Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

After going back and forth, we decided to take DS with us for our winter getaway. We're trying to decide between going to Disney or going to an all inclusive resort in the caribbean.

We want to go somewhere in either late January or early February. DS will be 10 months old.

Has anyone been to Disney with an infant?
Do you think we should just go to the caribbean and take DS to disney when he is a bit older so he can appreciate it more?

I kind of think it might be easier just going to a resort where we can relax at the pool/beach and our resort vs going to magic kingdom, epcot, etc.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

IMHO, I would not do Disney.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Caribbean all the way....look at it this way, this is probably the last vacation that you will take with DC where you choose...there will be plenty of time for disney. DC will get nothing out of disney at this age so if it were me I would be heading to the sun.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

we did disney when dd was 6 months old. She was a great travel companion at this time. We had an excellent trip and people everywhere gave her lots of attention.
The parks had family lounges which really accomidated having a little one.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

For our first family of three vacation we went to Disney world. DS was 11 months old. It was fantastic. I would highly recommend it. He loved looking at all of the sights and there were many kid friendly activities for that age group. I wanted a place that was accommodating to young children. It has a beach at Typhon Lagoon so if that is your thing you can relax there. They have a kiddy wading pool too. They also had a wonderful pool at the Wilderness Resort Lodge. I felt like we got the best of all possibilities there. We are now a family of four. Our first family of 4 vacation will be a cruise to Bermuda. The reason being, that it is a big birthday for my grandma and we are doing a huge family trip in honor of her birthday. Since my entire family will be there including my in-laws I feel comfortable taking a cruise.

If you are in Tampa I would highly recommend the aquarium and Bush Gardens because both have FANTASTIC baby/toddler water and play areas. We went to St. Pete and Tampa this year and I would go back in a heartbeat. We stayed at the Tradewinds in St. Pete. Our entire trip for a family of three cost us less than $1200 including hotel, food, car, airfare and sightseeing.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

we're taking DD to disney in a couple of weeks- she'll turn 4 months while we're there. We'll probably do the caribbean in the spring. *I* probably would've done the caribbean first, but i want to do it as a cruise and they need to be at least 6 months old to go on a cruise.

Of course they're not really going to get anything out of disney though (they might, but i wouldn't plan the trip around the intention that they will)... its about what You want! DH and I love Disney, so that's why we're going, not to please our 4 month old But in trying to make the decision, i would try to focus on the pros/cons/obstacles of each destination and then decide which one is a better fit/would be more enjoyable for you and DH. I dont think you could go wrong with either one though (as long as you have realistic expectations of how it will be different than when it was just you and DH).

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

We are taking DS to DW in March. He will be 5 months old. They are definitely more family friendly...

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Posted by neenie

we're taking DD to disney in a couple of weeks- she'll turn 4 months while we're there. We'll probably do the caribbean in the spring. *I* probably would've done the caribbean first, but i want to do it as a cruise and they need to be at least 6 months old to go on a cruise.

Of course they're not really going to get anything out of disney though (they might, but i wouldn't plan the trip around the intention that they will)... its about what You want! DH and I love Disney, so that's why we're going, not to please our 4 month old But in trying to make the decision, i would try to focus on the pros/cons/obstacles of each destination and then decide which one is a better fit/would be more enjoyable for you and DH. I dont think you could go wrong with either one though (as long as you have realistic expectations of how it will be different than when it was just you and DH).

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Message edited 11/22/2009 9:07:21 PM.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

We took DS to the Caribbean (DR) when he was 8 mos old and our thought process was to enjoy not having to go to a kid-centric resort now because it was probably our last shot. We now know we were so right and are now probably going to Beaches in Feb solely for the Sesame Street theme because if he's not entertained we'll be miserable .

One thing we did notice though was that we never left the resort - not once. So we went through all the trouble to get a passport, traveled much farther and could have been in Florida for all we knew or cared. So we kind of regretted not just going to a very nice resort in FL (but I still personally wouldnt make it Disney).

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Posted by Salason

We took DS to the Caribbean (DR) when he was 8 mos old and our thought process was to enjoy not having to go to a kid-centric resort now because it was probably our last shot. We now know we were so right and are now probably going to Beaches in Feb solely for the Sesame Street theme because if he's not entertained we'll be miserable .

One thing we did notice though was that we never left the resort - not once. So we went through all the trouble to get a passport, traveled much farther and could have been in Florida for all we knew or cared. So we kind of regretted not just going to a very nice resort in FL (but I still personally wouldnt make it Disney).

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

May I ask what time of year you went?

We went to Disney in May 2008 and we went to St. Pete/Tampa in June 2009. It was in the 90s in May 2008 so I don't know if the pool was heated because it was so hot. When we went to St. Pete in June it was in the upper 60s to low 70s. We still were able to enjoy the pools and water activities.

It's not that warm in Florida in Jan/Feb. I don't know if we could take advantage of the pools. I am not sure, but if that is something you are looking for then perhaps your answer is that Disney in January/February will not jive with a pool vacation. I will say that the reason we selected Disney was that I knew we could go in the pool and they had a beach where we could relax. I also loved the fact they there were other things we could do so we were not stuck at the beach the entire time.

Are the pools at Disney heated?
I don't know if they are heated.

I wonder if it it would be too cold if we left the pool area? I know that the sauna/hot tub is hot but the change in temperature might be a bit much for a baby.

One year when I was a child my parents took us to Disney world for Christmas break and it was in the 20-30s. It was not fun. Thankfully we had our winter coats and things because they were price gouging for winter clothing. I vividly recall them selling mittens for $30 a pair - this was in the early 90s.

I would look at the farmer's almanac to see what they predict the weather will be like when you want to go.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

we're leaving for the caribbean in a few weeks, and IMO Disney would've been a waste at this age, they still don't fully "get it" we're hoping to do Disney next fall when she's like 20 months

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

We just came back yesterday from Atlantis and this was our first real family vacation (I want to do a review post) and my kids are 2.5 and 3.5 years old. I would have done this trip with a 5 month old. The flight for us from Newark was only 3 hours there and 2 hours and 30 minutes back. It isn't all inclusive but there are some ways around that (bringing lots of food with you).
IMO, Disney is a waste for that age and not much relaxing going on. We actually don't plan on taking our kids until they are around 4 or 5. I want them to remember being excited seeing everything for the first time.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

1000% carribean.
We did Disney when DD was 7 months b/c it was a huge family trip and it was challenging. Save it for when they're older. Go and relax. All inclusives are great with babies.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

I also think Caribbean now, Disney later!!!

We leave for Aruba next week (YAY!!!!!!) with a 2.5 yr old and a 11 mo old and cant wait! They will love the pools and the beach! We want to wait until the both "get" the whole disney experience...so we will wait another couple of years!

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

I would pick the Caribbean. We took DD to Mexico when she was about 13 months old and it was still one of our best vacations ever.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

When we had Alex, we took a very relaxing vacay to Club Med in Florida and it was JUST what we needed. She was too young to really appreciate the vacation, and at that stage, what we really needed was some R&R.

Disney will be stressful and overwhelming and your little one won't even have a clue about where they are. Save it for when she's older and can REALLY get into it!

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

Caribbean. Go to Disney when DC is older and will enjoy it.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

I would 100% do the Carribean. So much more relaxing, unless you do want a run around-see all the parks vacation.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

We took kaydyn to Disney when she was 5 months and again when she was 10 months. The first time around she didn't really know what was going on, but we still took her on everything. At 10 months she was able to interact more with the characters and loved the kiddie rides.

We are not beach people so we wouldn't do the Caribbean, but that's just us. Kaydyn was also a mover and wouldn't like spending all day lounging on the beach. Maybe we'll do it with some of my family members when she is older.

I think it's all about what you guys want as he is still young. if you prefer the Caribbean and think he will do ok being at the pool/beach all day then go for it. He would def enjoy Disney more when he is older.

Re: Where would you go for your first vacation with an infant? Caribbean or Walt Disney World?

I would go to the Caribbean and do Disney when DC is older. It would be sort of wasted on him at this point, he would enjoy some of it, but he'll enjoy the Caribbean too.

But I'm not a big Disney fan, so I may be biased.