We’ve all heard it: “My babies are too young for Walt Disney World/Disneyland- they’d never be able to appreciate it!” And then we gulp. And then we share…
My all-time favorite Disney trip was when my younger son was 11 months old. As any seasoned Disney fan, I did my homework and bought every book that was available at the time. (Can you imagine what Disney research was like in 1994? No Disney website, no Disney Parks Moms Panel, no Babes in Disneyland. I gathered my paperback Birnbaum’s Official Guide to Walt Disney World and the Unofficial Guide to Disney World and went to work.
We stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for easy access (and, more importantly, departure) on the monorail or water launch. We shipped my son’s diapers and special formula (another post for another day) to the hotel in advance of our stay. We brought his favorite umbrella stroller, adorned with the toys, gadgets, bells and whistles that kept him most preoccupied, and bought every matching Disney outfit I could find for him and his 3-year-old brother.
We rode Cinderella Golden Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight and “it’s a small world.” He loved the parades and was mesmerized with the sights at the World Showcase. Luckily, at 11 months he was not fearful of the characters (yet), and we took advantage of character meals and photo opportunities. Two months later, his autism symptoms began to manifest; another reason this time is so precious to us…
At nap time, the baby and I would ride the railroad- sometimes for hours. The memory of holding my sleeping prince while sopping up the incredible Park views is forever seared in my mind. On the last day of our trip, my son took his first steps– right in our room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Walt Disney World and babies, what a special and perfect combination!
I always love your photos! They're so stinking cute. I feel like I'm looking through an old photo album 🙂
Wow! What an amazing place to take his first steps!
The part about holding your son on the train brought tears to my eyes. I LOVE this post!!!!!!
That's a great story and I love the cute pictures. Have a magical day!
Bookgirl @ My Magical Adventures
Thanks Bird
(You sure got the OLD part right :D) Another WDW first- what could be better?!
Thanks Lisa,
It's a memory I pull up every time I need a smile. We all have them…
Hi BookGirl- thanks for stopping in!!
LOVE this post!! I was always one of those that said, "I would never take a child under 3 to WDW! At least!!" And what am I doing in November? Taking my son for the first time when HE will be 11 months old!!! I can't wait and I think he will absolutely love it!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story.
Melissa- The trip will tug at your heart strings, I'm sure!! (I thought 11 mos was easier than 3 or 4…:D)
I love your story, I don't think your ever to young to go to WDW. The photos are so cute..
Diane, Hopefully I will also be saying, "You are never too OLD for WDW"!!
What a beautiful post! I look forward to following you! Thank you for visiting my blog!
Thanks and welcome Stephanie!
Wow! Thank you for sharing such magical moments!! The photos are wonderful! 🙂
Thanks Manda- the great news is that it has been magic at every age and every step of the way!
What a great story! My husband has never been to Disneyland and he really wants to go and take our son, so we've talked a lot about what the ideal age would be. We definitely have plans to go!
PS Thanks for your support on the SITS vote 🙂
Hi MamaRobinJ,
Thanks for stopping in! I started blogging when my son was recovering from a similar serious illness. I needed a happy place!! Good luck with the vote- I hope I get to meet you in Denver…
I love this story! I agree, I loved my trips with my boys when they were young! While there was a lot of stuff to tote around, I wouldn't trade those memories. 🙂
But at least we had strollers as catch-alls, right Beth? The absolute best magical memories!
Some of my favorite memories are from when my kids were babies. From my daughter trying to eat Mickey's nose to my son trying to nap on Pooh's lap, those memories are priceless. Thanks for sharing your story!
Mickey's nose? How adorable! No matter how old we get, we will never for get the firsts with our babies!
What a special vacation! I love seeing all of your photos!
Thank you Kimberly- special in every way!
I loved reading this story! Any time is great time to enjoy the magic. As you did, you just need to plan ahead. I bet we were in WDW at the same time. So many magical memories!
I am SURE that our strollers passed in the night Deb! 😉
I completely agree. Never too young (or old), for Disney!! I've taken mine as young as just a few weeks. I'm so glad I didn't let their age hold me back. So many awesome memory making opportunities would have been missed.
Each day is a gift, but those baby years are gold!