How young is too young

[Deesknee]

We've brought our kids to Disney at the ages of 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 6 1/2, 8 1/2,9 1/2, and 11 1/2. We know have a new one, and we can't wait to go again, but I don't want to end up stressing any of us out because someone will always have to miss a ride to wait with baby. I am aware of the "baby swap", but we love doing it all together, or atleast mostly together. So my question, is 2 1/2 too young? I do realize she won't be able to go on alot of the rides, but what about wanting to get out of the carriage, getting over tied,stopping to eat, the heat, etc. All opinions are appreciated.

 

[Beca]

Our DD is now 2 1/2. This will be her second trip to WDW, and we are about to take her to her 4th trip to DL. She absolutely LOVES it. Yes, it is a different park experience with a baby....but, there have been AMAZING experiences at ALL ages!!! She now LOVES the parades (or "Hoorays" as she calls them), Small World, the teacups, and Dumbo. I don't know how we are going to explain to her that "Small world is broken" when we arrive at WDW. She's not going to go for that at all!!! We first took her when she was 4months old to DL...she just kind of "soaked" it in. It was a VERY easy trip!!! Then, we took her to WDW when she was 10 months old (in Dec). It was fine until she got sick...just one of those things. We then took her to DL when she was 15 mo. old...that was the hardest trip so far. She wasn't comprehending, but she was definitely wanting to explore!! We just got back from DL a couple of weeks ago...and, we had a blast. This time, she dictated what we should do when...she's a bossy little thing!!! I cannot WAIT to take her back!!! She tells me every morning that "Today, I go to Dineyland"...she's obsessed!!!

Anyway, my point of this is that there are wonderful experiences at all ages. I would not take a "tiny baby" in extreme heat or extreme cold, and definitely make "cushion time" in your schedule to accomodate a baby (or, at least have a "plan B"), and use your best judgement. Most babies seem to have a great time wherever you are...so, the only consideration would be the "cramping" of the "style" of your other children....but, I bet they would rather be there and make adjustments than not go at all.

Hope this helps,
Beca

 

[crazywig]

my ds is 2 and we are leaving in 3 wks for his second trip. the first was when he was 9m.

we don't mind switching off for rides, etc. we're there to have fun as a family!while dh is on a ride i take ds into a shop or we go look at something that will interest him. we used fastpass a lot to minimize the wait times while the other was on a ride as well (rather than a baby swap where we all would have to wait in line first).

you have to go slower with a small child and revolve your touring around their schedules, but it's worth it when you see how excited they are! even at 9m i could see he was having a ball.

this time i'm pregnant again so i'll be sitting out on a lot of stuff but we'll still have a great time!

 

[Barb D]

It's different with a little one along, but then so is life! My now-4yo has been there at 5mo, 23mo, 3yo and 4yo (along with her older sibs, who started going at 2 and 4.) I'm glad we didn't wait until she was older; we would have missed those other trips, and we would have missed enjoying seeing her enjoy the parks at those different stages.

(BTW, most of those trips were one or two days, in combination with being in Florida for other reasons. We can't afford big WDW trips that often!)

 

[Duckielucky]

Do not try to take the whole team in one group. I hope that you are taking a few other adults or older teens to help you with crowd control. It will be all that Mom can do to take care of the baby. Dad can look after the 3 & 4 year old, preferably with a helper. You should split the remaining into two groups. An adult with the younger group and a adult or older teen with the older children.

I have seen too many parents trying to herd too large of a group. No one, especially Mom and Dad, is going to have a good time.

 

[patsal]

Took DD at 18 months--no regrets. I feel like we did it all and she was great to travel with. She was always the first one ready--after I dressed her she would grab her shoes, sit in her stroller and wait to get going! It may restrict the older children a bit, but with some flexibility I'm sure you can all have a great time!

 

[adriannabannana]

We brought our 16.5 month old last October, and she adored it. It's true that she couldn't go on most of the kid rides, but she enjoyed the atmosphere, the characters, Playhouse Disney, and all the Fantasy Land rides that allowed youngsters. In fact, I believe this is what started her on this love of all things Tinker Bell.

Admittedly, our next trip won't be until she's 4, but that's because of other factors, not her age. I'd take her again tomorrow, if we had the bandwidth!

 

[LKS]

We purposely took trips with ours just before they turned three to get in a "free" trip for them. They got plenty out of it and had a great time. They can really ride quite a lot.

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks to all for the reassurance-it's never to young to get a Disney addiction!!LOL
I can't wait. I wish we could go now. oh well something to look forward to.
Congrats!!!to crazywig on the upcoming addition!!
Thanks again.