Is an 18 month old to young to bring to Disney???

[Maukey]

My wife is wondering whether it would be too stressful to bring our 18 month old to Disney in March. She's considering staying home with him and just allowing myself and our older son to go (March 2nd is my Birthday so she wants me to go as a gift ).

So Disney experts, those who've experienced a toddler at Disney, is my 18 month old son too young to go? Should I take my wife's offer and just go without her? Opinions and experiences are definitely welcome.

 

[Roo's Kanga]

Too young for Vegas? Yes.

Too young for Disney? Heck no. Disney is for kids, after all!

 

[traci]

We started going to Disney 3 years ago when our youngest was 8 months old and the oldest only 21 months!! We have made 2 more trips since then! We LOVE going with our little ones. Stressful?? Life with kids is stressful...be stressed at Disney instead Will the 18 month remember the trip? Maybe not, but you will and so will the rest of the family. When I first started thinking of taking our little ones to Disney I was torn. Someone posted to me that the trips with their young kids are some of the best trips they have ever taken at Disney. Best of luck whatever you decide

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

NO, not to me. Just be prepared with a big bag o' stuff and a big stroller. It makes a big difference if you have a pretty easy going kid who is a good sleeper though.

 

[TJA]

We took our twins to WDW at 18 months old and loved, loved, loved that trip! No way is it too young. However, as I say that, keep in mind that we didn't have an older child along too. I imagine it would still be fun either way! Enjoy!

 

[DizneyNutz]

My wife is wondering whether it would be too stressful to bring our 18 month old to Disney in March. She's considering staying home with him and just allowing myself and our older son to go (March 2nd is my Birthday so she wants me to go as a gift ).

So Disney experts, those who've experienced a toddler at Disney, is my 18 month old son too young to go? Should I take my wife's offer and just go without her? Opinions and experiences are definitely welcome.

My vote first of all is that you shouldn't go without the DW. We do not plan to take our grandchildren until they are able to walk, but that is just us and again we are grandparents, not their parents. With that said, I will say that I went as a young child and hardly remember much from my last trips as a six or seven year old, so if you take them know it is really for your enjoyment to see their faces when they see these things. Not saying this is bad, because it is surely a moment to remember (thus don't go without DW), but the child won't remember it. Also you shouldn't plan on DOING Disney, but rather visiting Disney on the child's schedule. MY DW say's that your DW will ALWAYS remember you going without her and leaving her at home with the child. I personally would not go at all at this time and plan it for a later date more suitable for everyone.

 

[enyaj40]

not in my opinion

i took my son when he was a bit over 2 and he does remember it

more importantly, i remember it

 

[Doc CW]

No I went with my baby sister when she was about 17 months and she loved it. Her favorite thing was Fantasmic. Every time Mickey appeared she would call his name and she had cute facial expressions for just about everything that happened during the show so she understood what was going on.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I took my DD when she was barely 3 months old and we had a blast! Went at Christmas and listened to the Candelight Processional. Even at that age, just taking in the sights and sounds was great for her (and relaxing for me).

 

[tjmw2727]

I voted go as a family. My youngest was 15mos on our first trip, my oldest was 2 1/2 and it was magical. My 15mo's language just exploded during that trip she thought every ride was a boat (it kind of is ) and all through the trip we heard "more boats" "boats daddy" "boats mommy" along with 1/2 sentences about mickey, minnie, the pool and the buses! It was truly wonderful, and if you plan for it not stressful at all.

Sure a toddler is lots of work but you won't be making beds, cooking meals, working, car pooling, etc - just having fun with the kids. Bring a good stroller with a full recline, a clip on fan or extra sunshade if your going in summer and take it slow.

TJ

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Is 18 months old to young to bring a child to Disney???

I would think an 18 month old would be too young to bring another child to Disney.

Who'd book the room?

 

[JoanneNC]

GO!!

We will be there March 1- March 8th to celebrate our oldest turning 6..

 

[DisneyWisher]

When DD24 was 1 we took her and it was not easy. She didn't want to be in the stroller, got overtired, didn't want anything to do with the characters. Not a fun vacation. Took DD22 when she was 2 and DD24 was 4. She was more agreeable, liked the real life characters, loved Tom Sawyer Island but while DH and DD4 got to ride, I was often left sitting and waiting(before cell phones) When DD14 was 3 we took her(decided she wouldn't go til she was 3) her first ride was PoC and she came off it stuttering. Went on for 2 years, to this day she doesn't care for that ride. Loves the thrill rides though.

Now DD24 has a DS soon to be 2, he is a huge Mickey fan and she wants me to take him next week for his B-day. I thought "hey why not" DD14 says no way!! Said she can't imagine having to change his diapers either out in the open or on those gross changing tables (her words). She said he will get too cranky (he loves to his naps). DD24 and her DH took Jake to Sea World day after Christmas and he was miserable. They only ended up staying 90 mins. I think its just cause he was out of his element. Something he was not used to. Though I joke with my son in law that Jake was thinking "we are this close to Mickey and I have to see dolphins, no way!!" He didn't sleep at all on the way home which was a 4 hour drive (very weird for Jake).

I say go with your gut. A lot depends on the age of your other child. I think the one on one time with your other child would be priceless.

 

[mrsmom]

I have taken my kids the first time when i just had three they were 18 months and 3 and 9, and then when i had four 13 months, 3yrs and 5yrs and 11, And have been taking them almost every year since, and they are now 10, 13, 15, 21. So I have never had any problems they loved it. and have all the wonerful pictures of them with the characters. Great memories.
I say go for it!!
Kim

 

[tnmomof4]

We took our twins to WDW at 18 months old and loved, loved, loved that trip! No way is it too young. However, as I say that, keep in mind that we didn't have an older child along too. I imagine it would still be fun either way! Enjoy!

We took our twins too, but when they were 15 months old. They loved it. They loved the rides and seeing the characters, especially the ones they knew like Mickey and Pooh. They were fascinated at night by all the lights. They loved going in the pool. We also had our two other older boys ages 7 and 5.

Now my twins don't remember a lot of things, but they sure LOVE looking at all the pictures we took. They laugh at the pictures and love having me tell them what happened in each one. Those pictures from that trip are priceless to me. Like someone else said, they may not remember things, but I sure remember their faces when they saw Pooh for the first time, watched a parade for the first time, and all those other Disney firsts.

I definitely would say your wife should go. If you went without her I really think you would be saying "I wish she were here with our toddler because they would love it". If things get too stressed she could always take a break with the toddler at the resort while you and your other child stayed at the park. If she doesn't go I think she will end up regretting it.

 

[onemoretracy]

Go! We went in October after our oldest had turned 4 in August, our second was 2 to turn 3 at the end of October and we had twins that were 4 months old! We had so much fun. The babies slept most of the time. Just take it easy and don't try to do too much. Just relax and enjoy the magic in your children's eyes. People thought we were crazy and would say things like "Oh they will never remember it" etc... But you know what? *We* remember it. We remember the looks on their faces and the sheer delight they had in seeing everthing.

 

[KatMark]

We took both of our boys when they were 18 months old (they are now 22 and 19) and never regretted it. Our oldest disappeared while we were shopping at Epcot (scared the crap out of me!), because he saw Mickey and climbed out of his stroller and went and grabbed his hand. We found them sitting on the bench outside of Mousegears (not what it was called at that time) with Minnie having a blast! Our youngest was afraid of the characters the first day, but by the second day he was chasing after them!

 

[brat5063]

I hope not. Our son will be 4 1/2 and our daughter will be 18 months for our next trip.

 

[Aliceacc]

I haven't ever tried, so take this for what it's worth.

I think that most vacations (and other things, for that matter) are only as stressful as we allow them to be.

Those of us with kids know how 18 month olds behave. They go from total delight to the screaming meanies at the drop of a hat. They want what they want when they want it. They have needs that sometimes REALLY need to take priority.

So bring the 18 month old, but acknowledge that it will be a different kind of trip. You and your wife may spend more time apart this trip-- one back at the resort in the pool with the baby, or in the room as he naps, while the other is in the MK with the older child. That's only stressful if it isn't expected. Know what foods your 18 month old NEEDS to be happy, and make sure they're in supply-- you can always place an order with wegoshop or garden grocer if necessary. Bring a stroller and lots of diversions-- bubbles and crayons and whatever else is necessary. Let his normal schedule dictate your days instead of being at the parks for rope drop each day.

I think you can have a wonderful time if you tailor your expectations and plans to the reality of an 18 month old.

 

[loco4dis]

I think your wife is worried it will be stressful with an 18-month-old b/c she knows it will be stressful with an 18-month-old. Yes, it will be stressful, particularly if it's hot. Keep in mind, too, that sometimes the sky suddenly open with the most horrendous, loud thunder storm (though it usually passes quickly). 18-month-olds need naps, diaper changes, get over-excited by the loud surroundings, etc., and they can get cranky and yet refuse to sleep back at the hotel. I'm not saying don't go; I'm just saying that it sounds like your wife knows what to expect and is wondering if it sounds like a "vacation." Honestly, sometimes I see people there with crying, screaming, exhausted, spent toddlers, the husband and wife at each other's throats, and I look over at my older children (went the first time when they were 4 and 7), and I say, "Thank God we waited." That's just my opinion. Yes, "Disney if for kids," but not necessarily for toddlers. Please don't flame me. It's just an opinion, as the poster requested.