Whats a good age for the first visit to the world?

[Jheyman]

Hello All:wave:
Originally my extended family and myself and my wife were planning a trip for this xmas to the world, however, my wife is now pregnant and our first baby is on the way!! :sohappy: She's due in Feb., anyway for the baby's second xmas we were thinking of trying to re-do the trip we originally planned for this xmas, the baby would be about 22 months old at that point. Anyone have any thoughts on if its too early for the baby's first trip down?? Thanks all in advance!:wave:

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Our first visit was in 1997, our sons were 4 and 2 1/2, now after 12 visits they are experts at where to go and when. During that first visit yes there were attractions that we could not go on but that doesn't mean you won't have a great time. Just watch your child (ren) and enjoy what they see how they react, you end up having twice the fun thru them. Keep an eye on them as to how they are around the characters. Our youngest while we were at olivia's in OKW wanted nothing to do with eyore, tigger, or piglet, but reached out for pooh bear because he was his favorite, I always smack myself for not bringing the video camera until our 3rd visit, but still we have snapshots and our memories of those first times. And as time goes by and they grow older you watch how other children are and think back to when your's were that age,and wish you could relive those times. My wife and I are doing it in Nov. when her brother and family are going to be with us, so we get to live a first time visit thru their eye's, daughter 10, and son 9. They are so excited about going I think they drive their parents crazy before we get there, should be alot of fun. Next visit Aug. 23 to 27, not soon enough.:sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[Ringo8n24]

I think that WDW would be a great place without crying babies and strollers!

You are obviously not a parent. Wait until you are and then answer again. Forget the crying babies, you will want to be rid of the arrogant teenagers who cut in line.

 

[DonaldD23]

You are obviously not a parent. Wait until you are and then answer again. Forget the crying babies, you will want to be rid of the arrogant teenagers who cut in line.

If someone cuts in line I call them out and tell them if they want to cut they can cut somewhere behind me. No one has ever cut in line with me there. Even if they use the excuse they are meeting up with their party, I tell them that their party should let everyone pass them until they cutters catch up. Once you are in line you cannot leave without giving up your spot.

So, people cutting in line aren't a big problem to me because I can make them stop...however, there is nothing I can do about a crying baby or a parent (or even worse an older child) who doesn't know how to push a stroller without running someone's foot over or slamming into the back of there legs. Sure, I can yell at the parent, but they are too busy trying to "make memories" for their infant child (who won't remember a single second of the trip) that they don't care about anyone else's experience.

So, whether or not I have children or not is a none issue. I wouldn't take a baby or a child who needs a stroller to WDW...and neither should you!:lookaroun

 

[kachow]

It seems like there are two different ways people are reading this question. If the question is, when is it possible for parents go to Disney with a child; then obviously the answer is probably around 6 months.; essentially whenever the baby is ready to travel. But if the question is, when do you think the child will get the most out of their first trip; I'd say probably no earlier than 3 years old. I say this because I want my child's first trip to be something they truly remember. I want there to be excitement building before the trip. I want my child to pick things he/she wants to do, etc. Yeah, you can go to Disney and cart around a baby as soon as 6 months, but that child isn't going to even know what's going on. Probably within the first two years they probably don't really know what's going on, and often are scared/overwhelmed with the characters and environment. That's not to say the parents who bring toddlers to WDW are wrong or bad parents; I just think those trips are still for the parents rather than for the child.

 

[hankhill]

Age Question

We took our girls the first time in 2001 when my youngest was 21 months and my oldest was almost 4. They remember it to this day and it has been amazing since that time to watch them grow up and become increasingly enamored with the place. We have gone each year after for the past five years and they love it more today than ever.

If you thing they are too young then they are. If you treat it like the greatest place on earth for kids but try to keep to your schedule then you will have the greatest time in the world. I dont think 22 months is too young and yesm I think they will remember it vividly.

 

[Jheyman]

If someone cuts in line I call them out and tell them if they want to cut they can cut somewhere behind me. No one has ever cut in line with me there. Even if they use the excuse they are meeting up with their party, I tell them that their party should let everyone pass them until they cutters catch up. Once you are in line you cannot leave without giving up your spot.

So, people cutting in line aren't a big problem to me because I can make them stop...however, there is nothing I can do about a crying baby or a parent (or even worse an older child) who doesn't know how to push a stroller without running someone's foot over or slamming into the back of there legs. Sure, I can yell at the parent, but they are too busy trying to "make memories" for their infant child (who won't remember a single second of the trip) that they don't care about anyone else's experience.

So, whether or not I have children or not is a none issue. I wouldn't take a baby or a child who needs a stroller to WDW...and neither should you!:lookaroun

Hum......not for anything but, wasn't WDW and DL built for EVERYONE OF ALL AGES I started this thread to see what everyone's thoughts were but I knew even with my child not being born yet that we will be going at about 22 months.

My opinion always have been wihtout children WDW just loses some of its magic....I think you need to recheck your outlook on life pal you seem a little bit down on things, no amount of crying or line cutting could upset any of my days at the world, Hope you cheer up!!!:xmas:

 

[DisneyBride94]

however, there is nothing I can do about a crying baby or a parent (or even worse an older child) who doesn't know how to push a stroller without running someone's foot over or slamming into the back of there legs. Sure, I can yell at the parent, but they are too busy trying to "make memories" for their infant child (who won't remember a single second of the trip) that they don't care about anyone else's experience.

So, whether or not I have children or not is a none issue. I wouldn't take a baby or a child who needs a stroller to WDW...and neither should you!:lookaroun

Obviously nobody ever took you to Disney when you were a baby or you'd have a much sunnier disposition!

Since I took my kid to Disney as babies...I know they'll repay the favor and wheel my DH and I around in our wheelchairs someday when I'm too old to walk the parks myself. :kiss:

 

[Valawen9]

As soon as I have a kid I'm taking him/her there pronto. lol

 

[DisneyBride94]

It seems like there are two different ways people are reading this question. If the question is, when is it possible for parents go to Disney with a child; then obviously the answer is probably around 6 months.; essentially whenever the baby is ready to travel. But if the question is, when do you think the child will get the most out of their first trip; I'd say probably no earlier than 3 years old. I say this because I want my child's first trip to be something they truly remember. I want there to be excitement building before the trip. I want my child to pick things he/she wants to do, etc. Yeah, you can go to Disney and cart around a baby as soon as 6 months, but that child isn't going to even know what's going on. Probably within the first two years they probably don't really know what's going on, and often are scared/overwhelmed with the characters and environment. That's not to say the parents who bring toddlers to WDW are wrong or bad parents; I just think those trips are still for the parents rather than for the child.

I don't know...my 26 month old has seen and commented on your Avatar and said "Kachow!" The boy just loves Lightening McQueen and Mater... I can't wait for him to see them! And at 15 months on our last trip he was canoodling with Minnie Mouse something fierce. I've got pictures of him and Minnie Mouse exchanging kisses...same with Pooh and Tigger and many others... He wasn't even afraid of Goofy... His first trip was at 4 months of age... Wish I knew how to post some pictures to share here...but I don't...

 

[DonaldD23]

Obviously nobody ever took you to Disney when you were a baby or you'd have a much sunnier disposition!

Since I took my kid to Disney as babies...I know they'll repay the favor and wheel my DH and I around in our wheelchairs someday when I'm too old to walk the parks myself. :kiss:

Wow, you make a big assumption. My first visit to WDW has nothing to do with how I feel about crying babies and strollers that slam into my legs. And, I have no problem with people in wheelchairs.

There is nothing more annoying than waiting in a long line with a screaming baby yelling in your ear. Why is the baby there? Why would anyone subject their baby to 90+ degree weather just to stand in line and annoy everyone else. I paid the same amount of money to visit Disney as they did and MY memories shouldn't be ruined because someone was too selfish to postpone their trip to WDW until their baby was old enough to walk. Sorry, but your kid isn't going to remember the trip and when they are older and look at the photos they might think it's nice or cool or whatever, but they aren't going to remember it!

Keep the crying babies and the strollers at home. Or, if you MUST come...watch where you are pushing that stroller and LEAVE the line as soon as the baby starts to cry! My memories are just as important as yours so don't ruin them!

And, to assume that you need a child with you at WDW to have "Magic" is incorrect. We have hundreds of magical memories at WDW without any kids with us, and almost as many with kids. So, if YOU can't have fun at WDW unless you bring a baby, then you aren't there for the baby...you are there for YOU!

 

[kachow]

I don't know...my 26 month old has seen and commented on your Avatar and said "Kachow!" The boy just loves Lightening McQueen and Mater... I can't wait for him to see them! And at 15 months on our last trip he was canoodling with Minnie Mouse something fierce. I've got pictures of him and Minnie Mouse exchanging kisses...same with Pooh and Tigger and many others... He wasn't even afraid of Goofy... His first trip was at 4 months of age... Wish I knew how to post some pictures to share here...but I don't...

I'm not saying not to do it, but I'm just saying I think that moment with your 4 month old kissing Minnie is more one you'll remember than your child. And that's not a bad thing. But overall, I was just approaching the question from a different angle of parents like my sister and brother-in-law, who would never go to WDW except for their two children. They waited until their youngest was 5 years old, because they wanted them to be able to go on the rides and do whatever they wanted. I think sometimes people forget that not everyone goes every year no matter what. Yes, if you go every year, it's not a big deal if your child can't go on Space Mountain, or whatever, because you'll be back in a year, but if you're going once and then probably not again for 2-3 years, I'd wait until 3 or 4 for that first trip.

But like I said in my first post, for the OP's specific question, sure, you can take a 22 month year old. Why not?

 

[Shaman]

I think the best age for a first visit would probably be when you can lose the stroller and the child can walk on their own for long periods. But I'm not a parent so I'm opinion may be bias, especially since I HATE STROLLERS....:lookaroun

....and someone mentioned line cutting by teens. I don't know about that, I've never seen line cutting by anyone on attractions where there are defined "lines". But when the CM is yelling at the top of their lungs to fill all available space...it really isn't line cutting...so what attraction does the line cutting occur would be my question....

:lol:

 

[PintoColvig]

Wow, you make a big assumption. My first visit to WDW has nothing to do with how I feel about crying babies and strollers that slam into my legs. And, I have no problem with people in wheelchairs.

There is nothing more annoying than waiting in a long line with a screaming baby yelling in your ear. Why is the baby there? Why would anyone subject their baby to 90+ degree weather just to stand in line and annoy everyone else. I paid the same amount of money to visit Disney as they did and MY memories shouldn't be ruined because someone was too selfish to postpone their trip to WDW until their baby was old enough to walk. Sorry, but your kid isn't going to remember the trip and when they are older and look at the photos they might think it's nice or cool or whatever, but they aren't going to remember it!

Keep the crying babies and the strollers at home. Or, if you MUST come...watch where you are pushing that stroller and LEAVE the line as soon as the baby starts to cry! My memories are just as important as yours so don't ruin them!

You are so right! Disney is supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth. How can it be happy when someone is crying? Keep those annoying kids at home, I say! I don't want to see babies crying at Disney World or the grocery store or the mall or anywhere! In fact, I think there ought to be a law or something that says that keeps babies out of public areas until they are old enough not to cry. Better yet, they ought to outlaw babies altogether! Yeah, that's the ticket! :brick:

 

[meryll83]

I'm gonna be a grumpy mum and refuse to take my children until they're old enough to remember it properly! It'd be different if we were nearer though I reckon.

I say that now... wait til I have kids...... any excuse to go back!!! :animwink:

 

[Jheyman]

Wow, you make a big assumption. My first visit to WDW has nothing to do with how I feel about crying babies and strollers that slam into my legs. And, I have no problem with people in wheelchairs.

There is nothing more annoying than waiting in a long line with a screaming baby yelling in your ear. Why is the baby there? Why would anyone subject their baby to 90+ degree weather just to stand in line and annoy everyone else. I paid the same amount of money to visit Disney as they did and MY memories shouldn't be ruined because someone was too selfish to postpone their trip to WDW until their baby was old enough to walk. Sorry, but your kid isn't going to remember the trip and when they are older and look at the photos they might think it's nice or cool or whatever, but they aren't going to remember it!

Keep the crying babies and the strollers at home. Or, if you MUST come...watch where you are pushing that stroller and LEAVE the line as soon as the baby starts to cry! My memories are just as important as yours so don't ruin them!

And, to assume that you need a child with you at WDW to have "Magic" is incorrect. We have hundreds of magical memories at WDW without any kids with us, and almost as many with kids. So, if YOU can't have fun at WDW unless you bring a baby, then you aren't there for the baby...you are there for YOU!

One, being as this is our first child but not our first trip to the world I say I agree you dont need a baby there but my point was there is something a bit more magical about kids at WDW then adults, just my opinion. Like you said as far as babies are concerned will I bring my child at 6 months?, no, but some might and ya know they paid what you paid just like you said! Crying baby might be a 6 year old as much as a 22 month old so your equating strollers to babies is unfair. What an 14 year old was crying in line because s/he was being peer pressured into going on AE (R.I.P) or something similar? My point is there are annoyances all around us dont blame it on the babies. And you shouldnt let it get to you its WDW for goodness sake!

You are so right! Disney is supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth. How can it be happy when someone is crying? Keep those annoying kids at home, I say! I don't want to see babies crying at Disney World or the grocery store or the mall or anywhere! In fact, I think there ought to be a law or something that says that keeps babies out of public areas until they are old enough not to cry. Better yet, they ought to outlaw babies altogether! Yeah, that's the ticket! :brick:

:lol: :lol: :lol: Good One!:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[DonaldD23]

One, being as this is our first child but not our first trip to the world I say I agree you dont need a baby there but my point was there is something a bit more magical about kids at WDW then adults, just my opinion. Like you said as far as babies are concerned will I bring my child at 6 months?, no, but some might and ya know they paid what you paid just like you said! Crying baby might be a 6 year old as much as a 22 month old so your equating strollers to babies is unfair. What an 14 year old was crying in line because s/he was being peer pressured into going on AE (R.I.P) or something similar? My point is there are annoyances all around us dont blame it on the babies. And you shouldnt let it get to you its WDW for goodness sake!


If a child is 6 years old, why are they in a stroller to begin with? If they can walk, they don't need a stroller. If they get tired, then leave the park with them.

I can't imagine why children need strollers to begin with! When I was a child I had so much energy that my parents didn't even own a stroller. I was active all the time. Kids should walk...its good exercise! And, if they get tired, let them sit down, let they play in one of the water fountain areas, or just take them back to the room. Don't force them to stay in the park! So, only babies should be in strollers...and, like I said before, they shouldn't even be at WDW.

As for children crying, I have no problem asking them to be quiet or asking their parents to control them. There is no reason for a 14 year old to be yelling or crying or whatever as they can control it. A baby cannot control their crying. So, I still stand by my statement, babies should be at WDW because they are too young and they cry. Older kids (ie: walking age) should behave when they are there or the parents should remove them.

I wasn't saying that all the problems are babies...just that they can't be controlled. You can't tell a baby to stop crying, because they don't know how. But, a 3-year old does.

And, as for saying that I "shouldn't let it get to me at WDW", why not? Why is WDW any different than the rest of the world?

 

[campdisney]

I wasn't saying that all the problems are babies...just that they can't be controlled. You can't tell a baby to stop crying, because they don't know how. But, a 3-year old does.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You're not a parent, are you?

 

[DonaldD23]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You're not a parent, are you?

And that has what to do with my statement?

 

[The Mom]

And that has what to do with my statement?

Everything. :animwink:

 

[Jheyman]

One, being as this is our first child but not our first trip to the world I say I agree you dont need a baby there but my point was there is something a bit more magical about kids at WDW then adults, just my opinion. Like you said as far as babies are concerned will I bring my child at 6 months?, no, but some might and ya know they paid what you paid just like you said! Crying baby might be a 6 year old as much as a 22 month old so your equating strollers to babies is unfair. What an 14 year old was crying in line because s/he was being peer pressured into going on AE (R.I.P) or something similar? My point is there are annoyances all around us dont blame it on the babies. And you shouldnt let it get to you its WDW for goodness sake!


If a child is 6 years old, why are they in a stroller to begin with? If they can walk, they don't need a stroller. If they get tired, then leave the park with them.

I can't imagine why children need strollers to begin with! When I was a child I had so much energy that my parents didn't even own a stroller. I was active all the time. Kids should walk...its good exercise! And, if they get tired, let them sit down, let they play in one of the water fountain areas, or just take them back to the room. Don't force them to stay in the park! So, only babies should be in strollers...and, like I said before, they shouldn't even be at WDW.

As for children crying, I have no problem asking them to be quiet or asking their parents to control them. There is no reason for a 14 year old to be yelling or crying or whatever as they can control it. A baby cannot control their crying. So, I still stand by my statement, babies should be at WDW because they are too young and they cry. Older kids (ie: walking age) should behave when they are there or the parents should remove them.

I wasn't saying that all the problems are babies...just that they can't be controlled. You can't tell a baby to stop crying, because they don't know how. But, a 3-year old does.

And, as for saying that I "shouldn't let it get to me at WDW", why not? Why is WDW any different than the rest of the world?

'

It isnt any different then the rest of the world I guess if you have low tolerance of line you have a low tolerance of life weather you are at WDW or not. Well here is fair warining not this chirstmas, not the following but the one after that I will be there with my entire family and my 22 month old child. He or She may cry and I will probally at least some of the time have as stroller with me. You may wish to avoid the greater orlando area at that time. Thank you and please lower your head and watch your step.