WDW with 15 month old - or not?

[lundve]

OK - I need advice...and I knew that my DIS board friends could offer some. Please put yourself in my shoes and tell me what you would do in my situation.

Last year my family and I traveled with my Mom to WDW and had a great time. This year she isn't able to come. However, she said she will keep my 15month old home with her for the week and I agreed (I trust my Mom fully). We then will only be traveling with my 3 1/2 year old.

Lately, I think that I would like take our younger son because he is after all a member of our family. If so, we would have to change a few parts of our reservations but nothing too severe and with little economic impact.

So - what would you do??? Leave him or take him???

 

[LilGMom]

Take him! We have been taking our two since the oldest was ten months old. It is an adjustment in touring plans/styles but to see WDW through their eyes and being forced to slow down a bit because of it isn't a bad thing at all. My DH & I both commented that one of our best trips was our first one with our 10 months old because we had to slow down. And seeing his face light up at various things that we so often overlooked gave us a new appreciation for WDW.

 

[kevingg]

I say a lot depends on the type of kid. I took my DD4 when she was 15 months and thought it was a blast (my son was 3). My DD was great she loved all the characters and was not afraid at all. SHe was very easy going and was a great sleeper (being there for two weeks this is important). My kids would sleep in a stroller if needed as well.

You definitely may have to take it slower than you may otherwise, for us this isn't a big deal since we are there for so long (2 weeks). You may need to head back to the room in the afternoon for naps if they can't sleep in a stroller. When we would go back to the room for naps my husband would take DS to the pool while I stayed with DD for naps. Kept everyone happy.

I plan on going this year with our youngest who will be 15 months the time we travel. I can't wait to go with her. SHe knows and loves all the characters, especially Mickey!!! She is also walking so it makes it harder and easier at the same time.

I say go for it!!!! I have taken all three of my kids starting as young as eight weeks and my oldest is now 6. Everyone always says why take them when they are so young. I have two things to say.
1. My son actually will recall things that happened on our early trips to Disney when he was 2 and 3 years old.
2. Even if they don't remember it. I WILL REMEMBER!!!! I love watching my kids getting such enjoyment and excitement out of the characters and rides etc.

Whatever you decide have fun!!

 

[lundve]

He did in fact go with us last year when he was 3.5 months old but 15 months is so different from that.

Keep your opinions coming please....

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Take him. I would never leave one of them home. You might have to change things a little but honestly, that's part of being in a family. In the end though you need to do what you think is best for your family dynamic. Good luck!
ETA- It's not hard going with just the 2 of you and 2 kids. You will be fine if you decide to take him.

 

[wrighter]

On our first ever trip to WDW, we got lots of negative feedback about taking our 17 month old DD with us. (The trip was mostly for our DS 3.5 - or so we thought.) I have to tell you, we had a blast! Our DD was more into it than we ever thought she would have been. By the end of our first day in MK she would hoot and holler and try to get out of her stroller when we passed Dumbo and the Carousel. She loved Pooh's Playful Spot. She wasn't big on the characters at first, but we have some great pics of her standing FAR far away from them with this look of caution in her eyes. Eventually she warmed up to them and we got some pics of her kissing JoJo and Minnie.

People kept telling me, "Why would you spend all that money to go when she won't even remember it?" Well you know what? WE remember it. And she loves to look at the pictures of that trip - so she will sort of remember by proxie. We thought it was going to be a lot of work, and while we definitely had to slow down and let them be our guides, it really wasn't much work at all. Take breaks and enjoy it all together.

You're welcome to PM me if you have any specific questions about how we managed it. Good luck making your decision - and enjoy your trip!

 

[katied]

Take him!! DS was there in May at 13 1/2 months, and loved it! I had a great time with him, and can't wait to take him back. He did a great job with stroller naps, loved the rides and people.

 

[lovemy2boys]

Definitely take him! We took our 18 month old to Disney and he had just as much fun (if not more fun) than the rest of us. He LOVED the children's rides and he really especially loved meeting Mickey and the characters. Even if he didn't recognize characters (ex. Baloo from Jungle Book) he still got SO EXCITED to see them. He had a great time and I am so glad that he experienced it when he did.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I think you should take him. My youngest was that age on her first trip and she had a blast. Now, she doesn't remember it, but we do.

 

[ChrisandDon'sMommy]

Take him! My son will be 16 months when we go. He'll enjoy something out of it, too.

Are you concerned about costs?

 

[lundve]

I appreciate all the opinions so far

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

We took my son at 7 months and he loved it. Loved the characters loved the rides especially Pirates, Small World and Nemo. He will be 14 months when we go back for our trip but we have done a Character Breakfast for Father's Day this year at 1900 Park Fare and he loved all the Characters except the Mad Hatter and we are doing Chef Mickey's for his 1st Bday just for the Characters because he loves them so much. I would say that you and your family will be happier with him there and he will look back later and wonder why he wasn't in the pictures or on that family vacation. Disney is magic especially for little ones.

 

[ChristusG]

He will love it! This is such a great age becuase they are just in awe of the characters and rides. We've taken our two girls at various ages (they are 16 months and 4 years old now). They've had such a great time at each age.

 

[KEVD]

Take him! He'll have a great time and you'll be glad you brought him along!

 

[JackJack08]

Take him for sure. When he's 9 or 10, he's going to wonder why he isn't in the "family" photo at Disney. What a heartbreaker......

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

Our first trip with the girls - DD#1 was 2.5 years old, DD#2 was 15 months - she was hilarious with small world and dumbo, she loved Mickey & Minnie & Pluto at Chef Mickey's. She carried around a small photo album of pictures from the trip for over a month and would get mad whenever you took it away. She watching the Sing a Long It's a Small World set in Disneyland all the time - it's her favorite, We always took it slow, took breaks, had a generally great time.
My vote would be to take him.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Take him!

 

[Jenvenza]

I would take him! We are so looking forward to taking our 13 month old next month!

 

[Missus Toad]

I've done trips with a 15 month old DD and a 17 month old DS and it was great both times. I'd definitely bring him along. He'll love it and so will you. Plus you won't have to miss each other during that time.

 

[two-foxes]

We took DS at 6 months, and we are headed back this month at 14 months. Cost isn't an issue...still doesn't need PHP, and although we may get him some kids meals, for the most part, he'll share with us. The only down side is that we will have to do baby swaps on the rides, so DH and I can't ride together, but that is nothing! (My parents came with us last time.) I think it will be easier than we think.....