/IOA without DS along in a year or two and then a couple years down the road take DS to WDW for his first trip.

TOV

 

[CamColt]

Never too young, never too old.

 

[grinningghost]

When our DD was a year old, DH and I took a WDW trip without her. She stayed with Grandma, and I am positive was much happier there. WDW is very intense for adults and older kids, I think babies are probably just as happy at home.

That said, lots of people do take babies to WDW and bring back good reports. To each his own I think.