Can you help?

[ajmellu7]

Hi guys, wondering if any of you could help? I am coming to Disney for the first time for a while next year and for the first time with my daughter and wife (she will be 18 months old my duaghter that is!) I have just seen that there are some building works going on and wondered what else is new/ recommended by you guys and what will be ready (coming in August 2012 from sunny England!) Thanks for any hints/tips/help guys.

 

[disneypets]

I hope by that time you will get a chance to enjoy some of the new things going on with the fantasyland expansion. As a frequent visitor and mom who traveled with my own daughter at that age here are a few suggestions: if you are not bringing your own stroller you should rent one from the park. If you are bringing one from home I suggest a full size stroller not the umbrella type.(my preference-more room for storing stuff you buy in the park and for paking snacks/water,ect) Leaving your stroller in the designated areas is very safe. I never had anything stolen off of mine. Another suggestion is to start out early- character breakfasts are always fun. It gets very hot in August so start early pack a lot of sunscreen, take a mid-day break back at your resort for a swim/nap and then start out again in the late afternoon/dusk. Don't be surprised after waiting in line for an hour your little one falls asleep right before you get on a ride or attraction. It happens. When you find yourself getting fustrated its time to take a break and find the nearest ice cream stand. Many of the fantasyland rides such as pooh are fine. The railroad is always a good choice with a little one and the Riverboat. Look on the disney website and type in visiting with infants/toddlers you can get a lot of good suggestions there. Have fun:sohappy:

 

[ajmellu7]

Have I put this in the wrong place? Apologies if I have, but thanks if anybody can help.

 

[DisneySaint]

Hi ajmellu,
Your question is certainly one of the most common around here, so I think simply reading through the boards is your best bet. I would also recommend:
- Purchasing a guide book (I recommend the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World)
- Watching the vacation planning DVDs
- Watching YouTube videos of some of the attractions you may be curious about
- Exploring www.disneyworld.com

With you daughter, you will be a bit limited due to her age at the time. Here are some attractions she may enjoy:
MK: Dumbo, Magic Carpets, Peter Pain, Small World, Pooh, Philharmagic, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, WDW Railroad, Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, the castle stage show, Country Bears, Teacups, Tomorrowland Transit Authority
EC: Nemo, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, the World Showcase, Grand Fiesta Tour, Journey into Imagination, Character Spot
DHS: Playhouse Disney Live, Mermaid, Muppets, Toy Story
DAK: Rafiki's Planet Watch, Kilamanjaro Safari, Nemo Musical, the various trails

Coming all the way from England to Florida with an 18 month old is almost unimaginable to me (as a father of a 2 year old and a 3 month old), but I'm sure it's been done before. Plan ahead and remember not to push your little one too hard. Midday naps are critical!

Have fun!

 

[pcarathers]

Coming in August, it will still be pretty warm if not SCORCHING HOT, but most of the rides/attractions are indoor and offer air conditioning.....just keep check on the baby.....with an 18mo old, some of the characters may scare the life out of her even if she has seen them on tv...my neice was TERRIFIED of all the characters in the costumes...but the live characters were ok.

Hopefully, you will be staying on property, head back for a mid day swim or nap......my neice was 2 years old when she went and we put her through the ringer....she did very well, but by late afternoon, she was passed out in the stroller......

regardless, have a great trip.....take lots of pics......they grow up tooo fast...my neice is now 12!!!!!! seems just like yesterday when we took her!

 

[MDinMD]

We typically always go in July/August. It is hot, but we manage. My youngest will be two years next week. Her first trip was when she was 7 months and then again at 10 months. She loved the characters, especially the Beast. My son is 5 and he was not too sure about charaters for his first visit, when he was 2, but now loves them!

The baby centers in each park are really great if you need to stop in and change nappies, to feed, or just to get out of the heat.

just plan to take it slow on really hot days.

 

[ajmellu7]

Thanks guys, that is great. As I say, I have been several times before, but it looked like there were new things, or things that could have changed. Will get a book in the new year as lots of them over here are a bit behind the times and haven't got the new rides in!

 

[93boomer]

Hi :wave:and welcome! I agree with the above comments. August is very hot especially for children. Take lots of cool and shady breaks. Get indoors as much as possible and increase water breaks. It is a lot easier staying on property with children. That way you can easily take yours breaks in the heat of the day at the resort you are staying. Have a great time with that little one! Memories will be special!

 

[trr1]

Hi :wave:and welcome! I agree with the above comments. August is very hot especially for children. Take lots of cool and shady breaks. Get indoors as much as possible and increase water breaks. It is a lot easier staying on property with children. That way you can easily take yours breaks in the heat of the day at the resort you are staying. Have a great time with that little one! Memories will be special!

also dont forget plenty of sunblock a sunburned child is no fun. even if they are in a stroller light reflects off of surfaces that goes for adults also

 

[LilWalt]

I recommend that you get a Vacation DVD sent to you. That should have all you need on it as far as new things and things that can be done with your little one.

 

[muse1983]

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2012 is in my opinion the best guide/planning book you can purchase and of course WDWMAGIC will be able to to provide you with tons of info. Feel free to post specific questions in the thread and you can guarantee an answer almost immediately!

It can be a little overwhelming when you are planning your first WDW vacation but with some proper planning and advanced dining reservations you will be fine! Once you arrive on the grounds you will come to realize that it's much easier to actually get around than you might have anticipated. Just make sure to check out park hours in advance (which you can find on this site) and plan your vacation by that. Also, make sure to make advanced dining reservation at least 3 months in advance!
Have fun!!:wave: