Advice

[love~disney]

Which do you think would be more fun and easier with a child who will be 1.5yrs old and why? Hawaii, Disneyworld, or a 7 day Disney cruise?
We are having a hard time trying to decide.
THANKS!!!

 

[flipflop]

Which do you think would be more fun and easier with a child who will be 1.5yrs old and why? Hawaii, Disneyworld, or a 7 day Disney cruise?
We are having a hard time trying to decide.
THANKS!!!

Hawaii or WDW (depending on where you are staying and what you are planning on doing in Hawaii, I might amend my answer). I wouldn't take a child who isn't old enough to go to the kids' club on a cruise. JMO.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Where do you live? I only ask because the flight to Hawaii would be a deal breaker for me from the east coast. I went there on my honeymoon and loved it, but I don't think I'd want to do that flight with my son until he's older. Way older. Like college older. (just kidding)

 

[LadyShea]

The length of the flight (or legs of flight with a stopover) would also be a serious consideration for me with an 18 month old. 7 hours over the ocean is an awfully long time if you have a cranky bored toddler on your hands.

 

[flipflop]

Where do you live? I only ask because the flight to Hawaii would be a deal breaker for me from the east coast. I went there on my honeymoon and loved it, but I don't think I'd want to do that flight with my son until he's older. Way older. Like college older. (just kidding)

The length of the flight (or legs of flight with a stopover) would also be a serious consideration for me with an 18 month old. 7 hours over the ocean is an awfully long time if you have a cranky bored toddler on your hands.

Good points. I didn't consider how long the flight would be. I would not be dragging my toddlers on a plane for 7 hours.

 

[kim_o]

Not hawaii. That long of a flight with a young toddler is not a good idea, imo. I also wouldn't do the cruise until DC is old enough to go in the kids clubs. We did Disney last year with my then 20 month old son and had an amazing time. So, hands down I would vote WDW.

 

[taitai]

When we only had one baby, we took him to Hawaii at 4months flying from the midwest. The flight wasn't that big of a deal for us but then we both fly several times a week for work so we were more used to that than others. He did great. However, in addition to the flight, you have the time zone issue. It was not a factor as he wasn't sleeping through the night then anyway but for an older kid that might be an issue. In fact, once he had three kids, we have NOT gone to Hawaii specifically due to the time zones as they are preschoolers and sleep is a big factor in how they do each day. But hey are getting older and that seems to be less of a concern. In fact, we have a trip already on the books for next spring break as they will be older (6 and 5) and we feel they can handle it.

I think a cruise would be hard as they rooms are not very big but then again I am absolutely NOT a fan of cruising. I would do Disney now and then when your child is a bit older and deal with the time zones, try Hawaii.

Have fun.

 

[katie111]

I'd vote for Hawaii if the flight is not too long. We took our DD5 to Disney when she was 13 months for a long weekend & honestly it wasn't much fun. She was way over stimulated and hot (it was June) and just really cranky. We were staying at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal so we ended up just spending the rest of the trip at the pool which she loved. We then took her to St John when she was 15 months & we had the best time. She loved the sand, the warm water and the pool. We took her again when she was 2.5 and DS was 10 months and once again it was great. We also did Turks and Caicos when they were 2 & 3 and it was also wonderful. Now that the kids are older (5.5 & 4.5) we've been to Disney twice and are going again next week along with our 9 month old DS but I just don't think its that fun for a little one that's mobile (our youngest DS isn't really moving yet). Its just hard for them to get out & walk around or crawl, they're stuck in a stroller almost all day. We went on the Disney cruise last year & loved it but I agree with another poster, I wouldn't do it again until our youngest DS is old enough for the kids club.

 

[wrighter]

We took our DD when she was 17 months. The trip was really for our DS (3.5 at the time) and we figured we'd pretty much just be lugging her around. Let me tell you she had a blast! We were absolutely shocked! We'd go by a ride and she'd be trying to climb out of her stroller to get to it. She loved all the sights, sounds, and treats. We definitely didn't do the park "commando style," though. We were at the parks early, and made sure she got a nap in the afternoon, and put her to bed at her regular bedtime. Pool time was also a hit, as were the parades.

We loved the fact that we never had to think about, "What are we going to do today?" The fun was just built in. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

 

[Zeebs]

As someone who has done a trip from England to New Zealand long trips with children on planes are doable and really not as stressful as people think they will be. They are work but not the terrible time you have imagined in your mind. In my opinion anyway. I thought it would be way worse than it was in fact kids seems to travel better than most adults I know. So I wouldn't let that put you off a decision on where to go.

Aren't holidays with kids now the same routine different location anyway LOL.

All would be fun cause you are on holiday.

Kirsten

 

[MRYPPNS]

I've done all 3 of those vacations without kids. Hands down it will be WDW with our kids until they are older. We are planning to take DS to Disney in Nov, he'll be 18 mo.
For us Hawaii was a lot of sightseeing. Walking and riding in the car.

I don't want to Cruise again until the kids are out of diapers (from what I've read they can't go in the pool with diapers, even the swimmy ones). And I'm not too excited to go into different island ports with toddlers.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[love~disney]

Thank you all for your advice. It's always helpful to hear what others have done and thought. THANK YOU!!

 

[bellebud]

My ds was 21 months for our first trip to WDW (and dd was 3 1/2yo). He LOVED disney - loved the characters (except the villians), loved every ride he was allowed to go on, enjoyed all the sights, shows, etc. We did the trip very slow, on the kids terms, had afternoon naps and lots of down time. It was an amazing trip and I'd do it again in a second! Can't speak for Hawaii or a cruise, but agree w/ others that the cruise wouldn't really be good, and the flight for hawaii might be an issue. And in hawaii, for your toddler, there's the beach and I don't think much more (right??)... you can get that at disney too (the beach club is the best resort for that, but others also have sand and pools - no lake swimming anywhere). The sand bottom pool at storm along bay at the beach club would definitely be just as much fun for a toddler as any beach would, plus you have all of disney too.

have fun whatever you decide!

 

[soccerchick]

It really depends on your vacationing style. I am a very active vacationer, so for an 18 month old, I'd say Disney.

We took the kids to Hawaii last summer and it was awesome. They really appreciated it (ages 4 and 7) - both the activities and the sight seeing (we were on Kauai). From the east coast it is 2 six hour flights plus check in time and layover time. It was one LONG day and I was very worried about DS4, but he did very well there and back. The flight can be done.

I would not have wanted to spend all that money and not be able to do things like hike, take windsurfing lessons, surfing lessons, etc.

I haven't done a cruise w/kids yet, but I agree with another poster that I'd want them to be able to take advantage of the kids things.

One reason I love Disney right now is that the whole family can go and ride and do so many things TOGETHER. That's not the case at many other places. As much I also love Universal, we'll go there more when the kids are older (and taller). If your child will sleep in a stroller like mine would, you can take advantage of the FP and baby swap for the adult rides while the kids sleeps (or even when she's not).

All three sound like great vacation options!

 

[mdurette]

I would do WDW - in a heartbeat.
I think Hawaii is nice - we went while I was pregnant - but IMO it is an adult trip with a lot of sightseeing that a toddler just wouldn't appreciate. They might like the water and the beaches....but you could do that many other places for half the cost and without that long plane ride!

The cruise would be interesting.....but again you little one is just to small to get involved with all the kids clubs they have. I also had a friend who took her son on a cruise and he was sea sick the entire time. YUCK.

Now to Disney....my dd went when she was 17 months, 22 months and for her 2nd birthday and just loved all of it. It is just geared for them.

 

[eliza61]

Which do you think would be more fun and easier with a child who will be 1.5yrs old and why? Hawaii, Disneyworld, or a 7 day Disney cruise?
We are having a hard time trying to decide.
THANKS!!!

The easiest thing would be to hire me as a nanny for sammy and then any one you pick will be fun and I don't eat alot I swear.

My vote would be the cruise. Disneyworld was a little overwhelming for my kids when they were that small. We had a lot of meltdowns.