WDW with a one year old

[accord99cutie]

My DS will turn one on Sept 15th, and we will be arriving at the World on Sept 28th. I have already decided to bring our own stroller so we can have it outside park gates, but I am curious what other parents have done while waiting in lines.... I obviously am not sure if he will be walking or not by this point, but say he is not, what kinds of things do people do to carry/walk a one year old through Queue lines? I was thinking of using some kind of baby front/back pack, but at 20+pounds Im not sure that is the greatest idea! Should I plan on just having to carry him on my hip?? if anyone has any ideas on this I would love to hear them! Also, any other tips on taking a 1 yr old would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I've never traveled to WDW with a child that young; however, I previously owned a Kelty backpack carrier. I know people who LOVE these and it was snapped up almost instantly when I consigned it a few months ago - even the employee checking it in raved about it....but I HATED IT! Even the high end ones are tough to get on (I always felt like the girls were going to fall out as I was putting it on), they get very hot- especially in hot weather, and even with the weight belt attached it still did a number on our backs.

You probably could leave your child in the stroller if he'll tolerate it in place where strollers are permitted. If he's walking and walking well enough by your trip, you could also consider a harness for non-stroller times. Other than that- you may have to carry him. I really could not see mounting and dismounting a back pack carrier every time you wanted to ride a ride or see an attraction.

 

[accord99cutie]

That's what worried me about taking a carrier!!! I cant see myself getting it on with him in it and then taking him and it off before getting onto every ride! I am curious if anyone has any other ideas for getting him through the line??? If he isnt walking yet it could be a very tiring wait in line if I have to carry him! I really want to be able to enjoy this trip as much as our others before he was here, but I am getting so worried about this line issue!!! Thinking back on past trips I can't even picture other families dealing with this so I am clueless! I know there are thousands of families who go with one year olds daily, so what do they do in the lines??!! lol

 

[materbuddy]

My DW and I were just down in the world with our 8 month old twin daughters. I definitely agree with bringing your own stroller from home. It's something they are used to and comfortable with. We brought the carriers with us and never used them. Even though our daughters aren't walking they are able stand for a while so we mixed it up for them when waiting on line. We held them for a little while, if they started getting antsy we switched kids or let them stand for a little while. The most important thing we realized is that you have to really be aware of how they are doing. We skipped rides that were really long waits even if we really wanted to go on. Remember kids will have fun as long as the parents have fun so don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[WDW 3]

Just a heads up to something we have noticed. Be prepared to leave stollers outside TS restaurants too. I don't know how many times last month we saw people try to bring a sleeping child in a stoller into a restaurant and were told they couldn't and it made them angry. But in defense of the restaurant... some of the dining rooms are very small & crowded and the sleeping child is at risk because of hot food & beverages accidently spilling. Sometimes the wait staff has all they can do just watching out for little people down by their knees while they are carrying trays. I cringe when I see people allow thier little ones run around in restaurants because of the trip/spill/burn risk.

 

[foreverbelle]

We took our son about a week after he turned one, and again when he was 18 months earlier this year. I agree with the PP's you do have to make sure you know when he is ready to call it a day. We skipped a lot of the major rides that had long lines. When there was an adult ride, we split up, and one would do the single rider-or we fast passed it and rode by ourselves and then switched. While one rode the ride, the other would bring our son into shops or walk him around to keep him entertained.

It also depends on how well your son tolerates the stroller. Mine was pretty good as long as he was entertained. We made sure we had little toys and snacks to make the time, or the day go by a little smoother.

You will have a fabulous time, I know I enjoyed seeing everything through his eyes...:animwink:

 

[dreamfinder]

Recently did a trip with our nephew when he was one. In lines, his parents (or us) carried him, or supported him while he wandered around. No carrier at all, and he was in his stroller between rides mostly.

 

[accord99cutie]

Thank you guys for the advice! We also have a 5yr old (she will be 6 at the time of the trip) so she will get to ride a ton of rides twice in a row while we utilize the parent swap for her brother! I was worried about how much he will weigh and trying to carry him, but I suppose we will be used to the weight when the time comes! I got worried when I was babysitting my aunts 10 month old this weekend (she is a HUGE 10month old) and trying to carry her was very hard, but with the gradual increase in his weight I'm sure we will be used to it!!! Any other tips for us would be great!!