Taking a 12 month old or 18 month old?

[100AcreWood]

We're starting to think about our next trip. We can either go in November when my youngest will be 12 months or wait until May when she will be 18 months. I'm leaning toward May but looking for opinions from people who have done Disney with a 12 month or 18 month old.

I'm concerned she'll just be walking in November and will stumble her way around Disney. But if we wait another 6 months she'll be able to walk without falling as much!

Opinions?

Also I've never been in May - are the crowds light?

 

[Princess Roo]

I think either is great! We took a 15-month old...so split your timeframe down the middle. Our was just barely walking at 15 months, and that worked out fine. I don't think it would have been a problem if he hadn't been walking. I liked that he was completely on table food. Ours wasn't *quite* at 12 months (and I was still nursing), but we could have had him there if it wasn't for allergies and stuff we were dealing with.

We just got back from a May trip. The crowds were a little heavier than our early December (haven't been in November) trip, but not bad. It was also pretty hot, but not horrible hot.

How's that for helpful? I think either time would be great!

 

[teresajoy]

We're starting to think about our next trip. We can either go in November when my youngest will be 12 months or wait until May when she will be 18 months. I'm leaning toward May but looking for opinions from people who have done Disney with a 12 month or 18 month old.

I'm concerned she'll just be walking in November and will stumble her way around Disney. But if we wait another 6 months she'll be able to walk without falling as much!

Opinions?

Also I've never been in May - are the crowds light?

We just got back from a two week May trip, and I have never seen it so crowded in May before! I think it is becoming a much more popular time to go. However, it's nothing like the crowds around Christmas. Other people who were there at the same time thought it wasn't crowded at all though So, I don't know what to tell you about which is the best month. It can be HOT HOT HOT in May, or it can be very mild, like the weeks we were down this year.

I have also had experience with taking children of many different ages, 4 months, 12 months, 18 months, ..... My daughter was just starting to walk at 12 months, so it was actually nice because she did not mind being in the stroller. Which I feel is the safest place for young kids at a crowded park. You dont' want them wondering off, and strollers usually have a sun shade so they don't get so hot or burned. And, don't underestimate the importance of being able to stow your stuff in there! At 18 months, they are fighting the stroller thing more (at least mine did!) and they want to run around where they want. My recommendation would be to go when she's 12 months.

That being said though, my kids have loved every trip they've taken, no matter what their age!

 

[bkreitzel]

STRONGLY encourage you to go when your child is 12 mo vs. 18mo....they are less vocal, mobile, opinionated and HEAVY. At one, they will sleep in the stroller, or your arms and eat about anything...they love all the colors, lights and sounds...at 18 months they are talking A LOT and have THEIR OWN favorite characters, etc which I imagine you could do but would make your family split up more....we LOVED LOVED LOVED disney w/ a one year old and older sibling. it was IDEAL.

 

[susykt4]

We took DD for the first time at 18 months. She did great with everything except eating. I think she went three days straight only eating ketchup with a spoon. Otherwise she napped in her stroller, slept well at the resort, enjoyed the characters and rides. Great fun!

My brother took his daughter at 12 months. She was fine with everything and really enjoyed the trip. I think their only "complaint" was that she wasn't yet walking or standing so my SIL had to be in many of the character photos.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Took an 18-month-old in May, 2002, and had a fabulous time!