Baby due 1.5 mos before 40th birthday ... Am I crazy to go to Disney? Or anywhere?

[Anonymous]

We have a 12 mos old baby and another one on the way is due around July 20. My 40th birthday is in early September and I had wanted to take a trip of some kind but now not so sure this is a good idea. When DC was about 3 mos old we went to Asheville, NC and things were pretty laid back and easy, I think, compared to what they might be like now to travel with a 12 mos old. But what about with a toddler and an infant? I really love Disney and I know we won't be able to go on a lot of the thrill-type rides but there is still a lot to do there and September has usually been reasonable temps. Has anyone else done this? Any other suggestions for a vacation that time of year with 2 kids in tow? I'd really like to take a trip before I have to go back to work again and to celebrate my 40th!

[Anonymous]

Disney with an infant and a toddler. You MUST be out of your mind!!
Going on a vacation with an infant and a husband is a MUCH different ballgame than an infant and toddler.
If I were you, I'd ask grandma and grandpa to take the toddler for a long weekend and relax with your hubby overnight somewhere.
Having a second child is not twice as much work. it's more like 10 times!

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Not crazy - just don't know all about this yet -- have not been there, done that yet -- hence, looking for constructive advice. Grandparents are not an option. Looking for something we could all do together as a family - not looking to eliminate part of the equation. Anyway, I cannot imagine spending my birthday away from the baby. Can you tell me more about what makes it that much harder? I know you are probably laughing now if you've done this but seriously, I'm not exactly sure. I have to carry a diaper bag and will have stroller anyway. DH is a 100% kind of guy so there are two of us. We plan to incorporate lots of down time, rest time, etc by staying at the Disney resort and getting a room with some sort of kitchen. We planned to go to the park in the AM, probably return to the room in the afternoon for naps and maybe the pool, and if it seems feasible, maybe head back to the park for a couple of hours at night. DC1 is a good sleeper and adapts pretty easily (so far). DC#2 will be BFing so food easily available. We have been to Disney in September (before kids) and it's a good time of year to go -- milder temps, less crowded. Please tell me more before I spend time/money into a trip like this ... aparently ignorance is bliss! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I had two under two, and while it wasn't a cake walk, it wasn't horrible either. The hardest part was when they both needed me at the same time, and the older one wanted only me.
When DS was a month and a half we moved house, and spent a couple of weeks in a hotel. Being away from home made it difficult to keep the routine that had been working for us, and the close proximity of the children, when one woke up, so did the other.

I would also factor in the fact that you don't know this baby yet. You have no idea if the baby will have colic, easily overly stimulated (my first was, and it was a nightmare), or will be the most laid back baby ever. I would say that this is the biggest unknown, and what would keep me from making any plans ahead of time.

I never really found that two children were ten times the work, but it is certainly double. It can feel like more, because denial seems to block out how truly difficult the first year really is. I am sure you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I would ask your pediatrician about this, but personally I would not bring a 1 month old around so many children (and germs) that would be at Disney. My pediatrician told me that she would not bring a baby to the mall for quite a few months because of all the kids and germs, so I can't imagine at Disney.

[Anonymous]

Aside from the fact that you could be exhausted if baby's still not sleeping and having to care also for the toddler.... Disney is not quite the place to go yet for 2 kids that young. They wont' really get much (if anything out of it) so it's kind of a waste of money. You could try a club med type thing where it's more relaxed and they have built in babysitters. You can be with the kids and go to the beach or pool but also have a babysitter to spend some alone time with hubby. I haven't done this but my SIL did and loved it.

[Anonymous]

It seems like taking a 12 mo. to Disney would be the tough part (assuming the newborn is healthy, no-fuss type). I would think child #1 would be way overstimulated, scared (for example, meeting a life size Mickey Mouse), and a waste of $$ if too young/too small for rides.

The newborn (again, assuming it's an "easy" baby) would be the least of my worries considering at this age you can easily "scoop and go" with them.

Sounds like the disney trip is more for you than for the 12 mo. old (obviously the newborn won't get anything out of it), correct? If so, you might want to wait 10 years to go as a family - the kids will appreciate it much more and you can celebrate your 50th bday.

[Anonymous]

OMG!!! My 50th birthday!!! It's hard to believe I am going to be 40 soon let alone 50 someday. This made me gasp! And laugh! Inside I'm really still 25... but I digress. I think you are right about waiting to make plans to see what kind of baby this will be. Our first has been such an easy going little fellow so I was imagining more of the same but who knows. FWIW, there are lots of things to do at Disney that don't involve traditional rides (esp at Epcot and Animal Kingdom) and I think DC #1 would enjoy much of it, assuming well rested and fed, but we like going so much that we weren't too worried about them not remembering it now. Also, Disney admission is free for kids 2 or 3 and under so not much extra cost is involved if they fly on our laps and it's a pretty short trip to Orlando. Disney even provides free bus transportation to/from the airport if you stay there so would not even have to rent a car or bring car seats. That being said, you are right about me be exhausted! I was not taking that into account. How soon we forget!

Thanks so much for all the comments -- they were very helpful!

[Anonymous]

In December I went to Disney with my 2 1/2 YO and my 9 mo.

We had so much fun.

A 9 mo is very different than a 6 week old - but you know this as you already have a toddler. Even though I have no expectation of my 9 MO or my 2 1/2 YO having any memory of the trip, they both had a blast while there.

Any chance of you pushing of the trip until the infant is a little older? Early December is a great time to go to Disney - and a few more months of development for your baby might make it a bit easier of a trip.