Can my 15mo old son have fun at Disney?

[Mishetta]

We are planning a trip to Disney this December. We hope we can keep this dream since my mother is ill (cancer) & we don't know where this road will lead us. Anyway, we have a 9 1/2 month old who will be 15 months by then....can he go on any rides? Can he accompany mommie & daddy on anything (nothing like a roller coaster or TOT of course)....or will we be taking turns staying with the little fellow while the other is on the rides with the 7 y/o son?

Do you have any advice you can offer for people vacationing with young children? And, we'll be driving from Michigan.....long ride!

We never traveled with our oldest son until he was about 5 (well, unless you count a 4 hour trip away) & he did great, plus he was able to go on just about all the rides.

So whatever mom to mom or dad to mom advice you can offer will be appreciated!

Mishetta (P.S. Plz pray for my mom to be healed)

 

[Steve H.]

Yep! Your 15-month old will love it! There's lots for him to do, especially at MK. Our son was about 18 months old the last trip we took and he loved just looking at everything. Plus, quite a few of the attractions caters to kids of all ages -- he'll love things like Its a Small World and other rides like that (our DS loved anything involving a boat!)

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

He's going to love things like It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Winnie The Pooh's Grand Adventure, etc. And that's just MK! Food Rocks, the Living Seas, El Rio Del Tiempo in Epcot. How about Playhouse Disney in MGM? Or Conservation Station in AK? There's plenty of the real young!

 

[yepod]

What Steve & A&Hs mom said!

We took our 17mo DD for her first trip in 2000, & she loved it!

The Christmas decorations will be an added treat!

Take plenty of pictures & get at least one autograph book for the kids meeting the characters!

Good luck with the drive, I would suggest getting some sort of video device. We use a 9"tv w/vcr in the van & it works great to occupy our DD! If not games & activities for the kids.

We expect a trip report when you get back!

And for your mom {{{{HUGS}}}} and best wishes on her treatment/recovery.

Have a great trip!

 

[Kallison]

Sure there are lots of rides he can enjoy. Some of the rides are dark and loud, but usually at that age they don't know enough to be scared yet. My tip would be to bring your own stroller, much more comforting and it's a pain to get on the stroller rental line first thing each day. Learn how to use FastPass and the baby swap option and you will have a wonderful trip.

Prayers for your Mom.

 

[mrsv98]

lots of people told us our DD would (then 21 months) would be too young and wouldn't remember WDW. Boy were they wrong! She loved it and remembers a lot. She still talks about the fireworks at Cinderellas castle and the "dancing babies" - aka. Small World. There is a great playground in Mickey's Hometown area just for little ones and we spent at least an hour there. Chip and Dale came and played with the kids and she loved it. We are going for a week in Feb and she is already talking about that. We are driving for the first time and I just bought an AudioVox portable DVD player. The prices have really come down. it was only $399 at Wal-Mart. I will get some new movies and with luck, we should cruise right down - *she says with fingers crossed!*

Have fun!

 

[Carl]

Contrary view. Actually a child that young doesn't get too much out of amusement parks and they get tired much quicker than you will. The long ride will also be wearing on him. He would enjoy it much better if he were a few years old. But, truthfully, the trip is for you - not him. So, I'd just go on and make the trip if you keep in mind that there will be problems with a cross child. In other words, it won't be a perfect trip, but if this is a good time to go (you indicated that the future is uncertain,) then go for it.

 

[MerryPoppins]

My son was around 18 months when we first took him. We took it kind of slow and he had a wonderful time. I have terrific pictures of him kissing his new pal 'ickey Moose on the nose and he loved the rides we took him on. He doesn't remember it now, but he grew very fond of Mickey and Pooh following that trip and we have wonderful memories. I say go for it. Leave time in your schedule for naps and quiet times. Find places he can toddle around instead of riding in a stroller all day.

 

[anniet]

We went in September 2000 with 13 family members and our youngest family member was my cousins' 18 month old daughter and she did very well. She LOVED the Dumbo ride, the merry go round, the Pooh ride....there really IS a lot for real young kids there.We made time in the afternoon for naps and relaxing though, so I am certain that helped. Also, if the weather got hot and we were just standing around trying to decide what to do next, we moved the kids into a gift shop where it was air conditioned. That helped a LOT too!


I guess the only problem they ran into was on the plan ride home, they said she screamed the whole way. Luckily I took a different flight home from them!

By the way, has anybody filled you in on the baby swap, so you and your DH don't have to wait in line twice?

 

[whirlsy]

we took our 20 month old ds with us on our last trip to disney and it was alot of work, we also have a dd that was 6 at the time, he hated waiting in lines, didnt understand why we just couldnt get on, and really all he wanted to do is run around. He was afraid of the characters, so please be hesitant, some people just dont care as long as they get that picture, we still had a good time but it was ALOT of Work and patience ran thin at times, but we knew we wouldnt be back for at least 4 yrs and we want dd to be able to enjoy the magic and she did so that is what matters. I agree with bringing your own stroller it really makes a difference. I hate to sound down when everyone else had such a great experience at this age but you know your child and what he can handle and I wanted you to know that it isnt always as easy as alot of people think. I hope you have a great time, we are thinking on driving down next time, we are from the UP eh so its a really long trip but hopefully fun.

 

[Mishetta]

I must thank you all for your responses. It was so nice to read other peoples views. But I have to ask...what's a baby swap? You take a well behaved baby & give up your screaming beast? Can I sign up for the 7 y/o with ADHD swap then??? (Just kidding!!)

Actually so far our baby is pretty mellow. He's not as intense as our oldest child was. We'll be going in December & I do remember it not being so horribly hot as in other times of the year. (I hate the heat, so the winter is the only time I would consider going to Florida!)

Now I do remember reading that sometimes people's strollers were stolen at the parks. I suppose I can bring one of those little cords to lock it up somewhere, but I don't know.... Naturally, I would prefer my own stroller, as I didn't really think that what the parks offer are very comfy.

Did those of you who travelled with an infant/toddler rent a fridge (for milk)? Ah....so many questions....

 

[MerryPoppins]

The swap is great! You stand in line with your child for something like Space Mountain. When you get to the front of the line, mom rides while dad keeps the baby in a special area. After the ride they swap and dad rides while mom holds the baby. We did this a lot and Disney is really nice about it. Much more fun than standing in line by yourself!

 

[mrsv98]

Baby swap is cool, especially for your older child. You all get in line together, when you get to the front, you tell the CM that you are doing a baby swap. Then, for instance, DH and DS get on the ride while you and baby stay in the loading area. Ride finishes, DH and DS come back, DH gets out, you hand over baby and get in with DS and off you go. DS really benefits because he gets to ride twice!

We brought our stroller from home and the only trouble we had was finding it as the CMs are always tidying up and moving the strollers over. We were very happy to have our own stroller since it has lots of room to put stuff and reclines for naps. Disney strollers do not recline for som ebizzare reason.

Are you staying on property? I am not sure about the value resorts, but I know you can rent a fridge in the moderates and deluxes. You might hop over to the resort board, I am sure they have the info.

We went in early Jan last year and the weather was nice, cool and low humidity, perfect for walking around. I usually bought a change of clothes for our DD so she could go from shorts to leggings and a light jacket when the sun set. The huge benefit are the really short lines. That is really helpful with little ones.

With a little planning and the understanding that you can't go at break neck speed, you can have a wonderful time!

 

[ckr]

Both your mom and your son will need to go at it slow. If you go thinking this is the trip of a lifetime and you just HAVE to see/do this/that -- you'll probably be disappointed. But if you just cruise around and hit things as you get there, and take LOTS of candid pics of the "little things", you'll have a GREAT time!!

Looking back at probably 10-15 trips with the DDs, there are only about 2-3 stories I'd tell you involving rides or shows. But there are dozens I love to share involving the little things -- the short sinks that were "just for me!" (DD age 3), the "magic toilets" that flush by themselves, the jumping water fountains (be sure to pack swimsuit/shoes/beach towel anytime you might even REMOTELY end up at Downtown Disney or Epcot!), dancing by the big water fountain at night in Epcot, chasing the lights in the sidewalk at Epcot, having a Green Army Man fall in love with DD age 4 while we rode in on the parking lot tram in Epcot (he wrote "I love you!" in her autograph book) and having him make everyone on the tram march behind her as he held her hand and she led "the troops" into the ticket area, catching "snow" and making "snow angels" in the streetscene at MGM, or just sitting on a bench holding one of my girls and telling them I love them.

Go with the priorities being letting your mom enjoy her grandson at WDW at their own pace, making memories, and taking lots of pictures so you can always remember, you'll have a great time.

 

[Mishetta]

Gee CKR, you brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for sharing.

I also like the Baby Swap idea. I'll have to mention it to my 7 y/o son, he'd really be all for it!

We do plan on taking it easy. We've been there twice & we did the "up at 6am routine" & ran as fast as we could until about midnight each day. Even my mom was keeping our pace...but this was before the cancer. Now we hope to just revisit the places that have the most meaning for us & to just spend magical time together...providing the Lord lets us enjoy my mom through the trip. As I mentioned before, we don't know if this will be.

Sometimes I think we have planned this trip so that we have something to look forward to & keep our minds occupied for that length of time, instead of constantly thinking of the grim news.

As a fellow Dis'er posted, having mom & her grandsons spend time together. That's what it's all about.

Thanks for the prayers. You are all so wonderful at comforting a broken heart.

 

[yepod]

Now that people have jogged my memory (LOL), take a mid day break & LEAVE the park. Return to your resort/motel for R&R at pool & or nap (getting away from the parks faster pace/excitement). DO NOT consider this a COMMANDO trip LOL

As for the stroller, I read on the boards to tie a bandana or something personal (not expensive) on your stroller. I think this was primarily for rentals but we used it for our own (& yes the fold down & cargo bag options on ours made it worth bringing along)! We also had a very portable/colapsible stroller (not umbrella) so it was easier to carry on the busses.

As for the characters, our DD loved them at a distance but was afraid when they came real close to cuddle. The character CMs were very accomodating & would hang back a little & still give autographs & quietly get behind us for pics! The CMS are all just great.

As Carl said, you are doing this experience with your 20 mo DS for YOU (& Gramma & 7 yo DS) to always remember.

And lastly we always rent a fridge at the resorts ($10ish per day), but I have heard of people buying/bringing a cooler & using the resort ice to keep the milk cold.

I hope ALL your plans work out & you have a magical trip!

 

[Zurg]

We took a 3 month old. We had a good time. She seemed to.

They may not remember details but I think something of a state of joy sinks in.