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

[BadgerGirl84]

Congrats on your pregnancy!! I think either age will be fine. We took DD 3 months turning 4 months in November and we had the BEST time! We took a slow pace, did lots of character meets (the pictures were priceless!!), and got a kick out of her actually watching what was going on during rides and some shows. We just had a blast.

Five months would be totally doable--I nursed and bottle fed (yep, both) and I guess it was a bit of a bump in the road having to take so many feeding breaks. So from that aspect, 9 months would be better. But just because a 9 month old may be crawling (some don't by then, or ever, actually) I don't think that would make the baby hate being held in line or hate sitting in the stroller. You can always go to the baby center once or twice to let the baby crawl around for a bit if you want. Either way you will have a great time!

 

[PrincessV]

As a local, I've been with my son at both ages... and both were great! The major advantage of 4-5 months was that he was 100% portable: lightweight, no opinions, happy to go along with whatever, lol! I bottle fed, but that still meant stopping somewhere quiet every couple hours. Still, easy.

At 9 months, he was far more engaged in the experience, which was neat and fun! But he wouldn't nap in stroller by then, which made a full day impossible. And bringing baby food was kind of a PITA, though options are much more portable these days.

Honestly, I think either age is great. But you may want to consider the weather... most of May is still pretty comfortable; it can get hot, but not terribly humid. Sept. is brutal - HOT and HUMID. In this Floridian's opinion, the worst of the year (but that may be due to being OVER it by Sept., lol!) My son happened to be 4 months when we first took him to WDW - in Sept. It was okay, but not ideal; poor guy was just drenched in sweat and needed extra water in addition to formula. We spent a lot of time hanging out indoors.

 

[fairestoneofall]

we took my youngest at six months. it was a great age! he was still small enough to easily carry in an Ergo without hurting my back. he also slept well in the stroller.

 

[tuliptwirls]

Original poster here. Thank you for all the advice and things to consider. Many of you have made some great points. Leaving the baby with grandma is not an option as I will be nursing, and even though it might be a giant pain the baby will be part of our family and part of our vacation. I hadn't thought about the teething issue. Both of my previous children started getting teeth at four months so it might be an issue at either age anyway. I think I am leaning towards September and 9 months, but if you have anything else to add I would still love to hear it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I get that. Some posters list eating food as a pro for waiting for 9 months. At that age there is very little they can eat from the parks so you have to cook/bring their food and then feed them 3 times a day which is messy and slow. With nursing you don't need extra supplies just pop them in the carrier and let them eat.

Depends on your philosophy and the child.

Almost all QS kids meals come with the option of unsweetened applesauce. Pick two as your sides. All the food courts and fruit carts offer bananas. Mashing a banana is easy with a plastic fork/spoon.

Many meals come with bread and/or rice. Either can be an option if mashed or maybe mixed with a little water.

Even a bit of tender, plain chicken is an option, if broken into very tiny bits. At that age, quantities needed are not very big.

I think it is AoA, that now has a delicious mango/apple sauce.

Ina pinch, a 9 month old can use a straw. They can also use a water bottle with a 'sports' top. (not that you want to give much water). To use a straw with a child that age, simply put the straw in the drink, and cover one end with your finger to create a vacuum. Children at that age naturally suck on the straw.

One box of Cheerios from home goes a long way!

Combine the above with nursing, and it may be pretty easy going. Again, it depends on one's approach to parenting, and the child. Some parents only want prepackaged baby food at that age. Some babies are finicky eaters at that age, or have food allergies.


**********************

One of the worst accidents we ever saw at WDW was a mom who tripped while wearing a baby on her chest. In the instant she was falling, she opted to brace the baby instead of her fall. It was a very bad fall. Ever since, I've felt compelled to post about the experience. I think at WDW, where there are many curbs and distractions, all things being equal, a stroller seems like a safer option.

 

[Imagineer5]

I would ignore the "leave baby at home" posts.

My DD's first trip was at 8 months (in October 2012). It was FANTASTIC. one of the easiest trips we have taken, and we've since returned 8? (I forget, been so many times) and DD is not even 2.5. It has been SO amazing watching her grow from trip to trip. From an age standpoint of 5m to 9m - they will be easier to handle at restuarants IMO at 9m due to being able to eat more table food, my DD always loved her stroller so even with crawling that wouldn't be an issue, and they may recognize characters more as well. We had the most amazing meet with Rapunzel when DD was 8m. So, my vote would be for September with a 9 month old!

And I'd NEVER leave baby at home. I've left DH at home a number of times, but never DD!

 

[jasmine91]

We took our son in January at 9 months last year and it was wonderful! He was crawling at the time, but we would let him play in the baby centers, Honey I Shrunk The Kids play area, and the Dino play ground. He loved it! It was great because he would smile on the rides and we really felt like he had fun! I would take the next baby at 9 months again in a heart beat!

 

[kwannon]

I took my DD at 6 months to DL and she was fine. Hung out in the stroller/carrier and didn't fuss too much. She wasn't crawling or anything yet so she didn't care if she was let down.

Just took my 11 month DS and he hated being in the stroller for most of the day. He really wanted to get out, crawl around and explore. We tried to find as many indoor carpeted areas as we could (Hall of Presidents waiting area, Magic of Disney Animation, etc) but poor guy spent more time in the stroller than he wanted.

 

[Muskrat191]

For my kids, weather would be more important than age. Neither of my kids liked strollers until about one year old, so the weather would need to be cool enough for a baby carrier. We were at WDW last November, and my girls were 3 years, and 7.5 months. The younger one spent most of the trip in my Boba 3G rather than the stroller. The carrier would be too hot if the weather was very hot and humid.

Another consideration is a 9 month old can wear sunscreen, but a 5 month old cannot.

 

[cubuffalo36]

We took our oldest when she was 11mos, our middle son at 5mos and our yongest at 6mos. We had a blast each and every time and I can honestly say I think you will as well either way you go. I would lean toward the 9mos mark only because I would prefer touring in Sept. vs May. I never really got the "leave the baby at home," or "why go, they won't remember it," it's all about the experience in that moment. We've taken our kids at the ages I mentioned as well as 1yr, 1.5yrs, 2yrs, 3yrs, 4yrs, 5yrs, 6yrs, 8yrs, 9yrs, 10yrs and this year when we go, they will be 3, 6 & 12. Point is, each trip has been equally as fun, and different as well since they have been at different stages in their lives and were excited and entertained by different things. Don't overthink it, go when you want and it will be great.

 

[MartDM]

We took our guy at 6 months and it was great. He wasn't mobile yet, and was content to be strolled around while we wandered & did the Food & Wine Fest. At 9 months, he was up and running so I think it would have been a much more difficult task to wrangle him and keep him happy. Since you have two older kids, I'd vote for going at five months so you'll have better control over the schedule.

 

[TJA]

OP with 3 young kids, you are doing the right thing by choosing this time frame to take them to Disney. I'd be inclined to go with 5 months for the baby because it will give you a bit more freedom with the older 2 kids. Honestly, it's not about the baby remembering but it's more about the family bonding time and the beautiful memories you will make.

Our twins' first Disney trip was at 7 months old and I still remember it like it was yesterday. The pictures and memories we have will forever be some of the most precious ones ever.

 

[pachelbel9]

You can nurse while wearing your baby in many brands of baby carriers, so it's not like you'd have to pause the day every time the baby needs to eat. I nursed in line a few times with my 8 month old. Doing so in a baby carrier makes it pretty inconspicuous, especially if your LO is wearing some sort of sunhat. My husband has pictures of us in line, and you can't even tell I'm nursing.

 

[laughinplace199]

I took my youngest at both 5 months and 9 months, and I vote for 5 months.

They were both great trips, but the one at 5 months was a little easier. He was still at the age where he would sleep in the stroller whenever he needed to and wasn't distracted by much. He was well rested and slept great at night.

At 9 months, although he slept in the stroller, the naps weren't necessarily frequent enough or long enough. I think he was more easily distracted by everything going on in the parks. At home he slept through the night all the time, but on this trip we had some rough nights. I think he was overtired from being off his regular napping schedule.

 

[Art 1]

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?

Both 5 or 9 months I would leave at home unless I took a nanny to look over it.

 

[Art 1]

I would ignore the "leave baby at home" posts.

My DD's first trip was at 8 months (in October 2012). It was FANTASTIC. one of the easiest trips we have taken, and we've since returned 8? (I forget, been so many times) and DD is not even 2.5. It has been SO amazing watching her grow from trip to trip. From an age standpoint of 5m to 9m - they will be easier to handle at restuarants IMO at 9m due to being able to eat more table food, my DD always loved her stroller so even with crawling that wouldn't be an issue, and they may recognize characters more as well. We had the most amazing meet with Rapunzel when DD was 8m. So, my vote would be for September with a 9 month old!

And I'd NEVER leave baby at home. I've left DH at home a number of times, but never DD!

Is your way the only way? Telling the OP to ignore others suggestions and only listen to yours?

 

[Lauren79]

5-Month Old...less squirm factor! Naps in strollers are advantageous!

 

[HulaMinnie]

We took our 4 month old and again when he was 12 months old. He was definitely more 'mellow' at 4 months but the feeding schedule was kind of a pain in the butt. Ours was still crawling (but not yet walking) at 12 months and honestly that wasn't a big deal plus his eating schedule was more in line with our own. The downside at 12 months was the increased moving between being held and being in the stroller (at his insistence).

You'll survive either way.

 

[LisaTC]

You can only go by how your own children are. Every baby is different and I agree with the trip insurance, but with a wee one, if you had the opportunity, there would really be no financial hardship if you felt comfortable leaving the infant with grandparents or family. That said, if choosing between May & Sept, I choose May because of May and because at 5 months, it's only mom he/she will need for sustenance. PP was right, carting food is annoying, especially, if you have a late eater or one who has texture issues. They are starting to eat table food at that age and why risk a science experiment? My DD started walking at 10 months, so at 9 months, she would have been squirming the whole time to get out of the stroller. She was not a carrier kid. YOU were the carrier. I love the 5-6 months age. You are brave. I was like a PP, we took DD at 6-7 for her first trip because I didn't want to deal with naps, strollers, diapers...but THAT IS ME. Everyone is different and nobody is right/wrong. Weather wise, I'd choose May. Age wise, I'd choose 5 months. You have two other ones to keep track of who will be all over the place with excitement! Enjoy your trip!

 

[TJA]

Original poster here. Thank you for all the advice and things to consider. Many of you have made some great points. Leaving the baby with grandma is not an option as I will be nursing, and even though it might be a giant pain the baby will be part of our family and part of our vacation. I hadn't thought about the teething issue. Both of my previous children started getting teeth at four months so it might be an issue at either age anyway. I think I am leaning towards September and 9 months, but if you have anything else to add I would still love to hear it.

I agree with posters above who mentioned everyone has different feelings about taking babies to Disney, but since you have stated the baby is going with you, I will tell you that I had the same feelings (as your bolded part above) when our twins were babies. But taking them to Disney at 7 months old ended up being the best experience of our lives! It was great bonding time. Personally, I loved the baby carriers and strollers! Have fun in September!