New at the Parent Thing....

[dopeyears]

My DW and I are expecting our first child. We are looking forward to that day, and to our first trip to DisneyWorld as a family. However, being new at this parenting thing I turn to you...... What is the earliest we can go and expect our child to understand what is going on. We don't have any of our parents around to go with help us. We were thinking around 4-5, but we want to hear your suggestions. When is too young just a waste of time, or too scary for them?

 

[swilshire]

It's not a waste of time if it's fun for you. We took our kids everywhere we wanted to go from birth. They have always been very adaptable to new things. When they are small, they sleep if they get tired and do all the usual things they would do at home (eat, play, poop). You don't pay for tickets for the babes, so go .... enjoy.

Little kids don't get scared of much. This may change as they hit toddlerhood. Again, the more they can be exposed to when tiny, the better IMHO.

Ours are now 18, 16, 10, and 5. Many happy Disney vacations under our belt with another coming up in July.

Sheila

 

[alloyd1170]

It also depends on the disposition of your child. We have a well behaved 2 yr old son and took him just after he turned 2. We all had a blast! The best part was that he was free at most places (dining was not always free). Before we went, I got the planning kit for the dvd. After watching it a few times, my son asked to watch it over and over again. Another good dvd available in the parks is Where the Magic Lives. Both show the hotels, parks, some attractions, characters, etc and helped prepare him for the trip. To help get over the fear of the characters (he was afraid of Santa a few months earlier) I got the Sing Along Beach Party video. It only has the main characters on it, but he was comfy with them in the park. The ones he didnt know scared him, but he walked right up to Mickey on his own. We had 3 days at WDW. We arrived around noon, checked into the Contemporary (a plus is to stay on-site so you can get back to the room for a break/nap easily), had lunch, then headed to MGM. My son likes Playhouse Disney so that was the first stop. We hit a few 3d movies (which he didnt like at all), the I Shrunk the kids set (lost him in there a few times), the parade and Fanstasmic. The next day we got up front in the monorail (he loves trains so this was a huge hit) and did MK-all at his pace. He got all excited when he saw the castle-like he knew where we were???? (did the videos help???). We headed right to Fantasyland and rode a few rides there. We went back to CR for a lunch/nap, then returned to MK for more rides (and some reriding), the parade and fireworks. We split the next day between AK/EP, then saw the water parade. Departure morning we ate at Chef Mickeys-the highlight of our trip, and by then he had gotten used to the large characters. In all, you can do it young, but it has to be at the child's pace, not yours. I think 2 is good as they can walk, tell you a little about what they want, are still free, and remember some things. I took lots of pictures and video which we look at all the time. We will be going back right before he turns 3 so it will be interesting to see what all he remembers (I imagine quite a bit). This site has a lot of great info and advice-even for pros!

alison

 

[Disney_1derland]

and she knew what was going on then. She already knew Pooh characters and mickey and minnie. By the time we left WDW she knew a few more that have remained favorites to this day. The character interaction at this age was fabulous, just to see that little face light up and the characters took so much time with her and were very kind.

She was/is a very well behaved, good dispositioned child so I'm sure this added to the ease of the trip. She's now 4 and still vaguely remembers parts of the trip. And now that she's in the 'scared of everything' stage she can see pictures of herself as a baby with the characters and thinks "hey, I wasn't scared then so I'm not gonna be scared this time!"

Also, at this age they are free-what more can you ask for! We ate at the nicest restaurants we dared take a child into and had wonderful experiences and the lovely lady operating the pin cart at downtown disney explained to us that we were basically abusing our child by not getting into pin trading and gave us a lanyard and a set of pins just because she couldn't stand to see 'such a beautiful child wandering through life without a pin to her name'

See, we had an amazing time! Now, in the fall we are taking dd#2 for the first time. She will be 25 months old. We are sure she will be the terror of disneyworld and we're hoping we all survive the trip! Each kid is different, but even with dd#2 we are so excited to see her little face light up (between rounds of destruction!) that we are taking her anyways

A sidenote....if anyone reading this is gonna be there november 5-13 and in the distance you see things exploding or being destroyed, it's just us and baby Stitch and we're sorry

 

[720L]

We have brought our kids since they were 3 months old, we never regretted bringing them or felt like they didn't enjoy it. Babies love bright colors and sounds and getting pushed in a stroller watching people. It's constant entertainment for them. And we loved watching them experience the Disney magic for the first time!

 

[JohnsPrincess]

My mom's been taking my little sister (who's 4 now) since she was...less than 1 (can't remember exactly). She's always Loved it. You just have to pay attention to how they are feeling. A couple breaks back at the hotel each day to swim or nap are always good. When the baby is older make sure you have lots of snacks for her.

 

[Zoesmama03]

We are going when my dd(10 months now) will be a few months shy of 3 years old. We will have grandparents to help us but it is still very very possible to enjoy your time as a family.


The have in room sitters if you wanted to go out one evening as a couple alone.

 

[zurgswife]

Originally posted by 720L
We have brought our kids since they were 3 months old, we never regretted bringing them or felt like they didn't enjoy it. Babies love bright colors and sounds and getting pushed in a stroller watching people. It's constant entertainment for them. And we loved watching them experience the Disney magic for the first time!

Exactly what we have done with our youngest ....she made her first trip at 3months....and I have wonderful memories of watching her see things....but she has gone about 1-2 a year since then and every year she finds something new....

She has gone back and forth on the scared thing...at 3 TOT was great at 4 she was too terrified to go again...we just roll with the punches....

 

[kfeuer]

We went last year when our oldest was almost 3 and the youngest was 5 months. They both had a great time. I'd highly suggest a trip before they turn 3 (it saves alot of money, and 2-year olds definitely appreciate DW). You just have to have realistic expectations--you can't do commando touring w/ a baby or everyone will be miserable. If you slow down and take the baby's needs into consideration, you can have a magical time.

 

[TDS373X]

I also could not wait to take dd...so her first trip was for her 1st b day and we celebrated it at Chef MIckey's. I waited that long because I did not want to have to worry and fuss with bottles/nursing...We have some wonderful memories and pictures and some things that have since turned into traditions..a picture on the carrousel every time to show how much you've grown...We've just returned from her 4th trip in her short 4.5 yrs of life it gets better every trip and I wouldn't trade any of them. You just have to know your child and know yourself. think about all the stuff you drag around with a baby is it worth it. if it is go for it and have fun. they may not remember it but you'll never forget it.

 

[marcyinPA]

We took our oldest ds for the first time when he was almost 2 1/2. We wanted to take him while he was still FREE! He knew alot of the characters at that age, and he wasn't afraid of them. He did nap every day in the stroller, and we had to deal with diapers since he wasn't potty trained yet. But he ate regular food, and pretty much went with the flow. He remembers alot...with the help of video! We've been two more times since then, so he considers himself an expert... ...He's 9 now.

My youngest ds took his first trip to WDW at 3 years and a few weeks. Being a second child, he knew EVERYTHING and wasn't afraid of ANYTHING. He remembers alot of the trip too...thanks to video and my scrapbooking habit. We went a month ago, and he recognized alot from our previous trip. He's 5 now.

I think they are never too young, as long as you are comfortable taking them with you. I don't know if I'd handle taking an infant to WDW very well...I was kind of a schedule freak

 

[sha_lyn]

I say go while the baby will still be free. Try to time it close to their 3rd Bday however. DD's first trip was at 2 1/2. we returend 2 yrs later and she was actually asking about things she had done at 2 1/2. I'm sure the trips will eventually blur together but she still remembers (she almost 7) some of the things we did on the first trip that we did not do the 2nd trip.

 

[MinnieGi]

If you both love visiting WDW, then any age is a great one to introduce you child to WDW!

We took our DD for the first time at 14 months. She had such an awesome time and took so much in. I'll never forget her waking up each morning and running over to her stroller and pounding her fist on it and saying, "go!" She wanted to eagerly see what new adventures awaited her. She may not remember the trip, but DH and I do! And she loves looking at all the pictures of when she first went to WDW!

She's now 3 1/2 and a veteran of 5 WDW trips and each has been a pleasure and definetly worth taking. New interests and fears do arise each trip but thats just the nature of growing up.

We are now expecting her little brother in August and already have a Feb. 2005 trip planned! He'll be six months old and we are looking forward to his first picture with Mickey and Minnie!

Our 3 1/2 yo is already busy planning our Feb. trip with new little brother. She'll bring up what character breakfast she wants to attend and which one she thinks little brother will like best. She's also asked about which rides and shows he'll be able to do.

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival and when you get the urge to go, go ahead and plan your WDW trip with your little one, you'll have a grea time!

 

[merrywether]

I was so glad to see this thread started because the "when do we begin our first baby's DisneyWorld education" discussion has been the ONLY argument DH and I have sustained during my pregnancy!!!!
I'd love to go in a year (baby is due in 2 weeks), but am willing to compromise and say age 2 1/2. My husband insists on 5 yrs. (although I suspect he's saying this now just to be contrary!). I'm going to print out this thread and show it to him!!! I've always thought the same as all of you have noted....Disney is great for little ones, as long as your goals are realistic. We've all seen the tired, cranky little ones with the tired, cranky parents who are too intent on "seeing it all" instead of taking care of comfort levels! As Disney veterans, I'm sure we'll be able to manage without losing our minds!!! Thanks for the great advice!

 

[kelscross]

I was going to wait until the girls were 4 or 5 to take them but I had an itch last year and a thought that hey..it had been years since I had been and they are free!! So we went when they were 2. Everyone told me they wouldn't remember etc. Not only did they remember the trip they talk about to this day almost a year later!!

Of course the pace was slower than the last time I went with another adult. But we had a great time. A melt down here and there but overall it was wonderful.

 

[NotUrsula]

They are MUCH more portable at under 6 months; stick the little peanut in a sling and do anything you did before except the rides with height requirements (you can swap those). Once they start crawling, it's harder, but still not impossible. Nursing helps; no bottles and formula to keep up with.

IMO, five is too old. It's a fearful age, and if they are not already experienced on the rides, they will be scared of darn near everything, even Peter Pan! IME, they tend not to get over that stage until they are nearly 8. (Yes, I only have one child, but I've got hordes of nephews, and even grandnephews.)

 

[crazywig]

just back with ds, who is 2. his first trip was last year when he was 9m....honestly it was easier last time! this time he was stroller resistant and more prone to tantrums but we still had a great time.

i'm due in september and am currently debating how stupid it might be to take a newborn in november (ap's about to run out, i'll be on maternity leave so no used vacation time, sounds doable )

 

[sarahsmom73]

We took our dd at 2 1/2 this April and had the best time! She loved every minute! The only fit she threw was when Kali river rapids broke down just before we boarded.. (She is tall.. over 38 inches!) There is nothing like seeing the magic in your child's eyes!!! We are planning to go again when she is almost 4 1/2 at Christmas!