20 month old at WDW

[writersblock42]

We are going on a huge family trip to Disney world with adults, one teenager, and kids ranging in age from 20 months to 9 years old. My SIL is trying to decide whether or not to take the 20 month old. Her reason for not taking him would be that he won't remember anyway and that would be a lot of trouble for a trip a kid would not remember anyway. She is trying to get her father to keep him for a week (he is not going because it is my MIL's trip and they are divorced). What are the reasons to take and the reasons not to take a 20 month old.

 

[DisneyArk]

Only your SIL can really make that call because she knows her child and if the child is easy to take along or high maintenance.

Our first family trip my sons were 18 months and 3 years old. My younger son did great and had lots of fun, but my older son would not have done great at 18 months (he started the terrible 2's really early). We rode most of the rides in the Magic Kingdom with him, but none of the roller coasters.

Reasons to take the toddler
- The characters LOVE toddlers!! They all spent a lot of extra time with my DS. I would usually say, come on and let the next person have a turn and the characters would motion "no" and want to hold him and play with him longer. We've been twice since and the characters spent a lot more time with him when he was younger.
- The pictures are priceless!
- Everyone else can enjoy seeing the Disney magic through the child's eyes.
- The toddler is free until they are 3.

Reasons not to take the toddler
- If you want to keep up with everyone else in the group and don't want to miss out on riding any rides.
- If you want to spend time with extended family and don't want to leave meals early or skip meals to let the baby have a break.
- If your toddler does not like being confined to a stroller.
- If your toddler doesn't adjust well to change and can't sleep in a pack-n-play.
- If your toddler is afraid of characters in costume. How did the toddler do on Halloween? Take the child to Chuck E Cheese and see if he is afraid of Chuck E.
- If no one else in the group will be willing to help or hang out with her and she will be isolated for a week with the toddler.

 

[mom2jcc]

HI It is really a personal thing I guess. We are taking our 13 month old twins this April. Our oldest is 7 and he hasn't been to WDW since he was 4. I could not have a good time knowing my babies were in another state..12 hours away. We are prepared to take the trip slow and go back to the resort for breaks. Because of this we have extended our trip from 4 days at the parks to six days.

 

[Nanu57v]

We took DD at 18 months and it was so neat seeing everything through her eyes! Yes, of course she won't remember, but we will! And I have cute pics. She ran into Mickey's arms!

 

[livie1205]

EVERYONE HAS THERE OWN THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT AND MINE ARE.....I AM TAKING MY BABY GIRL IN DECEMBER FOR HER 1ST B-DAY....I TOOK MY SON (9) WHEN HE WAS 1 AND I COULD NEVER BE AWAY FROM HER FOR THAT LONG. I KNOW THEY WILL NOT REMEMBER IT BUT SHE (MOM) WILL AND IT WOULD BE WORTH IT! I CANT WAIT FOR MY GIRL TO SEE MICKEY.

 

[mom2jcc]

Also, I just wanted to add that WDW is a family vacation for us. Why would we leave part of our family at home?

 

[pooh4evr]

I could NEVER leave one of the kids at home no matter what age- we took DDs at 4 and 23 months 2 yrs ago- it was THE best vacation we could have hoped for- We did not plan on riding the big rides anyway but the girls could ride on most everything (no rollercoaster/thrill) anyway. If there is not ahuge age gap with the other kids I don't think there would be much more "work" involved in taking a 20 month old over a 3-4 yr old you will need a stroller anyway and with all the extra people I am sure you could work out something!

 

[The Sweetness]

Wont the whole fam love seeing the baby experience WDW for the first time? My Ariel will be turning 27 months on our trip

 

[Andrea34]

We took our son at 22 months. While he may not remember the trip, I will never forget the look on his face when he saw mickey and goofy for the first time! He is 3 now and still loves to look at pictures of himself from that trip. I would definitely bring him!!