WDW or Disney Cruise with a 1 yr old...

[KiSStheGiRL2430]

My husband and I really wanted to our son to WDW for his first birthday coming up this September. I have been talking to friends and family and the have suggested doing the Disney cruise instead because it will not be as overwheming for him. So I was just wondering, for those of you who have done both which one you would go with for a first birthday? And what suggestion you might have?

 

[rillsung]

Honestly, I think they would both be overwhelming I say do what YOU guys think YOU would enjoy most and work in a birthday celebration meal somewhere. We love WDW and we love cruising. When we took our young girls on cruises (19mo, and later 5, 3, 4mo) we ended up using the nursery/club a LOT so that DH and I could enjoy onboard activities. We figured we were spending that much money just to be there, we would use the nursery and enjoy our time. There is not a whole lot to entertain young children onboard aside from the nursery, baby splash area, and open house hours at the club. Port activities can also be boring for young children. At WDW we do more family time together. Also, at WDW, there is more opportunity to work in a stroller nap.

 

[amym2]

I'd stick with WDW. I can't imagine taking a 1yo on a cruise and not going crazy having to chase the kid around (or being confined to a small stateroom). We found that with the Disney cruise, many of the activities were late at night, and even though our kids were 5 and 7, it was a struggle for them to stay up. You're also much more limited in dining choices on a cruise, and personally I'd have a hard time foregoing the main dining rooms if our kids weren't able to sit through long meals, since the food is a main part of the cost of a cruise. At WDW you can plan a couple of TS meals if you want to and eat CS for the others.

Go to WDW, get a room that allows you a balcony or separate space (villa) to relax while your little one naps, and just go at his pace, knowing you will be back!

 

[Footnotegirl]

I'm going to buck the trend and say that with a 1 year old, I would go with the cruise, hands down. The access to child care is so great! It's a much more relaxing trip without most of the running around. Yes, the dinners can be long (if you take early seating, they are generally shorter than the more lingering late seating) and we have always been lucky that our child is easily distracted by lots of people being around, so long dinners aren't such a hardship for us. You know your kid best.
We also liked that when one of us had to be in the room for daytime naps or early bed time, the other one could go out and do/see stuff and not be really far away from the room. Once you're in for the night at a Disney resort, you're in for the night, but on the cruise ship, my hubby could watch our daughter for a while while I went and took in a movie or watched a comedy show and then we'd switch off. With daytime naps, one of us would take a nap with her while the other one (usually hubby who doesn't nap) would go do something fun or just relax out on the deck.
Being able to have child care while we went off the ship was also super awesome. Yes, it's an added cost (and it does add up fast) but it was great to be able to go on the kayak/hike/snorkel excursion and know that our daughter was being well taken care of and enjoying herself.

 

[squirrel]

I think it depends on your child. Has he gone to daycare? How did he adjust to the new environment? I saw one couple have to pick up their child since he wouldn't settle in the nursery. Another couple was outside and they also said they didn't have any luck with their little one.

What kind of vacation do you want to do? Would you find it easier to be on the ship in a small stateroom or would you rather be in a slightly larger room at WDW?

You know your child better than any of us.

 

[Woodmnky]

We took DS on 3 cruises before he was 2.5, the first of which was for his 1st birthday. The 1st cruise was on Princess and there was nothing for him to do and no childcare, however, we still loved it. DS has still never been in childcare on a ship and we found that there was plenty for us to do as a family and yet each adult could still find time to do adult activities while the other had fun with the LO. I would not have wanted to wait in lines with a 1 yo in the parks. Also never being more than 5 minutes away from the room is awesome with an infant/toddler (I never felt like I had to pack a weeks worth of just in case items when leaving the room. In fact we went back to the room for almost all diaper changes because it was so easy). I can't express how nice it was to have complimentary room service available with a young child.

One common concern I see when addressing a cruise with a little child is that they may not want to stay in the nursery and this concerns parents. This is true for many kids, however, if you go to WDW you likely will not have any childcare options either. At this age I would really be prepared to be with your LO 24/7 during the vacation and choose the option you prefer.

The bottomline for choosing this vacation is to choose based upon which one you feel that you (& your family) will enjoy the most. Lots of people have great experiences with doing either one of these choices with a 1yo, so there is not one clear cut choice. Your LO is going to enjoy either option.

 

[NjMamaMouse]

Because of our older kids we have taken a one year old to WDW 2 times. And I have to say although they will not remember the experience they will LOVE it in the moment of it all.

 

[rillsung]

Because of our older kids we have taken a one year old to WDW 2 times. And I have to say although they will not remember the experience they will LOVE it in the moment of it all.

They love cruises too

 

[KiSStheGiRL2430]

It is hard to judge how he will be because he is only 4.5 months right now lol. We are planning on going in Sept. for his first birthday. I really want to go for the character experience and get some cute shots of him with the characters. I know he won't remember but I will, and I know we will look back on the pictures often. I am really just looking for Disney magic for his first birthday without completely overwhelming him. I am pretty positive we are going to go with cruising for his first birthday. My family will be joining us so as far as night life goes I have my sixteen yr old sister tagging along, and she will no doubt stay back and chill with him in the room. & We will have enough people with us that we may not even need child care, maybe one night and see how he does being that he is not in daycare and I have never left him with anyone outside of family and close friends. Thank you for all of the feedback!

 

[Elleshoodat]

It is hard to judge how he will be because he is only 4.5 months right now lol. We are planning on going in Sept. for his first birthday. I really want to go for the character experience and get some cute shots of him with the characters. I know he won't remember but I will, and I know we will look back on the pictures often. I am really just looking for Disney magic for his first birthday without completely overwhelming him. I am pretty positive we are going to go with cruising for his first birthday. My family will be joining us so as far as night life goes I have my sixteen yr old sister tagging along, and she will no doubt stay back and chill with him in the room. & We will have enough people with us that we may not even need child care, maybe one night and see how he does being that he is not in daycare and I have never left him with anyone outside of family and close friends. Thank you for all of the feedback!

Just a note that you might not get the character shots you are hoping for. DS was afraid of all characters at 15 months, but hopefully you will have better luck!

 

[wallawallakids]

My vote is for the cruise. There is a lot to do, IMO on the cruise plus time off the boat at the beach. When my kids were 1 they all loved the beach and sand. We took my oldest to Hawaii when she was 19 mo and our son was 5 months and we had a great time with her. All we did was play in the pool, ocean, or sand. Plus on the boat you can bring a stroller and walk. They have the splash zone as well and you and hubby can get some quiet time. A nice dinner, or a spa treatment. I find the cruises to be very "baby" friendly. Also their are character meet and greats on the boat as well. Plus I imagine the sail-away party would be fun with a 1 year old.

We LOVE the parks but we waited until ours were a bit older to go. We took our twins for the first time when they were 3 and felt that was perfect. They loved the characters and knew who they were and were old enough to go on a few rides and enjoy them. I am sure it all comes down to personal preference though and I would pick the vacation YOU would enjoy more. At this age, go for the vacation you most want. He won't remember it anyway and you will. :