In my opinion, if they are too young to talk, to walk on their own for extended periods of time, or participate in many activities (other than just being along for the ride because you can't just leave them behind while you do the activity), then they are too young to take. Our son just turned two last Friday, and we left him with his grandparents in April when we went, and we left him with his grandparents last year as well. We consider a child to be too young at two, three is "iffy" and around four on up would be old enough. Under three and all you can do is just push them around in a stroller. They really can't do too much or experience too much. You can't really count on having a good meal without wondering if your child is gonna start screaming and throwing his food. You probably can't stay out very late because of having to put the child to bed. I think there is a reason why children under three get in free...because Disney considers people under three to be too young to get much out of the experience. They're just there for the ride and can't really participate much, so they aren't charged. At least that's my interpretation of why they get in for free. Once you get over three years old, then you're old enough to comprehend where you are, and to get something out of the experience, rather than just being pushed around in a stroller all day while you sleep, and hence the reason why your parents have to pay to get you in. That might not be the real reason, but it sounds good to me. :lol:
I look forward to taking our child when he's old enough. But until then, every time I saw a screaming toddler making a scene, I was sure glad we left ours at home. Personally, I don't really think toddlers and infants have any business there, but that's entirely up to the parents, and if that's what they want to do, then that's their business. As for us, I don't regret our decision to enjoy it without being tied down with the responsibilities of having an infant on board, and I look forward to taking our son down when he's old enough to say "hey Dad, can we do Space Mountain again" or "hey Dad, can we get in the pool later?". To me, having to leave a show because my toddler is screaming and making a scene, isn't my idea of fun family togetherness.
Again, just to clarify, I'm not casting judgement on anyone else who chooses to bring their infants/toddlers along. That's their business, not mine. If that's how they want to do their vacation, then more power to them. But as for me, despite all the joy that many people here would testify to in regards to bringing a baby/toddler, I can't stop thinking of the worst case scenario: a screaming child all the way down in the van on the way there, a child who screams at the table and ruins supper, having to leave shows because the child is causing a scene, not being able to do anything at night because we have to put the baby to bed, not being able to sleep at night because we have a crying baby in the room with us, etc. IMO, it's much better for everyone, including the child, to just leave him back home. He will have just as much fun (probably more fun, in fact), playing blocks on Grandma's living room floor than he would being pushed around in a stroller all day long and being dragged in and out of various attractions.
