Would you rather take a 5 month old or 9 month old to Disney?

[tuliptwirls]

I am due in January and would like to plan a trip for my family either in May 2015 or September 2015. The baby would be 5 or 9 months old. I also would have a 6 year old daughter and 3 year old son. I can't decide what would be easier/more manageable. The younger baby would probably have to nurse more, but the older might be mobile, which could get tricky. What other things am I forgetting to consider?

 

[Drusilla]

Perfect age for the 3 and 6 year old to go, but I really would plan another trip when the baby is 3-5 years old as I don't think s/he will remember it

Congratulations on the new addition to your family I've never been to WDW with an baby but you know what works best for you and your family and I've seen plenty of people with babies having a great time!

 

[JimmyV]

My daughter's first trip to WDW was when she was 6 months old. We traveled with grandparents as well for extra babysitting. The trip was perfectly fine. Not sure how much of a difference the extra 3 months would have made, either as a pro or a con. But if I could choose between May and September, I would pick September every time.

 

[Jewel3k]

At 5 months mine still wanted to nurse every two hours. At 9 months, they could be held off with finger food for a longer period of time.

At 5 months they are lighter for carrying everywhere. At 9 months they can usually stand holding onto something, so you can set them down for a minute if you need to do something that requires both hands.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

I vote 5 months. A 9 month will be crawling, maybe cruising along and might not be thrilled with all day confinement in arms or stroller.

 

[DisneyMooners2010]

We took our daughter at 9 months and it was the perfect age. She had more personality at that age, but wasn't at the point where she threw a fit if she didn't get her way. You should have seen her on It's a Small World - it was so sweet to see her eyes wide as saucers.

She was also eating more table food then, so she could some bread or puffs to keep her occupied while we were waiting on our meal. At 6 months, she was just starting on cereal and some basic purees and wasn't a self-feeder in any way. One other thing - at 6 months our daughter was just starting to sit on her own. It would have been difficult to put her in a restaurant high chair and not worry about her teetering.

My tips would be to not overplan/just go with the flow and to really use the baby care center. We actually did our 3 FPs and then maybe another couple of rides if the wait was short. Then we were all about ready to leave the park. It still felt that we did a lot! Baby care centers are air conditioned and so it's a nice break to go in there and they are great for diaper changes.

Definitely go ahead and take the trip! The memories we have were just so magical and you should see the picture of her meeting Minnie Mouse. Precious enough for us to put on a coffee mug, calendar, and anything else we could think of

 

[Crl1817]

I vote 5 months. A 9 month will be crawling, maybe cruising along and might not be thrilled with all day confinement in arms or stroller.

That would be my vote. We went when dd was seven months and had a great time. At that age she loved to be carried in a baby carrier (ergo, etc) and was pretty content in a stroller. She started walking at ten months and was miserable being carried after that and pretty unhappy in a stroller for any length of time too. Also the older she got the less likely she was to fall asleep just anywhere, so no as and all became more difficult. So I think younger is better.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

We took our son at 11 months, and it was an awesome trip. Grandparents were there to lend a hand, and he really loved the park. I was also happy to not carry a ton of formula, and he was eating some solids. I'd vote for 9 months!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I vote nine months.

 

[Mikie]

Eating and mobility are definitely the 2biggest concerns in my mind. I went with a 5 month old and I think I'd pick it over the 9. 9 (at least for my 3 kids & the nieces I've nannied for) is mobile, so all day stroller confinement is tough, and a very observant/nosy age! If you're still nursing at that age it's harder to do so in public because they get distracted and same for stroller napping.

I was still nursing my 5 month old and did have to go off to the baby care centers occasionally (but the break was nice for both of us actually) and I could also nurse on a slow/dark ride if I had to. Baby was still light enough for a sling and happy in a stroller.

Last consideration, will your middle child be 3 either way? Kids under 3 (up to them being 2 years +364 days on your arrival)are free, which is how I ended up going with an infant and an almost 3yo myself.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I vote 9 months. They can start eating real food and have more body control so they can sit up better on rides. Plus, they start recognizing things so they get more out of it.

 

[PeterPanic]

I love my children more then anyone can imagine, but, you wouldn't have been able to get me to take them to WDW at that age at gunpoint. We went when the youngest was 6 years old. No diapers, no trying to figure out what was bothering them and making them cry, no babysitters required and most importantly no strollers necessary.

I know some have children of varying ages and have to take an infant so that the older children can see the place while they are still children. However, taking care of an infant is work enough without adding the effort required to go to a theme park.

Just so you all know... I'm not putting anyone down for going there with a small child, I'm just saying that I wouldn't. We are all different.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'd leave the baby at home with grandma and take the older kids.

 

[richmo]

...But if I could choose between May and September, I would pick September every time.

From a crowd point of view, I definitely agree. September is one of the quietest periods at Disney.

But...especially earlier in the month, September is somewhat warmer and much more humid. If your little ones are finnicky about heat, I'd be careful of September.

 

[Lanie]

I think 9 months would probably be better as you can give them solid food... It fits a bit better with the schedule I find.

That said, I always made everything work with both my kids at any age, so have fuN!

 

[usagibuffy]

We took a 5mo almost 5 years ago and will be taking a 5mo again next year. So much easier than at 9mo, in my opinion. At 5mo, my babies have been happy to hang out in a carrier all day. I can nurse in the carrier, nurse on rides, nurse in lines, no problem. By 9mo, mine want to be DOWN. Neither has been walking at that age, but they are crawling, want to touch everything, fighting being up. I would much rather take a younger baby than an older one. And if you're flying with a lap baby, I'd rather hold onto a 5mo than a wiggly 9mo. My older kids will be 5.5 and a few days shy of 3 when we go. I'm sure all 3 will have a fantastic time.

 

[serene56]

September will be extremly hot. 9 months old teething. Baby want to be held all the time and with the heat I dont think I would be up for that.

We traveled with a 7 mo and a 9 month in Dec. the 7 month old was having a very hard time with the teething-- didnt want to sleep (its a strange place for her) the 9 month old was a trooper. (took him again at a year and he slept-- a lot

Honestly-- at this stage you will not know how your baby will be at 3 months, 6 months or 9 months.

can granny watch the baby while you take a vacation?

(being a granny I woulda jumped at the chance

 

[flortlebap]

Definitely 9 months. They are far more alert and might actually enjoy it at 5 months babies don't really do much apart from demand your attention at inconvenient times lol.

 

[disneynewbee]

The one year we went I had an 11 month old and my sister had a 9 month old. They both did great. They were so entertained that they didn't fuss to get down and play which I had been worried about. I've never taken a 5 month old but I don't think it would be bad either. I also did not nurse though so that was not an issue for us. If he/she was still nursing every few hours I would probably go with the 9 month old.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I'd leave the baby at home with grandma and take the older kids.

Probably this. Long before DD was born I told DH I had a rule: No Disney with Diapers.