Tips on taking 18 month old to WDW

[MiniMe]

Hey all...my parents and I are taking my neice to WDW this fall, and she will be 18 months old by the time we leave. This will be my 8th time to WDW, but my first time taking a toddler. Can you give me any tips/recommendations that have helped you on your trips to WDW with young kids? Things you did that the kids really enjoyed?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Catrin]

I can speak only of our trip in 1996, when we brought then 20 mths old Kyle.

It was a terrific vacation. We went on HIS schedule. We went to the parks in the early AM - back to the resort for a nap, and then back each night. We had plenty of snacks - cheerios, crackers, and plenty of water with us at all times. We brought our stroller from home, so he could recline and take a nap if needed.

The resorts let us "borrow" a life vest for our entire stay. He loved the pool! We went to Chef Mickeys for breakfast one morning. Under 3 can eat for Free - so it was nice to take him to buffets.

He loved the rides, but was restless during the shows. We did do the Baby Swap for Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.
The one thing we noticed was how nice everyone was to him! It really was a fun week.
(9 yrs later, he still loves Disney!)
Catrin

 

[SonyaD]

We took Logan the week before his 3rd birthday so he could go for free at least once!! It really wasn't bad at all. He had a blast! We just left plenty of time in the schedule for napping. We are going in September with a 15 month old and two 4 yr olds and plan to use the same plan. Plenty of time for naps!! Actually they usually fall asleep on the bus and we just carry them to the room to nap.

 

[susykt4]

We took my daughter when she was 18 months and she loved it! We took her on most of the Fantasyland rides as well as all the "gentle" rides (POTC, HM, JC) and she enjoyed them. She also liked the Pooh and Mickey characters and just watching people. She loved the kiddie pool at ASMu. Other than Living Seas and the fountains she didn't like much at Epcot. She did enjoy Animal Kingdom and we skipped MGM that trip. She got bored during most of the shows. We never had to return to our resort midday because she would sleep in her stroller. Our biggest challenge was getting her to eat. She ate almost nothing but ketchup (with a spoon) the entire trip.

 

[disneyfreak74]

Do it on HER time and take the time to see it ALL through HER eyes!!!! You will be surprised the SMALL things they pick up on that you have walked by many many times!!!! And have a BLAST!!!!

 

[gabbysmom04]

my husband and I traveled to disney with our daughter when she was three months old then when she was six months old. we had a great time! she was so happy the whole time we were there. Don't be scared you will have a great time.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Be sure you take snacks and juice with you that your neice enjoys, also take some small toys to keep her occupied while waiting on parades ect.

Oh hold back a little take her lead on the characters, remember to someone her size Mickey is a 7 foot rat.

 

[MiniMe]

Thanks so much everyone for all your tips...I'm so excited to take her on this trip. I know it will be like visiting WDW for the first time just seeing her reactions to everything.

 

[CAD3655]

We did the 7 day Disney Cruise followed by a week in the parks with a 9 month old. He LOVED every minute and adored all the characters. Actually he was a bit confused why Chip and Dale (after becoming best buddies on the Magic) didn't seem to recognize him in the park

We took it slow and easy, but he was content to snooze in his stroller. He loved Dumbo, Aladdin, and POC ...cried the whole way through IASW Loved looking at all the animals at AK, and even liked the rides at EPCOT...Living Seas was his favorite (but we did skip the movie since it's SOOOOO loud) you can never tell what they are going to enjoy.

We are headed back in December (he's 3 now) and can't wait!

 

[katebeth]

Take advantage of the baby changing stations, not only to change diapers, but to also sit for a break. It usually is not too crowded and always cool. We sometimes stop here for a diaper change then sit and have a snack before we go back out into the parks.

 

[binigrl417]

I am going for the 3rd time with my 20 month old-- here are some tips:

1. Buy the Little Entrees - they keep well and are easy to feed anywhere.
2. Buy the little fan that goes on the inside of the stroller - keeps them cooler.
3. Toontown Fair has a playground and Donalds Boat- she loved both plus you can buy fresh fruit and yogurt there so you can feed the baby.
4. MGM was great for toddlers - they can go on a lot of rides and their fave characters were there (playhouse Disney)
5. Do a character breakfast / lunch or dinner.
6. Bring your own stroller
7. The WL has rubber ducky races once a week, that was fun.
8. I brought a booster seat for my hotel room and was able to feed her breakfast there - from roaring forks at WL
9. Use the baby stations - they have everything.
10. If the baby gets tired and you still want to see the fireworks, we saw them on the boat to the WL and parked in the contemporary's parking lot.
11. Bring coloring book and blocks and her swimmy diapers and swim tube.
I have more tips - just PM me.

 

[mnasf]

I've enjoyed this thread and the suggestions. I've taken my middle child at one and at 2. However, my third child is 18 months. We leave in Aug and I'm worried. She is a very cautious child who can get easily scared. She still isn't walking although she can stand up and I think she could do it. I've never had a child so sensitive. Any suggestions for that type of child?

I thought the fan idea on the stroller was interesting. Where do you get those and can they stick their fingers in them?

Also, are swim diapers required? She has a bathing suit with a diaper kind of thing inside so I was wondering. And are rings or floaties allowed for her?

Thanks!

 

[Kristine JM]

We took our daughter at 18 months she loved the water that squirts from the ground played for quite sometime there just have an extra set of clothes with you. Sea World has one and I think there are two at Epcot, Magic Kingdom has Donalds Boat area that has water squirting all around.

We did a lot of character meals she loved all the characters

We brought a toy bag for her with all kinds of small toys for her to play with in the restaurants. My grandmother took a small childs pillow case bought at Pottery Barn Kids and somehow ran a cord through the opening of the pillow caseto open and close it then embroidered her name on it. We still have it and used it all the time. We alternated the little toys in it

The baby centers are great we lost her pacifier ,
of course the pink one and they had the exact same one. They are airconditioned and a nice place to relax and have some downtime

Have lots of fun on your trip

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We took our DS at 2 1/2 on the Disney Cruise and the parks. He did well. We just rested alot and as alot of people said do it on their time. We took DD at 16 months. We stayed off site (big mistake) so we couldn't take the mid-day breaks. It was a little harder and she had some meltdowns, but still a good trip. We are going again in September, DD will be 23 months. We are staying at the CR and plan to do many breaks with her and go at her pace. We will bring lots of snacks and drinks and take some off days at the resort also.

 

[nhmomx2]

Absolutely, positively go by her schedule! Take all your cues from her. There is nothing worse than seeing a very unhappy child at DW. We started going down when our son was 20 months old. We completely let him lead. When he needed to nap - if he didn't fall asleep in the stroller - we went back to the room. If he was uncertain about the characters we let him feel it out. If he was cranky in the very least, we left the park before a meltdown.

Take some snacks, a few little toys to occupy her in line, change of clothes, diapers & wipes.

There is nothing better than watching the wonder of Disney show in a childs face!!

Have fun...

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

I have a few to add.

Always take a change of clothes

Take anything that is familiar to them that you may not be able to get there

We took a portable DVD player. It was great for entertaining while waiting in restaurants and for parades.

Have a great trip!

 

[mom2alix]

As far as characters go, our DD was scared of the costumed characters (Pohh, etc,), but she loved the princesses and anyone whose face could be seen. We did the CRT breakfasr as she had a blast. Those of some of the best pictures from our whole trip.

She also loved the Trolley show on Main Street. Dancers come out of the trolley and perform on the street. She would stand on the curb and dance with them. Since there weren't a lot of people around watching, the CMs really made a big deal of waving to her, blowing kisses, etc. It made her feel really special. Hardly anyone else even stopped to watch the show (and we might have missed it too), but for a little one it was perfect since it was short and kept moving.