Is there a too young for WDW?

[sigsegv]

So I was reading another thread about strollers or something and it got me to thinking (It's a miracle!) about this weird idea I had.... You can actually bring kids to Walt Disney World, can't you? Wow....

Anyway... currently, my wife and I don't have any kids (and I can't say anything else about that for another six or so weeks ) but, just as a thought exercise, say that you're planning a trip to WDW in Jan of 2003 and that you've already made room reservations with your DVC points and that you've invited your inlaws to go with you. Now, say -- this is just hypothetical -- that you're going to have a strange little visiter join your family sometime around early November of 2002.

Assuming that this is reality (which, of course, we know it's not), do you think 2 months is just too young to bring with you to WDW? What's the youngest child you've been to WDW with? Any idea what's too young? Any other suggestions? We're not pretending that this is for the (hypothetical) child -- it's completely for us and our parents/inlaws/first-time-grandparents).

--sig

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by njchris65
"remember when I had to change your diaper on the monorail?"...

eeeewww:hurl: Pleeease! do that in the restrooms!! Have mercy for us, rest of the world...

 

[tinkrbel]

sigsegv
from everything you have posted i have a feeling your going to really enjoy it if you get the chance to become a parent so the best of luck .. when it comes to kids you love them and you just always apply that love in everything you do concerning them and that way you always make the best decisions

 

[Smitty]

If you are going to WDW for you, your wife and your in-laws, go! You can always work things out for yourselves and your baby. You just have to realize that things might not always be as enjoyable as it would be if you didn't have the baby. You need to stop and change diapers, feed the baby, quiet it when it is upset. Things like that. But that is all part of having a baby. You need to do those things no matter where you are! Do you really want to have to stop and do all of those things during vacation? If you don't mind then, go for it!

If you are going for the baby's sake, forget it! Studies show that most children don't have memories of anything before age 2. Of course there is always the rare child that can remember almost everything! Most children, however, don't remember anything before age 2. So to take a child before then would be a waste, unless it was for your enjoyment or for the temporary enjoyment of the baby.

All in all, it up to you! If you don't mind the things that having a baby along bring, then I would definitely go. Myself, I wouldn't travel with a child until they were at least 2, but probably not until they were 4 or so.

Also, to whoever said most children start school at age 4, that is wrong. Most states children start school at age 5. I believe the last figures were 43 out of 50 states don't allow children to start school until age 5. Now, a lot kids are in some sort of pre-school or daycare program before then, but that really isn't school.

 

[belara]

young children at WDW

Just to put in my experience...

My first visit to Disney was when I was 3 months old. When I had my son (by C-section and there were minor complications) we took him to Disney when he was 3 months old. We had a blast. I was up for it and he got to have a picture taken with the wooden indian (just like I did at his age). He reacted very well to all the sights and sounds. My advice would be just don't push it. There is no need to rush just stroll around and rest when needed. We mostly spent time in Fantasy land and only stayed about 4 hours but the memory of taking him there was so worth it. And now that he's rapidly approaching 5 he's a Disney veteran and has been on almost every ride at the parks and nothing scares him. I've heard of kids being frightened of the Pirates of the Carribean but he loves it (I don't know if going on it at 3 months helped or not) and one of his favorite rides is Snow White "Can we go again mom there's no line???"

Just my $.02 from a Disney mom

 

[sigsegv]

Re: young children at WDW

Originally posted by belara
Just to put in my experience...

My first visit to Disney was when I was 3 months old. When I had my son (by C-section and there were minor complications) we took him to Disney when he was 3 months old. We had a blast. I was up for it and he got to have a picture taken with the wooden indian (just like I did at his age). He reacted very well to all the sights and sounds. My advice would be just don't push it. There is no need to rush just stroll around and rest when needed. We mostly spent time in Fantasy land and only stayed about 4 hours

Ha! We already take it easy and just cruise. I can't remember the last time we spent more than four hours in a park... A few hours in the late morning (gotta sleep in), then back to the resort for some rest/a nap, then dinner. We're there more for the atmosphere than the rides.

but the memory of taking him there was so worth it. And now that he's rapidly approaching 5 he's a Disney veteran and has been on almost every ride at the parks and nothing scares him. I've heard of kids being frightened of the Pirates of the Carribean but he loves it (I don't know if going on it at 3 months helped or not) and one of his favorite rides is Snow White "Can we go again mom there's no line???"

Just my $.02 from a Disney mom

Well, my wife and I hope our hypothetical kid can be as cool as yours WRT one of hypothetical mommy's and hypothetical daddy's favorite rides: PotC. Whether we go or not though, I wonder if we can get him/her on Splash Mountain. ( -- Just kidding!)

 

[GHOST1000]

I AGREE WITH CHRIS ABOVE. I HAVE TWO (NOW 5 AND 4) AND TOOK MY SON WHEN HE WAS 11/2 FIRST TIME AND FROM THEN ON BOTH OF THEM. AND NEITHER REMEMBERS OR COMPREHENDS MUCH UNTIL JUST THIS LAST FALL WHEN HE TURNED 5. SURE IT FUN WHEN THEY'RE IN GOOD SPIRITS, BUT THATS ONLY UNTIL THEY GET TIRED OF RIDING IN THE STROLLER AND WANT TO SIT ON YOUR SHOULDERS FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. IT DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED. PERSONALLY I THINK 5 AND UP IS THE BEST, UNLESS YOUR UP FOR JUST RELAXING @THE POOL THE WHOLE TRIP.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We go every year in the winter. Feb 2001 I was 32 weeks pregnant and my doc gave us the "go ahead," so we went! I think I would recomend going pregnant one last time before going when the kids was less then 3 months old. Personaly I would not be comfortable travling with a baby younger then 12 weeks old. We also took our daughter on a car trip to Virginia Beach to visit family when she was 12 weeks old and she did very well. We even took her to the beach (but we were staying at a house right on the beach, brought 3 umbrellas and a little pack and play contraption with a screen and shade on it! )

Keep in mind when planning a trip that a baby older then 6 months they can were sun screen, and also sit up. That helps with sitting in high chairs and putting them on your lap.

We took our daughter again to WDW in Dec 2001. She was 8 1/2 month old. It was a great time to take her, she just started crawling and enjoying things. There were many other babies at WDW, many at our resort Poly. Out daugher is an 'easy and happy" baby and we are laid back parents. We had no problems that we couldn't handle. I don't regret for one second taking her, she had a great time as did we. We knew from the get go that we would have to be flexible and sensitive to her needs.

Keeping that in mind, she did turn out to be allerigic to her antibioic and develop a severe reaction to it. They have good walk in medical clinics there!

This thread has posted some great advise to those interested in bring young child. The best I belive is get to know your baby and your parenting style before you leave. What is great for one family, can be hell for a baby of senitive temperment. Also knowing how the mother's recovery is going is very important. I was not prepared for how child brith is much like being hit by a train (inside out!!!) OUCH!

Don't worry if you end up missing a trip one year, you won't even miss it with all the excitment in your life, and as a DVC member that is just one more trip banked so you can go twice later (or stay in a villa with friends!!!) As for the kid not remembering it, God willing it won't be your child's last trip to WDW!


Sorry if I repeated myself, my origal post was so many pages ago I forgot what I said!!!!!

 

[TheDisneyBoy]

No such thing as "Too Young"

While I do not have children of my own, I would like to say that there is no such thing as too young when it comes to WDW. Speaking on my mother's behalf, she cry tears of joy when she sees the pictures of me with the characters on our first trip. I was 14 months at the time. I can personally attest to the fact that, if you start taking the kids early, they will become uncontrollable Disney maniacs. Or maybe that is just me. One other thing to remember when down with kids.....don't insult them. When I say that, I mean, don't NOT take them on a ride because you think they might find it boring. If it is scary, then yes, by all means, keep them off. But take them to see hall of presidents......spaceship earth....american adventure.....etc. Trust me.....I have VERY VERY fond memories.

:lol: :sohappy: :lookaroun

 

[tinkrbel]

Re: No such thing as "Too Young"

Originally posted by TheDisneyBoy
While I do not have children of my own, I would like to say that there is no such thing as too young when it comes to WDW. Speaking on my mother's behalf, she cry tears of joy when she sees the pictures of me with the characters on our first trip. I was 14 months at the time. I can personally attest to the fact that, if you start taking the kids early, they will become uncontrollable Disney maniacs. Or maybe that is just me. One other thing to remember when down with kids.....don't insult them. When I say that, I mean, don't NOT take them on a ride because you think they might find it boring. If it is scary, then yes, by all means, keep them off. But take them to see hall of presidents......spaceship earth....american adventure.....etc. Trust me.....I have VERY VERY fond memories.

:lol: :sohappy: :lookaroun

I understand your mom's tears ..I shed a few just now reading what you wrote.

 

[mej]

I had a C-section and travelled with a 10 week old. You need to make sure that your insurance covers you especially if you fly - Deep Vein Thrombosis can be a bigger issue after surgery especially when combined with a long flight.

 

[LoriL]

Baby's Health

I wanted to point out something in a post above: an infant under six months cannot wear sun screen and their skin is extremely sensitive, so you have to be very careful to always keep a baby out of the sun, which is hard to do at WDW. The other thing I forgot to mention is whether or not you have to fly to get there-- a lot of doctors tell their patients not to fly with an infant until they are six months old, for the same reasons I said earlier (germs and viruses on the plane, where it is even easier to catch things because all the air is recirculated).

I'm surprised how many people think it's a good idea, but I did notice that none of the people who went with young children went with an infant two months old. But instead of asking us, you really should ask the pediatrician.

 

[sigsegv]

Re: Baby's Health

Originally posted by LoriL
a lot of doctors tell their patients not to fly with an infant until they are six months old, for the same reasons I said earlier (germs and viruses on the plane, where it is even easier to catch things because all the air is recirculated).

I asked our primary care doctor (and friend of the family) and she said it would be fine, if we actually were going to have a baby.

But instead of asking us, you really should ask the pediatrician.

Oh, I will, if and when we ever have a baby. I was just asking for the experiences others have had with taking their very young childern.

--sig

 

[Dwarful]

Yeah, in Nov. RSV is in its prime time risk esp. for infants under 6 months of age. I would ask your pediatrician about this, also about the vac. for it. It does infect Thousands of infants, and with children under 6 onths of age it kills about 1,000 a year..all from a simple cold germ. Definately not somethiing you want your kids to go through if they dont have to. So, if you are flying you have think about the high concentration of germs, if they will give the baby the vac. for RSV I would get it. An ounce of prevention you know! Most people dont even know what RSV is. I didnt til our daughter got it and spent a month at StLouis Childrens Hospital...from Oct.-Feb they have an entire floor asigned as the RSV section. So to be safe check it out with the pediatrician

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

My duaghter was born in a hospital in Germany while I was serving In Italy, two weeks after birth she was given the OK to fly back to Italy. At two years old she had her first trip to Disney, as it was a family trip grandparents were on hand to allow a couple of evenings out sensa kids and they took it in turns so no one ever rode alone. and as fr that kiddy handover thing what a graet idea I only wish Europeran parks were as toddler friendly. My wife is Sick childrens nurse with a specilisation in burns so she just went to great pains to make sure the ankle biter was well protected.
Having kids should not be an excuse to stop having fun.:animwink:

 

[Dwarful]

[
Having kids should not be an excuse to stop having fun.:animwink: [/B][/QUOTE
Amen to that one! Actually its so much more fun for us. we have done disney B.C (before children) and now w/children. My husband loves it with the kids so much we have taken our niece with us without her parents..pretty big deal since she was 5 and 1,000 miles from home! Its so much fun to see Disney again from a childs point of view, but I am not sure if it would be the same with such a young infant, I cant really say since our daughter was 9mths before we went to D.Land.

 

[Strawberryblond]

Congratulations! (hypothetically, natch )

A bit late to be putting in my two cents but just in case you check back.... I did take a two month old to Disney. It was Disneyland Paris though so I wasn't dealing with intense sun. My son had just turned three and we wanted to give him abit of attention, just becomming a brother and all. We went for three nights, two days and had a ball! I wore the baby in a sling where she nursed and slept and occasionally popped out her head to look at a few things. Pooh and Eeyore admired her and we got pictures of that. The sling allowed for her to feel secure and kept her warm against me (in the sun, it can help keep off the sun along with a sun hat). When it was cold/windy I wore my coat over everything which kept her warm but accidentally got her a ride on Dumbo. I didn't know about the 1 yr. age min. When we had taken my son he was already 1. We just hopped on a couple elephants so I could take video of my DH and DS behind me. When we touched down a CM asked if I had a baby in there and if so I couldn't ride the ride again, ohh how embarrasing. So my DH and DS once again flew up in the sky while I watched from the ground, DD slept through the whole thing and didn't get to enjoy her "stolen" ride, lol. That trip is a great memory for our family, no regrets whatsoever. When you wear your baby in a sling it cuts down on folks touching baby or putting their face near baby. The nursing gives wonderful immunity but of course you wouldn't want to take undo risk. Baby is young enough not to be touching things and then putting fingers in mouth (like at 6 mths) and quite happy at 2mths to sleep and nurse alot. If mom is not comfortable with nursing on the go and needs to sit down each time, that could cut down on touring but there is alot to see while sitting under a tree. Babies help us to "smell the roses" so to speak. I slept with my babies and had them nurse at will during the night - we would both wake up refreshed and ready to go! Just my experiences, hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[2much2do]

Hi,
Had to post a quick reply to Strawberry: It seems we parent in much the same way. I agree totally with you that nursing and wearing your baby in a sling are the way to go!! Even if it isn't a trip to Disney. Even a trip to the grocery store is easier with a nursing, slinging baby! And, I never would have gotten any sleep (I still might not) if my babies didn't sleep and nurse in bed with me all night!
Say, a question: Babies have to be a year old before they can go on rides? All the rides, or just Dumbo cuz it flies? Anybody out there who has gone to the parks with an under one year old, please let me know what rides they could go on. I want to be prepared, and my daughter is ten months. Thanks!

 

[Strawberryblond]

2much2do, once you parent this way, you never go back do you? I really like "bumping" into like minded parents I just love my babies (who are now 2 and 5, lol) and everything we have shared together. My 2 yr. old DD is becomming more and more independant every day, it just goes soo fast.

Dumbo has a one year min. and so does Astro Orb. PeterPansflight might, but they let her on (at two mths). TMspeedway may also have the 1 yr. min. but I'm not certain, my guidebook doesn't say. Most of the time, if a two yr old can ride it, so can your 10mth old. Have a wonderful time, I know your little ones will be happy

 

[Cindy Rella]

I agree with many of the previous writers, this is not the kind of vacation for a mom who has just had her first baby. I had an easy labor and delivery and babies that slept through the night at about 3 months but was still very wiped out at two months - sleep deprivation and total lifestyle adjustment. The baby would be easy to travel with but head for a relaxing beach where the main activity is rest, recouperation and connecting as a new little family - don't run yourself down more. I also feel I wouldn't expose that young of an infant to all the germs at the airport, plane, hotel and parks if you didn't have to.
So my vote is a hypothetical NO! WDW is not going away, you can wait a year or so!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I did not know about the age limit. We took our daugther to WDW at 8 1/2 months and took her on most everything. (not astro orbitor or speedway, just didn't feel like it) She is small for her age, but has ALOT of hair so mabye they thought she was older. Her first ride was Dumbo! See loved it. I did keep her in a over the hip sling for Dumbo, PP and the Cindy's Carosel.

I am gald I didn't know about the age limit. She did great. Don't worry 2much2todo, your daughter will be fine. 10 months is a good age. Not yet mobil so you don't have to worry about her running away fast, but able to enjoy many things.

As for nursing, I think I have done it that in every place under the sun (and then some!!!!)