Hello all, First time poster... I have been to WDW many times myself and I love it. I now have a young one and was thinking about celebrating his 1st birthday at WDW. Is he too young? I would love to do it there. It has been about 4 years since my last visit. I will be completely different with my own child. Thanks for "listening"
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Taking a 1 year old
- Thread starter Gavman
- Start date
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
So long as you understand that you're really doing it for you. He'll enjoy himself, but won't likely remember much shortly after. Go, have a great time and enjoy spending Disney time with him. Take lots of pictures.
While you're there, let him set the pace. Be prepared to go back to your resort for naps and/or pool time. Avoid letting him get tired in the parks, the joys of meeting characters and sensory overload of fun can quickly turn into a nightmare for him, you and everybody around you if he gets tired and cranky. Lots of people take younguns and have wonderful experiences. Others swear they'll never go again, mainly because they weren't prepared to let their child set the pace [at least IMHO].
While you're there, let him set the pace. Be prepared to go back to your resort for naps and/or pool time. Avoid letting him get tired in the parks, the joys of meeting characters and sensory overload of fun can quickly turn into a nightmare for him, you and everybody around you if he gets tired and cranky. Lots of people take younguns and have wonderful experiences. Others swear they'll never go again, mainly because they weren't prepared to let their child set the pace [at least IMHO].
coltow
Well-Known Member
Older son was there at 9mo. We absolutely had a blast. He could ride most rides at MK. He had fun with characters, book a character meal, way easier than waiting in line. We went slow, took breaks, took hundreds of pictures and spent plenty of time at the pool. Any resort will be fine, because they'll just sleep in the pack-n-play anyhow.
KC82271
Active Member
My 39 month old DD has been there 4 times already and on her way back in 6 weeks for the 5th trip. She was there at 10 months. Even though she doesn't remember the "trip" - we have pictures and videos that we watch daily sometimes. She will now bring up things that happened on that first trip like she remembers.
As someone mentioned, take it at his pace. Naps and feeding times will vary from his regular - but it's a great time to rest your own body. My daughters favorite rest area still to this day is the train around the magic kingdom. We call it the "sleepy train" as I can always guarantee a nap before the end of the 2nd go round. It just relaxes her to no end. It's great.
Do it and enjoy it! It's awesome to see it through your own child's eyes. But don't stop at one trip either! Each trip is unique. This year will be my DD's 2nd Christmas Party, and she is so excited that she's got DH and I ready to go now!
As someone mentioned, take it at his pace. Naps and feeding times will vary from his regular - but it's a great time to rest your own body. My daughters favorite rest area still to this day is the train around the magic kingdom. We call it the "sleepy train" as I can always guarantee a nap before the end of the 2nd go round. It just relaxes her to no end. It's great.
Do it and enjoy it! It's awesome to see it through your own child's eyes. But don't stop at one trip either! Each trip is unique. This year will be my DD's 2nd Christmas Party, and she is so excited that she's got DH and I ready to go now!
Bug715
Member
You sound like a friend of mine. Her son is 19 months and is about to go on his 4th trip. They took him for his 1st birthday and it was at the crystal palace. His first haircut was at the Barbershop in MK.
My little cousin was 13 months when we went. It was awesome seeing him interact with the characters! His favorite is Tigger so we booked a breakfast at Crystal Palace. He saw Tigger through the window and freaked out! He loved tigger!! He wasn't much for the fireworks so he and I hung out with some awesome CMs in the International Gateway shop. Another nice thing about his age was he was cool with hanging out with the stroller most of the time and when he got out to run around he wouldn't go too far.
Have fun introducing your little one to the Magic!
WickedQueen22
New Member
We took our two girls when the youngest was 13 mos. We just went at our own pace and made sure she had her own stroller. The plastic WDW ones do not recline and this does not help a toddler sleep as you stroll. We even made it to the Pirate & Princess party after a full day at AK with her! It was the 6 year old who was the biggest whiner, not her sister.
I have no doubts the trip will be better than ever with your little one in tow!
I have no doubts the trip will be better than ever with your little one in tow!
cameronmouse
Active Member
I'm in the same position, we are taking our son for the first time in dec. and hell be just under a year old. we know its more for ourself but hell have a good time while there. Definitely gonna be a big change traveling with a baby thought right?
It's a completely different kind of trip, but I think you'll have a great time. To follow up on Monty's advice about pace setting, the only mistake we ever made with a one year old was our last night on one trip. We went to EMH at EPCOT with our son and he had a melt down. *looks over shoulder* (It was the in-laws fault. I had registered my opinion on the badness of this idea 86 kajillion times but kept getting out-voted 3-1. Never even said an "I told you so." Of course, by way of full disclosure when we were finally back in our room, my wife saw my eyes and said - "Don't even say it.")
Also, you're going to miss some big stuff, but other things will more than make up for it. The video of my one-year old's over the top reaction to Spaceship Earth will always make me smile (he loved balls at that age. It was like a dream come true.) :lol:
ErickainPA
New Member
Our 1st trip with our son was when he was 7 months old. He got his 1st haircut at the barbershop on Main Street on Easter Day 2007.
His 2nd trip was at 10 months to Disneyland in July, 2007.
His 3rd will possibly this December at 2 yrs old with his 1 yr old twin sisters. He loves Mickey and he would probably love getting to see the Mouse in person again and maybe remember it a little more now. At 7 months he liked to touch their faces and were fascinated, so will be fun to see how he is now at a bit older.
Definitely take it at your child's pace. One thing we learned from our 1st trip was not to hit the parks each day. We were exhausted after our trip and said next time we would just go to the parks a few days out of our trip instead of every day. We will spend more time at the pool and walking Downtown to get a break from all the sensory overload.
We have a video of his first trip, now to borrow my mom's video camera again so we can watch it, he will love it.
Go and have a great time, the look on your child's face the first time they see one of the characters is priceless.
His 2nd trip was at 10 months to Disneyland in July, 2007.
His 3rd will possibly this December at 2 yrs old with his 1 yr old twin sisters. He loves Mickey and he would probably love getting to see the Mouse in person again and maybe remember it a little more now. At 7 months he liked to touch their faces and were fascinated, so will be fun to see how he is now at a bit older.
Definitely take it at your child's pace. One thing we learned from our 1st trip was not to hit the parks each day. We were exhausted after our trip and said next time we would just go to the parks a few days out of our trip instead of every day. We will spend more time at the pool and walking Downtown to get a break from all the sensory overload.
We have a video of his first trip, now to borrow my mom's video camera again so we can watch it, he will love it.
Go and have a great time, the look on your child's face the first time they see one of the characters is priceless.
LuxeMama
New Member
I have a one year old and also a six and a three year old. The trip was definitely for them, and not for me. The planning was for me LOL I enjoyed every minute of planning their trip and enjoyed watching them have a ball. While they may not remember it, they will definitely enjoy the experience--which is what life is all about. I know you will take lots of pictures, but the bonds made and fostered and created at these moments are what help build memories later.
DisneyHomesFlor
New Member
Cool
That's cool having your first haircut in MK!
Our eldest was 2 when we first went and we had a lovely time. Just remember a couple of rest days to chill out. It's great that they can fall asleep in their pushchairs and you can get a quiet bit of time together at that age!
That's cool having your first haircut in MK!
Our eldest was 2 when we first went and we had a lovely time. Just remember a couple of rest days to chill out. It's great that they can fall asleep in their pushchairs and you can get a quiet bit of time together at that age!
figmentmom
Well-Known Member
Tour at your little one's pace, take lots of pictures, use lots of sunscreen, plan on heading back to your hotel during the heat of the day for a nap/swim in the pool, and have fun. :wave:
EvilQueen81
Member
Just take lots of pictures and have a good time.:wave:
Dayma
Well-Known Member
We took our daughter when she was 2 and it was in August and HOT. She liked some of it, like Pooh and ITASW but other than that I don't think she cared. We definetly went for us but adjusted everything to make sure she was comfortable.
I am not sure I would go with a 1yr old but that's just me.
I am not sure I would go with a 1yr old but that's just me.
DisneyBunny
Active Member
We took our 13 month old to Disney in September (just got back from her second trip a week ago)
My Trip report is here
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=357959
and details a lot of what we did to keep her happy and on schedule. that's the important thing. Keep them on their schedule!!!
best of luck :wave:
My Trip report is here
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=357959
and details a lot of what we did to keep her happy and on schedule. that's the important thing. Keep them on their schedule!!!
best of luck :wave:
