visiting with 17 month old

[Ross J 82]

Hi,

We have booked for October 16 but now my wife is getting cold feet for the following reasons. Can anybody who has visited with a similar age child help us please.

the child will be too young and won't enjoy any of it.

Meals will be stressful as the child won't sit still

Queues will be impossible as won't wait up to 30 minutes to go on things.

They won't sleep in buggy at night time when we stay out for meals/rides/fireworks

It will be too hot and won't be able to keep him cool

Will be dificult to find food for him as salt levels will be too high in our food

Flight is too long from UK and will be a nightmare

He will always wonder off and not want to do or go where we are going.

Won't sit and wait plus watch fantasia, fireworks, parades, shows etc

Sorry know there is a lot of points.

Thanks

Ross

 

[ilovebassets]

Hi,

We have booked for October 16 but now my wife is getting cold feet for the following reasons. Can anybody who has visited with a similar age child help us please.

the child will be too young and won't enjoy any of it.

We have take both of our children around this age. I won't lie, it's probably been my least favorite age to take them. Babies are easier because they're not mobile and 2 year olds do get more out of it. That said, he will enjoy much of it if you go at his pace.

Meals will be stressful as the child won't sit still

Possibly. Then again, he may be exhausted and sleep through some meals. We find that at this age, a TS lunch is a must so everyone can decompress. It's Disney so it's not like he'll be the only kid making noise.

Queues will be impossible as won't wait up to 30 minutes to go on things.

We never wait more than 15-20 minutes for a ride with young children. With proper timing and planning, you really shouldn't need to. You may have to give up a headliner or two, but that's just the way it is.

They won't sleep in buggy at night time when we stay out for meals/rides/fireworks

Yup, that's our kids. So we almost never do fireworks. Like less than once per trip on average. A well rested child is too important so we try to stick to the 8:00pm bedtime (realistically it ends up being 8:30-9:00).

It will be too hot and won't be able to keep him cool

Mid-october should be quite pleasant. I wouldn't worry about that.

Will be dificult to find food for him as salt levels will be too high in our food

You can find and buy healthy stuff.

Flight is too long from UK and will be a nightmare

I'm from England but live in Atlanta. Personally, I would not bring a one year old on that flight electively. If your kids are like mine, yes, it will be a nightmare. And the jet lag will be even worse. (Then again, making rope drop won't be a problem!)

He will always wonder off and not want to do or go where we are going.

Eh, that just depends on your kid.

Won't sit and wait plus watch fantasia, fireworks, parades, shows etc

Ours would not sit still for shows at that age. Very difficult if that's really what you want to focus on. I think they sat through Disney Jr Live on Stage and the Lights, Motor, Action, Show without too much difficulty.

Sorry know there is a lot of points.

Thanks

Ross

My responses are in bold. Can't honestly say I'd recommend traveling from the UK to go to WDW with a child at that age even though I'd tell people who live closer to do it. I'd probably wait another year at least. But you know your child's temperament better than anyone else.

 

[Alesia]

I think your wife has a lot of good points. There is no way I'd bring a child that age from the UK to WDW. I'd wait at least another year, probably 2.

 

[staceyrhood]

I agree with previous posters, I would wait until age 2 at least.

 

[patdoc98]

Everything in ilovebassets' response seems right to me. If you go with the right mindset, you could still have a lot of fun, but many of your wife's concerns are very, very valid.

 

[maryrego]

Aww I disagree I have taken my eldest daughter at 6mths, 18mths, 2 years and 3 years and my youngest at 6mths. I will say a trip with younger kids is much different from the usual adults or older kid trips. However it is just as magical and you end up enjoying things you haven't noticed before. You find your self smelling the roses.

While young i am always amazed at how much my eldest daughter remembers, She looks at her disney photo albums quite a bit. There is plenty to see and do at disney they will enjoy it. Just be aware it may not be what u think they will enjoy. Ie)One of My Daughters favourite things was the Enchanted Tiki Room but she hates the fireworks. With kids just be prepared to go with the flow.

Meals at this age are stressful where ever you eat. Its likely there will be stress even if you were home. With my girls They would sit in there stroller or high chair for 1/2 the meal and on mine or my husbands lap for the rest. Toys and things helped however maybe eat more quick service so meals aren't as long. Also you can ask for a high chair to be brought to your room for meals in the hotel room that may help as well.

As for waiting in line go early, and use fastpass, take advantage of extra magic hours or just skip long lines and do something else. You may discover something new or get to do something you haven't had the chance to before. We finally see the Hall of presidents last summer and I quite enjoyed it (we are canadian so it was never high on our must do list). We were trying to beat the heat and it was just starting.

If they are tired enough they will sleep anywhere however you may be just as tired as they are and unable to stay awake for late night meals, rides and fireworks. Mine slept everywhere in their strollers when they were tired they just slept esp for late meals. My eldest was afraid of Fireworks not at first by after she turned 2 so we don't usually wait for those any more unless she's being brave.

October shouldnt be too hot for the heat plus there are kids water features ie) Splash areas and the pools to cool off. We drank lots of water and also had the cloths that you wet with cold water and they form a jelly inside that helps keep you cool we wore them on our necks. We did 2 summer Aug trips and i will admit it was hot but totally manageable.

The flight is long and may even be difficult at times however they may sleep or be to interested in the new adventure to be too fussy.

As for the food I order from Garden Grocer.com and have them deliver to our hotel extra snacks and baby supplies. This way you can have there favourites handy. Also disney is pretty good with having healthier options available. There always seems to be something available for all kinds of dietary restrictions.

The wait is hard and no not all kids will sit and watch a show or parade or the fireworks but they may surprise you. They may be really interested in a particular show or want to wait and see who's next in the parade or they may sit for 5 minutes and want to move on. Unfortunately like always with kids its best to go with the flow. If you are going and thinking we're going to do this and this and this you're going to be disappointed, if that's the case then I would wait. I loved all my trips with the kids at there young age and I got to experience Disney from a different angle each time make different memories. The trips had there meltdowns and bumps at times but I wouldn't change a thing.

I do suggest going back to the hotel in the afternoon for rest / nap time or if you cant go back to the hotel just take a break somewhere nearby to where you are in a nice quiet spot and relax for a bit. It will help recharge your batteries. If you can nap / rest with them you won't believe how tired you will be too.

Keep in mind Whatever you decide you're going to make the best decision for your family. You can have a wonderful time with children of any age.

 

[tinkerbesh]

Hi,

We have booked for October 16 but now my wife is getting cold feet for the following reasons. Can anybody who has visited with a similar age child help us please.

the child will be too young and won't enjoy any of it.
Absolutely untrue! DS at 11 months and 23 months had fabulous trips. He enjoyed new things each time. And actually, he made our trip more enjoyable by noticing different things that we previously might not have taken the time to see.

Meals will be stressful as the child won't sit still
All depends on what you plan and expect. All the counter service meals will be a piece of cake, as it's open seating, and one of you can walk around with your child if needed. Plus depending on where you sit, you might have an entire alcove to yourselves. For sit down meals, just plan the right ones. Buffets would work well. Biergarten, for example, has live entertainment, and it's expected that kids will run around the stage area during the show.

Queues will be impossible as won't wait up to 30 minutes to go on things.
Again, plan smart and you'll be fine. Wait times are posted, so don't get in line of it says 30 minute wait. (Although some queues are worth it, as there's lots to play with along the way.) Get FP+ for the longest lines, and then ride other stuff that has lower wait times. Also pick the right park to visit each day - check a crowd calendar like easywdw.com

They won't sleep in buggy at night time when we stay out for meals/rides/fireworks
Plan an earlier shift. Go at rope drop, and then plan to be back at the room by bedtime. If you really want to see night stuff, take turns who stays out each night. Depending on what resort you stay at, you might be able to see some fireworks from your resort while child sleeps.

It will be too hot and won't be able to keep him cool
October is not furnace hot like July/August. Again, it all depends what you're used to and what your expectations are.

Will be dificult to find food for him as salt levels will be too high in our food
Check out menus on Allears. Figure out what type of food is acceptable to you. You don't have to get fries- you can ask for apples instead. And you don't have to go to the cheeseburger serving restaurants at all. Good healthy food at places like Columbia Harbour House, Sunshine Seasons, and many other places.

Flight is too long from UK and will be a nightmare
Can't help you there...

He will always wonder off and not want to do or go where we are going.
Not knowing your child, I can't say much here. But I can share that I thought I would need a harness when DS was 23 months, but he wanted nothing to do with it, and it turned out that he didn't run off anyway. We would tell him about whatever exciting thing we were going to do next, and he was in board almost every time. Also figured out that trip that he loved fountains and boats, so we often could get him to go where we needed by telling him we were going to see a fountain or boat on the way.

Won't sit and wait plus watch fantasia, fireworks, parades, shows etc
Disney is pretty captivating - you might be surprised. DS at 11 months sat through Nemo (40 minutes), and he had never done anything like that before. But also, there are easy exits from everything if you need it. And many things have wiggle room. For example, Monsters Inc DS was able to climb up and down bench where we were sitting, and play with the lamp on the counter.

Sorry know there is a lot of points.

Thanks

Ross

 

[AFwifelife]

Is this going to be your only trip or are you planning more in the future?

We took DS for the first time at 15 months but we are state-side and planning on multiple trips as our kids get older. We didn't get much done in the way of rides, parades, and fireworks but it was a nice relaxing vacation for us. We are planning on doing a bit more this time with him when we go in a week and a half with DS being 2. Our expectations of getting much done is still very low but that's fine with us knowing that we are taking another trip in 2 years.

 

[Ross J 82]

Hi, we went in 2012 and 2014. I also have another child who will have just turned 13 when we are due to visit. This will be our only trip until 2021when hopefully all the new rides/lands will be in place and we will have another child as well. My wife has definitely made it clear we aren't visiting with two little ones but hoping to talk her back around with only one small one. All your help has been very useful. I take it in buffets they are happy for you to take food for the 17 month old as they will hardly eat anything?

 

[little miss minnie]

My responses are in bold.



We have booked for October 16 but now my wife is getting cold feet for the following reasons. Can anybody who has visited with a similar age child help us please.

the child will be too young and won't enjoy any of it. I took my daughter at 9 months for the first time, and even though she wont remember it, her reactions to some of the experiences were priceless, and it was just a joy to have her experience Disney with us.

Meals will be stressful as the child won't sit still. Does the child not eat when you eat? Schedule meals when the child will be hungry. Pack some light snacks such as goldfish that can be given to keep baby occupied.

Queues will be impossible as won't wait up to 30 minutes to go on things. Fastpass the rides that you can experience with the child. If theres a ride you all want to go on with a long wait, pack some new toys or books or snacks to keep baby occupied. I just bought a travel size magnadoodle and a reusable sticker books to keep in the backpack for situations such as this.

They won't sleep in buggy at night time when we stay out for meals/rides/fireworks. When going with a child, you have to be flexible with your Disney touring. If they wont sleep in the stroller and they get cranky, you'll have to leave. Some people with young children like to tour like this... get to the park at opening, leave around 12 or 1, go back to resort for a nap/refresh, head back out to the park to finish up. It all depends on what works for your child. Disney with a toddler is totally different than disney with 2 adults, but just because its different doesnt mean its not enjoyable.

It will be too hot and won't be able to keep him cool There are several products you can buy to aid this. They have stroller fans, stroller sun shades, mist fans, etc. If you get to hot, you go in to a restuarant or the baby care center and cool off. Also, In October, they temps will be warm, but not UNBEARABLE.

Will be dificult to find food for him as salt levels will be too high in our food They have Mickey Check meals which are healthy kids meals. Disney offers lots of healthy options such as fruits and veggies. You can also pack your own food if you are concerned. You can have groceries delivered to your resort.

Flight is too long from UK and will be a nightmare. Again, use tricks to occupy your child. Ipad, new books, new toys, stickers, small snacks

He will always wonder off and not want to do or go where we are going. Uhh, who's the parent here? Buy a child harness, keep him in the stroller...

Won't sit and wait plus watch fantasia, fireworks, parades, shows etc. Try them once, if it doesnt work out, dont do them again. There are plenty of other options. Like I said, be flexible.

Sorry know there is a lot of points.

Thanks

Ross

 

[monorailsilver]

Add me to the bold bandwagon!

the child will be too young and won't enjoy any of it.
We took our 3 for their first visits when they were 15 months, 22 months and 2.5 yo.

My 15 mo old (at the time she is now 14) loved it. LOVED!!! She hated the face characters but loved Mickey, Pooh, etc... She was fine on the rides and just took everything in. She did give us a hard time about sitting in the stroller initially as she was one that was always on the go but once she realized we were headed to another ride she climbed back in with out issues.

Meals will be stressful as the child won't sit still
Didn't have a problem. We only did 1 sit down with her then (and with the other 2 we have done 2) so we do mostly quick service. I will say my kids are great in public. I used to get compliments all the time when out/out to dinner as they were never the climbers, throwers, screamers. I guess I didn't put up with that when they were just starting to eat????

Queues will be impossible as won't wait up to 30 minutes to go on things.
There are lots of things to see and do in lines, you can even play ispy. It goes quick. Plus if it the line looks to long, skip it. We go early (park for 8am) ride as many things as we can and leave at lunch time to return to resort and nap and then return at dinner time. Make it fun!

They won't sleep in buggy at night time when we stay out for meals/rides/fireworks
Like I said above, we do naps in our room. We arrive early -I am up by 6 and showered and ready by 6:30 impatiently waiting for DH so we can leave no later then 7:15 to catch the monorail, bus or boat. I do have breakfast in the room-cereal, pop tarts, etc... that we ship from home so while we are getting ready the rest of the crew is eating. Anyways, we do lunch in the park and then head back to the resort so we can all nap. Then we return at dinner time til park closing. My kids at that young age and all the rest of the trips since then have never had issues with staying up for fireworks. Again I must be lucky because I can recall one trip with kids that we were in the MK post fireworks with our stroller and our child/children were as happy as clams but I could hear multiple cries/whines from nearby tired children. We also make it a point to not do a park every day. 2 days in a row is our maximum.

It will be too hot and won't be able to keep him cool
Water, let him get soaked! Two years ago my son got his brand new $$$$ Nike sneakers and he had plans to wear them around the hot august park sun. I told him if he planned on wearing them he better plan on not getting wet. The sneakers stayed home! He wore flip flops and keens and there were days that he and my other 2 were soaked. We also dress them in light clothes, I think I Have brought the mister fans once and decided I didn't need them because you really are not in the heat that long as every ride has a/c, well the indoor ones. My kids wear hats too which the characters sign. I have also let my kids play with ice cubes on the tray table on the stroller, its not messy, just wet.

Will be dificult to find food for him as salt levels will be too high in our food
There are all different kinds of food choices. My son has food allergies so there is something for everyone.

Flight is too long from UK and will be a nightmare
I pity you...no help on that one. The only thing I can say is when we took our oldest, I did a 1pm flight figuring she would nap at her normal napping time. NOPE! She fell asleep at about 4 or so on DME to the Poly. Since then I just book an early flight and we only do Chef Mickeys for dinner and hang out at the pool. My dh is a grouch and complains when I tell him we can't go to bed until 10:15 when wishes is over.

He will always wonder off and not want to do or go where we are going.
Sorry, my kids didn't wander so I am no help. Plus we either held their hands or they were right in front/next to us while walking or in a stroller. Now we can't get them to leave our side! FYI, you are the parent and you say where you are going. Again, make it fun. I tell you that first day at the MK with our then 15 month old and we went on one ride and she wanted to walk to the next one we fought her and won (again we are the parent) and she sat in the stroller and never gave us a hard time after that.

Won't sit and wait plus watch fantasia, fireworks, parades, shows etc
The waiting part is the worst but ispy is a great game. If waiting for a non show, have one parent take him for a walk.
~~~~

Really just go with the flow. Before kids I had ridden Space Mountain on every visit except my first in 1975 because I was 3.5 yo. And I had my heart set on riding it when I went with my oldest on her first trip. My dh even said "go" but I realized that I would get to ride it again and again and again. Next trip I didn't ride it either since I was preggo with my 3rd but did the last 2 times after that and boy am I old! I had a hard time with it. Just make sure your son is well rested and you and your wife as well. I took naps too!

 

[ghtx]

I think your wife has a lot of good points. There is no way I'd bring a child that age from the UK to WDW. I'd wait at least another year, probably 2.

I agree with previous posters, I would wait until age 2 at least.

BOO!!! Take the trip! You will have a great time.

 

[skuttle]

We've gone with an 10-11 month old twice.

the child will be too young and won't enjoy any of it. My kids have always enjoyed our trips to WDW, regardless of their age. WDW is such a great place with different things for different people. Will your child be scared of rides? Characters? Fireworks? Maybe, maybe not. But unless you normally have issues with your child, your child should have lots of fun. The beauty of bringing them when they are that young is that they have no idea what they may be missing! You can skip things (shows, attractions, meals, characters, etc.) and they won't know it! Will your chid remember the trip? Probably not, but YOU will and you will always remember the joy of seeing your child's first WDW experience.

Meals will be stressful as the child won't sit still Again, depends on your child. Can you eat at restaurants now? or is it a pain? If you can't eat at restaurants now, then you probably want to stick to counter service. When we have table service meals (even on our last trip with a 2.5yo and 4yo), we always try to plan them on the early side to make sure no one gets cranky. And I didn't stress out about what they ate and didn't eat. It's vacation!

Queues will be impossible as won't wait up to 30 minutes to go on things. We go to WDW fairly often, so we never wait longer than 30 minutes for any ride or attraction. It takes some planning, but with EMH and FP, you can usually see and do what you want with little to no wait. The hardest part of waiting for me was the little ones would need to be held and they were heavy!

They won't sleep in buggy at night time when we stay out for meals/rides/fireworks My kids alway slept in their stroller, and it was no different at WDW. They even slept through the fireworks! If you child sleeps in the stroller at home, they will probably do so at WDW as well.

It will be too hot and won't be able to keep him cool There are plenty of ways to stay cool at WDW. October should't be that bad. We went for July 4th a few years ago with a 10 month old and survived!

Will be dificult to find food for him as salt levels will be too high in our food There are tons of food options at WDW. With table service, counter service, and kiosks, I'm sure you can find something that will satisfy your needs. Check out he menus that are online for the various places and you can plan accordingly.

Flight is too long from UK and will be a nightmare Can't help you with that. We drive to WDW (~10 hours).

He will always wonder off and not want to do or go where we are going. My kids were never runners so I never had to worry too much. They stayed in their stroller and when they wanted to get out they never wandered far. However, if my kids did tend to wander off, I wouldn't hesitate to use a harness to keep them close.

Won't sit and wait plus watch fantasia, fireworks, parades, shows etc We never waited for parades. We always just stumbled upon them and had good enough of a view to see everything. Same for fireworks. You can see them from so many places, unless you want the "perfect view" you shouldn't have to wait terribly long. You can always bring or buy something to keep them occupied, grab a snack, etc. Be prepared to have to skip some of these if needed.

 

[SweetMissy]

Those are definitely real valid points. It is a tough age. Our #3 was 18 months old for his 2nd Disneyworld trip and it was one of the hardest trips. Not because of his age but because the day before we left for vacation, his mouth decided to sprout 3 teeth at the same time! So he was feverish, tired, whiney, and walking funny (must've had an ear infection too), and he puked a couple times (on me, lovely). Luckily, he did get better as the trip went on. Is he your only child? How long will you be staying in FL? Since you're from the UK, I would definitely make the trip longer than if you were from the US only because it's a long trip and it'll probably take a couple days to adjust to the time zone and flying, etc. Good luck deciding what to do!