DW with a 1 year old girl

[LuvinDisney83]

I'm due to have my first baby, a little girl this November (2014) and my mom and I are planning on taking her for her first Disney trip December 2015 so she'll be just a little over a year old. Anyone have any advice for taking a 1yo? What fun activities/rides to do with her? My husband thinks I'm crazy and I've been to The World several times before and know this trip will be completely different from any other. I just want to see Disney thru my baby's eyes

 

[smadath]

... way back in the day! I couldn't talk yet, but sure could walk! So, she pinned a little note to my hat with my name, age, and Mom's name in case I got lost!

Probably not necessary now with MB's, and such. But, it's still best to watch out for escape artists!

 

[detarica]

I've made two trips with 1 year olds. Prepare to be amazed! Babies love things that we often right walk by. They love music and dancing, so make time for some play time. The "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground is awesome for babies. Tom Sawyers Island is a relaxing break from the chaos in Frontierland. And make sure and use the baby centers. They are a much needed break for mom and baby. I am a little sad that my kids are too old to go in there. I would plan diaper changes around when you can duck into one.

Mine didn't like characters that much at that age, but every kids is different. The biggest thrill for my kids was the electric light parade. They were tripped out by it. Mostly they love all the sites and sounds. Nice places to nap during the hottest time of the day? The Hall of Presidents in MK, the American Adventure show in EPCOT, The Tiki Room, and believe it or not.....the Haunted Mansion. Both my kids fell asleep almost immediately from the darkness and the rocking. They have no concept that it supposed to be scary at that age.

 

[Dave713]

My DW and I have been taking our children for years and they have gone either prior to being 1 or just over, now DS13, DD10 and DS5. It will be a slower pace for obvious reasons. We found that being near the baby care center for parades and fireworks shows are the best. My kids always enjoyed the parades. They enjoyed the stage shows. They even liked the characters. As they got a little older not so much until they were about 5. The best advice I could give is to just enjoy your time and to this day even with my DS 13 I love watching Disney through their eyes. It is funny the things that stick out. When my parents first took us I remember going on the Tomorrow Land Speedway with my Dad. When my oldest first went I had to take him on that. We have gone on the speedway every time we go. It has become a must do ride. We ride it once together and then we ride it separate and pretend to race, I still let him thinks he wins.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Slow down & follow their lead.

If they start dancing in their stroller as you approach performers, sit and watch. If they are traumatized by the size of the characters, don't force the photo ops. If they need to nap in a crib instead of a stroller, head back to the resort & take that nap!

Know where the baby care centers are in each park & use them! They can be a great respite from all the sensory overload.

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

My 3rd DS was 14 months his first visit. It was very relaxing. I brought a front carrier to keep my hands free. We ate TS character meals every day for lunch. Not only do children under 3 eat buffets and family style for free, but the character interaction was better than standing in line. He napped in the stroller or the carrier. We sat and watched a lot of shows. It is some of my best memories at WDW. Now all 3 DS are teens and they still enjoy their character meals. We always do Crystal Palace, Garden Grill and Chef Mickey's. I've heard that Mickey's Barbeque is good for little ones. Have fun seeing WDW through your child's eye's, it's truly magical.

 

[LuvinDisney83]

thanks all. You definitely make me feel less crazy, lol. I really can't wait to experience Disney in a whole new way thru my daughters eyes.

 

[glassslippergirl]

There are baby centers in each park. These are great! They have huge, clean changing tables, high chairs, water, a place to wash bottles, and nursing rooms. They really made trips with our son nicer.

 

[Jenna319]

thanks all. You definitely make me feel less crazy, lol. I really can't wait to experience Disney in a whole new way thru my daughters eyes.

I think we are twins - my 1st baby, a girl, was born at the end of October 2014, and I already was booking her 1-year bday trip for Halloween 2015! My husband thinks I'm crazy also and thinks its going to be super difficult with a baby, but I am so up for the challenge and am going crazy waiting for these months to go by. We typically go to Disney once a year, and we didn't go last year since I was pregnant so I am super excited to get back to my happy place and share in all the magic with my baby girl!

 

[clarkinstlouis]

Sorry, but the best advice is not taking a 1 yr old to Disney.

 

[Aurora0427]

You are not crazy for taking a one year old- however- if you won't be able to go back when she is two or three, then I would wait. We took our daughter at 2, 2.5, and 3.5. All three trips were magical, but this past one at 3.5 was seriously the best trip of my entire life. To the point where I had tears in my eyes. At that age they truly believe they are meeting the real Cinderella, Mickey, etc. the trip would not have been like that when my daughter was one, so I am really glad we didn't go then. She was so into all the characters, the rides, the ambiance, everything. As we pulled away from the dock at MK for the last time, she waved to MK and said "Bye Bye Magic Kingdom, I'll see ya real soon."

I think taking her at age one is great, as long as you will be able to take her at age 2 or even age 3. For me personally I just would not have sacrificed our trips at 2 and 3 for age 1. Does that make sense?

 

[ashnjam]

Sorry, but the best advice is not taking a 1 yr old to Disney.

I noticed that PP’s said to take a 1 year old to Disney then proceeded to list a few reasons why she should. If your advise is not to, would you care to give some advise why she shouldn’t?

 

[larryz]

Sorry, but the best advice is not taking a 1 yr old to Disney.

I think not replying on a zombie thread is somewhat better advice.

 

[ShayBells]

First time my kid went he was about 9 months. It was a great trip! My advice is to know its not going to be like any other trip. Take your time get a stroller fan and one of those formula travel holders that you can pour out three different doses. Know where the baby centers are and take mid day breaks even if your baby sleeps in the stroller (mind did once the whole trip. My kid slept no where except a bed he was a stubborn baby). The mid day break is for all of you. Use sun lotion for babys and keep a hat on her head. The stroller fan is the best thing though.

Take it slow and know you can go on most rides except the roller coasters.

Another piece of advice that I would say is do a lot of characters but show pictures and the planning dvd before hand so it's not a shock. My kid was never afraid of them and I'd like to think this is why and he saw them almost every year since he was 9 months but I have seen kids freak.

Hopefully this little bit of info helps!! You'll have a great time!

 

[jk and ek]

we took our baby to disney for his first birthday last february and had the BEST time. it was such a great experience. he was an early-ish walker by 10 months, so he was able to toddle over to characters and do some exploring. speaking of characters, he LOVED them. favorite rides were small world, winnie the pooh, dumbo and the people mover. just follow your kiddo's lead.

baby carriers are ideal for ride lines and bus trips.

we took the boba air because it is extremely light weight and folds down into itself to the size of a large wallet. here i am wearing our baby in it, it's hard to see because it's white:

here are some more pictures of a 1 year old at disney having a blast for all the baby-haters.

we're taking him in a couple of weeks for his second birthday too....and will still be using the carrier...except now he rides on our back.

 

[Berlioz70]

I am a frequent visitor, and also currently have a 1 year old, but I have the benefit of being local so my tips may not be the same for some visiting a short period of time.

Our DD naps from 1:30-3:30 each day, with lunch at 11:30, so the best park time is park open through lunch. After lunch we'll do just one more activity then head out. She typically falls asleep on the car ride home and then gets a nice long nap.

We bring two sippy cups and a bottle of juice that doesn't need to be refrigerated. One sippy cup we use for water/juice and the other we'll fill with Milk we purchase at the park (they do sell whole milk at some locations, though not all). We also keep some snack foods (pretzels, cherrios, and a banana) to help with fussiness, as needed.

The visits are focused around her, I haven't been on a thrill ride since I was pregnant, but that works for us. Watching the wonder and excitement through her eyes gives our visits a completely different perspective. She discovers something new each time and always keeps us laughing.

The hardest part is the fact that she goes through stroller stages. Sometimes she'll sit and let us push her, but more often she prefers to be out and running around. I've found every quiet nook in each park and just allow her to run around to help get her energy out. I easily spend an hour each day we go just watching her "run."

If you're ever interested in seeing photos of a 1 year old meeting characters, check out the links below in my signature.

The only advice listed above that doesn't work for me is the baby carrier. Granted, my DD is Sasquatch, we found them too cumbersome going in and out and she's was too heavy for me to support by 6 months.

Have a great trip!

 

[Aurora0427]

OP: People told us we were crazy for taking our daughter right when she turned 2. She won't remember it, what's the point, blah blah blah

You know, she doesn't remember that trip. But WE do. So it was totally worth it. We, like you, love Disney. Watching her meet Mickey and Minnie for the first time was really special, and it will be for you with your one year old. So don't listen to people who tell you not to go because your baby won't remember. YOU will remember. All I was saying in my previous post is for us, we would not have been able to go financially at age 1, 2, 2.5, and 3.5- so I am glad we skipped age 1 for the slightly older ages. I do think as a family we got more out of those trips than we would have at age 1. But I still think your trip with your baby will be wonderful, and you will have those memories forever. Plus some really great photos!

 

[clarkinstlouis]

I noticed that PP’s said to take a 1 year old to Disney then proceeded to list a few reasons why she should. If your advise is not to, would you care to give some advise why she shouldn’t?

More than happy to

1. They child will have recollection of the visit, which may be a good thing
2. They will be overwhelmed by the sounds, sights, etc at a very young age
3. They are most susuptable to diseases and infections. Look at the measles outbreak in California at Disneyworld
4. Going to fireworks? I'm sure that won't scare her
5. Giant costumed characters posing close. To a child that can be terrifying
6. I'm sure it will be cute, you might have a few great pictures, and maybe it's the perfect thing for you. I have three princesses, we didn't take any of them until they were 5. They knew what it meant, who the characters were, and was very magical. A trip with a one yr old is all about you, not the child. if it makes you happy to have an infant there, fine, but don't for a minute think its about the child. They can't comprehend it

 

[jk and ek]

More than happy to

1. They child will have recollection of the visit, which may be a good thing
2. They will be overwhelmed by the sounds, sights, etc at a very young age
3. They are most susuptable to diseases and infections. Look at the measles outbreak in California at Disneyworld
4. Going to fireworks? I'm sure that won't scare her
5. Giant costumed characters posing close. To a child that can be terrifying
6. I'm sure it will be cute, you might have a few great pictures, and maybe it's the perfect thing for you. I have three princesses, we didn't take any of them until they were 5. They knew what it meant, who the characters were, and was very magical. A trip with a one yr old is all about you, not the child. if it makes you happy to have an infant there, fine, but don't for a minute think its about the child. They can't comprehend it

this is a lot of assumptions and not much in the way of solid definitive reasons.

1) this one is true (i assume you meant to say the child WONT remember). but...does that mean you didn't celebrate any holidays or birthdays and didn't give your kids toys or read to them or anything else before a certain age because they wouldn't remember? i just don't get this logic.

2) not necessarily true. 100% dependent on the child's temperament. my child was not overwhelmed at all and did not melt down a single time.

3) my child is vaccinated. i wish all parents would vax their kids so things like measles weren't a concern again in this day and age.

4) we went to the wishes dessert party with our 1 year old and had a great time.

5) our 1 year old LOVED the costume characters. we let him down and he ran to them every time and was all smiles. see photos on previous page of this thread.

6) you seem so weirdly hostile in this point. you're right, our trip wasn't just for our kid...and our future trips never will be. it was and always will be about us as a family at that moment in time.....and we will go again when our kid is 5 and will remember everything, too.

 

[Berlioz70]

2. They will be overwhelmed by the sounds, sights, etc at a very young age

I raise my child with a different opinion and believe in high stimulation...

"High 3-yr-old stimulation seekers scored 12 points higher on total IQ at age 11 compared with low stimulation seekers and also had superior scholastic and reading ability."

There are tons of studies that support high stimulation, one is linked below.

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2002-12744-013