1 year old too young?

[becky_AK]

we just got back from a trip for my DD's 1st birthday. We went because my DH also had a conference to attend during this time and the conference happened to be in Orlando. SIL, MIL, and FIL went with us as well. The trip went well, I had a lot of memorable moments with DD, but she didn't really enjoy it as much as I would have hoped. She clung like glue to me the whole time, no one else could hold her, I couldn't leave her side for 5 seconds, it was hard. Any thrill rides had to be done while she was sleeping or I had to sneak away and hope she didn't notice I was gone. My arm was about to fall off from always being the one to hold her while in line for the rides. She was scared of most of the rides, she wanted to nurse through most of them. Don't get me wrong, there were some things she really loved, but overall, there were lots more tears during our trip then there ever are at home. Also, she isn't walking yet and it was hard for her to not have any crawl time, she was being held or in the stroller the whole time. By the end of the week she was rebeling and I had to let her crawl around on the ground outside peter pan and inside the living seas. If we have another, I wouldn't take them again at this age. If you are really jonesing for a trip, I would suggest going around 5 months, I think that would be a great age, baby isn't mobile yet, not eating solids, and will sleep anywhere. If you can wait, I would say 18 months might be a bit better. We are planning for next fall or winter so DD will be 2.5ish

Thanks for sharing your experience. We will be there this fall when DS is 11 months. I'm kind of nervous to see how he will react, but DH & I have decided that even if we don't get to experience every ride & show, we will take time to relax at the resort & enjoy the time off of work & the time we get to spend with DS.

 

[gwcollins71]

Ok everyone, I need to know this. My husband and I want to go back to Disney when we have kids, I figure I can possible hold out just until our first born is one. we usually like to go in Sept, Oct, or Nov. Preferrably in September which is still really hot. Do you think it is too hot to take a 1 year old? Thanks!

We always go in August. We took DD (13 mos) at the time. She was fine. We kept giving her water, juice and anything else she wanted to drink. When she had milk/formula, we gave it to her in small amounts so it wouldn't go bad since it was so warm.

This was our daughter's first taste of slushee/slurpee type drinks and to this day she is addicted to them.

We had a great time. Bring an extra change of clothes, a sweater for indoor attractions and swim diapers for the sprinklers.

We used lots of sunscreen. We also got an additional shade extension for our stroller (15.00 or so). That helped keep the sun off of her in the stroller.

Hope you have a great time too.

Gretchen (and Lily)

 

[fishnips]

My daughter went when she was only several months old, that was 13 years ago. My twin boys went to WDW at 15 months. They had their first haircut at the Main Street Barber Shop. It was exceptionally hot and we planned breaks during our day. We went to the Child Care center in Epcot and the boys napped inside. Just plan to go slow, and if a break is needed - take it. Once the kids are refreshed, they will be ready to go again. Don't wait until everyone is cranky.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh Snoopy, what you needed was a baby carrier! Not a Bjorn, those aren't the best for baby's spine (or yours for that matter!), but a mei tai (like what I'm holding DS in (outside DL Jungle Cruise) in my avatar), or a sling, or something similar. That would have made your time SO much easier!

We rented a stroller, but he barely rode in it. I wore him pretty much the whole day we were at DL. He's very used to being "worn", and he's like a little kangaroo...he knows that he's right where he is supposed to be. I don't remember him trying to get down, or him needing to crawl, and that boy has been pulling to stand since he was 6 months old (on EMPTY boxes, he's a monkey-gymnast)! He could see everything (didn't look at bottoms all day), he interacted with the people behind me (until I got the Ergo to wear him on my back, he was facing me on my front, or in a hip sling), he napped, he nursed...totally easy! And he was OVER 1 at that point!


Fabric baby carriers are THE best way to carry the little ones, IMO.