No more trips for a while

[TCO]

Hello there, well we wont be booking to go back to Disney for quite a while, the reason is because my wife is expecting our first child.

We are mega excited but were watching a programme about WDW last night and I started thinking already what is the soonest you could go to WDW with a little un.

I was thinking maybe between 2 and 3 they would start to enjoy it, what are people's experiences of taking young ones?

Anyway that is all far down the priorities right now but it is still in the back of my mind

Our trips and indeed our lives will never be the same I imagine.

(Ps I'm targetting staying at the Art of Animation in 2013 but don't tell the wife )

 

[buzz for boys]

Congratulations

We have took my 2 youngest when they were just 2 and they both loved it. MY ds doesnt really remeber a lot of the trip though he was 2 and 2 months, my dd was exactly 2 and a half and she remembers loads!!

For me the best thing about taking them so young was their faces whenthey saw the characters. It was total amazement that the characters on the tv had come to life.

Hope that helps and again congratulations and good luck

 

[DISWolves]

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!!!

Having been a few times before, we waited until DD was 6 years old - thinking she would probably remember it even if we never went again.
DD is now 12 and next year will be her 7th visit

 

[wayneg]

Congratulations Tom.

We took DS when he was 3, relatives going with us this August incl our God Daughter who will be 3. Great age to take them for their 1st experience.

Exciting times ahead for you.

 

[TCO]

Thanks guys, the last thing I would want is to take a little un and have them terrified by the characters and scar them for life. Plus if they are too young I imagine we ourselves wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

This years promises to be an exciting if scary one for us anyway. We are currently trying to navigate the minefield that is looking at prams.

One thing is for sure, my son or daughter (find out in 2 weeks) will be brought up on Disney films

 

[2Tiggies]

Congratulations!

I don't think there is a right or wrong age to take a child. Prior to around 3 they are unlikely to remember it. But then your baby is part of your family and you do things like go on holiday as family. So baby may not remember the trip, but you will.

What lovely news to herald in the new year.

 

[TCO]

One more silly question for future reference, baby is due 28th May, am I right in thinking there is a half term around the end of May?

It actually turns out Nikki was already pregnant last time we visited but we had no idea till a couple of weeks after we returned, she had a couple of drinks (literally only a couple thankfully) and went on the rides but hopefully no harm done!

 

[wayneg]

Yes, its half term and its also Karens(DW) Birthday on 28th May.
We have been away a few times for her Birthday, incl May 2009 when she got a $75 gift card from Disney for that years promo, we almost booked for this May flying 28th May til 4th June but decided it was too near DS's exams so booked Feb half term instead.

 

[scojos]

tell karen, as my birthday is also the 28th..its obviously a special day
congratulations tom on the birth of your first child
be aware...lastyear the 28th was the day we broke up from school and didnt fall during the witsun holidays...1st time ever i had been to school on my bday, either as a student or teacher, and this year we break up on the 29th
tracy

 

[paulh]

congratulations, but that never stopped the DW from going went when 6 months and when youngest was 8 months and every year since
Paul

 

[disneydaft]

Congratulations

We took Alex in September when he was almost 9 months. He loved everything about it. we did a few character meals and he went on loads of rides. His favourite was probably pooh though he was mesmerised by buzz lightyears spin. He adored the shows at Seaworld as well.

We got a bit of grief from family saying we shouldn't take him because he wouldn't remember it. My response was that with that attitude there is no point doing anything like swimming soft play birthday parties etc until he was older.

Besides it virtually free to take an under 2 on holiday.

We go again in 3 weeks for his second trip. He will turn 13months old while we are there.

 

[orangetiggs]

congratulations

mine love playhouse disney on sky and know who mickey is and they are 13 months!! we are taking them in oct and they will be 23 months old then and we cant wait!!

 

[Rohais]

I don't have kids currently but an interesting point was brought up in another thread I was reading

The OP had a lot of their family and friends, and strangers even, saying that their children would not remember the trip as they were too young and what was the point.

BUT, is a trip to WDW all about the child? Not for those who frequent the DISboards, probably, as most tend to go more than once.

So, even though your children might not remember the trip at age 1yr etc...you will. You'll have the memories and pictures of their faces and reactions, and how things change during your various trips as they grow older.

Each trip may have to be different, depending on the age of them. For example, at 6months you probably wouldn't go on any rides but would be able to enjoy the other activities and features that WDW offers.

It'll be your 'family' experience, not just the child's

So, I think whichever age is right for your family. What you feel comfortable with, both for your and the child's age and your enjoyment...and value for money.



PS Sorry for the babble! Its been a loooong new year's day!

 

[tinks_1989]

One more silly question for future reference, baby is due 28th May, am I right in thinking there is a half term around the end of May?

It actually turns out Nikki was already pregnant last time we visited but we had no idea till a couple of weeks after we returned, she had a couple of drinks (literally only a couple thankfully) and went on the rides but hopefully no harm done!

hi

we are also expecting our first in 9 weeks i had also thought when would the soonest we would go back as a family and have decided the October the year she is 3 so will be 3 and half roughly

how you getting on with prams it took me ages to decide lol!

 

[Elise79]

Congratulations!

We took DD at 9 mths, 15 mths, 22 mths then 2 yrs 5 mths. Each trip has been great and we really notice her change and develop while there.

Looking forward to her next trip when she will be a month away from her 3rd birthday!

BTW I also have a few drinks and did all the rides before I found out I was pregnant with DD!

 

[dbriggsq]

One more silly question for future reference, baby is due 28th May, am I right in thinking there is a half term around the end of May?

It actually turns out Nikki was already pregnant last time we visited but we had no idea till a couple of weeks after we returned, she had a couple of drinks (literally only a couple thankfully) and went on the rides but hopefully no harm done!

Our eldest DS was born on 28 May 1982 and yes it is half term holiday - Spring Bank holiday to be exact - hospital was very understaffed that day. Don't worry though - they don't usually arrive the day they're due - DS was 3 weeks late! He now has a DD of his own and is wondering when is the best time for her first visit - and I can't wait!

 

[TCO]

hi

we are also expecting our first in 9 weeks i had also thought when would the soonest we would go back as a family and have decided the October the year she is 3 so will be 3 and half roughly

how you getting on with prams it took me ages to decide lol!

It's a bloody nightmare, just started a thread on the community board so many options and things to consider

What did you go for in the end?

 

[T16GEM]

Congratulations, it's the best reason of any not to be planning another trip

Having said that - I was mortified that we wouldn't be going back until 2012 at least when we had our two kids so close together, we thought they would be too young to appreciate it - having said that this year will be their 4th trip! DS turns 4 next wk and he first went when he was 11 months, it was wonderful, he was so little but he took in all the lights and loved the characters - wouldn't let go of Fliks hand at the entrance to AK, it was quite comical! I think it's up to you when you take them, everyone has a different opinion of what is the best time, but now that mine are 5 & 4 I think they will really love it - it gets better every year! DS is frantically measuring himself on the Disney Height chart in the living room everyday to see if he is big enough for Soarin!

 

[TCO]

So me and the wife were talking and I think I may have talked her round to possibly go sooner rather than later.

My question is, are children under a certain age free on flights and hotels etc?

We are just trying to work out when the best time to go would be (ie balancing out prices Vs age of little un), I have shares paying out in 2012 then 2014 and 2015, so potentially could go anytime from next year onwards.

PS We found out on Monday it's a boy - roll on May 28th!

 

[2Tiggies]

So me and the wife were talking and I think I may have talked her round to possibly go sooner rather than later.

My question is, are children under a certain age free on flights and hotels etc?

We are just trying to work out when the best time to go would be (ie balancing out prices Vs age of little un), I have shares paying out in 2012 then 2014 and 2015, so potentially could go anytime from next year onwards.

PS We found out on Monday it's a boy - roll on May 28th!

Congratulations on your little boy! You must be soooooo excited!

First of all, there is no 'best age' to take a child or a baby to Disney. It is all about how you feel comfortable. For what it's worth, I found travelling with a tiny baby (took DD on numerous longhaul flights on my own from when she was just over a month old) and honestly I found a tiny baby a lot easier than an active 3 year old.

Babies are free at Disney hotels (under 3 counts as an infant at Disney). They sit on your lap on flights and have a sky cot and don't pay for a ticket as such, but there is a nominal tax payable. They also usually get their own luggage allowance; at least with the major airlines.

You will not pay for a park ticket or dining plan for your baby until the age of 3 at Disney.

What else can we help you with?