Should we go???

[lfeikert]

I'm looking for some good advice! We are really unsure of whether or not to make the trip to WDW at this time. Our kids will be 4 and 15 mos at the time we want to go (June 2005). I know our 4 yo daughter will love it, but I'm worried about DS. Is he too young? Will it just be too much hassle to try to navigate the parks and attractions with a child that age? We would be driving there from Ohio which is another consideration. I just really want some good advice from people who have had this experience. This is a lot of money and time to put into a vacation so we want to be sure it's the right time for us. I'm looking forward to reading any advice!

 

[sunkissed212]

I'd say go for it! I don't have any children but I know tons of people that go with young children. My parents took me for my first trip at 7 months and although I don't remember it, we went back for the next 15 years so it must not have been too bad right? I'd say do it but definitly do some research before you go on how to navigate WDW with an infant. There will be a lot more "breaks" and "rest time" than without a child so that might affect your plans for seeing things and such.

I've seen many people with little ones at WDW and they all seem to be having the time of their lives so I'm sure it's "doable"...good luck to you!

 

[jehma]

We drive the 19 hours from NJ to FL every year to visit my parents. We have an RV, and drove out to Yellowstone last year. We've been making the 11 hour trip from NJ to SC since my DD9 was 6 months old. The long drives have never been a problem for us. We've collected so much over the tyears, that now we have video in the car, CD players, game boys, travel games, puzzle books, lots of junk food in the car, etc, etc. They love the drive!

We last went to WDW when my kids were 8, 5, and 16 mos. My little guy loved it! He went on everything that he was big enough for and loved it all. He loved the monorails, buses, and boats as much as the "real" rides
dh and I took turns taking the older two on the bigger rides, but could have done the baby swap if we wanted to.

If this had been my only chance to go to WDW in my whole life, I would have waited. We're taking them back this year at ages 12, 9, and 5 so that my son can actually have a trip to WDW he remembers. And we'll probably go back again in another 4-5 years if we can afford it!

 

[swilphil]

I took our youngest son at 13 months and again at 23 months. I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you are planning another trip when he is older. I actually found that my kids were easier when they were younger--less whining, content to sit in the stroller, not having to take potty breaks NOW, don't mind coming back to the room for naps, doesn't want to buy every single toy he sees. My youngest also has that sense of wonder and magic that will be lost when he's older. He loves the characters and gets so excited over the littlest things.

 

[lfeikert]

I should have also added this in my initial post. What's the advice on staying on Disney property or off? Right now, if we go, we are planning on staying off property at Lake Buena Vista. We chose this option because we wanted a suite and couldn't afford the suite properties at the resort. We just feel that with the kids being so young, we really wanted extra room and a kitchen. Any other thoughts?

 

[sunkissed212]

I think that staying onsite is much more convenient with or without children. My family has always stayed onsite and it's just so convenient to be able to bounce back and forth from parks to hotels, restaurants, etc whenever you want to without having to worry about parking, driving, etc.

JMO though

 

[lfeikert]

This is SOOO great! I just discovered this site and I'm having a ball reading all the threads. Thanks so much for the advice so far. I'm going to have DH read these when he gets home. He's the one that's not convinced that now is the time to go. I have been there before as a kid and I LOVED it. I just hope I'm not planning a trip for ME rather than for my family. I really want it to be a positive experience for all of us. Keep the tips coming! You've all been very helpful so far. We actually have a package reserved until Monday so we'll be making our decision tomorrow. All the advice I can get will help us make the best decision!

 

[all4fun]

I say go! We have been with our ds at 13, 17, and 20 months of age. The last trip we also had our 8-yr old neice with us. She enjoyed everything of course. Our ds has done well on all the trips and by the last two he was finally walking and enjoying everything immensely. He really loved the characters especially and there are a lot of attractions and rides at WDW that babies can do. As long as you're prepared to do things at a bit of a slower pace to account for having a baby with you then you should have a great time. You can also get a "baby swap" pass for the rides that have height limits, then either you or your dh can go on the ride while the other parent waits with the baby (or both kids of the older dd doesn't want to ride or still isn't tall enough). After the first adult gets off the ride, then the second parent uses the "baby swap" pass to go in the fast pass line, which greatly reduces your wait time (5-10mins, usually). If you plan ahead a bit, the first adult doesn't have to wait in the standy line if you got a fastpass for that ride first.

Hope that helps!
Cheryl

edit to add: If you want to stay on property and want to have a condo-style accomodation instead of a regular hotel room (which I definitely think is a bonus with a baby) then you might want to look into renting DVC points from a DVC member (Disney's version of a timeshare) and staying at one of Disney's "Home away from Home" resorts. You can find points for rent on the DVC Rent/Trade board We are DVC members and love it. Staying on property also has the added bonus of the Extra Magic Hours (certain parks on certain days you can come one hour early or stay 3 hours later), which you can't do if you're off property. hth!

 

[lfeikert]

I took our youngest son at 13 months and again at 23 months. I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you are planning another trip when he is older.

I maybe also should have mentioned that this probably won't be our only trip. However, our decision right now is: Do we go this summer when DS is 15 mos and DD is 4 yo OR go in two years when DS is 3 yo and DD is 6 yo. Maybe then we could fly down instead of drive and wouldn't necessarily need a suite which means that we would probably stay onsite.

Forgive me, I'm new to all of this. I guess before I posted my question, I should have included ALL the information Again, I'm really enjoying reading everyone's replies and they are helping us make an informed decision!

 

[lfeikert]

If you want to stay on property and want to have a condo-style accomodation instead of a regular hotel room (which I definitely think is a bonus with a baby) then you might want to look into renting DVC points from a DVC member (Disney's version of a timeshare) and staying at one of Disney's "Home away from Home" resorts. You can find points for rent on the DVC Rent/Trade board We are DVC members and love it.

Can you tell me a little bit more about how this works? We really wanted to stay in the Boardwalk Villas, but it was twice the price of staying offsite in a Disney Good Neighbor hotel. This sounds like something we might be interested in.

 

[all4fun]

Sure, DVC members purchase a certain number of points that can be used every year. How many points you have to "spend" on your stay depends on what time of year of you want to go (the "higher" the season, the more expensive it is) and what type of accomodation you need (i.e. studio, 1-bdrm, 2-bdrm, or Grand Villa). Most points rent for about $10/pt. Here is a link to a calculator where you can put in your travel dates and resort/room preference to determine how many points you need: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resort/dvcpoint.cfm
and a link to the DVC FAQ that will help answer a lot of your questions: http://www.wdwinfo.com/dvc/renttrade-faq.htm

hth,
Cheryl

 

[luvthatdisney]

I have to be honest - I go because I love it so much - I also love to see the expressions on my kids faces when they experience something I love. So it did not matter what age they were - if I had an opportunity to go I did. Our first trip was before we had kids (over 15 years ago) and we first took our ds when he was about 2 (he is now 14). Our dd's first trip was when she was about 18 months old. The only thing she did not like was Winnie the Pooh - she would cry everytime he came around. I had to start avoiding him - especially at the character meals. She is now 10 and loves WDW as much as I do!!

I would say go - and have a great time. I have friends who say they would never take their child until they were older and could enjoy it. Well, I just explain that I go because I love it and the kids just make it all that more special. Getting to share things your enjoy with your kids (even at an early age) just makes your bond stronger. My dd still remember things she did at WDW all the way back to probably her 5 year old trip - but we can alway pull out the old movies!!!

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

We went with 10, 6, and 15mo. old and the 15 mo. old LOVED it and is still saying Mickey 3 months later. It was so much fun!! As far as the Hotel goes, we stayed on sight at ASMo and rented a refrig. Being there was great and added to the Disney magic. We don't spend time in the rooms anyway. I don't know what your needs are but this worked great for us! Good luck in whatever you choose!!

 

[loribell]

I took my two youngest when they were about 19 - 21 months each. The trips were great. This summer I am taking my grandaughter on her first trip, she will be 20 months.

I think you will be fine. Take them and have a great time. Just remember to be prepared to go at their pace and everything will be fine.

Lori

 

[mom2threeboys]

We went last year, when our youngest was 10 mo. He did wonderfully, and had a really good time. He enjoyed just watching the people go by, and loved "It's a Small World" (LOL, Dh was ready to scream after the 3rd time on it - but DS was so cute!)
So, I'd definitely say go for it! Your 4 year old will remember it for a long time. My older two (5 and 2.5 at our last trip) still talk about all the rides and characters they met!
Also, if you can I'd try to stay onsite with little ones, it made life so much easier. It is more expensive, but worth it. That said, if you'd feel the need to stay off site, do so. You'll still be going to DisneyWorld!

 

[elan]

I say go (especially if you will be able to take him back when he will remember it). We've taken all of ours for their first trip when they were in the 13-18 month range. One nice thing about this age...they are FREE.

I would also vote for staying on site. It is just so easy to hop back to the hotel for a rest and swim and than back to the parks for some evening fun.

Gook luck with your planning.

 

[njcarita]

go for it !!!!!!!!!

my 7 yr old was 9 months old the first time she went- she crawled for the first time in our hotel room at the all star music- what a memory that is-

my 3 year old - has been to disney 5 times-

and i know something for sure

disney is the only place on earth that is ageless- whether your are 10 months old or celebrating your 95th birthday-
you walk in the front gate and whoosh you are child looking at the world with all the magic of childhood

 

[BevS97]

You will find 90% of the people on these boards will tell you that you have to stay onsite to have a great vacation - I don't believe that to be true. We have done both, and while I like staying onsite, if you want an apartment then you really can't beat the space and price of an offsite suite or condo. Even a 1 bedroom at a DVC property is not that big - it means you get a bedroom and the kids have to sleep on the sofa bed - not ideal, and the price of a 2 bedroom is high, even if you are renting points.
We stayed in a condo at Windsor Palms which is just offsite, about 10 minutes from Animal Kingdom if you use the Sherbeth Road shortcut, and the quality of accomodation for the price we paid was incredible- we paid about $700 for 2 weeks in the condo - that's $50 a night for 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen and laundry - that would get you about 3 nights at 2 bed DVC property. (granted it was the very off season which is why it was so cheap).

If you have your own car, then I don't think offsite is that much more inconvienent than on-site, except for visiting the Magic Kingdom, when I will admit the TTC gets a bit annoying. You do have to check the location of your accomodation very carefully though, just because it says 5 minutes ot Disney doesn't mean it really is. Another plcae worth checking out is Cypress Pointe which is very very close to Downtown Disney.


Saying all that - if you don't really need a kitchen, then there is no reason you can't stay in a single room onsite - we did that on our last trip, me, dh, dd age 6 and dd age 14 months shared a room at Port Orleans FQ for 2 weeks, and we managed just fine - I did miss the washing machine but it wasn't desperate and for a shorter trip it wouldn't have been an issue.


If I am honest, I do like being onsite, but the standard of accomodation offsite can be so much superior (and so much cheaper) that it is an optoin that really needs serious consideration.