How long for 1 year old?

[Marthasor]

Well, I was going to wait until my son turned 2 to take him to WDW, but I can't take it anymore!! I must plan a trip! So I'm thinking we will go in Oct. He will be 1 year old. I have already researched all of the rides and shows we can see at all of the parks and I would like to go to Sea World as well. I'm just wondering how long we should stay? I was thinking of going the whole week of Oct. 20. Do you think that's too long? Do you have any thoughts or advice on taking a one year old? Should we just go to MK and AK? Wondering if there is really anything for him at EPCOT and MGM? I'm planning on getting to the parks early, heading back to the hotel in the afternoon (planning on staying at Poly), then playing it by ear in the evening (maybe hiring babysitter one night so DH and I can go to La Nouba or an F&W event)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

Let me see if I can answer some of your questions:

I think a week wouldn't be too long at all. It'll give you the advantage of spreading out your park time, so you don't feel like you've got to rush-rush-rush every day. When my mother & I take DD in April she'll be 18 months and we'll spend an entire week. We're only planning on doing half-days at the parks (sometimes mornings, sometimes evenings) and spend the rest of each day swimming, napping, etc. We're going over to Fort Wilderness one day to "visit" the horses. We'll spend a morning walking around DTD. Especially if you're thinking about a Sea World visit (which I recommend, DD loved it at 1 year) I think a week would be the minimum time I'd stay.

Certainly MK will have the most rides/attractions for your DS. AK is always great with the animals. But I wouldn't totally discount the other parks. My DD loved Nemo & Spaceship Earth, she made it through Universe of Energy (a 45 minute ride! ) with very minimal fuss, and she really likes walking around the World Showcase. There's a lot of "street" entertainment in the various pavilions. At the Studios she enjoyed Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the Great Movie Ride. There's also the new Playhouse Disney show, and the new Toy Story ride should most definitely be up & running by October. I will say the Studios is our "maybe" park for our upcoming trip. If she seems to be doing well we might go for a couple of hours on the "off" day I have built into our schedule. The other three parks will get two half-days each.

I think your plans so far sound great. Taking a toddler to WDW can seem really over-whelming, but the key is to go slow, take a break each day, and stick to his eating/napping/bedtime schedule as much as possible. We haven't had any major meltdowns with DD yet (knock, knock, knock on wood). I would definitely recommend a parent's night out as well. I'm sure other folks can provide babysitting suggestions...I've been lucky enough to travel with the grandparents, so they've always taken her.

Have fun planning, I know you'll have a great trip!

 

[Disneyolic]

I don't think a whole week is too long at all. It may even give you a chance to rest. Having a 1-year-old, they may fall asleep in the stroller. If you bring your own stroller, hopefully it will a nice reclinable one. If you rent one, rent the double stroller. Gives more room for your son to lay down. Bring some beach towels for comfort and covers. October is an excellent time to go. May I suggest a sit-down lunch instead of dinners? I found this worked better with our young kids as they weren't cranky yet.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I'm planning on going this November about a week before my daughter's first birthday. We were going to stay a week so we can not feel rushed. But I was wondering about the rides, how do you ride things with a 1-year-old? Do they sit in your lap? What happens if they start crying in the middle of an attraction?

 

[Disneyolic]

I'm planning on going this November about a week before my daughter's first birthday. We were going to stay a week so we can not feel rushed. But I was wondering about the rides, how do you ride things with a 1-year-old? Do they sit in your lap? What happens if they start crying in the middle of an attraction?

Most of the attractions my daughter (who was then 4 months) sat in our laps. I wouldn't do any long attractions (like Hall of Presidents) but most of them are fairly short. If they cry, then you just have to deal with it I guess. It can happen anywhere. Keep it simple and you should be fine.