16 mo. old at the parks, How do you...

[aksunshine]

...do it? I was thinking of planning a trip for next Sept. My DS will be 16 mo. and DD 5. I hear people do the world with babies all of the time, but do you really enjoy yourselves? What kind of attractions do you feel safe taking baby on? Thanks so much!

 

[bartleby1]

Personally, we have a blast with all three of our kids at all ages at disney. Every age sees things and experiences things in a different way. I had been to disney roughly 15 times growing up, but it is soooo much different to see it through your child's eyes. 16 months is a wonderful time to go. They are curious about everything and learning so incredibly fast at that age. With a little preparation and planning it can go very smoothly.

Your 16 month old can go on anything that doesn't have a height restriction. There are plenty of rides and shows that your DS will enjoy. That is the great part about disney. So many things can be enjoyed by the whole family. If you aren't that familiar with the parks, you should pick up a guide book (passporter is a good one) that will tell you about all the attractions and the height restrictions. That way you can plan what you are going to do before your trip so you don't waste all your time wandering around wondering what you can and can't do on your vacation.

Also, try to familiarize your kids with the characters and parks before you go. Order the planning video from disney.com and watch it with them. Also, the disneyland sing-a-long video will get them familiar with the characters and parks.

 

[bicker]

As far as logistical concerns: We bring extra adults along. Always keep the kids out-numbered!

 

[las3888]

We just came back from trip #2 with DS who was 14 mos at the time. This is his 2nd trip -- we took him also at 8.5 mos. We had such a blast! I really had a great time, as did DH and DS! He was just enchanted with everything around him...it's really a wonderful age. He may not remember it, but there is no doubt he had a great time while we were there. We did alot of rides. We were never "looking" for anything to do. We felt that we didn't have enough time to do it all as usual. Of course the pool is great too.

We came home from this trip and had such a great time that we decided to go again in just a few more months.

As PP mentioned, numbers are important. It is just DH, me and DS. 2 on 1. that does help. Even so, I just laugh when people imply that taking my DS to Disney at such a young age is not worth it.

 

[hollyanne]

Just back from trip with 15 month old and was very nervous but it went great. My tips...bring a comfortable stroller so baby can nap well while in the park, bring snacks and food if you can for the child because the food there is not very toddler friendly, know that a baby will hold you back from many shows that he won't sit through but there is lots you can do. The MK is the best parks of them all. Most of the rides are just cars you sit in and go through so a 16 month can go on them. My DD had never seen any characters and she loved them and loved the rides. We were surprised how toddler friendly MK was. MGM has Disney live on stage where the little ones see Bear and others live and they dance and sing and my DD LOVED it. All in all just set your expectations..my DH didn't quite get right away that we couldn't do Sapce Mountain with a baby in tow. Good luck and have fun!

 

[dawnball]

I took my daughter at 17 months. We went on:
TTA
Buzz lightyear
indy speedway
teacups
carousel
small world
we walkked through the houses im toontown
we spent lots of time on playgrounds
magic carpets
dumbo
jungle cruise
playhouse disney
beauty and the beast
WWTBAM
safari
FotLK
hall of presidents
figment
that conservation movie
livin with the land
mexico's boat ride

I'd have taken her on, but didn't get to it:
CoP
Pooh
peter pan
snow white
pirates
little mermaid
flights of wonder
triceratops spin


(forgive my slack nomenclature, O'm typing with one hand held by a squrmy 2yrold)

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

This past October my MIL took our family and DH's sister's family to Disney. My children were 2.5 and 15 months old at the time.

Winnie the Pooh is a must and across the way is Pooh's playground and sprayground. This was the best place for my little ones. The babies can run around, cool off, and have a wonderful time.

It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and Jungle Cruise were all things that Dillon enjoyed.

 

[lovethattink]

We have been taking ds2 to a park once a week since he turned 6 weeks. There are very few attractions that he cannot ride. Be sure to bring a swim diaper. Our son just loves splashing in the water jets at the parks, especially in Toon Town at Donald's boat.

 

[Ariel8676]

You could also do the baby swap on most of the bigger rides.that's what dh and i do..we have 4,3 and 6 mo girls and we have been going 2x a year since my 4 yo was 8 months!

 

[aksunshine]

You are all so helpful! What about naps, I imagine he'll sleep in stroller. Is that what you usually do? Leaving and returning seems like such a hassle. When we went in Jan, DD (3 at time) wouldn't sleep in stroller, but she doesn't nap real well anyway. I imagine a reclining stroller helps, but it is so convenient to use Disney's! When they are that little though, I suppose recline is the only way to go.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We have been a number of times when my kids were babies or tolders, and I just don't see it as being hard. I mean life in genral is that way is with kids that age, WDW is just more fun then going to the store for example.

Bring your own stroller. Bring some kind of carrier for the child when you are in line. Bring change of cothes to the park for the water play areas. Bring snacks and food with your. Bring a rain cover for your stroller.

Other then all the junk you need, WDW is easy. In fact they make it very easy for famlies (all the RR have baby chaning centers etc....) As mentioned most rides are friendly for anyone. Don't stand in long lines. Just don't do it. Use fast pass, don't go during holidays if you can avoid it and hit the most busy places at off times (when they just open, during the parades, EMH, etc...)

Oh about EMH, the only one that seems worth it at all with young kids is MK. The other's just don't have attractions open for the little kids. Avoid thoses parks those days because they really are more busy.

Have a good time. One word of catuion. When you take them young, they seem to really grow up to be WDW fans in the biggest way.

 

[kcmyluv]

You should do it! I took my twins boys when they were almost 13 months! It was ride. The plane ride was the worst. As long as you can stay in the parks it is easy for naps. They loved the rides- plus I loved watching them! I think their favorite thing was at epcot, where they have the water shooting out of the ground, they loved it! They could have stayed there forever!
Now I am debating on having a third- Would it be to hard there??