Disney with a baby, feeling defeated

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I remember I took a trip with a DGD when she was about 1 1/2 ish. Parents went on tower of terror, she was screaming in stroller....screaming screaming screaming . I'm walking (to share the joy) suddenly we came upon a meet and greet of Jo Jo , all screaming stopped in one nanosecond.


I feel if the grandparents are willing and able to take the baby for an hour or two each day, I'd go. If baby was sleeping in stroller and grandparents just sat in one spot while you went on rides with DH and other child, that would be ideal.

On one of our trip with young grandchild, it was warmish/hot. I put water on the tray of his stroller. He had great fun splashing. Yes, he got a little wet, but he was in one spot. I wasn't chasing him, while others went on splash mountain.

Make sure Grandparents are well stocked with any types of snacks, toddler really loves. I would dole out snacks one piece at a time. Again keep him in one spot for a longer time.

Or if the grandparents are up to it. You, DH and older child head out for rope drop. Grandparents come along an hour or two later with baby.

Instead of going back to room, how about just boarding a bus or boat and make a round trip. Some kids love the transportation more than the rides in the parks.

Great tip about the water in the stroller. my in-laws aren’t incredibly hands on grandparents, they mainly just sit and watch. That makes it tricky since they aren’t great with entertaining or coming up with distractions.

I like the ideas though! Thanks for the input.

I'd cancel and try again when baby is 2 or 3. We took my son at 14 months and it was not a good trip, we were also there with grandparents and they were not helpful. We've taken him since at ages 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 and every other trip was really good (they keep getting better every year). He is super go go and sitting in a stroller, or being held, was not going to happen when he was 1 and it made lines basically impossible. He also wouldn't nap in the stroller because of all the outside stimulation.

On Tuesday my husband said he didn’t think he was going to be able to get the week off work and needed to push it out another week. Luckily no more rooms available so I thought this was the perfect thing to force our hand at cancelling. By the end of the day he was able to get his vacation time so he’s back in it but I was a little relieved there.
I think you might be right about 14 months. Such a gamble, if he’s walking in doubting the stroller will be any better.

 

[KayKayJS]

We're local and we've been taking our daughter to Disney regularly since 18 months (she's 2 1/2 now). I would say every trip/visit has gotten easier but it's still difficult. Crowds, not wanting to sit in the stroller, naps, etc.

If we weren't local I would not spend the money to take her at this age.

 

[DisneyAuntie12]

I think you have to go with mommy instinct on this one. You know your child and this situation better than anyone. I feel like as a mom, there's a lot of temptation to base decisions on how you think your baby or toddler "should" be at a given age, but really, all you can do is base decisions on how they actually are. Some kids apparently do great at Disney from less than a year old. Others won't be ready until much later. All kids are different, and that's completely fine.

 

[nancipants]

We're local and we've been taking our daughter to Disney regularly since 18 months (she's 2 1/2 now). I would say every trip/visit has gotten easier but it's still difficult. Crowds, not wanting to sit in the stroller, naps, etc.

If we weren't local I would not spend the money to take her at this age.

I agree with this. We have done four staycations with our two year old. The trips when he was younger (pre-walking) were the best.
- Dolphin when he was 10 months old. We went to Epcot and Studios, he was happy in the stroller. We went to the pool, it was too crowded and they didn't have a splash pad, but he had fun crawling in the sand.
- Fort Wilderness cabins when he was 8 months old. My in-laws were in the next cabin over and helped a lot. We mostly stayed at the resort and did MK one day. He LOVED the splash pad. It was an enjoyable trip.
- Dolphin when he was 13 months old, to celebrate my birthday. That was NOT a great trip as he was getting over being sick and kept us up all night coughing in the rollaway crib. He also decided he didn't want to be in the stroller, but while he could walk, he did not want to walk where WE wanted/needed to walk. We spent the majority of the time at Epcot and Studios and napped at the resort.
- Fort Wilderness cabins when he was 18 months old. This was over July 4th weekend so we had a lot of fun, BUT it was exhausting. We went to MK twice and Studios once (took our car). Again he loved the pool and splash pad. If we weren't local, I would not spend money to stay at Disney unless we had help, AND that help was actually helping. Our in-laws don't live in the area so when they're in town they watch him a lot.

 

[DisSurfer878]

The baby only did short stroller rides at home when we went on a walk or to the zoo etc. He was half and half on liking it or not and when he cried we held him. Our 6 year old never cried in the stroller when he was younger. We actually did Zoo etc in anticipation for Disney to see how he handled the stroller and it wasn't great but we knew Disney has lots of things to see so we thought the distraction would be nice. Both trips had agrivating factors though (July heat and December teething) so when he just wasn't feeling great he definitely wasn't putting up with a stroller. I don't mind a little fussing but screaming until someone picked him up (meaning long periods) isn't good for him, us or anyone around us.

I am with you on the break locations. For the most part we had trouble with this since there just weren't spots in the shade anywhere. Typically our sit down reservations or shopping are great times to take these sorts of breaks but he just wasn't lasting long enough to even get to those points.

In December my mom was the one who went, in May it will be my husbands parents. They have been to Disney with us twice (once was when we had our older child). They are fine to travel with and can certainly stay in the room with the kids but they aren't really helpful otherwise (like they can't hold him in a ride que or sit on the hub grass with him etc. they won't even hold him at a restaurant) They won't add any stress but not overly helpful with aleviating it either.

Since baby likes being held, is a baby carrier (the kind strapped to you) an option? Or does baby not tolerate those either?

 

[MamaMermaid]

Hubby needs to be a dad and pull his weight. Have a convo now about what you need and expect. If he's unwilling to help, don't go.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Since baby likes being held, is a baby carrier (the kind strapped to you) an option? Or does baby not tolerate those either?

I didn’t take it in July due to heat but I did take one in December and he wasn’t feeling it. He will probably be too big for it by 14 months.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I didn’t take it in July due to heat but I did take one in December and he wasn’t feeling it. He will probably be too big for it by 14 months.

I wouldn't say that! I have plenty of friends whose kiddos fit in those things until they were 3 or more!!!! You'd be surprised haha

 

[sheilafri]

Every child is different. If you are the primary caretaker you know them best so don’t feel badly about doing what you feel is best for you and the child. Our first two children were great travelers and we often took them to Disney for day trips. Our third child was easily overstimulated and we didn’t take him anywhere we didn’t have to until he was about four years old and not to Disney until he was nine.

 

[LSUmiss]

We visit often and my now 2 year old is a good traveler but 14-18 months were ROUGH for us at Disney. Why? He was a new walker and wanted to GO. Refused to stay in the stroller. Refused to be held. Refused to go in a baby carrier. Too young to hold hands, too young to understand "stay with us," too young to play games in the line, and ride lines were awful. For those months, we literally only did walk-ons after learning our lesson and leaving countless lines.

His favorite attraction at MK was the hub grass because he could run free!

He was a piece of cake as a baby, and easy peasy once he neared 2, but that young new walker stage was hard.

All that to say, I'd encourage you to take lines into consideration and your child's temperament when it comes to being held/constrained. It was a magical age for us, still, but we had extremely low expectations after awhile and had to be content with riding 1-2 walk-ons and spending time running around the hotel grounds/pool the rest of the time. If your DH isn't willing to tag-team the toddler (ie - you may have to take turns riding things so the other can find a spot for toddler to run), I'd reconsider.

That’s us. Ds has been frequently since he was 6 mos old. The hardest trip we had was when he was 14 mos b/c of the exact reasons you said. Every trip since then has gotten easier.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I would refuse to go unless he agrees to step up as a dad and take equal responsibility for his child. I'm not saying your hubby is doing it on purpose even, but he needs to get his head out of his butt.

 

[Disturbia]

We have a Colugo carrier which is really good and our toddler loves it (all carriers should have magnetic buckles). It’s very easy to get on and off. When our now 2 year old was younger we had the baby bjorn. Our toddler loves the Joovy Caboose stroller (excellent shade). Make sure your toddler has time to runaround and play. Make time to relax. We took turns in past trips so one parent went with the teen while the other parent stayed back with the younger kids. I would have fast passes (now genie+ reservations stacked) for the evening.

The crowds at Disney are intense right now. We had long waits to get back to the resort on the boat/monorail.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

We have a Colugo carrier which is really good and our toddler loves it (all carriers should have magnetic buckles). It’s very easy to get on and off. When our now 2 year old was younger we had the baby bjorn. Our toddler loves the Joovy Caboose stroller (excellent shade). Make sure your toddler has time to runaround and play. Make time to relax. We took turns in past trips so one parent went with the teen while the other parent stayed back with the younger kids. I would have fast passes (now genie+ reservations stacked) for the evening.

The crowds at Disney are intense right now. We had long waits to get back to the resort on the boat/monorail.

Thanks. I had our baby carrier in December but it just wasn't happening.

The waits for transportation have me worried. We priced a rental car since we usually get one every trip and it's over $900! (we have 6 people so that changes what we can rent) We are leaning towards town car and using Disney transportation but the waiting is why we switched to renting cars. Oh and to complicate matters I tried to convince my in-laws to rent an ECV to at least share and they both were furious I even proposed the idea. "We are perfectly capable of walking" was their response. Says the woman with a handicap sticker for her car and the man who can't bend over to set down or pickup the baby

 

[hhisc16]

We have traveled to Disney twice now with our baby, first time was July when he was 4 months and second time was December at 9 months. Both times were a a total flop and I spent more time in the room with the baby than enjoying our vacation. In July it was too hot and he hated the stroller. In December we knew he was older, enjoyed the stroller and weather would be better. We also brought grandma to help so felt better prepared. He ended up getting his top 4 front teeth, wouldn't sleep or eat and was just miserable (as were we).

So now our next trip is planned for May, he will be 14 months and I want to cancel. DH does not (he never volunteers to stay back with the baby). We invited my in-laws to come along and have a 1 bedroom at VGF booked. Husband doesn't want to cancel on his parents and is excited that we were able to book VGF (a somewhat difficult to snag reservation) but my DSIL has since gotten engaged and is planning a very fast wedding for March. I think cancelling when my in-laws had less than 90 days to plan and pay for a wedding might be a welcome thing for them. (They would be paying their own airfare and park tickets and usually offer to pay for food since we cover the room).

Any advice? Am I crazy for considering cancelling?

We went to WDW in December with a 13 month old.
She napped in the stroller and we stayed on property to go back to the rooms in the afternoon.
We enjoyed our visit with the 13 month old and we have some awesome pictures to prove it.
But with just us 2, it was not easy all the time.
Only y'all can decide for yourselves, but we enjoyed our vacation.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

We went to WDW in December with a 13 month old.
She napped in the stroller and we stayed on property to go back to the rooms in the afternoon.
We enjoyed our visit with the 13 month old and we have some awesome pictures to prove it.
But with just us 2, it was not easy all the time.
Only y'all can decide for yourselves, but we enjoyed our vacation.

We are moving forward with the trip. I talked to my in-laws and they still want to go since they haven't been to Flower and Garden and did not want to postpone another year. Hubby and I just snuck in a quick adults only trip for Festival of the Arts so I feel a little more rejuvenated. So far the baby hasn't been a stroller sleeper (our older one was) so I am hoping by 14 months he will be or at least more tolerable of the stroller.

 

[hhisc16]

We are moving forward with the trip. I talked to my in-laws and they still want to go since they haven't been to Flower and Garden and did not want to postpone another year. Hubby and I just snuck in a quick adults only trip for Festival of the Arts so I feel a little more rejuvenated. So far the baby hasn't been a stroller sleeper (our older one was) so I am hoping by 14 months he will be or at least more tolerable of the stroller.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Disturbia]

We are moving forward with the trip. I talked to my in-laws and they still want to go since they haven't been to Flower and Garden and did not want to postpone another year. Hubby and I just snuck in a quick adults only trip for Festival of the Arts so I feel a little more rejuvenated. So far the baby hasn't been a stroller sleeper (our older one was) so I am hoping by 14 months he will be or at least more tolerable of the stroller.

Sounds great! Just remember to relax and take it easy; you will be back anyway. We love the Epcot festivals. My parents are like your in laws - push through pain, pop some Advil (my dad has Severe SI joint issues and advanced stage disc degeneration since his early 40s). ECVs are frustrating with the current crowd levels and wheelchairs often have to wait longer for transportation. It’s important to enjoy every minute the kids have with Grandparents (in-laws passed in their early 50s). They can sometimes be tough (and have tantrums as well) but our kids still remember and cherish the trips with my parents.

 

[Kerr84]

We took our daughter at 6 months, 15 months, and 23 months. 15 and 23 were both a lot more fun than the 6 month trip. It is harder and slower with baby/toddler than adults only, but she loved it! I would go again soon, but she won’t wear a mask.

 

[sweetmama17]

Babies at Disney is definitely a different vacation. We took our oldest starting at 2 and my youngest first overnight was at 6 months (we did a daytrip at 6 weeks....different times for sure). We have found midday breaks to be essential with small kids. Rope drop do whatever rides with no wait lunch and back to the hotel. I highly recommend bringing a soft structure baby carrier (and the stroller). It makes holding the baby in lines so much easier. Also get a stroller fan. Utilize rider swap for any rides the baby can't go on. Utilize the baby centers as well. The expressions my babies had for rides, characters and even fireworks made Disney the best vacations we did at that age (including lots of beach and even NYC). Also have to say that a VGF would be a vacation in itself even without the parks for me.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Babies at Disney is definitely a different vacation. We took our oldest starting at 2 and my youngest first overnight was at 6 months (we did a daytrip at 6 weeks....different times for sure). We have found midday breaks to be essential with small kids. Rope drop do whatever rides with no wait lunch and back to the hotel. I highly recommend bringing a soft structure baby carrier (and the stroller). It makes holding the baby in lines so much easier. Also get a stroller fan. Utilize rider swap for any rides the baby can't go on. Utilize the baby centers as well. The expressions my babies had for rides, characters and even fireworks made Disney the best vacations we did at that age (including lots of beach and even NYC). Also have to say that a VGF would be a vacation in itself even without the parks for me.

Love doing rope drop, rest then back around dinner time. I had a baby carrier last time but he wasn't a fan. Worried May might be super sweaty with one but we can always try it out. We have done the rider swap before, stroller fans (I have two and one is for me definitely a win. Sort of enjoy the baby care centers when they aren't slammed. Hoping this trip will be better luck than we have had but like you said, VGF is pretty awesome even if I spend lots of time in the room.