WDW with 1.5 yr old

[Kcags]

Hi all. We've never been to WDW with a 1.5 year old. I am already trying to get a plan together for our trip in late October at French Quarter. As you know, most places are more expensive for dinner. But I am afraid if I book anything for lunch, my son will be needing a break. What do you think? Did your 1 year old need to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day? I was thinking of doing park opening (he is not a good sleeper now, is up at the crack of dawn) and then an early lunch at 11ish. Then we could possibly break if we need to. We will only be doing 4 table meals in 6 days). Anyone been through this or have an opinion? Thanks!!

 

[IBLarsen]

I would def recommend afternoon naps/break with small children. Good plan to start at rope drop, so there's less waits for your little guy. Does he have a normal nap time? Having a sit down meal for lunch could be good to have a bit of a break. But if he's too tired by then, could make it hard to sit still that long...you mentioned early lunch, would likely be best. You could look at scheduling something around brunch time to break up the morning, for one of your days. We found it worked well, on the couple character breakfasts we did to book about 10:30. We gave the kids some fruit or something light in the morning to hold them over for breakfast. Then toured for a couple hours, and by 10:30 was usually a good break time. this gave us a bit of time to hit a few more rides after and then head back to hotel about 1-2ish. Then back to the parks about 5 or so, and have a quick service meal to keep touring.
We were usually good to do brunch, early lunch, or dinner around 6, to give us ample time to be back in park, maybe ride a ride or two, then sit down. Kids seemed anxious upon getting back to park to want to keep going. Kids don't want to go back to park and sit down for an hour to eat I found

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I will be traveling to the world in April with my 1 1/2 year old and my 8 year old. Both boys. My younger son was at the world at 8 months old as well. He needed a lot of breaks then. What I am expecting now will be after lunch back to the hotel for a nap and I will leave it up to big brother whether he wants to stay in the park or go back to the resort and swim.

 

[ilovebassets]

So breaks actually haven't worked well for our two children. Rather, rope drop, an early (usually table service) lunch, an afternoon nap in the stroller, and then heading out in the early evening has worked much better for us. We basically have given up on any real night time entertainment and fireworks until the children are older.

We found that going back and forth just took up way too much time and getting the kids in and out of their car seats and going back and forth or waiting for buses actually made life more stressful than just staying all day. Plus then we wanted to stay later after a mid day break which meant the kids got to bed too late. And as we all know, a child that goes to bed too late at that age does NOT make up for it by sleeping in the next day.

So we rope drop, hit the big stuff first, then do two fast pass plus things, then lunch around 11:30 at a table service restaurant right as crowds are starting to really pick up. We then walk somewhere far after lunch or go to a really boring (for a toddler) attraction like hall of presidents and usually the child will fall asleep in the stroller or at the boring attraction. Dinner we usually do quick service and find the quick service restaurants for dinner usually have none to minimal lines and no problems with finding tables.

 

[HatboxHaint]

breaks are such a pain. With older kids it gives you time to get out of the heat if it is summer and get them some pool time which they verbally assault you for. With a little guy, I would shoot for strolling him to sleep and then taking in some shows and things and/or rider swapping while he is out. Maybe stroll him to sleep and then get your lunch? Try to slip into a table service place like crystal palace, you might get lucky. And then feed him separately. Maybe even rider switch and the 1st non-rider feed him before the stroller nap to keep the rides going.

 

[ajwolfe]

We've never been break people. For us it was way easier to just let the kids nap in the stroller (if they wanted) for a bit and keep going. Both my kids were and still are more of the go getter types that can spend all day/night in the park with no issue. So it's definitely dependent on the type of kid you have.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

All three of my kids first visit were during the summer after their 1st birthday. Naps when necessary were in the stroller or during a show.

We consider park hopping to be our break time as we always have a rental vehicle loaded with cold drinks and snacks. We don't tend to go back to the resort during the day as that would take away too much park time. Then and now, we roll in anywhere between 10 and 11 and stay until the last park closes. I find it much easier to let my bunch stay up late than to make them get up early. Plus, they would feel that they were being punished if we left the parks early.

This plan has worked for us for the past 19 years.