Would you go to DW with a 5yo and a 1yo?

[bookworm2]

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out our vacation plans for the summer. We hadn't planned to go back to Disney until DS was older (he'll be one next month), but with all the deals they're having right now, it seems too good to pass up.

I just wondered if anyone on here has experience with a child that young, and if you would go if you were me. Thanks so much!

 

[aestapa]

I was 6 weeks old when my parents first took me.

We have 2 boys that are now 5 and 3. We took the oldest at 4 months, and he was the easiest kid on the trip to deal with. We bought a fan to strap to his stroller and he snoozed through the heat!

Since then, we have taken both our boys 5 times, and each time is a different experience through their eyes. Get the Unofficial Guide, or read here on the boards about the baby swap so you can enjoy the big rides, but there are plenty of things you can do with the baby. Go and have fun!

 

[laceemouse]

Your oldest will LOVE it, the youngest will just be along for the ride (not that he won't have fun, he just won't remember most of it!)
You will find lots of people on here who have taken babies. I wouldn't take a newborn, but we took my son at 5 months so that his 2 and 4 year old sisters could go.
If you were only planning to go ONCE in a lifetime I would say "yes, wait until they are both older" but if you do plan to go again sometime now is a great time to go. I would avoid the hottest part of summer but other than that go for it. The great thing about Disney is that most of the rides and shows the entire family can do together!!!

 

[wishtdream]

yes I did that last year. 11months after I did it with a seven week old. She loved it and I got some great pictures that she loves to look at. She is going back again this year too. She cant wait to see mickey. and get her friend Michael to give her a trim.

 

[kiddisney]

definately go - our oldest have been going every two years since they were 18mos old - the baby since he was 6 months old (he's 3 1/2 & he's already been there 3 times) - and it's been great - at each age there are different things to do - w/the kids at a young age they will enjoy the shows & parades - when they get older they'll want the rides more - and you'll be glad that you had the time to see the parades - just remember to do it at their pace - and you'll have a great time

 

[akersten]

I just returned from a week at WDW yesterday. We took DD5 and DS 22months, DH and I are exhausted! We don't plan on going back to WDW until DS is at least 5.

 

[ms_missy66]

Both of our girls went when they were 13 months and seriously loved it! They were able to go on a lot of things, really enjoyed watching people, seeing shows, seeing parades...I have wonderful memories of the trips when they were that young. Definitely go! You'll have a great time!

 

[middleofamerica]

Yes, we really had a great time!

 

[colinsdad]

We took our DS to WDW at 6 weeks and we've gone back 5 times since (3 solo trips with dad since my DW isn't as big a fan).

Now we have a DD (who was 6mos her first trip). My DD isn't going on the May trip (Man time with DS), but will be going back at 18mos when my son turns 5 at WDW during a family trip.

Yes, the little ones won't remember it, but the pictures showing their smiling faces tells me they're enjoying it. Go for it.

 

[TENIA66]

I have and would have again in a heart beat. My kids are now DD 14, DS 9, and DS 4. We began our nearly annual treks to disney in 1998. Each year has been wonderful. I'd do it over and over again...........

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

My kids were that age the 1st time they went. It was great! I will say that my kids love traveling so that helped!

 

[DISNEYNV]

We have and we are doing it again in May! DS was fourteen months on our last trip and will be seventeen months on the next. I have to say it was awesome taking him in December and can't wait for May to do it again. DE will be almost five and they both love the rides, the parks, and the characters! I am so lucky to have such brave kids but if yours do not like the characters or rides it is Disney! There is plenty to see and do from one to one hundred I say take them NOW! You will be amazed at how they react to it all The best is when you walk down Main Street and they see the castle for the first, second, third.... Time. It never gets old. The deal is too good to pass up

 

[michael's mom]

GO! DEFINITELY GO! We took DS at 14 months and it was a great time. I have some really special memories from that trip and can't wait to bring him back next month.

We did his first haircut at the barbershop. Awesome experience.

I wrote a little about this in the beginning of my pre-trippie for my upcoming trip if you're interested in hearing more about it.

BUT, DEFINITELY GO! You will leave with wonderful memories and some pictures to share with him when he's older.

 

[Broadway Duchess]

Absolutely.

Your one-year-old won't require park admission, and your five-year-old is at a great age for Disney. The main thing is to slow down when anyone in the group needs to, not just the kids. I can't tell you how many times I've seen families barely concealing their contempt for one another at the height of a hot, humid, Florida day.

 

[dougsmom98]

Yes! Go. We had a great time taking my DD when she was 8 months and then again when she was 20 months. It is a magical time to take them!

 

[dsnymomof4]

What wonderful ages to bring your children. We just got back from ESPN weekend. While DH was doing his sports stuff, I took DD8 and DS1 around the parks - we had such a wonderful time. We took DS1 when he was 4 months and 11 months, but this time was the best. He was so fascinated with the characters, the rides, even the hotel! I have some great pictures and video of him that is priceless! DD8 has been going since she was 17 months, and I have to say 5 is a wonderful age for kids to be immersed in the Disney magic. You will have a wonderful time!

 

[ppan77]

Go go GO!! We took our ds when he was 18 months old, 2, and just did our first trip with two kids this past january. Its just paced differently. Our dd was 9 months and ds 3. You need to go while they are young and feel the magic of the whole experience through their eyes. We napped everyday which helped slow down things for the kids. Just go with the flow and enjoy. Plan but dont be disappointed if you dont get to everything The kids will love it either way!!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

My girls were that same age( 5 and 1) on our first trip. We went for 5 days/6 nights in early December. We had a great time. The only thing I would be concerned with if I were you would be the heat. Since they are so young, could you go during a cooler time?

 

[nessz79]

I will probably be the lone dissenter . I took my boys for the first time when they were 3 and 1 (nearly 2) in June. It was extremely hot and my youngest wound up very sick with a stomach bug. We actually had to come home early. No way of telling if it had anything to do with the heat, but the heat did tire them out very quickly before he got sick. Just something to consider.

The next time we went, they were 4 and 3 and that was a MUCH better trip. Youngest was stronger physically and more interested in all that was going on. Also easier to handle. He has always been very active and it wasn't until 3 that I could reason with him that he couldn't just run off. The whole 1st trip I had him in a stroller or on a little monkey leash, which was too hot for the weather.

Anyway, not to discourage you, but you may want to plan for a cooler time or wait another year.

Lots of people have good experiences here, so take mine with a grain of salt!

 

[michael's mom]

My girls were that same age( 5 and 1) on our first trip. We went for 5 days/6 nights in early December. We had a great time. The only thing I would be concerned with if I were you would be the heat. Since they are so young, could you go during a cooler time?

DS was 14 months old and we were there the end of June. It was hot, but we made sure he had plenty to drink, and we bought a mister fan at Walmart. Of the five of us, he was the only one not complaining about the heat. I think the most important thing to do with the heat is to make sure there's plenty to drink and keep the clothing light...he was in tanks and very light shorts the whole time.