Not a mommy yet, but wondering...

[LisaZ1113]

How do all of you plan trips with little ones?? I get overwhelmed with it only being me & the hubby!!
I know I will make myself insane with the details when the time comes. I give you all a lot of credit!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

You do it because as magical as Disney is in your eyes, seeing it though your little one's eyes is even more magical. Honestly, Don't know if we are just lcuky, but going with our kids has beena a breeze. We have taken as young as 9 months old and took our youngest at 10 months and her sisters were 3 and 8. No issues at all. It's amazingly wonderful, so worth it!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

You use our Disney for Families board! Since this topic is more suited to that board, I am going to move it there.

 

[santa's surpriz]

Planning trips for your little is way more exciting than planning it for yourself!Dis gives you all thehelp you need.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

It's not that bad! I spent lots of time planning and preparing for our trip last spring (with a 6 mo old and a 2.5 yr old) and found out that I may have over prepared!

Taking the kids isn't that much different than for adults. The only thing we had to remember was to go a lot slower, and that I wasn't going to get to ride some of the attractions I wanted to b/c of the age of our kids (God bless the inventor of the single rider line at EE... )

We had a blast and I saw a lot of things that I had missed in the rush of the past. We're doing it again next fall when the kids are 2 and 4 and I can't wait!

 

[sritter78]

It is so magical. DD has gone when she was 11 months, 2 1/2, 3 1/2. DS went when he was 6 weeks. We are thinking about going again in June (DD-4 1/2, DS 1). Then we are doing a grand gathering (16 people) in June 2011.

It is so worth it. It is a different way to do Disney, but to see it through the eyes of a child is just magical!!!

 

[Mandychelle79]

You forget the details and let things happen. You plan your trip around your normal schedule. If your kids like to sleep and do not like breakfast... dont plan early morning meals. Things like that.

 

[crisi]

You lower your expectations and decide the few things each day that are important - then work the schedule around those things - and then be prepared to throw that all out the window. For instance, if you want breakfast with Mickey, the princesses, want to ride Dumbo and Peter Pan - you arrange a schedule that gets those things done. IF your kid sleeps in the stroller long enough for you to get in Space Mountain, you do that. IF your kid needs a long nap at the hotel and is terrified of characters, but loves the pool, you cancel your character meals, and spend a lot of time at the pool (generally wondering why you didn't just book a hotel with a pool near home).

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

Ditto others - you worry less about details and become more flexible and just enjoy it all. I think you're smart... we went pre-kids so we could get it all out - we did all the rides, went from rope drop to park closing and were able to do it ALL. There's no way to do that with kids, and that's awesome, too... you see it from their level, relax more, and just enjoy everything. It's great!

 

[happymommy]

For us, with my DS having severe food allergies, even going out to dinner used to be a matter of PLANNING!

But, Disneyworld WITH kids, especially when they are really young, is just so magical. It is also the easiest vacation you can take! Of course, that does require planning.

I love that we get whisked away on the monorail, the boats, or the bus, plus my kids have so many things to see. The food there is good - great for someone with allergies! I don't have to worry my son will need something safe to eat. I started taking my kids without my DH when the kids were 4 and 6 (I am a SAHM and he can't always take time away from his business).

I have travelled alone with my kids since my son was 6 months old (travelled from Hawaii to Missouri for 3 weeks) then when my DD was 3 months old (from Maryland to Missouri with both kids), as my family lives there. You just need to plan.

We've gone many places, but I am so drawn to Disneyworld as it's so easy with kids. You'll see!!!!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

We're super lucky, DD is SO easy. We've had her out and about since she was about 6 weeks old, and at WDW since 14 months. Honestly, at WDW, she was MUCH easier to bring along than my Mom and MIL! Seriously, it's much easier than it seems!

 

[kpm76]

We keep our DD on her regular schedule. She is 2 and still reguires an afternoon nap so we get up and out early, leave the park at lunchtime and give DD a nap, then hit the parks again until about 7pm. We own DVC so we get a 1 or 2 bedroom depending on who we are traveling with and let her decompress for an hour before bed. We just returned from her 3rd trip to WDW and we pushed her past her bedtime once to see Wishes, but otherwise she was in bed at her normal time. Sure there were times we wished we could have stayed out later but we knew what DD needed and we also knew pushing her would mean we'd pay a dear price. It was a great trip and super easy. She LOVED the characters so we basically hunted characters most days and filled her autograph book. It was amazing

 

[numbat1]

How you approach your planning and your trip very much depends on who the person is you are planning for. Some kids are a breeze to travel with and very easy going. Some are higher maintenance or unpredictable but are still great kids and if you plan within everyone's limits you can have a fabulous trip. As already discussed many kids need to maintain their regular schedule or fairly close to it, a few do fine with a complete change of pace and time zones, etc.

Good luck when it is your turn. I have loved my Disney trips (West Coast, East Coast, Cruise Line) in all configurations (dating, married, family, large group, etc) and they have all been different.

 

[tam626]

I tend to plan everything around what our 4 yr old ds would like to do. Dh & I get so much joy out of watching his face light up & it's just the best time we have as a family.

 

[amyren]

We've taken DD twice and she's not even 2! We do it because it's something we all really enjoy together! We just understand that when we travel with a toddler we are on her schedule. Which really is a more enjoyable trip for us because of mandatory family nap time

Seriously check out these pics...

(muah mickey)

 

[kpgriswold]

When you are a brand new, first time mom, taking your baby ANYWHERE is a little overwhelming in the beginning, even if it's just a trip to the grocery store. Once you get the hang of traveling with kids -- take breaks, take snacks, take extra clothes -- you can take them pretty much anywhere.

Like the pps have said, there is SO much joy in seeing your kids do Disney. I think you cram in less but enjoy what you do see and do even more.

You'll get it!