NEVER EVER EVER EVER Too young for DISNEY!!!

[airtime247]

I agree they can never be too young. We spent four days at Disneyland when our DD was only 4 months old and eight days at Walt Disney World when she was only 10 months.

Sure, she won't remember any of it but we were sure to take lots of pictures and video of her loving the experience. She loved the attention she got from the CM's and many other guests and also loved sampling the foods on our WDW trip. She also got her very first haircut ever right there on Main Street. How neat that will be for her to say someday. Her very first time ever in a swimming pool was at our hotel's kiddie pool.

I'll never forget the look of awe on her face (both of our faces, actually) at the Osbourne Lights and the smiles she gave the Princesses.

She may not remember these trips but I always will.

-steve

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I AGREE!! My son was 9 months when we first took him. It was a very easy trip for all of us. Like others have said, he might not remember his first trip but we do, and he LOVES watching the videos.

He just turned 3 and this year will be his fourth trip...he is SO excited and already talking about what he wants to see.

 

[boristhedog]

We took our twins for their first trip to Disneyland when they were 8 months! I HATE it when people give me the "we'll go when our kids are old enough to appreciate the trip". Our kids have been to DL 3 times, and WDW once. At 2, our kids are asking to go back to "Mickey's house". And they can remember what we ate, what rides we went on, the characters we met, etc. People underestimate their kids. Last month, we brought our 3 month old for her 1st trip, and we all had a great time. No, the baby doesn't know Disney, but she saw lots of lights, heard beautiful music, and got splashed in the front row of Pirates. Nothing wrong with that! And we're going back in March so we get one more trip in before we have to pay for the kids!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I think theres a connection that goes a lot deeper than most people want to admit to. We went to church faithfully, 3 services a week, the whole time my wife was pregnant. Our preacher has a very distinct voice, thats kinda deep toned. When my son was born, he got Jondice (spelled?) and was hospitalized. My preacher came to visit. People came and went and my son had been laying on the mat, all hooked up and hadnt moved in hours. The preacher walked in, and when he spoke, the baby looked over with big eyes to see him. We all looked at each other like "WOW! Did you see that!" Our preacher said "He's heard my voice for 9 months, he wants to know who I am!".

 

[Twinsmomma]

We took our twins for their first trip when they were 29 months old. They remember so much of their trip and it was worth every penny to see the expression on their faces as they saw the castle for the first time. I mean they about fell out of their strollers leaning forward so far and pointing. We never had a problem with changing diapers or naps. Changing a diaper (or two ) only takes 10 minutes at most. As far as naps go, often times they would crash in their strollers which gave us an excellent opportunity to catch a larger ride. We took them to DL when they were just barely 3 years old and we had a BLAST! It was probably one of the best vacations I have ever been on in my life. I was 5 months pregnant, but went on all the kiddy rides with them and my husband. They were so happy and had the best time. We are headed back to WDW in 3 weeks and they can hardly stand the wait. They are thrilled to show their 15 month old sister everything. I know she will not remember much, but we will and no matter what it will be bonding time for our entire family and memories that we can cherish forever.

 

[Ethanowensmom]

This was a very refreshing post to read! We had been struggeling with this very issue for months and finally just booked our trip for Feb. We took our oldest DS to WDW for the first time when he was 9 mos old and it was fantastic! He has been every year since (this will be his 4th time and he talks about it all the time!). I just had my second son the day after Thanksgiving, so we were going to forego the trip this year, but just decided two weeks ago that we were going to go despite everyone's "you're crazy" comments . So we will be traveling with a 3 1/2 year old and a 10 week old this time around. My youngest DS is still nursing, but I do recall how nice the Babycare Centers were and honestly, I just assume nurse him under a blanket or in the baby sling. We are planning lots of downtime and going with the expectation that we most likely will not be able to see every little thing, so I don't think we are crazy at all. Disney makes DH and I happy, so even if the baby won't remember it, he'll have happy parents that will!

 

[madmaxmom]

Thank you for this thread. Up until a year and half ago, I would have been one of those parents that would of asked - How young is too young. But, an un-expected and wonderful trip dropped in my lap about 1.5 years ago when DD was 2.5 to Disneyland. I was SCARED that she wouldn't like it or that she would not remember it. BOY was I WRONG. She can recall to this day the entire trip and every character she met. I think having pictures up in her room about that trip and every once in a while recalling those fun days helps too.

So, it is now 1.5 years later and we are going to DisneyWorld in Feb 07 to celebrate her 4th b-day. It was going to be just me and her, but DH wanted to come. The small problem is - we now have a 6 month DS. I was a bit scared about this, but then wonderful DM decided that she wanted to go and help take care of the kids. I have no doubt that we will have fun and I have no doubt there will be trying times. But, that is why we picked the time that we did to go (less crowds) and are taking reinforcements.

You just have to know your kids, know what to expect and not expect and you will have a wonderful trip. I can't WAIT to see my kids faces - especially my DD when we arrive and she gets to add on to those wonderful memories that she already has of Disney.

Everyone who goes, have fun and just remember to bring tons of patience.

 

[mommytodarlings]

ITA with OP.

We were criticized so much when we went this past September. Our dks at the time were 4.5, 3.5, 2 and 5 weeks.

I was tired of putting the trip off until dks were older because if we waited the our 4th was "old enough" then our 1st dd would miss out on some things, IMO.

I carried dd4 around in a front carrier draped with sunveil fabric and can I say, the looks and comments I got from some people were ridiculous. I was a terrible mom for taking my 5 week old to WDW.

DK's had a great time and we knew with 4 dks there was really no sense in trying to schedule everything, so we just went with the flow and things worked out wonderfully. We only spent 2 days in the parks (1 at MK and 1 at AK) and that was all we were expecting. Dk's were happy just to walk around the resort and they loved the boat ride from POR to DTD.

We did a bunch of character dinners (free dining is great).

I think it is up to each family and others should not judge our decision.

 

[rt2dz]

The decision on when to take your kids (especially for those who think it will only happen once) is personal. But the trip can be enjoyed by any age. I think what a lot of people don't realize is that the baby is the same amount of work at home as at Disney. Actually, our exteremly high maintance DS is LESS work at Disney (and, yes, he's been at 7 months with major medical needs at that time, at 15 months and at 2 years).

And, we too, have extra special memories that could have only happened at such a young age. Like Mickey pushing our stroller for us through Epcot. Or Pocohontis sitting down on the floor and playing with him for 45 minutes at Animal Kingdom.

I went every year from age 2-14 and barely remember any details of any specific trip, but I can tell you how it always "feels" and have several stray memeories that I depend on my mother for to tell me what trip they are from. The only trips I truly remember in full are the ones where I've gone as an adult. And, while I certainly enjoy those trips, they are different from the ones I had as a kid that shouldn't be blown off.

Just from being there myself and from observing my own kids, each trip is a different experience at a different age. I would never give up having my own children see it each way. When it is a wonderment, when it is "real", when it is pure imagination and enjoyment.

I kind of put akin to when we went when I was 6 months pregnant. I had all sorts of people telling me how miserable I was. Uhmmm, sorry, no. I felt fine. It wasn't any different than not pregnant except I couldn't enjoy some of the rides. I think they thought they would have been miserable and were projecting. I was actually less miserable than if I had been at home (I HATE being pregnant and do not have great pregnancies) because there was much to keep me preoccupied.

 

[lillygator]

I agree that they can never be too young!!

My 4 year old has been going since 18 months and the almost 2 year old has been since she was 4 weeks (also many times in utero)....they both also have multiple Disney cruises under their belt.

I disagree with the poster who said she was glad she waited as she noticed all the miserable people with 18 month olds, etc....our easiest trips by far were when the girls were under 2....every family is different...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If I had most people's retarted [sic] ideals of "I'll wait till they are old enough to enjoy it" that moment would never had happened.

Wow. What a rude, hostile and offensive comment. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it.

I get so annoyed when I talk to people and they say "Oh were waiting till they are old enough to really enjoy it" The kids are like 5 and 6!!! How much older do you REALLY think they have to get?!?

I am confused. Why in the world would you be annoyed by this? Aren't these people entitled to their (in YOUR words) "retarted ideals" just as you are to yours?

Everyone has the right to do what they feel is best for their family. I suggest that you stop judging others or putting them down because they don't share your opinions and concentrate on your own world.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

lost in cyberspace... do you ever say anything positive? Every time Ive seen your user ID it was attacking me. Noone has said anything because most of them are agreeing with ME. (In case you havent noticed)

We are all entitled to our opinions, but I wont say what my opinion is at this second as that would be against the rules here, and YOU would definately be offended.

I'm still smiling.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

lost in cyberspace... do you ever say anything positive? Every time Ive seen your user ID it was attacking me.

You must be confusing me with someone else - I have no idea who you are and don't recall ever posting in response to you. I never get involved in disputes on online chat boards and I have certainly never attacked anyone personally. If someone does not agree with me, why should I care?

Noone[sic] has said anything because most of them are agreeing with ME.

Great. What does this have to do with the issue at hand?

I simply posted because calling someone's opinion "retarted" (the correct spelling is retarded), is not only offensive but just plain silly.

You could have expressed your opinion in a much nicer way, instead of belittling everyone who does not share your opinion.

We are all entitled to our opinions, but I wont say what my opinion is at this second as that would be against the rules here, and YOU would definately be offended

I would not be offended at all. I would merely feel sorry for someone who places such importance on something posted on an anonymous online chat board and wastes time being so angry.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

The only anger I'm sensing here is yours. Go back and read ALL the submissions here. Do ANY of them sound as angry as yours? I talked about my daughter kissing Cinderella. What GOOD thing did YOU add to the thread???

You attacked me numerous times as my OTHER user ID.

Perhaps I didnt word that just right, and so I misspelled RETARTED. I think everyone else here got the picture I was trying to say. Now, crazy: ignoring) on with the thread.

Lets try to keep it nice please. It was going very well.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I almost agree. I wouldn't take a baby younger than 3 months but that's just me. We took my DD when she was 5 months old -- and actually she was born premature almost 2 months early so technically she was about 3 months. We've taken her again at 1yo and in comparison, 5mo was much easier and more relaxed.

So I almost agree. I know people who want to wait until their kid is out of diapers or something like that. Dealing with babyfood, diapers and such really doesn't bother us. Disney makes it SO EASY to deal with all of that and if you have DVC accomodations it's even easier.

In fact, we're thinking about taking both children (one would be 3yo and the other not even 1yo) on the 2week Disney Cruise Panama Canal Crossing in 2008!!!! So are we crazy??!!

 

[lillygator]

In fact, we're thinking about taking both children (one would be 3yo and the other not even 1yo) on the 2week Disney Cruise Panama Canal Crossing in 2008!!!! So are we crazy??!!

We're hoping to get onboard the May 2 week sailing!! Not crazy at all!!!

 

[NotSoNewMommy]

Great post! I agree. Traveling (especially with kids) has a lot to do with state of mind. My DH and I took our son to Europe when he was 5 months old. People thought we were nuts. Then we took him to Japan when he was 11 months old and people wished us luck. Then, we took him to Thailand and Singapore when he was 16 months old and people started to think we really had things together and envied us. I'm not saying that it's for everyone, but taking your kids with you (wherever you go) no matter how old or young in this case, can be a wonderful thing.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I agree with the PP. My DD now 3 is a great traveler. She's been to disney 7 times, California Once, Tampa Once, and on a 8 hr Car trip to PA.

Her first trip to Disney when she was 4 months old. As a new parent you can not believe how much confidence that trip gave ME that we can do this. We don't need to give up our love of travel because we have young children.

She was born in the Northeast Late Oct so it was the first time she saw flowers, blooming trees. My husband and I enjoyed just walking around enjoying a nice dinner sitting outside.

As a result, She's completely comfortable with flying, sleeping in hotels and the majority of the time her manners in a restaurant can compete with most 10 year olds.

Granted as others have stated..If its your first and Only trip, wait..but If you plan on returning..its a great, easy place to visit. Everything you need is there or easily accessible.

We've already have our DVC reservation booked for Oct '07 when our new baby will be 3 months. Can't even schedule flights yet because we don't know whether its a boy or girl ;-)

 

[Barbers2005]

I have to admit, I'm in the camp that waited past the baby stage to take dd4 to WDW. Two reasons for this- First, dh and I weren't sure when we'd be able to go again, so we wanted her to be old enough to ride rides, interact with characters and be able to remember it (at least to remember going, even if the details are fuzzy). So, for people who can't afford (or don't have the inclination) to go often, "how old should my child be?" is a legitimate question. Second, and more important in my book is that babies need a lot of care and attention, usually at the most inconvenient times- not to mention the amount of stuff you have to drag around (bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, toys, blankies, stroller and/or baby carrier). Just the logistics of carting all that stuff from NY to FL and then dragging it around on busses and in the parks gives me a headache. That, combined with having to miss out on many rides and attractions or go solo while dh watched the baby was a huge factor in our decision to wait until dd didn't need so much stuff and hands on care (ie. can walk, eat regular food and use the toilet). I'm certain that dd would have enjoyed WDW at a younger age, but dh and I would have been miserable. I'm not saying anything against people who take their teeny tots to WDW (more power to you), but that wouldn't work for every family.

 

[luvdisney77]

I agree, when we took our youngest son people said "he'll never remember it!". He was under 3 so he was free. To this day when we go do Disney he remembers things from that first trip that would amaze those skeptics!

I SO agree! The last time we went was July 2005 and my daughter was 2.5. She remembers! She tells me things that happened all the time, and is SO excited that we are going back! I agree with the pp also that said they are only little like this for alittle while and memories are precious!