Newborns at Disney

[mbfqueen]

Yes?

No?

What age do you think is too young? Or is there an age?

Just getting the wise DIS'rs opinions

 

[sonnyjane]

Just warning you that this topic came up a few times and I recall it ended up NOT being Disney friendly I'll refrain from comment because, well frankly, I'm not yet a mother, so I don't think I have much to say either way, just wanted to forewarn you!

 

[mbfqueen]

Uh oh! lol .. ok ..

 

[goldies 5]

I have taken many a newborn to Dl. I love it! I get to see wonderful things through their eyes even though they don't remember. I took a 3 week old there in 2004. Easy no problem all they do is sleep at that age. Last week took a 5 month old there. It was awesome. Seeing my little girl kick with excitement over the parade and tugging on Santa's beard were priceless. My 5 year old used the stroller more. I carried her around and easily nursed her in my Scootababy. Best investment yet. If you feel at ease with your baby than you should do it if you want to.

 

[ToodlesRN]

We go a few times a year and see infants of all ages and sizes and everyone appears to be having a good time. We first took our son for his 1st birthday. When we have more children they will be going before the age one since this has become a family tradition.

 

[mbfqueen]

Seeee that's what I was kinda thinking ..

On the whole .. most moms are ok with taking infants, for various reasons .. some oppose for personal choices (heat, etc)

Thanks for the input ladies! Anybody else?!.....

 

[PinkBudgie]

I wouldn't bring a newborn only because I would be too tired! Newborns are up all night needing to be fed and I just wouldn't have the energy!
Of course, I had twins and I don't know what it is like to have one at a time. I'm sure you get a little more sleep, but it still can't be much. However, I'm just a wimp about sleep. If I don't get enough, I can't function at all!
I think you have to decide for yourself if this is something you can handle. As far as health wise- I guess you'd have to ask your doctor, I wouldn't know about that. Probably depends on the individual baby.

 

[ChickenCarlos]

im not saying this to be mean, i know that disneyland is fun for all ages, but personally i would not bring a kid that needs a stroller, #1 stroller parking is crazy, #2 stroller are annoying to everyone, even people with strollers, #3 i dont have kids but if i did i would ignore what i said above and start them out young, disneyland is for all ages. even new borns.

 

[SueTGGR]

I took my son for the first time when he was 2 months old (Dr's say they are ready to be in more public places, at least mine did). I went with LOTS of people from my family. I didn't expect to ride a whole lot of rides but with switch passes and other family members it was great. But my son is now 9 years old, so it was a little while ago. He got a chance to see lots of Aunts & Uncles but I"m sure he doesn't remember much from that visit to Disneyland. (You don't want to know how many times he has been there since)

My advice if you do decide to go:
I would go when it is not so crazy busy. These days it is hard to tell with all the fuss over AP's but make sure you aren't in a hurry and have lots of help. The other piece of advice is if you do go, use the wonderful facilities at the end of main st for feedings, diaper changes and just sitting and relaxing. I have never found a place like it. It is even staffed with great CM that will help you with whatever you need.
Remember that you need to do what is best for the baby. Disneyland should be around for a few more years for you baby to enjoy.

 

[cheshiregirl]

My son made his first Disneyland visit at 7 weeks old for Halloween. We have the most wonderful pictures of him in his teeny tiny Tigger costume and we got nothing but positive remarks from guests and CMs alike. He then went back at 13 weeks for a pre-Christmas trip and to meet Santa. He is now 27 months old and will be making his 14th multiday trip to DLR tomorrow morning as we are headed off for this year's Christmas trip.

Honestly, the first two trips were easier for everyone than the ones when he was between a year and 18 months old. Once he learned to walk we have had a harder time keeping him in his stroller, as he wants to be out doing everything and especially loves the characters.

And, while we like to let him out to run around a little bit and have found good ways/places to do so, sometimes it can be tricky and people (often those without kids of their own) tend to be very opinionated about toddlers and their behavior. Thus, if you really want to open a can of worms on this board, you'll ask people what their thoughts on kid harness/leashes are!

 

[CrazyDuck]

My thoughts... I wouldn't bring a kid until he was old enough to walk. Most kids are walking around their first birthday so that would be a good time. Also after 1 they should be well into their shot scheule and less succeptible to many of them nasty diseases. Disneyland is a melting pot with people from all around the world so there is a better chance of being exposed to something they should be immunized against. Then again... this only applies if you vaccinate your kids. If you are one of those people who don't vaccinate them you are better off not letting them leave the house. Just my opinion!

Edit.. Another thing to think about. Studies say most people don't have any memories before the age of 3. So when you take them when they are real young you are not making memories for them, rather you are only making making memories for yourself.

 

[azdisneylover]

This is for me and my family, we didn't think to take our triplets until they were going to turn 6 and planned and planned and were finally able to take them when they were 7.(They are still 7)

What age do you think is too young? Again, this is for our family. We feel 4 or younger wouldn't fair well especially if there are more children in the family and the parents expect to go from morning to sundown. When we went, (November 1-5),there were many children having meltdowns, and parents with that oh so familiar look on their faces! None having a good time; the children were over tired, over stimulated, hungry and some being forced on rides they didn't want to go on. Or is there an age? We wouldn't bring a child under 4. That is us. Every family is different.

 

[disneylover2005]

We took our son to disneyland when he was six weeks old and we had a blast. What I would recommend is going when it's in the value season. I just got back this wednesday and it was more crowed then I have ever seen. Also when we went when our son was little we did go back to the hotel for a while and relaxed (dont push it). In my opinion with the swine flu, I would wait intell the forst shot's and go when it's slow. Keep lots of hand sanitizer and a blanket to cover the baby in the stroller. Other then that it really isn't any problem.

 

[fairycat]

My baby just turned 4 months, he has been 5 times and most likely will have another trip next week. I use a carrier and even on a solo trip with DS I had a great time. I know he won't remember these trips, but I will and I will have great pictures too! Also the baby care center is fantastic!

 

[mbfqueen]

Wow, thanks for the suggestions everyone!

This trip cannot be changed, hence my wondering .. she will be 3.5 weeks at that time, nearly 4 .. so I guess we will wing it and then go from there ..

I love hearing about your experiences tho!

 

[DisCookie]

Not a parent, but I sure felt bad for this guy that was standing in line in front of me to meet the princesses. He was holding his baby (maybe 6 months ) while his wife, MIL, and other kid were off doing something else. When they finally came back, the wife kept telling him we'll come back just ourselves.

The guy asked his wife to go buy him a coffee at the nearby shop and she was like I'll do it if you give me money He had a hard time getting to his wallet since he was holding the baby, eventually he said nevermind, poor guy.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Wow, thanks for the suggestions everyone!

This trip cannot be changed, hence my wondering .. she will be 3.5 weeks at that time, nearly 4 .. so I guess we will wing it and then go from there ..

I love hearing about your experiences tho!

OK curious... You are going in 3 months... but you "know" that the baby will be 3.5 weeks old? Now is that number based on the babys due date? Will the doctor induce delivery on that day? Are you the mother? Does the mother have other kids? If not, I hope the mother knows what to expect! Those first couple of months are tiring... Even more so for my wife!

 

[LavenderPeach]

I used to say I wouldn't bring any kids until they were tall enough to go on all the rides but since we live fairly close, DLR was just too tempting to wait that long so we started bringing DS when he was 3. We couldn't very easily bring our DS before age 3 because of his medical issues so I'm not sure if we would have brought him earlier under "normal" circumstances or not.

I don't think I would have brought him as a newborn though. Mostly because I think I would have been too overwhelmed dealing with being a new parent and like others said, it sounds tiring. But I'm sure it's probably easy in some ways since a newborn can be carried easily and can wait in lines with no problems.

I would just encourage you to be vigilant about germs. Become a germaphobe while you're there to help protect your baby. I know with newborns there is a chance they can get RSV (bad respiratory infection) and while DS never had RSV we have gone through years of him having breathing difficulties including him needing oxygen, breathing treatments, a trach and a ventilator. It's not fun dealing with respiratory issues. I'm not saying that to scare you but it's just something to think about and people so often take their healthy kids for granted. So bring hand sanitizer, wash hands as often as you can, and try not to let strangers touch your baby. Okay, sorry for the germ lecture. Hope you have a great time!

 

[tksbaskets]

I wouldn't bring a newborn only because I would be too tired! Newborns are up all night needing to be fed and I just wouldn't have the energy!
Of course, I had twins and I don't know what it is like to have one at a time. I'm sure you get a little more sleep, but it still can't be much. However, I'm just a wimp about sleep. If I don't get enough, I can't function at all!
I think you have to decide for yourself if this is something you can handle. As far as health wise- I guess you'd have to ask your doctor, I wouldn't know about that. Probably depends on the individual baby.

I had twins and didn't feel human till about 5 months. That said, I think if you have the energy and the heat isn't oppressive it is doable.

I have seen really tiny babies out in the blazing heat at both Disney Land and Disney World and wondered what the parents were thinking.

 

[Judy from Boise]

A newborn is a very easy age, especially if you are well established with breastfeeding and comfortable "wearing" the baby. So on paper it is a great time to go.
Some variables however would be your energy level, your comfort with breastfeeding(and if you aren't i wouldn't go due to the lack of immunities)and if you are comfortable with your baby sling(there again I wouldn't go if you were relaying on a stroller as babies of that age need to be close and cuddled).
Honestly unless you are an experienced mom, that would be a tall order in 3 weeks. The last variable is how hard your labor was and if you will still be sore in sensitive areas.