Soon to be new parents. At what age would you suggest we take our daughter?

[dvczerfs]

I see you are fans. you have to do it a.s.a.p.!!!!

got to get them use to the sights,sounds and smells.

we took our dd at 9 months old. in the 19 years after that she had 25 trips under her belt before her life long dream came true.
now she has more days there me.

maybe she wont remember for the rest of her life the first six or so years but you will. I sure do and wouldn't trade a second of it for anything!!!

 

[SweetMissy]

Our little one has gone at 4 months and 18 months old. Both trips he did extremely well. I was a bit nervous about taking him at 4 months because he wasn't sleeping through the night at that point, and I didn't know how he would nap throughout the day. But the trip was super easy. I'm a baby wearer, which I would suggest looking into, makes life so much easier...not just at disney either. So he hung out in the carrier, nursed or slept the whole time. Great trip! 18 months got a little tricky because he was sick the first few days due to 3 molars popping through. He was walking...all over, lol. So IMO, the younger, the easier they are...usually.

 

[flutterby3744]

Assuming everyone is healthy and full of energy...go whenever you want to go. There is nothing at all wrong about parents wanting to do things when their baby is little, assuming of course everyone is fine. Being someone who was utterly exhausted (found out when DS was 4 that I had had a near tranfusion-worthy hemoglobin level and no one cared to share that with me) and who ended up a bit of a hermit for various reasons, I will tell you that that is NOT fun. If I had known we would become Disney fans, I would have gone much earlier. We actually started taking DS when he was first 1 and then 2. We were in San Diego visiting my brother, and did 2 one-day visits to Disneyland. It was AWESOME. He was so easy! At 17 months old he was just in the mei tai wrap, with a bit of walking, and had a great time. A year later he was in a back carry in the Ergo, walking a bit, with a rental stroller just in case, and again he had a great time. Honestly it was when he turned 3 and started developing his own opinions that it got at all difficult. But the trips when he was 3 were terrific in different ways. Same at 4, same at 5. etc. Now he's 9 and has grown up in Disneyland, Disneyworld, and now Universal (he's tall enough for ALL rides), and it's nearly seamless for him. They are "places we go". YOu guys are DVC members (as we are) and were before expanding your family (we bought when DS was 4). You obviously like the place. You've obviously made plans to be there for years to come. No reason to delay anything when you want to go, again, assuming everyone is healthy. Unsolicited advice time... I highly recommend Beco and Ergo carriers, though wraps are awesome when babies are tiny. When on the front, babies should face the adult wearing them, both for the sake of their spines and pelvis, and for the sake of the wearer's spine, and also so they can see their adults and not just face out towards strangers for hours on end. Just figured I'd throw that out there now, so you don't have to unlearn bad habits caused by how people use the more mainstream carriers (a pox on Bjorn).

I echo your pox on the Bjorn. I had a Moby wrap with my youngest DS and it saved my life. For real.

 

[kboo]

You are going to get a lot of opinions on this. All I can say is go when it feels right for you and your family b/c everyone's family is so different. Some kids nap great in strollers while others need breaks from the park during the afternoons. Some children love the characters while they terrify others- you just never know.

But you can easily do Disney with and infant, 1, 2 year old, etc... if that is what you want to do. Your touring style just might change a bit depending on nap/snack times.

My biggest excuse for taking the kids early was they were free until they were 3 so why not!-lol

So true! We took DD when she was 21 months last year, my parents had excitedly booked an off-site time share and even though we rented a car and schlepped back and forth and had rain most days, we had a great time. She still remembers dinner at Crystal Palace and also Breakfast at Tusker House - Donald Duck was her favorite character at the time, and we have a classic family picture with Tigger where everyone is smiling and she is crying. She thinks it is hilarious now.

I had bought 5-day tix last summer before going, but then (subconsciously?? haha) left them at home. So we are planning another trip for mine and DD's birthday, the week before she turns 3. This time she is super excited already - she doesn't get much screen time and the only Disney/Pixar movies she's seen are UP (many times while we were potty training) and Tangled once. But she seems to know so many of the characters and songs already that I think she will really enjoy it this time.

We used an umbrella stroller (MacLaren Volo) and a Boba carrier on my back. We probably only used the boba 1-2x - I thought she might nap in it but she never napped at the park and we ended up having to make multiple trips back and forth - it was a pain, but she had a blast nonetheless. One memorable dinner (of many) she was dancing at Restaurant Marrakesh with the belly dancer. Yes, we have video and yes, it will come out at her wedding. LOL

 

[maciec]

Whenever you want! I would wait until the baby is sleeping through the night though. The youngest was 8m when we took him. When they are that young it's a much different trip and it's more leisure than the traditional disney adventure. We have gone with our 3 every year since they were really 1 and have had 0 issues.

 

[4xmom]

We took our first when he was 5 months old. He seemed to enjoy it at the time, but it was priceless to my dh and me. We were getting to show our baby our favorite place in the world. We didn't ride a single ride and never even wanted to. We just enjoyed him taking in the sights and sounds. We have 4 now so they have all been as babies. The youngest was 4 months.

 

[nadira36]

So my wife an I are Disney fanatics. We have have vacationed to Disney World four times in the last three years, but have done so alone. But, we are expecting our first child, a girl, in almost 3 months! My question is at what age do you think it is the best time to start taking your child to Disney? Of course my wife and I have made many observations as being a childless couple and visiting the parks such as, it seems like taking an infant would be okay because of the amount of time the baby will sleep, but that is pretty much just an excuse for the parents to go to Disney, haha. It also seems like ages 1-2 might be a tough period because they won't enjoy it to its entirety and might even be scared and overwhelmed by experience.

I ask this mainly because we are DVC members and I am trying to strategically figure out what we want to do with our points in the meanwhile. Thank you for any tips!

Personally we've found that about 8/9 months is a great time to go for the first trip. The little one has a blast, but parents are mostly becoming sane again and sleeping at night.

Also baby's sitting/pulling to stand which we find much easier in general for doing things whether at Disney or at home.

A good baby carrier (I like onya baby) is a must to make rides and shows easy and enjoyable.

But I will also add, we're international and have 8 hours of flight to get to FL and really that makes a huge difference. If we were closer, younger would be just fine.

 

[ktlm]

Congratulations! We took DD(8) for her 1st trip when she was 2 years 10 months to take advantage of Disney's free under three. We've been every year since. That 2 year old trip was probably my absolute favorite. Everything was new and real and there was just total joy on her face for most of the trip (Lets just say, we should have skipped Fantasmic and MK fireworks - and taking a break in the middle of the day did not work for her, stroller naps turned out to be best). I thought it would be a hard trip as she was a very active, high energy, opinionated high maintenance kid, but she was actually better behaved at WDW than she was at home.

It does depend on your child though. If you have a child that is terrified of all characters, and is very low energy or doesn't do well with hustle and bustle, that may not be the right time for your family. I think you should just wait until the baby is born and then once you settle into parenthood you can start thinking about it. As first time parents, I wouldn't plan a trip before the baby is born for those first few months, (or even book one before the baby is born at all) because as much as you think you know what you are getting into with a baby- you won't feel the full impact on your life or realize what you've done until that baby is here. No offense, but I had to kind of giggle when you said as an infant it would be easy because of the amount of the time they would sleep. I had a 10 to 20 minute tops cat nap infant- no 2 or 3 or even one hour naps for mine- EVER. My fatigued self wanted to punch those parents who talked about how their infants and toddlers napped 3 hours in the afternoon, and they could get things done, take naps etc. Hopefully you will be lucky and get a napper, but there is no guarantee! They are so worth it though!!!!!!! Also, just for me, I wouldn't take an infant to WDW, until they were probably around 6 months old because of the germ factor. For us, that is too much exposure for an infant. There are too many people from all over the world packed into one place and there are always some that are sick, but not willing to stay home and give up their trip, or that get sick while at WDW (just look at these boards and you can see that). Our daughter was born in February, and our pediatrician actually advised against taking her to malls or anyplace where you come into contact with a whole lot of people for the first 6 weeks because of it being cold and flu season, and their little immunities not even remotely having been built up yet.

 

[california37]

Congrats for your coming arrival we have taken dd4 every year since she was 8 months old... We are due to go again in 7 weeks with our dd and new dd who will be 51/2 months
A few people have asked why do we bother when they won't remember.. It's our vacation of choice (went every year before they arrived!) but my eldest dd when aged 2 can still remember the trip we took then now!! Plus the great pics and memories made! Babies are easy to travel with but as pp have said-you will know your kids the best

I say for me and my family it is absolutely right to take them from as early as you would like!! Dd is such a seasoned traveller now

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I think 1 years old is a great age. We took my niece when she was 9 months old and it was too difficult. It was December and a bit too chilly for her so we couldn't stay out long. And we would try to schedule our meals when she napped but she would wake up crying and we would have to leave. She was scared of the characters too lol.

Also, the weather should be a factor. As I took my daughter when she was 1 in August and it was too hot for her. But then when she was there 2 months later in October, she loved it. But she was scared of the characters until she was 3. I took my son when he was 1 in May and again perfect weather so he loved it. He loved the characters as well. My son is turning 3 and so I am taking him to Disney for his birthday. It will be his 5th trip. My daughter celebrated her 6th birthday this past summer at Disney. This will be her 9th Disney trip plus 1 trip to Disneyland. And both my kids have been to Disney in utero lol

We are DVC members also. Enjoy it. Such a wonderful way to make magical family memories.

 

[auralia]

We took dd at 2 and she loved it, again at 2.5 (our best trip) and at 3 (harder than the first 2 she was very opinionated).

DS came along. Dd was 4 and ds was 6 months when I talked hubby into an august trip... It was so darn hot but otherwise it was a nice trip. I took ds to the room at nap time and dh and dd stayed in the park and played and I would meet up with them later. Ds really loved looking at things. We went again when he was 2 and dd was 5, almost 6. They both had loads of fun. This was in December so it wasn't hot and ds loved the Christmas lights.


Our next trip is in May. Ds is 3 and very opinionated like dd was so I'm worried he might be like she was at 3 but he is more easy going. Hope it goes well.

I believe I would not take a child to disney who could not sit up on their own in my lap. That would be key for me.

 

[puffkin]

We are DVC/AP holders and I try to get in as many trips before age 3 as possible. Both my kids have been at 12 weeks (squeezed in a trip before I went back to work from maternity leave). Between the two of them I have done pretty much every age inbetween. They are now 8 and 20 months old.

I will say the 12 week and 8 month and 13 month (not walking yet) trips were SUPER easy. Except for the extra gear, he was a breeze. The hardest trips ever were with my older DS at 19 and 21 months. He was AWFUL on those trips. We still had a good time, but we learned on the 19 month trip we needed to rent a car and that did help a little on the 21 month trip (and we haven't done Disney without a car since). By 2.5 he was a lot better. Our next trip with the youngest is at 22 months, so we are bracing for a more difficult time than his last trip.

My kids are very adaptable, fairly good travelers and will eat anything. So we might just be lucky. And the trips aren't just for them either....my DH and I work our butts off all year long to enjoy vacations like Disney so we plan and do things for all of us and not just the kid. I will remember the memories and have the pictures as well even if they are too little to remember it (but it is amazing what they do remember).

 

[msmama]

It depends on your child, I think. And your particular paranoia's as first time parents, lol.

Took my son at 10 months, 2, 4, 5...(we're doing to Disneyland for 6). You'll notice that I skipped 3 because he was a NIGHTMARE at that age.

My son was (and still is) a horrible sleeper so if I waited for him to be sleeping well, we still never would have been. He was never a big fan of baby food so I never had to schlep other stuff with us (he had his first french fry at WDW), he just ate what we did, within reason.

I don't think there's a bad age, AS LONG AS YOU recognize that it will be a different trip. You probably won't be going from rope drop to close. You'll spend a ridiculous amount of time doing this that you could do at a local park (I swear my son was more interested in ducks at Disney than anywhere and anything else).

Congratulations!!

 

[DisneyDiana!]

I took my oldest (now 4) on her first DCL/WDW trip when she was 2 and a half. She still remembers her trip and loves looking at the pictures. Now that I have another little girl we'll be taking her this year when she is 2. This seems to be the best age for us. We got our 1st DD's first haircut at the Harmony Barber shop, she recognized the characters and she was still free, lol! Truthfully, what ever age you feel is best will do. Congratulations!

 

[DisneyDiana!]

Also, on a side note. Turing will be completely different now. DH and I used to go all night and take advantage of all of the late night EMH. Now we have to take into account returning to the resort for naps (or if you're lucky have them nap in the stroller). DH is pretty spoiled when it comes to my excessive planning and we've traveled to WDW a couple of times before the kids are born. Now I have to tell him that we can't go to Boardwalk late at night because the kids have to go to sleep if we want to get the MK early the next day. Kids will slow you down but they'll show you a different and better side of Disney. I cried a little when my daughter met her favorite princess for the first time. To her Snow White was absolutely real and my daughter was just filled with the magic of Disney . Ok, it's a little cheesy but you guys here would understand it better than anyone else.

 

[travelgirl06]

We are DVC/AP holders and I try to get in as many trips before age 3 as possible. Both my kids have been at 12 weeks (squeezed in a trip before I went back to work from maternity leave). Between the two of them I have done pretty much every age inbetween. They are now 8 and 20 months old.

I will say the 12 week and 8 month and 13 month (not walking yet) trips were SUPER easy. Except for the extra gear, he was a breeze. The hardest trips ever were with my older DS at 19 and 21 months. He was AWFUL on those trips. We still had a good time, but we learned on the 19 month trip we needed to rent a car and that did help a little on the 21 month trip (and we haven't done Disney without a car since). By 2.5 he was a lot better. Our next trip with the youngest is at 22 months, so we are bracing for a more difficult time than his last trip.

My kids are very adaptable, fairly good travelers and will eat anything. So we might just be lucky. And the trips aren't just for them either....my DH and I work our butts off all year long to enjoy vacations like Disney so we plan and do things for all of us and not just the kid. I will remember the memories and have the pictures as well even if they are too little to remember it (but it is amazing what they do remember).

Glad to hear the end-of-maternity leave trip went well. We are squeezing in a trip to FL before I go back to work in a few weeks, it was supposed to be just Tampa (but flying into MCO due to airfare) but morphed into half-Tampa half-WDW. We were not planning in doing the parks (we're going to just do hotel pool, favorite restaurants, activities at Ft. wilderness, wishes from the poly, etc.), but DH of course reminded me that it would be ODD's last free trip since she is 2.5. Reading all these reviews of 2.5 year olds having a blast is making me want to take her to MK again (we took her in September when she had just turned two and she had a blast and still talks about it...in detail...).

DD went to DL at 20 months and WDW/DCL at 2 years (25 months). Both trips were great, we did a late nap during our day at DL (and because of it stayed until closing time, which was 11 or 12). She loved DL at that age and hadn't yet developed much of a toddler attitude .

For WDW we went with plans to have a relaxing trip and we did, because we have been many times we had no agenda other than a few restaurants we wanted to eat at and shows we wanted to attempt. We stayed at BWV and brought breakfast food and snacks to enjoy in the room, which helped a lot so we were able to take our time getting ready, etc. We did nap/pool breaks as needed and restaurant time in AC at least once a day (We take DD to restaurants regularly at home, so we knew she would be fine). At Saana a giant bird came right up to our window as we were eating and DD was so excited, made for a great meal.

I really think you can take them at any age, as long as you have a flexible schedule/good attitude and it's a trip for you as much as them. I know DD may not remember these trips long-term, but DH and I will, and I know we enjoy them just as much as (if not more than) she does

 

[AmyBWV99]

Ds#1went the first time at 9 weeks Ds#2 went first at 2.5 weeks Ds#3 went first time #6 weeks Ds#4 went first time at 4 months. Younger the easier they have no opinions and sleep most of the time!

Edited to say all c section babies. I seem to recover easily from surgeries tho so I can't say every mom would be ready to tackle WDW with a 2.5 weeker & 2.5 year old as we did in 2007.

 

[RoosMama]

I think it might be easier to wait and see how your baby's temperament is. A lot of people on here say that infants are easier, but my DD was a nightmare at that age (colicky and detested the car seat). By contrast, her 2 year old trip was amazing, no temper tantrums or anything (no terrible twos here, she got them all out as a baby!)

 

[vettegirl]

I am due in July and babies first trip will be in Dec at 5 months old. Can't wait!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[tcherjen]

Took oldest at 6 months, 12 months, 4 and 8. Traveling with a baby wasn't too bad for us. Congrats!!!