Are we crazy?

[PoohNPiglet]

I LOVE WDW and I want to go there this May. This will be our first trip as parents though! Our DD with be 8 months old... are we crazy to take someone so little? And DRIVE from Ohio? We are also looking into other things in the area to do, since we will be down there 7 nights and can only afford 3 day passes to WDW. I have heard about the Titanic Exhibit and the Kennedy Space Center... will she be too young to make it worth while to go there? What else do you suggest? Help!

 

[Ellester]

I think your 8 month old will have a ball! There is so much for them to see. If she is crawling, you might have some issues as they are harder to keep in the stroller then and there are not a lot of good places to let them out to crawl around in the parks. As far as the drive, that depends on your child. If she is good in the car and naps alot, you should be fine. She will probably like splashing in the pool too (and it's free!)!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Nah...it will be your easiest trip I bet! At that age they are very portable! LOL

 

[HeatherC]

I, too, say go and have a ball!!! We took all of our kids around that age and found it to be pretty easy. Our dd and ds loved Small World and Pooh's ride.

Kids are welcomed in all the restaurants and the staff really treat you wonderful.
Splashing in the pool at the resorts is wonderful.

Another fun thing that really doesn't cost you any money is spending an afternoon shopping at Downtown Disney and maybe strolling the Boardwalk one evening. They are like theme parks in themselves.

Have a wonderful time. Maybe we'll see you there in May!!!
Heather C

 

[disneychrista]

Everytime I hear someone say "they are too young" or "too young to remember" my first thought is does that mean we don't do anything with our young children because they won't remember it? NO!! Go have fun!!

 

[all4fun]

with DisneyChrista. We will also be going in May with our DS who w/b 13mos. We just figure we will do what we can with him. I'm sure we'll have to slow down a bit from previous trips pace, but it will be lots of fun for us to see how he reacts to things. So what if he doesn't remember any of it. If he has fun at the time is all that really matters.

Have fun!

 

[disneymama73]

Your dd will have a blast! We have taken our kids as young as 4 mos., and this October we will have a 3-mos-old as well as a 3-yo and 5-yo.

As everyone else said, they are very portable at that age and actually easier in a lot of ways. Just go with the mindset that you will not see everything. Take advantage of the baby care centers - they are great!

The baby won't remember the trip, but she will enjoy it. Have a great time!

 

[logical]

My family last went to Disney World in Feb of 2001. Then we had a DD aged 4 and another aged 6 months. The 4 yr old rode in the stroller while my baby rode in the papoose carry thing. You know, the one that you wear on your chest. It worked out great. I am a pretty big guy so I didn't even really feel her on me.

Now we have twin boys to add to the mix and we are going again in late April. Two strollers now. One a twin stroller for the babies and a big girl stroller for the 3 year old. No papoose this time unless the wife insists on me carrying her too.

 

[garettdoyle]

In Nov. 2002, we went to WDW with our 2.5 year old and 3 month girls. Taking little, little ones to WDW is certainly not a mistake. It is also quite a bit different. Our infant basically slept, rode in the stroller and generally did whatever we did.

General Tips:

-Just know that you won't be able to cover as much ground.
-Becareful of the firework type shows as some kids are frightened.
-Bring snacks for the kids.
-Don't yell at your kids like everyone else in the park
-Have realistic expectations of everyone.
-Comfortable shoes are a must.

I am sure you will find a list of a million tips if you search the net.

My now 4 year old still talks about her trip to WDW. She loved it. My 18 month old has no idea she went, but we know.

No regrets. We are planning another trip this fall. Our kids will be 2 and 4. Can't wait.

 

[PoohNPiglet]

Thanks everyone! We can't wait to go. Many people tell us "You know, she will not know what is going on or remember any of it." And to them I am honest and say I LOVE DISNEY!

I still wonder about our sanity driving down there. She will be in a rear facing car seat so a DVD player will not help keep her enertained. Also if we were to do that drive right now and let her sleep the whole trip she would be up all night! I am hoping this changes in a few months and she will stay awake a little more during the trip. We thought of driving over night but we don't think that is safe (we'll be sleepy). And I think we have abandoned the idea of driving straight through despite the fact that a hotel down and one back blows out our tight budget.

Do any of you have recommendations for things for us to do on the days we are not at WDW? I think we have abandoned Kenndy Space Center until she is older. So what should we do? We are not much of pool people so we need ideas of where to go. We thought of going to US or IOA for a day but it seems like it might be worth it to pay for another day at WDW instead since WDW seems more oriented to little ones.