Pondering first trip with new addition...

[arizonacolbys]

I am pregnant with our first & due in September '08! We are SO excited to meet our little one & are also excited to take him/her to WDW!! Hubby & I have gone every year & taken 10 trips together since 2000. It is like our home away from home & I miss it already! LOL

I am dying to go back at Christmastime - so, December '09 would put our little one at about 15 months. Is this a good time to bring a little one down to WDW for the first time?

We have also been planning on going May '10 to celebrate our 10th anniversary & our little one would be 20 months at that time. We'll probably get AP's & either go the Dec prior to May '10, or wait until Dec '10 at 27 months.

Does anyone have any opinions on this? Have you gone down with a 15 month or 20 month old babe? Did you still have a good time? Everyone I talk to (granted they don't understand my Disney addiction) thinks I'm crazy & shouldn't bring a little one down until they're at least 4...isn't WDW made for little ones & their families?? Plus, I'd rather go where I want to go regardless (WDW) and not just sit on a beach somewhere because the little one is too young to remember the trip, etc.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[momsully]

We took DS now 8 for the first time when he was 14 months. He actually learned to walk at the Wilderness Lodge! We had a great trip and some of the video of him interacting with the characters is priceless.

 

[Liljam]

Well, we're taking our 3 month old son in May so you're not alone. There are several threads on here that support taking infants and toddlers to WDW. I also read a great article on allearsnet about tips.

 

[Fall1]

We're taking our twins in October, they'll be 16 months. Everyone I've talked to that loves WDW and so many threads on these boards have helped us decide that we'll have a blast!

 

[shelly3girls]

I have taken my children at almost every age from 2 months-9 years. Every age is a new, wonderful experience. I do not think there is any wrong age. DS was 18 months on our last trip and it was amazing. No matter what you will need nap breaks.

I personally think diapers are not a big deal at WDW. Now a newly potty trained toddler is another story...

 

[cruisekat]

My daughter had an unbelievable time when we took her at this age!! The wonder and awe in her eyes was priceless! They are free at this age and eat free at the buffets, and they can ride so many things even at this age too! You'll have a great time! We're headed down with my son, now 16 months, and my daughter, now 4...in 2 weeks! I say go for it!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Thanks everyone for all the great input so far! Keep it coming!

I was definitely keeping naps in mind, but thanks for reminding me! Our touring style has always been to be at parks early & go rest or swim at the resort for a couple hours before heading back out, so I think that type of plan should work out well.

I SO want to go back now, so only having to wait until Dec 09 instead of May 10 would be great.

 

[katied]

We took DS first a 6 months - I have great pictures and he loved it! We went again in Dec. with DS at 8 months - I got a great picture of him with Santa at MVMCP - he loved the Christmas lights at HS, etc. His favorite ride both trips with Its a Small World, but he also enjoyed Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, etc. Lots of colors, music, etc. all kept him entertained. He loved the characters, esp. the fuzzy ones (like Pooh, Pluto, Piglet, etc.) and would laught when they were close to him. He'll be there again in May at 13 1/2 months, and I expect him to have fun too.

I think it does depend on the child - mine is happy to travel, loves people, and loves to see new things. If you have a kid who craves routine, and gets very uncomforable around strangers, like my DNiece, it could less enjoyable.

 

[frtchr]

Congrats on the new addition! I'm also expecting in Sept. '08. We took our DD in Dec. at 11 m.o., and we're taking her back next month at 15 m.o. She'll also go again at a little over 2 y.o. with her little brother or sis who will be 6 m.o. at the time.

I say you should go for it! As long as you go at your little one's pace and don't expect to do everything you did alone with your DH, things should be great!!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the great response! It looks like everyone here agrees with me that 15 months is a great time to take my little one to WDW. I can't wait to start planning my trip! LOL Thanks again!!

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

I have taken mine @ 5 mos, 10 1/2 mos, 20 mos and will be going in May with them ---13 1/2 mos and 29 mos....every age is perfect! My two year old talks about Disney World ALL THE TIME. He sees the commercials and says "What's that, Disney Mommy?" He has a duck obsession (Donald, of course) and gave his first kiss in Disney (see pic below)

 

[Wendybird55]

My DS was born in Sept. - a great month! In fact I was at Disney when I was pregnant with him! I made the trip plans before I got pregnant.

Anyway, I'm taking him for the first time this Sept - he will be 23 months. there are alot people who say you shouldn't take kids until they're older - 5-6 -because they won't remember. Well I'll remember! There is something special about all phases of your child's life and the reactions your child will have at 15 months will be priceless.

The fact that you and DH have been to Disney so many times is great. You know the ropes - what attractions would be good for your child, etc. And you are planning the trip around your baby. If you miss an attraction or a parade because your child is tired or cranky or wants to ride on Dumbo for the 100th time - it's OK - because you've done it before and know you will do it again at another time.

You'll have a great time! I know how excited you are because one of the first things I couldn't wait to do when my son was born was take him to Disney! I can't wait to experience Disney with my son -It will be like going for the first time all over again.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Best of luck with everything

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I'm the one (and only!) that voted for you to wait till 20 months. The ONLY reason I did that, is because I just figure that if you wait that extra 5 months, thats 5 more months of development and understanding he/she will have. I don't think theres anything wrong with taking a 15 month old, or a 3 month old for that matter! If you can afford to bring him/her every 6 months, I say go for that too!!! You'll have a great time no matter what age!
Also, I know this is going against what I just said, but.... We are also going just before Christmas, and I think thats a wonderful time to go. Small to no crouds, cheapest time, and all the beautiful decorations! Only thing is it may be a bit chilly some days and most nights, but I'm from Jersey, I'm used to it!
Again, have a great time whatever you decide!!!!!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Sharpmom - thanks for the honest answer. We are going regardless at 20 months since that is hubby & I are celebrating our 10th anniversary that May! My biggest decision was whether to go prior to that trip at 15 months in Dec since I'm dying to go back then. Otherwise, we'd go in May at 20 months & then the following Dec at 27 months...but, I don't think I want to wait that long!! LOL Plus vacation timing would be easier in 2 separate calendar years.

 

[mrstomrice]

I agree that there is no problem at 15 months...we took our boys for the first time when 1 was 11 months and the other was 20 months (2 different trips) They both loved the parades, shows, rides, fireworks and characters. Have you thought about going this December? I hear that they are very easy in the parks at this age...just a thought You have to consider their need to be up and moving around out of the stroller at 15 months, which is easily done with many options...it may save you some meltdowns!

 

[staci]

My honest answer? If you are seriously ready to go back, go sooner! I never had the opportunity, but I think a baby would be almost easier than the toddler- pop them into the sling and go!!! Then you could go BACK when the baby was 15-18 months for another trip!

DS was 23 months for his first trip and dd will 22 months.... but that is just how it works out for us financially. I would have totally gone earlier if given the opportunity.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Thanks for the advice to go this Dec instead of next Dec! LOL I would LOVE that idea, but my hubby's vacation time doesn't kick in until Jan 2009 (newer job) & since I'll be on maternity leave (without pay at that point) it unfortunately won't be in the cards for us financially this year either. But, it is a great idea...

 

[Tiger926]

Although 15 months is a good age as far as I'm concerned, the time of year is not, especially since you are coming from a very cold weather state of OH, and going to a warm place (we live close to OH). We took both our infants at 10 months but in the month of May (6.5 more weeks to go for our baby boy!) - I would never take infants that young to WDW during the winter months as there are too many viruses present that all of us cold weather people bring down. Our 20 month old was hospitalized (went in March, never again as it's peak season for strep throat) with serious, and I mean serious (she could have died) illnesses that she caught while in WDW. Our winter months are bad for illnesses, but so is it in Orlando. Their bodies are just too young at that age to deal with drastic weather changes, IMHO. All of our docs totally agree with this - I would never bring a newborn at that time of year (as per another poster) as millions of people from all over the world are visiting for xmas. Yikes!

I do wish you a very healthy trip, but do be prepared that at that time of year there a ton of illnesses floating around pretty much everywhere, and should your infant get sick and need to be hospitalized, it's very scary indeed.

Beat of luck, Tiger

 

[Nanu57v]

We took our DD at 9 months (Dec) and then 18 months (Sept). She loved it both times! And since you've been there 10 times in 8 years, chances are you are going to take him again a year later I'm guessing. Congrats on the pregnancy!

I didn't find the temperature issues to be a problem and DD didn't get sick. But I was still nursing DD at the 9 months and oddly enough she weaned over the 18months trip.