Too Young for Disneyland?

[ToursbabeC3po]

adriennek first of all if that is your son in the picture with mickey he is adorable!!!!! That is interesting what you said. I think every child is differant like you said. I myself came home from the hospital with an ear infection after I was born and it was all down hill after that uggghhh.

It is such a personal choice but I just don't think I could bring myself to bring a newborn to the park I would be too worried and I would not enjoy myself. But of course I have never had a newborn I got DS and DD at ages 2 1/2 and 5 months of age so that could be one reason why. I know that when you have your first bilogical child you are so over protective and want to do everything just perfect and then after the first you don't fuss as much. Someone told me once. "You are never going to be a perfect parent so you mize well screw up when they are a infants when they don't know any better ;) "
I am also a germ freak!!!! I always have been maybe even bordering OCD ROTF! But to each his own.
I just have to say again OMG that picture is the cutest pic!!!!!
Toursbabe

[MsYumiBr]

I am just saying minimize risk when you can't do anything for the newborn if they get sick. I breastfed my babies and my oldest still got sick when she was 3 weeks old. After a fever that finally went away in two days which included midnight phone calls to the doctor who told me there was *nothing* they could do because the baby was to young for Tylenol, do you think I want to repeat that with my youngest child who was exposed to many more viruses and germs just by the fact we were living at my in-laws and my oldest was in pre-school? When they are old enough to be treated for fever, I see no reason why they should not go to the park.

This is a personal choice. Other parents may be able to tolerate the newborn with a fever thing better than I could.

[sixwoofys]

We've taken our kids and babies to Disneyland probably 70 - 80 times over the past 7 years and not one of our children have ever got sick from Disneyland. Disclaimer: My 4 year old daughter and I rode Tower of Terror for the first time together - I actually thought the little kid (in me) was going to get sick. (My daughter was fine).

[ToursbabeC3po]

We've taken our kids and babies to Disneyland probably 70 - 80 times over the past 7 years and not one of our children have ever got sick from Disneyland. Disclaimer: My 4 year old daughter and I rode Tower of Terror for the first time together - I actually thought the little kid (in me) was going to get sick. (My daughter was fine).

I don't have any objection taking a child or an infant even to the parks just brand new babies. I love taking kids to the park you can see the park through your childs eyes it is a blast.
That is good to hear that you kids have never became sick after going to Disneyland. My immune system must be shot since I have quit working because now everytime I go I tend to pick up something. And I am on a high vitamin, high protien diet that is very good for you I think it all comes down too Everyone is differant and we all have differant immune systems.
I was thinking about the whole "older child in preschool and the germs they bring home" concept last night. There is a big differance between you children bringging home germs then going out to a place with people that are the primary carriers.A child that comes home from school and picks up something (but is not ill) has time to wash there hands and have some time for the virus or bacteria to dilute. Where if you are in a large place with thousands of people and 1/4 of the people have active infection in there body and they are the Primary sorce of the infection you run a higher chance of becoming ill then a none primary source. Some illness can be dangerous if a newborn becomes infected. Chickenpox is a mild illness, but certain groups of people are more likely to have a more severe illness that could lead to complications. These include infants, adolescents, adults, and people with weak immune systems. up to 30 percent of infants die from chicken poxs complications.
My doctor always says WASH YOUR HANDS!!! All the time because that is the best preventative thing you can do to prevent illness. If you want to take your newborn to the park go for it. I would just be a wreck and worry about them getting sick the entire time so it is not worth it for me. I fond this artical and it is very good so I thought I would share it with you all.

((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))
Toursbabe

The Newborn's Immune System

Mod Note: Copyrighted Text deleted - if you'd like to provide a link to the information, feel free. AdK

[MsYumiBr]

I'm with Toursbabe. Also, keep in mind that it takes 5 days to develop into whatever it is (cold or flu) so you might not be sick at the park but by the following weekend from returning home, they may come down with something. This is not just a mix of local school kids. These people aren't just from Orange County. They are from all over the world. You mix all these carriers of whatever viruses or germs that are going around where they live and have developed an immunity to it and introduce it to people in Disneyland and the likelihood of getting sick from something your body does not have immunity to is increased. I would not want to expose a newborn to that. Of course, they are covered most of the time anyway and protected by mother's milk, it is a good defense. I just personally would not risk it.

[beast77]

I guess I will chime in... My wife and I take regular trips to both DL and WDW... for the longest time it was to the tune of every month or so for a week at a time (we live pretty far away and have to fly). We took our DD to WDW at a week and a half old. I had contract work to do in WDW, we talked to the Dr. who stated that it really is pretty safe. If the child gets sick, it helps their immune system and that it is all of the "sheltering" that parents do that can cause problems later. Being a wildlife biologist, I understand the concept. I feel that germs should be mitigated but not entirely avoided. Anywho. We took her at 1.5 weeks, she wasnt that into it, but didnt hate it either. She slept in her stroller (that I converted into a comfy bed via pads and such) when she wanted or was carried in her snuggly frontpouch. We got fantastic photos and it was a great family bonding time. We also took her right around her 1st birthday and she had a blast. Anyone that feels kids that age cant have fun must not be paying attention. My DD spent the whole week laughing, doing the wide eyed wonder thing, clapping and dancing to any music she would hear....who cares if she wont remember it? By that argument, why do anything at all with a child that wont remember? going for walks? Naw, they wont remember... Going to the park? Nope... toddler's story time at the library? no thanks, she wont understand..... How about water babies? forget it. I feel that everything you can do with your child (that is safe) should be done if you can. It is all bonding time. It is good time for the child to learn not to be too shy or skittish, and how to cope with environments they arent entirely sure of. For my family, DL/WDW is just something we do regularly. We do it now, and will always do it regardless of the age of our children. we have another due in Oct.... and have a trip to WDW planned for Thanksgiving. I love the time we get with the little ones at the parks. I will look foreward to when they can go on all the rides, but until then, I will enjoy what I can get and make the best of ANYTHING we can do as a family...especialy given the fact that there are so many places where kids are not the intended guest.

[Koala Gurl]

beast - Oooh, you started me thinking about accompanying DH to Orlando in Nov this year for a conference. I am due in Sept, and was thinking maybe not...but now, I am thinking maybe! :D

[DianeM]

I don't have problems with babies at the park - a typical baby is exposed to way more germs from their big brother or sister and all of the well intentioned people who visit and hold the baby than they would be exposed to at Disneyland (unless the proud parents are inclined to pass the baby around to be held by complete strangers). What I don't get is how anybody with a new baby in the house has the energy to go to Disneyland. Most of the new parents I meet are totally exhausted, with barely enough energy and time to take care of the babies needs.


I will enjoy what I can get and make the best of ANYTHING we can do as a family...especialy given the fact that there are so many places where kids are not the intended guest.

[beast77]

In that, I am quite proud of my wife (RangerPooh) she was working again (we work together) 1 week after labor. She never complained...heck, one of the days we were at WDW after working all day, SHE wanted to spend more time in the parks and doing stuff...called ME a wimp for wanting to go back to the room and rest. Anywho, it is all different based on who the parent is. For us... having kids has not slowed us down or changed anything. We do all of the stuff we used to do, the same way we used to do it. We simply have one more doing it with us... and soon to be another! And I can say that everyone comments on how laid back out DD is and how well she takes things in stride. She does not get scared of stuff, when she is tired she simply settles herself into a nap wherever, she is very outgoing, always smiling, almost never fussy, way ahead on developmental milestones, and very independent..able to entertain herself whenever needed without gettign clingy... It is all because we havent put her in a "bubble". She has come to understand already that it is a big world with alot of different sounds, smells, sights.... and she just soakes it all in. And we are really benefiting because we can continue to live normal lives and not be stuck inside our home because we have a child with us.

[Squeaky]

I'm a preschool teacher, and I've worked with two-year-olds, three-year-olds and five-year-olds. I go to Disneyland a LOT, and my kids know it. They always say "Miss Nicki loves Tinkerbell! Miss Nicki loves Disneyland!" Since I go to Disneyland so often, my kids tell their parents about how they want to go, too. (lol... a little unintended free advertisment for Disneyland! :D) When my Twos, Threes and Fives went to Disneyland, they came back and couldn't talk about anything but Disneyland :) Sometimes I play Disney songs at Music/Movement time, and those kids can pick out which are ride songs, and which go to each ride :) These kids, even though they're young, can keep these memories for a few years (the twos are now four and still remember.) Who knows when those memories will be lost, but the magical smile and sparkle in their eyes I see when they talk about the magic they exprienced with their parents is amazing!! One of my favorites was when a two year old boy came back from DL and told me "Miss Nicki!!! Miss Nicki!!! I see ghosts!! I see Pirates!! I SHOOT ZURG!!!!!" His parents said that he LOVED HM, POTC and Buzz, and wasn't scared at all! :) It will definately depend on the kid, but a lot of them enjoyed most of the park! Why not introduce the magic early? They love it :)