Swore I wouldn't, but should I book another trip?

[tartemis]

A little background -- We took my daughter (than 6 months old) on her first trip to Disney last year and we had a wonderful time. This year, we took an "anniversary" trip in March when she was 18 months. She had a wonderful time, but most of all just enjoyed playing in the pools all day and seeing the fireworks at night. She really enjoyed the character breakfast as well, but the parks were a bit overwhelming for her I think. She only like the outdoor carnivle type rides and was scared of all of the other ones -- even things like Winnie the Pooh. (she didn't like anything that would be dark for even a section.)

After the trip, even though we had a good time we swore that we would wait a few more years to head back -- when she would be able to appreciate the parks more. We thguoth that next winter we would just go to some type of warm resort, since she loves swimming so much.

One month later -- and I'm tempted to change my mind. I received a pin for buy 5 get 2 nights free from Disney (which expires in the next few weeks so I need to make a decision).

We are blessed to be due with our second child in August. I definitely want to take a vacation during my maternity leave (which will run through January) and thought we would go someplace warm in December or January.
So my question to all of you wise folks -- would you go to Disney with a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old? I'm not worried about the infant, because it was such a good experience with my oldest (although I know that juggling 2 kids is more difficult). But, I wonder if the experience for my 2 1/2 year old will be the same as it was when she was 1 1/2 -- she would rather just hang out a pool all day.

I apologize for the novel, but I'm struggling with the decision and would appreciate any feedback. My husband thinks I'm nuts since I swore last month we weren't going back for a few years and now I'm thinking about booking a trip for this December or January.

 

[adventure_woman]

Go go go go go. My DD will be going on her 4th trip in Aug, right before she turns 3. When we went last August, the experience was totally different than this Jan. when we went. I love watching her there. Her first trip was when she was 8 weeks. So, if I have any suggestions, maybe try to go before #2 wants to start crawling everywhere. That way, the baby isn't getting ansy trying to get down and move. (That was the hardest time with my DD, when you don't really want to put her down on icky floors, etc.)

 

[d1sneyf4n]

I think you said you would be going in Dec(maybe I am wrong, I should pay attention to what I read more). Anyway, I just wanted to let you know bc you said ur daughter really enjoyed the pool, we were there in Dec and there was no way we could use the pool for more than like 10 min at a time. I could not even stand the water for 10 min but my DH, DD5, DD2, brother and 2 nieces could. My sister-n-law and I just watched from the lawn chairs thinking they were all nuts. The water was a chilly 82 degrees. The air was also pretty chilly that week(Dec 3 -Dec9). I just wanted to give you a heads up. I think FL in Dec in a hit or miss. My brother who was with us lives in FL and he says sometimes it is warm at Christmas and others it is not.

 

[arielmomma]

We've been taking both of our children since they were infants - now DS5 & DD2. I must admit that both of my children have always enjoyed the parks so I say go! I think 2 is a fun time to take a child to the parks. At 2 1/2 a child is just getting to be old enough to appreciate the wonder. We went in January when my daughter was a few weeks shy of turning 2. She absolutely loved our lunch with the princesses. She enjoyed all of the animals and the rides. I am really looking forward to taking her back in September when she'll be 2 1/2 and will find it even more magical. Take your daughter - have fun!!!!

 

[tartemis]

Thanks everyone for your input. I posted some other threads about the pool temps and it looks like it is really hit or miss whether we could swim that time of year. I know my daughter will want to jump in even if it is 32 degrees out, so I'm going to have to give this some more thought. If I was confident she would enjoy the parks I would do it in a second, but given our last experience at 18 months with her, I'm not sure she will enjoy them by December/January when she will actually just be over 2 and not 2 1/2 like I previously wrote.

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

we took my son when he was 23 months old and 30 months old, and the difference between the two times was remarkable. The first trip, he was basically scared of everything in the dark. On the second trip, he wasn't scared of anything. Kids grow and change so rapidly that it is impossible to base what they will and will not like, on what they liked a year earlier.

edit: to add that you will also have the benefit of not paying for you child, since they are still under 3.

 

[drinkme]

Definitely go! As long as you can afford another trip, then go. A WDW vacation isn't just for the kids. You will have lots of fun too. Even just leisurely strolling through the countries at EPCOT while pushing the kids in their stroller would be fun.

And the kids will still be free!