Not bringing 18 mos old to disney????

[CampbellScot]

I would say "take her"...for all the reasons you mentioned. On the other hand, if your worry is that one parent will have to be going back to the resort for naps and such, leaving your six year old with the other parent...thus defeating the purpose of the whole trip, perhaps leaving her with grandma and grandpa would be better.

I would also tell my six year old that telling her baby sister that "she was left behind" is hurtful and such comments are not acceptable. I don't think that gloating is ever a nice thing.

I've seen LOTS of people will young children at Disney. They seem to be enjoying themselves as much as everyone else. She won't remember it, but she'll be with you.

But as others have said, if the plane ride and the disruption of her routine are going to cause more strife than anything else and take away from the trip your DD6 earned, a week with doting grandparents isn't going to be a BAD thing!!!

good luck!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I'm also going against the popular vote. You stated that this was a reward trip for the 6YO. If, and I don't know you personally so don't take offense, if the 18mos were to get cranky and you'd have to leave the park, the 6YO might get resentful. This is her trip!
.

But that reward was promissed 3 years ago!! Doubt she even remember the diapers issues. Had that taken place when she was potty trained the baby wolud not have even been born. I so understand the money issues but rewards needs to be connected to the event, not 3 years later. I do not see this as a reason for not bringing baby.

 

[antree]

I say take her. I have been taking my DS since he was 10mos old. He had a blast. I would have never wanted to miss seeing him walk to Mickey Mouse with his eyes wide, Capt. Hook sitting on the ground chasing and playing with my DS. We were just looking at the pictures last night because I was looking for a pic of when my DD when she was there. We came across the pictures of my DS as a toddler and we wanted to cry looking at my DS face with the characrters, Seeing the pics of him running with his arms wide to the character was just too cute.
Like the OP said make a special day for your other child. You all will have a blast. The 18 mo. is free right now, how many more times will you get there with her being free?
She will sit in the stroller, sleep in the stroller and even eat in the stroller, all which is a huge plus.
We found it so easy going with a young toddler.
My kids are now 6 and 13, DS6 has been going since he was 10mos. DD13 has been going since she was 4yrs. old. My DD was just as excited as us watching her baby brother see Disney, the first time he went.

But the decision is yours and what you are comfortable with.

 

[RainK]

Definately take her. We took our kids when DS was 15 months and DD was 3.
I can't imagine not taking one of my kids regardless of how old they were.

I know people do it all the time, but the guilt I would have is to much.

My 15 month old enjoyed himself - although he doesn't remember it, the smile on his face in the pictures tell for itself and are PRICELESS.

 

[Going Broke]

Take her!! While she may not remember the trip, you WILL! We took our DD when she was 15 mos. old and the memories I have of that trip are priceless. If you take plenty of photos you will be able to discuss this trip with your little one for years, trust me!

 

[gabriellyn]

Such a hard decision! I definitely feel for you. We took our then-15mo. old and he had a BLAST!!! It WAS tough w/all of the baby items, but it was worth it. Here's my suggestion:

If you are the kind of parent that would be eaten up by guilt if you didn't take DD, and if you feel it would affect your trip negatively - as in worried, stressed out, etc. then take her. She will have a great time!

If you feel comfortable leaving her behind, and the knowledge that she is not with you doesn't cause you an enormous amount of worry and stress then leave her behind. You can always take her on a solo trip later.

Now, having said that - I will say that my older children LOVED having their brother along - they got to ride everything at least twice w/baby swap!

 

[RMulieri]

Take her..she may not remember but you will...family vacation memories are priceless.

 

[KimK2006]

I, too, am going against the majority and say leave her with the grandparents. Your little one will enjoy having the full attention of her grandparents. (And I am sure they will LOVE having her.) You you will enjoy not having to deal with diapers, naps, rides your little one can't ride, etc. We left our son when he was around this age and took our daughter. He is 8 now and has never mentioned getting left out of the trip. I doubt he even knows we went. But, if he brought it up, we would say he was too young to go. So, go and have a more carefree trip!

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I too say take her. We flew down from Philly and had our children 11, 5 , and 16mos. They all love it. the two older ones had been there before and their reaction to the babies reactions were wonderfull. we then went back when the baby was 25 mos and she remembers going. We will be going back again in Dec and fully intend on taking her. Have fun whatever you deside.

 

[gracefor5]

When my oldest was 3 we didn't take younger brother (18 mos) to a one day trip to Disneyland. He was a handful and we just thought it would be better for everyone. Now at age 8 he doesn't care, but I remember the guilt and loss of memories the whole day. It may slow you down or maybe mommy and little one will have to return to the hotel for a nap or take a stoller nap in some shaded area of the park, but you'll have all those "family memories" that are so important.

I'd take the whole family. WDW is a big deal. (we're going on our first trip this year. We are a little excited!)

You know your family and you know what will work best. Trust your instincts.

Kim

 

[sl_underwood]

I would take her. Is there a chance Grandma and Grandpa would go too?

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Another one here for "Take her"
For all the reasons mentioned. Plus what if you want a family picture taken while you're there....
And I'm going to be a little bit dark minded here, but what if something happend to the rest of the family and you had left her behind.

 

[Tinkermommy]

We have a DD6 and a DS1. He has gone to WDW three times. The first when he was 8 weeks and the last 15 months (last month!). I have so many great photos and memories with him. He loves all the rides he can go on and loves the characters as well. He sleeps in this stroller and we've never had to go back to the room for naps. DD6 also loves that she gets double rides with the baby swap!

DD6 loves her brother and she would question why he wasn't there. I would not have a good time since I would be missing my baby too much!

We do outings and activities with just our DD6, but not a long vacation! Vacations like this are for the entire family in my opinion.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Wendybird55]

I would take her. It will be a wonderful experience for you to watch both your children discover Disney at 2 different ages. Plus your older child will benefit from child swap. That's where if there is a rid she can go on, but not your 18 month, one parent can go ont he ride with your daughter while the other stays with the baby and then whne the ride is over the parents swithc places and you DD gets to ride the ride twice in a row - once with each parent.

Plus, though I know you want to make this a special trip for your DD - and you will weather or not your take your other child - I think as a mom it will bother you that you didn't take your younger child. Especially when you're on the trip you will think how much your other child would like this or that and it could. That guilt could put a damper on the trip for you and maybe your daughter.

You know what's best for your family, but my vote is enjoy this time at Disney with both your children. Your younger child may not remember it, but you will....

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

Eh, we went on our honeymoon to WDW back in 2004. Our two kids were... (math...) 8 and 4 (his and mine). I missed them terribly the first few days- then got over it!

BUT we just went back with the WHOLE family and now, I'd never take just one kid- or two. But for us- going to WDW is a very expensive prospect and we can only get there probably every 2-3 years, at the most, if we all scrape and save. So it's a BIG DEAL to the whole family

That all being said- I would and HAVE taken one kid to DisneyLand without the other- but we live 4 hours away, so we get there quite often.

GL- whatever your decision, it will be a good trip.

Either way, you'll have a fun time. I

 

[tjmw2727]

I have taken 1-1 trips to WDW with each of my daughters while the other stayed home with DH. I think leaving the baby home with grandparents is fine and either way your in a win/win situation. Grandma and Grandpa can dote on baby and you can have some 1-1 time with the older dd.

However, based on your post this seems to be more of a family trip so if I were in your shoes I would bring the baby. We took our youngest at 15 mos and it is one of my favorite memories. Her language exploded during that trip and she was very easy to have around. I would make sure you have a comfy stroller so she can nap at the park and bring a sling or snugli for lines. Other than that you shouldn't have to change much. She is free to the parks, free at meals and free in the room. You can have a PnP crib at the values free of charge.

You could still incorporate lots of 1-1 time with the older dd while the baby naps, either in the park or at the hotel. You could do a dinner out together, BBB or mini golf with just the two of you and then alternate the next day and let her have 1-1 time while you spend time with the baby. I remember pushing my dd in the stroller for an afternoon nap and strolling the grounds of ASMo until she fell asleep. I did stroll over to the poolside bar for a little FL type adult slushie drink to sip while walking one she was asleep too !

I would continue to weigh the options until you feel comfortable with your deicision. Remember every family is different and you will know what's best for this trip and your family.

Have fun
TJ

 

[disneynewbee]

I personally would take her but you know what is best for you guys. On our last trip my youngest dd was 11 months and still had a blast watching and looking. At 18 months they will be thrilled by their surroundings and can go on plenty of rides. Yes they won't remember but you will. Now on this next trip we have coming our newest dd will be 4 months. Since she's so young she won't get what's going on around her I wouldn't mind leaving her home but we don't have trusted care for her so she is going. Do what works best for your family. My sister met us on our last trip with just her 6yo dd because her dh couldn't come and she couldn't handle all her kids herself. I don't think her younger kids will ever make a big deal about it but she did feel guilty the whole time and spent many hours worrying about them even though they were home safe with daddy.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I am torn. I will have an 18 mos DD in May. We've planned a 5 day trip with our DD 6 and we are not going to bring 18 mos DD.

Here are my pros of not bringing her:

1. This trip was a reward for DD 6 for being potty trained. (okay she was trained at 3 yrs but budget hasn't allowed us to get there until now)

2. The flight is long. We're flying from MN

3. We only have 5 days to do the parks.

4. She's 18 mos and isn't going to remember the parks

5. She will get to have a week at grandma and grandpas by herself.

6. We're staying a POP. Tough for all 4 to share room.


Cons of not bringing her:

1. DD6 will tell her we left her behind. Hurt feelings when she gets older. Potential years of counseling

2. I am going to miss her tons.

3. She is free for airfare and park admission.

4. It's a family trip and she won't be a part of it.

I am really confused. I would like opinions. I have not made my mind up completely yet. Anyone else been in a situation like this?

Well... Pro 1 is a good point but sharing is important. Maybe make sure the older girl doesn't miss out on anything because of the baby even if it means you or your husband do. I think Pro 2-4 are neutral- they don't matter. Pro 5 is probably less of a Pro than a Con a week without parents is going to be rough on her no matter who you leave her with. Pro 6... I think that's kinda just one of those things that happens in families with kids spaced far apart. (Says the mother of a 10 year old who is contemplating another next year )

The Cons on the other hand, I agree with. So I guess analyzing it I would say take her. Of course, I don't know your kids but that's my best opinion from the information in the OP.

 

[disneybell]

What does the six year old think? Not that it is her decision, but my kids would freak out if I told them we were leaving the baby home on our next trip! I vote take her.

 

[smilnjen]

Im also leaving my 12 month old home with grandma...I just think it would be miserable for her to be in a stroller (or carried) for 5 days. She walks, and i just couldn't imagine her being happy with not being able to walk....she is a busy body and wants to gogogo and dododo...and get into everything and do it herself...We will go again in another few years and she can really enjoy it!! Hope this helps...