Disney May 2013 with a 15 month old

[Wills Mom]

We've been to WDW 6 times in the past 6 years, last year being the last time for our honeymoon where we conceived our beautiful DS We are now planning on bringing him to experience the magic and we were looking at May 2013 when he will be 15 months old. We'll be travelling from Ireland with my parents, my aunt and uncle (all in their late 50s/early 60s) and my sister and her partner and of course my own DH. We are wondering firstly would May be the best time to go with DS and secondly has anyone experience of bringing a 15 month old child? Would we be better to wait til hes older? We would be looking at either Sept/Oct if we were to wait. We were talking of trying for baby #2 while we're there so if we hit the jackpot DS would be 2 when he/she comes along so if we were to wait any longer to go to WDW we would be delaying TTC #2.
Also, we've never went to Disney with such a mixed bunch of ages - does anyone have any tips? My parents want to keep parks to a minimum and with DS being so small I'm inclined to agree. So what parks are a "must do"? We all love MK but we're not sure where else. Personally I could stroll round EPCOT for hours but my parents reckon we could leave this out!
And one last thing - if you've brought a small child on the 9 hour + flight how did they get on and have you any tips for me?
Thanks for reading!

 

[queendisney]

There was a thread not to long ago about people all going as a family group together and the opinion then was 'good luck with that'! Off course being a group can be great etc but you really do need to be like minded. Already from what you've posted you're not all singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak.
Firstly I wouldn't go in May I would leave it to the October/November time as its perfect weather then, not too hot, no rain, no humidity, not so busy.
Secondly, this is YOUR holiday as well. You need to decide what YOU want to do and then do it or you'll be resentful that you spent all that money and didn't go to Epcot because somebody else thinks you should leave it out...Also is it really worth your parents going if they aren't really going to do the parks? It's a lot of money for passes and if they are pool people (only assuming) maybe this isn't the holiday for them in the first place!!

I can hear alarm bells ringing here unless you all really sit down and plan it.
Personally, I have been with a family group, we sat down and planned, we had get togethers, we had the park maps in front of us, etc etc etc but we would NEVER go with family again.

Well that was a doom and gloom answer but basically all I am saying is for this to work you have to put a lot of effort into before you go and and a lot of effort into it when you are there...

 

[Elise79]

DD was conceived at Disney and then went back at 9 mths (March), 15 mths (September), 22 ths (May) and twice a year since. She just had her 8th trip for her 4th Birthday

We like May & September as a general rule for weather and crowds. I wouldn't hesitate at taking a child at any age. DD has done parks every day on all our trips. When she was small we would go for rope drop (as you will be up early anyway...) and stay till around 11.30 then either have lunch in the park or back at the resort. We would have a swim and then nap. Back out in the evening for dinner and fireworks.

At 15 months she did MNSSHP and was up till midnight - so travelling with small children doesn't mean you are stuck with early bedtimes I should probably caveat this by saying DD is very laid back - I never ever had strict routines and even now (at 4) the only thing that is set at home is bedtime. She is easy to travel with most of the time.

We travelled with Us, DD, DH's Parents & DH's Grandparents when DD was 15 months old. It was nice to do however not something I would repeat in a hurry. There was no failing out and everyone was happy with where we went and what we did. We stuck to the 4 main Disney parks and SeaWorld and that was enough. But I was the one that always had to make the decision of what we were doing and I had to book all our ADRs. I didn't feel like I had had a break.

 

[Wills Mom]

I think you're right queendisney! We are definitely not reading from the same hymn sheet!! My parents wanted so badly to be there for DSs first WDW trip but I'm beginning to think they want that for selfish reasons - I don't see them compromising at all and thats a LOT of money when travelling from UK/Ireland so I think I'll have a chat with my mother tonight and point out a few things! My parents wanted to pay half the price of the trip as they know our money is more tied up in DS at the minute, so I'm going to say thank you for the offer but we'll delay the trip and save the full amount to pay it ourselves so we're not under any one elses rules, so to speak! I love the fact they want to be there but I don't like the thought that they would be dictating where we go! They were talking about travelling down the coast etc and I pointed out that that would be silly with a small child who would be happier in the parks and that he'd fare better with a base as opposed to travelling around. Yup, definitely not on the same.page! I'm glad I posted here now! Thanks a million for the replies