Bouncing Back from a traumatizing trip

[DrummerAlly]

Back in November, my husband, our (then) 3 month old daughter and I went to Coronado Springs for 4 days. It was a trip that had been booked before she was conceived so off we went. Despite my best planning, it was a disaster. Our normally happy baby hated the noise, the sun, the heat... well... everything. It was a tough trip... but its behind us now! (Disney, btw, was fantastic... our baby just made the trip horrific).

Anyway, my husband and I have decided to set a minimum age of four for all future Disney vacations and that we need a trip somewhere the two of us to recover! Our last trip was so bad that we're thinking of avoiding WDW because we're afraid of flashbacks, but we're both Mickey lovers so its on the table. All of these posts about the declining standards also make me think a trip to somewhere new would be in order.

We're considering a four day trip to either Disney Land (a first for both of us), Universal Studios (though I'm not normally a US fan), A deluxe trip to WDW (AKL, WL, or YC) during F&W Festival, or Sandals (though I'm terrified to leave the country).

We are torn! What would you pick?

 

[foreverbelle]

Its a hard decision, and I think it depends on the kid.

I will say, it does get better....I promise.

I do encourage you to try again though.

We have a just turned four year old, who the first time wasn't so thrilled about it himself-he was then 1, but the second time, at a year and a half. Those memories I have, with him were just magical. I will say we did have help, as my parents came along and helped. But those precious years as an early toddler, the meet and greets and all when he was forming his love for Disney was wonderful.

If you do take the little one, maybe you could look at doing a night out without your daughter, so that you and the husband could enjoy an evening out. We do it every trip, and love it..

I do however understand your concerns, and if that is something you guys choose to do, how about a long weekend just you and the hubs during F&W, or something like that-I know its been suggested, so I am throwing my I second the recommendation nod. But just think of all the magic that waits you by the time your daughter turns four! Its going to be wonderful.

Have fun planning, and enjoy.

 

[Tinkerbell 8]

My vote is for Sandals. As much as i LOVE going to Disney, its nice to have an actual "vacation" every once in a while. We are lucky enough to go on atleast 2 vacations a year, so one is always Disney, but we enjoy a relaxing vacation too. We are going to Sandals in April and I can't wait, its so nice to not have to worry about transportation, crowds, ADR's, or even moving from your seat on the beach. I'm sure you guys would enjoy getting away from everything for a little bit, especially since you have a little one. Its also nice that everything is included so you know when you book your trip exactly how much money it's going to be.

 

[mickeymatt]

My vote is coulples trip to food and wine. Stay at swan and dolphin. Eat at blue zoo visit spa! Disney doesn't have to be all about theme parks!

 

[popcenturylover]

Back in November, my husband, our (then) 3 month old daughter and I went to Coronado Springs for 4 days. It was a trip that had been booked before she was conceived so off we went. Despite my best planning, it was a disaster. Our normally happy baby hated the noise, the sun, the heat... well... everything. It was a tough trip... but its behind us now! (Disney, btw, was fantastic... our baby just made the trip horrific).

Anyway, my husband and I have decided to set a minimum age of four for all future Disney vacations and that we need a trip somewhere the two of us to recover! Our last trip was so bad that we're thinking of avoiding WDW because we're afraid of flashbacks, but we're both Mickey lovers so its on the table. All of these posts about the declining standards also make me think a trip to somewhere new would be in order.

We're considering a four day trip to either Disney Land (a first for both of us), Universal Studios (though I'm not normally a US fan), A deluxe trip to WDW (AKL, WL, or YC) during F&W Festival, or Sandals (though I'm terrified to leave the country).

We are torn! What would you pick?

Sorry to hear about your bad trip w/baby. We took our youngest when she was 8 months old & it was great. Anyway, I would pick the deluxe trip to WDW of course! We were there during The F&W Festival this past September & it is a fun thing to do but, I do think that it is a trip to do without children.

 

[Figgy1]

I guess I'm lucky! I took my 13 month old to Hershey for a test run at a park he only took a 1/2 hour nap in his stroller which didn't get used a lot and he learned to say go faster!! He even learned to spin the wheel on a ride similar to the tea cups! At that point I jumped up and down and said he's ready for Disney let's get planning we have a little commando in the making!

 

[ddbowdoin]

I don't have kids, but using a little intuition I'd say that ANY age is fine for Disney. What has to change are expectations of trips. You can't assume your trip will be anywhere near previous experiences without kids. It's just learning to adapt and if you spend two hours in the parks, don't consider it a waste.

 

[DrummerAlly]

Give it another try. We never would have taken a baby, but we took her at 18 months and again at 30 months. Both trips she was absolutely amazing and loved it more than we could have possibly hoped. We're going back again this fall at 3 and a half years. I couldn't imagine all those trips not being in our shard family memory - they were so wonderful for the three of us.

That being said it is a different trip, you go slower, but we just used that to absorb more of the magic. We used to do the parks commando style but family style is more rewarding as we bonded as a family so much more than barrelling through the parks as 2 adults in a semi-drunk, food-coma, commando raid on Disney attractions.

I'm really glad that so many people have great trips with their little ones. 18 months and 30 months are probably a good age for most. Our three month old, unfortunately, didn't like her stroller, didn't like her carrier, and hated the sun. Our expectations were very low. We were hoping to ride a couple of rides a day and spend time walking around the parks enjoying the sights. Unfortunately, as soon as we left the hotel room, we had a melt down. Our winter New England baby really hated the bright sun (despite covers on the stroller, hats, everything).

A couples vacation is really what we need for this trip but more family trips will follow!

 

[DrummerAlly]

I think you folks have sealed it for me... three or four days for F&W, some Jelly Rolls, and Splitsville will likely be the ticket to a happy Mommy & Daddy get a way.

We'll take back the little princess soon.. but in my husbands words.. we need to wait until we can go to a park and spend more time in the park than the baby care center.

 

[Figgy1]

I think you folks have sealed it for me... three or four days for F&W, some Jelly Rolls, and Splitsville will likely be the ticket to a happy Mommy & Daddy get a way.

We'll take back the little princess soon.. but in my husbands words.. we need to wait until we can go to a park and spend more time in the park than the baby care center.

Congrats sounds like a great plan!

 

[lunchbox1175]

I'd say do a couples trip to F&W!

I agree here, stay at a deluxe, and have a nice relaxing trip, take advantage of some of the things that most don't like the spa's or tours, to me, the best trips are the slow and steady trips, not the we have to ride this and that and get a fast pass for that run, run, run trips.

 

[DrummerAlly]

I agree here, stay at a deluxe, and have a nice relaxing trip, take advantage of some of the things that most don't like the spa's or tours, to me, the best trips are the slow and steady trips, not the we have to ride this and that and get a fast pass for that run, run, run trips.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[toasty]

Two things:

1. If you're legitimately concerned about leaving the country, going to a big resort like a Sandals is a probably a pretty good place to wade into international travel slowly. Many of those places are very Americanized, and things like the language barrier that would otherwise exist are a complete non-issue. The Bahamas might be a good option as well. Spent a week there last spring, and had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't in the US. Neither of those options will provide you with a very exotic experience, of course, but if the idea is just to get beyond our borders without fear, they would be a good starting point.

2. I once shared your belief that we weren't going to take our daughter until she was at least 4. Then, my niece decided she wanted to do her graduation trip at Disney, so we brought DD (then 2.5) with us for the first two days until her grandparents could come get her. I was blown away at how much she liked it, we were bummed to have to give her up to continue our adult/teen trip, and we've been back 2 more times with her in the year and a half since that trip and just celebrated her 4th Bday at WDW.

Point is, I wouldn't completely foreclose the possibility of going back with your child before she's 4. I will never forget the moment DD saw Aurora, and Belle, and then Cinderella, she was just agog. I allowed me a totally different perspective on WDW that was truly magical. Perhaps wait until she's walking and talking and you're able to explain things to her, because that certainly will streamline your experience, but there is plenty of fun to be had with 2 and 3 year olds at WDW.

My $.02, FWIW

 

[WDW 3]

I took my big kid for the first time when he was 48 . There were a few tantrums and other behavior problems but we've worked those out.

We could not have taken dd before 5. I know her and she would have been scared of every character until she was at least 5. Before then it would have been miserable for all of us worrying aboutTigger, Chip or Dale being around the next corner.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Every child is different and you just never know how it's all going to work out. Our younger one had just turned 2 when she went on her first trip to WDW...we'd tested our girls out at Sea World San Antonio the summer before just to make sure they were up for it. Still- you just never know until you get into the WDW parks since it's just so much more. While it was still a very enjoyable trip, that first trip was full of more tantrums than any of her other trips to date.

As for picking an upcoming trip...I'm not a beach person, so Sandal's is hard sell for me (of course, if you are a beach person and can come to terms w/leaving the country, I've heard it's a highly enjoyable trip). I like the idea of going out to Disneyland, but maybe you can work that in with other California activities? Whale watching at Dana Point and heading down to San Diego were tops on my list when we were planning our SoCal vacay that fell through last year.

 

[luv]

I'm NOT trying to talk you out ofF&W here. Seriously. Wouldn't want to do that.

But I do want to give you a heads-up, just in case YOU might not want to visit then. F&W seems to attract more drunks every year. People say only the weekends are bad, but they're wrong. Any time of any day can land you in the middle of drunken young people being loud and vulgar. Also old people, but the young ones are a much bigger problem.

Earlier in the day might be better, but I witnessed one of the worst things I've seen at F&W around 1:30 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. I can't even post what all it was because this is a family board.

If you don't mind the drunks, by all means, visit F&W. You may even luck out and miss them entirely. People are always posting that they didn't see any drunks. I always see them, lol. But they don't (generally, usually) bother me. A couple times, I've been a little disgusted that Disney has let itself slide to the point that I may as well be in a corner bar, but I'm a big girl and can deal with it.

Just a word to the wise there! Please go if it doesn't sound like something you'd hate!!

 

[DrummerAlly]

I'm NOT trying to talk you out ofF&W here. Seriously. Wouldn't want to do that.

But I do want to give you a heads-up, just in case YOU might not want to visit then. F&W seems to attract more drunks every year. People say only the weekends are bad, but they're wrong. Any time of any day can land you in the middle of drunken young people being loud and vulgar. Also old people, but the young ones are a much bigger problem.

Earlier in the day might be better, but I witnessed one of the worst things I've seen at F&W around 1:30 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. I can't even post what all it was because this is a family board.

If you don't mind the drunks, by all means, visit F&W. You may even luck out and miss them entirely. People are always posting that they didn't see any drunks. I always see them, lol. But they don't (generally, usually) bother me. A couple times, I've been a little disgusted that Disney has let itself slide to the point that I may as well be in a corner bar, but I'm a big girl and can deal with it.

Just a word to the wise there! Please go if it doesn't sound like something you'd hate!!

Thanks for that heads up! I'm not a huge fan of drunks but they also don't bother me too much (I was once a rowdy college student myself). Now, if I had my children with me I'd be much more annoyed. I'm not a big fan of huge crowds though. I can do June and July crowds no problem, but Christmas crowds are out of the question.

 

[durangojim]

I understand people being sensitive to drunks, but having gone to F&W many times, I can only think of one time I really noticed it. I wouldn't let the possibility of running into an inebriated person dissuade you from going. Staying at an EPCOT resort and going around the different food booths is a really fun and great experience, and just what the doctor ordered for an adult get away. As for when to go with you child, like others have said, it's up to you to decide, but I wouldn't set a hard age. Just pay attention to your child and see how she develops. We're lucky in that both of our kids are great travelers and have been since around 2 months (they've probably seen more of the country by the time they were 4 than most adults), but that's a choice each parent has to make. I will say that I have some amazing pictures of them as toddlers at Disney that I wouldn't trade for the world, and would have hated to miss out on those opportunities. Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[sgtmgd]

We did a couple only Labor Day trip...it was fantastic..Id do Boardwalk/FW...

 

[tracyandalex]

I've been so spoiled by the predictability and ease of vacationing with the mouse. The idea of having to worry about airport transfers, safety, customs, language barriers etc. is what worries me about trying something out of the country. I thought a good transition might be a cruise to some nice caribbean location (maybe even a Disney cruise), but I get nervous in crowds and my husband is very claustrophobic so cruising is pretty much a non-starter for us.

I encourage you to look into a cruise more. I get very claustrophobic and DH gets very sea sick and our favorite vacations are on DCL! For us it was all about choosing the right room - midship with a veranda on floor 6 or 7 (I think we did 8 once and that was ok too). There are 3 night cruises if you want to try it out. For me having the veranda is key because I can go out there and catch my breath, also those rooms tend to be a little bigger anyways. I have been known to walk rather briskly through the tiny hallways, but honestly that is the only place I have any issue. Oh wait, the kiddie pool too, but I imagine if it's just the 2 of you no time will be spent there. The food, service, and entertainment are amazing and so are the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

 

[Kim6777]

Ok... so this is my first post ever. I had to sign up after reading this thread. (Been coming to website for years though.) We took our 4 month old and 3 year old daughters to Disney in 2011 and they were great. Baby never really fussed and the 3 year old loved everything and was perfect during of the trip. By far our best vacation yet. We then booked another trip for Feb. 2013 (returned 2 weeks ago) and this one was a disaster. We were in Disney for 7 days and both kids had the stomach flu for the first 4 days. It was awful (felt really bad for mousekeeping and tipped accordingly). Our only solace was the amazing weather (from NY) and beautiful resort (POR). We were able to get to the parks for the last 3 days but my now 2 year hated everything... the noise, fireworks, rides, parades, you name it (only thing she did enjoy was Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor).

My opinion on the original post is to go back to Disney, with or without kids. I know for me and my family, we need a redo. It's hard when you plan a vacation so far in advance, pay tons of money and anticipate a magical time for it to then go horribly wrong. (BTW - if one more person told me to have a magical day 2 weeks ago, I was going to scream.) Kids change so fast, one minute they hate noise and the next they love it. One minute they are not afraid of the dark and the next they are. Don't let what might / could happen affect your
vacation decisions. Try, try again!! (Sorry for the long post)