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

[labdogs42]

My son's first trip was when he was 15 months, we also took him at 18 months and twice while he was two. He has had a blast every time! We're headed back next week right before his third birthday. I say take the little one. It will be great! We would do rides that AJ liked in the mornings (think Fantasyland), then do an early lunch and then he would usually fall asleep in the stroller for his nap. We would take turns doing thrill rides while he slept, then do stuff together again after the nap. We would also do the baby swap and use fastpasses for everything we could to minimize waiting in lines. Your older child will benefit from the little one being along, as they can ride each ride twice when you do the baby swap! Go, take the little one, and have a BLAST!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I voted no! Both my younger 2 were 18 mths on their first trip. I would just have tears watching their little faces taking it all in They may be little, but they love it. We rented the big strollers and brought a big blanket to put in it and most of the time they just napped away with the older sibling sitting in it with them. We did go to the room a few times and we all took naps, but we go in off season, so it's not usually as hot. To me the weather is such a big factor. We arefrom Texas, so we know how the humidity can really drag ya down!! Plus everyone is just so cranky when you are about to have a heat stroke!! That is always my first piece of advice-go when it's not summer!!I think you should do it and have a blast

 

[KAYLI'S DAD]

I agree with everyone also, we are taking our daughter at 20 months and I think she will love it.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Ohhhhhh, tell your wife that I said for her to definitely go!!! She'll be missing out on one of the most magical vacations ever!!!

I've taken my children from under a year on up. When my oldest daughter was little she would blink her little eyes to the rhythm of the twinkle lights in the trees. My middle daughter pointed up to a moth flying around the lights as we were in line to Peter Pan's Flight and she said "Look mommy! It's the real Tinkerbell!" LOL My youngest danced his way through all of the parks. Each child was different, but each one loved absolutely everything and they are memories I will cherish forever!!

This past summer I took my 8 month old grandson. Seeing his little eyes light up over everything, clapping his little hands, bouncing (him dancing..hehe) in the stroller and reaching out for the things he wanted brought tears to my eyes on more than one occassion. He loved absolutely everything and had a smile on his face the whole trip!!! He's now a year old and every time a Disney commercial comes on he points, claps his little hands and if asked if he wants to go see Mickey again he shakes his little head yes over and over again.

One thing I do suggest is bringing along an umbrella stroller or purchase one at one of the Disney resorts...they lay back a bit. So, if your little one wants to nap they can in comfort. Also, it's a lot easier not having to turn in strollers at the parks and then holding a sleeping child waiting for transportation back to resort.

Have a wonderful, magical vacation with your little one!!!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I say you all go as a family. If your toddler gets tired, have your wife stay back at the resort and have pool time while you and your son go to the parks. I am sure he will sleep in the stroller a bit. Make it magical!

 

[fiveforall]

Our son was 19 months old for his first trip and it was a WONDERFUL experience. My stoic hockey playing husband still gets teary eyed when he tells how our little boy clapped his hands and said "Oh Pooh!" when he first rode the Winnie the Pooh ride. THe bright eyes and excitement that he had are priceless. Now, we did take him back to the parks for midday naps, while the other parent stayed in the parks with the older kids, and that helped him to manage. I say, "YES! Take the entire family." Just be prepared to take breaks and keep lots of extra pacifiers around. (DS did have a minor meltdown when I dropped his paci in front of Buzz.)

 

[hildarumpole]

We never went when my kids were toddlers, because I didn't want to deal with all the extra hassles of strollers, baby stuff, and my kids' inevitable meltdowns. Your wife knows her limits and your child's limits better than anyone. If she believes it would be stressful, it's going to be stressful. Many people don't mind the adventure that goes along with travelling with a young child. However, I don't think it's a good idea to go on vacation without your wife and youngest child. Plan your vacation differently than you would otherwise. Let you're wife determine the best schedule for her and the 18 month old, while you make busier plans with your older son. Whatever point of the day you can spend time together, whether it's a couple hours in a park, enjoying a character meal, or some time by the resort pool, it will be much more relaxing and enjoyable than forcing everyone to do everything together.

 

[AndyMcV]

Our DD was 1.5 when we went last and our DS was 5. Our DD had an awesome time!! Don't worry about taking our child. They'll have a great time. There are lots of stuff for them to do and see. You can seem them both in my signature below. Both are exhausted from all the fun!

 

[henrylovespooh]

Honestly, our trips to Disney were less stressful when our kids were under 3 than now that they're 5 and 6. at 18 months they can nap in a stroller and sleep on a ride if need be. They eat free. Life is good.

 

[wlwilliams9]

Too young? NO WAY!!! We took our DD for the first time last May at 10 months. She loved it! My DH and I have been many times as a couple and having our DD there made WDW even more magical. We are taking her back this May at 22 months!

As far as your wife being stressed, try to keep close to the same schedule you keep at home maybe that will keep some of the crankies away and make sure to bring a stroller that reclines for comfy naps at the parks.

Hope these suggestions help in your decision and I hope your whole family will experience WDW together!

 

[dixipixi]

I just wanted to say that things are different with every family. If you know that you're only going to WDW once, then I would definitely want them to be old enough to remember it.

We're taking our granddaughter in May (she'll be 14 mos. old). It shouldn't be too bad because we will have 4 adults and 1 14y/o to help with her. I have already explained to everyone that this trip will be different. If she needs down time, then we take down time. A trip with a baby is different, but trust me, it can't be any more stressful than travelling with mouthy teenagers!!

 

[SuzieQ811]

The great thing about going with young'uns is the Stroller! It's a great receptable to carry all kinds of goodies - drinks, snacks and most of all, souvenirs! Just be sure to take lots of pictures and as your kids grow older, they will "remember" being there even if they don't actually remember! Most of all - YOU will have great memories. Have fun!

 

[Twinsmomma]

I have to agree with the majority of the other posters. We took our twins when they were barely 2. Even in the scortching heat (we went in July), we had so much fun. We went back when we need to take a break in the air conditioned room . Last year we went and my twins were 5 and our baby girl was 16 months. She was a riot! She loved, loved, loved the characters and the kiddy rides. We are going again in May and it's all she talks about. I'm not sure if it's the pictures or what, but all of my kids seem to remember at least little details about their first trips when they were toddlers.

Going anywhere with little ones adds a little extra planning and "work", but the memories far outway the stresses, for my family at least.

 

[d-r]

we are dvc members so we vacation a little differently. Oh, and my mother in law is a cast member and so are family friends. Our oldest just turned 4 and he has been on I think 13 trips to disney world. Both of our children first went when they were three months, and it seemed fine with us. Our friends who sometimes vacation with us brought their year old twins and 3-year old daughter and stayed with us in a two-bedroom over the holidays and it was a lot of fun.

But our philosophy is that we are there as a family to have fun with the kids. We don't drag them around to see what we want to see. We don't spend a lot of time baby swapping or riding mountains. We spend a lot of time in fantasyland and at the pool and toon town, stuff like that. We take it easy and listen to the kids and do what they want to do.

I think that the dvc really helps in terms of washer and drier and dishwasher and fridge and space, it would probably be a lot different in a hotel room. For us it isn't much different than taking the kids to the zoo or the mall or the park. Just take time and do it for the kids not for the adults and don't be in a rush. Let the kids play in the pooh's playground or go to the petting zoo or whatever. It isn't that big of a deal.

My brother was there with an older child over the holidays and they just went their own way a lot - so you could split up parents so that the older sibling gets some time to do things and the younger gets time to do things, then get back together and do family things. WDW is for families to do things together.