How young is too young ?

[WIDisneyFan]

After two consecutive years of wonderful vacations at the Polynesian in late summer my wife and I will be taking this summer off from travel as we are expecting our first child in just a few short weeks! We had originally planned to join another couple we are close with this summer for yet another return but for a wonderful reason are pushing those plans back a year..... so that being said, any words of wisdom from the experienced parents here on the thought of taking an 16-18 month old to Disney next year? Would love to hear all your thoughts as I have been accused of maybe being a bit optimistic when it comes to my Disney plans

 

[lclark0621]

We took our DS for the first time when he was 9 months old. And it was WONDERFUL. I dont think I would take one younger then that though.

We are taking our DS in April & he will be 21 months old at the time. I am so excited about this trip.

I think 16-18 months old is a wonderful time to take a child to Disney World.

Congrats on your soon becoming a parent!

 

[*Fantasia*]

We took our daughter when she was 18 mo. She was fine. She doesn't remember Disney, but we share the Disney photos with her. She enjoyed some rides. Pooh rides, Cindy's merry-go-round, Peter Pan's Flight, IASW, The Legend of the Lion King, The Little Mermaid, BB show,... My kids enjoyed the SpectroMagic and the fireworks.

She might not remember, but we do... and making Disney memories are just precious.

 

[Steffi]

Congratulations on your soon-to-be-parent status!

I say go for the trip! You'll have a wonderful time with your little one. Sixteen months old is a such cute age for WDW, as long as you allow for periods of down time.

My DD's first trip was right before her first birthday. She's ten now and of course she doesn't remember that trip, or the trips we took when she was 2 & 3. DH & I remember it, though, and it was magical. Seeing WDW through our daughter's eyes as she changed from a baby to a toddler to a preschooler and so on was priceless and we wouldn't trade those memories for anything. And DD loves through all of our trip photos and seeing herself "grow up" at WDW!

Good luck to you & your expanding family!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

my kids collectively have been at 5 months, 14 months, 17 months and 3 years -

at 5 months - she enjoyed the stimulation and really just slept wherever - it was an easy stage to take her and we just enjoyed the trip for us!!!

at 14 months - he was just enthralled by it all and was very concerned we might miss stuff and was constantly tugging at my hand and pointing

at 18 months - she really had a blast - she was timid with the characters but just loved EVERYTHING!!!

at 3 - the best age so far - she still talks about our trip everyday

I don't get the argument she won't remember - then why play with your kids? They will remember on some level - this year when we did some things Julia said - remember we did this last time - now she had seen pictures and knew we had been but she remembered things I did not have pictures of! And even if they don't remember - I do!!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says..............................................I think it's more of a money issue. If you can go every couple of years, then by all means go for it!

If this is going to be it for five years, then you should wait.

 

[jenjersnap]

Our younger DS was 16 months old when we went to WDW in December. He had a blast and rode nearly everything his big brother did (even got 10K points on Buzz by himself, more than me first time around) with Pooh, of course, his favorite. He was great, so many distractions, despite the fact that we pushed his schedule quite a bit more than I would have liked. We always went back to the hotel for a nice long rest, but he still usually petered out at some point in the parks. We have pics of him asleep in front of every theme park entrance!

Anyway, we thought it went terrifically and I would recommend it highly. There's just something about seeing their little faces light up with wonder (and actual learning too) at that age ... ah, it's great.

Congratulations on your impending arrival. How very exciting!

 

[scarboroughmom]

I think Disnee Dad makes the most important point. If it isn't your once-in-a-decade Disney vacation, go enjoy yourselves with your baby. You need a vacation, and kids are so portable at that age.

 

[mill4023]

We went to DL last year when our youngest DD was 5 months.
Obviously she won't remember, but all the sights and sounds made it one of the most pleasant days we've ever had with her as an infant. She was a very fussy baby at the time, but Disneyland kept her really entertained and she was wonderful. I know it sounds odd for a 5 month old, but she really seemed to enjoy the Winnie the Pooh ride. We also had DD4, DD6, and DS9 with us and everyone had a great time. The baby swap worked great and we were all able to go on all the rides we wanted to.

At 18 months, your child will probably be very entertained and have a great time. Just make sure you bring a stroller that he/she can nap comfortably in.

Congrats by the way.

You can look forward to sharing the Disney magic with your child now. I will never forget the pure excitement and joy in my kids faces when we go to DL.

 

[swilphil]

I took both of my kids at the 16-18 months old age, and it was great!! They were content to stay in the stroller and loved looking around. Definitely stay in either a monorail resort or an Epcot area resort, so you can get back to your room for naps. If at all possible, avoid the very hot summer months.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I think Disnee Dad makes the most important point. If it isn't your once-in-a-decade Disney vacation, go enjoy yourselves with your baby. You need a vacation, and kids are so portable at that age.

I'm going to throw my two cents in even though I don't have kids. I think it's fine to take a baby to Disneyworld but if you aren't going to be going again for a while then I would wait. My parents took me for the first time when I was 4 and it was perfect because I was old enough to remember how much fun it was. My little sister was born around the time I was 5 and we didn't take another Disney trip until she was 5. So it was great for me that they didn't take me when I was too young to remember it. But if you plan on taking Disney trips fairly often then go for it. Either way, you'll have a great time! Oh, and congrats on the upcoming baby

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Congrats on your good news!!

We were at WDW with our son when he was 9 months, and on another trip our daughter was 13 months.

Loved both times.

As others have said, obviously it is way different than a trip with 2 adults, but still magical.

When my son was 9 months, I could discreetly nurse him inside dark shows, and the World is very accommodting with the child care centers for diaper changes, feedings, etc.

We had a slow pace, but they enjoyed the parades, most of the rides, and we enjoyed seeing their reactions.

Take several breaks, take lots of pictures, and enjoy!

 

[HereWeCome Mickey]

I guess I am going to be the odd one out on this one. But I will just give you my experience take it for whatever it's worth.
I just returned a week ago from a week long stay at WDW. It was me, DH, My Mom (used for nanny purposes ), DD 11yo, DS 8yo and DS 18mo. and man my little guy (18mo) was a HANDFUl! I am not going to say he/we didn't enjoy it because as long as he was intrigued by rides/shows he was mesmerized and didn't move a muscle. It was all the waiting in line, sitting in strollers/highchairs that was the hard part. And this all really depends on your child's personality. I took my DD when she was 2yo and she was a dream same with my older DS. They slept in strollers they sat happily in highchairs. Little DS is just is a ball of energy and did not want to sit still for a moment so it was difficult at times. We made sure we took him to places where he could run and blow off steam (wonders of life at EPCOT, playground in Toontown at MK, the boneyard at AK and the HISTK playground in MGM) plus we planned a couple down days at the Pop Century pool so he could swim and take nice long naps in the room. It was hard and exhausting, and would I do it again........ABSOLUTELY!!!!

 

[Stitch Inside]

We took our DS at 8 mo.s last year and negative 3 months the year before. He was much more fun last year. We're looking forward to this year's trip when he'll be 20 months and we'll have help in the form of my parents.

 

[mamapajama]

After two consecutive years of wonderful vacations at the Polynesian in late summer my wife and I will be taking this summer off from travel as we are expecting our first child in just a few short weeks! We had originally planned to join another couple we are close with this summer for yet another return but for a wonderful reason are pushing those plans back a year..... so that being said, any words of wisdom from the experienced parents here on the thought of taking an 16-18 month old to Disney next year? Would love to hear all your thoughts as I have been accused of maybe being a bit optimistic when it comes to my Disney plans

DD went first at about 20 months & DS went first at 5months and then I took the kids again by myslef when he was 9 months old. It's fun! Don't worry about it!

Elise

 

[mamapajama]

We took our DS at 8 mo.s last year and negative 3 months the year before.

Negative 3 months that's funny! So DS's first trip was actually at negative 4 months LOL

Elise

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

My daughter will be 2 years, 3 months in October and I want to take her (mostly because my parents moved and it will be a hardship on them to watch her, take her to daycare every day, etc.), but DH thinks she's too little and will slow us down. Plus, he hates the idea of pushing our huge Peg Perego stroller around and she has no patience (like me). He wants to take her when she's 5 or 6.

Well see how it goes in a couple of years. I might be able to talk him into 4 yrs old. Then we won't have to take her out of school.

 

[beattyfamily]

Every family is different. Do what you want and think is best.

For my family we started at age 1. Every year since has had it's own special magical momemnts.

We LOVED ages 2 - 4 because they still really believe and feel all the magic!

Have fun!

 

[vettechick99]

You might want to read a couple trip reports with kids that age. Here are a couple that come to mind...very entertaining reading!

Joe Disney His baby was 18 months and Joe doesn't hold back with the good and the bad when it comes to vacationing with a baby that age.

off to neverland her baby was almost two, but her reports are really funny and sweet.

 

[3xthecharm]

My DD's first trip was when she was 11mo.. As others have said, she doesn't remember, but boy we sure do.