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

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Thanks for starting this thread! I too am planning on taking my 11 month old son to DW in September 2010 (he arrives this October!). Reading this thread has made me so excited - I know some people will say we are nuts but I'm all for it Can't wait to see him react to everything going on around him.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks Sarah for starting this thread and thanks to everyone who replied. We are going in April, June and Oct next year, so our soon-to-be baby boy will be 5, 7, and 11 months respectively. This has been very helpful!

I also wouldn't listen to the naysayers. I know there are going to be people who are negative about bringing a baby to Disney, but you can't stay cooped up in your house until the baby is school aged, and where better to vacation than a place geared towards children. We are Disney veterans and I think we have realistic views of what our new Disney vacations are going to look like. I think they are going to be even better than any we took as a couple!

Thanks for starting this thread! I too am planning on taking my 11 month old son to DW in September 2010 (he arrives this October!). Reading this thread has made me so excited - I know some people will say we are nuts but I'm all for it Can't wait to see him react to everything going on around him.

Yay! I'm glad others are getting a lot out of this too.

I would love to here anymore tips anyone has!!

 

[Anonomom]

I don't have any specific baby tips (I was pregnant when we went last year, and we'll be taking the baby when she's 8 months old). But I wanted to say a word about wearing the baby. There are a ton of carrier options out there, some of which are meant for warmer-weather use.

I have a slingling (slinglings.com) in twill, and it's a comfortable, well-made carrier. They have tons of fabric options, some of which are in a cotton sateen which is reputed to be quite cool. Other companies make slings in a mesh fabric that's meant to be used in the water. And you may still be able to find a solarveil sling somewhere -- these are made of a fabric that has sun protection built right in. I have one from Kangaroo Korner, but I don't necessarily recommend that brand (sling is slightly uncomfortable and customer service is terrible).

Anyway, good luck with your new arrival. I hope you enjoy the heck out of him/her.

 

[harleyquinn]

I don't have any specific baby tips (I was pregnant when we went last year, and we'll be taking the baby when she's 8 months old). But I wanted to say a word about wearing the baby. There are a ton of carrier options out there, some of which are meant for warmer-weather use.

I have a slingling (slinglings.com) in twill, and it's a comfortable, well-made carrier. They have tons of fabric options, some of which are in a cotton sateen which is reputed to be quite cool. Other companies make slings in a mesh fabric that's meant to be used in the water. And you may still be able to find a solarveil sling somewhere -- these are made of a fabric that has sun protection built right in. I have one from Kangaroo Korner, but I don't necessarily recommend that brand (sling is slightly uncomfortable and customer service is terrible).

Anyway, good luck with your new arrival. I hope you enjoy the heck out of him/her.

I've thought about getting a solarveil one. I wish the company hadn't stopped making the fabric! Thanks for the tip!

 

[harleyquinn]

Bringing this back from the depths.

Our LO is here and she's awesome and our trip is booked!! So I figured I better come here and ask more specific questions.

I'm still looking for tips/tricks/pitfalls of the heat with one this little. I bought a ray shade for the stroller (that I haven't bought yet lol). Are there any other products you recommend for protecting kids from the sun and keeping them confortable?

 

[linzbear]

There was a thread here about a week ago that you may be able to dig out that has tons of info in it "Disney for the under 1 Crowd" I think it was called.

We went with our DS in October, he was 7/8 months at the time. Honestly, we got some of the best weather we've ever had at WDW - low to mid 80s the whole week. In any case, plot out where the gift shops (and baby care centers) are - they are always very well cooled!

 

[djp0630]

We went in Sept and DS was 13 months old. He wasn't walking yet, so he was very content in the stroller. We are going again in May, and I think we will be in for it, as I can't imagine him staying in the stroller. Definitely bring your own stroller that reclines. DS was able to sleep in the stroller and we were able continue to do things (ride rides, etc) while he slept. My parents were there so they helped a lot! DS loved Pooh & Mickey, so I recommend Crystal Palace & Chef Mickey's for breakfasts. I definitely recommend if you are eating TS to do more breakfasts than lunches or dinners as the babies aren't overstimulated yet and they enjoyed it more. We had a meltdown at Teppan Edo because he was done. We are doing earlier dinners (4:55, etc) before they are exhausted if we are doing dinners.

Bring lots of sunscreen, and lots of water. You must keep the babies hydrated. DS was really content and happy to just look around so really we didn't take mid-day breaks, but we did relax when we all needed it. One thing we plan to do in May is rent a full-size crib. DS slept in a pack n play and slept terrible. Was up screaming in the middle of the night. I think it was a combo of overstimulation, being in the same room, and the pack n play was small/uncomfortable. I hope that helps for us in May!

Good luck! It's definitely different with a baby, but DS really enjoyed it. He loved It's a small world and the Carousel! Have fun!

 

[december]

Since Katie will be barely 1 when we go, I'm subscribing to see what info I can get from you all!

 

[danceintherain]

We went with my nephew last July (he was 11 months old) and it was great. Granted, I wasn't the one sleeping in the room with him at night, but the parks were a lot of fun.

The Baby Care Centers are absolutely wonderful. If not just for an air-conditioned hideout while the baby naps.

Go by her schedule. Interestingly enough my nephew fell asleep on the bus on the way back to the hotel, so once we got there he was done sleeping. It worked better just to let him sleep in the stroller, or we should have kept him awake during the bus ride back.

Don't try to do too much. Just enjoy seeing Disney through her eyes. He had the funnest time banging on the drums in the Animal Kingdom, and basically any time we let him out of his stroller.

Don't try anything new. Make sure she has all her comfort objects with her. (that's not a Disney specific one but still) My nephew was almost walking, and he loved anywhere he could get down and play. If she's not wearing shoes yet, get her used to them before you go. My sister brought shoes for my nephew, and he freaked out when we tried to put them on him. He's fine with them now, go figure.

Characters - not all kids are like this, but my nephew was afraid of the masked characters. We could back him up into them, and get pictures, but if he saw them too soon he got a bit upset. He was perfectly fine with the face characters.

Also, take note of the loud rides and shows. My nephew hated the Lion King show in the Land Pavilion at Epcot and got a little nervous at the beginning of the Living with the Land ride. Both of which were a little shocking...but we could just cover his ears during the thunder part on Living with the Land and he was fine.

 

[honeydiane1953]

K I know this has been asked a million times, and I was able to find a few threads on the topic (using google--the dis search engine won't do anything for me). The threads weren't super helpful though..

We are planning to take our little bun in the oven to WDW next August, she will be about a year old. I'm looking for every tip you can think of to help DH and I, who are VERY experienced with WDW in August with just the 2 of us, but have no clue what it will be like with a baby.

My plan is to take her to a bunch of local places in the months before the trip (the zoo, Cedar Point, etc.) to get an idea of how she(we) handles things, including strollers vs. babywearing and the heat.

We'll probably drive down. because DH hates to fly--it's about 17 hours, and we'll definitely stop overnight. (I REALLY would rather fly, but I don't know if I can convince DH).

So please tell me all about your trips with little ones!!

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.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

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.

What a strange thing to say, my son was 6 months the first time he went to Disney, he had a great time. The characters made a huge fuss of him and he loved the parades.

 

[Art 1]

I would leave a child that age at home.

 

[JPN4265]

K I know this has been asked a million times, and I was able to find a few threads on the topic (using google--the dis search engine won't do anything for me). The threads weren't super helpful though..

We are planning to take our little bun in the oven to WDW next August, she will be about a year old. I'm looking for every tip you can think of to help DH and I, who are VERY experienced with WDW in August with just the 2 of us, but have no clue what it will be like with a baby.

My plan is to take her to a bunch of local places in the months before the trip (the zoo, Cedar Point, etc.) to get an idea of how she(we) handles things, including strollers vs. babywearing and the heat.

We'll probably drive down. because DH hates to fly--it's about 17 hours, and we'll definitely stop overnight. (I REALLY would rather fly, but I don't know if I can convince DH).

So please tell me all about your trips with little ones!!

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......

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I would ask your motivation for going to Disney with her in Aug? It is brutally hot and crowded and you mostly see frustrated parents and crying, sweating, exhausted, sunburned, hungry toddlers. You have to carry diapers, special food, deal with the stroller, ride-switch, make trips back to the resort for naps, etc. Almost everyone I talked to thinks 5+ yo is a better age. A toddler won't remember any of it and can't participate in a lot. There may be moments of joy but consider who the vacation is for.

This post was titled "wet blanket alert" - yes this poster is a wet blanket.

Firstly we, like the OP have to go August as I am a teacher here in England. Last summer we took our 10 year old DD on a 9 hour flight from England to Florida - she was great. She was not hot, sweaty or sunburned - we used plenty of sunscreen and took a stroller shade (shade a babe - not sure if available in USA) that was great. We had to carry diapers, but hey, we have to do that at home anyway. No special food required - she ate what we ate. The stroller was easy to park and retrieve and was great for carrying extra stuff. We didn't ride switch because she rode everything with us except the mountains - and we have been so many times so we didn't mind missing them. We took some trips back to the resort for naps, swims etc. but we have a reclining stroller so sometimes she would nap in that. It's true she won't remember it, but we will and we took photos and video to show her when she's older. There were no "moments" of joy - the whole trip was a joy and I can't wait til this August, when at 21 months old she will love to see everything.

I say you are doing absolutely the right thing - go for it! You will have a ball.

 

[KellyNY]

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.

Parents may be miserable but not babies. It is just a walk in a park for them. Do not take them during summer, do breaks, do not walk parks from rope drop till fireworks and they will be happy in their strollers. Infact Disney with todlers is more difficult then with babies.

 

[harleyquinn]

lmao I'm going to change the title of the thread...

As I've already stated in the course of the thread, I understand many people think this is a bad idea, but we don't. I know she won't remember, but we will.

We are fully prepared to spend the entire time in the pool if that's the only thing she likes!!

 

[harleyquinn]

There was a thread here about a week ago that you may be able to dig out that has tons of info in it "Disney for the under 1 Crowd" I think it was called.

We went with our DS in October, he was 7/8 months at the time. Honestly, we got some of the best weather we've ever had at WDW - low to mid 80s the whole week. In any case, plot out where the gift shops (and baby care centers) are - they are always very well cooled!

Thanks I'll look it up!

We went in Sept and DS was 13 months old. He wasn't walking yet, so he was very content in the stroller. We are going again in May, and I think we will be in for it, as I can't imagine him staying in the stroller. Definitely bring your own stroller that reclines. DS was able to sleep in the stroller and we were able continue to do things (ride rides, etc) while he slept. My parents were there so they helped a lot! DS loved Pooh & Mickey, so I recommend Crystal Palace & Chef Mickey's for breakfasts. I definitely recommend if you are eating TS to do more breakfasts than lunches or dinners as the babies aren't overstimulated yet and they enjoyed it more. We had a meltdown at Teppan Edo because he was done. We are doing earlier dinners (4:55, etc) before they are exhausted if we are doing dinners.

Bring lots of sunscreen, and lots of water. You must keep the babies hydrated. DS was really content and happy to just look around so really we didn't take mid-day breaks, but we did relax when we all needed it. One thing we plan to do in May is rent a full-size crib. DS slept in a pack n play and slept terrible. Was up screaming in the middle of the night. I think it was a combo of overstimulation, being in the same room, and the pack n play was small/uncomfortable. I hope that helps for us in May!

Good luck! It's definitely different with a baby, but DS really enjoyed it. He loved It's a small world and the Carousel! Have fun!

Thank you!

We went with my nephew last July (he was 11 months old) and it was great. Granted, I wasn't the one sleeping in the room with him at night, but the parks were a lot of fun.

The Baby Care Centers are absolutely wonderful. If not just for an air-conditioned hideout while the baby naps.

Go by her schedule. Interestingly enough my nephew fell asleep on the bus on the way back to the hotel, so once we got there he was done sleeping. It worked better just to let him sleep in the stroller, or we should have kept him awake during the bus ride back.

Don't try to do too much. Just enjoy seeing Disney through her eyes. He had the funnest time banging on the drums in the Animal Kingdom, and basically any time we let him out of his stroller.

Don't try anything new. Make sure she has all her comfort objects with her. (that's not a Disney specific one but still) My nephew was almost walking, and he loved anywhere he could get down and play. If she's not wearing shoes yet, get her used to them before you go. My sister brought shoes for my nephew, and he freaked out when we tried to put them on him. He's fine with them now, go figure.

Characters - not all kids are like this, but my nephew was afraid of the masked characters. We could back him up into them, and get pictures, but if he saw them too soon he got a bit upset. He was perfectly fine with the face characters.

Also, take note of the loud rides and shows. My nephew hated the Lion King show in the Land Pavilion at Epcot and got a little nervous at the beginning of the Living with the Land ride. Both of which were a little shocking...but we could just cover his ears during the thunder part on Living with the Land and he was fine.

The shoes tip is great!! I wouldn't have thought of that.

This post was titled "wet blanket alert" - yes this poster is a wet blanket.

Firstly we, like the OP have to go August as I am a teacher here in England. Last summer we took our 10 year old DD on a 9 hour flight from England to Florida - she was great. She was not hot, sweaty or sunburned - we used plenty of sunscreen and took a stroller shade (shade a babe - not sure if available in USA) that was great. We had to carry diapers, but hey, we have to do that at home anyway. No special food required - she ate what we ate. The stroller was easy to park and retrieve and was great for carrying extra stuff. We didn't ride switch because she rode everything with us except the mountains - and we have been so many times so we didn't mind missing them. We took some trips back to the resort for naps, swims etc. but we have a reclining stroller so sometimes she would nap in that. It's true she won't remember it, but we will and we took photos and video to show her when she's older. There were no "moments" of joy - the whole trip was a joy and I can't wait til this August, when at 21 months old she will love to see everything.

I say you are doing absolutely the right thing - go for it! You will have a ball.

Thanks!!

 

[bwilcox]

We took two toddlers this summer, and they LOVED it! Their favorite thing to play still is pretending we're taking another trip to WDW. There are things for ALL ages to enjoy at WDW. My daughter was in heaven at the Winnie the Pooh park, and they spent hours in the various interactive fountains. You should have seen their faces on Dumbo-it was pure magic. Even babies will appreciate the stimulation and interaction they get at WDW.

I get so angry at the parents (obviously perfect at parenting themselves) who feel the right to make blanket statements like it is cruel to take babies to WDW. Just because you have an opinion about something as a parent doesn't mean it it the correct one for all parents. Where do we get off calling other people bad parents because they have a different opinion than us?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I get so angry at the parents (obviously perfect at parenting themselves) who feel the right to make blanket statements like it is cruel to take babies to WDW. Just because you have an opinion about something as a parent doesn't mean it it the correct one for all parents. Where do we get off calling other people bad parents because they have a different opinion than us?

Sadly its not only parents, those who do not have children find it very easy to make those statements a well (and yes I will admit I might have thought that a time or two but would never be rude enough to say it to someone before I had children).

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

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