Babies at disney

[Disneymagicfor4]

We finally did it -- we bought a timeshare, are actually posting a message here and we are going to OKW our new home away from home. The question, one of the very few I have b/c you have all been sooooo helpful is -- what am I going to do with 15 month old twins at OKW in January for 5 days. I figured we would go to Magic Kingdom a few times and maybe seaworld but I think it will be too cold to swim and I can't figure out what else to do with them. Any suggestions?

 

[janette]

Welcome home and to DIS.


Do they recognize any of the characters? You could go to the parks and look for their favorites or do some of the character meals. The character caravan would also be good since they are coming to the resort.

Playhouse Disney at MGM would probably be something they like too. I say the Bear in the Blue House there and the little ones were having a blast. They've changed it to include some of the other characters.

 

[CarolAnnC]

This would best be answered on our Disney for Families Board. I shall direct this over and you may check for further replies.

 

[Lesley]

I think 15 months would be a rough age for kids at Disney! That said, I'm taking my dd in Jan. when she'll be 22mo...and we went when she was 6 months.

I think one thing to remember is that 15mo babies can enjoy things that aren't necessarily entertainment geared towards young kids. Also, at this age they can "tag along" with grownups for a while without too much trouble. Do your thing, but leave room for them to express what they'd like to do (which is sometimes as simple as exploring a railing or a bench or a garden). Oh, here I'm assuming the babies are walking, which may or may not be the case! If they are still crawlers its a bit trickier as they'll want a lot of floor time....but then they may also be content observing the goings on in WDW from backpacks or babyslings (I'm sure you'll want a stroller too...but I think kids get tired of looking at knees and butts! And I'm assuming you'll have some extra grown ups around to pitch in...)

My basic strategy is to make my plans based on what I want to do, then work the needs and whims of the baby around the plan (and vice versa when necessary). All the parks have things little ones can enjoy, so I wouldn't limit your touring to just the MK unless that's what you want to do. There are lots of quiet nooks in Epcot where toddlers can toddle freely, etc...And the resorts all seem to have playgrounds. I think OKW has a sand play area...they'll like that! (They'll eat it....but all little kids do!)

Oh, hey, when in Jan? We'll be at BWV and VWL in Jan. also...from the 20th on.....

Have fun! Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I bet they would enjoy AK a lot too. In January the crowds should be lower ( I hope, we will be there then too), and you can go at a relaxed pace and enjoy the animals from your babies view point. Many people consider the train ride out to the animal hospital a bore but bet it would be just right for those toddlers. I agree with Lesley, they will enjoy the sights so much that you should plan a lot of what you want to see and they will be trilled with everything!

Jordan's mom

 

[ahutton]

My daughter went when she was 16 months, and she really enjoyed the shows at MGM studios (Playhouse Disney, Hunchback of Notre Dame) and the music, animals and shows at Animal Kingdom. She still roars around the house every time she sees a tiger on TV. She also enjoyed playing by the fountains in EPCOT, both the ones by Imagination, between Future World and World showcase (they can actually splash there). She mostly just loved trying to perfect her walking skills and exploring. By the way, she did hit overload a couple times, and we went into the Baby Center at EPCOT. They had lots of age appropriate toys and she was able to just play at her own pace for a while. I know it meant a lot to her.

 

[jfranklyn]

We took our DD for the first time when she was 17 months, and she had a great time. I wouldn't worry too much - you'll know when there is something they don't care for!! For us it was a carefree trip, really, and she went with the flow very nicely. I'll think you'll be fine. We took her on every ride that didn't have a height restriction or a "scary" warning - and it was great.

 

[Alysa]

The nice thing about being a member is you don't have to go everywhere and do everything. You can head over to Epcot and let your kids play with the fountains for a while and maybe meet Peter Pan and Wendy behind the UK pavilion and then you can go home and spend the rest of the day by the pool without feeling guilty about not seeing everything there is to see at Epcot that day because you will know that you will be back next year! I think you can have fun at Disney whether you are 101 days or 101 years old!
Have a great time!

 

[sgtpet]

My DW and I took our DS of 12 1/2 months to WDW this past October. Needless to say he watches Playhouse Disney and is familiar with the characters from some videos we have. He had a blast. He loved all the characters and was thrilled with the parades and many of the rides. I was skeptical of bringing him and I know he won't remember that first trip but he enjoyed himself. He even started walking for real while we were there. 2 of them might be an adventure but the advice we took was to follow the children. If they are fussy, leave go back to OKW. By joining the DVC I am sure you will be back many many times. They will love the boat ride from OKW to DD.

Do it, just pace yourself.

 

[MinnieGi]

She had a BLAST! There is tons of stuff for a 15 month old to do at WDW. The simple pleasures all around them delight them! MY DD woke up every morning and pounded on her stroller b/c she wanted to get out of the room and have a new ADVENTURE! B/4 our trip she only knew Pooh and Bear but she loved all the characters and we met lots of them. They all were very loving and playful with her. She now recognizes and calls Mickey and Minnie "mouz"

Her favs in MK - Small World, Carousel, Railroad, Toontown playground, Toontown houses, Character greetings, Parades

Favs in Epcot - the lights in the ground in future world, Mexico boat ride and band, Living Seas, Character greetings.

Favs in MGM - Playhouse Disney Show, Osborne Family Lights,

Favs in AK - Safari ride and walk

In every park she just loved being there and enjoying the scenery with mom and dad.

We stayed in WL and she LOVED our lobby and also the boat rides to MK!

Have fun!

 

[brittsmum1998]

DD was about that age. We had a wonderful time at FW for the afternoon. We are also DVC members which allows us to "relax" . DD loved the petting zoo, pony rides etc. Definately worth a ride over. They have a playground for the kids (not overwhelming) like the rest of the world. Nice for a quiet afternoon and then early supper at the Buffet which IMHO is perfect for families with young children, then the campfire w/ Chip & Dale. Very laid back but decent food and a good price. Whatever you do, don't rush...One of my daughters fondest memories of her 2nd trip was sitting in her stroller at MGM eating an ice cream listening to the people scream on the "elevator" ride.

 

[caracarn]

We just returned from two great weeks at Disney. Out first daughter was 18 months when we went and whe had a blast. She has talked about the trip a lot since we came back from that and she is now 3 1/2, so peoplw who say that young children get nothing out of it are nuts. She loved the Tiki Birds, Dumbo and several other items and talked about them all the time. Also she did not know any of the characters when we went and she still had a great time.

This trip, our second daugther is 15 months old. She had a blast. In fact, the 3 1/2 year old was more work than her sister, by a long shot! Obvious favorites are anything in Fantasyland. She loved It's a Small World. She loves ducks, and everytime she saw the two setsof ducks (they may be swans), she would do nuts in the boat, yelling "quack, quack and pointing). Another fav was Snow White. I think the scary part is over rated by many and we went on that dozens of times. Of course her new word was "Dumbo", and we rode that a few times, though the other rides around WDW that are similar were a hit too (Aladdin and Ticeratops Spin). She liked Hanuted Mansion a lot. In EPCOT she just enjoyed being there, escpecially during the Christmas season with the lights. She loved Illuminations. She does walk and so that helps. Cast members have always been very friendly, but I think escpecially now with all that has happened they are extremely happy to see families returning. We used to have to ask for stickers many times before, but this trip, there would be a cast member handing them too you before you even spotted them.

All the parades were a huge, huge hit. She'd dance and bop around and have a great time. In MGM, almost any ride she could go on was at least tolerated (Great Movie Ride kept her interested quite well, even though it was long). The only problem we had here was the 30 minutes for a show is just a little too long for their patience. She made it about 20 minutes each time before throwing a fit, so sometimes my wife or I would leave with her while the other sat with the 3 year old. She did love Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid though, without a time problem. She also sat through Fantasmic like a trooper.

In AK, also good stuff. She was OK with the 3-D stuff to Tough to be a Bug was OK, and the safari ride was one of her favorites.

I think overall, go with the flow and remember you can always return in middle of the day for some rest. Given the shorter hours right now, we pushed it a few times, and those were the days we had problems. If we watched her mood, things went well. She can't talk very well yet, but now that we are home we can still see examples fo the fact that she remembers some things. She'll say "boat" and "quack" adn start bouncing, which si what she did on Small World.

The final day we rested at the hotel all day and then took them to MVMCP. They made it until 11:30 without a problem and had the greatest time ever. It was a great way to end the trip.

Your baby will have a great time, and so will you.