Are they scared at 11months or 15 months?

[JenniferW]

This is my first baby and thought I would ask you all... we took our daughter to DL when she was only 3 months and she wasn't scared of anything and it was easy to ride, but want to go to WDW and wondering if there is a big difference between 11 months or 15 months? I know that at 11 months she might not be walking, but at 15 she will and I'm not sure how I feel about that one. Also, carrying her in the pack at 11 months sounds better than 15 months, but... what do you think about being scared on the rides? Which age is more flexible?

I know it depends on each child, but there are some things that are developmental and thought you all could share your experience of those ages and let me know what you think is better. Just FYI I am looking at January 10th to 19th or possibly Jan 31st to Feb 8th or April 30th to May 9th.

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[Simba's Girl]

Hi Jenn,

Don't know if this helps or not but when we took my oldest DD to WDW for the 1st time she had just turned 12months but had been walking for 2 months already. She wasn't scared of anything that I remember, we diddn't do the 3D shows with her, but went on things like HM ISAW JC PoTC SSE EEA Malestrom El Rio Del Tiempo...things like that. I would guess that 15months would be worse as far as new fears and such, they are just alot more "with it" the older they get but I really wouldn't worry too much about it because at either of those ages whatever they are frightend of will be short lived and you will be able to deal with it alot easier than when they are say almost 4 and have VIVID imaginations!

FWIW this year our family includes ME (29) DH (33) DD (2 weeks shy of 4) and baby DD (1 week shy of 1) along with DILs who are in thier 60s

I don't think you should worry but you know your baby better than anyone else.

Heather

 

[riggins]

Hi Jenn-
We took our oldest at 9months and 16 months and she wasn't afraid of anything either time. We got "stuck" at Toontown right before FITS during her 16 month trip and I was certain that the fireworks would scare her, but it was just the opposite . . . she loved them.

We didn't use our pack on either trip. It was too inconvenient to put her in and out and she does just fine in her stroller. Meals were much easier at 16 months since she was eating all table food and regular milk. At 9 months, we were totting bottles and baby food. It wasn't a huge deal, but something to think about.

Hope that helps
-Leslie

 

[crazymomof4]

It depends on the baby. My second DS turned 1 yr old on one of our trips to WDW and he was not "afraid" in the same way a 4-5 yo would be but the loud volume on some of the attractions would make him cry. If I could predict it, I would cover his ears with my palms, that helped. I distinctly remember walking out of Cranium Command bc. it was too loud for him. (I hope to see that show for the first time soon. LOL)

Unfortunately, many of the attractions are uneccessarily loud. I think Disney assumes everyone visiting is hearing impaired!

My advice- play it by ear (no pun intended! ) Your baby may be thrilled by the attractions, volume and all. If not, you can make adjustments (like baby swap) to keep her happy.

 

[Selket]

We're just back and my 19 mo old did NOT like any attractions that were dark...which are most of the indoor rides in his opinion...even things like Buzz Lightyear. I think it really depends on the kid!

 

[bubbasmom99]

Jenn,

Howdy neighbor! We took our daughter in May when she was just 2 weeks shy of 1 year old, but not yet walking. It was not the best trip because she kept wanting to "surf" in her stroller. There wasn't many places we felt we could let her out to cruise or crawl. She also likes to be held alot more than our son ever did. We took him at 8 months, 16 months, and more, and he's never been a problem, so I think it depends much on the temperament of the child. My clingy 15 month old is going to be a lot more work at WDW than my easy-going 4 year old was at 15 months!

 

[cinjam]

Our first trip w/DS was when he was 14 months old. He was walking. We didn't use the carrier and depended more on the stroller. As another poster pointed out he was on whole milk and table food by this time. So there was no jar food and breast/bottle feeding to worry about. This made things much easier.

We had an excellent time. DS was not afraid of anything that I can recall. The only thing that stands out is the Alien section of the Great American Movie Ride (that firghtened me TOO!).

We took everything slow, from meeting characters to the evening fireworks. If from a distance he seemed OK, then we moved in for a closer look.

 

[swilphil]

I took my son right a week before he turned 12 months, and he wasn't scared of anything. He went on everything that didn't have a height requirement or wasn't too intense--like HISTA. Did fine with dark rides--Buzz and HM--also liked Muppets 3D, couldn't wear glasses, off course. I did not use a pack or a carrier. He was content in the stroller, even napped occassionally. Definitely bring your own stroller!!

He is almost 15 months, and just beginning to walk. He doesn't appear to becoming frightened of anything and still does fine in the stroller.

 

[JenniferW]

Each child certainly is different. I guess we will be flexible on this one and I think we will go younger since I want to be able to carry her some and will defientely do the stroller also.

Thanks for all the advice!

Jenn

 

[AspiringCindy]

When we went with our 15 month old, we dragged her on everything...and she loved it, but she was terrified of all the characters!