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

[CuteAndFluffy]

I'm taking my little guy in April and am VERY excited about it! I feel like kids that age are really pretty chill most of the time and go with the flow better than many grown ups.

A couple of suggestions I have are based on general travel...

1) Even though there are a zillion treats to be had at Disney, try to stick to a normal diet as much as possible. Normal feeding times, normal foods. Upset tummies can have dire consequences. Dire. Consequences.

2) Consider a baby carrier (a bjorn, MobyWrap, Ring Sling, whatever!). Your arms and back will thank you

3) Gerber Puffs containers are great for carrying all kinds of thing, including small fruits (plums, peaches, pears). Then things don't get crushed in your bag (yays!)

4) Baby Legs are awesome for chilly mornings (use as ersatz long sleeves and then peel off as the day warms up).


Have a FABULOUS time with your kiddo!

 

[harleyquinn]

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!

Thank you! (I'm a librarian too!) I'll definitely go natural for the sunblock.

I'm taking my little guy in April and am VERY excited about it! I feel like kids that age are really pretty chill most of the time and go with the flow better than many grown ups.

A couple of suggestions I have are based on general travel...

1) Even though there are a zillion treats to be had at Disney, try to stick to a normal diet as much as possible. Normal feeding times, normal foods. Upset tummies can have dire consequences. Dire. Consequences.

2) Consider a baby carrier (a bjorn, MobyWrap, Ring Sling, whatever!). Your arms and back will thank you

3) Gerber Puffs containers are great for carrying all kinds of thing, including small fruits (plums, peaches, pears). Then things don't get crushed in your bag (yays!)

4) Baby Legs are awesome for chilly mornings (use as ersatz long sleeves and then peel off as the day warms up).


Have a FABULOUS time with your kiddo!

Love your use of punctuation in #1

I have a Beco that just came in the mail yesterday!! And I got a solarveil pouch today! I think the pouch will be great for swimming and for waiting in line. I'm not sure the Beco's gonna work with the heat, but it might be nice early in the morning.

I Love Babylegs!! lol Totally addicted, but I doubt I'll need to worry in August...but they might be perfect for the AC I will have cranked up in the room!

 

[Planogirl]

We took DS when he was a year old and we drove! He was great in the car. He slept most of the time and we stopped frequently. He was way worse on the plane the next year for some reason. He had a melt down (which was rare for him) because he didn't want to wear his seat belt. Ugh.

DS loved WDW at that age. He was practically fearless which was nice and we could ride most things with him. I know that he doesn't remember the trip but DH and I certainly do.

One thing, take lots of wipes! They are messy.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I'm so excited to read all of this. I'm taking my little one in September (he would have just turned 1) and my nephew who will be almost 5 years old. Something tells me we'll have a harder time with the oldest than with my little one...just a feeling. I will be taking my own stroller, we got free dining and I plan on shipping items to my hotel prior to arriving. I'm so excited - I've always dreamed of the day that I could see Disney through my child's eyes and it is finally almost here!!!

 

[JPN4265]

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





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!

I would not go on vacation without my child. Just that going to WDW in August was not the best place to go. You can go to a number of different places on a vacation with a young child,its just that Disney would not be my first choice.

 

[harleyquinn]

So I'm trying to get prepared for my ADRs.

We usually only do dinners at the TS places. We've always thought breakfasts were kind of a waste. But I worry about meltdowns at dinner times. She's always at her best early in the morning. It's so hard for me to consider using a TS credit on Crystal Palace when I think about what we'll do for dinner that night. sigh What do you all think?

 

[JPN4265]

Read this from another post before you think about taking your baby to Disney in August.


how do you all deal with the heat?
How does everyone deal with the unreal heat from June till sept?

We like going during the summer months because our daughter is in college the rest of year. We have gone mid-June a few times and the heat is just so intense. Kinda takes the fun out of the trip at times. I hate standing in lines and sweating at the same time. I cant imagine goin in July and August. how do you do it?

We are Michiganders and not used to the repressive heat down there. Suggestions? We'd loved to go at xmas but the crowd stories have kept us from trying this.
__________________

 

[harleyquinn]

I would not go on vacation without my child. Just that going to WDW in August was not the best place to go. You can go to a number of different places on a vacation with a young child,its just that Disney would not be my first choice.

Well its mine. The decision has been made. Please stop

Please, please this thread is for tips, not debate.

 

[honkytonkmama]

We are leaving on friday and taking our 11 month old. Also driving, but he loves the car.

I dont see the big deal.

Good luck!!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I don't have a LO, but congrats on yours!

Technically, I was at WDW in the womb which my parents swear is why I'm so in love with the place

My 1st trip was age 2, 2nd was age 3, 3rd was age 4 and 4th was age 5. And guess what? I remember things from ALL of those trips. No, not just from photos, but actual experiences.

When I was 2, I remember meeting Mickey, putting my hand on his nose.

When I was 3, I remember going on Cinderella's Golden Carousel dozens of times.

When I was 4, I remember going on IASW dozens of times. AND I remember at the hotel my dad put me down on the hot pavement in my bare feet (by the pool) and I screamed!

When I was 5, I remember staying at CBR and going on BTMRR for the first time.

My mom said the baby centres were a god send. They bought a cheap stroller at Wal-Mart at the beginning of each trip. It was comfortable, had a canopy and was easily recognizable.

We always went back to our resort midday for a nap and time at the pool.

I always had a hat on my head and was being slathered in sunscreen (i am as pale white as they come ) and have dark dark brown hair so the sun was attracted to my head.

My parents were...unconventional? They took me to WDW at ages 2, 3, 4, and 5. Then we didn't go again until I was 9. Since then, we have gone at least once a year, often 2 to 4 times a year Now, at age 24, WDW is my favorite place in the world.

Start them young and they'll be hooked for life

 

[JPN4265]

Well its mine. The decision has been made. Please stop

Please, please this thread is for tips, not debate.

What's yours?

 

[avahoneybee]

I suppose the people that don't take their babies and small children to Disney also don't celebrate Christmas with Santa and Easter with the Easter Bunny. The argument that "they won't remember" is ridiculous.

OP, I've never been with an infant but I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip. I also wouldn't worry about people who choose to rain on your parade.

Have fun!

ETA - I also wanted to point out that I personally think it would be easier to tour the world with an infant who isn't walking yet, than a toddler who doesn't want to be restrained in a stroller. I found infancy much easier than the toddler stage.

 

[moaddi]

so it won't be as easy as taking a 10 year old. I am taking my 15 month old at the time, and of course, not expecting him to be an angel 24/7, but it is what it is. he won't remember a thing, but we will. and everyone will have a great time. isn't that the point, right! have a wonderful time and take too many pictures.

my advice is just don't rush and just enjoy the downtimes you will have (naps, etc. to go in the stores, etc.) and bring lots of snacks from home. maybe skip the fireworks shows only b/c of the noise and spend time at the pool or waterparks even though it will wear them out. you'll have so much fun. get excited and don't listen to people who tell you not to bring the baby. you will have more fun at disney on a bad day then you would doing nothing at home my philosophy anyway...

i asked a similar question before and SOOO many people responded with it was such a good age to take them and they all had a great time.

 

[harleyquinn]

What's yours?

You said (that I quoted) that Disney would not be your first choice for a vacation with a one year old. It is mine.

I'm going to keep this on topic now. Thanks for your time.

 

[taximomfor4]

Sarah, I already know we live VERY close to you (bike-riding distance I seem to remember)...we are driving in August as well. We never took a 1yr old, our youngest was 2 our first family trip to WDW. Just plan LOOSELY. Follow baby's cues. Overstimulation (which leads to the crankies) is a real possibility so plan on lots and LOTS of downtime. ESPECIALLY in August. That heat is rough on us, but has to be miserable for a baby in a stroller. NO air moves against their back in a stroller, you know?

Anyway, if you plan sit-down meals, also plan on having to box food to go sometimes (or take turns eating while the other parent walks baby around somewhere else). Even restaurant-experienced little ones can lose the ability to behave in that very, very stimulating environment. I would almost choose counter service back at the resort, so you can eat in the air-conditioned room and let her wander around.

Most of all, if your little one is used to waking/eating/napping, etc at certain times, stick to it the best you can.

Be really careful if you decide to let her roam in the parks. People with fried, over-stimulated vacation-brains will NOT necessarily see her down there. In fact, I'd advise against letting her wander in traffic areas.

Take lots of pix, and have a blast!

Beth

p.s. DO NOT TRUST SWIM DIAPERS! The pools end up closed for cleaning a LOT, when fecal matter escapes a swim diaper especially with the younger kids (where it's less formed, in general...sorry that's getting graphic, lol)

 

[taximomfor4]

So I'm trying to get prepared for my ADRs.

We usually only do dinners at the TS places. We've always thought breakfasts were kind of a waste. But I worry about meltdowns at dinner times. She's always at her best early in the morning. It's so hard for me to consider using a TS credit on Crystal Palace when I think about what we'll do for dinner that night. sigh What do you all think?

Only schedule the TS places if you are willing to eat separately. If she is fussing, crying, disturbing other patrons (not unlikely since WDW is an exhausting place, lol) one of you will end up removing her from the dining area, right? And then take turns eating, or box food up to go.

We did no TS meals when dd was 2....we just didn't feel like dealing with the fussing if it happened (and normally, dd was super-well-behaved in restaurants, unlike some of her siblings at that same age).

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks Beth!!! Do you have any driving with little ones tips?

We got free dining, so we will be scheduling TS, but I'm fully prepared to dump any and all plans to follow her lead. She is usually a total angel at restuarants, but I know all bets are off on vacation.

I think I'll go ahead and do the 2 breakfasts.

 

[moaddi]

got the debate post...didn't mean to add to that, but it was all positive

anyway,

here are my tips summed up:

take a TON of pictures, you never know what you will miss looking at them later.

bring lots of snacks from home!!!!! just stock up!!!! i brought a 'snack bag' (gallon size baggie) and just filled it with bits of everything before we left each day. that way it was all in one place and we didn't spend sooo much extra $ on snacks there.

bring a small change of clothes, just incase they are all sweaty and gross and spill who knows what on them

enjoy the downtime (we never went back to the room for naptime - sorry, it just wasn't us...my daughter would wake up the second we got in the room and never would go back down. so her naps were in the stroller whenever she would get tired, she would just go down.)

spend time at the pool and waterparks if you can

go early a couple of days so you don't have to wait in line forever in fantasyland

go on every ride you can

take your stroller from home so you don't have to carry everything to the bus, car, etc when you would normally give up the rental, plus yours is probably more comfortable for them anyway.

and again, take a ton of pictures.

have a great time!!!

 

[harleyquinn]

got the debate post...didn't mean to add to that, but it was all positive

anyway,

here are my tips summed up:

take a TON of pictures, you never know what you will miss looking at them later.

bring lots of snacks from home!!!!! just stock up!!!! i brought a 'snack bag' (gallon size baggie) and just filled it with bits of everything before we left each day. that way it was all in one place and we didn't spend sooo much extra $ on snacks there.

bring a small change of clothes, just incase they are all sweaty and gross and spill who knows what on them

enjoy the downtime (we never went back to the room for naptime - sorry, it just wasn't us...my daughter would wake up the second we got in the room and never would go back down. so her naps were in the stroller whenever she would get tired, she would just go down.)

spend time at the pool and waterparks if you can

go early a couple of days so you don't have to wait in line forever in fantasyland

go on every ride you can

take your stroller from home so you don't have to carry everything to the bus, car, etc when you would normally give up the rental, plus yours is probably more comfortable for them anyway.

and again, take a ton of pictures.

have a great time!!!

Thanks!! I didn't mind your other post--it still had tips!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

So I'm trying to get prepared for my ADRs.

We usually only do dinners at the TS places. We've always thought breakfasts were kind of a waste. But I worry about meltdowns at dinner times. She's always at her best early in the morning. It's so hard for me to consider using a TS credit on Crystal Palace when I think about what we'll do for dinner that night. sigh What do you all think?

I'd consider the option of doing more "brunch" TS places and scaling back to CS for most dinners. Late breakfast at CP around 10:30 or around the end time of her typical AM nap? It might mesh better with the kiddo's natural schedule. Dinners sound like a challenge after a long day in the parks, unless you schedule it right after nap time and eat on the early side.

And you can always switch out ADRs once you're down there. Program Disney Dining into your phone and if, after day 1, it becomes clear that dinners aren't an option, make some other plans based on what's available and cancel your previous plans. (Or (she writes while putting on her flame proof suit) you could over book and schedule both brunch and dinner and cancel on the fly while down there. Not recommending, just pointing out the option. ))