First time to disneyworld should I bring my 20 month old?

[jessredrabbit]

Hello All

I need some advice. I’m a Disneyland veteran and California native but I have never been to Disneyworld and it has been on my mom’s and my bucket list for years. Finally we are going in December, my mom, my step dad and myself for 1 week staying at the art of animation suites. The plan was originally to not bring my 20 month old however as we get closer to the trip I’m starting to feel guilty that I would be leaving her behind ( I’ve only been away from her for 1 day) but my parents think I’ll miss out on a lot because of her naps. I know we won’t be back to the World for a while but I’m torn. What do you all think? I’m planning to get season passes to Disneyland after the trip if possible so I know she will get to go there soon.

Any advice and how your 1st disneyworld trip with a toddler went would help!

Thank you

 

[LSUmiss]

I could never leave DS (14 mos), but I know ppl do. But, we brought him at 7 mos & he’ll go back in 2 weeks. It’s definitely more work keeping their schedule but worth every minute to me. If you think you’ll be upset/worried/feel guilty without her then I would take her. I know that if I didn’t bring DS, I’d be sad the whole time seeing things that I know he would enjoy.

 

[robinb]

I never left my DD at home when I went to WDW or any other Disney park when she was younger. It's a family destination and I would have missed her like CRAZY every single time I saw a baby/toddler. Which is ... pretty much all the time. Naps were not a big deal since she napped in her stroller and if you miss something ... oh well.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Really, it's a personal choice. She's young enough (and it sounds like you'll be taking her to Disneyland frequently anyway) that she's not going to understand and feel left out that she didn't come, but I also understand how hard it would be to leave her for that long.

We took my son right before he turned two so it was DH and I, DS, DD7, my mom, and my brother17). I don't think it was that much extra work taking him, but he has always been a fairly easy going kid. Diaper changes and dealing with the stroller (having to empty and fold it on buses, parking and finding it in the parks, etc) did take up a little bit of extra time, but it wasn't a huge deal to us. He didn't regularly take naps at home at the time, but fell asleep in his stroller every afternoon like clock-work for about 2 hours. We used that time to rider swap some of the bigger rides while one adult pushed his stroller around a gift shop to stay cool. I also took advantage of those naps to have a snack all to myself that he wasn't stealing from me (I love my kids, but man is it nice to have a Dole whip all to myself).

Obviously, when taking a little one the trip will be a bit more focused on things the little one can do, but with 3 adults, you can still rotate in and out with 2 adults doing things she can't while the third does stuff with her on occasion. There are still tons of non-height-restricted rides she can go on and shows and parades she will love. Unless you're planning on going back to the resort for her naps (which I would personally advise against since AOA is pretty far from the parks and it would eat up a lot of time), you shouldn't really miss out on a whole lot due to her naps. On many rides, you can only sit two across anyway so one adult would have to sit alone. With the little one and using rider swap, two adults can ride together while one waits with the toddler, then that adult and one of the first two can ride. No one would have to ride alone and one person would actually get an extra ride.

 

[jessredrabbit]

Really, it's a personal choice. She's young enough (and it sounds like you'll be taking her to Disneyland frequently anyway) that she's not going to understand and feel left out that she didn't come, but I also understand how hard it would be to leave her for that long.

We took my son right before he turned two so it was DH and I, DS, DD7, my mom, and my brother17). I don't think it was that much extra work taking him, but he has always been a fairly easy going kid. Diaper changes and dealing with the stroller (having to empty and fold it on buses, parking and finding it in the parks, etc) did take up a little bit of extra time, but it wasn't a huge deal to us. He didn't regularly take naps at home at the time, but fell asleep in his stroller every afternoon like clock-work for about 2 hours. We used that time to rider swap some of the bigger rides while one adult pushed his stroller around a gift shop to stay cool. I also took advantage of those naps to have a snack all to myself that he wasn't stealing from me (I love my kids, but man is it nice to have a Dole whip all to myself).

Obviously, when taking a little one the trip will be a bit more focused on things the little one can do, but with 3 adults, you can still rotate in and out with 2 adults doing things she can't while the third does stuff with her on occasion. There are still tons of non-height-restricted rides she can go on and shows and parades she will love. Unless you're planning on going back to the resort for her naps (which I would personally advise against since AOA is pretty far from the parks and it would eat up a lot of time), you shouldn't really miss out on a whole lot due to her naps. On many rides, you can only sit two across anyway so one adult would have to sit alone. With the little one and using rider swap, two adults can ride together while one waits with the toddler, then that adult and one of the first two can ride. No one would have to ride alone and one person would actually get an extra ride.

Thank you all for the advice she normally won’t nap in the stroller so I was planning to go back to the hotel... hmm maybe if I take her I try a nap in the stroller the first day??

 

[Summer2018]

I would not leave my child behind regardless of what I might miss out on and other inconveniences that I might encounter.

I personally would take the trip when she’s a year or two older, but if it’s set in stone, I think you should bring her with you.

 

[LSUmiss]

Thank you all for the advice she normally won’t nap in the stroller so I was planning to go back to the hotel... hmm maybe if I take her I try a nap in the stroller the first day??

Mine never naps in the stroller either EXCEPT in WDW...oh & at Mardi Gras parades (similar level of stimulation though). Ppl on Dis told me that had been their experience too, but I still thought there is no way & guess what he did/does!

 

[westie55]

I have taken my boys at that age and they did fine. I am also in the camp that I could never, ever go on a trip to Disney without my children because I would miss them like crazy, but everyone is different and there is no shame in wanting some adult time. I have no doubt your daughter will be left in loving hands. Stroller naps worked well for us. Maybe consider taking your daughter and hiring a sitter from kids nite out while the adults attend an after hours event or something of that nature.

 

[jessredrabbit]

Thank you the sitter idea sounds great. She would be in good hands my husband is staying behind so she would be with him in the am and pm and daycare as normal the rest of the time. He is taking a week long fishing trip to Alaska with his brothers in a month and I’ll have her for the week without him so he offered to do the same for my trip. Also he isn’t a Disney fan so this trip wasn’t something he wanted to do.

 

[ramee]

Thank you the sitter idea sounds great. She would be in good hands my husband is staying behind so she would be with him in the am and pm and daycare as normal the rest of the time. He is taking a week long fishing trip to Alaska with his brothers in a month and I’ll have her for the week without him so he offered to do the same for my trip. Also he isn’t a Disney fan so this trip wasn’t something he wanted to do.

I love that. Dad is as capable to care for her as mom is.

Honestly, my first thought was what kind of mother would leave her kid by choice. And that’s influenced by society. No one would question dad going on vacation without the kids. I feel after you become a mother, that is your new identity and it’s easy to be overwhelmed and feel trapped. Dads are more accepted to retain their individuality.

I say enjoy your adult vacation. Guilt-free. You will enjoy Disneyland with her soon.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Thank you all for the advice she normally won’t nap in the stroller so I was planning to go back to the hotel... hmm maybe if I take her I try a nap in the stroller the first day??

Mine never naps in the stroller either EXCEPT in WDW...oh & at Mardi Gras parades (similar level of stimulation though). Ppl on Dis told me that had been their experience too, but I still thought there is no way & guess what he did/does!

Same. As mentioned before, my son wouldn't even take naps before the trip and he HATED his stroller with a passion. Disney really wore him out though and he fell asleep without issue in the stroller and rarely got upset riding around in it since there was so much new and interesting stuff to look it. Granted, every kid is different, but I'd definitely recommend at least trying a stroller nap before going back to the resort. A lot of people on here say that they've tried going back to the hotel for naps and their kids fall asleep on the way there then won't sleep in the hotel.

 

[ramee]

Also, my first trip was with a 14 month old. It was nice for what it was. I’m sure I could have enjoyed more and other experiences had I waited. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer, though.

 

[Bjkandma]

There is no right or wrong answer to this. Let your heart be your guide!! If you decide to leave your toddler, enjoy!! If you decide to take him, enjoy!

 

[MooseBucks]

Mine never naps in the stroller either EXCEPT in WDW...oh & at Mardi Gras parades (similar level of stimulation though). Ppl on Dis told me that had been their experience too, but I still thought there is no way & guess what he did/does!

This!!!!! In fact my kids don’t nap except WDW

 

[MooseBucks]

Honestly I think I would take the trip with no kid in tow. Sounds like a very special time for you and your mom plus if you can do DL regularly a special trip might be a nice break from life. Treat yo self!

That said, taking a 20 mo is fun - I love having my kids at WDW and I don’t find we miss much of anything in fact I think we see more because they slow us down to appreciate things at their speed. Plus as I noted above stroller naps just magically happen at WDW - I know many many people who’s kids don’t nap in strollers but donat WDW. Rent/bring a good stroller like a city mini and its glorious.

Good luck deciding, I don’t think there is a wrong or right answer!

 

[CouponGirl]

If the only reason you’re thinking of taking her is because you’re feeling guilty, I would leave her with dad. She’ll have some special one on one time with her dad and you’ll have some special one on one time with your mom and step dad.

I took two toddlers last November, one younger than your dd and one older. It was wonderful, a lot of work, but wonderful! However, i was going with the intention of just going at their pace and doing things they could do. Since that was my expectation, I had a great time even though we didn’t get to do any evening attractions or roller coasters - and I ended up having to leave most shows because the youngest started getting restless and screamed. But I was excited to do a trip with them and see their expressions. I think you can have that same experience at Disneyland - she won’t know the difference.

All that said, if I had the opportunity to have an adults only trip, I would jump on it!! It would be a completely different trip and you would have so much freedom to do things that you otherwise couldn’t experience. And you’d also be able to get an idea of how to plan for a trip when you take her one day... consider it research

Either way, it can be a great trip! Good luck deciding!

 

[sullyfam]

It would be hard for me to leave my baby for a week. If it were a shorter trip I might consider it. I also might consider pushing the trip back a bit if that is an option so that bringing her might not be quite as challenging. Perhaps waiting until she is between 3 and 4. I find they are much more manageable at that age as compared to the toddler age. There are still challenges of course but the older they get, the easier it becomes.

20 months is an especially challenging age. I call that the "keep them alive" stage as it mostly involves chasing after them to keep them from hurting themselves. They have no sense of danger so it's exhausting. Disney World for as family friendly as it is, is not that toddler friendly. There's tons of concrete, lots of rides they can't go on, crowds that make toddling around impossible and lots of places they have to sit still (which is next to impossible at that age). So I totally get that it's easier to not bring them. But with 3 adults on hand, you can take turns and at MK especially there are lots of rides she can do with you. Rider swap is also great as you get to do the big stuff twice! There are play areas at the Dumbo ride in MK, multiple places in front of Epcot and at the bone yard in AK.

My 3 kids also always napped in strollers very easily at Disney. They get so overstimulated and wiped that they just crash. Once I see them wearing down, I would strap them in with their blanky and stuffy, put the shade down and walk and within 30 minutes or less, they'd be out. I think you'll find she would definitely sleep in a comfortable stroller and that you wouldn't necessarily have to go back to the room. That strategy rarely worked for us because ours would pass out well before we got to the room and then be awake and wild in the room!

At the end of the day it's a very personal choice that only you can make. Whatever you decide, have fun and don't beat yourself up about it!

 

[mco65]

There are a ton of things that a <2 year old can do at Disney.... and sure they wont remember them by the time they are 5 but you will. My memories of the twins at Disney when they were under 2 are simply priceless, can't imagine going without them..

That being said, going back to the room for a nap would be a deal breaker for me. My twins slept in their stroller... and it was a nice break for me assuming i found a nice place in the shade for them and me to relax. Also, the rider swap was a nice perk... Sure they had their meltdown moments but those are not the things i remember, i remember the smiles, the laughs and the pure joy they got from the trip, even if they don't.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’d leave the baby home with dad and enjoy a kid free week. I wouldn’t feel guilty leaving my child home with my husband.

 

[luvmy2babies]

The question you will have to answer is if leaving her will interfere with you enjoying the trip. For me it would; but all I know is Disney with my children. You likely have a Disney history without your baby. I also don't have a spouse so going on a kids free trip for me means packing up my children to stay with someone else.

I think it's great that you can leave her with her father and then she's left with you when he goes on a trip. It's true society looks at those things differently when they are the same. Partially because we (as a whole) don't give fathers enough credit and we (again as a whole) expect the world from moms.

For example, when I was married, we took my daughter on trips but every time we were asked why we didn't leave her with someone and people offered to keep her. Only traveled once a year though so didn't consider it. Since my husband died which was shortly after our 2nd child was born 9 years ago, no one has asked me about a child free trip or offered to keep them so I could take one. I'm pretty sure if I had died and my husband been left behind he'd have help coming from everywhere.