Looking for tips, advice, warnings about taking a 15 month old to Disney

[100AcreWood]

We're planning a surprise vacation in February for our girls. At the time the older dd will be 5 and my youngest will be 15 months. Any tips, advice or warnings for taking a 15 month old? I know what to expect with the older one. She has visited Disney since she was 2. But I'm starting to worry about what Disney will be like with a 15 month old. Right now she is very into her routine and wants to walk constantly. I guess my biggest concerns are having her want to walk a lot and sleep. Should I bring a pack and play? We're staying in an offsite hotel with a sleeper sofa so I'm thinking worse case I can sleep with her there if need be. The last time we traveled she was 8 months old and I had to sleep with her in a twin size bed the entire time we were gone (visiting relatives). She freaked out at the thought of sleeping in a bed that wasn't hers - can't say I blame her! Anyway, I would love to hear any advice!

 

[Miss Mary Poppins]

i took my dd for the first time when she was 16 months. she also loves to walk. after the first hour she wanted to ride and really never wanted to walk again unless we were seated to eat or rest then she ran around like a nut.

as far as a pack and play we got one from the hotel, along with and extra sheet to put on the floor so she could play. i didn't want her on the carpet. it did not look clean. we also brought a few of her favorite toys from home.

 

[peemagg]

If you think that she will sleep better in her own pack and play, then by all means pack it. My thoughts are anything that will make the trip easier for her, will make it easier for all to enjoy. Can't really be of any help since it will be our first time traveling with little ones this January. We will be traveling with 2 13 month olds and a 2 and 1/2 year old. We are bringing whatever will keep them happy.

 

[nateryan]

We just got back with a 5 year old and a 12 month old. It was wonderful! I had taken our 5 year old when he was 18 months. Our 12 month old is not walking yet so I didn't have to worry about that. When we went with our son when he was 18 mo, all he wanted to do was walk. I was too concerned with us being in the way if he walked or if he got away from us. We went in the beginning of Dec that year which wasn't busy. Not sure how Feb is with crowds but I would let your 15 mo walk as much as she can when you feel comfortable. Looking back, I just wish that I let him walk too avoid the tantrums.
Both boys had no problem sleeping in the stroller (full size stroller brought from home) while we were at the parks. This past trip, I requested pack n play from the CBR for our 12 month old to sleep in. It was very different for him and cried when put in it. So, I had the pack n play right next to the bed and I sat on the bed while he "hung out quietly" and fell asleep on his own.
Not sure if this helps but I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[annie1995]

We had absolutely no problems traveling through Disney with our then 14 month old. Except for the fact that he got sick, but that doesn't count, and everytime we sat down on a bus, he thought that was his chance to nurse He really didn't like the characters that much, but I've seen 3 year olds freaked out by them. He was a blast!!! I think you will have a great time!!!

 

[TJA]

We took our twins to WDW when they were 13 months old and 18 months old, so right before and right after the age of your youngest. At those ages, our girls didn't sleep that great in the pack and play -- we would hold them until they fell asleep and then put them in the pack and play. We brought most stuff from home that went in their cribs to make them feel like they were at home, including the aquarium that plays familiar music for them. As far as walking, we'd find an open area to "let them go" and run some steam off -- our absolute favorite area is going through the International Gateway in Epcot and we'd let them walk that whole area from there and all around the Epcot resort loop. It was always quiet and pretty during the daytime, perfect for taking walks. And that is also how we discovered the Epcot resorts and now we are in love with staying in them! Anyway....we also took a very comfortable stroller from home with reclining seats and large canopy. Our girls would take cat naps all day long in the stroller. And we used our carriers (we used baby bjorn and ergo) for walking from ride to ride, standing in lines, and also on the actual rides. It was really, really fun in WDW under age 2. We have very precious memories. Have fun.

 

[ppan77]

We took our ds when he was 18 months this past Easter to wdw. The most important thing to do is go back for a nap!! We thought he would sleep in the stroller everyday...he never would. He threw up the last day from being overtired. We are going back in Jan and going to go back for a nap everyday and do it right!!

 

[nemofans]

We took our DS at 19 mos old in Dec. 2006. He LOVED WDW! We did go back to the hotel for naps. Use the baby care centers at each park for diaper changes, quiet time, or if you need to purchase extra diapers or supplies. Each park has a play area, except Epcot, which is a good place to have them walk around. MK has Pooh's corner & Donald's Boat. Plus, walking thru Mickey & Minnie's houses. AK has the Boneyard. MGM has the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playset. At Epcot, we did let him walk around innovations too. We kept DS in the stroller most of the time except those places.
At night, we had 2 queen bedsin our room. DS slept in one & DH & I took turns sleeping w/him each night while the other spouse slept by themselves in the other bed.
One thing that really helped was a special toy I gave him for the flight there. It was a zebra (he is really into animals) & it never left his hand all week. He played w/it on the bus rides, so it really helped keep him entertained.
I would set up as many ADRs as you can in advance so you don't have to wait for a table.
There is so much for them to do at WDW at this age. Of course, MK & AK has the most. DS was afraid of the characters if they got really close, otherwise, he liked seeing them from a distance. I will always remember that trip b/c he started saying 6 new words there & would wake up every morning & climb right into his stroller & say; "Go, go, go!" His fav ride was Dumbo of course! But he called it Bumbo.

 

[barnaby1]

We have taken our DD to WDW when she was 9 months and then at 18 months (we have just booked again for end Jan 08 when she will be almost 23 months). Each trip has brought different challenges and equal delights as well. I think it is great age to take children. Our DD was doing the walk everywhere both times (obviously much slower the first time). We travel from the UK so can't carry lots of things but we do bring a reclining umbrella stroller for her to nap in and bring a couple of sleep toys etc. She still sleeps in a cot at home so has no problem with the hotel cribs.
Our DD is used to a routine but this last trip she was much more flexible and would nap without issue after lunch and would be OK with a bit of planning and late food revival snacks to stay up later than usual as long as we let her sleep in in the morning. Basically we just shifted her daily pattern by about 2 hours.
Every child is different and you won't really know until you get there but just be prepared for anything and go at their pace. Even if you do return to the hotel for your little one to nap it is a good chance for your 5 year old to have a rest and swim to recharge as well.
Above all have a great time!!

 

[100AcreWood]

Thanks everyone for the advice! We are driving through the night so we can take as much stuff as we need. I'm planning to bring the pack and play and hopefully she will find it comforting. I'll be sure to take advantage of the baby care centers at each park and will give her plenty of time at the run around spots like Pooh's corner.

 

[wrighter]

We took our DD when she was 17 months (and her big bro was almost 4.) We really thought we were going to have to "deal" with her a lot, but let me tell you we were so surprised at how much she got into it! She is also a walker - a runner, actually! But there was so much to see that she was okay in her stroller much more so than she would be ordinarily. We did make sure she got to those little play areas, and always had snacks on hand. We had planned to go back to the room every day for naps, but because my DS didn't need one, it was tough to split the party up. Not to mention that the trek back to OKW could be LONG. We did it on a couple of days, and it worked fine. But on the days we were in MK, my DH took DD in her stroller off to the monorail. Two of the days she was practically asleep by the time he got there. Then he just jumped on the TTC monorail (not the one that stops at all the hotels) and rode around with her. He made some business calls, chatted with some old friends, etc, and enjoyed some down time himself. It was the only time we have ever known her to sleep in her stroller. But it was nice for me to get some one-on-one time with my DS, and then when she woke up we would just meet back up.

Good luck - you'll have an amazing time.