Hello All,
I'm not sure if this question has been asked before so forgive me if it has. My wife just gave birth to our first child three weeks ago. I was wondering at what age would it be ok to take our son to Disneyland? I'm dying to take him there and get some great photos.

First of all--congratulations! :) What a crazy, fun time, huh? I scarcely remember any of the first few weeks of my girl's lives, it was such a blur. Take lots of video and pictures.

Secondly, this thread (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=29181&highlight=infant+visit) has a really excellent discussion about babies at the park to get you started. I'm sure others will chime in as well.

I would say the best age for any kid to go for his or her first trip would be when they are to remember and build memories of the trip. My first early memories of DL was when I was around three years old. I'm sure as a parent you wouldn't be able to wait three years, but I thought it would be a heck of a lot more rewarding for you and the child if they can remember what the first trip was like. PLUS, the child would be able to get some enjoyment out of the rides if they understand what they are. Here's a couple of thoughts on the subject. A couple of weeks ago my sister took her four year old daughter and three month old son to Disneyland. It was her son's first trip, but he won't remember most of what happened. He did get a thrill out riding the Dumbo ride, but in his mind at this time he has no clue what a flying elephant is. However, the four year old daughter had watched Dumbo before and her experience could have been even more fulfilling because she made the connection between the experience of the ride to the film the ride resembles. For the kid who can make a connection like this may feel like s/he is experiencing the event along with the characters in the movie.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family.
Our oldest, who is almost 3, went for his first trip when he was 13 months. While he doesn't remember it, we went this May and are heading back in Novmeber, we have great pictures and video and he loves to watch himself on tape. I would say anything under 2 is more for you. We took my youngest when he was 10 months and he enjoyed it, LOVED small world, but I am sure he didn't remember a thing. He will be 16 months this coming trip and I am hoping he will get a bit more out of it.

I would say the best age for any kid to go for his or her first trip would be when they are to remember and build memories of the trip.

Oh! Please don't wait that long!

I need more information to give a fair answer. How far are you from the park? How often do you go to Disneyland? Are you Annual Passholders?

If you're a local AP I say: Why wait? Full disclosure: My first two went before they were three weeks old. :eek: I felt guilty that #3 was 8-10 weeks old.

[Edited to Add: My sister, the pediatrician, is annoyed that I take such young babies to Disneyland. She would prefer I not encourage others to do the same. She'd probably tell you 2-3 months, please.]

If this is a trip you'll need to save for, get a hotel for, etc, how often you get to go would affect my answer. But if you already go to Disneyland once a year or every other year, you might wait until the baby's 6-months to a year old. Six-month-olds are aware. They smile, they laugh, they see things that please them and respond. My one-year-old was already getting scared of characters, so in some ways, 6-months is easier.

Adrienne

We live about an hour away from the park (in traffic.) We both have annual AP's. Before our son was born we went almost every other weekend.

Childeren under 2 get in free, right? I say take advantage of it. Even if your child doesn't remember it you will. Chances are you and your baby will have a great time and that should be what matters.

Hello All,
I'm not sure if this question has been asked before so forgive me if it has. My wife just gave birth to our first child three weeks ago. I was wondering at what age would it be ok to take our son to Disneyland? I'm dying to take him there and get some great photos.

Go NOW!!! Get the pictures, have fun... take advantage of single rider and baby swap passes. Get the baby some mickey ears and a cute Disney outfit. I highly disagree with waiting until your child can store the memories of his/her trip... what about your memories? Don't they count? Your child doesn't have to remember everything for it to be a wonderful time for your family. My son's first trip was at 8 months and it was fabulous for us, he had a great time on rides and people watching and being held and riding in his stroller and eating and just soaking it all up! Go, and have a magical time...

Just a few quick notes on how aware babies are of their surroundings when visiting a Disney park:

Last Sunday, we took our 9 1/2 month old to DCA for his first viewing of The Electrical Parade. As the Blue Fairy float (the first) was approaching, he was looking pretty much everywhere except for the direction from which the float was coming. Of course, my wife and I were trying to do everything we could to direct his attention toward the parade. When the float was almost right in front of us, he finally looked in the right direction. My impression is that his eyes seemed to at least double in size at that point and remained that way pretty much through the rest of the parade. He was absolutely transfixed by the parade.

At home the next evening, I decided to play the CD of the music from the parade. The whole time the music was playing, my son became very alert and was constantly looking in the direction of the stereo speakers. We play music very regularly at home and this was definitely a different sort of reaction. I would absolutely bet on it that he was looking for the parade...

-Jeff

I would say the best age for any kid to go for his or her first trip would be when they are to remember and build memories of the trip.

I have to say that I don't really understand this oft-stated sentiment. Disclaimer that I don't have kids, ok? No child is going to remember everything from a trip, but that doesn't mean they don't enjoy it at the time or at least get some stimulation from it. Heck, I don't remember everything from every trip - does that mean I shouldn't go until I take some memory classes? I've been with and seen lots of very young kids at the resort having a great time. Don't know if they'll remember it in a year or two, but at the time, they were definitely enjoying themselves.

We took or first when he was about 20 mos. Can't even begin to estimate all the trips since then. His first ELP - baby drunken sailor dance - Baroque Hoedown - it was hilareous!!

We live about an hour away from the park (in traffic.) We both have annual AP's. Before our son was born we went almost every other weekend.

Ok, in honor of my sister I'll add a caveat: If your child is healthy, GO. Have a good time. Babies are easier than toddlers. They can sleep in strollers and baby slings and such. They can eat anywhere, whether you're feeding them with boobs or bottles. Bring extra clothes for blowout diapers because they WILL happen. Bring ziplocks to carry soiled clothes. Bring diapers and wipes and a couple of receiving blankets. And have fun.

And if I may make a suggestion: Go to Mickey's House/Studio to meet the Big Cheese for the first time, on your first visit. 1- Mickey LOVES little babies. He really does. 2- They take a very handy-dandy overpriced photo you can purchase. I never buy these photos, as a rule, but I have the three photos from each of my sons' first trips to Disneyland and I cherish them. For that occasion, I'll spend the bucks.

The other thing I do in Mickey's House- I let all the people in with us meet Mickey first. The baby won't be impatient waiting. (At least one of my boys was asleep when he met Mickey. The experience was that overwhelming for him...) Then you get all the time you want to snap your own pictures and get your official picture taken.

Lastly, if you have other friends who are APs, bring them along and hand them your camera. Then all three of you will be in your personal pictures. Funny thing is we always had other people with us when we took our babies on their first trips. Go figure. One of our friends apologized for being in the official photo! No, no, no. I love having our friends in the official photo. They're not in our personal photos, so I have other photos of just our family with da mouse.

As the baby gets older, you'll have to start making adjustments to your schedule because he may not nap as well in the stroller. Then you get the age where they won't go on every ride anymore (Pirates and HM gets too scary) and then they get to that age where they think they get to PICK every ride you go on (Pooh. Again... Casey Jr. Again...) So enjoy the baby AP age while it lasts! :D

Have a great time, I know you will.

Adrienne

we took our daughter when she was 8 months old, then 18 months old, and we've been going every year since, sometimes twice a year. she is 4 now, and though she doesn't remember those times as well, she loves looking at the pics of her as a baby in disneyland. her reaction when she was 8 months old, she was very curious and looking at everything...not scared of anything. by 18 months, she knew what being scared was, so it was a different reaction that time. it was fun to see her react at the different ages. i definitely think you're never too young or old to experience disneyland...whether you remember it or not. take lots of pics!
one more thing......
i just recently found a whole bunch of pics of me and my mom at disneyland when i was about 2 or 3. my mom past away when i was 8. i don't remember that trip, but at least i have those precious pictures, that i have since, been able to recreate w/my own daughter.
just a thought!!! have fun!!!

My daughter was 9 months old when we took her to the resort for the first time. She loved it! I know she won't remember it but we have about 30 pictures of her and her reactions to everything. We had such a great time. The first character she met was Minnie and she fell in love. She didn't want Minnie to leave and she actually started crying (she made Minnie feel guilty). She has been two more times since her first time and had great times. She won't remember it but I'm sure she'll love looking at the pictures when she is older.

With our son we waited until he was 18 months, still younger than a lot of people find acceptable but I thought it was great. adriennek is right though, he was scared of an awful lot, but we always have grandparents with us when we go so there is someone to switch off with - plus we go during off season most of the time when it is cooler and less crowded, less stress involved.

With my daughter, we just went a couple of weeks ago to DLR when she was just 6.5 months (our first summer trip in YEARS, won't do that ever again)- of course her brother is 4.5 now and we are in a habit of going every year. We didn't go while I was pregnant so it had already been 1.5 years since we went - we definitely weren't going to wait another year and a half for another visit. In fact, we are going to WDW in Feb when she is just over a year. Again, grandparents on both trips, I think I'd probably wait a little longer if it were just us. We live in WA state though so it is a lot of money and vacation time for us to go - gotta make it worth it. :)

My complex formula involves distance from park, age of child, and whether you are an AP holder or not.

Anything less than 50 miles is a go for all ages. After that, it gradually increases to infinity miles for an 8 year old. For AP holders, you could go down to probably 6 years old at infinity miles, since you're planning to return anyway and next time without the brat, er, darling angel.

It also depends on how much fun you and spouse plan to have. If you are just going to pose for pictures with Mickey, then have a blast. If you're planning to go on rides, then you probably won't have as much fun without a third adult to watch the baby.

When the float was almost right in front of us, he finally looked in the right direction. My impression is that his eyes seemed to at least double in size at that point and remained that way pretty much through the rest of the parade. He was absolutely transfixed by the parade.How cute! Save your write-up of that moment, Dad - someday you'll be glad to have it. :)

I agree that there's no time like the present! I'm due in May and I plan to take the new baby to the park as soon as both of us are feeling up to it.

I'm due in May and I plan to take the new baby to the park as soon as both of us are feeling up to it.

WOO HOO! Congratulations, Adrienne!!!!

May babies are wonderful. I have one and one almost May baby. And Emeralds look lovely in mother's rings. (And if you're early, so do diamonds :D )

Adrienne

I'm due in May and I plan to take the new baby to the park as soon as both of us are feeling up to it.


:) Congratulations! I agree with AK--I think I would have picked a May baby if I had the chance. Going through the hot summer months *super* pregnant was not fun!

At home the next evening, I decided to play the CD of the music from the parade. The whole time the music was playing, my son became very alert and was constantly looking in the direction of the stereo speakers. We play music very regularly at home and this was definitely a different sort of reaction. I would absolutely bet on it that he was looking for the parade...

-Jeff
I'm calling Child Services right now....

How cute! I agree that there's no time like the present! I'm due in May and I plan to take the new baby to the park as soon as both of us are feeling up to it.

Congrats!

Side note..... Don't forget about the Baby Services next to First Aid. Has this been mentioned yet in this thread? I'm sure it has, but I thought this place makes the best of help for all parents of babies.

Side note..... Don't forget about the Baby Services next to First Aid. Has this been mentioned yet in this thread? I'm sure it has, but I thought this place makes the best of help for all parents of babies.

My husband and I have annual passes and our daughter's first trip to Disneyland was when she was three weeks old. We did go a lot while I was pregnant too. The Baby Care center is great, and I always use them every time we go to the park.

I would say the best age for any kid to go for his or her first trip would be when they are to remember and build memories of the trip.

Give me a break. So should we as parents not do ANYTHING with our kids because they may not remember it later? I guess we should not have birthday parties or give them presents. Or how about taking them to the city park. Why should it matter if they REMEMBER it. Shouldn't it be about them enjoying it while they are there?

Thanks for the well-wishes!

May babies are wonderful. I have one and one almost May baby. And Emeralds look lovely in mother's rings. (And if you're early, so do diamonds :D )Ohhhhh, it must be an Adrienne thing! My son was due Feb. 7th and was very late - as the days and weeks passed, I found myself unnaturally obsessing about the possibility of not getting the AMETHYST ring my husband promised me. LOL Luckily, Dexter made it just under the wire (Feb. 27th - 10pm no less!). Given my track record, I don't think I'll be getting any diamonds... but I think emeralds will look lovely with my existing amethyst! ;)