Going to WDW with our 18 month old DD

[Disney Forever]

I have a Problem for all you guys/gals that I hope you can help me with.

I have a 9 year old DS, a 7 year old DS and a 13 month old DD. Every January we go to WDW for a few days and then drive to Miami to visit my Parents and my DW Parents.

This year I was talking about it while my MIL was by our house and she tells me that I can’t take our DD to WDW she is too young. We have already done this with our DD last year and she slept a lot of the time, and we were only there for less than 12 hours (big mistake I made, making that trip, se I can admit when I make a mistake). I figure this is why my MIL is telling us that. I told her that when our 9 year old DS was 6 months, 12 months and 18 months we took him to WDW with no problems, why would our DD be any different? Her answer is, that DD will want to roam around everywhere, that she can’t sit still like our 9 year old DS did, and now we have 3 kids instead of just 1 or 2.

Anyway after she left I spoke with my DW and explaining that her mom is crazy (ok not really in those words of course ) and that we have done this many of times. She of course is now torn between her mom and me.

I was hoping if I could get some back up from my friends here, then maybe she will crossover to my side instead of MIL.

Thanks a ton.

Nathan

 

[Nanu57v]

My DD is also all over the place, but we'll be bringing her at 18 months next month. Of course she's our only one.

Here's a reason why:

It won't be the same without her. We want to see her face light up seeing the characters or the fireworks (last year she just slept). She loves rides and we love to see her throw a fit when the rides end.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I have taken two 18 month olds to WDW. I wouldn't have had it any other way. It is priceless to see the look on their faces when they see things.

Both of my kids slept in the stroller when they were tired, while we walked around and enjoyed the parks.

And when people tell me that they won't remember it, I tell them that I will - and they will have pictures to see when they're older.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Maybe she's trying to talk you into dropping dd off for her to babysit?

We spent a day at a local amusement park and dropped our ds (17 months) off at our cousins on the way. But that was a bit different, this park didn't have much that our ds could ride. Besides my dh and I were needing a day by ourselves. We are however taking him with us for a week at WDW next month.

I say stick together, take your time, and enjoy your kids! Have fun!

 

[Destination Disney]

I took my DS and he was 14 month! He had a blast. We even went with a couple that had a 13yr old DD and a 7 year old DD and we all had fun.
With my son it was great becasue he was on sensory overload! He was looking around at everything and loved the character. He was very curious about them. I figure start them early so they will not be freaked out by the characters when they are a bit older!
He rode all the rides he could and we had the best bonding moments with them.

As far as your MIL...family will always have thier opinions on how YOU should parent because they seem to know EVERYTHING! Smile, nod, then go to WDW!!!!

We are going in Dec. and doing Epcot and MK with my son 4yrs. now, but my DD will be 9 months! I know she will have no idea as to what is going on but as a previous poster stated it would not be the same without her. You should definatly take your little one. It's not like you are paying for a ticket and not getting your dollars worth!

 

[GoinToDisney]

Hmmm... good points to argue...I think you pretty much can't leave her out. She is going to see pictures when she is older and wonder why she wasn't there. Personally, we went with my dd when she was 17 months old, and we all loved it. It's not like one of you can't handle the older 2 alone.They are old enough to not need one-on-one. What is a family vacation without the whole family? I think Grandma just wants her all to herself for a while. Tell your DW to think of your daughter and focus on her. She is a member of the family who deserves to come along, even if it means the other family members might have to make some minor sacrifices (like older kids can't split up with different parents to do different rides). That's what families do for one another. Your dw is probably just nervous... I was, but it will be great. Plus there are plenty of places for her to roam. One of you can take dd to pooh's playful spot to roam while the other takes the older kids on a ride if the little one gets antsy.

 

[fofinia]

I think with two brothers 9 and 7 your DD will have more people to distract her than your oldest did when you went with him as a baby. And as far as wanting to roam... I found that when the carriage was moving the baby was content at 18 months. The only real problem was waiting in lines. But you are going in January and that 's the best time for lines. We are going then too!

I don't know how you and your wife are. But for me personally I don't know how I could truly relax without one of my kids there for an extended amount of time (if MIL is wanting you to leave her.) Although if you are going to your parents after then you probably aren't even considering leaving the baby behind. But the question seems to be skipping Disney all together? I wouldn't. You've done it with your son. And you may need to make some concessions for your DD depending on her personality. My DD at 18 months on our last trip loved everything.

Have fun.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We took DS when he was 15 months and big sister was 5. There will never be a more active child than DS was/is, and he did great. We did everything big sister wanted to do...lots of sitting for shows...without any issues. He loved every minute of it.

When DD was our only child, we took her for the first time at 19 months. Great trip memories there...no issues to speak of.

The bottom line is that you know your family best. If you and your wife feel confident in taking care of your 3 kiddos and experiencing the world at the pace of your youngest at times, then go for it. Don't let the words of someone who isn't along for the ride influence your decision.

 

[sunny_]

I find one of the easiest ages is 18 months. We had always waited until that magical number to take our children to disney.

Ds1 was 18 months in 2000 when we went. He stayed in the stroller as we walked. He napped in the stroller. He got out to ride then would get back in.

Dd1 was 18 months in 2002 when we went. Same as above. We got a double stroller though and it was a breeze.

We went in 2003 (no 18 month olds)

Then in 2005, Dd2 was around 18 months. She was pretty easy but did want to jump out of the stroller more than the older ones because her brother and sister were up and about walking.

We are taking Ds2 at 7 months this trip (because of that darn free dining plan we had to book), and I just get a sour stomach thinking about it. A 7 yo, 5 yo, 2 yo and a baby.... dh thinks I'm just being overly worried, but I have a feeling that this is going to be a BAD trip.

I think you will be fine though!!! Have a blast!!!!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

There are good reasons for bringing and for not bringing her. To me, the bigger issue is your MIL telling you want you can't do with your kids. Hopefully it was just a suggestion but the way you wrote it makes it sound like a command. If so, that's out of line.

 

[emma'smom]

We took dd17 months and dd4. We had a great time! Dd17 months was just the right age to still be able to easily hold up to see parades, etc. She is a wiggler, so we spent time in Pooh's Thoughtful Spot and the Laughing Place. I can still picture her peeking out of Pooh's house. She also loved the interactive fountains where she could jump from spot to spot. She was also able to sit next to a parent on rides with an arm around her...but stable enought that I didn't worry about her falling out...and not yet old enough to fear the "dark rides".