Why do people bring infants?

[Chelley00]

Why wouldn't you bring a member of your family on your family vacation with you?

So people have crying babies with them? I've seen crying toddlers, cranky preschoolers, grumpy teens and whining adults. If we had to leave everyone who wasn't 100% smiles and giggles and no work while on vacation, no one would ever get to go anywhere.

 

[disney world dreamer]

It seems like a complete waste of money to bring kids who are under 5, at least in my opinion anyways. They won't remember a thing, and just leave them at home with the grandparents anyways. It's not like they'd be upset you were going to Disney without them. My parents left me with my grandparents all the time when I was kid, of course they never went to Disney, but still. I personally would never bring a kid who is under 5 or 6, just a waste of money. And my first trip to Disneyland was when I was 6 and I barely remember anything about that trip, so either way kids really won't remember a thing.

children under 3 are free so not sure how its a waste of money for that age.

i can remember things from when i was 3+. just because you can't doesn't mean your child wouldn't.

 

[Disneylover99]

It seems like a complete waste of money to bring kids who are under 5, at least in my opinion anyways. They won't remember a thing, and just leave them at home with the grandparents anyways. It's not like they'd be upset you were going to Disney without them. My parents left me with my grandparents all the time when I was kid, of course they never went to Disney, but still. I personally would never bring a kid who is under 5 or 6, just a waste of money. And my first trip to Disneyland was when I was 6 and I barely remember anything about that trip, so either way kids really won't remember a thing.

With that logic, I guess there's no point in bringing a child under 6 anywhere.

 

[ELSA711]

It seems like a complete waste of money to bring kids who are under 5, at least in my opinion anyways. They won't remember a thing, and just leave them at home with the grandparents anyways. It's not like they'd be upset you were going to Disney without them. My parents left me with my grandparents all the time when I was kid, of course they never went to Disney, but still. I personally would never bring a kid who is under 5 or 6, just a waste of money. And my first trip to Disneyland was when I was 6 and I barely remember anything about that trip, so either way kids really won't remember a thing.

The look on my 2/3/4 yr olds face when they met Mickey for the first time and thought he was 'real' is why I would 100% disagree with your post with every fiber of my being. Those memories are priceless and well Disney says under 3 is free, so not really wasting my money either. win-win for me!

My kids bring me joy, plain and simple. I don't find parenting them as babies in public any different than any other age. A family vacation is a family vacation, quite honestly the siblings in my family would ask 'why isn't my sibling going?'
They find as much joy in each other and new things as I do with them, no matter what age.

 

[maxiesmom]

there's a million reasons someone might want to or *have* to take a baby with them to the park. as long as they aren't crying, i don't see what business it is of mine. it's certainly not my idea of fun and i didn't take my kid till she was 7 but i can understand why someone might take what disney time they can get and just be happy to watch everyone from the bench.

You only have to watch everyone from a bench if that is your idea of fun. The vast majority of rides accommodate even tiny babies.

 

[maxiesmom]

With that logic, I guess there's no point in bringing a child under 6 anywhere.

Yeah. Forget going to see Santa Clause. Who cares about taking kids trick or treating when they are young. Why even take them to see the grandparents until they are 7??

 

[MMR76]

It seems like a complete waste of money to bring kids who are under 5, at least in my opinion anyways. They won't remember a thing, and just leave them at home with the grandparents anyways. It's not like they'd be upset you were going to Disney without them. My parents left me with my grandparents all the time when I was kid, of course they never went to Disney, but still. I personally would never bring a kid who is under 5 or 6, just a waste of money. And my first trip to Disneyland was when I was 6 and I barely remember anything about that trip, so either way kids really won't remember a thing.

Babies fly free, get into the park for free and I nursed so DS ate for free. I didn't spend a dime for him to come on vacation with us. What the other 3 in our family brought home from that trip were memories that are priceless!

 

[Disneylover99]

Yeah. Forget going to see Santa Clause. Who cares about taking kids trick or treating when they are young. Why even take them to see the grandparents until they are 7??

Jeez, I've been doing it wrong all these years.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

18 months is fine by me, that's a toddler age to me. I'm talking fresh out of the womb wrinkly little 6 week old babies here.

we have a trip planned for August of this year as we had to move a trip from last year, newest grandchild is due any day and will be on the trip. with the putting off we had one child from child rate to adult if we put off again another would also be an adult rate. so yes she is going as a baby and her sister cant wait to show her everything there

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I went to DLR at 2 and sometime around that age, maybe a year to 2 years older, to WDW. I don't remember a thing...but I do have some photos to look at and I get a laugh and smile everytime I look at them. I get why parents want to take their children before they are likely to remember the event but I also get why people wonder about taking a child prior to them being able to remember it.

I also think a parent's decision should consider their own child's temperment though that really goes for honestly everyone of every age including babies, tween, teen, young adults, adults, and seniors...we don't vacation with my husband's youngest sister (who is 19) because she causes problems all the time..thus she is not invited to go with us to WDW; all she would do is whine about the heat, being bored (*gasp* at WDW..really!?), and just not having a good time, it would bring everyone down and from what the in-laws say she's been like this from her toddler age when it comes to vacations.

 

[AngiTN]

It seems like a complete waste of money to bring kids who are under 5, at least in my opinion anyways. They won't remember a thing, and just leave them at home with the grandparents anyways. It's not like they'd be upset you were going to Disney without them. My parents left me with my grandparents all the time when I was kid, of course they never went to Disney, but still. I personally would never bring a kid who is under 5 or 6, just a waste of money. And my first trip to Disneyland was when I was 6 and I barely remember anything about that trip, so either way kids really won't remember a thing.

Then the answer for you is easy. You think it's a waste of money, don't take your kids
Not a waste of money if others opt to take theirs.
Not sure how I can fathom you have any reason to tell others what is a waste of their money
You do know everyone doesn't have grandparents either

 

[kdisser]

I always thought it could be a waste...until I had a child. We as a family had the money to go on our first family Disney trip when my son was 1. Granted he is beyond a good infant and he was free to take. Also he took naps in the stroller, enjoyed the characters and small rides. I do not regret any of it and plan to go this year, then wait about 4 years to go again when he can remember. My son will have no memories of these trips but we also plan on doing multiple trips. My first trip was when I was 4...do I remember all of it? No, but I still have memories of going. And as for leaving them with grandparents...the grandparents went with us!

 

[bbak30]

Many people just bring them because they want to go. Not necessarily for the infant. DH and I always had a "pick up and go" attitude when our girls were younger. We did everything we wanted to--within reason. We were out to dinner with friends when DD #2 was 6 days old. We also went to Tennessee when she was 7 weeks old. I wouldn't hesitate to bring an infant to WDW. Our youngest was 18 months old when we went. Actually, an infant may have been easier, lol.
We just don't believe in stopping everything because you have kids. We just incorporate them. And I believe it has made my kids very flexible in everyday life.

And with an infant, all they do is sleep and eat so it's pretty easy to bring them anywhere. It's the toddler stage that is a little daunting....

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I'd like to know - why bring an infant to the parks? From what I have observed, there's very little for them to do, they don't remember anything when they're that young, and there's always a parent that has to stay back away from the rest of the group riding rides, and misses out on everything. The parents with a screaming baby in their arms look miserable. Then again, the parents with a screaming 4 year old in their arms look miserable.

But that's just my opinion.

I couldn't disagree more- spending time with my babies on vacation, truly present, quality time with my babies has been a blessing. I can think back to those times and actually remember how I felt, and the joy of not going on the next ride, just bonding with the baby.

OP, I'm hoping someday, if having children is what you want, you'll get to feel the joy of missing out on everything, too.

 

[Wonders10]

I couldn't disagree more- spending time with my babies on vacation, truly present, quality time with my babies has been a blessing. I can think back to those times and actually remember how I felt, and the joy of not going on the next ride, just bonding with the baby.

OP, I'm hoping someday, if having children is what you want, you'll get to feel the joy of missing out on everything, too.

This. All of this.

Disney is so much more than rides. It's an experience.

 

[ELSA711]

This. All of this.

Disney is so much more than rides. It's an experience.

I would also like to add that for full time working parents like me who don't ever feel like we have enough time with our kids, I could never leave behind a baby (infant) who would change drastically in that week that you left them. Why wouldn't I want to experience it with them

 

[Wonders10]

I would also like to add that for full time working parents like me who don't ever feel like we have enough time with our kids, I could never leave behind a baby (infant) who would change drastically in that week that you left them. Why wouldn't I want to experience it with them

Yes, I can appreciate this too. I had to return to work when she was 4 months old and I'm very lucky that my mom can watch her during the day, but now I really appreciate any time I have with her, especially uninterrupted family time where I don't have to think about bills, grocery shopping, cleaning, work, etc.

There is nothing wrong with NOT bringing your very young child to WDW either. My DB and DSIL are not "disney people" so my mom and I have taken them on all their trips from the time the oldest was 2 (she is 15 now). They were all amazing trips with amazing memories.

Before I had a baby, I HATED hearing, "when you have a child, you'll understand" or "Do you have kids? No? Ok, well, you'll understand someday". It infuriated me to be honest, because it wasn't like I didn't want to be a mom. I was either young or single and it just wasn't in the cards at the time. I thought like a responsible person, like a mom and I worked with children so I thought I "got" it. I didn't. When that moment comes that you have a child, if that is your path in life, then you will "get" it. You still may not choose to take a small child to Disney but I bet you will understand more why some parents choose to do so.

 

[Wonders10]

Anyone else wondering where OP went?

 

[JJZMgailey]

Before I had a baby, I HATED hearing, "when you have a child, you'll understand" or "Do you have kids? No? Ok, well, you'll understand someday". It infuriated me to be honest, because it wasn't like I didn't want to be a mom. I was either young or single and it just wasn't in the cards at the time. I thought like a responsible person, like a mom and I worked with children so I thought I "got" it. I didn't. When that moment comes that you have a child, if that is your path in life, then you will "get" it. You still may not choose to take a small child to Disney but I bet you will understand more why some parents choose to do so.

This couldn't be more true. I feel bad that so many people get insulted when they're told that they won't understand until they have their own kids, but it's really the truth. That's not only for vacations, but for everything!

 

[AngiTN]

This couldn't be more true. I feel bad that so many people get insulted when they're told that they won't understand until they have their own kids, but it's really the truth. That's not only for vacations, but for everything!

So true. Just think inward for a moment and didn't everyone of you that have kids have a certain plan in mind about how they'd handle x, y and z before you had kids. Only to completely change your tune once you had kids and had to actually face the situation? I know I did. I mean, it's so easy to say "well, if I was that parent I'd do _______" but often times it's much easier to say than do.