Any Advice with taking a 13 month old to Disney?

[brhodes]

This will be my 2nd time traveling to Disney with kiddos. In early 2015 I took my son who just turned 4 years old and he was FANTASTIC!!! I wanted to wait until he remembered the trip and knew how to somewhat behave and such. Well… of course we fell in love and he is begging to go back so we are planning a surprise birthday trip for him this November (he will be 6). I also recently just had a DD (who is 6 months old). She will be 13 months when we go in Nov. I am a little nervous about taking such a young child. I know people do it all the time but what do I need to bring/do/buy for her before our big trip. Any advice is welcome!!! Thanks!!!

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

We took our 15 month old last year and we also took her brother at 14 month several years ago. They both did great! You want to bring in lots of diapers/ wipes more than one change of clothes. Sunscreen even for Nov. Maybe a hat and food ( depending on what they are eating). A stroller fan maybe depending on what the weather looks like. Same with a jacket/ pullever. Several snacks bc sometimes waiting in line these help. Also I bring my carrier so my hands are free when toddler needs to be held to save my arms and back. Milk/ juice. Never been in Nov. But go most years in October so this is from my list. Also a lovie if they have one and a blanket.... Blanket can be used to block the sun when sleeping if nothing else. Hope this helps. We always use a backpack for a diaper bag. Bring rain poncho ( the $1 are great bc you can throw them away when wet) these are so great to cover the stroller when raining. Also we bring glow sticks or bracelets for dark bc that way they are easy to spot if out of stroller. It's also nice to throw a glow bracelet on your stroller at night to stand out in the sea of a thousand strollers. Hope this helps! We love taking our littles...they have a great time. They may not remember the trip but you will. And my kids love to look at the pic. Of being there as babies

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

Also bring in Tylenol/ motrin. And diaper rash cream just incase . bandaids and hand wipes

 

[brhodes]

Also bring in Tylenol/ motrin. And diaper rash cream just incase . bandaids and hand wipes

Thank you sooooo much!!! I am just very nervous bringing her so young and don't know what to expect!!!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you sooooo much!!! I am just very nervous bringing her so young and don't know what to expect!!!

we have taken grandkids around that age. if flying make sure you have a change of clothes for everyone including adults. if you bring food with you for little one make sure it does not need to be heated up as outside food can not be taken into the kitchen and heated. you will only be able get hot water to warm up this with. as others have said bring any meds or creams that you could need. make sure you carry shoes for little one even in stroller or carrier as some CMs want shoes on to ride. I would bring blankets and sheets to use in pack and play to help with sleeping. take lots of pics of little one in parks, on rides and at resort . with them make a picture book for her. have a grandson who can tell you all about trip he took at 4 months old. of course he does not remember trip but he sure knows that baby in the pics even at 11 years old. know this is getting long but one last thing make sure you have a weather cover for your stroller. put it on stroller if there is any chance of rain any time you park stroller in stroller parking areas. nothing can ruin a day quicker than a wet stroller. have a great trip

 

[quagmire0]

Breaks, snacks, water, afternoon nap/break time, frequent diaper changes to keep them comfortable.

 

[bshrewz90]

We took our 15 month old last year and we also took her brother at 14 month several years ago. They both did great! You want to bring in lots of diapers/ wipes more than one change of clothes. Sunscreen even for Nov. Maybe a hat and food ( depending on what they are eating). A stroller fan maybe depending on what the weather looks like. Same with a jacket/ pullever. Several snacks bc sometimes waiting in line these help. Also I bring my carrier so my hands are free when toddler needs to be held to save my arms and back. Milk/ juice. Never been in Nov. But go most years in October so this is from my list. Also a lovie if they have one and a blanket.... Blanket can be used to block the sun when sleeping if nothing else. Hope this helps. We always use a backpack for a diaper bag. Bring rain poncho ( the $1 are great bc you can throw them away when wet) these are so great to cover the stroller when raining. Also we bring glow sticks or bracelets for dark bc that way they are easy to spot if out of stroller. It's also nice to throw a glow bracelet on your stroller at night to stand out in the sea of a thousand strollers. Hope this helps! We love taking our littles...they have a great time. They may not remember the trip but you will. And my kids love to look at the pic. Of being there as babies

I love how you wrote they might not remember but you will! I get so sick of hearing people tell me that we took and are taking our kids too early in age. When we go in december my son will be 4 my youngest daughter 14 months, and my oldest will be 7, anywho when we took her the first time he was 2 and everyone said your going too early he won't remember. First thing who says you can't go to disney more than once and 2 who cares! I personally loved seeing his face when he saw Mickey for the first time where he was so young the magic just lit up in his eyes! It was a wonderful memory for my husband and myself! Anyway just so happy to see someone who doesn't dog parents for taking littles!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We just got back from a trip with our 15 month old today. It was an amazing trip. The big things for us were making sure we had enough snacks, water and milk for him. Also, we had to make time for him to be out of the stroller/carrier to run around and get energy out. Otherwise, he would get cranky.

Our whole family just slows it down to his pace for now and definitely makes sure he is taken care of first. When baby is happy, we are all happy.

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

I love how you wrote they might not remember but you will! I get so sick of hearing people tell me that we took and are taking our kids too early in age. When we go in december my son will be 4 my youngest daughter 14 months, and my oldest will be 7, anywho when we took her the first time he was 2 and everyone said your going too early he won't remember. First thing who says you can't go to disney more than once and 2 who cares! I personally loved seeing his face when he saw Mickey for the first time where he was so young the magic just lit up in his eyes! It was a wonderful memory for my husband and myself! Anyway just so happy to see someone who doesn't dog parents for taking littles!

What I say to people is that exactly... We will have the memories and the pictures to show! Plus we go most years so it's all good! I tell people that if they plan to go multiple times go when they are little bc they have the sweetest most innocent looks and I love it! If it's a once in a lifetime trip wait until school age. I'm blessed that we are able to go most years for all the memories. My husband and I ( also my mom) are the nearest Disney fans!

 

[monorailsilver]

My oldest was 15 mo old and I know she doesn't remember it but I do

I shipped our diapers and wipes (for each of my 3 as they were all in diapers on their first visit). About a month before I kept track of how many diapers I used each day. I did that for about a week or so and then averaged out how many I would need for our trip and shipped them. I brought 2 extra days and one stayed with me opinion my carry on. Of course we went thru a lot less because I have a keen sense of smell and can smell a diaper full of pee easily bit in Disney all I smell is the sweetness in the air.

As far as wipes, I didn't use the hard plastic travel wipe container that holds 10 wipes. That wouldn't go very far as I use them to wipes faces and hands too, I brought a gallon zip lock bag and threw the whole package in there.

I used those disposable table toppers when we ate. And I used the ones for the toilet too for my older kids.

I brought a bunch of toys expecting her to play with some. Well she never did so for the next to kids they got what ever they packed in their back pack, aka books for the plane.

I shipped down breakfast food and snacks. My kids eat while dh and I take turns getting ready. My older 2 used to be super slow eaters so this saved us bunches of time.

I did laundry daily. We end up wearing 2 outfits per day since we go in the summer, return to nap and then go back at night post shower. So 4-5 outfits per person.

we don't do stroller naps, well aside from the time my oldest was 4 and didn't nap anymore so I took her swimming during our mid day break while my dh napped with our 22 mo old. Well she fell asleep at about 6pm in her stroller in Epcot right after she ate dinner. After that we all napped, still did when she was 12 and my other 2 were 9 & 7. This way no one was miserable/crying from the heat, crowds or just crabby/tiredness.

I also brought a small cooler with an ice pack and zip lock bags. We don't do the dining plan and we had leftovers often with my oldest. So she would have the leftovers for lunch/dinner again. I also brought the Mac and cheese cups the last time we went and she and my youngest ate them on our pool days for lunch. They were happy as was I since I saved $$$.

When we had all 3 or maybe even just when we had 2 kids, dh and I would keep a kid while the other would ride a ride. We just knew in advance we'd be doing that. One time, pre magic bands, my dh took our older 2 on test track while I got fast passes for it and stayed with our 2 yo. When they came off I went back in with one kid and then he went back on with the other.

We go in the summer so it's hot. I would give my kids ice on the stroller tray table, ok really my son as he loved ice. And he would play with it, eat it and just get soaked.

I can tell you I have some of the best pictures of my 15 month old with the characters. I have a few with multiple characters and the CM wouldn't let us leave the room since she was enjoying her self...we were last in line. Those pictures are priceless.

Just set your pace and go from there. Our kids were fine with being out the door by 7-7:15 and leaving the park at about noon, taking a break/nap and returning at night for illuminations or wishes and sometimes both. And then returning to our room between 10-11. But I have learned to only do 2 park days in a row then we get a full pool day and they can sleep in.

 

[brhodes]

My oldest was 15 mo old and I know she doesn't remember it but I do

I shipped our diapers and wipes (for each of my 3 as they were all in diapers on their first visit). About a month before I kept track of how many diapers I used each day. I did that for about a week or so and then averaged out how many I would need for our trip and shipped them. I brought 2 extra days and one stayed with me opinion my carry on. Of course we went thru a lot less because I have a keen sense of smell and can smell a diaper full of pee easily bit in Disney all I smell is the sweetness in the air.

As far as wipes, I didn't use the hard plastic travel wipe container that holds 10 wipes. That wouldn't go very far as I use them to wipes faces and hands too, I brought a gallon zip lock bag and threw the whole package in there.

I used those disposable table toppers when we ate. And I used the ones for the toilet too for my older kids.

I brought a bunch of toys expecting her to play with some. Well she never did so for the next to kids they got what ever they packed in their back pack, aka books for the plane.

I shipped down breakfast food and snacks. My kids eat while dh and I take turns getting ready. My older 2 used to be super slow eaters so this saved us bunches of time.

I did laundry daily. We end up wearing 2 outfits per day since we go in the summer, return to nap and then go back at night post shower. So 4-5 outfits per person.

we don't do stroller naps, well aside from the time my oldest was 4 and didn't nap anymore so I took her swimming during our mid day break while my dh napped with our 22 mo old. Well she fell asleep at about 6pm in her stroller in Epcot right after she ate dinner. After that we all napped, still did when she was 12 and my other 2 were 9 & 7. This way no one was miserable/crying from the heat, crowds or just crabby/tiredness.

I also brought a small cooler with an ice pack and zip lock bags. We don't do the dining plan and we had leftovers often with my oldest. So she would have the leftovers for lunch/dinner again. I also brought the Mac and cheese cups the last time we went and she and my youngest ate them on our pool days for lunch. They were happy as was I since I saved $$$.

When we had all 3 or maybe even just when we had 2 kids, dh and I would keep a kid while the other would ride a ride. We just knew in advance we'd be doing that. One time, pre magic bands, my dh took our older 2 on test track while I got fast passes for it and stayed with our 2 yo. When they came off I went back in with one kid and then he went back on with the other.

We go in the summer so it's hot. I would give my kids ice on the stroller tray table, ok really my son as he loved ice. And he would play with it, eat it and just get soaked.

I can tell you I have some of the best pictures of my 15 month old with the characters. I have a few with multiple characters and the CM wouldn't let us leave the room since she was enjoying her self...we were last in line. Those pictures are priceless.

Just set your pace and go from there. Our kids were fine with being out the door by 7-7:15 and leaving the park at about noon, taking a break/nap and returning at night for illuminations or wishes and sometimes both. And then returning to our room between 10-11. But I have learned to only do 2 park days in a row then we get a full pool day and they can sleep in.

GREAT information and ideas!!! I really appreciate your help!!! Thank you!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Let me begin by saying we didn't take our kids until the youngest was 5. I was a SAHM for a few years, and we simply couldn't afford it.

So, as always, take my advice for what it's worth, but here it is:

There's so much information out there-- so many choices, so much to do, so many things you can do to add a little "extra" to your WDW vacation.

And the reality is that your kids are going to have a fabulous time without any of those extras. So keep your eye on the big picture-- your 6 year old son and the things you can do to help him really enjoy his trip. You may find that the monorail is his favorite ride--- great, do a loop each day. You may find that Indy Speedway does the trick-- great, change your fastpasses so he gets to do it more than once.

You'll want to sign up for a "fairy godmailer" here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/fairy-godmailer-list-part-ii-aka-fgm.2440121/ Someone going to WDW before you will send a postcard from the characters, anticipating your stay, and you pay it forward by doing the same thing for someone while you're there. Your kids will be charmed.

And you know he'll want some quality time in the resort pool. Even if you have a pool at home.

But you'll find lots of things that will enable you to spend a fortune if you want. And, yes, your kids will enjoy them. But no more than the vacation you would have planned if you and they had never heard of the pirate cruise or the arcade or the fireworks cruise or all those extras.

You may also find that either or both of your kids are fine with the idea of characters, but they're terrified up close and personal. OK, great, adjust your ADRs to avoid the characters.

Too many people get so caught up in seeing it all, doing it all, getting the most bang for their buck that they forget that this is about a family vacation. It's all about spending time together, enjoying WDW and each other.

 

[kayemgi]

We took our 14-month-old in December last year. It was such a great trip!

I know it's hard to wait, but I recommend waiting until like two or three weeks before your trip and then spend a couple of days writing down everything you use for the baby. Everything he eats, how many diapers, toys he's loving, etc. Then multiply times your number of days plus one or two additional for extras and you have a packing list.

We got a battery operated string of Christmas lights and wrapped them around the stroller and turned them on at night. It made the stroller so fun and also easy to find! Make or buy a stroller name tag too. The stroller parking gets insane, you will definitely want to make your stroller as easy to find as possible.

A lightweight blanket clipped onto the front of the stroller to block noise and light can help immensely if you think he might take naps in the stroller.

Portion out your diapers and clothes into ziplock bags for each day. It's so much easier to just grab a new bag in the morning than to try to portion them out each day while you are there. Leftovers get tossed right back into the suitcase to take back home.

Get him accustomed to a straw bottle (like this) before you go and it will make life so much easier!

 

[mcjaco]

When we took our 15 month old twin boys, they had just started walking a month earlier. Strollers were a must, but finding a space for them to "wander" was important too. They wanted to be up and about.

We spend a great deal of time sitting around planters while the walked around, pulling mulch out, picking at the plants, etc. A little too young for a great deal of the rides, but we all had fun, and have some great photos from that trip. Just remember to go at their pace.

 

[Story Girl]

We have been taking may daughter every year for her birthday since she turned one. Every trip has been memorable and just fantastic. She may not remember her first trip, but I will NEVER forget it. I get teary eyed just thinking about the first time...we were on Main Street waiting for the parade on our first day. Her eyes when she saw that parade were priceless...I could have left then and been happy.

And it was pretty easy. We adjusted to her pace and wants and needs....and it all worked out fine. You are going to have a blast!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We have been taking may daughter every year for her birthday since she turned one. Every trip has been memorable and just fantastic. She may not remember her first trip, but I will NEVER forget it. I get teary eyed just thinking about the first time...we were on Main Street waiting for the parade on our first day. Her eyes when she saw that parade were priceless...I could have left then and been happy.

And it was pretty easy. We adjusted to her pace and wants and needs....and it all worked out fine. You are going to have a blast!

that first trip photobook that is hers helps her "remember" as she looks at the pics. our now 11 year old grandson can tell you about his first trip when he was 4 months old. granted his memories are from his photobook but he can tell about that trip

 

[brhodes]

We took our 14-month-old in December last year. It was such a great trip!

I know it's hard to wait, but I recommend waiting until like two or three weeks before your trip and then spend a couple of days writing down everything you use for the baby. Everything he eats, how many diapers, toys he's loving, etc. Then multiply times your number of days plus one or two additional for extras and you have a packing list.

We got a battery operated string of Christmas lights and wrapped them around the stroller and turned them on at night. It made the stroller so fun and also easy to find! Make or buy a stroller name tag too. The stroller parking gets insane, you will definitely want to make your stroller as easy to find as possible.

A lightweight blanket clipped onto the front of the stroller to block noise and light can help immensely if you think he might take naps in the stroller.

Portion out your diapers and clothes into ziplock bags for each day. It's so much easier to just grab a new bag in the morning than to try to portion them out each day while you are there. Leftovers get tossed right back into the suitcase to take back home.

Get him accustomed to a straw bottle (like this) before you go and it will make life so much easier!

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT advice!!! Thank you so much!!!

 

[brhodes]

We have been taking may daughter every year for her birthday since she turned one. Every trip has been memorable and just fantastic. She may not remember her first trip, but I will NEVER forget it. I get teary eyed just thinking about the first time...we were on Main Street waiting for the parade on our first day. Her eyes when she saw that parade were priceless...I could have left then and been happy.

And it was pretty easy. We adjusted to her pace and wants and needs....and it all worked out fine. You are going to have a blast!

So sweet!! Thank you!! I can't wait!

 

[brhodes]

Let me begin by saying we didn't take our kids until the youngest was 5. I was a SAHM for a few years, and we simply couldn't afford it.

So, as always, take my advice for what it's worth, but here it is:

There's so much information out there-- so many choices, so much to do, so many things you can do to add a little "extra" to your WDW vacation.

And the reality is that your kids are going to have a fabulous time without any of those extras. So keep your eye on the big picture-- your 6 year old son and the things you can do to help him really enjoy his trip. You may find that the monorail is his favorite ride--- great, do a loop each day. You may find that Indy Speedway does the trick-- great, change your fastpasses so he gets to do it more than once.

You'll want to sign up for a "fairy godmailer" here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/fairy-godmailer-list-part-ii-aka-fgm.2440121/ Someone going to WDW before you will send a postcard from the characters, anticipating your stay, and you pay it forward by doing the same thing for someone while you're there. Your kids will be charmed.

And you know he'll want some quality time in the resort pool. Even if you have a pool at home.

But you'll find lots of things that will enable you to spend a fortune if you want. And, yes, your kids will enjoy them. But no more than the vacation you would have planned if you and they had never heard of the pirate cruise or the arcade or the fireworks cruise or all those extras.

You may also find that either or both of your kids are fine with the idea of characters, but they're terrified up close and personal. OK, great, adjust your ADRs to avoid the characters.

Too many people get so caught up in seeing it all, doing it all, getting the most bang for their buck that they forget that this is about a family vacation. It's all about spending time together, enjoying WDW and each other.

Great advice! I love the Fairy Godmailer idea! Good perspective too! Thank you!