Would you take 18th month old?

[mb_uh]

I really appreciate all the comments and advice.

Micah is really laid back and is great at restaurants- unless he is really hungy. He actually eat almost as much as my older kids because he likes food.

I orginally planned to take him but my husband thought it would be easier if we left him since at first we planned on driving- after I ran the numbers on 2 hotel rooms plus food and lost park time we decided it was more cost effective just to fly which will be a lot easier with him then 2 16 hour car trips.

I think we have decided to take him- I am excited about his reactions and I think my older kids will enjoy having him more then they would have enjoyed the extra perks of not having him. Really the only bad part is that we will have to use an in room sitter instead of the drop off child care clubs. But we will manage.

After reading all your comments I am really excited about taking him but I better go fix all my ADRs to include him or we will be eating a lot of CS not easy when only 2 in the group (DH an baby) really like fries.

Thanks

 

[carolinagirl121]

I just came back from a week with our 9 month old. It was stressful, but very worth it. He really seemed to enjoy the rides, the characters, and the time with mom and dad. I think there are clear pro's and con's on both sides. If you don't take the baby, there will be special time for your other children and you won't have to ride swap. If you do take the baby, the memories will be equally as good, but the trip itself will be more challenging. It is doable either way.

The best advice I can give if you do bring the baby is bring a stroller (no matter how big and cumbersome) that your baby will sleep in. We brought our jogger that was a pain on the buses, but when B slept his normal naps, I didn't regret it in the slightest.

 

[pixarmom]

I really appreciate all the comments and advice.

Micah is really laid back and is great at restaurants- unless he is really hungy. He actually eat almost as much as my older kids because he likes food.

I orginally planned to take him but my husband thought it would be easier if we left him since at first we planned on driving- after I ran the numbers on 2 hotel rooms plus food and lost park time we decided it was more cost effective just to fly which will be a lot easier with him then 2 16 hour car trips.

I think we have decided to take him- I am excited about his reactions and I think my older kids will enjoy having him more then they would have enjoyed the extra perks of not having him. Really the only bad part is that we will have to use an in room sitter instead of the drop off child care clubs. But we will manage.

After reading all your comments I am really excited about taking him but I better go fix all my ADRs to include him or we will be eating a lot of CS not easy when only 2 in the group (DH an baby) really like fries.

Thanks

Yay! I agree with the great points previous posters have made about bringing the little one along, and I wanted to add one thought about the issue of the baby remembering. Our good friends made the same decision - to take their youngest who will technically not remember - for all the reasons above, and because little ones remember through pictures. Even without an actual recollection of events, those photos are so important. Our oldest (now a pre-teen) looks through photos of his trip at 18 months old and loves them. He can see what he was doing, what he was interested in, which characters and rides he loved, and "remembers" it through those pictures and the stories we tell him. It's priceless!

 

[MandM-Mom]

When middle dd was a baby we did a trip with just oldest dd, we had thought it would be nice for some big girl time, we had a great time and middle dd did great with my Mom for the trip, we only did 5 nights. After that trip we always brought her and when my youngest was born she started at 13 months and we had just as great of a time with babies with us, than with no babies. Disney makes vacationing with babies so easy THey can lap ride most things, babycare centers in all the parks and lots of family friendly restaurants what could be better when traveling with your little one!

 

[pixarmom]

P.S. OP, you made a comment about the older kids having to trade off for the rides, and I just wanted to add that our older kids LOVE rider swap. That's a HUGE advantage in their opinions, not a disadvantage.

Maybe you are already familiar with the rider swap system, but for any ride with a height requirement, the big kids get to go on a ride with my husband, and then we get a rider swap pass that allows me to ride with no wait (it's like a fastpass) AND bring the two older boys along with me. The non-riding parent takes the little one to a playground, shopping, on a little kid ride, and then gets to ride anytime that day WITH both older kids.

To make it even better, we use fastpass for the first parent to ride with the older boys, and then the rider swap pass for the second parent to ride with the older boys - our older boys are now very used to going on each ride twice (and sometimes more if we repeat the process) with no wait.

Our older boys are going to be very disappointed when our youngest is tall enough to ride everything, because they won't be able to get those rider swap passes anymore. When that happens, they are already plotting to bring their baby cousin along so that they can use the rider swap system!

 

[mb_uh]

Thanks for clarification on the ride swap. The last time we went we were honeymooning so no kids yet . I was thinking one child would ride with DH and then I would ride with the other but that sounds much better.

 

[labdogs42]

Thanks for clarification on the ride swap. The last time we went we were honeymooning so no kids yet . I was thinking one child would ride with DH and then I would ride with the other but that sounds much better.

Just be careful with that FP tip. My understandig of rider switch is that you have to use the standby line for the first riders. THEN, the kids ride again with the second parent with the rider switch which is like a FP. I have been denied rider switch tickets when I already have a FP. I feel like it should work with the FP, but like I said, I have been shot down on that one by CM's before.

 

[MommaMouse411]

definately take your 18month old!! its so much fun at this age because they freak out on everything (in a good way)..well at least my son did...but he's been going since 8months and he's not even 2 yet...he LOOOOVES Mickey Mouse...and all the character really but gets mad when we are done taking photos with mickey...I always go take photos with mickey even though we have too many but I know my son enjoys it...so do it if you can..

 

[Keri]

Just be careful with that FP tip. My understandig of rider switch is that you have to use the standby line for the first riders. THEN, the kids ride again with the second parent with the rider switch which is like a FP. I have been denied rider switch tickets when I already have a FP. I feel like it should work with the FP, but like I said, I have been shot down on that one by CM's before.

We've only done this once, but the CM actually suggested we go get child swap passes when we went to the FP line & were trying to figure out who was going to ride. The big kids got to ride Soarin' 2x - once with me & MIL and once with dad! They were so happy!

I would TOTALLY take him. Personally, I couldn't split up the family for a vacation unless I had a *super* unrulely toddler or s/he really wouldn't enjoy it for some reason. We took our baby at 7 months & again at 19 months (big kids were 5 & 6.5 this year) & she totally loved it both times. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything in the world! She was awesome, napped in the stroller, didn't slow us down at all (but we go at kid pace already!).

 

[photographymom517]

I really appreciate all the comments and advice.

Micah is really laid back and is great at restaurants- unless he is really hungy. He actually eat almost as much as my older kids because he likes food.

I orginally planned to take him but my husband thought it would be easier if we left him since at first we planned on driving- after I ran the numbers on 2 hotel rooms plus food and lost park time we decided it was more cost effective just to fly which will be a lot easier with him then 2 16 hour car trips.

I think we have decided to take him- I am excited about his reactions and I think my older kids will enjoy having him more then they would have enjoyed the extra perks of not having him. Really the only bad part is that we will have to use an in room sitter instead of the drop off child care clubs. But we will manage.

After reading all your comments I am really excited about taking him but I better go fix all my ADRs to include him or we will be eating a lot of CS not easy when only 2 in the group (DH an baby) really like fries.

Thanks

I thought that was so funny...because it reminded me of my son...my little guy can eat as much as my husband & he is a big guy!!! lol

Also, I agree with you...if we had to drive, I would be stressing out a lot with traveling with a baby or toddler! Since you will be flying, it will definitely be easier on everyone!

Have you ever flown anywhere with him before? I just wondered because that was a HUGE stress for me! I was very worried about how he would behave on the plane, how he would react, what other people would think if he flipped out/cried on the plane, etc. I seriously couldn't sleep for a week before we went! He was a very good baby, but I still worried! I say this because YOU SHOULDN'T WORRY!! Trust me, people are more laid back when it comes to babies. Since it was only my husband, my son, and I on the plane (son was a lap-baby on the flight) we had to sit by a complete stranger there & back. Both of the ladies were completely understanding when he wasn't behaving 100% perfect. The one even offered to hold him for me to see if she could calm him down (he wasn't flipping out, but was just a little bit fussy at the time). The flight attendants also brought me crackers for him to eat during take-off because it helps their ears. I would say they will probably offer them to you, but if they don't...ask & they will get you something. I also took some snacks with me in my carry-on (just make sure its things that can pass through security...no gels/liquids/etc). We also ate at McDonald's at the airport & I brought what he didn't eat in my carry-on & he finished it on the plane. I just wanted to share this because I think a lot of people stress about it, but if you bring some snacks, their favorite toys & blanket, and get something for them to eat at take-off, I think you will have no problems at all! (we were lucky & my son actually slept the majority of our 2 hour flight!)

Hope that helps you as well!

 

[naomi78155]

I know I am the odd one out here, but we went last year and left DD (then 20 mos) with my parents.
DH and I really wanted the time with DS (4 at the time).

DD is very temperamental. She has always refused to ride in a stroller, she is a runner, would have been scared of the characters, etc, etc... She just would not have enjoyed it and to be honest, neither would we.

So, we were very happy with our decision. We are planning on going this summer for DDs 3rd birthday and are very excited. She has really grown a lot since our last trip and we can't wait to take her to the World.

Good luck with your decision and do what is best for your family.

 

[photographymom517]

I know I am the odd one out here, but we went last year and left DD (then 20 mos) with my parents.
DH and I really wanted the time with DS (4 at the time).

DD is very temperamental. She has always refused to ride in a stroller, she is a runner, would have been scared of the characters, etc, etc... She just would not have enjoyed it and to be honest, neither would we.

So, we were very happy with our decision. We are planning on going this summer for DDs 3rd birthday and are very excited. She has really grown a lot since our last trip and we can't wait to take her to the World.

Good luck with your decision and do what is best for your family.

Oh, I completely don't blame you at all! I have a friend who's son is 2 years old & he will not sit in a stroller...he hasn't since he was about 10 months old. If they took him on a vacation no one would enjoy it because he is afraid of everything (especially giant characters/mascots that he's seen!) Its not his fault, but he would just be upset the entire time & that's not the point of vacation! He also throws food at restaurants & has to "visit" other people's tables while they are eating. Some people think this is cute, but others get very annoyed. (He only behaves this way when with his parents, not when out with other relatives, friends, or babysitters!) Anyway, my point was just that if they took him on vacation, it would be miserable for everyone. He would be upset, scared, etc. and his parents would just be stressed out to the max! So I completely agree with you...everyone knows how their own children behave & have to base their decisions off of their own gut feelings & past experiences! Just wanted to share so you didn't feel alone or like the odd one out as you said!

 

[GrammyJudy]

TAKE HER!!!! It is a family vacation afterall and she should be in the pictures. My parents went to Disneyland without me and I NEVER forgot!!!!

 

[dmoore718]

We are planning on taking our 3 kids in January, they will be 5,4, and 18 months. We took the older ones last year when they were 2 and 3 and they enjoyed every minute. We never even hesitated to bring her or not next time. I know it will be a bit harder given the older ones will be tall enough for some bigger rides but we will probably not do too much of those anyway, since 5 y.o. is a scardy cat. I can't wait to take her pics with the characters and make some great family memories at Disney for our fist trip as a family of 5. You have to do what you are most comfortable with.

 

[dazza5931]

Have taken my daughter twice once when she was 4 months and again when she was 15 months going again and she will be 27 months wouldn't leave her at home we have some great memories and I would miss my little girl if I left her at home so my advice is take all your kids and Im sure u will have alot of fun

 

[*Seanaci*]

Pros

Less luggage
Child will not remember trip
No need for stroller
Both kids can ride most rides so no trading off with baby
Focus on older kids

Cons-
Miss baby
Baby resent trip later on
House messed up- mom tends not to clean up after baby
Missing babies reactions to food, rides, characters.

Personally, I disagree with you saying your 18 month old wouldn't remember the trip. My son was 14 months old when we took him...and to this day (nearly a year and a half later) when we looks at our pictures OR is looking at someone else pictures on a TR here, you can tell by the look in his eyes that he remembers.

I would take him to be quite honest. You're only going to have one chance to take him for free (airfare as well as park tickets). Especially if your next trip won't be till he's 3 or older.

 

[rolopari]

We went to Disney in Nov to celebrate our DD's first birthday. She didn't get to go because she got the swine flu the day before we left (we had it the week before).
We felt so guilty about her not coming with us we went again in Feb. It was priceless!! It was HARD work but worth it. Even if she doesnt remember we will. The character interactions were just magical.
Things we learned or did
If you can afford it stay at a monarail resort (you dont have to fold the stroller WONDERFUL).
Order diapers, wipes etc on diapers.com to get them shipped to your hotel room. Less weight in you luggage.
The airport was the hardest. We had alot of suff to carry. Carseat, diaper bag, carry on bag, suitcases and pushing a baby in the stroller. The plane ride itself wasnt that bad. We bought a seat for her instead of her flying for free. I couldnt imagine her sitting in my lap for 2.5 hrs. She is very active. It was worth the extra money.
Good luck either way and have a magical trip!

 

[mlayton14]

I woudl definitely take her/him. We been 2x with little tikes .. the first time when 1st daughter was 13 months, then again when she was 2 and with a 7 month old, and now again in May with a 2.5 and 1yo. Seeing their reactions is worth every penny if it means having some challenging times ... if there is ANYPLACE appropriate for very young kids its Disney ..

 

[cassiez76]

yes i would take my child. he can be a pain sometimes, but he's my little pain and i wouldn't want to miss him for a week. seeing him put on his little baby mickey ears at 9 months still melts my heart. he may not remember it, but i will. and who knew he wouldn't like ducks?! i didn't find that out until we hit epcot.

i also figure we will be going back plenty of times, so if we missed something (like we did in sept), we'll be back to see it again soon!

and it actually wasn't that bad to bring stuff for him, and he was on bottles/baby jar food at the time.