Disney Trip... Too Young?

Hi C.,

I didn't get a chance to read all the responses but wanted to let you know that I took my son when he was almost 8 months and he was intuned(sp) to what was going on but didn't really "get" it. We still had fun sharing Mickey with him. Also, I was still breastfeeding and he is very hungry so every 2 hrs we had to find a place. NOTE: Disney is not prepared for breastfeeding moms. No where to go that was comfortable-no chairs in family restrooms that I could find... so I just did it as discreetly as possible on a bench, etc. Did get a lot of looks but you get that everywhere?!

Have fun!!

He's not going to care so much, but it will be a hassle for you. You won't get to do anything but tend to him.

You definitely should bring him! I brought my son at 6 months and we had a great time! If you want to go on any of the rides that he can not go on just tell the attendant on the outside of the line that you need to do a "rider switch". That will allow you to stay outside with the baby then cut the line once someone else comes off the ride.

Have fun!

We've taken our daughter everywhere with us since day 1 also - so she adjusts well, sleeps when she wants to and is just great. We've never been one to tiptoe around @ home when she is sleeping - so when she is tired - whether it's @ a race track with my husband, a restaraunt, or a theme park - instead of just melting down she would just curl up in the stroller and sleep like a baby! She's almost 6 now, and has been to Disney 3 times - the first time was for our 2nd anniversary - and she was only 9 months old - she loved loved loved it! When we had big days like that planned - I would alternate between the stroller, the snugli and carrying her and she did fine! I will tell you this though - I had lactaid milk in bottles in a little cooler with ice packs in the bottom of the stroller. It was not a "baby" bag, but my old lunch box - which was black nylon with a leopard print lid, and approximately the size of a 6 pack of cans. It was perfect for 3 or 4 bottles, and two ice packs. I stuck it in the basket under the stroller, pushed it way forward and put our Eddie Bauer jackets behind it. We rode the sky ride @ Busch Gardens - and I parked the stroller in the shade on the rammpway into the ride. When we came back the jackets were pulled out and hanging towards the ground - someone had rooted around in there like a little pig, and took our cooler! I was sooooo upset as my daughter was over 2 by then, we had been done nursing for well over 6 months, and discovered that she was lactose intolerant. Thank you to the slovenly inconsiderate pig bung holios - I had nothing for my daughter to drink for the rest of that trip until we got back home to Winter Haven from Tampa. 1st - you can't get lactaid in a restaraunt or convenient store, or in single serve containers, any sippy cup etc that I could have purchased on the spot would not have been cleaned - so it was bottled water only until we got home! So....with that said - in hind sight knowing that people are idiots - I would now invest in a locker @ the park for that sort of thing ....just in case, or plan on carrying it in every time that you have to park the stroller - and I was already carrying the baby, the diaper bag, camera bag etc..... so .. with snacks, bottles etc... for me - now the way to go would be the locker. Not as convenient as having it with you at all times, but more secure for sure. With the way people are - I guess that I should be glad that they didn't "tamper" with it and put it back - the thought never entered my mind at the time (being in a family atmosphere & all) , but now I would never take the chance with food/drinks etc..
I say, take the baby - have fun, plan, plan plan......

I say go! I brought my second daughter starting at 6 months. I switched her between the stroller and a baby bjorn [facing out] and I didn't hear a peep from her the whole day! She was just mesmerized. She is now 22 months, and loves going to Disney. There are plenty of rides you can take him on, but you would have to skip things like Space Mountain obviously. Some rides offer parents a break, where one parent would stay with the children while the other rides, and then the second parent gets to go ahead in the line so they can ride too. Ask at the parks for more info.

Each park has a Baby Care center that has changing tables, nursing chairs, bathrooms, tv, toys, etc. This is a great place for the little ones to take a break, nap or have something to eat. They also sell some sundries, in case you have forgotten something.

We have season passes and go all the time, so feel free to ask me any questions.

8 months is too young for any rides of course, however, if you're getting together with family than I think he'd probably enjoy seeing a new place, or maybe if your visiting family wants you could go to animal kingdom or busch gardens .

I think for you to go 'for him', he would not enjoy it. Its more special for the parents to have their baby go. Do Not go in teh summer time with a baby is my suggestion. We took my daughter at 1 1/2 and all the distractions, we could not get her to sleep. It was so hot and humid, we left after 2 hours. Miserable baby means miserable mom. Just wasnt worth it. Now she is 6 and we are going.

If you have famly coming to visit and they want to go to Disney, you shouldn't miss spending time with your family. You and your husband can take turns staying with your daughter on any rides the rest of the family want to go on that she is too young for, and there are plenty of things you can take her on. And the photos of her with the characters is priceless!! Just bring extra of anything you need because everything there is expensive (like diapers and wipes) if you run out of anything. Each of the Disney parks has a baby care center where they have a quiet place to nurse/bottle feed, changing tables that seem MUCH cleaner than the ones in the bathroom, and supplies you can purchase if you run out or forgot something.

My son did everything with me from birth. The Venice Italy trip at 18 months was great cardio for me. He should be fine and you will have the family to help. If you are spending a couple days I would suggest getting an on site hotel room if you need a break. Include him and enjoy him in whatever you do. Whatever time we have with them is not enough. Take pictures everywhere you go and let him look at them often

We started getting seasonal passes when our first daughter was 2 1/2 and once we had our second daughter she went for the first time at 8 weeks. It was fine, of course all she did was sleep through most of it but we were going for our older child not for her. My youngest is now 3 and we still have passes and go 1 or 2 times a month and both kids love it. That said we went with a friend last year and their daughter was 2 1/2 and to scared to ride anything even the little kid rides, so it really depends on your child. Mine love all of the rides and shows. And yes I realize that they will not remember going at 2 or 3 but I will remember and who doesnt love to see a young child see Mickey for the first time. It is one of the greatest pictures! Go and have fun!

I've seen it said that while your baby won't remember going, mom and dad will remember the trip. If he's used to going everywhere with you anyway he'll probably be fine. The Magic Kingdom has lots of rides with no height requirements so he'll be able to go on a bunch of rides. Kids are free to bring until they turn 3. So if you can afford the pricey tickets for you and your husband, I say go!

You'll be fine. Just be prepared bringing his bottles and baby food he likes to eat. We took our son at 8 months to a disney resort on the boardwalk to meet family from England. He did awesome! He'll enjoy looking around at everything.

I'm really opposed to overwhelming kids at Disney--I've seen too many zombie-looking babies there at the end of the day!

Having said that, we took my ten-month-old son for about four days. We did everything to make it friendly for him--I took a sling to carry him in most of the time, although we also had a stroller. Having him up, next to my face helped me see how he was doing and I think he felt more comfortable there. Plus, it's a lot easier to get around!

We took all his familiar baby foods into the park, plus sippies of water. We spent time at the Pooh Bear playground so he could crawl around (it's filthy, yes, but baby-friendly). We didn't go to any meals that were too long. And we also went back to the hotel for nap.

If you're only going to be there for a day, don't worry about it. But even with my five year old, that downtime after lunch is so important to getting through the day!

Otherwise, you know your kid and he sounds pretty mellow. Have fun!

Go for it! Your son will be too young to remember anything, or enjoy anything for that matter, but you won't have to pay for him. You can enjoy your time with family, and if your son gets tired, he can nap in the stroller. Disney World can get pretty crowded, but you can always find a quiet place to sit. Unless your son has sensory issues, he shouldn't be overwhelmed. I took my family when my son was only 6 1/2 months old, and he was easy as pie. Just bring plenty of snacks and baby food, and you'll be all set. I hope you go and have a great time.

If you are asking if he's too young to remember anything from the trip, that would be a big YES. He won't remember anything. Some of the characters may frighten him, so use caution when allowing the characters to come up to your son for picture taking. My daughter freaked out when some of the characters walked up to her and she was about 12 months old. If anything, he'll nap in the stroller, just be sure to have a sheet or something to cover him in the stroller. Florida sun is bright, so be careful not to let him get sun burned. Have a great time...Disney is fun for all ages.

My son was 7 months; he loved it.

I never took my son to very many places when he was an infant. I just wanted to be home with him. But I have been to Disney and had to sit through a show where the parents next to us held onto their screaming infant but wouldn't leave to change him (the diaper was over flowing) till the show ended. Yeah. I'm sure they have great memories. I remember them too but not so fondly.

I wouldn't advise taking a child until maybe age 4. You would just be wasting your money.

I say bring him! Everyone who says no there won't be anything to do etc doesn't know Disney. there is sooo much to do for infanta and young children. there are a lot of rides to enjoy and shows. there is also the characters which my daughter loved even at 9 months. only you can decide based on your childs personality, but there is a lot to do and a lot to look at. we have been taking my daughter every year since she was 9 months and she has done wonderful every year. good luck!

I took my daughter when she was 6 months old for 7 staight days. She loved it! She especially loved the animals and there were even a few little rides she could go on with us holding her. Just make sure you find the baby stations. They are nice and quiet places you can go if they need to cool down or just get away from the crazy. And we went in June when it was much hotter then March will be. Hope this helps.

yep you wont be able to enjoy any rides and he wont be able to ride anything hes too little

the range of responses to this is bizarre. The baby is free and there's lots he can ride with you so why would it be a waste of money, as someone else said? We've taken our daughter since she was 8 months old and now she's 4 and loves Disney. I also have a 1 year old who has been twice. It would be best if he can sleep in his stroller or in a carrier so he still gets his nap. Give him some crawling time somewhere, like at Pooh's Corner and use the Baby Center. You'll have a good time. I wouldn't plan on a big sit down meal either, as it may be asking too much for him to sit through, so just stick to fast food. I don't see why he would be overwhelmed unless he is very sensitive to that kind of thing. When babies get overwhelmed they just go to sleep, unlike older kids. I would suggest going to the Magic Kingdom. He can ride Buzz, Carousel of Progress, Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan, Small World, Dumbo, carousel, Philharmagic (try earplugs), Haunted Mansion, riverboat, pirates, Tiki room if darkness/lightening don't bother him, magic carpets, treehouse. Yeah sounds like he won't be able to ride "anything" * eyeroll*

Personally, I would think he's too young and yes, he would be overwhelmed. But then, this is your child, not mine.

I have in-laws that stay in FL during the winter and we have turned them down, mainly due to work, but I am happy as I do feel glad as I have seen plenty of screaming babies and then parents that are too busy enjoying themselves to worry about it - or they just brush it off.

I've been to Disney a few times before my son was born... and yes, some pre-school kids enjoy it, but some still freak out. It all depends on the child at that age... but until they are about five years old, they really will not be able to remember the fun they had.
(My MIL is famous for saying "Don't you remember? You were two and we were at such and such a place?". My hubby just rolls his eyes, as he doesn't. LOL!)

No way...not too young at all! We brought our daughter at 6 months, and again at 10 months...and although I know she wont remember, she was THRILLED, even at 6 months, and we will always have those adorable photos. She has been probably 5 or 6 times now ( she is 3 1/2), and she is a Disney nut. It was a great experience for us. We recently went again with our infant son. He was only 3 months, and I did think that was too young b/c of the germ factor. I will say that I felt like I had to kind of "take one for the team", and sit out on a lot of things b/c I was nursing or what not...but if you are going to Magic Kingdom, there is so much your 8 month old can enjoy. I think we brought our daughter on its a small world 3 times in that first trip, and she was just mesmerized. He will be fine! On a side note...I don't know if you are a big disney-er....but if you didn't know, you have to leave your stroller out of every line and park it. I learned to bring the diaper bag, to leave in the stroller, but I always keep a small backpack with my wallet, camera, extra diapers, etc..so that no valuables are left in the stroller. HAVE FUN!!!!

bring him and have a great time!! I woudl say if you were going for a week or something, that he may be too little. but if you're only going for a day, go for it!! There are enough people in your group who I'm sure would be happy to help out with him so you and your hubby and go on a ride. Plus there are small rides that you can bring him on. HAVE FUN!!!

If you are thinking about planning a trip now - then I'd say he is too young and wait a bit. If you already have a trip planned, then I'd say take him. I still think he is too young, but I think he should be with his family too. Understand that as the Mom, if he gets overwhelmed, you may get overwhelmed so think everything through in advance and plan, plan, plan. :) Other than that, maybe he will enjoy seeing himself in the pictures later. (Or.. he may be like my husband. He is from a family of 4 siblings and they only ever took one Disney trip - when he was an infant. His siblings have fond memories and he remembers nothing. He wishes his parents had waited until he was older so he could remember too.)

Either way, good luck to you. I've been to Disney and although it is magical - it could "overwhelm" an adult! :D