Why do people bring infants?

[mshanson3121]

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.

Quite frankly? Yup. That's what it means.
There's "book knowledge" and then there's "real knowledge". The two are not even remotely the same.
I don't care what you've studied or read - you know nothing about being a parent or raising children until you're doing it, lol.

 

[JJZMgailey]

C'mon, you guys. The arguing and jabbing needs to stop or we're going to have to close the thread.

There are MANY reasons folks bring infants on vacation to the Theme Parks - and they don't typically include wanting the baby to have the memories.

Feel free to express your opinions but criticizing parenting skills and the like is off-topic and unwelcome.

 

[jettagirl]

My daughter is 15 months old and has been to Disney World 3 times - her first trip was when she was 3 months old, we went again when she was 6 months old and also at 10.5 months. They were all planned with her in mind. If we were going to WDW as a once in a lifetime trip, I could see waiting until our kids (both of them really) are older but we like to go a couple of times a year so it makes perfect sense to bring them along.

I will admit that I was a bit nervous as to how difficult the first trip would be but she was fine. I am not into the big rides so she was able to come with us on everything I'd normally do and she napped on the go for the most part so our touring style didn't really change because of her (we used a baby carrier much of the time so she could sleep whenever she needed to). In my experience, it's much easier to bring children when they are babies...things become more challenging when they get a little older. We have way more tantrums with our 4 year old than we do with her.

I know she won't remember these trips but we love bringing her and couldn't imagine leaving her (or her older brother) at home. For the first couple of trips, it would have been a huge hassle because she was still breastfeeding many times during the day. I know many people think it's crazy to bring infants to Disney World but we didn't want to postpone any of our trips...that's why we did it. Also, we weren't going to just stay at home because we had a baby - they won't remember going to the zoo, the park and lots of other places but that doesn't mean you don't take them.

 

[KristinU]

When I had my first child, I realized I didn't want to change who I was just because I had a baby. I camp, I travel, I go to theme parks. Having a baby isn't going to stop me. That's why I took my baby camping, to Hawaii, and to Disney. To answer the OPs question: its because I want to continue to do the things I want to do in my life.

This was our philosophy exactly as well: "This is what we do, and you're going to grow up doing it with us." Same reason we threw him in a backpack to go on hikes and took him camping at a young age. Same reason we read to him as a baby and spoke to him about the world, now that I think about it.

 

[supertinyluckycat]

I'll never understand the not remembering argument. I went when I was 12 or 13 for the first time and the only thing that clearly stands out from that trip is us not writing down where we parked and looking for our car for 3 hours. Perhaps I just have an awful memory lol but my now 4 year old remembers things from the trips we've taken when she was 2.5 and 3.5

 

[mshanson3121]

I'll never understand the not remembering argument. I went when I was 12 or 13 for the first time and the only thing that clearly stands out from that trip is us not writing down where we parked and looking for our car for 3 hours. Perhaps I just have an awful memory lol but my now 4 year old remembers things from the trips we've taken when she was 2.5 and 3.5

This. Everyone has different memories. My son (almost 9) has memories from the time he was 2, which is supposedly "by the books", impossible. My earliest memories are from when I was 6. My cousin that went to Florida at just shy of 4, to this day at 28 remembers the trip very well.

 

[lovewdwfun]

We have gone to Disney with babies many times. We are fortunate that finances allow us to go to Disney once a year, so it isn't like we are wasting a once in a lifetime trip for someone who won't remember. We have 3 (soon to be four) kids - why put your life on hold just because you have a baby? I am 30 with four kids, so if I stopped traveling every time I was pregnant or had a baby, that would have stopped me from traveling for 8 years...basically my entire adult life.

I think Disney is the easiest place to travel with a baby. They take care of transportation and it is very kid-friendly. We are low-maintenance people. We bring small umbrella strollers or a baby carrier, a breastfeeding cover, spare change of clothes, diapers, and wipes in a backpack and we're ready to go! Babies will sleep wherever and we have never had an issue where it has negatively impacted our vacation. Some of my fondest memories are a nursing a baby in the Carousel of Progress or on Figment!

For those who say you should just leave the baby at home, I have limited vacation days. I want to use that time to bond with my kids! I would never dream of leaving a child home because t is more convenient. That is not what a family vacation is about, to me.

I do think that this is something that those without children sometimes don't get. When you are a parent, having your children with you makes things better, not worse. Having to stop to change diapers or nurse is a small sacrifice for seeing baby's eyes light up for the Electrical Parade. They may not remember those moments, but I sure do. They also love looking at the pictures of themselves as a baby at Disney.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Because they want to.

It's their money (to pay for themselves to get in - obviously the infant gets in free.) Also not everybody is on their first and only trip coming from a long way away. Some live close by and just bring the whole family at times. Some are planning on a later visit when their infant is older, but they have an older child who is the right age to go now. And babies don't go anywhere on their own or complain about what's for lunch, sometimes it's easier to bring a baby than older kids.

As for "missing out on everything," not everything at WDW is about rides, and even if it is all about rides, there are a number of rides where an infant can go along as well.

No reason babies can't go, so it's a choice, and a lot of folks make the opposite choice from the one the OP would make.

 

[supertinyluckycat]

This. Everyone has different memories. My son (almost 9) has memories from the time he was 2, which is supposedly "by the books", impossible. My earliest memories are from when I was 6. My cousin that went to Florida at just shy of 4, to this day at 28 remembers the trip very well.

My daughter recently claimed to remember riding dumbo when she was 9 months old-I really think she's full of it but what she was saying was completely accurate.

 

[RachaelA]

Because we want to bring them.

I mean this is such an odd question.

Our favorite 2 trips out of all of our trips where our girls' first trips when they were each 11 months.

We had so much fun. We have awesome memories. We have pictures our kids love to look at.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

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.

My son was an easy baby. But at 9 months, he would have been exactly like your daughter.

He was also trying to learn to walk. He wasn't happy in the stroller, being carried and he didn't nap much at all. He was too interested in everything around him. He would have wanted to crawl around and explore.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

I do think that this is something that those without children sometimes don't get. When you are a parent, having your children with you makes things better, not worse. Having to stop to change diapers or nurse is a small sacrifice for seeing baby's eyes light up for the Electrical Parade. They may not remember those moments, but I sure do. They also love looking at the pictures of themselves as a baby at Disney.

This. So much this. My kids are the coolest little people in the world and it is a privilege to be their parent, share the world with them, and watch them grow. Plus, it's totally awesome to see other babies, toddlers, and older kids experience the magic of Disney. Their joy amplifies the Magic.

 

[lovewdwfun]

This is one of my daughter's favorite pictures. She was 8 months old in her little Mickey ears. She had a great time and loves to hear about it.

My favorite pictures are when I had my son at Disney at about the same age. I won't post because I am in the pictures too. He went through a kissing phase where we gave me giant open-mouthed kisses whenever we waited in line or took pictures. My favorite picture is us in front of the Epcot ball where he is giving me a giant kiss. I also have to say there is no more pleasant way to wait in the TSM line than being given giant baby kisses.

When I first saw this thread, I was a little annoyed at why someone would ask that. Now I am just enjoying reminiscing about all of our great trips with our babies!

 

[JimmyV]

One must also take into account older siblings. I know someone who insisted that taking children to WDW before the age of 7 was a waste of time. And they had 3 kids in 5 years. So they waited until the youngest was 7 to go. That meant that the oldest was 13 when he went for the first time. He missed out on all of the joy and excitement that a young child experiences at WDW. One of the things I love about WDW is that it is an entirely different vacation experience depending on your age bracket. A 2 year old has an entirely different experience from a 5 year old, who has an entirely different experience from an 8 year old. And then 11. And then 13. And then 16. And so on. So it is entirely possible to have a 4 year old and an infant at the same time. If you refuse to take your infant, then you leave the 4 year old out of their fun. And if you decide to take your 4 year old, then you bring an infant with you. I suppose that if you have child care arrangements that would allow you to leave the infant behind, there is always that. But for many people, that is not an option, or something they would want to do.

 

[MammaMoe48]

This. Everyone has different memories. My son (almost 9) has memories from the time he was 2, which is supposedly "by the books", impossible. My earliest memories are from when I was 6. My cousin that went to Florida at just shy of 4, to this day at 28 remembers the trip very well.

Kind of , but I think the reason why children today seem to have stronger and more lasting memories is because they have access to the photos and videos immediately, almost in real time so those memories imprint quickly. Then being able to go back as often as they wish to see those vids and pics, they don't "lose" those memories. When I was a kid, we didn't really take pics on our vacations and I'm sure it's no coincidence that I don't really remember them.

 

[valerie160]

We took our then 8 month old in 2014. He has 3 older siblings (at the time they were 10, 9 and 5). Just because he was an infant doesn't mean the rest of the family needed to wait until he was old enough to enjoy or remember Disney. My other kids had a fabulous time, my husband and I had a fabulous time. He was pretty much in a baby carrier the entire time and happy as a clam.

My husband and I always talk about planning a trip to disney without the kids (that means all of them), but it's only because I'd love to do Disney just with the two of us. Every time we take a vacation I always joke that I need a vacation from my vacation because carting around 4 kids and all their stuff is enough to drive anyone bonkers. That being said, that just comes with kids, all kids, any age. I never see it as a burden and I love the memories I get to make with them.

 

[DiannaVM]

Sometimes I wonder if people plan their trips so far out the baby comes in the mean time so they all go. Yes I suppose they could cancel it or move the dates, but really it's their trip & who am I to judge anybody. Heck if I recently popped out a baby I would want a trip to MY happy place!!

The only time I really notice infants is when they are REALLY TINY and that is only cause I have no baby experience so I wonder with germs/cooties/etc... if they are that little should they be in a public place, but then I guess it's no different than any other public place you take them?

When we first started talking about our family trip it was so far out, I wondered what would happen if I had a baby before then or got pregnant, and honestly my answer was, so long as the baby is not too young (as in under 3 months), I would still go and carry the baby with me because at least he/she would be mostly free.

I am however of the school of thought, that I would rather wait to take them until they are at least about 3 or 4. I am not disputing that having a baby at WDW wouldn't be fun/cute memories, but the memories that you get with a young child that can talk, is mesmerized by everything (and maybe already has a favourite character), asks questions about everything and will quip funny comments would be priceless.

 

[anneboleyn]

Geez, this topic really struck a nerve.

I don't think I have seen people get this riled up since the last "preteens in strollers" debate lol

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

This is one of my daughter's favorite pictures. She was 8 months old in her little Mickey ears. She had a great time and loves to hear about it.

My favorite pictures are when I had my son at Disney at about the same age. I won't post because I am in the pictures too. He went through a kissing phase where we gave me giant open-mouthed kisses whenever we waited in line or took pictures. My favorite picture is us in front of the Epcot ball where he is giving me a giant kiss. I also have to say there is no more pleasant way to wait in the TSM line than being given giant baby kisses.

When I first saw this thread, I was a little annoyed at why someone would ask that. Now I am just enjoying reminiscing about all of our great trips with our babies!

What a precious picture! We called those giant baby kisses "fish-kisses!" Never get enough! ::sigh:: They grow up too fast.

 

[mshanson3121]

This is one of my daughter's favorite pictures. She was 8 months old in her little Mickey ears. She had a great time and loves to hear about it.

My favorite pictures are when I had my son at Disney at about the same age. I won't post because I am in the pictures too. He went through a kissing phase where we gave me giant open-mouthed kisses whenever we waited in line or took pictures. My favorite picture is us in front of the Epcot ball where he is giving me a giant kiss. I also have to say there is no more pleasant way to wait in the TSM line than being given giant baby kisses.

When I first saw this thread, I was a little annoyed at why someone would ask that. Now I am just enjoying reminiscing about all of our great trips with our babies!

This. My children LOVE seeing their baby photos, seeing all the things they did, that they have no memory of.

One must also take into account older siblings. I know someone who insisted that taking children to WDW before the age of 7 was a waste of time. And they had 3 kids in 5 years. So they waited until the youngest was 7 to go. That meant that the oldest was 13 when he went for the first time. He missed out on all of the joy and excitement that a young child experiences at WDW. One of the things I love about WDW is that it is an entirely different vacation experience depending on your age bracket. A 2 year old has an entirely different experience from a 5 year old, who has an entirely different experience from an 8 year old. And then 11. And then 13. And then 16. And so on. So it is entirely possible to have a 4 year old and an infant at the same time. If you refuse to take your infant, then you leave the 4 year old out of their fun. And if you decide to take your 4 year old, then you bring an infant with you. I suppose that if you have child care arrangements that would allow you to leave the infant behind, there is always that. But for many people, that is not an option, or something they would want to do.

Definitely. Honestly, this is why I wanted to go when my kids were younger. Not that I don't think Disney is great at any age, it really does offer something for all ages, but there is something extra-special about it for the younger crowd, when they still believe in that fantasy.

Kind of , but I think the reason why children today seem to have stronger and more lasting memories is because they have access to the photos and videos immediately, almost in real time so those memories imprint quickly. Then being able to go back as often as they wish to see those vids and pics, they don't "lose" those memories. When I was a kid, we didn't really take pics on our vacations and I'm sure it's no coincidence that I don't really remember them.

Very true, and I'm sure this is likely part of it for many kids. However the memories my son is referencing were never once documented, photographed or discussed at all (it was not anything pleasant). They are pure, on his own, memories. Which are kind of bittersweet.