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Just read your PTR! Your son's first trip is going to be SO special! We took DS#1 on his 1st trip when he turned 1 and will be going in a few months when DS#2 turns 1. DS#1 has also been at 20 months and 26 months.
On his 2nd trip at 20 months I packed the 3 of us (DH, myself & him) in one suitcase and a carry-on! Space saver bags are my best friend when it comes to packing. We did take a nicer umbrella stroller - didn't fully recline, but DS still napped in it. There's a lot going on and sometimes he'd just fall asleep as we were walking around. Oh & that trip was in June when it was HOT. I have a fan that clips on that I'd clip on the sun shade and face towards him so he always had some air.
For the plane I collected little toys (like from happy meals, etc.) that he didn't ever see and had those in case he got bored on the plane. Plus snacks! My little guys stay occupied if they're eating.
As you've already discovered, travelling with a baby/toddler is full of the unknown. Even if you think you "know" something, he'll surprise you by going the completely opposite direction the next time. I'm really glad you're taking this trip, though. I'm not one of those who think that just because the child doesn't remember, it doesn't mean you shouldn't take him. One of my fondest memories is when I was watching a DL parade on main street with my then 9 month old daughter who was just barely standing with assistance. As I sat on the curb and held her up in front of me as she leaned back on my knees, the sheer joy on her face as she bounced up and down on her legs is something I will never ever forget. In fact, I'm tearing up right now because it's such a wonderful memory! I know she was expressing pure joy, and so was I!
My daughter flew for the first time when she was about 20 months. My best friend was getting married on Maui, so we were on a 5 hour flight there. We chose to buy a seat for my daughter using a flight-approved child seat. That worked well for us because it was a familiar seat for her, so she knew for the most part she was supposed to be sitting! She did get restless after a while (come on, even an adult on a 5 hour flight will get restless!), so I walked her up and down the aisles a few times. We brought lots of her favorite snacks and drinks (this was before the no liquids TSA rule) and some new $1 toys that we picked up at the dollar store. Oh, and the sound of the engines might actually lull your son to sleep...you never know! Just make sure you have something to munch or sip on during takeoff and landing in case his ears bother him.
I think you've got it pretty much planned as best you can. Just realize that things may come up which will throw your plans out the door, but even if they do, it's ok. There will be plenty more vacations for your family in the future. Oh, and about the napping in the rooms...my kids were both terrible sleepers. The only thing that worked was motion...they did great sleeping in their strollers after a quiet walk wherever we were (I've read other TR's where mom's walked around various resorts until their kids fell asleep in the stroller and then just sat down and relaxed while the child slept).
Can't wait to read more! Really excited for you!
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Thanks everyone for reading! It's nice to get feedback on plans!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
On his 2nd trip at 20 months I packed the 3 of us (DH, myself & him) in one suitcase and a carry-on! Space saver bags are my best friend when it comes to packing.
I don't think I could ever fit all of our stuff in one suitcase and a carry-on! Even with space saver bags. Congrats to you for doing so! And thanks for the other tips.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
As you've already discovered, travelling with a baby/toddler is full of the unknown. Even if you think you "know" something, he'll surprise you by going the completely opposite direction the next time. I'm really glad you're taking this trip, though. I'm not one of those who think that just because the child doesn't remember, it doesn't mean you shouldn't take him. One of my fondest memories is when I was watching a DL parade on main street with my then 9 month old daughter who was just barely standing with assistance. As I sat on the curb and held her up in front of me as she leaned back on my knees, the sheer joy on her face as she bounced up and down on her legs is something I will never ever forget. In fact, I'm tearing up right now because it's such a wonderful memory! I know she was expressing pure joy, and so was I!
Thanks for sharing! It's good to hear such wonderful things about trips with small children. I'm expecting some meltdowns and general toddler behavior. I get those at home so it shouldn't be a surprise. Thanks!
Well I did something that could possibly change our trip. I shouldn't have, but it's done and I don't think I can un-do it. DH's family has been bugging us for quite some time about vacationing with them. This started even before DS was born, but it's gotten worse since DS came along. They always want us to go camping with them. I don't really enjoy camping - even if it is in their pop-up tent camper and not an actual tent. I like doing things outdoors and enjoy "camping activities" such as hiking and cooking on a campfire, but sleeping out in a tent or in an uncomfy tent camper no thank you. I much prefer a nice cabin. So I've always turned DH's family down when they've asked us to go camping. Actually I haven't really had to turn them down because they never can make plans to do something and I can't take time off last minute so it's worked out as I haven't actually had to say no.
So a few weeks ago I was feeling bad because DH, DS and I were going out of town with my family for a long weekend. So I talked to DH and asked him if he thought his parents would like to join us in WDW. He thought that they would definitely want to, but might not be able to because of money. We decided it didn't hurt to ask. Plus it would mean more people to help with DS. So I talked to my MIL about it when we were getting ready for DS's b-day party. She said they would love to go, but she wasn't sure if they could afford it. She would talk to my FIL and get back to me. I told her that I hadn't booked my trip yet (and I still haven't, but we ARE going) and was going to book at the beginning of August. I also told her we were on a strict budget and couldn't be flexible on our travel dates as we don't want to go outside of value season. She and FIL would have to pay for their portion of the trip.
So a few days go by and I emailed her some more information about the resort (POP) and pricing for tickets and such. She said that she would talk to FIL about it (I guess she had brought it up to him, but they hadn't really talked about it). She also said that she wasn't sure if we could get away with not inviting my SIL. I said that was fine and she could come along too. Then the next day she emailed me saying that we could share a room at POP - 4 adults and a baby. I didn't really like that idea so I talked to DH about it. He said that it wouldn't be a big deal even though the rooms are tiny as they have shared many small spaces when camping. I wasn't even sure that we could have 4 adults and a baby in a room at POP so I posted on here and got some great responses! Most people share my opinion that the room would be really crowded, but DH and his parents don't really think so. I don't know what to do because they are set on sharing a room to save money.
That being said they still have not committed to coming with us. And they have said nothing about SIL coming with. I hope either they decide that they can't come because of money. Decide that they would want their own room (it sounds like FIL would maybe like one). Or that SIL wants to come with (in which case they would HAVE to get their own room). Either way they won't make decisions - which they never do about anything - or plan a darn thing. It drives me crazy. I should have never invited them, but it's done now and I really shouldn't take the invitation back.
I think I'm just going to go ahead and book my trip even if I don't hear back from them and put them in charge of where they are going to stay and how they are going to get there. That way if they decide to come great, if not that's ok too. I will be responsible for me, DH and DS only. If they make a decision and decide they want to share a room with us, well I guess I'll just have to deal with it.
On another note we had our second summer trip. We went with my family on a 4 1/2 hour car ride. DS didn't handle that too well. Not really looking forward to a plane ride with him - he's too active. Although he'll be 6 months older by then. We had a pretty good time and found that DS can be flexible to a point. Naps are key for him though. And feeding him every 5 min. This boy eats all the time. But he's so active and isn't overweight or anything. Maybe he's going through a growth spurt. So I'm done with DH's test vacations and he's still on board with a WDW trip! We just have to figure out who is going...
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
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We went on our first trip to Disney with our daughter when she was 20 months old. We went for 4th of July week. It was so hot but she was great. She would sleep in her stroller. She loved it and remembered the trip. We are now going with DD5 and DS17months (when we go) in August. I hope it goes just as well this time. Good luck with your trip.
I hope your inlaws (if they go) decide on their own room. 4 adults and a baby is very crowded. Besides, you have no idea what to expect with this being your DS's first trip and all. He could get overwhelmed and this could make tight quarters a bit worse. Yes, you extended the invite, but you didn't say they could room with you did you? No, you didn't. Insist on them getting their own room.
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carla33
We went on our first trip to Disney with our daughter when she was 20 months old. We went for 4th of July week. It was so hot but she was great. She would sleep in her stroller. She loved it and remembered the trip. We are now going with DD5 and DS17months (when we go) in August. I hope it goes just as well this time. Good luck with your trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
I hope your inlaws (if they go) decide on their own room. 4 adults and a baby is very crowded. Besides, you have no idea what to expect with this being your DS's first trip and all. He could get overwhelmed and this could make tight quarters a bit worse. Yes, you extended the invite, but you didn't say they could room with you did you? No, you didn't. Insist on them getting their own room.
Thanks everyone! I'll just have to wait and see what happens with the in-laws. It might be interesting.
Quick update on our trip: I booked our airfare! I had been stalking airfare prices for the past few months and found that a non-stop from MSP to MCO seemed to run about $300-330. While on vacation last weekend I checked Sat. night and saw $289, but didn't have my laptop and couldn't book on my phone. Then by the time we got home on Sunday night the flight was back to $316. I was super bummed as I really wanted to keep DH and my tickets under $600. Seemed like I had missed my chance. I checked on Monday still $316. Then again on Tuesday morning - $270! And I booked! So for both of us it's $540. I checked the prices again today and they're up to $310 for the same flight. I didn't get exactly what I wanted. I really wanted to leave early in the day between 10 AM and 1 PM (I didn't want to have to get DS up super early even though I usually try to take the first flight of the morning, but the baby changes things). And I wanted our return flight to be later in the day between 3 PM and 7 PM. Well it was consistently $60-120 more expensive to get those flight times so DH and I decided to just go with a reasonable time and save a little money. More Dole Whips maybe?
So we officially have airfare for: January 28th leaving MSP late afternoon arriving at MCO early evening returning Feb. 4th leaving MCO at mid-morning arriving at MSP in the afternoon. Of course after I booked I realized the morning return flight would mean we would need to get to Magical Express a little earlier than I would like considering I would have DS to get ready to go as well, but at least we get the evening before at WDW! My in-laws have still not decided what they are doing. They are in charge of their own airfare so I felt it was ok to just go ahead and book that for us. I will wait until mid-August to book our package with Disney and if they haven't decided by then they will not be on our reservation and will have to make their own.
So that's the trip update. Now for the real reason I wanted to post Cameron turned 1 on July 16th and we threw him a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday party. He LOVES Mickey Mouse so what other kind of party would we throw. I just thought I would share some pictures. Because who doesn't like pictures of little toddlers?
Cameron's Cake - It was soooooo yummy!
The high chair all decked out. My mom made the decorations!
Our happy little family. If DH ever learns not to squint in pictures I will fall over from shock!
Cameron and his Mickey Cake!
His personal cake!
He was confused by the cake. Actually he HATED the frosting on his hands. I had so been hoping for one of those pictures with frosting smeared all over his face, but as soon as he got a handful of sticky frosting he melted down. He just doesn't like sticky things on his hands. He finally calmed down and ate the cake part. And will eat the frosting off a fork. He actually likes it, but if it's stuck to his hands he screams and tries to shake it off.
I can't believe my baby is now 1! It's crazy. Ok end of mommy brag moment.
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Congrats to you for doing so! And thanks for the other tips.
Most people share my opinion that the room would be really crowded, but DH and his parents don't really think so. I don't know what to do because they are set on sharing a room to save money. 
Carla
Cameron turned 1 on July 16th and we threw him a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday party. He LOVES Mickey Mouse so what other kind of party would we throw. I just thought I would share some pictures. Because who doesn't like pictures of little toddlers?
, Cameron! Glad you were able to get a good deal on your airfare! 
and 
for involving extended family in your WDW trip! 
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