Am I nuts for wanting to take

kevschickee

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 16, 2007
Messages
1,185
my 2 year old and 6 month old to Disney? Growing up our family trip was always to Disney and I love it now my mom wants to go with my kids. Now Im just wondering if it will be a vacation for me or just alot of work. Have you taken kids this young if so do you have any tips for me?

Thanks
 
I have been to DW twice with young children. The first time was Sept 05. I went my DH, Sister and BIL and my 20 mo old daughter (and I was 5 months along with my 2nd). My DD had a great time and so did I. Of course, MK and AK were her favorite parks, but she also loved Playhouse Disney and the parade @ Disney Studios. Every morning she would wake up and ask if we were going outside! :) (The only thing that my daughter didn't like were the characters. They scared her, but only when we were close to them--she loved watching them from afar. So we just kept our distance.)

The second time was Sept 06. My DH and I went with my MIL and SIL. Then my girls were 2 1/2 and 8 months. They both did great. Disney World is so visually stimulating, my baby loved it. It was really hot, of course, and she still did great.

We got up early every morning and were at the parks around the time they opened and then after lunch we went back to the hotel and rested (during the hottest part of the day) so the girls could nap (a definite must!!) Then headed back to the parks in the evening. Everyone had a great time!!

I'm sure you know they have the parent swap in some lines where you can have one adult ride while the other waits with the kids.

I never felt like I was doing a lot of work (no more than usual with two young kids). I had a great time, in fact, we are going back this December!!
Having said that, I did do a lot work ahead of time. Planning out our days--which park on what day and where and when we would eat. Eating earlier--lunch around 11:30 and dinner around 6:00 is a good idea too b/c the restaurants aren't usually too busy yet which means no waiting for a table (which is always a plus with little ones).

I don't know if any of this was helpful, but I hope so. :) Enjoy your vacation, wherever you decide to go. :)
 
If you want to take them then go for it. I took both of mine that young and have no regrets.

In addition to what 02aggiegirl said, from experience I would:

#1- do go when all the school age kids are in school and avoid all holiday weeks, Crowds are lower and the temps are easier on you & the kids. Do not go in the summer because severe heat & crowds will not make your stay easier.

#2- stay at a monorail hotel if at all possible.

#3- get up & to the parks early.

#4- feed, water & change everyone often

#5- get back to the room for 1 long nap a day. EVERYONE will be calmer.

#6- take it easy & go with the flow

good luck
 
I am going in 9 days with DH, DS 5 months old, DSD 21, and DGS 18 months. I think it is going to be great we are thrilled to be taking DS so young.

:cloud9: Mrs. Disney Ron
 

We started going in 05 when our son was 22 months and our daughter was 8 months. Our upcoming trip is in September and they will be 2 and 3. I say DO IT!!! Our rule: Do it at the kids pace...always.
:goodvibes
 
My first trip with my own kids they were 5 months and 18 months. We had a great time! Went last summer with 15 of us total. Kids ages 5 months, twins 18 months, 4 yrs. 6 yrs. 9 yrs. Along with my mom who was 82 at the time. And we did all this in the Aug. heat!!! Some of my family work for the school dist. and can only vacation during summer vacation. Just remember to pace yourself and you will be fine whenever you go.
 
You are not nuts. I was just at WDW in Feb w/ my 3 kids aged 8 months, 2.5 yrs and 4. It was the best time ever. People told us we were nuts to go w/ a young baby and my MIL actually offered to keep her for us for the week. But we decided we wanted a nice family vacation so we took her with us. We laughed all week long because the baby was the easiest one of all 3!!:rotfl: She just sat in her stroller all day very content. The only pain was lugging around my big baby bag w/ formula and everything. But not a big deal. Our 2 yr old was the hardest because when we let him out of the stroller he wanted to run but again, not that big of a deal. We didnt go back and forth for naps because our kids fell asleep in their strollers and we thought that would be more work to get back on the busses, etc.. We did try to get to the parks for opening. You MUST get to the MK early if you want to do all the kiddie rides. You just have to be willing to go with the flow when you have young kids at the parks. Oh and I made ressies for dinner for every night so we never had to wait long for a table. I also made almost all of them character dinners because they kept the kids entertained for us and we were actually able to eat!!!:thumbsup2
You'll have a great time and you will have great memories for life so I say you are not nuts!!

Have fun!
 
If you are crazy...you are in good company!

Isn't that the truth! Of course, in all fairness, you are coming to a Disney lovers' board to ask the question ;)

Are you saying your mom will be coming with you? Our first trip with DS15mos (at the time) my parents came and it was WONDERFUL! At that time, I think if it had been just DH, DS and I, it wouldn't have been relaxing for me. Not that I wouldn't have had a great time, but I would have needed another vacation when I got back ;) But my parents were so excited to share Disney with us. We took turns taking care of DS (and riding with DS - the fun part, too!). Each couple took a night out while the other came back with DS and each took an afternoon at Epcot while the other brought DS back for his nap. The rest of the time we all hung out together. So, it was truly heaven. :cloud9:
 
. The only pain was lugging around my big baby bag w/ formula and everything. Have fun!

Took DS for the 1st time when he was 11 months. Carrying the formula and stuff around was a pain. At Babies R Us they have travel formula. It comes premeasured for an 8 ounce bottle and the packeage looks like pixie sticks (if anyone here is old enough to rememebr pixie sticks:rolleyes1 ). I disovered these about a week before we left that year and they were FABULOUS:yay: Yeah, they cost more, but less stuff to carry. Then I would just ring a clean bottle and ourchase a bottle of water at the park, mix it up and give it to him.
 
Did Disney twice with a 1 year old.

The only thing I would add to the advice is TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BABY CARE CENTERS! They are wonderful and are located in every park. Ask where they are when you enter. They are air-conditioned so provide good breaks from the heat. They have high chairs, micros to warm food, changing stations, even tv's playing Disney movies for siblings to watch while you care for your infant. They sell diapers, food, etc - anything you might have forgotten. And they have castmembers staffing them who are very helpful.

With kids that young, making use of the centers will definitely make your vacation more enjoyable. My husband and I miss them now that our kids are older!!!
 












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