Disney World with a 1 year old?

[KilroyWasHere]

I have been to Disney many times and have always had a plan in place months ahead of time. As of now, my wife and I are taking our 1 year old in 6 weeks and we are having trouble planning. Does anyone have any tips, ideas, strategies for doing Disney with a one year old?

I am also new to the boards so please let me know if I am in the wrong forum!

 

[Metro West]

Welcome!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, Welcome to the DIS!! It has been a while since I took a 1year old to Disney but I do remember that being a GREAT age!! They are just entertained by everything. Bring a comfy stroller and anything else you consider essential for the day and just go and ENJOY!! That age can do lots of rides (on your lap of course ) You and your wife can do Baby swap if you want to ride a BIG ride. My one year olds had no fear of characters so that made for some great photos. If you feel you need a break midday go back to your hotel and rest or let the baby nap in the stroller. There are Baby Care buildings in the parks,check these out if baby needs some quiet time. One thing to be careful of is the Florida sun on a baby's skin. Sun hat,sunscreen and light color/weight cover ups when walking around.Also extra liquids and seek out air conditioning to keep baby happy. Since you are familiar with WDW, I am sure that will make it much easier to enjoy your vacation!! Joan

 

[KilroyWasHere]

Thanks Joan!

We'll have to look into the Baby Swap and Baby Care buildings...

 

[aimeeinohio]

My bestie went in February with her 15 month old and they had a wonderful time. Baby was pretty cool with the characters, even liked the fireworks.

I think the key with a little one is not to plan too much, and take lots of photos!

 

[KilroyWasHere]

I think that is the route we will take - minimal planning and just enjoy it. I'm wondering if the Hoop-Dee-Doo will be too much for him......

How do you get the calendar countdown shown on your reply?

 

[DisneyBride03]

We are also taking our DD in October, when she will be 1. We are experienced Disney-ites as well, so we are looking forward to experiencing it with her for the first time. I hope you have a great time and it's a magical trip!

 

[mrsap]

We took our 15 mo. old in November and he LOVED it!!! Make sure you bring a stroller (one that reclines so they can nap if needed), take breaks (at the parks as well as leaving for a couple hours so they can relax and recharge), bring water and extra pacifiers if they use them and lots of snacks! I recommend Chef Mickeys, he Loved the characters!!! ... And lots of fireworks!!!!! You will have a great time! Enjoy!

 

[KilroyWasHere]

We are scheduled for 3 Character meals: 'Ohana, Tusker House, and Garden Grill. I have been thinking about changing one of them to Chef Mickey's as that is where I had my first character meal when I was a kid. Chef Mickey's was in the Marketplace back then...

We are always excited for our Disney trip but taking kids doubles it. It is very encouraging to here stories of 1 year olds with great experiences!

 

[123LuckyMom]

We just took our 11 month old in early March. She LOVED it! We did take a midday break for a quiet hotel nap most days, though not all. DD did fall asleep in the stroller just fine. We brought food for her with us, and I nursed discreetly on various benches. Most of the men's rooms did have changing tables so DH and I took turns changing diapers. It was great!

 

[KilroyWasHere]

We are going to try and let him rest a couple days for longer periods of time so he can watch Fantasmic, The Main Street Electrical Parade, and Fireworks.

I'm hoping 3 - 4 character meals isn't too much?

 

[mrsap]

We are going to try and let him rest a couple days for longer periods of time so he can watch Fantasmic, The Main Street Electrical Parade, and Fireworks.

I'm hoping 3 - 4 character meals isn't too much?

Good plan! I do not think so. We did two (Chef Mickeys & CRT) and wished we did more! We loved them! Planning on two or three again this November! Enjoy!!!!

 

[KilroyWasHere]

This is totally off topic, but how do I get my ticker to be attached to all my threads/replies?

 

[mrsap]

This is totally off topic, but how do I get my ticker to be attached to all my threads/replies?

http://distickers.com/ticker/

There is a place in your profile for it. Open up your profile to edit it and scroll down, you will see a box where you paste your code. Good luck with everything!

 

[KilroyWasHere]

There is a place in your profile for it. Open up your profile to edit it and scroll down, you will see a box where you paste your code. Good luck with everything!

Thank you! I'm not sure if I found it but I will keep looking.

 

[disneyworlddreaming]

I have been to Disney many times and have always had a plan in place months ahead of time. As of now, my wife and I are taking our 1 year old in 6 weeks and we are having trouble planning. Does anyone have any tips, ideas, strategies for doing Disney with a one year old?

I am also new to the boards so please let me know if I am in the wrong forum!

We didn't really have any "strategies" when we went. We let our youngest nap when she felt like it (she was 15 months at the time). And tried to let her out of the stroller when we felt comfortable with where we were. We never really left the parks for a break during the day. But make time for cool off periods. Like sitting in the shade for a while to burn off energy. Have fun!

 

[mrsap]

Thank you! I'm not sure if I found it but I will keep looking.

On your home computer, go to USER CP and then EDIT SIGNATURE. You paste the code in your signature box.

 

[mrsap]

test

 

[Crystal824]

Our trip at the end of the month will be DD's 4th trip to Disney and she is 2 1/2 so I have a bit of experience with little ones at WDW. Make sure you bring a comfy stroller. It is essential. We always rent a City Mini, which my DD will nap in. She won't nap in her stroller at home. Use the baby care centers when you are nearby. I wouldn't make a special trip to go to them, but if you are close by I would use them for diaper changes, etc. They have a lot of changing tables whereas the bathrooms generally have only one, which can result in waits to change diapers.

We did not take mid-day breaks. DD napped in the stroller just fine. While she was napping we took turns riding things she couldn't. Take advantage of single rider lines for that. One day, DH and I rode EE 4 time each. We could have continued to ride it while DD was napping but decided to go get a snack. Some kids won't nap in strollers and if that is the case, you may have to go back to the room for a nap.

My DD LOVES characters, but some children don't so I would get a feel for that on the first day. They are super cute with the characters if they like them. The same with fireworks. DD loves fireworks now, but she hated them on our first trip when she was 9 months. My point is be prepared there will be some things the baby doesn't like.

Be prepared to let you little one get out of the stroller some. We set aside time for DD to play in the water areas and get some exercise out of the stroller.

Just kind of go with the flow with the baby. You probably won't get to see and do as much with the baby as you would without a baby, but it is a great age to take kids. Everything is new. My daughter's vocabulary increased so much during these trips. It was amazing.

 

[KilroyWasHere]

My son is a picky napper at home as he really just wants to sleep in his crib when he is tired. I suspect things will be different when we get there though. We also rented a City Mini so it is noce to hear you were pleased with it.

I've been to Disney World in the neighborhood of 13 times and have never seen a Baby Care Center. This will definitely be Disney in a whole new way for me!