Is it worth it to go to Disney World with a 17 month old baby?

[Nika]

Neither my husband nor I have ever been to Disney World and never had any desire to go.
We figured, we'd have to go enough times once our sun gets old enough to beg for it.

He is now 14 month old and does not know anything Disney (he does not watch cartoons or TV at all).

Having said all that...
DH can go for training from work that is held in a nice hotel right outside DW. So the hotel would be paid for, his airfare would be paid for (I can use miles, or just buy one - airfare from NYC to Fl is dirt cheap), rental car and taxi to and from the airport would be paid for and there is a small per diem (not enough, of course, for 3 of us to eat, but still).

So considering all that, I wonder if we should join him - and if my baby and I would have enough fun while daddy is at work all day.

I don't know anything about DW -- what time they close, how much is the admission, are there healthy food options for a toddler, etc...

So I am not sure if this is worth it at this point.

Any thoughts?

[MonkeyMama]

We took both our kids before they turned 2, since free. Clearly it was more for us than them. But we just went to Disney (Land) I think for the first time paying full price for both kids? I remember thinking I was glad we went went they were younger. (We timed it closer to 22 or 23 months).

Of course, Disney is a pretty darn cheap trip for us (drove a few hours, free hotel stay) and so it was a really good strategy in our shoes.

If you are going to spend a lot of money on the trip, it might not be worth it. It would be a chance for you to enjoy since you have never been. There is plenty for a child that age to see and do though. But of course he won't remember and the trip would really be for you.

Look at their website for hours and prices. The hours can change on a daily basis. So best bet is to go straight to the source. There may also be chances to buy discounted tickets. you can google around or ask DisneySteve. I believe it is impossible to get discounts for D-Land but saw some viable opens for discounted D-World tickets, last I looked. (I remember because it was just annoying me! Like why does D-World give so many coupons? But not D-Land?)

[MonkeyMama]

Correction: we only took our youngest when he was younger than 2. So, my response might not be useful. We took eldest when he was 3, so scratch that. Thing was when youngest was not quite 2, the eldest was 4. So *that* was the trip I was thinking was so worth it.

We also went back to our hotel to nap during the day. So it was helpful to be very close (walking distance or shuttle distance).

[disneysteve]

Since everyone knows I'd weigh in on this, I'll give a quick response now and a more detailed answer later when I have more time.

The quick answer is absolutely yes! A 17-month old will have a ball at Disney World and you and your husband will have a ball watching him.

Our daughter went at 5 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and numerous more times since and every trip was special and unique.

I'll post more later.

[disneysteve]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I don't think any child would enjoy or remember Disney until they are AT LEAST 3 YEARS old and that is a liberal estimate. If it were me, I would wait until the child was at least 5 years old

Would you have a 1st birthday party for your child? How about a 2nd or 3rd? Would you take them to the zoo or the playground or a show of any type? We did dozens and dozens of things with our daughter that she doesn't remember. That didn't stop us from doing them. I think all of those experiences are educational and formative for young minds.

[Like2Plan]

Yes, I think it would be worthwhile especially in this situation where you have many of your costs covered.
But, if it is just going to be you and your child at the parks while your DH attends the conference I would keep the expectations more modest. You won't be able to ride space mountain (or any of the other coasters) unless you have someone at the parks with you who could do the baby swap. While there are many attractions your child will be able to go on, you may find your child is a bit reticent (ie some small children don't care for the rides that are dark like peter pan and pirates of the caribbean). And, you may find that your child doesn't warm up to the characters at that age. The fireworks shows might be too loud (but, they can also be viewed from a distance or provide ear plugs. )
Having said all that, we took a pretty relaxed approach when our DS was 2 and had a fabulous time. We planned for afternoon breaks which included swimming and naps. We found that DS loved riding the monorail and the boat launches. There are lots of attractions that you and your child can go on together especially at the Magic Kingdom. Thre are zillions of interesting things to look at for both you and your child.

[Like2Plan]

One more thought I had--Disney World is a different experience at different ages and it is one reason why I love going back.

[photo]

It totally depends on your children. Some kids are pretty easy-going and a change in routine and being away from home isn't a big deal at all. Other kids who don't adapt so easily may make for a miserable trip.

I'd make your judgment on how your child acts when he is away from home and away from familiar surroundings.

[rennigade]

If you or your husband have not been to disney I would say go for it. Your kid will love it.

That being said, I have relatives who are adults who go to disney every year. I dont understand how disney lures adults in year in and year out. Is it the fantasy part of it? Is it bringing back childhood memories? I know disneysteve loves disney, im not sure if I ever read what brings him back each year? Maybe he's in the Club 33? 15 year waiting list.

Also, considering rental car/hotel are paid for, its a no brainer. Go for it.

[snafu]

Since most of your costs are covered, I suggest you join DH and enjoy the experience of DW. It good for DKs to experience a new environments and adjust to change. It's part of growing and learning and the more experiences the better. I always thought Disneyworld Fl./Disneyland CA. were more for adults than kids as our constant response to each new experience was ...'how did they do that?"

We thought the food was overpriced and line-ups over long so we often stopped at a grocery for sandwich makings, veggie packs and tetra=pack drinks. A tiny Dollar Store type 'picnic' backpack with some small paper plates, camping style can opener, plastic knife/spreader [we use the plastic tool used for spackle {kitchen use only}] works well.

Now that sirlines often charge for luggage, I suggest clothes limits. We found we wore the same shorts/slacks twice with fresh top daily. With limits on liquids, we've bought traveler sized containers and decant our fav. products.

[disneysteve]

He is now 14 month old and does not know anything Disney (he does not watch cartoons or TV at all).

if my baby and I would have enough fun while daddy is at work all day.

I don't know anything about DW -- what time they close, how much is the admission, are there healthy food options for a toddler, etc...

I'm back. Let me address a couple of your specific issues and then some general stuff about doing Disney with a toddler.

Obviously, if you have somehow isolated your son from the world of Disney characters, he may not be particularly excited about seeing the characters "in real life" since he has no idea who they are. Of course, you have time to introduce him to classic characters like Mickey and Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the gang if you choose to do so.

Would there be enough to do all day? Absolutely! Disney isn't the #1 travel destination by accident. It is a place that has something for guests of all ages from infants to senior citizens. While your 17-month-old may not care, or even like, some of the attractions, he will love just exploring, seeing the sights, wandering the paths, listening to the music, seeing the parade, riding the monorail, etc.

As for nuts and bolts questions like park hours, show times, restaurant menus and such, go to wdwinfo.com. There you will find the answers to all of your questions. If you have a question you can't find an answer to, register and post to their discussion forums (get there directly at disboards.com). You may even run into me over there - I'm also known as disneysteve at that site.

The single best piece of advice I always give to parents of young children going to WDW is to do everything at the child's pace. There is nothing I hate more than seeing some commando-style parents who are intent on seeing and doing everything they possibly can while sometimes literally dragging their exhausted and sunburned children through the parks from rope drop until midnight. Don't do it. You'll be miserable and your kid will be miserable. Make this trip all about the kid and keep to his usual schedule as much as you possibly can. Wake up when you normally wake up. Eat when you normally eat. Have him nap when he normally naps. And go to bed when he normally goes to bed. Will you miss stuff. Sure you will. Big deal. Disney will still be there next year and you can go again and again and again.

[disneysteve]

That being said, I have relatives who are adults who go to disney every year. I dont understand how disney lures adults in year in and year out. Is it the fantasy part of it? Is it bringing back childhood memories? I know disneysteve loves disney, im not sure if I ever read what brings him back each year? Maybe he's in the Club 33? 15 year waiting list.

Well, Club 33 is in Disneyland. There is no Disney World equivalent, so no.

Just as you don't understand why someone would return to WDW year after year, I don't understand how some of my friends rent the same beach house in the same shore town and spend a week doing little more than sunning themselves all day. I would go out of my friggin' mind if I had to do that.

I don't think most people, even many who have been to Disney World, really appreciate all that it has to offer. The Walt Disney World resort encompasses 43 square miles of property. To put that in perspective, Manhattan is less than 23 square miles in area so WDW is almost twice the size. There are 4 world class theme parks, 2 water parks, 20 onsite resorts ranging from a campground to luxury hotels, water sports, horseback riding, bike paths, Broadway-caliber shows and a couple hundred restaurants spanning the spectrum from hot dogs to 5-star gourmet meals.

Why go back every year? No two trips are ever alike partly because it isn't humanly possible to see and do everything in a week or two and partly because things are always changing. New rides, shows and attractions get built, new stores and restaurants open, older things get remodeled and renovated, etc. Also, WDW doesn't exist in a vacuum. It is smack in the center of Florida, surrounded by all kinds of other activities and attractions. Last year, we spent one day at Kennedy Space Center. The year before, we did a 4-hour zipline safari adventure and also went to Universal Studios to see the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter among other things.

We are happy at Disney World. All 3 of us. We love the atmosphere. We love the attractions. We love being able to rent a speed boat in the morning, see wild animals in the afternoon and enjoy a gourmet dinner in the evening followed by watching fireworks. Where else can you do that?

Before our daughter hit school age, we actually used to go twice a year, usually in March and September, but that didn't work anymore. Our record is actually 4 trips in 13 months. That darn school thing gets in the way. My wife and I used to joke that we should have home-schooled her so that we could go to Disney more often.

Does that begin to answer your question?

[MonkeyMama]

I personally LOVE Disney.

For reference, we went to Six Flags this year, and dh and I used to work at an amusement park as teens. When we went to Six Flags I was just disgusted. I couldn't tell you what, but just lots of little things (I don't remember all the details - but they were really nazis about carrying your bags around - HAD TO use paid lockers at every ride - - NEVER seen anything like it anywhere).

You just never leave Disney disappointed, and their customer service is A++.

I think we went to Six Flags and Disney in a period of just a few months last year and the difference was night and day. Of course, I think the amusement park I used to work at was very good, but it just couldn't compare to Disney on size and attractions. So, there is definitely that, too.

Disneyland - the rides are LONG for one. No waiting in line all day for a 30-seond ride, that is for sure.

[BuckyBadger]

I love Disney! I never got to go as a kid -- the first time I went was at a national conference for my professional association while I was a grad student. It was glorious! Loved it. We got to again for just a day or two a few years ago. I'd love to go again

[My English Castle]

Me too

I didn't want to love Disney--but we always had a great time. Every single darn time. Last year DD wanted to go to Harry Potter at Universal--so we did. The rides were very good and the Potter experience was very well done--but man alive, but even my cranky British DH said a dozen times how much better the Disney vibe was.