What to do?

[MoserFamily]

Hi Everyone,

It's been soooo long since I've written anything on the Disboards - it's so nice to be back. I was on here constantly before our last trip in April 2008. At the time, we were preparing to take my daughter, who was 2 at the time, on her first trip to Disney. It was a great trip, although she cried on absolutely every ride (even IASW!!!!!!), but loved all the characters. She had just had a body cast taken off a couple of months before we went, and we underestimated how skittish that experience would make her. She has since gotten a lot better and went on a bunch of rides at the local Super Ex in August. Since then, I've been anxious to take her back since I think she'd actually enjoy a lot of the rides. Also since then, we've had another child, a boy who is currently 8 months.

I'm sorry for seemingly giving my life story, but I'm looking for input because my husband and I are having a hard time making a decision. We had decided last year that we would go on a family vacation in January/early February, before I go back to work on February 15. We were planning on going to either Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, as both have direct flights from Ottawa (a must-have) and consistently have nice weather in that time (Cuba could be cold, and if we're going specifically to lounge on a beach, I want the best chances it will be nice).

However, I just noticed last week the new deal for Disney with the buy 4 nights, get 3 for free at a moderate or above. On a whim, I crunched the numbers, and it looks like we could stay at a moderate resort for about the same, if not cheaper, than all-inclusive (for the Disney crunching, I did include food in the comparison with the all-inclusive). The thing is, the weather, while it will be nicer than Ottawa in January, won't be very warm.

So, the dilemma has become whether to go someplace warm and relaxing for a week, or cool and busy? Disney will possibly be cheaper, my daughter has been dying to go, there are also activities off the grounds that can keep us busy if it's a little too chilly a day or two (shopping, etc.), and we'd have easy access to a supermarket, as we rent a car, for buying things like diapers and possibly formula for my son (he'll be almost a year). I know there's a possibility that the weather could get warm, but I prefer to get it in my head that it will be cool so I won't be disappointed if it is. Will I like Disney when it's cool, and just how cool will it be? We've only ever been in April/May, which is nice and hot. However, we always seem to go when it's really busy (made the mistake one year of going the week after Easter - never again). So, it would be interesting to go when it's not as busy. Also a side note, we could go for my daughter's birthday in January, which might be fun.

With going to a warm place, we'll be warm! Yahoo (and I'm saying that excitedly, not as a bored, finger-twirling yahoo - after the crappy summer we had, I would love some sand and palm trees right now)! The thing I worry about is that we might get a little bored. We don't like to be crazy busy, but my husband can't sit on a beach all day, every day, for a week. We'll be going to a family-friendly resort, so my daughter will get some extra fun with a kids club. However, we'll probably have my son around a lot. He's an easy going boy, but he's into everything and puts absolutely everything in his mouth. I'm just worried we're going to be bored, and the time that we will be out on the beach, it won't be that relaxing because I'll be constantly chasing after my son, making sure he doesn't eat any crabs, etc. We've only been to a resort once, and we were married there, so we had lots of family around to keep us busy. We've never really experienced a resort on our own, let alone with kids.

Argggggg! What to do? Why can't Orlando be a few degrees warmer in the winter???? Anyway, sorry for the loooooonnnnnnggggg message, but I was hoping that some of you would make it to the end and possibly give us some other things to consider. Has anyone gone to a resort with kids? They'll be around 4 and 1 when we go. I'm not looking for anyone to make the decision for us, but I just don't know if there's something that we're not thinking about that will help make the decision for us.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end!
Sandi

 

[ccudmore]

A suggestion is to check out the Beaches resorts, owned by Sandals. We've been there with young kids and they were amazing. There's lots of character events (Sesame Street instead of Disney) plus the entire place is geared towards families. Lots of great supervised kids events where the parents can get away. Plus water parks with lots of slides and pools.

 

[dvcdisney]

We are the same about beaches. We can only stay there for an hour or two and then we need to do something else.

As a Disney fanatic, I would go to Disney, even in January. We have gone in March, May, June, August, September and October. The only time we do not want to go is during Christmas, when it will be completely nuts there. I would not mind going to Disney when it is a bit cool. I would rather have cooler, than hot. And as you mentioned, it will be warmer than Ottawa. So that is a plus.

I suppose if you already think that you will be bored, there is a good chance you will be. JMO

Good Luck!

 

[normmo]

I've been the first week of February and it was warm enough to swim a couple of the days (warm enough for the Canucks and Brits that is). I never wore anything warmer than a light jacket and was fine but it can also be freezing in Florida that time of year so it's a chance that you take. However, it IS still Disney and there's lots to do besides swim plus it's easier to tour the parks when it's cooler. Lots to think about and a tough decision to make for sure - good luck!
Mo

 

[c&m]

Given the ages of your kids, I think WDW is the safer bet. There's so much to do there and you'd have a car to buy necessities. Also, if your kids get sick (they probably won't, but I always factor in the "what-ifs"), it's always better to be treated in a North American hospital, especially with little ones.
JMO.

 

[MrEvilGuy]

Given the ages of your kids, I think WDW is the safer bet. There's so much to do there and you'd have a car to buy necessities. Also, if your kids get sick (they probably won't, but I always factor in the "what-ifs"), it's always better to be treated in a North American hospital, especially with little ones.
JMO.

agreed

 

[MoserFamily]

We had looked at Beaches before, but it's just a bit outside of our price range. So, after much discussion, we've decided to go back to Disney! Yahoo! We found a good price at the end of January/beginning of February. We're going to save the beach holiday for next time, when the youngest is old enough that I'm not chasing him to make sure he doesn't eat any crabs or other sea life off the beach.

Thanks for your input - it did help!

Sandi

 

[crash2000]

umm i think your nuts bringing a 1 year old to either place, what is the child going to do, except drive you guys nuts ? it won't be a vacation for anyone, is there any rides for a 1 year old at disney ? I know at age 6 there are lots, but at age 1 ?

and I agree with your husband sitting at a beach for 6 days ? boring... you'll be divided up while one of you watches the kids... and the other goes and does stuff... nice family time !

anyways just my opinion, as were in the same boat wondering if theres enough to do on a cruise for a 7 yr old.

 

[momtolots]

Have you looked at FDR Pebbles in Montego Bay? Its an all-inclusive, and comes with a Nanny included! We went this past Feb.-direct from Ottawa and it was amazing. You can do as much or as little as you want, either with or without your kids. At the time our kids were 4 and 3(the ones we took with us) and they loved it! Lots of Canadians, great weather and they also have stuff for adults to do. Any questions, just ask.

 

[NancyK]

umm i think your nuts bringing a 1 year old to either place, what is the child going to do, except drive you guys nuts ? it won't be a vacation for anyone, is there any rides for a 1 year old at disney ? I know at age 6 there are lots, but at age 1 ?

You will have a wonderful time at Disney with your family. Your DD will love it. It's so magical when they are that age. The baby won't remember anything, but you will remember the wonderful time that your family had together. Most of the attractions that are suitable for your older child will also be okay for the baby.
We've been several times in January and I think it's the perfect time to go - crowd wise it's great and I love the cooler weather. Our vacations in January have ranged from quite chilly to a whole week of 80ºF. Even in the chilly weather, there are people in the pools because they are heated. The key is to have clothes that you can layer. Dress warm in the morning, take layers off as it heats up, and put them back on when the sun goes down. We always take those cheap stretchie gloves with us "just in case."

 

[c&m]

We've taken our DDs to DL when our youngest DD was younger than 1. The trip really wasn't for our baby, but for our older DD (who was almost 4) and for us, and we all had a great time. We took many pictures of both our girls. Today, we go back to those pictures and just love looking at the priceless expressions on our girls' faces. The memories just come back to me. Such as holding my baby DD (her eyes and mouth wide open in utter fascination) as she watched Pooh give her big sister a hug. It just takes us back to a time that can never be replicated -- now that our girls are 10 and 14.

I don't think you're crazy to take your baby vacationing at all. You make your fun as a family, go at the pace you want, and spend as long as you want doing whatever you want. And years later, you'll have a blast looking at the pictures.