To Go or Not to Go... that is the??????

[cajun_angel21]

Okay, so we were planning a trip to WDW for Dec of 2008 For our daughter's fourth b-day. But now with all of the hype about YOAMD, we are all really really itching to go this december. But, she will only be 3. Our original plan was to go when she turned 4 and try to um.... well.... I want a disney baby And then we would go back when the baby is between 2-4 years old. I am really have a hard time deciding.... Our very first trip to WDW was last September and while it was magical, it was very hard. She pretty much screamed the entire time we were on a bus. But, my main issue was DH (which is odd. it's like he had a brain swap while we were there with a big meanie). He was worse than our daughter. LOL

So how have your 3 year olds handled a trip to WDW. Our daughter is practically begging us everyday to go back, but I want this to be an easier trip. I told DH that if he acts like that again I will loose him in a them park and enjoy our vacation without him. LOL He said I wouldn't, I said... um yeah I would. LOL j/k

So, when should we go... 3 years old or 4 years old????

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

A year makes a big difference in maturity (for your DD, maybe not your DH ), but I think I'd hold off until she is 4 (unless going both years is a possibility)!

 

[A&CsMom]

On our first trip with kids, just over two years ago, DS was 6 and DD was about 2 weeks short of her 3rd birthday. She did great (and she even had a painful ear infection for part of the time!). Since you said you were on the busses, I am assuming you flew down and stayed onsite. Maybe that is the difference - we drove (22 hours not including stops!) and stayed at a villa. We drove ourselves around in our van. We ate out part of the time, but also ate familiar, healthy foods at the villa. We had our own pool and everyone had their own bedroom where we could spread out and get a good nights sleep. We made sure the kids got enough sleep and DH and I had some quiet time to ourselves in the evenings with the kids asleep in their own rooms. We know from experience that all of us in one hotel room is difficult, even for one night (even with 3 of us before DD was born). I realize this may not be the type of vacation you want, but I think being in a villa with lots of room made a big difference for both my kids and also mine and my husband's satisfaction with our trip.

 

[cajun_angel21]

No we drove, but once we got there neither of us wanted to drive at all, plus we could barely find out resort so we wanted to avoid getting lost. So we took advantage of the busses. The first day she loved the busses after that she used it as an opportunity to vent her frustrations. But we also went in SEPT which it was horribly hot. I don't think a villa is an option for us price wise, but it sure would be nice. Seeing as it was me and our daughter in one bed and DH in the other. LOL I didn't want her to fall off the bed, but she did anyways I never thought of making a nest on the floor for her. ( she is scared of cribs)
I don't know it sure would be nice to go this DEC, but seeing how overwhelmed we were for our first trip even though I had done so much research it might be good to wait until next DEC. The adult me says wait, but the princess in me says YOAMD!!!!! lol

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

I say go!!! Our first trip my baby was 2, and he was the one that remembered, and kept wanting to go back. Last year he had just turned 3, and it was great, the areas that we did have problems with at 2 were pretty much gone. Our biggest thing is he just doesn't like to ride in the stroller, but it was great. We are going this year also, but I wouldn't put the trip off to just wait until the next birthday. I think kids know and remember so much more than we give them credit for.

 

[tadamom]

We took our son when he was almost 3 and he was an absolute DREAM!!! He loved everything and the only time he cried was when we got out of line at Ariel's grotto. He wanted to meet her and the line was insanely loooong!

But, I also have to add that probably one reason my son was a DREAM is b/c he was the only child in the group. He had us, his Nana & Papaw, 2 aunts and an uncle to help during any kind of crazy time that we encountered.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[bless7ings]

I think sometimes it has to do with temperment of the child and how they deal with teething and handling differant situations. We have had two kids brought at around 1 1/2 years old. I think it is one of my favorite ages! But if they were horrible teethers, they could be cranky. Our last trip our two youngest were around 1 1/2 and almost 3 yrs. The 1 1/2 yr old was a delight to watch! The almost 3 year old was fun too, but is timid so therefore it took her 5 days to warm up to the characters! It's a good thing we were there 11 days! Now alls she does is talk about the characters all the time. She wants to go back! She is 4 1/4. So each child is differant.

BTW she never cried.(either of them) The older one insisted on walking with her older siblings and got bad blisters. She didn't hardly complain. She was such a trooper!!

Also both of them still remember going at this point. The trip was Sept 2005!

 

[cajun_angel21]

Thanks everyone for the input. This morning we decided to go this year and then tonight when I got off of work we "decided" to go next year . I guess we'll just have to wait and see if the urge hits us strong enough to actually book. About temperment.... our daughter used to be the happiest baby in the world. Besides when we were on the busses. LOL And then we took her pacifier away and now it doesn't take much to set her off Maybe I should wait until shes out of this phase. It's been a long time since the paci has been gone, so maybe it's a terrible 2s thing. I really don't know. hmmmmmm oh well, I guess it's 2008 then.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I say go and stay at Windsor Hills...you can stay in a 2 bdr. condo for less then a WDW resort and NOT get lost driving back and forth. WH is only 2 stoplights from the entrance to WDW and it is awesome. We stayed there this past May and plan to stay there again in Nov./Dec. Your child may be happier not crammed into 1 room, mine definitly were...DH included-LOL. My kids and dh never would have survivied the busses, thank goodness we rented a car. I'm sure it spared us alot of meltdowns and headaches!!!

Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[A&CsMom]

I agree with loveysbydesign -- I think you would find a big difference being in a 2 bedroom condo, and by all accounts Windsor Hills is a great location. Good luck with your decision -- there's still time to decide.

 

[Bibbidi]

I think there is a big difference between a 2 and 3 year old. Last time we went our youngest had just turned 2. She was a nightmare--granted she had croup, ended up at the ER and was overtired the entire trip, but for a normally VERY easy going girl is was just too much all at once. This time she will be almost 4 when we go in May. I am expecting her to be much more reliable as far as settling down easier when crabby, etc. However, I think if we had taken her when she just turned 3 it would have been OK then too. Two is a tricky age. But if you could get there just before your daughter's 3rd birthday she would still be free (no park tickets) and she'd be free for all buffet meals. Just a thought. We were supposed to go back last May (when she would have been 3) but after the trip in Sept 2005, my husband made me cancel the May 2006 trip--sounds like he and your DH caught the same meanie bug

 

[Mommy2tink&pan]

We are going in April with our DD3 and DS1...I'mm a little worried about the 1 year old but I'm sure our DD will do fine and have a great time...I hope I'm right! lol

Good luck with your trip!