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?

We took ds2 at that age and at that time of year.

It actually wasn't that bad, of course he doesn't remember it, but there was a lot he was able to do, and we took it very easy.

The only thing I would say is take your regular buggy. We took an umbrella one and not only could he not nap properly if he needed it, he got terrible sweat rash where he was leaning against the back of the buggy. Take plenty of muslins/small towels to put behind your dd's back.

Remember that Disney is totally set up for children AND the heat- there are cooling stations everywhere and lots of buildings which all have lovely cold air con in. I suffer very badly with the heat and I found the worst bit was going from air-conditioned villa to the car My solution was to make XH go out and switch on the air con in the car before I made the dash from on to the other.

In your situation I'd totally go for it- ds may not remember it now but he had a great time while he was there (the sweat rash didn't bother him like it bothered me!)

I've taken my kids when they were 15 months and 18 months. I would do it again. They don't remember the trip but I do. And so will your mum.

I also found having the buggy useful and saved carrying bags all the time

My mum would go first class. I agree about that flight for her but she wants to go. She has been before when in a wheelchair and the set up for those with disabilities was excellent. The heat could cause a problem though! In reality my parents would do the parks probably every 2-3 days and spend the rest of the time at the villa/relaxing.

Yes I would but I would be up early and only doing parks till midday, probably only Magic and Animal kingdom, and planning to be at the villa for afternoons.

In early teens we went in November and the weather was much better for theme park visit. It was warm/hot but not baking. My kids went in early July and youngest had a miserable time, too hot and moaned a lot, holiday spent looking for buildings with air con. If going with baby I’d really recommend looking at temp. Some rides the queues are very long and may be age/height restricted, is one person going to sit separately with baby while others go on ride? It’s such an expense I’d wait a couple of years. Perhaps try out Disney Paris while she is young

Is it specifically Florida you want to go to. Would Disneyland Paris be easier for your Mum as a shorter journey etc? We took our DC's there when young. Had a great time.

We took Dd for the day to Disneyland Paris at 18 months and she loved it so much we booked a wider family holiday to WDW the following summer when she was a 2y4m. She adored it.

Lots for toddlers to go on and see and do.

But it depends on your toddler. At 18m Dd was walking and talking pretty well, and she loved the lights, sounds and rides. At 2y she was wanting to go on anything and everything and was going on her first rollercoasters which she was just tall enough for. She wouldn't have been at 18m but still went in lots of things.

Trouble is if they love it you end up having to go back!

And some toddlers don't like busy places and are scared or rides and characters.

So really depends on your own child and whether it's a one off holiday. If it is going to be a one off wait a bit longer.

We’ve been to Paris a couple of times, with my parents last year before DD was born. It’s Florida specifically that my parents want to go to. If it was just us with DD we would wait and take her to Florida in a few years.

No I wouldn't. I used to live in Florida. August is so hot and humid. Your toddler will suffer and your mother may find it hard, depending on her disabilities.

I agree with PP, I would go to Disneyland Paris instead. Little one won't know the difference, you can get the train instead of flying, much more sensible.

Or, you could go to Disneyland in California, the original - and definitely the best!

It won’t be a one off, we will likely want to book again when we get back! Haha!

cuppycakey Been to California Disney twice and I agree!! Love the Matterhorn! I think WDW is better set up for very little ones though and my mum definitely wouldn’t manage that flight.

@Untamedtoad

I'd consider taking them later. DSis and I went aged 6 and 8 respectively- she remembers nothing of it, I remember a few snatches. I'd go for 10 and 8. Still young enough to enjoy, old enough to recall.

Generally probably not but given the circumstances then yes I would.

Could you go in October half term? I know you’d only have 9 days but the heat would be less full on.

My 18 month old is teething and going through some sort of sleep regression. He’s miserable, we’re knackered and the thought of going anywhere further than the park with him fills me with dread! Obviously your 18 month old might be totally different... but it’s high risk.

I would do it and have done, though I’d recommend staying on Disney with free dining if possible, it’s lovely to be able to go back to your room easily. Yes your child won’t remember it but you’ll have all the photos and it’s magical seeing them with the characters.
I wouldn’t really advise breaking up the flight though unless you’re planning spending time anywhere else, it just prolongs and and generally you’ll find actual time on planes longer with boarding, take on and off times and routings

We have and he loved it. Obviously doesn’t remember it but we do-and the excitement on his face when he saw Mickey Mouse!

I would go. The villa will have air-con (and pool?). As others have said, there are plenty of cooling stations at the parks and little ones still get excited at the characters and colours, even if they won’t remember going. You’ll have some lovely photos to show DD of her first trip to Disney with DGP’s. My niece went at that age and loves the photos of her first time (she’s going again next week for the umpteenth time aged 18).

If it really is too hot for the parks then take turns to stay in the villa with DD or drive somewhere.

My sister bought a fan for the buggy while she was there that you put ice in I think and it acted like air con. There might be similar devices that you could get (that are safe for a buggy, obviously)

Absolutely not. I remember 18 months was a really bad age for the height of being in at everything! They won't appreciate it or remember it and will get very tiered n grumpy with the heat, the queues etc.

We've just been in holiday with my 2 ur old and it was great but very tiring. She's very much gets the terrible 2 tantrums when she's tiered. We found she was pretty much fine during the day and had a nap but at night time we always had to go back to hotel early as she just got so grumpy and her behaviour def was horrible when she was tiered.

I plan to take mine when they are around 4 and 6. I'm even now questioning whether that's a good idea 😂

Im taking my baby in november and she will be just over 6 months of age. Disney is great for babies too, you can do photos with the characters and castles, plus I think you can do a switch for rides. Mum waits, whilst dad goes and vice versa.
Just be prepared for the florida weather!.
I think personally you will have a great time and make lots of family memories, even if your LO doesnt remember it!
Its a yes from me 😀

I would take her, but considering you are also going with two older people who also will suffer considerably in the heat: this will be a very different holiday than without the child and elderly.

don't try to spend all day everyday in the park on the death march of fun. Go in as early as you can, then back to the hotel for food by later morning to cool off, eat, and rest. spend the afternoon at the pool or watching movies, then go back in the evening, after the thunderstorms have passed through. accept that you are going to have relatively little time in the park and more time in the hotel. It will not feel like you are making the most of the cost of the trip but in the long run, the most memorable trip will be the one in which nobody gets broken by the heat.

Only you know your own child.

As I said - my dd at that age would have been totally fine in Florida for a fortnight in August. She coped fine in DLP at 18m, in south Europe weather before that in the summer and in July Florida a few months after.

The heat never bothered her at all, though she spent most holidays when small looking like an oil slick! The parks all ave water areas too to cool down, and there's lots of shade and air conditioning. DD didn't have a strict routine either and didn't;t really sleep that much anyway - so that aspect wouldn't have been an issue. When we went a few months later she was the one up early raring to go and wanting to watch fireworks at night.

Having a pushchair isn't an issue ime - we took a light weight mesh one so it was cool. It wasn't expensive either so we just left it with all the others. It was always fine. Was great for piling cardi, water bottles and bags on too at times!

It really is child (and parent) dependent. You'll have plenty of parents who couldn't thing of anything worse but also people who have done it quite happily.

When you visit WDW there are always lots of babies and toddlers there and they are not all crying and fractious at all ime.

And yes, use Baby Switch. You all queue up (or on some one of you go in via a different entrance with the child) - one or more ride, then switch with the non rider. They'll often let another member of your party re again with you too.
And make good use of Fast Pass.

My parents aren’t elderly as such, my dad is a very fit 65 year old and my mum is a young at heart 63. It’s her health that holds her back but I do see what you are saying. I think if we were to go we would look at 3 weeks to take things at a slow pace.

I wouldn't consider USA but would go to Paris to get the memories with your mum,much easier travelling for your mum ,your little one tbh wouldn't know the difference between Paris or Blackpool funfair .