Disney with a one-year-old...bad idea??

[reelmom]

Go as fast as you can. You won't believe how fast they little ones grow up. We took our kids when they were 2 and 3 the first time. They had so much fun and believed in all the Disney Magic. Now at 4 and 5, they are starting to question everything. Enjoy going at a slower pace and take lots of video and pictures.

 

[bzzymom]

I think the first hair cut at WDW would be so cute. Maybe there will be some bangs to trim or something.

Our last trip which was Aug 2006 DD was 2.5 and loved getting a WDW tatoo. We got it for her on her our first day there and she chose one with princesses and had it put on her upper arm. She showed the bus drivers, the ride CM's, restaurant servers, people in line with us. She was so proud of it.

I love WDW so much, but going now as a parent with my kids has made it so much more magical. I take lots and lots of pictures. I have looked back at the pictures my parents took, and they would maybe take one roll of fim. I have taken at least a hundred on each trip with the kids.

 

[wondermomamy]

I took my now thirteen year old for the first time when she was two (twice). She doesn't remember it now, but I do. It was great! And those are her favorite pictures now.

Even if your daughter doesn't remember it, I doubt you will ever forget it! Have fun!

Amy

 

[Doogan]

Hello all,

They say, "She won't remember it." Well duh - she won't remember anything we do for the next few years. Does that mean we should stay home until she's five??? Plus, we'll remember it...

You are exactly right when you say "You'll remember it!" We took each of our three of our kids around the time they turned 1 because it is such a perfect age to take them. They love all the sensory stimulation and, as PP have pointed out, they are not yet old enough to be scared by everything.

We loved the baby changing stations. They are a wonderful break from the noise and general hsstle-and-bustle of the parks. They are a much nicer place to give your baby some down time while you feed her/change her.

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

Heck ya, you should go!! My DW and I are taking my DS age 9 months in just 12 days! We've both been to the parks a few times and just want to get away from work and relaxe a bit. We know it wont be like our trips be for my DS was born but unless your a total fool, EVERYONE can have a good time at Disney!! Time to start packing!!

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

We have great video and pics of DD8 (then 15mo) @ DL. We videoed her watching the parade because she was so excited. She likes to say now that she has been 3 times and her siblings only twice. She likes the pictures. WE have one of her sleeeping and Mickey next to her in the stroller "saying" sshhh!
DS4 still talks in great detail about his trip @ 2.5!
Enjoy!
Denise

 

[Colleen27]

Now - how do I make her hair grow faster???? I want to get her first haircut in the Magic Kingdom, but this trip is only 5 months away and her hair is still so short!! At this rate we won't need to cut it until she's five (hey, at least that way, she'd remember her first haircut! )

Good luck with that!

Signed,
Mom to a DD who had her first haircut at Disney at 4 years old

 

[Colleen27]

I agree with everyone else - Go, have fun! Little ones are so portable, and Disney is one of the best places to take them because everything is so family-friendly. We've travelled with our littles since they were infants, and even if they don't remember, *we* have great memories and great pictures of the things we did when they were small.

I think the negativity usually comes from people who view Disney as a "once in a lifetime" trip. I would want to wait until the kids would remember if we were only going to go once, but after 4 trips in 3 years with another being planned for Christmas, the whole family loves Disney and it is a safe assumption that there will be plenty of future trips for the baby to remember!

And in the long run, this is the kind of decision you worry over with your first child and think less and less about when it comes to baby #2 or #3. We fretted over taking our oldest on his first few trips (not just to Disney, but anywhere) the summer he was 18mo. Would it be too much for him? Would he be cranky all the time? Would traveling with diapers and gear take the fun out of it for us? And we started really slow... A long weekend to Niagara, a week at the cabin up north, etc. But we always had a great time, and by the time the second kiddo came along we weren't so worried about travel with a baby in tow. She was about 9 months old on her first vacation. Now? Baby #3 is due to make her appearance in August and we're planning her first Disney trip for December! LOL

 

[Mme. Leota]

Just another vote for YES!!! We took our son when he was 8 months old and had a fantastic time. Yes, you will have to go slower, but you will have a great time. Arden LOVED It's a Small World and The Living Seas with Nemo--he was also spellbound by the Nemo show at AK. The baby care centers are great--never crowded, and a great place to rock, feed and change babies. We have great photos and video and I know he will love seeing them for years to come. We are going back this September--he'll be 18 months old. I'm not sure if having him walking will be easier or harder, but I can't wait either way! And I do think this time we will be able to get that 1st haircut. His hair is coming in really well in the back, and in a little strip down the middle of his head, not so much on the sides

 

[sbrotherton]

Here's the deal...if a family plans only to do the Disney vacation once or twice in their kids' lives, I get waiting until the child is a bit older to go. However, for those of us who love, love, love Disney, the only reason NOT to go is to avoid listening to those non-DISers who criticize (most often in a shrill, and nasally tone) you for going. Critics be damned, I say. As you so eloquently put it, are you supposed to stay home until the kid is five?

Go and have a blast...you have the right mindset for traveling with a young one. It is a lot more work than traveling without baby, but WOW is it cool! We are going again in September when DD will be just over age 2 and it will be her second trip. I can't wait!!!

 

[everylastbreath]

Ignore EVERYONE who tell's you anything negative!! You are in for the most wonderful experience ever. Last year we took my then 2 year old GS for the first time, and boy did I hear all of it! "He won't remember" "the heat will be too much" "Such expense" etc... It started to get to me too, I started to second guess myself, but all was booked and we were going anyway. Well I'm telling you, it was the most priceless vacation EVER!! If someone offered to pay me 5x's what I paid for my memories, I would tell them no. The expressions on his face will last me a lifetime. I would HIGHLY recommend taking a toddler (any age) I personally now think it is the perfect age. To see everything thru their eyes is totally magical. If you would like to read the post I wrote just after we returned (Entitled- "Please read this if you are planning to take a 2yr old to Disney") It will tell you everything you are questioning! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565254) - Anyone who tell you anything negative has never been there with a toddler- Truly the most magical vacation I ever had, so much so that we are planning to do it again with an "almost" 3year old in August - bringing my 80 year old Mom too to see the magic first hand!!! ENJOY!!

 

[reelmom]

Don't forget that they are free until age 3. That's a reason to take young ones even more.

 

[DVCsince02]

We did it when our DD was 12months old. She had fun and so did we. Stick with your plan of taking it slow and take lots of pictures. She will look back at them and say "remember when".
Have fun!

 

[TanyaS]

My DD had a blast at Disney when she was 15 months old. I carried her in an Ergo carrier much of the time (she even napped in it). She loved watching all the characters and parades.

Have a great trip!