To ask if you would take an 18 month old to Disneyworld?

[PurpleFlower1983]

Posting here for traffic.

We’re thinking about booking to go to Florida next year, our little girl will be 18 months old at that time. We would be going in August so it will be hot.

For context, we always said we would wait until our little one was 5 or 6 until taking her (both me and my husband have been to Orlando several times when we were younger but the last time was around 9 years ago). I know she won’t remember it but the reason we are considering next year is that my parents would desperately like to go to Florida again, especially with our little girl. My mum is physically disabled and has several chronic conditions, her health has deteriorated significantly over the last 8 years and continues to do so. We would be looking at flights with a stop to make it more manageable for her but it is something she really wants to do.

Has anyone been with a child this young? I know it is completely set up for children but I’m just wondering if anyone had any real life experience/tips. Would you go in our situation?

I wouldn't,

I pitied all the parents walking around with buggies and having to sort babies and toddlers. I'd have found it a real drag.

It's a no from me personally

No. A waste of money - the child won't remember a thing, and you'll not be able to do whatever you want because you'll need to be constantly supervising your toddler.

I've not done it but I used to work there.
Loads of people (including my friends) have.
It's quite an easy age as they'll likely get excited by characters/castles etc but obviously you won't get to go on too many rides

I was taken to Florida at that age and we took my little sister at that age and it was great fun. I don’t remember it but I have photos and it’s nice to look back. Do it, create memories with your whole family even if she doesn’t remember, you can tell her stories!

I would say, don’t have that stop, do a direct flight. It’s hell getting off a long flight to get on another, it doesn’t make it easier at all! You have two take offs and two landings and those are the worst bits for a toddler! Have an amazing time!!

I’ve done it, I had DD in a sling and took frequent breaks for drinks, food etc. I’m not bothered about the rides, DH went on a few with his DS and it was fine. Not easy, but do-able.

I have taken mine from 9 months up and would have no hesitations to do it again.

The smallest was exactly 18 months the last time as loved it. She loved the characters and the colours and music of parades. A surprising number of roses she could go on too.

Anywhere in Europe you go to in August will be hot anyway. At least at Disney they have air con in all shops and fans / water spray etc at a lot of rides too.

Use the childcare centres in each park if you want a cool off for them, not only do they have changing facilities they also had area for play / tv which was great for her older siblings as well if some down time required.

I have done. I wouldn't recommend it, but my DD was a handful anyway - add in the heat, humidity and jet lag and she was like a crazy whirlwind! We laugh about it now, but it was hard. My other DD would have been fine, but she would have slept a lot and missed stuff.

Nah. You won't enjoy it and neither will she. Someone will have to wait with her so you won't all be able to go on the rides, she'll be hot and mostly in her pushchair because she won't have the stamina to walk all day, the days are long so she'll probably tire. You'll have to slather her with sunscreen constantly. Not worth it imo but of course it is possible.

I'd only go to grant my Mum her wish. Tbh I think it would be hell on earth in August (although Disneyland is my idea of hell anyway....).

Re the flights - I would have thought the faff of getting on and off planes would be worse than the discomfort of a long flight (not sure where you'd do a stop from the UK to Florida, if you are in the UK).

If you can afford to go now and again when she's at an age where she will appreciate it, I don't see why not. For us, it will be a once in a lifetime holiday, that we've been saving for since my first was born 4 years ago, and we will continue to save with the aim of taking both children at around 8 & 6, as they'll be at the age they can enjoy the entire experience and remember it well. For us, we would only be able to afford the trip once, but if we were loaded we would have probably gone already as they would enjoy it now. We went to Disneyland Paris when dd1 was 2, and dd2 was 6 months, and it was great. Dd2 obviously had no clue what was going on, but dd1 thought it was magical. Could this be an option, as not so much travel/heat/costs?

In your circumstances yes I would.

We would be staying in a villa.

Age wise I think it’d be totally fine, August is what I’d be more worried about. We have been a few times and plan to go back again soon, we usually go October time and it’s still scorching, August could be very difficult to manage with a grumpy toddler in that heat, along with the crowds being significantly higher as it’s school holidays. Is there anyway you could push it back/pull it forward a few months?

No, no, no, a world of no. We went during Easter last year. There were plenty of families with under-fives and not one of them liked like they were having a good time. At best, some of them looked like they were managing to endure it, at worst they looked like they wished they could lay down and die. DW is amazing but it’s also hugely crowded and exhausting. My youngest was six when we went and really I wished we’d have left it a few years.

Regarding the flight, the stop was actually for a break for my mum, she has a spinal condition but actually the hassle of a change might be more hassle than staying on a direct flight.

We took our then 2 yr old DD and I was about 18 weeks pregnant with DS!

We hired a car, stayed in a villa and pool so we could come and go as we pleased.

Loved it! DD slept well in the buggy too so often dozed off on hot days. It was fine. Direct flight yes and good travel insurance.

You only live once especially if your own mum is ill.

For your mail there benefit? Yes.
For your DDs benefit? No.

Does it have to be August?

You would be better going to Disneyland in Paris. Shorter flight and not so hot.

Watching with interest as DH is dying to go when ours is a similar age.

August is because I am a teacher. We would try and go toward the end of August as the US kids would be back in school but I know it will still be really busy.

Absolutely, especially given your circumstances. We first took my dd when she was just shy of her 2nd birthday. She had such a magical time. She obviously doesn’t remember it now, but they won’t remember any holiday at that age. But we do. It was a brilliant holiday.

I would definitely. Your dad will have a blast when she’s there and those memories will live forever in the grown ups minds. It sounds like your parents want to do it so why not. Go out of term time, Easter is the worst time to go as it’s the busiest. Do direct flights otherwise you will double your journey time. Get assistance from the airline.

Go book it!!!

I've done it when Dd was a similar age, we went with my in-laws so there were plenty of adults to help with the older kids. We went at Halloween which was less hot and humid though. It was magical, her reaction to the characters was one of my favourite memories of the holiday.

Doesn't your DM fancy somewhere else?

With a 'spinal condition' and being disabled unless she can upgrade for more comfort I would avoid that flight.

Also the reality of Disney in August may not be much fun for her.