Experienced parents: Disney with 8mo old, 13mo old, or 16mo old?

[jll2800]

I am looking for advice from some experienced Disney parents! I know no one can tell me the "right" choice, but I could use some input.

We're looking to go to WDW in 2015. Our oldest boy turns 5 on new years day. We also have an infant. We are going for oldest and for mom and dad--we fully realize littlest will have fun, but probably no more fun than he'd have at the playground. We want to optimize everyone's experience, though.

I've identified 3 times we could go for a week long visit (because of my own work schedule, these are the only times we can go):

1) First week of January (arrive prob Jan 3 or so)--baby would be 8 months
2) 3rd week of May (we'll be about 6 hours away at a family wedding, so we can rent a car and drive to WDW from there, saving us from buying plane tickets since we're already buying them for the wedding)--baby would be 13 months
3) 3rd week of August, right before oldest would start kindergarten--baby would be 16 months

I don't know that the age difference will matter a ton for oldest (if you disagree, enlighten me!), but for the baby it might. I'd like your thoughts on the ages and/or on those times of year in general.

To be honest, Aug is probably my least favorite choice because of the weather. I'm open to considering it though because it's much cheaper (budget is a factor) and because the baby would be significantly older. Would he enjoy it more, or is he just going to be frustrated that he can't do as much?

I like the idea of January because it should be a lower crowd time, right? Prices are cheaper so we could stay at a nicer resort (I'm thinking WL). I'm wondering if it might actually be easier to take a pre-walker because while he could likely crawl, he'll be easier to corral and more accustomed to sitting in a stroller. Are we crazy to take a chance on cold weather? I don't mind the occasional chill (it will definitely be much warmer than it will be in Chicago at that time, haha), but will we be too cold to enjoy?

And finally, May seems sort of like a compromise between the two extremes. Hot but not extreme heat, medium-level prices and crowds, etc. We will probably need to stay in a moderate resort at this time of year. The baby may or may not be walking, but if not he'll definitely be trying, which can get stressful for mom and dad. Is chasing after him going to be more work than it's worth?

So, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I'd go in May. The weather is usually nice, its a good medium in price and the youngest will be at a cute age and really get to engage in the trip.

 

[Heidi K]

If it were me, I would probably avoid 13 months. At that age, my babies basically all took 2 naps a day but wouldn't take them in the stroller--would have been tough.

8 months could work--I agree, it can be easier if they're not walking! Also, possibly better at stroller naps at that age. However, my sister took my nephew at around that age and he had recently started eating solid food. She had been hoping he'd nap during meals, but instead, he just cried because he wanted all of their food!

16 months would be my top choice--old enough to actually enjoy some of it, eat real food, only take one nap per day. Also, there are many rides/attractions where you have to park the stroller and take the baby with you. It could be easier if he/she could walk for short distances. (If you choose 8 months, might want to take a Snugli type thing for those occasions). However, we are here right now and yes, it is HOT. If you choose August, read some of the tips on here about how to manage the heat.

 

[ajwolfe]

We took our youngest at 18 months and it was a perfect time for him to start engaging with the characters, so I would choose 16 months. Plus by that age my kids were a little more flexible with what they were eating - more table foods and such and not requiring as frequent diaper changes. The little things some times can make a bg difference when you are in a park for 12+ hours!

 

[RookieLady]

I would avoid August because of the heat.

I took a nine month old (we went for the adults on our way to a bowl game). I was shocked, but the nine month old engaged. I took him again at 2 and it was amazing. Don't assume that the nine month old won't react. Mine was mesmerized by the lights and singing. I will never forget how big his eyes got on Its a Small World.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

My vote would be for May- even with the little pre walker- because if you go in January its more likely your five yr old won't get to swim at all and one of the things my kids love best about disney is the pool- even if its a moderate resort!

Also- in May you are not buying plane tickets! thats a big savings for our family and would more than likely still be cheaper than a trip in January staying at a deluxe. You may be able to just use the plane ticket savings and upgrade from a mod to a deluxe.

Personally- I wouldn't consider an August trip. Just hot. And Crowded. And I don't think Id enjoy it

Most important- go when you think you'll be most comfortable. Our first trip we went in may (with 18 mth old and 4 yr old) and it was HOT! I would recommend planning a day to swim and relax at the resort if thats the month you choose.

Good luck planning and have an awesome time!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would look more at the times of the year than the age of the baby. There are pros and cons to every age. I think 8mo would be the easiest but we went the first week of January a few years ago and it was packed!!! Many schools still have that next week off. Our kids do go back the 5th this year, but we have family in Georgia and they are still off that whole next week. We will normally take cold weather to get low/no crowds but that trip we go cold and crowds. August is HOT, very hot. My vote is May. While that might not be the easiest with the possible new walker, the temps are good, the crowds should not be crazy busy and it would just overall be a great time.

 

[AZMermaid]

Purely on baby's age- I would go at 8 months. We went to DL at 8 and 13 months. At 13 months my son wanted no part of being held, or strollered, or Ergoed etc. He wanted to crawl crawl crawl. It was tough. He also was much harder to nap. I don't think this would have been better at 16 months, except he was walking, not crawling.

But, with all your factors, I would still go in May and hope for the best!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

My son is currently 13 months and we are taking him back to WDW when he is 15 months. However, I think it would have been WAY easier when he was 8 months old than it would be now or at 16 months. He is so active now that it is hard to hold him or keep him in the stroller for long without him fighting to get down. Plus the weather in January will be nicest. We have been in May and it was HOT. I'm sure it's worse in August. That being said, I think my son is actually going to get a lot out of our upcoming trip. Just recently he has really starting recognizing characters and dancing along with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He will definitely be more fun at 15 months, but way more work. So I think you need to decide if you want to focus on little one being as easy as possible (8 months) or getting most out of it (prob 16 months, although that is prob different based on your child).

ETA: My son is also a good walker/runner at 13 months. If not walking yet, that may make a difference in willingness to be held/strolled.

 

[Spunky946]

We went when ds was 4 and dd was 8 months. That was by far the easiest trip. She was content to sit in the stroller and nap in the am and we did afternoon naps at the hotel. She was not crawling so it was great. Plus it's nice and cool in January. We have since gone when they were 7 and 3, 8 and 4 and 9 and 5.

 

[Pookasaurus]

8 months! That was how old my youngest was on his first trip and it was awesome. My oldest was 3 at the time (but very tall) so we usually "baby swapped" the height restricted rides when the baby was sleeping. We wore him in the beco most of the time (including on rides) and it was really easy. We went in September so it was really hot which wasn't bad and we'd go back to the hotel mid day with a portable travel crib and go to a quiet pool so he could nap poolside with us while we took big brother swimming. It was a really nice, really easy trip. And we were able to get his first hair cut at the Main Street Barber shop in MK!

 

[lake effect]

I've taken both my kids at 17 months (my older daughter by herself and then my younger son w/ my daughter when she was just 3). We really enjoyed both trips with kids that age - they had fun and enjoyed the characters and rides and we loved watching them! They were both walking and could get down and get some energy out when needed and it was easier to feed them regular food at restaurants (vs bringing full meals for them with us). Both my kids were challenging around a year (we did tough plane trips w/ both around that time) so that would probably be my last choice. But you obviously know your baby the best and what might work. Our trips have all been in late fall/winter months (Nov, Jan, Feb) so we haven't had to deal with really hot weather or huge crowds...I can see where that might be challenging too.

 

[sbeaulieu]

I agree that it doesn't matter for the older child. We went when my youngest was 6 months and when he was 20 months. It was way easier when he was 6 months. He slept in his stroller and he was really easy at meals. They can go on the same rides at both ages, but at 20 months he was afraid of a lot of things, characters, dumbo ride, the carousel. At 6 months he just came along and enjoyed everything. I would vote for 8 months. I would definitely avoid August and the heat. We went in July this year and we much prefer going in March. The crowds seem to be about the same, but the weather is so much more manageable.

 

[disneyworlddreaming]

We have been when my youngest at the time (now my middle child) was 15 months, then last year when my (now) youngest was 14 months. I have no experience other wise, but can say I LOVED going at that time with them. They were young enough to sit in the stroller most of the time, and nap when needed, but big enough to understand the characters they saw and put them together with their favourite shows!

 

[jll2800]

You guys are so awesome! You've given me a lot to think about. Thanks!

 

[HopperFan]

I've been with -
4 mos, 10 mos, 14 mos, 18 mos, 24 mos ........

I would go with the 8 mos or the 13 mos for the following:
- Weather, both are nice times to go with May warming up. January could have cold snaps, more layers, etc. but good chance it's nice, even swim weather. August is brutal. Just went twice this month and never again.
- Not just will you be miserable but it's hard to keep them hydrated in August.
- Mobility, you are in transition mos but by time you hit that 16 mos you are at that struggle to keep them in a stroller.
- January will be decorated still at that point, crowds may still be there at beginning but winding down as kids go back to school.
- May has beginning of southern kids out but most schools are not out yet. Have been 3rd week and it's always been great then fills up more as Memorial Day hits.
- Younger are more agreeable, nap in stroller or wherever, food probably provided by you, just easy all around.
- Next level not bad, they eat off your plate, their snacks, they are more agreeable to ride in the stroller and not approaching that scared of stuff stage.
- Older means you will have someone who might fight you to walk around, will be more on regular food so you might have to think food options through and might start getting scared of stuff.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

I would avoid August for the weather alone, lol.

I've done all those ages, and they all worked out great.
Under 1, we kept them in the carrier for the most part. They napped well, nursed as usually.
13 months was also good. My kids were just starting to walk, but we're in that crazy run every where stage.

I'd pick the trip based in the weather, pricing and whatever works best for the rest of the family.

 

[ateam79828592]

Mom of 4 here, and we've have gone with babies at various ages.

I would pick 13 months. At that age they aren't wanting to walk independently everywhere (if they are walking) but they are old enough to enjoy aspects of the parks.

That age is fun because they have usually figured out how to point at things...and it is always fun to see what they point at and get excited about seeing.

Enjoy your trip whenever you go!

 

[disneypolybride2008]

hi. i would say:
May and Aug-no way, it is lovebug month. google it. it is disgusting, we found out about it when we took a September trip. They are bi-annual and go from late April-May. Then in the fall they go from late August through September. We went late September. It was like a horror film, no joke, no exaggeration. they were swarming everywhere. the magic express bus was caked with them. then once at disney they were everywhere, no it wasn't that the bus guy forgot to clean his bus! i saw some go down low cut shirts without notice, omg right!, and they were smushed on everything, and impossible to swat away them all trying to get into our resort room. we had to eat our QS at DHS and all the choices had outside seating! I could not imagine going there with kids during that experience. Therefore, i pick January. We went the during the first week 3 times. The first week is crowded. However, you get to see all the holiday decor and they run the Christmas parade.. the one that in December is only a part of the MVMCP. It is gorgeous during holiday time. The castle lights are out of this world gorgeous! The Grand Floridian has a giant gingerbread house in the lobby. -so does the American pavilion in Epcot. You can still see Osborne Lights in DHS and those are amazing! Just be sure to book your adrs as soon as you can since it is a popular time. Make sure that everyone gets their flu shots, even the 8 month old. Have a great time!