What's the best age to bring an infant to Disney?

[PlutoNotThePlanet]

We are expecting our first child soon and I would personally love to visit WDW / DL sometime in the next 1-2 years. We will certainly go often when they are old enough to have fun and remember experiences as well. What would you recommend as the ideal age range for an infant/toddler to go on a relaxed trip to the resorts/parks? Is there one? Obviously we won't be able to go all-out and just ride rides all day, but walking around the parks, getting food, hanging out at the resort/pool, etc.

 

[CariadMartin]

We are expecting our first child soon and I would personally love to visit WDW / DL sometime in the next 1-2 years. We will certainly go often when they are old enough to have fun and remember experiences as well. What would you recommend as the ideal age range for an infant/toddler to go on a relaxed trip to the resorts/parks? Is there one? Obviously we won't be able to go all-out and just ride rides all day, but walking around the parks, getting food, hanging out at the resort/pool, etc.

I personally have found it easier to take kids to Disney parks either at like the 6-9 month mark or 2 years +. The bit in between was harder because my kids didn't like being confined to the stroller and wanted to get out and wander about and walk - not easy in the crowds of Disney! And they definitely did not get queuing and you have to hold them a lot.

But taking a baby was fine as long as you don't mind the amount of stuff you have to take! And we got annual passes once the kids turned 2 and that was great, they have more of an understanding of why they're waiting/queuing/having to go in the stroller, etc.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We took our 1st DD when she was 6 months and our 2nd DD was about the same age when we first took her. Great trips, plus they love watching the videos from their infant trips.

 

[mjkacmom]

Mom of 5, I agree with the other responders.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I also have 5 kids and we’ve taken them all at all ages, and the worst ages imo as the pp said are ages 1-3. They want to run around, get easily overstimulated, don’t want to be in the stroller, etc. We used “leashes” on our kids at that age and oh the looks we got lol

 

[RoseGold]

If you are only going once, I would until 6 or 7ish. Old enough to get it and ride some more exciting rides, young enough to still princess dress.

 

[PlutoNotThePlanet]

Thanks all, we definitely aren't going once. It sounds like maybe the 6 month mark is ideal, followed by the 2-3 year age range (maybe right before they turn 3 for Guest of Mickey reasons?).

 

[liamthompson]

If you can baby wear (if you don't have back problems and your baby enjoys/tolerates it), I would say before your infant gets too heavy haha

For toddlers, I would go as soon as they drop to 1 nap schedule. The older they get, the more opinions they have!

My 3yo is in this weird spot where I think he is both too young and too old for Disney.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Our son was about 3 yo. No diapers. He was great in restaurants. No tantrums. He truly enjoyed himself and it was a memorable trip!

 

[liamthompson]

Also meant to add...you may not know until your child arrives. Happy sentient potatoes are easy to take places. Angry sentient potatoes (not their fault their angry) may need something different. Same way in toddler stage. Obviously, energizer bunnies will require different strategies than their more relaxed counterparts.

 

[mjkacmom]

Also meant to add...you may not know until your child arrives. Happy sentient potatoes are easy to take places. Angry sentient potatoes (not their fault their angry) may need something different. Same way in toddler stage. Obviously, energizer bunnies will require different strategies than their more relaxed counterparts.

You don’t know what you’re going to get, until they get here.

 

[Anna131517]

We’ve been taking our kids to WDW since the oldest was 6 months old. I think all ages are good! In reality, you’re going for yourself. Kids find anything new fun. At every age there will be pluses and minuses. So go when it works for YOU. And one of my kids is “hard.” But she’d be hard whether we’re at home or on vacation.

 

[tx911]

I’d say your early 30s
You’ll have the best blend of energy, patience , and wisdom at this age.

 

[sponica]

Our first trips were at 20 months, and that worked well for us....but mine love the stroller. The younger one just started fighting the stroller at age 4.

 

[Specter]

We took DD at 10 months and it was a great age. She was very interested in everything, not afraid of the characters (YMMV) and would doze in her stroller but, and this is just our experience, we found that she still did better getting back to the room for a midday rest. We tried to push through on one day with the intent of calling it an early night and she melted down that day, but every other day, when we stuck to the midday break plan, she was great.

Not all kids need that, just be prepared to pivot based on what your kiddo tolerates when the time comes.

Also, because she was born with a full head of hair we were able to do DD's first haircut at the Harmony Barbershop on Main Street. It's not too expensive all things considered and they get some Mickey ears and a certificate and we just always know that that's where that happened.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Our son has been going to Disney since he was 3 months old. We are semi-locals and go almost every other month. I'd recommend taking your kids anytime and all the time!

 

[SG131]

Thanks all, we definitely aren't going once. It sounds like maybe the 6 month mark is ideal, followed by the 2-3 year age range (maybe right before they turn 3 for Guest of Mickey reasons?).

Yes in addition to reasons already mentioned, at that point they are old enough to sit in the disney provided high chairs so you can eat a meal. Definitely do a character meal because the interactions at that age are adorable. At toddler age they go through that stranger danger phase and tend to be scared of the characters.

 

[sponica]

At toddler age they go through that stranger danger phase and tend to be scared of the characters.

This totally varies on the kiddo though, mine were fine with fur characters but face characters were not their cup of tea.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Took my son 9-10 months and he got his first haircut on Main Street while someone blew bubbles, it was so stinkin' cute!

We skipped the year our preemie was born and took her for her first haircut closer to 18 months because she was so tiny and her hair came in later but we also got her first haircut there, also incredibly stinkin' cute.

As for rides, WDW was surprisingly accommodating for babies and little kids because most of the time a caregiver can sit right beside the little one and that works out nicely. Also, there are many slow and easy things of It's a Small World speed and strolling EPCOT that made it nice back then, I loved all those trips!

Truth is baby trips are for the parents not the kids and while mine have wonderful WDW memories they do not remember the earliest trips but I do. It is perfectly ok for this to be for you, people used to try to tell me to wait until they will remember - I don't need that sort of negativity in my life

 

[SG131]

Truth is baby trips are for the parents not the kids and while mine have wonderful WDW memories they do not remember the earliest trips but I do. It is perfectly ok for this to be for you, people used to try to tell me to wait until they will remember - I don't need that sort of negativity in my life

I'm with you. I am not going to Disney only for my kids sake, I'm going cause I love it too! I'm perfectly happy taking a trip for my own benefit, I deserve it.