16 month old

[Kylej29]

So just found out about a business conference I have in June is in Orlando. Bringing the wife and our daughter (she'll be 16 months old) a week early for both of their first trips to WDW. We're going to stay at the Beach Club, biggest reason of how easy it is to get to the parks and the Boardwalk area. But what are the best things to do with a baby? Obviously things like Hoopdie Doo would just be a waste with her, we're a few years away from that. And I don't think she'll meet the height requirements for Tower of Terror

 

[ErinsMommy]

IMO I would think a monorail resort would be a better pick for baby because MK will have so much more things to do than Epcot or even HS for that matter, and if you stay at the Contemporary you can walk to MK as well.

 

[HopperFan]

So just found out about a business conference I have in June is in Orlando. Bringing the wife and our daughter (she'll be 16 months old) a week early for both of their first trips to WDW. We're going to stay at the Beach Club, biggest reason of how easy it is to get to the parks and the Boardwalk area. But what are the best things to do with a baby? Obviously things like Hoopdie Doo would just be a waste with her, we're a few years away from that. And I don't think she'll meet the height requirements for Tower of Terror

IMO I would think a monorail resort would be a better pick for baby because MK will have so much more things to do than Epcot or even HS for that matter, and if you stay at the Contemporary you can walk to MK as well.

I agree.

I see no plus to the Boardwalk for a baby, and there really isn't anything there. Easy access to parks ... yes you can walk right in to Epcot and it's not far from Hollywood Studios if you are going there. But I see no easy access to MK which I think would be the park of choice for her age. AK and DS will take buses. I would also look at a monorail resort for ease to MK, then you can also monorail to Epcot for more adult wandering. Either way you will bus to AK but I think she may enjoy that park.

Been there with babies/toddlers, there are things to enjoy everywhere but we spent bulk of our time at MK. If they are good with the stroller, Epcot can be enjoyable for you all and there are a few spots where they can get out and wander safely, like Living Seas. I think AK is a great park for little curious ones and depending on their likes, DHS has some great characters, Little Mermaid Show, Beauty and Beast Show and Disney Junior.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We just stayed at Beach Club for my nieces first trip in September, and she was 18 months old. I must say, we do Hoop Dee Doo every trip, so we didn't want to skip it and she actually LOVED IT, even at just 18 months old! She had a ball! I wish I could upload the videos to show you how much fun she had. The CM's there had so much with her, she was clapping the whole time, they put the strawberry shortcake on the table and she immediately grabbed a spoon and helped herself LOL! It was one of the most memorable times of the trip and we are excited to bring her back there this September. It definitely isn't a waste, especially since they are free until 3.

We spent each afternoon at the pool at BC.. that pool is great for little ones. We found BC to be perfect for us. We went to Epcot multiple times, so having that short 5 minute walk there was very convenient. We also went to DHS more than once and we took the boat each time, and that was great.

At the parks, we took her on everything that did not have a height requirement. She loved every ride! We made sure to do the Disney Junior stuff at DHS, met the characters there and did the Frozen show as well. We also did some character meals. We got her first haircut at the barbershop on Main Street on our first full day, right when the park opened and that was the cutest experience.

 

[Kylej29]

Hmm, good point did not think about that, what is the best hotel to hot multiple parks without having to get on a bus?

 

[Kylej29]

Really? That's great I love Hoop Dee Doo

 

[ErinsMommy]

Hmm, good point did not think about that, what is the best hotel to hot multiple parks without having to get on a bus?

Contemporary has the monorail to Epcot (with a transfer) and bus it to HS and AK, but you can walk to MK.

Polynesian has the TTC within walkable distance so you don't need to 'transfer' from one monorail line to another to get to Epcot, you'll have to monorail or boat to MK, and bus it to HS and AK.

Grand Floridian you have to monorail to Epcot (with a transfer); monorail or boat to MK, and bus to AK and HS.

Beach and Yacht Club you can walk to both Epcot and HS, and bus it to MK and AK.

 

[Kylej29]

LOL you're awesome

 

[Imagineer5]

Beach Club will be fabulous - the pool is wonderful and I'm sure your baby will enjoy the sandy shallow wading area. If you decide to move, I would 100% recommend the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower - walking to MK is HUGE with a baby.

Otherwise, be prepared to be surprised at how much she enjoys it!! the rides, shows, etc. She *might* be scared of the characters so I would keep that in mind. My DD's were fine with them until about 10 months of age, then go through a bit of a phase of being afraid of them until around 18months or so. Hoop de doo or any other singing, musical type show I bet would be a lot of fun with her - we took DD when she was about that age to it, and it was one of our best memories.

As far as rides go - do anything without a height requirement. On our most recent trip DD2 was 12 months old and absolutely LOVED Small World, Pooh, TTA, Nemo at EPCOT. TSMM at DHS is fun, and AK is great, especially the Safari and the animal walks. Plan on stroller naps, as I find they are the best way to use your time (I like to do the bigger rides during nap times and grab rider swaps then!).

 

[LuvinDisney83]

My daughter has been 3 times so far, 13 months, 18 months and 23 months. We've stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter, Polynesian and offsite with her. I will say Poly had the ease of dealing with the stroller with Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Will you have a car? We found buses to be kind of a pain in the neck and chose to drive whenever we couldn't take a monorail. When juggling a toddler, bags and a stroller and then the possibility that there won't be a seat for you to sit on it made things quite uncomfortable. It's extremely hard holding everything while being jostled around on a full bus. It's super easy to drive around onsite and it's nice being able to throw the stroller and bags in the trunk and everyone having their own guaranteed seat. Other than that she had a blast! Never really a need to go back to our hotel for naps because she would just nap in her stroller. We would try to go to out of the way places so she would have a bit of peace and quiet to get the best sleep possible. She loved the characters, and any kind of lights, fireworks and shows. She really really loved the living seas and I was amazed how many rides she could ride. Also many rides that were quiet and slow she would usually catch a cat nap. Have a blast! We used to be every other year visitors but after experiencing disney with my daughter we went 3 times in a year and have another trip planned for this winter.

 

[tseitel]

We just stayed at Beach Club for my nieces first trip in September, and she was 18 months old. I must say, we do Hoop Dee Doo every trip, so we didn't want to skip it and she actually LOVED IT, even at just 18 months old! She had a ball! I wish I could upload the videos to show you how much fun she had. The CM's there had so much with her, she was clapping the whole time, they put the strawberry shortcake on the table and she immediately grabbed a spoon and helped herself LOL! It was one of the most memorable times of the trip and we are excited to bring her back there this September. It definitely isn't a waste, especially since they are free until 3.

We spent each afternoon at the pool at BC.. that pool is great for little ones. We found BC to be perfect for us. We went to Epcot multiple times, so having that short 5 minute walk there was very convenient. We also went to DHS more than once and we took the boat each time, and that was great.

At the parks, we took her on everything that did not have a height requirement. She loved every ride! We made sure to do the Disney Junior stuff at DHS, met the characters there and did the Frozen show as well. We also did some character meals. We got her first haircut at the barbershop on Main Street on our first full day, right when the park opened and that was the cutest experience.

This past Oct my twin 18 month old grandsons also loved Hoop de Doo. They clapped & swung the napkins around laughing away
We also did the 1st haircuts at Harmony Barber shop.

 

[Kylej29]

About the buses, this is one of the hurdles I've never dealt with (first baby). That's why I thought monorail/boats/walking is the best option. I still don't know what the best way to get to the hotel(whichever we pick) is. She's going to need a car seat so either taxi, uber, or if we have to rent a car

 

[LuvinDisney83]

Personally I would rent a car and then stay at a monorail resort. I think you'd be a lot happier in the long run. You'll be surprised how much time you spend at Magic Kingdom. We were rarely at HS because there just isn't much going on there for a baby. We basically went so she could meet Olaf who is one of her favorites. We spent most time at MK and Epcot because that is where she was happiest and if baby is happy everyone is happy. The buses are just a pain with an infant/toddler, the monorail is the only mode of disney transportation we will take because even if the baby is asleep you can just roll your stroller on in!

 

[KrazeeK120]

About the buses, this is one of the hurdles I've never dealt with (first baby). That's why I thought monorail/boats/walking is the best option. I still don't know what the best way to get to the hotel(whichever we pick) is. She's going to need a car seat so either taxi, uber, or if we have to rent a car

I think I'm confused by this.
-If you're flying into MCO, you can use Disney's Magical Express to get to your resort since you're staying onsite.
-If you're flying into Sanford, then yes, you'll need one of the options you listed, in addition to the option of hiring a town car or limo.
-What "hurdle" is there to taking the bus onsite? The only hurdle with a toddler would be folding up the stroller and getting it on the bus. But if your husband is with you, that shouldn't be too big of an issue.

 

[Kylej29]

My wife insists the baby be in a car seat if we're on actual roads, and I'm pretty sure buses and car seats don't go together?

 

[KrazeeK120]

My wife insists the baby be in a car seat if we're on actual roads, and I'm pretty sure buses and car seats don't go together?

Car seats are not allowed on Disney buses. There are no seat belts on the buses, and some passengers are required to stand if there aren't enough seats. Your toddler can sit in your lap (or stand) while on the bus.