HELP! DH thinks our kids are too young for WDW...

[tessqt]

Your dh is my dh!!! The kids have been too young for him to join us on two Disney vacations with my family. Just the other night I was looking at our picture in front of EPCOT, my SIL is holding my dd (18months) with 6 other adults in the picture! We were planning on two years after that and had reservations but my Mom had a heart attack two days before we were to leave. We cancelled of course, Mom had quad by-pass but the next year we went again (including my Mom). My kids were 5 1/5 and 3 1/2, 8 adults but no dh. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. We stayed off-site too and still had a great time. My dd remembers, my ds a little but I know they will remember this years trip.

He wanted to wait another year and I told him I wanted the kids to "believe", my dd just turned 8 and she's wavering at this point and we are not going until November. He wanted 9 & 7 and I said 8 & 6. We compromised 8 1/2 and 6 1/2!

But if this is a once in a lifetime trip I would wait.

If my dh doesn't want to go I know we are welcome with my family on any trips we would like to join. Like next time my brother's family want to go I know they will probably ask us.

Good luck!

 

[cwnhokie]

We went in May for the first time with our sons 2 and 4. I can honestly say other than sleeping all in one room, we had no problems. I had backpacks full of supplies for the flight and they fell asleep the minute the plane left the ground and slept until we woke them up for landing. We took both carseats so they would have a familiar space to fall asleep in. We were very flexible and went at their pace. We were pretty much at the parks each day for opening, because they get up early anyway. One day we just stayed at the resort and two days we went back for naps. The rest of the time they slept in the strollers or passed out during the fireworks. Don't forget they are free under 3 which is not insignificant with the cost of tickets. They probably mention something about the trip everyday. Everytime we watch a Disney movie now my DS2 says "Cinderells's Castle!" when it starts. If you have any specific questions about how we did things or about the trip feel free to PM me. If you can do it now, go, go, go!

 

[purplepixie]

I would say if this is a once in a lifetime trip you might want to wait until the youngest a little older. If your looking at it as a first trip...GO. We went with friends of ours when we took our girls for the first time. My girls were 1 and 3 (turning 4 on the trip). Their girls were 2,4, and 5. The all had such a good time. Our family took a second trip when the girls were 3 and 5 (almost 6). They both were very active and loved most rides. My youngest still remebers stuff we did. I don't think anyone is ever to young for Disney. As far as traveling there are ways to keep them busy and have fun with them. Good luck.

 

[kahluacream]

Thanks for all of the tips and feedback! The advice about not packing too much into a trip with little ones is really good. I made DH read some of your replies, and he seems to be coming around... He asked me to price out the trip!

DH doesn't doubt that they would love it. His main concern is still the flight. (It's only a two-hour flight for us, but our youngest DS is very active.)

If we go in the near future, I'm sure that we would go again (and again!) when our kids are in elementary school. I'd just like to go at a non-hot, non-crowded time while we're not bound by a school calendar. I also think it would be fun to see their excitement as they experience the "magic" of Disney while they're still so little.

Now I just have to find ways to reassure DH about that plane ride...

 

[buzzmom3]

We went last September with a very active 2.5 year old. I filled his backpack with coloring books, snacks, small toys and a travel size Magnadoodle. He loved the agnadoodle and actually sat for the whole 2 and half hour flight. On the way, the poor child passed out from sheer exhaustion! He still talks about the trip and can't wait to go back in September.

 

[Miller1412]

My DH said the same thing, and now wonders why we didn't take them sooner. We went with our DD 4 and DD 2 in March and it was magical. We can't wait to go back. Definitely do it! It's great!

The kids may forget about it, but I never will!

 

[tink too]

We went with our DD when she was 13 months and although she was a bit intimidated by the characters, she loved the rides, parades and shows - Playhouse Disney Live in MGM is great for pre-schoolers!

We returned when she was just over 3, and she was running to the characters with arms wide open. DH & I were amazed by the transformation!

Remember that the parks have Babycare Centres - we used them a few times and found them to be quiet, relaxing and not crowded at all.

We also took our own umbrella-fold stroller (both times) which meant if our DD was asleep when we left the park, we didn't have to carry her to the bus park (we stayed off-site) or disturb her nap.

About the flight - we live in Scotland and have a 9 hour flight to reach the magic. The flight attendants allowed us to walk up and down the aisles whenever we wished but DD slept most of the way anyway. On our last trip in December (when DD was 3) the seat-back TV's entertained her for a while this time and colouring kept her occupied, too.

As mentioned by others, when they are little, their reactions are priceless!

 

[nono]

Hi --

Just got back from Disneyland. Our daughter is 16 mo. old and is convinced a 5 hour flight is a short flight (well, she's gone non-stop from NJ to Hong Kong).

My advice is to prep the children a couple days before you leave about the flight. (notice how I'm already assuming you will be going!) I tell my daughter there will be times where she needs to simply sit and think to pass the time. I swear, this is the only time she sits still and does seem to be thinking!. I also pack her an entire carry-on of small books and some of her favorite stuffed animals.

One book you may want to get is a board book called simply "Planes" by Byron Barton. It may help you familiarize your children about planes and airports.

Advice for on the plane: If one child falls asleep on you, and you think you need to move him/her because you can't stand the pain anymore...just endure it! Two hours isn't that long and eventually, you will get that feeling back in your arm again, probably! And, that way your husband won't be mad at you for sparking a crying fit on the plane.

Also, make sure your children eat or drink something during take off and landing to ease their ear pressure. For regular fliers, this is an easy one to forget! It seems like that's usually when kids have screaming fits because they are in real pain.

Good luck!

 

[sarahsmom73]

This age is magical! GO! GO! GO! We took DD at 2 1/2 and then she and I did a Mommy Daughter trip by ourselves in this April when she was 3 1/2! We had the best time.. So good in fact we are headed to the world for Thanksgiving!

 

[pooksma]

Our DS then 3 took his first trip last year and we are preparing to go again. Our flight is also 2hrs lng. He was so fascinated to be on the plane that he hardly noticed what was happening. Since we flew with Song, he watched some Disney movies and played with his Leap pad. we gave him a lollipop to help his ears but he didn't seem bothered at all.
I say if you are prepared, things should go well. I must admit he was a bit trying on the return flight since he kept wanting to go back to the bathroom-to check it out. All in all he was great. Hope this trip is as successful.