When is the right time for babies first Disney trip?

[redrosesix]

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.

I agree with this, but it applies to anywhere. Between 1 and 3 many children want to walk on their own but really can't for very long, don't want to sit and wait for anything, etc etc. Picture those parents walking an empty stroller and taking their toddler by the hand. For younger than 1, it depends on their temperament. It costs nothing to take them and hopefully your child will just be content as long as with you.

Congratulations

 

[jo-jo]

Before they cost money for a ticket!

And still eat free at buffets.

We went one day before our youngest granddaughter turned three. Wasn't really planning it that way, but it was right after Thanksgiving and we arrived on Saturday, birthday on Sunday.

 

[rdaky]

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!

lol. Yes, I did mean that you won't know what will work until the baby has been born. However, I've also btdt with the baby riding along and depending on how far along and symptoms, that can be totally fine or completely awful.

 

[etzmn123]

We have taken our daughter at 16mo, 21mo and we’re about to take her again at 2.5. We’ve also done quite a bit of other travel with her, she’s been to a 17 states already plus Mexico. So while I don’t have specific recommendations for taking a baby, I just wanted to say that traveling with littles is so fun and you’re going to really cherish the memories you make when they are young. Yes, it’s hard (our daughter is NOT a stroller napper and we found that out the hard way on our first Disney trip, she also got her first stomach bug midway through a road trip last year) but it’s totally worth it. Have fun!

 

[LRdismom]

The youngest age I've taken a child is 2 years old. I could have easily managed taking her at a younger age. Personally, I would wait until they've received desired vaccinations, and when their sleep schedule is manageable. I wouldn't want to go when my child is still waking up multiple times per night. I know that personally I wouldn't be able to handle that on vacation. Going to Disney and just walking around will be refreshing for you as new parents, and the fresh air, sights and sounds will be good for baby.

 

[eliseisawkward]

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is that babies nap A LOT when they are tiny. And not all babies nap on the go. Some babies are still taking 3 naps a day at 6 months old, but by about 9 months almost all babies are down to 2 naps a day. By about 14-15 months almost all babies are down to 1 nap a day. Some babies will tolerate 1 nap as young as 12 months.

All that being said, we are not DVC and we waited until my daughter stopped napping entirely before we started planning our trip. She is 3 and we go in 2 weeks. I would consider taking a baby that sleeps well after they are down to 2 naps, but before that could be very tricky unless you plan to stay at the resort most of the time.