Not bringing 18 mos old to disney????

[Kae]

We took DS for his first trip when he was 4 & DD was 13 mths. We left DD with the grandparents. We had so much fun with DS. Not that I think we gave him less attention after DD was born but it nice to have alone time with him again. DD knows she did not go on that trip & at 7 shes fine with it

Kae

 

[MamaCoog]

We just got back from a 5 day trip with a 14 month old and he LOVED it. We stayed at POP and there was plenty of room. We requested bed rails and a pack n play since I wasnt sure which would work better. DS ended up sleeping in the pack n play and me and the dh got a bed each. I agree with everyone else that you should bring her!! She would have the best time!

 

[jennilouwho]

We took DS when he was 17 months and he had a blast! It's been 5 months since the trip and he's still convinced he's going to see Mickey when we go to a restaurant!

 

[buckler]

If you leave the younger DD home now, would you leave the older DD home when you take younger DD on her WDW potty training reward trip? You just know she'll be asking for one if she hears her older sister got one. But if you take her now you can say she got her reward in advance .

 

[grlpwrd]

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

This speaks volumes.

I would take her.

We went to SeaWorld and WDW in 1998 when I had only 3 kids and when my youngest was 6 mo. Memories are priceless. I have albums of photos and looking back it warms our heart that we were all there.

I would be crushed if one of our crew was missing from a family vacation. Plus, the kids will notice when vacation photos are viewed as they get older. I would never imagine leaving one of them out, kwim?

GL!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I would definitely take her, especially since it sounds like you won't be going back for a while. (And at least now she is practically free.) Also- we took our kids at 2 and 4, and sharing a value room isn't a big deal at that age.

 

[chrisw127]

Okay, maybe I'm saying this because I have 12 month old twins and I'm really tired right now, but I would leave her with the grandparents. We went in December with all three of our kids (we also have a five-year old) and it was fine, but there wasn't that much the little ones could do. We did hire a babysitter one day and my SIL watched the twins one night, but otherwise, there was a lot of time spent in the babycare station while I or my husband took our oldest around to the sights.

I think part of the reason it worked as well as it did was that our twins weren't walking yet. That stage where they're walking and can't yet understand directions very well and they're starting to get a little willfull (say, 18 months ), I think that can be a little hard for travel. In fact, my SIL brought her five-year old but left the 18-month old home with her husband.

As an aside, I'm taking the five-year old and going with him (and some other mom friends and their kids) for a weekend in May. He did kind of miss out on some things when we were there in December and he's had a hard year (being a new brother to not one but two babies!) so we're going to celebrate. We'll take the twins back when they're three. I hope they'll get over missing out on this trip someday!

 

[chrisw127]

We took DS for his first trip when he was 4 & DD was 13 mths. We left DD with the grandparents. We had so much fun with DS. Not that I think we gave him less attention after DD was born but it nice to have alone time with him again. DD knows she did not go on that trip & at 7 shes fine with it

Kae

This is kind of my attitude. Our son had such a big year becoming a new brother and lots of times, he didn't get the amount of attention we would have liked to give him because of new brother and sister. I need a little time alone with him so we're taking a trip together. I'm sure I'll miss the twins, of course, but I will also enjoy the extra sleep and time alone with my older child.

 

[powellrj]

Another vote for leaving the baby with grandparents. Its such a special trip for the older child to have mom and dad again and to just focus on them. Lets face it, when you take the baby, its going to be about the baby. If the baby is with grandparents, they are the center of attention at grandmas house while your older child is the center of attention on the trip.

 

[llori7]

I would take her. We took our son at 20 months and he had so much fun!! To us Disney is about family. I could never imagine not taking one of my kids with me. I would definitely take her. Don't you think your older DD would want her sister there???

 

[CRdisMom]

Thanks for all of the kind replies. I am leaning towards taking her. DH is still saying no. DD6 says yes. I promise I will let you know what I decide. We leave May 5 so I have sometime to figure it out.

DD6 said if dd 18 mo gets to go with grandma and grandpa, will she get a week with them too by herself? Sounds like a week with Mom and Dad alone isn't as apealing as a week at the lake with granparents.

 

[disney_family_1247]

My dh and I don't take vacations without our kids, but even if we did, we would absolutely not take some and not others . I stay at home with the kids, so my 20 month old is way to attached to me to be left anywhere for a week. If I worked, I would cherish the week of family time a vacation would afford me. Your daughters will only be this age once, why not let them share this experience together. Even if the youngest doesn't remember, she can look at the pictures in later years. My daughter was 15 months the last time we went. She had a great time. The hotel will give you a crib for free, the plane won't cost more, the tickets won't cost more, so I say bring her

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Good luck with whatever you decide. I personally would take the baby. Of course I would never leave one child home but that aside, if you aren't the type to go a few times a year or at least annually then you don't know when you will go back. Why shouldn't you all have this family vacation time together. I have 4 kids and spend plenty of time alone with each child so I don't really agree with the theory that the older child is neglected therefore they need a week alone with Mom and Dad. That of course is JMO and I am not flaming anyone who feels differently. Travelling with an 18 month old is really easy. If you don't dread it then it won't be a dreadful trip. I think you will have an amazing time seeing it all through both of their eyes. It may also help teach your older child to look out for (so to speak) for the younger one. They may find things that they enjoy together (like the Goofy fountains at the POP!). I think it can be a totally great bonding experience for the whole family. Good luck in your decision. Only you know what is right for your own family.

 

[DannysMom]

I think you should take the toddler. If older DD will be telling her all about how she was left behind for her "special trip" -- you'll be needing to leave the older child behind in a year or two when your younger child potty trains & demands her own "Special Trip!"

Anyway you're right, it's a family vacation, the family should go. And it gives you incentive to take her back when she's "old enough to remember."

 

[Disneygirl26]

I'm going to go against popular opinion here and say take the trip with just your 6 yr old. It will mean so much to her to have you all to herself for a few days and will be very special for her. If it ever becomes an issue with your younger daughter you can always take her on a special trip by herself when she's older. We've taken some kids without the others and, although I love going as a whole family, the trips with 1 or 2 kids are also very special. All our kids understand that at some point they will each get a trip by themselves or with only 1 other sib. and they are OK with it.

I totally agree, DD6 will love being "the only child" for a few days and the baby will enjoy being spoiled by the grandparents, make it a tradition when you turn 6 you get a special alone trip to Disney with just mom and dad. I've take my kids when they were babies and the enjoyed it then, but it is so much easier not having to carry all the things babies require around the park.

 

[goldenears]

I wouldn't even think twice about bringing her. We brought our DD when she was one and again when she was almost two. Will she remember these trips when she is older...probably not..who the heck knows?! I honestly don't really care if she remembers it or not. She had an absolutely amazing time when we are there. Life is all about living in the moment and enjoying where you and your children are right now. Pictures and videos will help her remember
Have fun no matter what you decide.

 

[PEANUT1]

I think either way you win....the baby will have a blast if you take him/her...but that being said it is hard to take an 18 month old. Went in Oct when our daughter was just 1 and that was pretty easy..but 18 months is a whole other story.

We are leaving our 18 month old with my folks in may for 5 days when we go. We are DVC members so we go annually. I really thought long and hard about this decision and it was hard but ultimately I decided that she will probably have more fun being spoiled by her mom mom. We have really special things planned for this trip that we couldn't do with the baby. I know I will miss her like crazy but I stand by my decision and you should too. Whatever you decide it is the right decision for you.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

We took our 10-month-old DD and 25-month-old DS in October 2007. Just two toddlers. No older child wanting to go. We just knew for a very long time that we would start taking our children to WDW as soon as possible.

They had so much fun that we are taking them back this year too.

DS's eyes as he watched Fantasmic was priceless. DD's laughs as she watched the MNSSHP parade was beyond touching. They both loved the rides. Even The Haunted Mansion!

I couldn't have imagined having left either one of them at home.

TAKE HER!!!

 

[My2Angels]

I have done it both ways. On an anniversary trip, I left my daughter at home with grandparents. I cried until my husband brought me home a day early! I couldn't stand watching all of those excited children hopping around at the parade knowing mine was at home! He was so mad

Then, after my son was born we decided to take him. He was 17 months old. He had the time of his life. He loved "bumbo" and "choo choo" and you should have seen that little face light up when he saw Mickey! I would not trade it for the world!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

I'm going in April with DS (almost 4), leaving DD (almost 1) with DH. Here are my thoughts.. He knew what it was like to be mommy's one and only and now he has to share that time... and with a difficult pregnancy and me breastfeeding, there have been so many things we have cut. I feel like this is a time to spend some one on one time with him.

Would my 1 yr old enjoy it? You bet. I'm sure she'd smile and have fun. She'd also have to nap alot, and probably want to do it in the room or be Ms. Cranky Pants. That said, would my son like to have her there? YES! But I think he can't wrap his head around one on one time either. I was feeling a little funny about it, but then I decided it is a treat for him - his birthday this year. Maybe I will do the same for DD first trip later on. Then do a family trip later on.

As you can guess, my vote is to leave the baby with the grandparents. Giving some special time to the older, lesser of the time demanding children at this point has got to be special to them - with or without Mickey!