Tips for Disney with a 1 year old--no wet blankets please!

[Dannielle_1]

I took DS at 10 months and he had a great time.

Make sure you let the little one have "down time" as in, crawling/crusing/walking time and not strapped in the stroller or carrier all day. Find a quite corner of the park and let them down. (I'm NOT a germ-a-phobe so I was fine with my 10 month old on random pavement/carpet - now 4, he's never had a more than a cold - knock on wood). Back corner of France was one of my favorite memories - DS doing an elephant crawl because he didn't want his knees on the pavement - and he found a VERY interesting leaf.

I have a picture with DS on the ground with Mr. Incredible, whom he crawled over to and one with him on the ground with Eeyore. Also, he loved walking behind the stroller pushing it.

Another favorite memory is DS getting completely soaked in the little fountain outside of the United Kingdom restrooms. DH took him there while I was getting the bill from dinner. He could just reach over the edge of the fountain to splash the water with his hands. And the changing table was near by to put on a dry onesie before we left for the night. No reason not to let your little ones explore some of the water play areas as well, just do so during a slower time and watch out for the older kids.

ETA: DH and I took DS because we love just being at Disney World. It's not about the rides and attractions per se. DS, now 4, has been to WDW 5x with #6 coming up in April. So we knew we would be going often and a taking it slower and skipping the big rides wasn't a big deal for us.

 

[CaptMarge]

We took our 10 month old one year during October. It was a very hot October and she got a nasty rash from sweating in the carrier in her diaper. Luckily I was ready as I had packed some Aveeno Oatmeal Bath packets. Also, sometimes you just never know when you're going to need a bottle, so EVERY sigle time we passed a baby station I would pop in and fill a bottle with warm water. That way if we were on the other side of the park it saved the walk! I also kept a small 6 oz bottle with cold water in her cup holder to help remind me to give her sips and keep her hydrated. She LOVED it's a small world, the Aquarium at Epcot and Winnie the Pooh. Unfortunately she was terrified of ALL the characters but now that she is 4 she thinks it's funny that she was crying in all the pictures with them. The only times she got fussy was when she was tired of being in the carrier so we would find a quiet out of the way place to let her down to explore on her own. There's almost always a patch of grass somewhere. We had a wonderful time, I'll admit a few times it was exhausting but well worth it if you just pay attention to the mood of your child. Mom's know when to go back to the hotel and when to press on. Just ignore anyone that might disagree with your decision to share your passion for Disney with your child. You'll never see them again anyways! Have a wonderful time, best wishes. (Fireworks were too loud and caused crying fits too FYI)

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

This thread has converted me! I used to be one of those lurkers secretly thinking that babies would not have any fun at Disneyworld, but I've loved reading all the posts describing babies' great Disney experiences.

To the OP, I hope you have a wonderful and magical trip!

 

[KellyNY]

Killing myself laughing at your title change - I quite agree, this thread should only be for people who agree with taking small people to WDW!
xxx

Like it possible not to have the opposition on any thread.

 

[mdrob214]

I did not read through all of the replies, so please excuse my repeats. We took DS (now almost 13) for his 1st birthday in June of 98. It was ungodly hot that week. I highly suggest a stroller she's comfortable sleeping in, along with a fan to blow on her when she's napping and a blanket to shield her from the sun. The baby care centers are wonderful!
Bring:
hats
video camera! Don't want to miss anything
lots of baby sunsblock
an insulated bag with frozen ice packs and a couple wet washclothes to help cool baby off
ziploc baggies--for wet/dirty clothes, and a million other things you'll think of!
Gerber Graduates meals--didn't need refrigeration and then there was no worries about when/where/what he would eat. we just grabbed a milk at any couter service place and poured into his sippy cup.

Really, as long as you take it easy, a 1-year old is pretty easy to take to the parks. They sleep a lot and I found myself enjoying the time sitting with the stroller while DH was off riding with DD!

 

[danceintherain]

I decided to post a few pictures of my nephew having a blast at Disney last July. It was hot, but we kept him sunscreened, hydrated, and let him sleep whenever he wanted. My 12 year old brother whined more than the baby cried.

Look at that happy face!

He was VERY bashful when he saw Belle.

A little weirded out by the White Rabbit

Thrilled to be out playing

completely enthralled in the It's a Small World ride

That might have been a bit extreme, but I just wanted to show that it's completely possible for a baby to have fun at Disney. Just take it slow, and take advantage of the air-conditioned areas throughout the park and it will be lovely. Sure he's not going to remember the trip, but I do. My favorite part of that trip was hanging out with my nephew. Trying to deal with the "adults" was much more irritating.

 

[december]

I think it is cruel to take babies to Wdw. I don't care if u disagree or not. Babies are miserable taken all over the place and it makes parents miserable too. Why don't you folks wait till they r older.

Wow! Silly and rude! I really hope Katie will forgive me for being so cruel to her......

I would leave a child that age at home.

You won't care for my tip......but your baby is to young to enjoy Disney World. I would wait until she is at least 4 or 5 years old. She really won't have a clue as to what is going on, and your expectations will be to high. Just wait......

I know a lot of people leave their little ones at home when they go on vacation, and I won't judge their parenting choices, but I would never go on vacation without my kids! As for not remembering it, should we skip Christmas presents and birthday parties until they are old enough to remember?

Sarah, you have a much calmer temperment than I do-must be the librarian in you!

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks for all of the advice and encouragement!!

Becca those pics are WONDERFUL!! I love the sword in the stone one!

BTW I don't think I mentioned that we got the free dining PIN code. Character meals will be a first for us. I was thinking we'd do Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys? The pooh characters and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang are the ones we're trying to get her used to. We hope she'll "recognize" them and not freak out. We'll probably do 1900 Park Fair too...maybe. lol I need to research the Playhouse Disney meal at DHS...

If anyone has a favorite sun screen or any other sun/heat product, let me know!!

 

[harleyquinn]

Sarah, you have a much calmer temperment than I do-must be the librarian in you!

I just really, really want positive advice and experiences. I don't want the thread to derail! I understand the need to be a dissenter, especially if you have personal experience that leads you to your conclusion...that experience might help me avoid the same situation...But we're still going.

 

[harleyquinn]

Here's the other thread linzbear mentioned...I know there are a lot of people with similar questions lurking...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2362647&highlight=under+1

lol surprise, surprise...that thread had a whole bunch of debate too.

 

[mousireid]

I never regret taking both my children when they were little. The looks on their faces, expressions and joy we felt as a family could never be replaced! We had a magical trip. No, they won't remember but we always will. They are so easily amused and so darn cute!
Yes, we too brought our own stroller, little snacks, familiar wee toys, blanket to cover stroller when child is napping. We visited indoor attractions in the afternoon, OR took swim/nap time to the room.
Riding the train around, indoor attractions tha we may not have gone in usually were perfect for a napping child while we browsed, even in the stores!
It was a far more leisurely trip where our excitment came from first times and their wee faces lighting up. Even when they would nap we could take turns riding anything else, parent swap etc. The little play areas and water sprinklers and countless tiny sights that we overlook are awesome to the wee ones.
If you drive, bringing your own supplies will be easier, if you fly mailing or online delivery might be a good bet too.
I always had extra change of clothes, plenty of fluids, snacks etc. in our backpack, diapers, WIPES galore!
This will be a new kind of magic, one that can't be explained unless you do it. You have one to focus on and no matter what you will have a marvelous time. Go with the flow and enjoy xxx

 

[december]

My older kids are as excited about Katie seeing everything as they are to go themselves. We planned to do Crystal Palace even before I caved and got the dining plan. She loves her Pooh toys! Since then I've also booked Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, WCC (I'll get the skillet), so she'll have plenty to eat! We are also doing T-Rex, SciFi and LeCellier, so I'm going to take some of those Gerber Graduates along. I am keeping a word document open and adding tips to it as I read along on this thread.

......And no one knows but me, but I also booked CRT for just me, dd10, and Katie. The boys are getting a sleep in morning, so we can go do all the princess, tinkerbell, girly stuff!

Now I'm off to read the other thread!

 

[december]

OMG, I clicked off this thread and opened my new Allears newsletter.....and the topic is taking babies to WDW!!!!!! Let me know if you don't subscribe and I'll forward mine!

 

[harleyquinn]

OMG, I clicked off this thread and opened my new Allears newsletter.....and the topic is taking babies to WDW!!!!!! Let me know if you don't subscribe and I'll forward mine!

lol too funny. I thought I subsribed, but I don't have anything, I'd love to see it!

 

[AuroraRose]

OMG, I clicked off this thread and opened my new Allears newsletter.....and the topic is taking babies to WDW!!!!!! Let me know if you don't subscribe and I'll forward mine!

If it wouldn't be too much of a hassle, I would love to see that as well! I just started browsing for ideas today because my niece will be coming with us to WDW in May!

 

[disneyaway]

We are going in May with my 3 1/2 year old daughter and my baby who will be turning one when we are there. We traveled to India when our oldest was 18 months-- was it hard? yes, but I am really glad that we did it. Like that trip, I know that the baby (and probably the older one, too) won't remember it, but we will. And they will have great pictures to look back upon, and fun stories to hear about when they get older.

I have learned that traveling with a baby is a much slower pace, and you have to be prepared to slow down which it sounds like you are. Do that and listen to your baby's cues and you'll be good.

 

[harleyquinn]

I got the newsletter! If anyone wants it, they can PM me their email address. Though there's not much in the way of tips. Basically the author seeks to answer the "What age is the best for a first trip?" question. She took her one year old and suggests that unless you only plan on taking your children once or twice, that pretty much any age is a disney age.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Good for you for planning a wonderful vacation for your family! Not everyone feels the need to put their lives on hold until their children are school-age. We had so much fun last summer for my daughter's first birthday that we'll be spending her second birthday there this summer as well. I am a school librarian and can only travel during the summer. My nephews who will be 18 months and almost 3 years will be going with us again. We definitely followed their schedules just like we were at home (including DD's 3 hour afternoon nap!). The fact that all the kids wake up so early helped us get out the door and be in the first row at the parking lots!

We like to have the earliest possible character breakfasts - this summer we will be going back to Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's and Tusker House but we will also be trying Cape May Cafe. We don't plan on being at the parks all day everyday, we have a few alternate activities built in depending on how the kids are doing that day such as the Tri-Circle-D Ranch to visit the horses and have a pony ride, the campfire sing-a-long with Chip & Dale and plenty of time in the pool.

One extra item we will be bringing with us this year- Huggies Little Swimmers Sun Sensors. I found out about them too late to buy them online for our trip last year (couldn't find them in any store around me) so I will definitely stock up well in advance of our trip. As for sunblock I love California Baby- a but pricey but if your daughter is at an age where she will still stick her hands in her mouth you don't want one of the regular chemical laden baby sunscreens, go for a natural product.

have a great trip!

 

[somethingblue]

I never would have thought this would be a controversial issue. Only on the Dis!

I think that so long as your baby is healthy and you take all the necessary precautions you should take your kid to WDW and have a BLAST! I don't have any advice for you just wanted to show my support.

The only time I've thought "Wow they're young to be here" was when I walked in to the bathroom at Les Chefs De France and saw the TEENIEST tiniest baby I had ever seen getting it's diaper changed. I asked, "Oh, how old is he?" The response? "Three weeks." The baby was so tiny and red-skinned, I mean he was just a newborn! That seemed wacky to me.

 

[december]

What are the sun sensors?

If it wouldn't be too much of a hassle, I would love to see that as well! I just started browsing for ideas today because my niece will be coming with us to WDW in May!

I don't think you can pm until you get 10 posts, but if you can get there quick and send me a pm with your email, I'll forward it to you. Like Sarah said, it was just more of a "feel good" piece-no real tips.