Why do people bring infants?

[Eoywin]

Personally I wouldn't (and didn't) but we only have one child and we waited until she was 5 before taking her to Disney.

But different strokes for different folks. Some parents might have older kids as well or they just might want to go to Disney even though they have a baby.

 

[robinb]

I don't think OP was making it a big deal so much as just wondering why--some folks have given reasons--they're brought in.

Asking the question and having an opinion is one thing. I think what set people off was this comment:

My friend responded to this question once - "Because it's illegal if you leave them at home" - funny, but you also have this insane unpopular choice of not going to Disney until your infant is older.

But that's just my opinion.

It wasn't her opinion, but the sarcasm directed at people who bring infants to WDW.

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm sure people have their reasons for travelling with infants and whatever the reasons, they don't affect me at all. I would think in a lot of cases it's because the older siblings are at a "prime" Disney age and parents don't want to miss out on that opportunity. Or, it could be the trip was planned long before little babe was even in the equation.

Relatively speaking, infants are super easy to travel with compared to toddlers, as an example. With an infant, you know they aren't going anywhere, they are super easy to deal with in a restaurant, etc... Not to mention WDW, more than any other type of amusement park, has tons of attractions that can enjoyed with an infant.

And it's not about the infant not being able to have memories of it, it's about the parents and older siblings and their memories.

 

[Kathryn777]

We've been bringing our kids since they were babies. They are no more hassle to me at Disney than they are anywhere else.

At Disney we can still do a fair bit as a family with an infant compared to other vacation activities. We aren't sit at the beach vacationers and even then someone has to go back to the room for naps, get the baby into a/c etc. I enjoy staying back with the baby while my husband or other children ride, I like the people watching.

I don't care if my baby remembers it. I enjoy it and it doesn't harm my baby in any way. I like having the stroller and the quiet time with the baby while the rest of the family rides.

For me, it was one of the easiest and best vacation spots to take a baby

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

My babies were 14 months when we took them so not baby babies but not old enough to remember but they had an awesome time and were smiling from ear to ear most of the time. They loved the characters. They loved the food. They loved swimming. I'll also admit that I just really wanted to go to Disney. I've been going to Disney at least once a year since I was 6 years old. I just didn't want to break that tradition.




Look how happy they are!!!!

 

[Gillyrose779]

I also have a bachelor's degree in education and have worked directly with children since graduating college, so yeah, because I'm not a parent, I know nothing about children.

I know it sounds cliche but it is absolutely true- until you are a parent and have to fully switch your thought process of having another little person to worry about and take care of you will not 100% fully understand and relate. It just is what it is.

 

[wilkeliza]

Serious question: why not just leave them with trusted family?

I see everyone's reactions and opinions on this, it's not really divisive, but, I'm curious.

Not everyone wants to leave their children with trusted family members or has trusted family members to do such a thing. Also if you are a breast feeding exclusive family it is very hard to leave a baby for more than a day or two. It is much easier on mom (and baby) to just bring the baby along.

Also leaving an infant is very different than leaving older children. They don't understand why mom or dad (or their usual caregiver) isn't there and will be coming back. It is up to each family to decide what they feel most comfortable with and some don't feel comfortable leaving babies for extended periods of time.

 

[MammaMoe48]

I also have a bachelor's degree in education and have worked directly with children since graduating college, so yeah, because I'm not a parent, I know nothing about children.

I'm sorry, but until you have your own, it's not the same. You go home at the end of the day, parents can't. It's like going to the World Showcase at EPCOT and telling everyone you went on a grand world tour.

 

[sunshinemelody]

It wasn't her opinion, but the sarcasm directed at people who bring infants to WDW.

Y'know, I didn't even see it as sarcasm (and I'm the Sarcasm Queen at home), so that very much so went over my head.

#whoosh

 

[supertinyluckycat]

Serious question: why not just leave them with trusted family?

I see everyone's reactions and opinions on this, it's not really divisive, but, I'm curious.

Not everyone has trusted family, some babies are breastfed, babies depend on their parents for comfort, some people don't want to miss out on the short time their baby is a baby. I couldn't imagine being away from a baby for more than a night, if that. Though I also wouldn't bring a newborn to Disney for germ reasons.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Serious question: why not just leave them with trusted family?

I see everyone's reactions and opinions on this, it's not really divisive, but, I'm curious.

I hated (and still hate) leaving my daughter with her grandmother when I went to work a few days per week. Why would I leave my child, the most precious thing in my life, at home while I go on vacation? They really aren't that much trouble, and when you love them, the crying and the diaper changes and the nursing or feeding are all worth it. I would never dream of going to disney and leaving my kid at home. We are a family and we travel together, no matter how inconvenient. They are little for such a short time, I try to get on every moment possible.

 

[robinb]

Y'know, I didn't even see it as sarcasm (and I'm the Sarcasm Queen at home), so that very much so went over my head.

#whoosh

Do you see it now? Or am I reading more into her post than I should?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

My babies were 14 months when we took them so not baby babies but not old enough to remember but they had an awesome time and were smiling from ear to ear most of the time. They loved the characters. They loved the food. They loved swimming. I'll also admit that I just really wanted to go to Disney. I've been going to Disney at least once a year since I was 6 years old. I just didn't want to break that tradition.

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Look how happy they are!!!!

Except for the first picture, these aren't babies. They are toddlers. Walking, possibly talking, children.

 

[erikajoe]

Because you have older children? That's the only reason I've brought an infant.

 

[Megara5115]

We just had a baby and I was talking to my husband about wanting to go to Disney when he said the baby won't remember it. I told it was for me not the baby! Sure when he gets older we will cater to him a bit more but for now he's just tagging along

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I also have a bachelor's degree in education and have worked directly with children since graduating college, so yeah, because I'm not a parent, I know nothing about children.

Having book knowledge about children is not the same as having parenting experience. If you ever become a parent, you'll understand. Before I was a mom, I though I knew it all too. I'm an RN, so I got plenty of education about child development and health, we tried for 3 years to start a family. I read every book, every message board, babysat, even took my young niece on vacations, etc. Then I had my own child and everything I "knew" was totally different. Being a parent changes your opinion on lots of things.

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

My friend responded to this question once - "Because it's illegal if you leave them at home" - funny, but you also have this insane unpopular choice of not going to Disney until your infant is older.

But that's just my opinion.

I'm guessing you don't have kids?

What are you supposed to do - never do anything with your children until they're old enough to remember it? Just sit home day after day?

You take your infants, because while they won't remember it - you will, their siblings will. It's still a family memory. Plus, there'll be photos for them to look back on some day, and it will become an impressed memory through seeing and talking about it.

 

[supertinyluckycat]

We went on a trip when my daughter was 9 months and to be honest, it was one of the suckier trips we've had. She wasn't an easy baby and was trying to learn to walk so she wanted to be down. She hated the stroller, hated the carrier, napped awful at the park. She did enjoy herself it seemed and loved the characters. Made for adorable pictures but unless I had a baby with a total easygoing personality I wouldn't do it again. I do understand why others do though.

 

[hallen4]

I thought that the easiest trip I took was when my DD was 18 months and my DS was 3. She was the best behaved little angel the whole time. Now that she is more mobile trips are definitely not as easy, but still fun. And nothing beats when their little faces light up for the first time seeing Mickey or Cinderella.

 

[JimmyV]

Why do people throw birthday parties for their children when they turn one, and invite all the relatives over? The child won't remember their first birthday.
Why do people fuss over "Baby's First Christmas"? Surely the child won't remember that holiday.

Do we do those things because the child will remember, or do we do those things because we will remember? Answer this and you will answer your post.