To go, or not to go that is the question!

[Dr.Seuss]

Alright so the family is debating going to WDW the first week of September(4-11). The debate begins because our smallest child will only be 10 months old, with 2 others at 3 years and 5 years. My wife would like to wait, I would like to go and see the kids reaction to the whole thing. What would you recommend? Is it worth it for us to go NOTE we would be coming from Canada so it's a venture for us!!
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[TINK61]

If possible, I would try taking them to a local themepark for a day and see how you all make out there before attempting WDW since they are so young.

You'll probably make out good though. It's hard not to have a good time at WDW.

 

[karemore]

WAIT.

Your wife knows your kids.

She knows how very much work it is to travel with three children that age.

Go when she is comfortable going.

I assume she handles most of the daily child care. Trust her instincts.

WDW will be there in a few years.

Your wife deserves to enjoy the experience too.

Karen

 

[Dr.Seuss]

True but she is saying she wants to wait until he is walking. Not that the kids are running ragged or misbehaving. This trip was supposed to happen 2 years ago and the same thing happened I hate putting it off again!

 

[hyzdufan]

Originally posted by karemore
WAIT.

Your wife knows your kids.

She knows how very much work it is to travel with three children that age.

Go when she is comfortable going.

I assume she handles most of the daily child care. Trust her instincts.

WDW will be there in a few years.

Your wife deserves to enjoy the experience too.

Karen

I think that's a bit close-minded, to imply the father does not know his kids as well as his wife does. I'm sure there are situations where this is the case, but also a lot where it is not. I'd entertain the idea of field testing them in a local theme park.

 

[Serenity]

If you think that you will go again in a few years (so that the 10 month old will be old enough to remember some things) then I say Go For It! I took my dtr at 5 mo and she was fine. On that trip we had a 5 mo old, 1 yr old, 3 yr old, 5 yr old, 6 yr old and 7 yr old. (went with friends). They all had a great time. My dtr had no idea what was going on around her, but she had fun. The characters were great and came up and played with her (she was too young to be scared and just kept trying to eat their paws or whatevery they put in her hand). It was a great trip.

Now if you are not planning on going again, then out of fairness to the 10 month old, I would wait. That is something that everyone should have memories of.

Good luck deciding.

 

[Dr.Seuss]

The plan is to go again in a couple of years with Grandma and Grandpa. So the little one will hopefully remember things!!! THANKS

 

[liznboys]

Well, if she just wants to wait till he's walking then that really wouldn't be postponing the trip THAT much. You guys could go in the winter or spring! We'll be there late Feb/early Mar with our almost 5.5 yr old, almost 3.5 yr old and 11 month old who'll be turning 1 on the trip!

I think with kids that young, both you and your wife really need to be willing to go since it will be a handful! (Don't I know it!)

 

[Jenn Lynn]

My DD was walking at 9 months so your child could be walking by 10 months.

I say go and have fun!

 

[Doc and Family]

GO!!!!!!

Our first trip with the children, we only had two at the time, ages 2 and 4. The excitement in their eyes was amazing. The two year old will turn 5 in 10 days and still talks about his first trip to WDW. 3 and 5 are ideal time for some fantastic reactions.

In Dec. we went when our newest one was only 10 weeks--again, the look in her eyes!!! Just kidding--she did do well though.

I agree with Serenity--everyone should have fond memories of WDW--if it is possible.

Good Luck!

 

[Yensid_MD]

I think as long as you go and take your time at the parks. Nice naps during the days. No commando theme park attacks for you. Make the decision up front that you will go back when the youngest is three again and you can take time to enjoy. There is nothing worse than wearing yourself out and your kids.

If you can live with those rules then go, if you have to go and see everything, then wait.

 

[dougsmom98]

I would go for it. The baby is free so it is not like it is a waste of money. There are a lot of rides that the baby can go on and those that it can't, your 3 year old probably won't want to ride either. There is nothing like seeing WDW through a child's eyes. All of the children will get something out of the trip, even the little one. It would be fantastic to have the grandparents go with you on this trip instead of waiting until the next because it would be beneficial to have extra hands to help in the airport and at the parks.
Good Luck!
Amy

 

[Hockeychic]

I would go chances are the 10mth old and 3 year old will not remember any of the trip but you will have memories that will last a lifetime....and then there is always video.

We will be there from the 17th to the 24th....I will wave as I drive by ya...lol

 

[wannabee princess]

Hoping not to cause a problem between you and your wife, but I would say go! I think if you are helpful with the kids - not only the mom doing the changing diapers and making sure the kids meals are in bite-sizes and pushing strollers and taking turns riding a ride that the 5 yo wants to ride 5 times (but that no one else wants to ride more than 3 times - than maybe it would be more relaxing than she is anticipating.

Now, we all don't know you as well as your wife does, but if you are willing to do 50% of the maintaining with the kids, and maybe you can be in charge of the travel arrangements, the plans for your trip, do the packing list so she doesn't have to pack for the whole family and you plan plenty of downtime, I would say it could be more easy than a week at home (if for instance you have an outside job and she is a stay-at-home mom).

I would talk about why she wants to wait specifically. If it is only because of the age of the youngest and worry that they won't remember anything...well, as adults we don't remember everything! If you are going back in 2-3 years you will find even the 5yo hasn't remembered everything!

 

[thumperjr9]

All kids are different but my boys would have been easier to take BEFORE they walked. Once they started walking they just weren't content sitting in a stroller or being held, they wanted to be down and into everything (you know that todddler thing!) You really have to consider the kids temperments and personalities. I think you also need to consider the crowds and weather. Early Sept. crowds should be fairly low, but temps. might be quite hot. In early Nov. the weather should be nice. Also, If you were to go in Dec. (before the holidays) the decorations will be up but temps might be cool, and I'm sure the older kids will want to swim. Just some things to think about.

 

[decker96]

I would definitely take a 3 and 5 year old to WDW. Our kids were 2 and 5 their first trip and LOVED it. Their reaction to everything is so much fun to watch! DS is now 3 1/2 and still remembers things about it and loves to look at the pictures and watch video. DD loved meeting the characters and remembers almost everything. They both ask about weekly when we are going back!
As for the baby, I would say it would depend on his temperament. I would have taken our oldest DD as a baby in a hearbeat. She was on a great schedule, loved riding in the stroller and would sleep anywhere. Youngest DD is 8 months now and I think she would do okay too. She is a bit more high maintenance than older DD, but still on a decent schedule and loves watching people. DS on the other hand would have been a nightmare as an infant. He had no schedule (as much as we tried to get him on one) and only liked to sleep in his own bed. Even when we visited grandparents he had to sleep with DH and I, he refused the pack n play until he was over a year.
I would go if you have an easy baby, just be sure to take lots of breaks (the older ones will need it too) and not expect to do everything since you have small kids. This was the hardest thing for me to remember last time because I just wanted them to experience everything!! DH had to keep reminding me that we would be back again and we didn't need to cram everything into one trip and then have everyone be miserable the whole time.

 

[HenDuck]

I agree with the previous poster who said if you are planning on going again, by all means go now and then later when the baby is bigger.

Having just taken my DS at 3 1/2, I have to say that, although there are "toddler maintenance issues", it was a great age to take him. EVERYTHING is real to them at that age. He lit up when he met Belle, Mickey, Pooh. It really was so special.

I do think, however, that your wife may be concerned about the baby care issues. It is harder to travel with a small baby. If the two of you can come up with a game plan which incorporates the needs of your children, and if you can adjust your expectations to accomodate your kids' tolerance level to new things, I think you'll have a great time. Be sure to take care of each other (you and your wife) too.

As an alternative suggestion, maybe the grandparents might want to come on this trip too? Having extra adult hands (and shoulders) is sooo helpful.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Take lots of pictures!

 

[Micca]

You would be hard pressed to find many here on the Dis that would advise you to wait. There is an excellent section of the UG with the theme of "whose dream is it anyway?" It is not only important to fulfill the dreams of children on a WDW vacation, but of the adults as well. With really young children, there will be magic, but some frustration and compromise from mom and dad.
You can wait a few years, but other compromises enter the picture. Do what you can afford to do.