I need some help, Would (or Have)you bring a one year old to WDW?

[MrsKreamer]

Please help me convince Dh it's a good idea. Also any suggestions or tips are very welcome!

 

[cleo]

My dear son has been to Disney every year of his life and each time it's a precious experience. While your daughter isn't likely to get a lot out of it as far as the parks go, the time spent together is priceless.

It may also be one of the last years you can go and still do everything YOU want to do. Next year she's going to have an opinion about things, so enjoy this year while she's still happy to be in a stroller and happy to see Mom and Dad happy. I wouldn't trade DS's 1 year trip for anything. The photos alone are worth the trip!

 

[wdwdawg]

Have taken a 1 year old as well a one at 8 months old. Both were great trips. When you take one that little, obiously the memories are made for you and not them. We took pictures of the things we did and now the one year old is 4 and she loves looking at them to see what she did at that age. Plus, at that age, everything is free, so why not go.

wdwdawg

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

One of my girls went at age 3 and the youngest's first trip was right before she turned 2. If I had known then what I know now we would have went earlier!! Those are the best memories that I have, aside from their births, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[Steffi]

My DD's first trip to WDW was 2 days after her first birthday (and at least once a year every year since!). It was a wonderful trip and DH & I loved seeing the place through such new eyes. Of course, DD doesn't remember it, but she loves looking at all the pictures of herself "growing up Disney".

 

[TDC Nala]

My niece was younger, she was 7 months or so. She was probably easier to deal with than my nephews, who are past toddler stage.

 

[Stitch Inside]

Our 22 month old is getting ready to go on his fourth trip to WDW. The first time he didn't see much as he was in DW's belly , but he sure had fun the last two.

 

[Laurajean1014]

DH wanted me to bring my son when he was 6 weeks old. I thought it would be too stressful for me, so we didn't. I was wrong. I should have taken him.

Any age is the best age to visit Disney!

 

[crazee4mickey]

Oue son loved it!! Everything in Fantasyland he absolutely loved-I bet we went on IASW 20 times at least!

 

[Chip126]

My son's first trip was when he was three months old and it was great. I was a little nervous at first, but everything went fine. He is now going back next week at 9 months old. Again, I am a little nervous, but he loves to check everything out and doesn't like to miss anything so I am thinking that things will be fine. (I also have two older sons ages 12 and 15 that are a BIG help!)

I am so excited to be able to experience Disney all over again through the eyes of my baby!

I have to agree with Laurajean1014 - "Any age is the best age to visit Disney"

 

[minijeanie]

guess I am in the minority? are you going in summer? if so , the heat and humidity will be intense..

what do you gain? he/she will remember nothing, can really not go on any rides and it is in the end for you and DH...

if that is what you want to do then go for it but be prepared to go back to room for much needed naps....

for me, I took my children when they were 4 and 5 and have never hand any regrets. They were totally amazed, very much into characters, could relate to them and best of all, no diapers....

 

[HLAuburn]

We're taking an 18 month old next Feb! We've been several times with just the two of us, but we know this is going to be a totally different Disney experience this time! I'd definitely recommend going when its NOT hot and NOT crowded, and don't expect to stick to a rigid schedule....just relax and go at baby's pace.

By the way MrsKreamer, where in N.O. are you? We live in Mandeville.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

My daughter was 10 months old when when went for our yearly trip. It was a nightmare. I swore during that trip, in the heat of the moment, she was not going back till she was 4. (Of course that isn't going to happen)

She was so disoriented she cried for two days. Thank heavens DGMIL went with us, she and I traded off duty with her so some sanity remained. Example: Went to Fantasmic first night. Started crying jag and so she and I (diaper bag, stroller, baby carrier...) headed back to BC. It was a l -o - n - g trip from Hollywood Hills, to MGM gates, on the boat, to the room, the whole time crying. (She is usually a pleasant baby) Back in the room finally calmed down. Of course other guests were very considerate and no one treated me like I was a horrible mother.

That all being said.
A. When isn't trying to do something public with anyone under 4 a nightmare? Kids are just curious and could care less about quiet at this point.
B. She got into the swing of things later in the week.
C. I love the pictures, like the above poster said.
D. If you go every year, you know future trips will be even better.

Just be ready for a much different touring plan and pace than usual.

 

[baccarat0809]

I gotta say go for it. They may not remember it when they're older, but they sure as heck remember it when they are younger. My wife and I have taken my ds about 8 times to the park before he was 3 years old (yes, spoiled but I had a number of conferences to attend for my job, and it worked out that 5 of those trips were company paid) - anyway, when my son was about 27 months old at the time, and we had been back from wdw for about 2 months, he really wanted to go back ... so bad, that he took his pooh backpack, put a bunch of toys and his blanket into the backpack, and walked to the front door of our house and started to open it. When questioned about what he was doing, and where he was going, his answer to us was.


"Mickey's castle, disney world".


Now my son never spoke well when he was a young child (so much so we had him in speech class for a year or so), but man, he knew where he wanted to go. It's been about 9 months or so since we've been to wdw, and my son (who's 3.5 now) asks regularly about going back to "mickeys castle".

 

[summersfam4]

Our trips have all been amazing, the ages on the trips were DD#1 17 months, 2.3 years, 3.3 years, 4.5 years, 5.75 years, and we are going again in September when she will be 6.75 years. When DD#1 was on her trip as a 4.5 year old DD#2 started coming along at 4 months, then returned at 17 months, and will be 2.5 years on our next trip. Sure there are times when a meltdown may occur, but hey that could happen at the local mall, and there sure won't be a character around the corner to bring back the good cheer. We are a go with the flow family, we stay offsite and we don't return to our resort for breaks (our personal choice), that said the girls are used to being on the go and traveling. My DD#1 is old enough now that although she doesn't remember all of the trips, she will talk about some special part of a trip and all the sudden DH and I will realize that she's talking about one of the first trips WOW she does remember some of it, just bits and pieces, but the magic was there! Anyways DH and I remember, and what special memories we have of our little ones! It's definately a personal choice, but if you can handle an outing to the mall and/or a short trip out of town I would vote for GO TO WDW!

Kelly

 

[milmore104]

We brought our DD when she was 1 & 2. It was FANTASMIC!!!! I don't think for one I could leave my princess for a week or that I would go to the Happiest Place on earth w/out her. It was so nice w/ her there. The look on your childs face when they meet Pooh or Mickey is just priceless. The thing I remember most was her getting her groove on at Playhouse Disney. Trust me it's not a bad idea to bring your little one. I'm more worried about bringing her this year (4) she can run faster now!!! LOL!!!

 

[chiconh]

Miniejeanie, I agree with you (again in the minority). At that age they do not understand what is happening. IMHO it makes for a very difficult trip for the child and for the parents (diapers, formula, naps, etc.).

On more than one occassion I have witnessed stressed out parents "losing it" trying to balance very young children (especially those who are also with older children) and seeing Disney.

Just my $ .02.

 

[PatsGirl]

And I'll add my 2 cents as well -- bringing a baby along makes it a non-vacation IMHO. If it comes down to taking baby or not going at all, well I'd go but I think all parents (especially Mom) need vacations without the kids in order to truly relax. That's why I have WDW vacations with my children and cruises without

 

[jbwolffiv]

We took our then 16 month old DD and the memories we have from that trip were priceless. We talk about that trip the most. As has been said before, your child will not remember it, but you will. Just keep in mind that you need to do things on their schedule and it will be a blast. My daughter now swears that she remembers the trip because she has watched the video from it over and over.

 

[nancyL]

We took my son (youngest) when he was 8 months old. His brother was 4 and his sister was 6. It was so much fun, we extended it by 5 days (originally was a 10 day trip) while we were there. He stayed in the stroller (napped, ate, drank, got his photo taken) most of the "park" time. What was helpful to us was that he didnt walk yet so he was content to stay put. We stayed at (then) Dixie Landings. We stuck him in a high chair on occaision- some of our best photos are of him trying to chew on Goofy's nose at a character meal and of our other two children pointing out something he might like to him. He absolutely LOVED spectromagic.
I wouldnt trade that trip for anything.