I need some tips for WDW with a 1-year-old

[mom2minniemouse]

DD10 was 5 when we started going to Disney on a regular basis, but DS will be a little over 1 when we go back next year. I need your tips for how to handle this smoothly. LOL! (I'm a WDW over-planner and we just got into a really great WDW groove last year since DD was 9 and able to keep up with our commando touring plans. LOL!)

I know about the baby care stations in each of the parks, and I'll probably try to get a Maclaren stroller (since about a million folks have recommended it on the DIS... ) I know about the "baby swap."

Any suggestions for:
-- rides/attractions to definitely take him on
-- rides/attractions to avoid at all costs ()
-- any little things that will keep him entertained (playgrounds, splash-type things, etc.) at just over a year old (I assume he'll be way too small for some of the things designed for even the littlest of kids at that age...)

Other than that, what do I need to know?

TIA!

[james'mommy]

I would avoid anything that is 3D. Flipped my DS out. He loved IASW and Buzz Lightyear.

[minnieandfamily]

A GREAT play area for toddlers is Pooh's Playful Spot in MK. Everything is smaller scale made for the littlest kids, even for 1 year olds. There are tunnels, little slides, a little house, etc. The ground is made from a soft spongy/rubber material in case your little one falls on unsteady feet! It was a great place to take our DD when she was younger after being in a stroller for most of the day - allowed her to get out and burn off some energy! Our boys will be 14 months when we return so we plan to take them there too!

She also enjoyed Minnie & Mickey's houses in Toontown, It's a Small World (of course!), the Nemo ride in Epcot, and the parades.

There's a great map on the Disney website that highlights attractions and entertainment for the little ones ("Magical Beginnings" Park Maps) that I found very helpful too!

[Big Kid]

I second the wonderfulness of Pooh's playground in MK. Our then 18-month old also really, really loved the Boneyard playground in AK (so much that it was a challenge to leave it behind). The train around MK was a big hit And he had a great time in a room in Imagination! in Future World at Epcot (cannot remember what it was called) in which the kids jumped on lighted images of musical instruments on the floor in order to "play" that instrument's sound over the speakers in the room.

The biggest adjustment for us was not simply the slower pace in moving from one attraction to the next, but his wonder at simple things that we barely notice, such as interesting fences, ducks, turnstiles, recessed light fixtures in walkways, steps and ramps, mud puddles, and so on.

Oh, and have some entertainment planned for standing in line! Pretzels worked for our little grazer, especially if he got to distribute them to us.

Have a great trip. :-)

[skyshelder]

KEEP AWAY FROM 3D...nearly ruined our trip

[aetrom]

IASM - is a must! my 7 month old was enthralled.

tip for 3D - just don't use the glasses for the baby. they don't mind it being a little fuzzy and it does take away the scare factor.

[nursegirl]

We started going when our oldest was about 1 and had a blast. We skipped the 3D glasses and he did fine. Ours rode pretty much everything he could go on - Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Small World, etc. Buzz Lightyear he rode with us, but that meant we didn't really participate, but no big deal.

We went to a couple of shows (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Carousel of Progress) and he got bored unless there was music. Nemo show was too loud for him, had to leave, eventhough we sat in the back. Loved Playhouse Disney obviously.

Tips would be to try and stay as close to the home schedule as possible. Our DS napped in the stroller, but ate pretty much at the same time as at home. Lots of snacks and drinks. And don't be afraid to just leave the park or take a break with a meltdown. Other than that, just have so much fun and take loads of pictures!