When is the right time for babies first Disney trip?

[DisRich]

My wife and I just recently became DVC members last year and have already been taking advantage of it and enjoying it! Now that we have our first new edition to the family coming in May, we are wondering what time is the right time for babies first Disney trip.

We won’t be planning anything in the early months but we’re starting to consider dates from December (6 months+) to next spring (just shy of 1 year). Being new parents, we don’t know what to expect on the caring for the baby/taking a vacation side of things and are concerned for when the enjoyment of the trip will outweigh the task of a baby vacation, and ultimately make for the most enjoyable experience.

A little perspective is that we go to WDW mainly and the travel is from NY to Orlando (2.5 hours by plane). Open to park considerations and other baby friendly recommendations and suggestions. We’re looking for any and all tips from the best age for the best experience (understanding they won’t remember it but with DVC we’ll be going often enough that memories will come later), what to expect from taking the first vacation with a baby and just all of your experience that might help with this planning!

Thanks

 

[patty57]

I don't think that there is a best time to plan. When the baby comes, and you get to know their personality, you will have a clearer picture. Some babies are just easier than others.

 

[jo-jo]

I don't think that there is a best time to plan. When the baby comes, and you get to know their personality, you will have a clearer picture. Some babies are just easier than others.

So true. We have gone with our grandkids at different stages. At 6 months my DGD was " standing" on my lap dancing thrilled with the music and colors at Lion King show. My DGS at about a year old was scared to death of the characters.

 

[AnnaS]

My grandchildren started at 6 months or so - I think the toughest time/more patience needed is between 1 and 3. But as @patty57 posted, you will know your child as they start developing. Under one, they are still on formula/breast feeding (pouches?)- so much easier not worrying about eating our foods too much. They can get picky (I called one of my grandsons Mr. French Fry one week. He did not want to eat anything).

Main thing is that whenever you go, and all ages are there from infant on, to follow the child's needs as much as you can. Some will sleep in strollers fine and some will need/head back to the room for naps. Or parents prefer it. Some will turn in early in the evening to keep the child's routine and some will be out all night. Up to the parent's really.

My sons also bought a small noise machine (they use it at home). Take advantage of the Baby Care centers. Since you became a DVC member (congratulations), you know you will be back often and won't/should not feel the need to do it all.

If they traveled during that tough period of 1 and 3 - not many TS reservations were made. They all tried but discovered fast, it was not worth the hassle. Sometimes they can be great for one sitting but not the next. So that is up to you also. Last trip with my 21month old grandson at Hoop Dee Doo, my grandson was great but half way through, parents took turns taking him in the back. He had his share of sitting and not entertained anymore.

 

[Rory607]

We have traveled to various places with our kids from very young ages. Our kids’ first Disney trips were at almost 2 with our oldest and 1 for our youngest. We celebrated his first birthday at Disney!

You just have to adjust your expectations. For example, our first couple of trips we never stayed for fireworks. Bedtime was far more important. Our kids always stroller napped, which was great. But not all kids will nap that way so you might be going to the room for naps.

 

[sponica]

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, the key thing is to recalibrate your expectations. Pre-kid I was a rope drop to park close person....my first tapped out by 630 or 7 PM when we went at 20 months and she HATED every ride (seriously she tried to climb out of Dumbo mid flight, I've never been so traumatized by a flying elephant). So I de-emphasized rides to some extent and just found other experiences. My in-laws were with us, so my husband and I could ride some rides.

When we went for my youngest's first trip, I think we made it to 7 or 8, but we weren't as motivated to stay late as I had splurged on theme park view at the Poly. We could see the fireworks every night from our patio.

I was blessed with stroller nappers.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’m about to get real-life experience next week, but I found this thread useful: Thread 'What's the best age to bring an infant to Disney?'. Sorry, link isn’t posting right, just look farther down on this page.

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

Dec 11, 2024

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.

• PlutoNotThePlanet
• Replies: 37
• Forum: Disney for Families

 

[DisRich]

Thank you! We really appreciate the insight!

 

[pixiedust33]

As others have said, I think it definitely depends on your baby's temperament (and probably yours as well). Personally, I started dreaming of a Disney trip as soon as my son was born (in 2021) and idly thinking about Disney trips and researching was like my primary thing to look forward to in those tough postpartum months. But, my son was a terrible sleeper, didn't like commotion, hated the stroller, and only wanted to be held. We were constantly exhausted. As a result, I kept postponing the trip and I'm glad I did. We ended up taking a really awesome blowout trip to the Polynesian and all four parks when my son was almost exactly 2.5. It was a great age and magical. It was also exhausting but still felt ultimately worth it. My advice would be to wait to get some gauge of how your kid is with sleeping, strollers, and commotion, and then decide. But, since you're DVC members anyway, I would also consider a resort-only trip when you do, or maybe just like one light at MK! My son's absolute favorite things on our trip last year were character meals, playing in the sand at the Polynesian, dancing and playing games on the grass at the Poly, riding Disney transport, and playing in the splash pad - and you don't need park tickets for any of that and it still felt very "Disney" and magical. As a result, we're going back again this year and doing a much more resort heavy trip, which I think is ideal for the toddler age.

 

[Anthony1971]

We own DVC and did way back then as well. First trip was 5 months then 11 months including a cruise then......
That age expect sleep for sit down meals, expect to be back at the resort around 6-7, expect early nights and early mornings. Most important make sure to bring jar food, formula, dry food that baby will eat.... This is hard to find at Disney and as I said Baby may not eat when you eat. Hot to AC = Nap time. Other than not being able to go on roller coasters etc for years we enjoyed the many times we went. Also Doctors phone number in case baby gets sick. Disney also has a Baby care center in each park with rocking chairs to feed baby. The CM here will be knowledgeable as where you can find X if Disney carries it, Although is that as big of an issue these days with all the delivery services available.
No ideas what resort you plan on staying at we welcomed the bus rides... Monorail has a few flaws mainly the ramps.... Same with BW resort. Walking to Epcot is uphill then downhill then up a steep hill. I would save these resorts for walking age. Yes folding a stroller requires far less energy to answer that...

 

[tinkerjo]

I found that 9-12 months was awesome. Big enough to enjoy the sights and sounds but slept well in a stroller and didn't want down to walk. We would find some spots to let them crawl around from time to time and they weren’t scared of characters yet. 1 1/2-3 is such a challenge. Just took DGD at 2 1/2 and she was overstimulated and cranky. She still had fun but I don’t think my DD did, trying to keep her happy. I say bring them when you’re ready. Frequent travel from the time they are little make good travelers. Also, I’m all about a schedule but if the baby is too scheduled, travel is difficult. My youngest was a go with the flow kinda guy (didn’t have a choice, I had much older, active kids) and he was such a good baby.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We took our youngest grandchild at 7 months. She was great-slept in the stroller or really anywhere. Took her again at 2 1/2, and it didn't go well. Our middle grandchild was 15 months and she was fine. But in that case, however, I think that grandparents are more helpful-we took her back to OKW (where we stayed) every afternoon for a nap while the 3 yo and grandpa went to the pool. So I agree that under a year or after 3 is fine, but 1-3 years old is a little tough. By 6 they find things they enjoy-our middle grandchild insisted on being the "map holder" and found everything on the map and how to get there. But who wants to wait until that age. I'd say take your baby as soon as they can sit up!

 

[starry_solo]

Before they cost money for a ticket!

 

[TPG0235]

First off, congratulations on the soon-to-be new addition to the family! Experiencing Disney with a child is a very special thing! As for when to make that first trip, go whenever you think you are ready. Just make sure you have realistic expectations on how a Disney trip with an infant / toddler will be, because you are no longer the boss. Your day will be dictated by the mood of your little one. But most importantly, enjoy the time spent with the family because you are creating core memories.

 

[Rogue1677x]

It's definitely a temperament thing when it comes to babies and even young children. My daughter has always been a fabulous traveler, with her first flight in a helicopter at 6 months, first airplane flight at 11 months and trip to DC she was all gummy smiles.

Fast forward to when she was 4 1/2, her first trip to Disney, the photo of her in front of the castle is one huge scowl. She cheered up shortly after we got there, but initially it was just a lot to take in.

 

[DisRich]

Appreciate the insight from everyone! Yea, we figure it will have to be something we feel out as we begin our parenthood adventure but I just thought I would get a feel from everyones experiences to keep booking in mind (since it has to be far out in some cases). From observing my friends and families kids, I was thinking before 1 would be good. The children in the family between 1-3 can also be a handful - which seems to be the case with a lot of your experiences. Depending on how our child is, I think trying to do a under 1 yo trip and then maybe waiting a little bit for the second trip will end up being ideal.

It's def going to be different going from just the 2 of us grabbing our bags whenever we want and making a trip happen last minute - with all the other factors of traveling with a young one but I can't wait for the experience. Honestly we are pretty laid back WDW people anyway. Mainly doing early morning - early afternoons and relaxing between lunch and dinner. Aside from an earlier dinner and not worrying about the rides, I'm hoping we can still make it nice and simple. I feel like just seeing some characters and walking around the parks will be worth it.

**I have def been bringing up having the grandparents there as well. Def feels like a smart move lol.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Just to offer a slightly different perspective…

I brought my daughter at 4 months (was a large family trip planned prior to my getting pregnant). She was fine - soaked it all in and had the best time - but I was an absolute mess.

I, too, am a super laid back WDW-er…but was the total opposite in the early days of being a 1st time mom. The crowds made me nervous, the heat, the uncertainty around naps…everything. All the things I swore I wouldn’t care about…I did!

Just throwing it out there that it’s not solely dependent on the temperament of the baby…gotta take the parents into account too. And there’s really no way of knowing until you’re actually in the thick of it.

I treated myself to a do-over trip exactly a year later and we had a blast. By that time I was back to my normal Disney self. So maybe if you can plan but allow enough time to reevaluate/change plans before losing points - that would be my rec!

Congrats on the new addition!!

 

[pjacobi]

You have no idea of the lifestyle changes that will occur with the "first new edition to the family"!

I suggest you wait awhile until you are comfortable with the new family dynamics before making any plans. I'm sure you will get to WDW very soon, but you are going to be pretty busy for the next several months.


-Paul

 

[rdaky]

We've gone with babies as young as 6 months. That said, I would not plan until after the baby is born. There are so many factors that come into play such as whether baby will ride in stroller or wants to be held in a baby carrier, naps, feeding, how does baby do in a restaurant, how is the weather. How is mom feeling. (This is a huge one!) it doesn't matter the age of the kids, even if they're super well behaved and easy, taking kids is different and harder than when you just go as adults.

 

[TPG0235]

That said, I would not plan until after the baby is born.

I TOTALLY read that not as you intended because, well, the best time to take a baby would be after they are born. Otherwise, they are just takin' a ride with momma!