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Toddlers at WDW
- Thread starter The Mom
- Start date
tinkrbel
New Member
awww thats just the most sweetest picture .. you know my opinion about babies and WDW 
I guess I got on a bit of a rant over at that other post .. but something good happens to children that are happy. The parent that thinks its a bother ..should stay home with the baby .. ( I wont say what I think of any parent that thinks that though) and not take the child out of the house until they are old enough to remember .. they say memories are there from before birth.
I guess I got on a bit of a rant over at that other post .. but something good happens to children that are happy. The parent that thinks its a bother ..should stay home with the baby .. ( I wont say what I think of any parent that thinks that though) and not take the child out of the house until they are old enough to remember .. they say memories are there from before birth.
I think everyone should use his/her own judgement I certainly wouldn't bring an infant to WDW in the summer. I also would need to take my own tolerance (or lack of) for crowds, lines, heat etc. into account. Except for one trip in July, I tried to limit visits to "off-season." I also go frequently, and am a passholder, which makes it easier for me to leave when we've had "enough." I agree with Sansaari (sorry for any misspelling) that it's a sin to see parents dragging their small,obviously tired, children through the parks. I'm not saying that EVERYONE should bring toddlers, anymore than I feel NO ONE should bring them. I'm just glad I brought them early.
tinkrbel
New Member
no ..not every parent should bring thier baby .. just like not ever person is a "disney" person .. thats true. and its a personal choice ..and I still think that some parents are the ones that need the nap and the time out :goodnevil I cant stand seeing parents mistreat their children any where. I agree with that too ..but to say that babies dont remember isnt completely true. If they dont remember things exactly they remember the feeling. Why would you do anything for a child under a certain age if you thought as
Sansaarai says ..that they wouldnt remember it?
Sansaarai says ..that they wouldnt remember it?
I don't know exactly what he meant, and certainly don't dispute his right to say it. Personally, I can see where some people might expect more "appreciation" for the trip than a toddler/preK child is capable of giving, especially if it was a "once in a lifetime" trip that involved a lot of personal sacrifice. Since I've been fortunate enough, both by location and economics, to afford many, many trips, my family was not under any pressure to "have a good time or else!!" Therefore, our trips have always been pretty relaxed.
tinkrbel
New Member
wish we were closer to WDW but we are way over in texas and have to settle for yearly visits .. and its something we all look forward to all year long. I remember when the girls were babies they would pack thier suitcases every day .. they would pretend they were at WDW .. and talk about what resort, and what park and ride, I even got drug in to playing the "we are at WDW" ( not that I minded) I guess your right .. if its something that is once in a lifetime and everyone "has to have a good time or else" .. but I didnt know life worked that way. I know from experience though that its very easy to take time out with a baby at WDW .. even if your not staying on site ..all the parks have baby care centers and cool shady area's, place you can go. I will not say I didnt dance a jig the first year without a diaper bag 
or the first year both girls decided they didnt want a stroller. And we put the girls comfort first, because its not just true that "if momma aint happy nobodys happy" ..its a fact .. "if baby aint happy NOBODY is happy". It is a personal choice. fact is ..some people shouldnt even be parents but are 
but we are way over in texas and have to settle for yearly visits .. and its something we all look forward to all year long. I remember when the girls were babies they would pack thier suitcases every day .. they would pretend they were at WDW .. and talk about what resort, and what park and ride, I even got drug in to playing the "we are at WDW" ( not that I minded) I guess your right .. if its something that is once in a lifetime and everyone "has to have a good time or else" .. but I didnt know life worked that way. I know from experience though that its very easy to take time out with a baby at WDW .. even if your not staying on site ..all the parks have baby care centers and cool shady area's, place you can go. I will not say I didnt dance a jig the first year without a diaper bag or the first year both girls decided they didnt want a stroller. And we put the girls comfort first, because its not just true that "if momma aint happy nobodys happy" ..its a fact .. "if baby aint happy NOBODY is happy". It is a personal choice. fact is ..some people shouldnt even be parents but are 
Goofette
New Member
Mom, that picture does say it all. That would have been so wonderful. I wish we lived closer. We live a few minutes from Branson Mo, and they have a lot of country music shows there. We started taking Maegan at 3 months and she just seemed to have an appreciation for shows and theatre. I have no idea if that is why (because we took her at such a young age), but I'm sure it didn't hurt. This poor child has wished for WDW since she was old enough to talk. We have so many things Disney and she gets thrilled over going to the Disney store. I can't imagine what it will be like when we actually get there. Only problem now is, she has become very frightened of things. When she was younger she wasn't at all, but as she gets older and since 9/11 she seems to be very afraid. We're planning on doing the parent switch off. To me, I would never take her kicking and screaming on rides like some parents do. She can't wait for IASW, so we may be riding that over and over and over :animwink: She's excited about a lot of the shows there also. I just hope I don't end up missing a good one. I need to get the tour books out.
DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
We took many trips to WDW in our pre-parents days. I remember vowing not to bring "not well behaved children." Now that we are parents our choices are to 1)skip the trip for a few years, 2) go with out the kid and let grandparents care for her 3) go but plan the trip around the baby and take the nessasry breaks and naps.
We brought our daugher at almost 9 months. It was good timing (December pre Christmas rush,) not too hot, low crowds and stayed at a resort close to MK. We had been many times ourselves, so we really didn't need to do anything for us, just seeing the look on her face is worth it and the pictures. I know she will never remember it, but God willing it won't be her last trip, and we won't forget it!) Most importanly she is an "easy and laid back child" and didn't mind travel or changes.
Now that we joined DVC we plan on trips every year. We have decided that if her behavior at any age are too difficult to manage or to expect mostly good behaviors from, we will do a less complicated trip that does not require as much patience. (Vero beach ect... or bank the points.) Our next trip is planed for March 2003, she will be almost 2. We might end up not spending much time at the parks!
I am glad we had our pre child trips and years together before becoming parents. I am really looking forward to all our years as parents (and even grandparents some day) and sharing WDW with them. We joke that we had a kid so we could take her to WDW. We just needed a few years of research on our own before we could take her:lol:
We brought our daugher at almost 9 months. It was good timing (December pre Christmas rush,) not too hot, low crowds and stayed at a resort close to MK. We had been many times ourselves, so we really didn't need to do anything for us, just seeing the look on her face is worth it and the pictures. I know she will never remember it, but God willing it won't be her last trip, and we won't forget it!) Most importanly she is an "easy and laid back child" and didn't mind travel or changes.
Now that we joined DVC we plan on trips every year. We have decided that if her behavior at any age are too difficult to manage or to expect mostly good behaviors from, we will do a less complicated trip that does not require as much patience. (Vero beach ect... or bank the points.) Our next trip is planed for March 2003, she will be almost 2. We might end up not spending much time at the parks!
I am glad we had our pre child trips and years together before becoming parents. I am really looking forward to all our years as parents (and even grandparents some day) and sharing WDW with them. We joke that we had a kid so we could take her to WDW. We just needed a few years of research on our own before we could take her:lol:
figmentmom
Well-Known Member
The first year we went to WDW, the kids were 5 and 8. Our son (the 5-year-old) was tall for his age, so we rode EVERYTHING! I saw lots of disappointed kids, though, that were too short for rides, and had to wait for other family members. We also saw a family with (and I am not making this up) a 5, 4, 3, and 2-year-old - and Dad was carrying a newborn in a sling! His comment to my husband as we passed him on a long line at the MK was, "This isn't a vacation - it's torture!" (Mom looked very stressed.)
I guess the point is that if you want to take a toddler or pre-schooler, just plan ahead. Be aware that there are rides your little one isn't going to be allowed on, and don't go near them. (Let the older kids go on ahead, if you're comfortable with that.) Take breaks, carry water bottles, carry prepackaged snack foods or juice boxes, premoistened wipes, sunscreen, extra socks...whatever you think will keep everybody reasonable comfortable. When the youngest (or oldest!) member of your party starts to fade, LEAVE and hit the pool!
I guess the point is that if you want to take a toddler or pre-schooler, just plan ahead. Be aware that there are rides your little one isn't going to be allowed on, and don't go near them. (Let the older kids go on ahead, if you're comfortable with that.) Take breaks, carry water bottles, carry prepackaged snack foods or juice boxes, premoistened wipes, sunscreen, extra socks...whatever you think will keep everybody reasonable comfortable. When the youngest (or oldest!) member of your party starts to fade, LEAVE and hit the pool!
Tenn Disney Dad
New Member
While it's clearly a matter of personal opinion, we've gone "BC" (Before Kids) and after kids...infants, toddlers, wiggly 8 year olds, teenagers and now nearly grown kids with no problems or disappointments. There's something at Disney for kids of all ages. Just think ahead, prepare and plan a bit for the type of group you're bringing. No big deal. Go have a great time!