NYE time with a 1yo, advice, tips, anyone?

[stamot]

Hi,
We are planning a trip for 12/26-1/04. It will be me, my dh, dm, dd 11yo and my ds 1yo (15 month). This will be my baby's first trip. I know we are going in a crazy busy time. Does anyone have advice and tips? We had been in Disney many times but never with the baby.
Also we are staying outside Disney this time because we can't afford enough space inside.

 

[MSSANDRA]

The crowds will thin a little bit after the 2nd so maybe plan with that in mind. We were there the first week in January two years ago and it was COLD...like in the 20's cold, so take plenty of warm clothes and blankets for the stroller. Be aware that being off site will mean at park closings, you will be one of the first to be denied entrance so you will want to be there at rope drop and stay until you are ready to leave. Make some reservations to cut CS wait time and carry plenty of snacks and drinks too.

 

[jen19806]

We were there this year for NYE, arrived 12/27 for a week & stayed offsite. It was also our first winter trip to Florida- we had been several times in July.

They do NYE fireworks on 12/30 & 12/31 - it's fun to see them twice. If you want to get into MK on NYE arrive early! They were turning people away when we got there mid morning, but we got in b/c we had an ADR for lunch at CP (not a guarantee, but gets an off site person in through the first three levels of closure). I highly recommend this! Plus, it was insanely crowded, so being able to take a time out & sit down was really nice.

People lined up hours ahead of time on NYE for fireworks, so keep your party together if you want to watch together. I saw one lady burst into tears b/c she thought she was going to be able to walk up to the front of the castle & join her people 15 min before midnight but the park was just jammed- there was no way she was getting close.

Make sure & check out the decorations at some resorts, everything is beautiful. The Osbourne lights at HS are one of the prettiest things I've ever seen.

 

[esquared221]

The crowds will thin a little bit after the 2nd so maybe plan with that in mind. We were there the first week in January two years ago and it was COLD...like in the 20's cold, so take plenty of warm clothes and blankets for the stroller.

I was going to suggest the same thing. We've been twice in the Jan/Feb time frame and one year it was stupid cold. On our last day we had reservations for CP before the park opened and even though we were all in jeans and a fleece we were FREEZING waiting for them to let us in. Make sure you pack enough warm layers, just in case.

 

[SweetMissy]

My advice...don't go, lol. We went back in 2011 on 1/1-1/5 or 1/6 and I would never go that week again! It was horribly crowded...everywhere. It was chilly every night, so we weren't able to enjoy the pools...although the kids still did swim but not for long. Obviously I don't think you're going to cancel your trip due to my experience but just be prepared for the crowds and the unpredictable weather (it was beautiful during the day). As far as bringing a baby...our 2 1/2 year old has gone at 4 months and 18 months. It's not bad...the younger the better is easier IMO. I hope you're a baby wearer, because that makes things easier. If not, you may want to look into a carrier, although at your little ones age, he might not like it if he's not used to it. Anyway, sorry so long. Good luck!