How young is too young?

[nhmomx2]

Our DS was 20 months the first time and our DD celebrated her 1st B-day there. We never regreted taking them at those ages. You get to see WDW through their eyes. What amazes a 1yr old may not a 5 yr old, but to see it in there eyes is incredible. I vividly remember being on the carousel with my DH & DS and telling my DH that the trip was worth every penny just to see the expression on my DS's face. Does he remember it? No. Do we remember it? Absolutely!!!

My only word of advice to anyone going there with kids of any age...go at their pace. They cannot keep up with an adult pace no matter how many naps they take!!!

 

[adisneymama]

Yes the baby swap does work! Most of the rides my dd couldn't go on had a fast pass. We would just get our fast passes, then go back to the ride at the scheduled time. Usually my dh would ride first. He would get in the fast pass line and when he handed them the pass he would thell the CM that we needed a baby swap. They would hand him the baby swap ticket he would ride and then come out and hand me the baby swap. I would go get in the fast pass line and ride. Worked great. A lot of the rides had other things my dd could be doing or had a gift shop etc that we could walk around and look at. We also tried to do some of them while she was sleeping in her stroller. I think you will be pleasantly suprised!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Does the child swap really work? I don't mean the process of swaping the child, which obviously, easily can work. I mean waiting in a long line with your child knowing that he/she will not be getting on? I would think it might be a little tough for the little one to hold it together in that sort of situation.

I'm concerned about this, too. I thought that most rides allow the kids to wait with the other parent outside the ride. It would be cruel, IMO, to make a small child wait in a long line, then be told he's not allowed to ride because he's too short.

 

[adisneymama]

I'm concerned about this, too. I thought that most rides allow the kids to wait with the other parent outside the ride. It would be cruel, IMO, to make a small child wait in a long line, then be told he's not allowed to ride because he's too short.

Only one person waits in line. You do not have to wait in line then wait again while one parent rides and then physically switch the baby while the other parent rides. You can walk around go to another attraction etc. Like Test Track for example...get the fast pass. Return at the fast pass time. Your DH can ride Test track while you are riding Figment say. (Just an example) Your Dh simply tells the CM that he needs to baby swap. When he is done riding he can meet up with you say at Cosmic Rays, dad can stay give the little one a snack (again just an example here) while you go back to Test track. Then you simply get in the fast pass line and hand them your baby swap ticket instead of a fast pass ticket. When you are done riding you meet back up with dh and the little one and go on to the next ride. HTH

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Only one person waits in line. You do not have to wait in line then wait again while one parent rides and then physically switch the baby while the other parent rides. You can walk around go to another attraction etc. Like Test Track for example...get the fast pass. Return at the fast pass time. Your DH can ride Test track while you are riding Figment say. (Just an example) Your Dh simply tells the CM that he needs to baby swap. When he is done riding he can meet up with you say at Cosmic Rays, dad can stay give the little one a snack (again just an example here) while you go back to Test track. Then you simply get in the fast pass line and hand them your baby swap ticket instead of a fast pass ticket. When you are done riding you meet back up with dh and the little one and go on to the next ride. HTH

Thanks, that's how I thought it was done, but I've read a lot of posts about making the child wait in the line, so I was a little worried.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Thanks, that's how I thought it was done, but I've read a lot of posts about making the child wait in the line, so I was a little worried.

Yeah, me too. I though the whole family stood in line from the beginning, then the Mom got on the ride and the Dad stayed with the child. The Mom stayed on until the ride was finished and the car came around again, she gets out, and the Dad hands the child to the Mom, and the Dad then gets on and rides. That's where I thought that all of that line standing with no ride would wear on a kid's nerves. I love the Baby Swap ticket idea!! Thanks for the info!!

 

[adisneymama]

Yeah, me too. I though the whole family stood in line from the beginning, then the Mom got on the ride and the Dad stayed with the child. The Mom stayed on until the ride was finished and the car came around again, she gets out, and the Dad hands the child to the Mom, and the Dad then gets on and rides. That's where I thought that all of that line standing with no ride would wear on a kid's nerves.

Don't worry, no need for all that! Disney is very family friendly! We love the baby swap as it is just dh, myself and my dd who is 3. Hope you have a great time! Just remember if the ride has a fast pass, use one of your tickets to get a fast pass and then use your wifes ticket to get a fastpass for another ride. You won't need 2 fastpasses for the same ride if you are going to babyswap. Now you will need 2 fastpasses if it is a ride the little one can do! HTH

 

[SplashLover93]

i first went when i was 6 but i don't remember it that good but my brother however first trip was when he was still in my mom's belly so i doubt he remembers that lol but he has been going since he was born and he is four now and this last trip was one he got to enjoy alot because he was old enough to say lets go on that and beg till we give up and go on buzz for the 100th time lol my brother still remembers some of the rides and when we start talking about it he will say i went on that and he is so happy/excited because he is tall enough to go on test track when we go in december lol my input

 

[lovethattink]

Does the child swap really work? I don't mean the process of swaping the child, which obviously, easily can work. I mean waiting in a long line with your child knowing that he/she will not be getting on? I would think it might be a little tough for the little one to hold it together in that sort of situation.

Why would you wait in line with a child who wasn't going to ride? You just get a baby swap pass when the others in your party get in line. When they get off you swap the baby to them then go ride it yourself. I always find something fun to entertain my little one while the older one is on a ride.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Why would you wait in line with a child who wasn't going to ride? You just get a baby swap pass when the others in your party get in line. When they get off you swap the baby to them then go ride it yourself. I always find something fun to entertain my little one while the older one is on a ride.

That's what I didn't get. Thanks to adisneymama, I have discovered the wonders of the child swap pass. I'm new at this whole Dad at Disney thing!

 

[needawdwtrip]

I've taken all of my kids before the age of 3. My my DS took his first trip at 6 months and was crazy for pooh. We went to CP for breakfast and Pooh visited are table 5 times because it made my DS so excited and happy My middle daughter went at 12 months and my oldest daughter took her first trip at the ripe old age of 2. I guess I'm lucky for several reasons. First my kids all love the characters, every one of them, and could have spent all day visiting them. Also, they could take a nap any where. We would just go somewhere shady or airconditioned and let them take a 1-2 hour nap in the stroller with no problem. When they were ready to nap or go to sleep they were out like a light. Also if there was a ride they were big enough for they enjoyed that, there is plenty of stimulation to keep little ones occupied at Disney World!!!

 

[lovethattink]

That's what I didn't get. Thanks to adisneymama, I have discovered the wonders of the child swap pass. I'm new at this whole Dad at Disney thing!

Be sure to check out the exits of the attractions while you wait to do the swap. Many of them are airconditioned. At certain times of the year Kiddie concierge is open at Space Mt. They have a tv with movies playing, some toys, etc. At Mission Space there are games and a playground by the exit...in the airconditioning! All the baby care centers are airconditioned and have a tv either playing Disney channel, toon disney, or a movie. TT has a nice airconditioned exit with lots of room to walk around. TOT has an airconditioned exit with benches, but not much room to walk around. RnR exits into a store, not much room to walk around with a little one, but it is air conditioned. Splash mt exit has a kiddie playground outside. Space Mt exits into an airconditioned store/arcade.

 

[polyfan]

I don't think you can be too young or too old for Disney or any vacation.


I agree. Each age is a different experience. My boys were both only weeks old wen they went. My oldest went at 8 weeks. It was in the spring. He had reflux and screamed 24 hours a day. My husband worked nights. I thought I would lose my mind at the time. It was an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone. We decided to go to Disney just so my husband would be with us 24 hours a day and maybe I could finally get some help. We went,my husband did everything for my son the whole trip. It was a break that I needed. If he started to cry in the room, either he would take him out or he would tell me to go out for awhile. The characters at all the meals were great with him and I have pictures to look back on with fond memories. Miraculously when we got back home I had a brighter outlook and my son started to show improvement. Disney is Magic.

 

[Esmerelda]

My rule of thumb was....the child had to be potty trained (changing diapers whilst traveling thru the parks is dreadful at times!)....and at least 3 years old. I know a great deal of folks that follow that same rule.

Of course my boys are much much older now...believe it or not..they still remember stuff from our first trips! I can't say that a very very young child would remember to much at all. (which I would want them too!

I'm also proud to say that both of my boys were out of a stroller after age 4. Neither one wanted to stroll...just walk...it worked out great for us as I am not a stroller person. (I was ran over at a younger age...am still having issues with it... Also, at 4 and up they really weren't into napping...so we just came back and had an afternoon swim if it was hot...which was nice for all of us anyhow.

I hope you have a wonderful trip with your group!
Esmerelda

 

[objan]

I have taken my 2 boys anywhere from 14 months to 22 years. I have to admit the younger they were the more difflicult trip it was. We enjoyed all the ages, but I think the older they have gotten the more fun we have had. Our best trip to date was the last one, they were 19 and 22. It's fun to experience Disney with them as adults, but we wouldn't have missed taking them as children either. My next trip is with just the dh and myself. That should be a whole new experence too. Can't wait till October......

 

[gabbysmom04]

we took our dd at 3, 6, and now 13 months old. every trip was wonderful! sure you bring a little more, you go a little slower, but for us all the wonderful memories were worth it. I don't think you can be too young for disney! My daughter won't remember these early trips but I sure will, I will have these memories in my heart for the rest of my life that alone is worth it.

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

Thanks everyone for all of your great ideas and opinions. I knew that I would get reasonable outlooks from the people here.

The plan is to go with my sisters and brothers-in-law and our parents. But my sisters aren't huge Disney fans. (they have only been twice and once was under protest!) They are strange people! lol Because of this they don't think that there will be a lot for the kids to do.

I will take all of your experiences to them and hopefully we can reach a decision.

 

[minijeanie]

You say that the trip will be completely lost on your dd at 6 months--but I have to tell you, I live in Orlando and have been taking my dd (6 1/2 months) since she was 8 weeks.



Sorry, I can't believe you would subject your child at that age to all the germs and people.....


especially since you live in FL and can practically go when you feel like it.

 

[Bella2000]

I don't think you can be too young or too old for Disney or any vacation.

My DS was in the womb on his first trip................. I don't know if he remembers it!

This made me smile. My nephew's first trip was in the womb and his second was at 11 months.

 

[adisneymama]

Sorry, I can't believe you would subject your child at that age to all the germs and people.....

especially since you live in FL and can practically go when you feel like it.[/QUOTE]

I really think this is uncalled for. People have to take their 8 wk old babies to daycare and there are a lot of germs there! I don't think she is just handing her baby off to anyone she sees. Really, this was a post for advice on taking children older than 8 wks to Disney and she was just offering her experience.