1st Trip with our 1 year old- Are We Overambitious?

[JaxDad]

I disagree with this Sure, she won't remember the trip a few years from now, but she will enjoy it in the moment. Her face wil light up and she will giggle when she meets the characters, she will oooh and ahhh over the colors and motions and she will try to dance to the music. And Mom and Dad will never forget it. We don't keep our kids at home in a box because they won't remember it later...we live for the moment and we give our kids experiences even when they are little.

OP--- your plan sounds great. Have a fun trip and enjoy it.

I think the comment by CT Dad was valid. The OP clearly said in her first post, "We're going in with the mindset of this trip being completely about Reagan." And then in response to CT Dad not even 20 minutes later, she said, "We're definitely doing it for us- we know she won't remember." This is confusing input to provide for advice on planning.

 

[Krissy562]

You've gotten some great advice. It is really a blessing to be able to go to WDW with a very little one, and yes, if this is the only time in her life you'll be planning a Disney trip, I would say absolutely wait. HOWEVER, In spite of what you've been told; your trip is both for and about all of you. You are developing your parenting skills, creating memories for yourselves, and opening up the world to her. While she may not actually remember this trip, or many more to come, the experiences you have together as a family will become a part of who she grows into as a person. You are sharing something you clearly love with your child, and that's great.
I understand both comments "completely about Reagan" "and we're doing it for us" and don't find anything contradictory about it. The focus will be on your daughter and her needs, but you will be getting the enjoyment from it and don't expect her to remember it.
My only comment about plans, is that you need to plan to cancel them.
Enjoy!

 

[RustManFan]

Plans sound good. I see many people plan as if they didn't have a 14.5 month old along. The kid is asleep and sometimes getting sunburned in the stroller. Just takes lots of pics (hopefully you can do better than a cell phone) and someday Reagan can see these along with those from trips that she can remember!

 

[msb578]

If you don't do anything with your infant because infant won't remember it, you might as well lock them in a dark box until they're 4.

Which is not advised for brain development.

Thank you for articulating what I was thinking.

Because I was thinking... wouldn't that same logic apply to the zoo, or the county fair, or a restaurant? We just never hesitated to take our infants/toddlers anywhere. As a family, we had great WDW trips at 11 months (twins), 20 months, etc.

 

[Pmlocke]

She may not remember it but I can tell you she will love it. My grand daughter turned 1 just two weeks after her first visit there and she was nothing but a happy, smiling sweetheart the entire stay (7 days). She is 7 now and has returned every year but one and she is definately a Disney nut. Not only did she enjoy the interactions with all the characters but we as her grandparents loved the caring the CM's showed to her and our other grandchildren during this visit. Nothing beats the first kiss on Minnies nose. Enjoy yourselves. Just one warning. Scarlett went through the parks in her stroller holding onto her feet which meant the backs of her legs were exposed alot to the sun. Sun screen everywhere.

 

[wdw71]

Good point, however, what about Haunted Mansion? They have a FP for that ride. GMR isnt as scary as HM.

My son at 18 months didn't know to be afraid of HM. My 4yo DD was just the opposite, she saw it was dark and my DH walked her out after the stretch room crying. My son rode twice once with me and once with my husband. That being said, once he reached 4 he wanted nothing to do with HM while my DD did. So she rode twice once with me and once with my DH.

We had a not so stellar Ohana experience. We will have fewer dinner ADRs this upcoming trip

Yeah- we had a few bad sit down meals with the kids at that age too. QS is the way to go until they gain a good attention span.

 

[kohlby]

My son at 18 months didn't know to be afraid of HM. My 4yo DD was just the opposite, she saw it was dark and my DH walked her out after the stretch room crying. My son rode twice once with me and once with my husband. That being said, once he reached 4 he wanted nothing to do with HM while my DD did. So she rode twice once with me and once with my DH.


Yeah- we had a few bad sit down meals with the kids at that age too. QS is the way to go until they gain a good attention span.

We still haven't ventured into the world of TS meals that have to be reserved in advance - and kids are 6, 9, and 12! (But 6 year old has some sensory issues).

As for HM, eldest never had issues with it but didn't do it for the first time until 3. Middle child was fine on it at 2 months, 8 months, and 3 years - but not after that. She refused to do it on her last trip at 7. Youngest did it at 11 months and not since then. (Since middle child refused, he refused along with her). The Great Movie Ride totally freaked out our youngest during the trip he did at 4 though. I don't remember it scaring him before that though - and he had trips at 3, 2, and 11 months. But, when he was younger, I would nurse him during some of the rides/attractions if he needed comfort too.

 

[luvdisdogs]

Have you thought about seeing the Finding Nemo show in Animal Kingdom. We really enjoyed it and so did all the really young kids around us.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I normally walk away from this argument because I'm pretty sure I won't be able to change someone's mind set about wasting money on infants. But some days...ya just gotta...
My kids have been at all ages (including well before turning a year old) it was never a waste of money or time or energy or any other excuse for not doing it. It's one thing if you're holding out for a once in a life time trip...but not doing it simply because they are a baby, is just ridiculous. Both of my kids vocabulary would increase after trips when they were toddlers. My memories of them at ages they will won't remember, are priceless and some of my favorite memories ever. Infants are people too and they enjoy things just as much as anyone else.

 

[AP1209]

I normally walk away from this argument because I'm pretty sure I won't be able to change someone's mind set about wasting money on infants. But some days...ya just gotta...
My kids have been at all ages (including well before turning a year old) it was never a waste of money or time or energy or any other excuse for not doing it. It's one thing if you're holding out for a once in a life time trip...but not doing it simply because they are a baby, is just ridiculous. Both of my kids vocabulary would increase after trips when they were toddlers. My memories of them at ages they will won't remember, are priceless and some of my favorite memories ever. Infants are people too and they enjoy things just as much as anyone else.

Agreed. Look at the picture in my Avatar. We have tons of pictures of my son just staring at the princesses in amazement amazement(or who are these weird ladies). Just priceless photos. Of course trips like this are for the parents. By the way, my 12 month old loved all the dark rides. He did fall asleep both times we went on Spaceship Earth though.

 

[Candycane83]

Agreed. Look at the picture in my Avatar. We have tons of pictures of my son just staring at the princesses in amazement amazement(or who are these weird ladies). Just priceless photos. Of course trips like this are for the parents. By the way, my 12 month old loved all the dark rides. He did fall asleep both times we went on Spaceship Earth though.

I totally agree with this. The funny thing is, I don't think OP is asking whether or not it's a good idea that she takes her daughter to WDW, rather just to critique her plans.
OP- your plans look great.

 

[AP1209]

I totally agree with this. The funny thing is, I don't think OP is asking whether or not it's a good idea that she takes her daughter to WDW, rather just to critique her plans.
OP- your plans look great.

Yeah, I think the topic naturally flowed that way, especially since the 1st reply OP got was to NOT take her daughter at this age, no critiquing the plan at all. The OP's plans look really good to me. Very similar to how I would do it.

 

[DizMomAndWife]

I totally agree with this. The funny thing is, I don't think OP is asking whether or not it's a good idea that she takes her daughter to WDW, rather just to critique her plans.
OP- your plans look great.

Yes! I never meant to start an argument. Just wanted advice from some moms and dads who had paved the path before us. Thankfully, I've gotten some good tips mixed in with the not so positive remarks. We're going to go and enjoy every minute of looking at ducks, taking extended breaks, etc. Whatever works!

Thanks to everyone who gave us advice!!

 

[RachaelA]

OP, I think your plans sound great. You are going in with an open mind that you could and probably will have to change stuff a bit based on her and how she's taking it all in. That's the key thing in trips with infants and toddlers.

My 4 year old old has been to Disney 4 times (11.5 months, 18 months, just shy of 3 and last month right after she turned 4). My 2 year old has been there twice (11.5 months and just after she turned 2). All our trips have been a blast. Some days we rode Dumbo, the Carousel, and the tea cups over and over for hours. In the end, the memories are awesome and we have the pictures to show them what they don't remember.

Have fun!

 

[martikus]

I think your plan sounds really reasonable and as long as you are willing to be flexible you will have a blast! The only thing we have found traveling with our son is we hate leaving for an afternoon break. It takes so long to load up, go back, he won't nap, etc etc. That instead we get there are rope drop and go until we're too tired. Usually about 3pm and then head back for good. Sure this means we never see an evening show etc, but we're always well rested for the next morning. We always stay at POFQ so if we catch a second wind we'll take the boat up to POR or down to Disney Springs.

Definiteley go with an open mind. Our son was scared of EVERYTHING which I never expected. So we rode Small World about 30 times as he LOVED it. I hadn't ridden Small World in years. He also loved MK so much we dropped our AK day and went for a third day in MK.

My favorite thing traveling with our son is seeing what interests him at each age we go. Early on he LOVED characters and waiting for autographs. Sure we didn't do a lot of rides that year, but the pictures & joy on his face with each character - awesome.

This past time he LOVED Agent P (7 years old) in Epcot so we made sure to spend most of our Epcot time doing the Agent P mystery games. Once in a while we'll split up or do rider swap to get in some of our favorite rides, but we really have loved all our trips with him!

Have a great time!

 

[Kelly25]

We just got back from our trip in dec. my daughter was 14 months and she had a blast and so did we! your plans look like how we planned. we went in the mornings, had 3 fast passes, went back to the room to either nap or relax in the afternoon. we would have dinner and then let her dictate if we went back for the night. there was only one night that we didnt go back. she wasnt that crazy about the fireworks, mainly how loud they were. talking mickey freaked her out a bit but she ran up to the reg mickey during the m & g. it was adorable. she loved the electric parade and small world. they had also just opened a character dance party in HS. it was in a building to the right of the entrance of rock and rollercoaster. she stayed in there and danced with the characters for over an hour! we knew it wasnt going to be her only trip to disney so we didnt listen to all the people who told us she wouldnt remember the trip. i will never forget it my response to them was "she wont remember her first birthday party either but i am having one for her anyway!" lol have fun and just enjoy the magic!

 

[rwdavis2]

Buzz kill:

Your kid is 14.5 months old. Wait till Reagan is atleast 3 or 4. It's a waste of time and money at this age. If you are honest with yourself, you will probably realize that you are doing this trip for you, not for Reagan.

This has always been my opinion when taking kids younger than 3-4. And that's OK if you want to do it for yourself. You will have the memories but the child won't.

 

[unrequited23]

Very late to the party, but I want to say it seems like you are going into this trip with the right attitude. Some things that might help with an unpredictable little one-ear protection for loud rides/fireworks, a glow item for dark rides (hit up the dollar store) and special snacks.

 

[AL_Girl]

I think your plan sounds good and seems like you realize plans can change with a toddler. We've gone when our daughter was 7 months and again at 14 months and she did fine with everything we did. But I understand that each kid is different and neither of our girls have ever been nappers.
Have a great time!

 

[Accident]

Late to the discussion but I would plan what you want, and if there is some character or something they would know maybe put in a meet and greet or character meal. I don't think it's a waste unless your doing it for them but save money on the character breaksfasts and things unless it's some character they will really know.