bringing todllers

[marissac23]

hi i need some help. we are brining our dd who will be one and a hlf. what should we expect and what is she limited to doing in the parks? thanks so much
marissa

 

[momw/4boys]

The first time we went DS was 2. Most rides are fine for this age. Look ahead of time for height restrictions. Most of the Disney sights have these. The other consideration is how easily she is frightened. For all of the 3-D moives we just left the glasses off of him. We avoided Haunted Mansion and Dinasaur rides, but there are so many other wonderful rides for them ie Pooh, Dumbo, Peter Pan and even the Kil Safari.
There is one piece of advice I got from the boards and that was to go back to the room for a nap in the afternoon. This saved all of us! It's something I would highly recommend. Also, keep in mind her age and don't expect her to act any differently here than at home. So don't push her if you know she is tired, if you wouldn't do that at home. It can be very overwhelming for a young child. A lot of people told us we were going to regret spending all of this money when he is so young, but we don't regret any of it!!

 

[kilee]

We took our neice when she was 16 months old. We had gone w/ my sister and we kept our neice 1/2-3/4 of everyday so my sis and BIL could have some alone time. They can do most of the attractions. Of course, things like the roller coasters and such were out. What each child will want to do though is so specific to that baby. My neice didn't mind dark rides. As a matter of fact, she enjoyed most of the rides. What she didn't like was the shows. I think they were just too loud for her. We removed her from Indiana Jones and the Backlot Tour (Pearl Harbor Portion). We didn't attempt anymore after that.

Remember to be flexible w/ your plans. She was real easy going about sleeping in her stroller. Thankfully it seemed to coincide w/ the parades. So, we'd pretty much park ourselves for an hour before the parade and she'd sleep from then right through. It worked well for us. She's real easy going by nature. We were supposed to go back this spring w/ her and my now 16 mo old nephew. My sister ducked out of the trip. My nephew just isn't as easy going and wouldn't be tolerant of sitting in his stroller or on attractions.

 

[gonemousin']

We took our 18 month old DD and she had a blast! I was a little concerned about her feeling confined to the stroller for long periods of time, but it didn't end up that way. She went on every ride she could - Buzz Lightyear and the Haunted Mansion were her absolute favorites, believe it or not...then again my DD5 loves the Haunted Mansion (she thinks it's silly), so I think anything Big Sissy loves, Little Sissy decides to love too. The rides that you decide to go on should depend on how well put your toddler will be. My 18 month old was good about staying seated and buckled (much to our surprise...she never sits still for anything else!), but we still went on all the rides with her (yup...Mom went on Dumbo). Some of the rides, she can sit in your lap, while others really require her to sit next to you. Assuming your daughter enjoys the rides, like both my DD's always have...there isn't much she CAN'T go on, except the big rides, as another poster said.

Oh, and my DD is NOT a good stroller napper, normally, but for some reason, at Disney, she'd conk out cold everyday without fail (three hours, one day) at 1pm. One day we brought her back to the room to nap, and she wouldn't nap - as soon as we gave up and went back to the parks, she fell asleep in her stroller (go figure!)...I guess the stroller was more familiar to her than the resort pack 'n play. Either which way you do it...be sure to let your DD get a good nap! Most important for your vacation enjoyment!

 

[surfer_ed]

We just got back with our 1 year old and we all had a great time. She loved the new Pohh Playful Spot. A few things I would recommend.

1. Make sure you build in time for a nap
2. Don't get too close to the castle for the fireworks
3. Consider ear plugs for the parades and fireworks

Finally, make sure that you set realistic expections. You can't do comando style park hopping.

We had been just last year so we were content to just enjoy the parks with our disney princess.

 

[Got Quattro?]

take lots of pictures and video...my daughter went at 18 months, and even though she has been 5 times since and she is 4 1/2 now.....she still remembers her first time.

She was bale to ride everything without a heght requirement with no problems.

Be prepared to take the child to the hotel on a moments notice when they hit the wall, and need a nap.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

We just got back with our 16 month DD and she loved it!!! I loved seeing her face light up at everything. She loved seeing all the little kids running around and she loved most of the rides. She was a bit cautious of the dark ones, even Peter Pan, but she just hugged me the whole time when she was worried and then we did not go back on those rides.

We had such a great time with her. We did not get up early though and stay all day. We got up and relaxed at the hotel for a bit and then went to the parks in the afternoon and left when we were done. She had no problem sleeping in her stroller and was pretty good the whole trip.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am due in April and wondering how long I will have to wait to return to WDW. Sounds like 1 and half is not a bad age to go. This is my first child, so Im thinking any younger wouldn't be as much fun if she is the only baby on the trip (versus other kids) I doubt i can convince my brother and his wife to bring their baby- they are the type that will wait until their child is 10 yrs old.

Okay, so Ive got 2 years to wait- ugh! Seems like forever! We were averaging once a year for the last 3 years....well, there should be some new stuff to enjoy by the time we get back.

Even though I am pregnant I wish I could go for MVMCP- you, just a 3 day trip? DH says no.