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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

135 replies

PurpleFlower1983 · 09/06/2019 09:39

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?

OP posts:
Jinxed2 · 09/06/2019 10:52

No. We first went to Disneyland Paris when DS1 was 2.5. Nightmare 😱

Boysnme · 09/06/2019 10:53

If you have a villa and a car you will be fine taking an 18 month old. As with other people, I’d be more concerned about going in August, I love WDW we go regularly but avoid Summer because of the heat.

With regards to changing flights, we also usually do indirect as flying from Scotland. My only recommendation there is to make sure you have plenty time between your connecting flights as you have quite a lot to do in that time, it does have the added bonus though of landing in Orlando as a domestic passenger (assuming you change in the US) and isn’t that much hassle if you have time.

Quartz2208 · 09/06/2019 10:54

I would rethink August as it is very hot - maybe October as it is cooler would be better and after the hurricane season and it would be quieter.

Will you be doing a villa or a hotel?

Mine have both started going I have to say slightly later (one just before 3 the other just after)

Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 09/06/2019 10:57

Quartz2208 I agree re August but I’m a teacher so August is the better option. I did go in October once and it was great except we lost the first 3 days of the holiday due to a hurricane so you never know what will happen! Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 09/06/2019 10:58

We will be in a villa with a car.

OP posts:
cookielove · 09/06/2019 10:58

It really bugs me when people say that young children won't remember experiences, it doesn't mean they won't enjoy it.

Its like you can't do anything fun without being able to rememeber it HmmConfused

I would go!!

chemenger · 09/06/2019 10:59

American schools will still be off in August, they go back around the second week in September. So it might still be very busy. We went to a Orlando for New Year, it was quiet and the weather was very pleasant, warm but not humid. I would hate the heat and crowds in August.

AnotherEmma · 09/06/2019 11:06

I wouldn't go, I think it's a huge waste of money and effort. It will be hard work with an 18mo and you won't be able to make the most of it.

However, it sounds as if your mum has her heart set on it and you have decided to go because she wants to? In which case I would go during the Easter holidays or May half term.

I suspect nothing else will seem as exciting as Florida but there are parks in Europe that are as good as if not better than Disneyland Paris. Astérix or Europa Park for example. But I actually think Disneyland Paris is better for toddlers than adults, if you hadn't been quite recently I would have suggested it.

mylifestory · 09/06/2019 11:14

Wont it also be a really tough one for yr mum to endure? Why not have a holiday nearer home where u can all enjoy a more peaceful time without the long flight, hassle of Disney etc. Im sure everyone wd be happier tbh.

AnotherEmma · 09/06/2019 11:18

You could go to Center Parcs Sherwood and spend a couple of days at Alton Towers.

Not as exciting as Florida but I bet you'd still have loads of fun and it would be much less gruelling.

Quartz2208 · 09/06/2019 11:18

Aah I see yes stuck to the school holidays.

We always go at Christmas for that reason (though I get the crowds are not for everyone!) as its the holidays and the weather is nicer but there are a lot of people (though dont find it bad personally)

My kids cant remember the first time they went but I can and the highlights of them being entranced by things that they are not now they are older stay with me. But DD love of Donald Duck has remained since then and she loves looking at pictures of it. Also when she went at 3 Spaceship Earth was her favourite ride and it still is! Each time has been different with them as they have aged and changed but something remain constant.

3 weeks with short days at the parks and seeing everything else Orlando has to offer will be fine with an 18 month old.

One last thing - would your Mum get a DAS pass as that might change things as well:
disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/disney-parks-disability-access-service-card-fact-sheet/

As it would remove the need for queuing for both

Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 09/06/2019 11:19

mylifestory I know what you’re saying, we’re actually going to Spain with them in 2 weeks in a private apartment so we are doing the easier options too. She wants to go to Florida.

OP posts:
Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 09/06/2019 11:21

Quartz2208 Yes my mum definitely qualifies for the pass, we did that in Paris and it was great.

OP posts:
SymbollocksInteractionism · 09/06/2019 11:23

We went to Florida 4 years ago (July) My mother also had her heart set on it because she had survived womb cancer and had extensive surgery the year before.
My youngest DC was 4 and the only time he was really happy was when we were in the villa and he was able to go in and out the pool.
He was far too hot and cried quite a lot that holiday!
Disney didn't have much shade but universal was much better. He ended up going home earlier from the parks with my parents because it was just too hot.
My mother ended up with heat exhaustion and had to use a mobility scooter to go round the parks!

Mrsjayy · 09/06/2019 11:23

Go on holiday make the cliched memories for your parents and have a great time do you have to go in August it will be really hot and busy

Quartz2208 · 09/06/2019 11:26

Then do it

What I would do it join the Dibb and its orlando time on facebook as both will have lots of tips - particularly in finding the right Villa which I think is key

Will you focus just on Disney or other parks as well?

Look at Orlando as a whole and all the stuff that is offers

Mrsjayy · 09/06/2019 11:33

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.

Sorry I missed this whe n I said about august. I meant to say the parks havev big strollers with canopies you could hire one of those.

Aspieteach · 09/06/2019 11:37

I can't really see the point in going when your dd is so young. And August would be unbearably hot. We went in Easter (also restricted to school holidays) and that was bad enough.

I know your Mum is set on Florida, but I think she needs to think through the reality of the holiday.

We took dd to Disneyland Paris when she was about 5 and waited until she was about 9 to take her to Florida. Even if you don't worry about whether or not a toddler will remember a holiday when they're older, I really don't think that, for a toddler, Florida is more magical in the moment than Paris. It's just us as adults who think of Florida as being the "real" Disneyland.

mckerl · 09/06/2019 11:39

We took an 8 month old and a 22 month old and survived!! Had our parents with us and obviously missed out on a few of the big rides but if you’re going for your mum then yes I absolutely would!

QueenoftheBiscuitTin · 09/06/2019 11:44

Walking around the parks in August is my idea of hell, let alone with an 18 month old. I'd melt.

HulksPurplePanties · 09/06/2019 11:50

We took DS when he was 9 months and really enjoyed it. I think part of that was that it was that it was my DH's first time, so he was a big kid, but the parks really well set up for babies and toddlers, so we really enjoyed just strolling with the pram and going on a surprising number of rides.

Gth1234 · 09/06/2019 11:50

I wouldn't bother taking her to the US at that age, to be honest.

Quartz2208 · 09/06/2019 11:55

Aspieteach I have to respectfully disagree Orlando as a whole is a far more magical place than Disneyland Paris - the whole city is there because of it in effect. Toy Story Land, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, the other parks etc all make it a far more amazing experience.

For an 18 month old in particular character interactions are far more organised and far better at Disneyworld - the fastpass system, the reservation booking system make that all much easier to do than Paris

The only reservation I have is with the weather in August being so hot!

hmsvictory · 09/06/2019 12:16

Where are you planning to stop en route to Orlando? Sounds crazy to me

Teddybear45 · 09/06/2019 12:22

I would go if I could afford to take her again when she’s older. Kids only feel the magic of disney up until the age of six or seven, after that it’s just about the theme parks really, so I would aim to take her when she’s young.

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