Traveling to WDW with a 1 year old in the summer?

[jensimonoff]

My husband and I are trying to decide if we want to brave bringing a 1 year old to Disney this summer. We haven't been in a few years and are itching to go. I know that we would be traveling on her schedule, and are prepared to take many breaks and are just looking for a relaxing low key trip. My biggest concern is that we live in Maine so the change in temperature will be quite a shock for her. Should I be concerned about the heat with a one year old? Can anyone give me any tips to make the trip run more smoothly? And please be honest, is it really worth the trip with such a young child? Thanks so much!

 

[Faithful_Tink]

I think it's totally worth it! We never let age get in the way of taking a family trip to Disney. You'll probably prefer to take things slower, but a one year old can be sooo much fun at Disney!

Be sure to keep little one hydrated and pack plenty of snacks to hand out while waiting in line. We've always preferred umbrella strollers for the ease of getting on and off buses, but we made sure to get one that reclined - our kids wouldn't stay asleep if they weren't reclined - and had a canopy for shade. We always took misters or clip on fans for the stroller. But more than anything, at that age, we always took our ques from them. Very rarely did we stay in the park all day, often taking midday breaks and heading back to the room before park closing.

Have fun!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We are taking our 1 year old in September. We have the following plan
1. Our citi mini GT stroller with huge sunshade
2. Cooling pad for stroller
3. 2stroller fans
4. Mister fan
5. Stroller cooler full of water bottles
6. Insulated sippy cup
7. Lightweight cotton rompers
8. Lots of sunscreen
9. Sun hat
10. At least one buffet ADR in the a/c every day
11. No real plan except go with the flow and take breaks as needed.

 

[ameliahyde]

We took both of our girls when they were about 1 and on hot days too. It was great! Just mix in some indoor activities - think lots of dark rides which have lots of AC and shows. The early mornings are always cooler, so doing EMH in the morning is to your advantage. I highly recommend a mister fan like the ones they sell in the parks. They are totally awesome for everyone. Your pace may be a little slower but if your little one is a good napper you may be able to stay out longer or more during the day than you can with an older toddler. You'll have a great time!

 

[ssour]

I can't comment on the heat since we took our little guy over the winter but it was well worth it. He learned so much in the week and a half we were there, more than he would have at home with me I'm sure. Whilst he won't remember it obviously we all have some very special memories of the trip.

 

[DakotaRose]

Since the little one won't be acclimated to the tropical heat and humidity, be very careful. Our friends ended up taking their little one to ER with heat exhaustion and they're both medical. Wee ones might not adapt to extreme temps as quickly as an adult, and can't tell you when they're wilting.

 

[Vylette Rose]

We took ours when they were toddlers, and always enjoyed it. As others have said, keep hydrated, go on dark rides, and into stores to cool off, take it slow with plenty of breaks, and above all have fun!! Also each park has a baby care center, these can be priceless in getting through a hot day with a baby. Baby Care Center website

 

[Art 1]

My husband and I are trying to decide if we want to brave bringing a 1 year old to Disney this summer. We haven't been in a few years and are itching to go. I know that we would be traveling on her schedule, and are prepared to take many breaks and are just looking for a relaxing low key trip. My biggest concern is that we live in Maine so the change in temperature will be quite a shock for her. Should I be concerned about the heat with a one year old? Can anyone give me any tips to make the trip run more smoothly? And please be honest, is it really worth the trip with such a young child? Thanks so much!

I will probably be the only one to mention that it is not worth bringing a one year old. I wouldn't. Or, I would bring a nanny to take care of them.

But the heat shouldn't bother them, lots of kids grow up in Fla and do just fine. LOL.

 

[CRod]

It is so worth it! Seeing their excitement and reaction to everything is too precious! My 3 yr old has been four times in her life and I have loved seeing the changes in what excites her every time we go. If you follow the tips and tricks everyone has mentioned too keep cool/hydrated and you already know you'll be on her schedule then you're sure to have a great time. After having kids I can't imagine being there without them since half of my fun is now seeing it through their eyes!
One thing we do that I didn't see mentioned is to take bandanas and soak them in cool water and drape them around your neck....cools you down great!

 

[thevolcanogod]

We took a 3 year old and 1 year old last August. The heat was fine - didn't bother either of them. But do keep hydrated - keep their sippy cup full and accessible. Be prepared to change your touring style completely. We were used to being commando in the park - can't do that easily with little ones. Need to take breaks, need to feed more etc. Planning on activities in advance may be harder - particularly ADR. We had a couple planned and felt stressed trying to fit them in with the baby's schedule. Trying to hold 2 sleeping children and dealing with a poop explosion in the Biergarten where they have you park your stroller outside was not the highlight of our trip.

 

[disnut8]

My tip for the warmer months of the year for a Disney World trip. Pack a cloth washcloth and a small plastic zipper bag. Put washcloth into zipper bag for trip. Place the bag into a shoe when packing. At Disney World take plastic bag and put into whatever bag you are carrying that day. Once you feel the heat getting to you (or your child), take the plastic bag into a restroom, take the washcloth out of the plastic bag and run it under cold water from the sink. Rub the cloth all over any exposed part of the person's body. Repeat if needed with fresh water. When done, put cloth back into plastic bag. Do this as many times as you can during the day.

Trust me, this works better and faster and cheaper than downing a cold lemonade.

 

[Ansky]

We took both our kids when they were about 8 months old and then again at 1 1/2 yrs old in late August (and every August since). We definitely think it was worth it. Neither seemed bothered by the heat. The only snag we hit was our son got a cold when he went the first time and was pretty miserable for a couple days. Other than that there have been no issues. We don't push them too much and they have always been fine. We also always go back to the room in the early afternoon so they can take naps and cool down. That would be my biggest suggestion. When they were still taking multiple naps a day they would usually fall asleep in the stroller for the first nap in the morning and then again when we would go back to the room in the afternoon. Like others have said, lots of little snacks and drinks are good to have handy (as well as the usual things like diapers). As long as you take it easy like you said you were going to do you should be fine. One other thing we found was our kids were not as thrilled with the non human characters as they were with the human ones like the princes and princesses. Not that they were terrified, but they shied away from characters like Pooh and Mickey. Every kid is different though. I wouldn't worry and give the trip a try. I think you will have a lot of great memories from it.

 

[ameliahyde]

I completely think it is worth it. Every time it was TOTALLY worth it for me as a parent. There are so many times your kids don't remember something but it is still done out of tradition, or because parents want to do it. To me, their expression of excitement was amazing and very magical. They are memories I will forever cherish, even if they do not remember.

 

[Elandon]

DS5 has been to disney 6 times and we are planning his 7th trip in August. I thought it was crazy to bring a baby to Disney but our friends convinced us to go when he was 5 months old. He loved it and so did we. We always take lots of video on our Disney trips and now he wants to watch them all the time so even if he doesn't have a primary memory of it, he appreciates that he had a great time.

It was important to be on his schedule a little bit when he was small but he often fell asleep in the stroller and slept well. At night the baby will sleep like never before. Watch the Duffy bedtime story on the TV and then send DH/DW to get an adult drink (they will give you a to go cup if you ask) and sit on your balcony. It might be worth it to splurge on a nicer resort since you will be spending extra time there. I wouldn't skimp on sleep for the little one.

 

[Pats Dragon]

If you lived next door to DW yes it would be worth it. We go every year and my children of course went as infants. I enjoyed their reactions to things but if i lived as far away as you do and if you don't plan on going every year, I would wait until age 3 or 4.