Disney Family Vacation

I was facing the same dilemma and I decided to postpone the idea for a few years till my kid is old enough to enjoy the rides. In your case though, your older ones might be pushing you hard to go NOW! So, may be you can go now keeping your 1-year-old behind, and then plan another trip a few years later with all your children :) But certainly, taking the 1-year-old now will prove to be difficult not only for you but also for the baby- babies that age do not like the excitements that Disney offers, they would rather be napping in their crib!
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D.,
If you have the offer even though you might feel a little guilty which I am sure you will I would say take the offer. The lines are long and while yes they can nap in the stroller that doesn't mean it will be a comfortable nap. Let's not forget the heat that no matter what you do you will not be able to shield 100% of the heat. Not to mention the effects of the heat on you after dealing with all the kids. There is also an even amount of you that everyone can ride the same rides together, etc. There are not very many rides for a 1yr old and unlike other responses I think it would be a bit selfish to have to devote 90% of your time to the baby because that is what you will be doing with the swim diapers, feedings, sunscreen applications, stroller, getting the baby to bed early, etc, etc. Your older children will appreciate the time they have with mommy after this past year. You can take other family vacations locally that will create kodak moments just has well. Bring the baby back all types of fun items and spend time with the baby playing with the gifts when you get back that will be your Disney alone time with the baby.

I say go and enjoy. I do understand your feelings. If you absolutly feel like you need to take him, then take the grandparents along too. They can stay at the pool and do calmer activities with the baby while you go to the park with your 2 older ones. Then at night all can reunite.

As long as you have trustworthy people willing to watch the baby, GO FOR IT! He won't remember the trip if you take him. Besides, Disney is an exhausting trip with 2 small children. You probably won't even have the energy left after a long day at the park to take care of him the way you normally do. Also, someone will always be left standing and waiting while the others go on the rides since you can't take the baby on them. Don't feel guilty about leaving him home. Sure you'll miss him, but your other 2 children will probably love having you to themselves for a while. Go create some lasting memories and have fun!

I just brought my one year old to Disney and he loved every minute of it. I thought we would have to go back to rest during the day but he naps great in a stroller so it was very easy. My only advice is to bring your own stroller so that you can easily get around from park to park and one that reclines so your one year old can nap on the go. The ones the park rent are hard plastic and do not recline so naps would be out of the question. I am so glad we brought my son as the expression on his face was priceless - he just loved everything - especially the characters - what great memories we have!

If you have the offer open by both grandparents, I would leave the 1 year old home. We just went to Disney World and took our 4 year old daughter. We left our 9 month old with his grandparents. We were really able to enjoy our time at Disney, not having to worry about diapers and feeding times. Plus, there are many long lines that might make the 1 year old cranky (and you too!). Have fun! S.

Just got back from Disneyland (CA) with an 8.5 year old, 5.5 year old, and 12 month old. I wouldn't change a thing. Of course it might depend on your baby's temperament, but in general I believe it's no problem. The little one seemed fascinated with the colors, lights, and even the characters. His expressions were priceless (at 1 year, I believe they are a little too young to have the character-related freakouts some toddlers have). He was even able to go on some rides with us. True he won't remember it, but he did EXPERIENCE it. And we, his family, will remember it. As someone else said, it wouldn't be a family vacation (to my mind) if someone was missing - I would have spent the whole time thinking, "Awww, B would have loved this!!!" He took lots of naps in the stroller, sipped his bottles, nursed wherever, tried our food and treats... it was all fine. Better than fine! The only meltdowns we had were from the OLDER kids, lol. There is also a parent switch pass which is a great thing - here's how it works - if there are rides the baby can't go on (or that any kids want to skip), you ask the attendant for a "parent switch pass." One parent waits on line, the other takes the pass and waits with the kids (or has a snack or shops or whatever). When the first parent comes off the ride, the second parent goes in through the exit (or fastpass line) and gets to ride right away without waiting in the whole long line again. The 2nd rider can bring one other person with them - my oldest got to ride several rides 2x in a row that way, becuase my 5yo didn't want to go on certain ones. Anyway, good luck with your decision and have fun!

D.,
DO NOT be torn, be grateful. Take grandma and grampa up on their offers to watch your baby. Disney is no place for a 1 year old. Been there done it, HUGE mistake. Between carrying the baby around, changing diapers, feedings, stroller rental, or even carrying baby in a snuggly etc...your average 4hr day will take about 8 hours. Remember that you are going to be catering to the excited needs of your 6 yr old and 4 yr old. They will want to go on every ride, see everything, eat here and there, go to the bathroom, run here, run there...etc and when your 1 year old requires attention, all will have to stop. You will also be upsetting your 1 year olds schedule. Then, when you are exhausted, along with your 6 yrs old and 4 yr old and want to sleep, baby might just get fussy because of a change in schedule and not let you sleep and for Disney, you need all the energy in the world and you want your older kids to truly enjoy the experience. Trust me, take grandparents up on their offer. The ideal age for Disney is 4 and up. Good luck!

Hi D.,

I have three children 8,6 & 3. We have been to Disney twice. The 1st time my 6 y/o was 18 mos.and the second time we went my 3 y/o was just over a year. Both times my in-laws and parents offered to keep the baby. However, I disagree with the majority here. I felt terribly guilty leaving one behind, yes the baby would not know, until they were older and saw the family vacation pictures they were not in. It is a family vacation and to me someone would be missing. To me it was selfish to leave one of my kids behind, b/c the trip would be easier. Taking a vacation w/ kids no matter what age is work. Traveling w/a child that young to Disney is not bad at all. They have plenty of acomodations/rides/strollers,etc. for little ones. There are many people walking around w/newborns at the park. Your trip will be easier w/o the little one, but depending how guilty you feel you won't enjoy yourself. I am not trying to make your decision harder, or make you feel guilty, but offer a different perspective from the majority of moms that already responded. Believe it or not, your one y/o will enjoy Disney, too. Good luck w/your decision & whichever way you decide, enjoy your trip.

I went to Disney for the second time this past June. My daughter had her 6th birthday there. I also went when she was 3. It was much better the second time. There are many rides that your little one will not be able to go on and you will need two parents to go on. If you have someone to watch the little one you will have a much better time with your two older children. The baby will not get most of it at this age anyway, and although I did not have to wait very long for most rides, there will be times when you will have to wait 20 - 40 minutes for rides even with fastpass. Give your older kids all of your attention this time and wait to take the baby. The only benefit is you won't pay for children under 2.