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

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

We went June 5-11 with my DD18 and my 5 month old son. Yes, there were a few incidents but nothing out of the ordinary. Be really enjoyed being in the stroller and seeing all the sights, sounds and people. He loved meeting the characters and riding a few rides. He slept a good bit during the day bc of the heat but I had a Frogg Togg for him as well as an attached fan. The fan stopped working towards the end of the trip though. I also bought an extension UV cover for the stroller to keep sun off of him. It was difficult with the stroller and buses, but I was able to take the stroller in restaurants bc he's not big enough to sit up yet. BOG was the only place I had an issue with that and it was only with the stroller handler. Once I spoke to someone at the registration area and explained he can't sit up (plus he was asleep) they let us go right through. (FP at lunch) if they had other alternatives besides high chairs for infants who can't sit up yet, I'd have been more than happy to leave the stroller but alas they don't. And he got LOTS of attention from Princesses especially, but all of the characters were great with him. Oh, he's on a bottle so breast feeding wasn't on our agenda so I can't attest to that. I would just make a bottle and then fill extra bottles with formula and ask for water at the restaurants when we ate. I carried a couple containers of baby food with me each day and fed him when we ate.

 

[redsbe]

Personally I would wait until children are at least 3 or 4 so they can actually experience and enjoy more of what WDW has to offer, trip is too expensive not to try and have a more fuller relaxing and fun time with all the family. Save your money and wait a few years would be my advice. The travel when you can between the ages of 4 and 12 when your kids can really get involved with entire experience of WDW (each of our kids got 5 WDW or DL trips between those ages). When ours were under 3 our focus was on raising them and managing our money and the only trips we took out of state were to visit family. They actually remember all those trips whereas a baby will not only not remember but also experience very little. But that is just my opinion.

 

[jasmine91]

We took our son at 9 mo, not for him to remember, but for us to remember. It was wonderful

 

[Love Tink]

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

Since the OP already came back and specifically stated that she would never leave the baby at home, I agree that suggestions that completely countermand that requirement can pretty safely be ignored.

Personally I would wait until children are at least 3 or 4 so they can actually experience and enjoy more of what WDW has to offer, trip is too expensive not to try and have a more fuller relaxing and fun time with all the family. Save your money and wait a few years would be my advice. The travel when you can between the ages of 4 and 12 when your kids can really get involved with entire experience of WDW (each of our kids got 5 WDW or DL trips between those ages). When ours were under 3 our focus was on raising them and managing our money and the only trips we took out of state were to visit family. They actually remember all those trips whereas a baby will not only not remember but also experience very little. But that is just my opinion.

The OP asked about 5 months vs. 9 months (probably seeking advice on same from people with experience taking infants to Disney World).

If someone starts a thread asking whether vacationing at Disney World with an infant is a good idea (which they do, occasionally), your response would be appropriate there.

 

[I-4Bound]

I think so much of it depends on the temperament of your baby. We took my daughter at 5 months (nursing exclusively, no solids yet), and it was a very difficult trip. Right around the cool evening time (in June) when we would try to go back to the parks, she would start crying. We laughingly refer to it as "the trip we don't speak about." Granted, we also had a 3-year-old to deal with, and it was HOT, so I can't blame it all on the baby

Try to keep the little ones on a good nap/sleep schedule and don't overdo it. Wishing you a wonderful vacation!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We took our son at 9 mo, not for him to remember, but for us to remember. It was wonderful

We did the same. We go every year or two, and skipped the year I was pregnant with number 2, so he first went at 9 months ( big brother was 4). Easiest trip ever! You can leave them in the carrier on a lot of rides, used baby swap on the others. The next trip when he was almost 2 was not nearly as easy!

 

[Waddler]

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.

I'd just like to add that nursing in a baby carrier isn't feasible for everyone. I was able to nurse my little guy in a carrier until he was 3-4 months, and then he grew too long for my short torso, and was too easily distracted. After that, he really needed to be in a quiet place. Other women with different babies and body shapes probably have an easier time.

I agree with pachelbel, though, if you can nurse on the go, your trip will be much more enjoyable.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Personally I would wait until children are at least 3 or 4 so they can actually experience and enjoy more of what WDW has to offer, trip is too expensive not to try and have a more fuller relaxing and fun time with all the family.

It depends how one sees things.

On the opposite side of what you suggest, it costs quite a bit more to take a three year old: park ticket, dining, airfare, and maybe a the cost of an extra hotel room. A child under two can eat at a buffet for free, but a child over three is charged. A three year old adds over $20 per buffet! Also, an infant can potentially fly for free as a lap child until age two. On SWA, as long as the plane is not full, a 'lap child' IS allowed to take up a free sit using their carrier.

A child under three does not count towards the room total either- so a family of five can fit in a regular hotel room. (though most deluxes hold five) This baby is not an only child, the baby has siblings.

So waiting for that child to turn three could dramatically increase the price!

If a family holds off on vacations for 4 years per child and has 3 children spread 4years apart, that would be 12 years without a vacation!

 

[Haley]

I would do 5 months- my dd was a really easy traveler at that age. Likes being held, good long naps, slept through the night in a pack & play. I think it's harder when they are more mobile and squirmy. I think also making up bottles and taking them in a little cooler is super easy and less messy than feeding an older baby table food.

 

[pachelbel9]

This thread prompted us to book a May trip next year, when my LO will be 6 months old. We were procrastinating on picking a date for our first trip with #2, but this got me thinking about it (and our trip @ 8 mo with #1). So thanks OP! Hope you have a great trip!

Also, to a PP's point, when we go in May, my daughter will be 1 month shy of 3 years old. That definitely factored into my decision. Big costdifference vs. waiting till autumn.

My parents are going with us (their DVC membership), so we will have some help with the almost 3 year old if the baby requires more attention than expected.