To the nah sayers who say its not worth it to take an infant or toddler

[Lupeix]

We're so excited to be taking our son in October when he'll be around 8 weeks old. Yes he'll spend most of the trip sleeping....but to be able to look back when he's in his teens to those first Mickey Mouse pictures will be priceless to us. Thanks for posting this, it's not a decision that many support unfortunately.

Plus I will say, this trip is as much (if not more) for us than for him! We'll need it by then, I'm sure

First, let me say that I totally support doing the trip mostly for the grown ups , I know for sure toddlers remember more than people think ( DS was 2 1/2 last year at WDW and he remembers stuff) and I think there's something magical about taking children to WDW while they still believe the characters are real.

However, I do believe within the 0-5 set there are some worth it and probably not so worth it times, this is purely based on the fact that one should enjoy a vacation to WDW:

0-3 probably falls in the not so worthy. The reason I say this is because while some people are blessed with babies that sleep all the time, some people are not, and by the time you book your WDW vacation you don't know what your baby will be like. Based on my experience, babies that sleep all the time those first 3 months are not that common. Despite having had a very easy pregnancy and working out until week 38 I had an emergency c-section and a very needy infant. At 8 weeks I was just able to walk 10 blocks and considered taking a shower an accomplishment. While this doesn't happen to everyone you just don't know what life will be like those first 3 months, specially your first time around Things get considerably better after the 3 month mark, but I personally will wait until they sleep at least 7 hours in a row, sleep deprivation while on vacation is not my thing.

The 6 month-11/2 mark is a sweet spot, interested in everything, set up on a routine, OK sleeping plus not too mobile and tantrums have not really started. Celebrating the first year at WDW I think is a great idea.

Taking 2 and 3 year olds is not for the faint of heart, they call it terrible 2s and trying 3s for a reason, and likely potty training time as well. Probably not worth it in hot and crowded times and short stays, went over 4th of July with 2 1/2 year old last year . Have you ever seen the dad of a toddler loose it at WDW? That was DH last year.
worth it with smart planing and low expectations

4 is totally worth it, plus most kids are 38 inches or taller, so they can go on more rides
That said every child is different, but I am having my do-over WDW trip to celebrate DS turning 4 in 2015.

 

[Monykalyn]

For the few people who have had the nerve to tell me she won't remember the trip, I tell them I'm not taking her for her. I'm taking her for me!

yep! trip 10 years ago when DDs were 6 yo and 16 months-questioned on why bring the baby? For ME and how horrible to look at pictures later and not have whole family? As a bonus it forced us to slow down and really enjoy other things (theme in area, kid play area, shows!) that we wouldn't have done otherwise. And we did get a babysitter for our last night for adult only night out (Victoria and Alberts, Pleasure Island -Kunglaoosh!!- and Mannequin's etc. We wore ourselves out that night: 3 hour sleep before having to get up for flight home) but DH still counts it as one of the best trips ever-and he was a major doubter on bringing the baby

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

First, let me say that I totally support doing the trip mostly for the grown ups , I know for sure toddlers remember more than people think ( DS was 2 1/2 last year at WDW and he remembers stuff) and I think there's something magical about taking children to WDW while they still believe the characters are real.

However, I do believe within the 0-5 set there are some worth it and probably not so worth it times, this is purely based on the fact that one should enjoy a vacation to WDW:

0-3 probably falls in the not so worthy. The reason I say this is because while some people are blessed with babies that sleep all the time, some people are not, and by the time you book your WDW vacation you don't know what your baby will be like. Based on my experience, babies that sleep all the time those first 3 months are not that common. Despite having had a very easy pregnancy and working out until week 38 I had an emergency c-section and a very needy infant. At 8 weeks I was just able to walk 10 blocks and considered taking a shower an accomplishment. While this doesn't happen to everyone you just don't know what life will be like those first 3 months, specially your first time around Things get considerably better after the 3 month mark, but I personally will wait until they sleep at least 7 hours in a row, sleep deprivation while on vacation is not my thing.

The 6 month-11/2 mark is a sweet spot, interested in everything, set up on a routine, OK sleeping plus not too mobile and tantrums have not really started. Celebrating the first year at WDW I think is a great idea.

Taking 2 and 3 year olds is not for the faint of heart, they call it terrible 2s and trying 3s for a reason, and likely potty training time as well. Probably not worth it in hot and crowded times and short stays, went over 4th of July with 2 1/2 year old last year . Have you ever seen the dad of a toddler loose it at WDW? That was DH last year.
worth it with smart planing and low expectations

4 is totally worth it, plus most kids are 38 inches or taller, so they can go on more rides
That said every child is different, but I am having my do-over WDW trip to celebrate DS turning 4 in 2015.

I have to say I can totally see your point. I love that you articulated the realities without saying that you "shouldn't" take a baby. You can, just have the proper planning and expectations! I personally would never take a newborn, but I had a rough recovery after having my daughter and having a trip planned would have been a nightmare (you wont know this far enough in advance so it is wise not to plan anything expensive and extensive so early into a newborns life)

I also LOVE your comment about age 4. My daughter was a joy at age 2 at WDW but our trip at age 4 was truly magic. She still believed it was all real and it was so much fun!

 

[branv]

I have a nearly 10 month old now, so I'm definitely in agreement with Lupeix on the whole newborn front (though I had an unexpected csection, my recovery was great. But I still would concur that your body goes through a lot postpartum for months -- hormonally too. The sweating alone... ). Though I would add that anyone who is thinking about traveling with a child under 1 years old check out the Wonder Weeks book. Live it, learn it, love it and for all that is holy, DO NOT schedule a trip during a stormy period. They're like clockwork. Four, six and nine month sleep regressions/growth spurts.. the horror.

Funny though. I had a friend whose first son was a mellow baby, and easy at ages 2 & 3. But in private to me, she referred to age four as the Freaking (not the word she really used, but use your imagination) Fours. Her second son is a terror at two though. Never can tell.