Travel Destinations with an infant. Any suggestions on destinations?

ZOOYUKA

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Jan 24, 2005
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I have some flight miles accumulated and would like to take my wife and daughter on a trip this summer. My daughter will be 1.5 years old at the time. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks for the input.
 

etrigan420

Golden Member
Oct 30, 2007
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Disney?

Hell I dunno...the little one wont remember it, so it will be more of a "mommy taking her little girl to Disney" vacation, but my wife seems to dig that place.
 

ZOOYUKA

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Jan 24, 2005
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Disney?

Hell I dunno...the little one wont remember it, so it will be more of a "mommy taking her little girl to Disney" vacation, but my wife seems to dig that place.

That is one I've been kicking around. It definitely would be a kid friendly place.
 

etrigan420

Golden Member
Oct 30, 2007
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*very* kid friendly...

The wife and I went to Disneyworld right before we were stationed in Italy...back when we only had 1 kid...sob sob sob...

Anywho, we got one of those "all inclusive" deals and stayed at the Hotel Orleans (IIRC). It *was* pretty sweet.

I would splurge a little and stay at one of the resort parks. We've done it both ways at Disneyland (on and "near" park) and the convenience of being "right there" is worth it in my opinion.

You could always just do a "beach" vacation too. Hit San Diego and you could see the zoo, SeaWorld, LegoLand, shopping for you and mom, etc...
 

alent1234

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2002
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stay home

my wife and i took our first kid to the poconos at the same age and it was exhausting. he liked playing in the water, but kids don't like sleeping in unfamiliar settings
 
Feb 6, 2007
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I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I wonder why you'd bring a child that young on an airplane for a vacation she won't remember. I was taken on an airplane a LOT as an infant, but I really don't have any concrete memories before age 4 or 5. Meanwhile, a screaming kid on a plane is one of the most universally aggravating things in the world, both for other passengers, and for the parents who have to stress out about the sounds coming out of their child. Might as well save the miles and take a car trip to somewhere close; visit a lake or a mountain. Go to Disneyland when she turns 4; she will love it, and you'll save a bundle in the meantime.
 

KeithP

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Jun 15, 2000
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Summer temps around Disneyland/Disneyworld wouldn't be ideal for an 18 month old. Heck, they aren't ideal for any-year-olds.

It might be a good time for you and your wife to take a vacation without the child. Is there anyone you could leave the child with for a week that you trust?

-KeithP
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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stay home

my wife and i took our first kid to the poconos at the same age and it was exhausting. he liked playing in the water, but kids don't like sleeping in unfamiliar settings

This.

There is no way a 2 year old will remember this trip. Save your money and go when she is at least 5 or older or leave the kid with relatives and just you and your wife go.
 

alent1234

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2002
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i took my older son at 11 months to visit his grandma on an airplane

the trip there we took the earliest flight and he slept half the flight because we woke him up early
way back was a little worse but we timed it with a nap

and bring an iphone/ipad/ipod touch. app store has more and better kids' apps to keep her interested
 

randomrogue

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2011
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Unless you're visiting family your best bet is to leave your kid with family and take a vacation just the two of you. Alternatively stay home. Use the money to buy a hot tub and enjoy yourselves.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
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at a year and a half, I'd have to expect it's going to be pretty miserable wherever you go.

unless the air miles are expiring, I'd stick with day trips until she's a little older.
 

randomrogue

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Jan 15, 2011
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I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I wonder why you'd bring a child that young on an airplane for a vacation she won't remember. I was taken on an airplane a LOT as an infant, but I really don't have any concrete memories before age 4 or 5. Meanwhile, a screaming kid on a plane is one of the most universally aggravating things in the world, both for other passengers, and for the parents who have to stress out about the sounds coming out of their child. Might as well save the miles and take a car trip to somewhere close; visit a lake or a mountain. Go to Disneyland when she turns 4; she will love it, and you'll save a bundle in the meantime.

I was taken on a flight to Europe at like 6 months old and every year after that. Same with the siblings. My mother put me on the floor with a blanket and I slept. I now fall asleep before the plane takes off and wake up after it lands on most flights. On really long flights I'll wake up before we land, eat, watch a movie, and it's a piece of cake.

The problem is people taking a kid on Southwest airlines or other budget airlines. Of course the infant/toddler is going to be miserable. Hell the adults are miserable.
 

ZOOYUKA

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Jan 24, 2005
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I appreciate all the input. I understand that she will not remember the trip. The trip is really for my wife and I. As much as I am ready to go to Disney again, I think I am going to wait until she is older for that one. I'm mainly looking for a place for the 3 of us to go and relax. It will probaly end up being a beach destination of some sort. Does anyone have any good beach or resort suggestions? I've been to the panhandle of FL, but never south FL. I was think possibly Miami or Key West.
 

randomrogue

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Jan 15, 2011
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Consider bringing family with you. For example a brother/brother-in-law and his family. That way you have maybe more kids around and the adults can get some time to themselves every once in a while when the other couple watches the young'ns.
 

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
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We brought our then-2-yo daughter with us to South Africa in 2006. 26 hours, gate to gate. Was a breeze, but we planned it out well (benadryl and plenty of activities/distractions) and she's a VERY easy going kid. She slept for a huge chunk of the flight and colored, watched Dora and played the rest.

On the other end of the spectrum, my son's not a great traveler - too much energy and being cooped up on a plane has never worked out well with him. We went to Seoul a couple years ago, he was about 2, and the flight was not enjoyable.

So, I'd say it depends on you, and your kid. Don't let the kidless/singles here tell you not to travel with your kid because there might be some crying.
 

ZOOYUKA

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Jan 24, 2005
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We brought our then-2-yo daughter with us to South Africa in 2006. 26 hours, gate to gate. Was a breeze, but we planned it out well (benadryl and plenty of activities/distractions) and she's a VERY easy going kid. She slept for a huge chunk of the flight and colored, watched Dora and played the rest.

On the other end of the spectrum, my son's not a great traveler - too much energy and being cooped up on a plane has never worked out well with him. We went to Seoul a couple years ago, he was about 2, and the flight was not enjoyable.

So, I'd say it depends on you, and your kid. Don't let the kidless/singles here tell you not to travel with your kid because there might be some crying.

Thanks for the encouragment. I wouldn't even be considering it if I didn't know that it would go well.
 

etrigan420

Golden Member
Oct 30, 2007
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I appreciate all the input. I understand that she will not remember the trip. The trip is really for my wife and I. As much as I am ready to go to Disney again, I think I am going to wait until she is older for that one. I'm mainly looking for a place for the 3 of us to go and relax. It will probaly end up being a beach destination of some sort. Does anyone have any good beach or resort suggestions? I've been to the panhandle of FL, but never south FL. I was think possibly Miami or Key West.

Never been more south than Orlando myself.

If you're looking east coast, the Outer Banks is a really nice area.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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At a year and a half I do something along the gulf coast...it's warm most of the year, has good sand, very little waves, and very "wading" friendly. Cheap hotels too along a lot of it. At that age they can just fumble around in the sand, splash in the water and have fun. I wouldn't worry about any theme parks or major attractions. You'll just be frustrated lugging a kid along through those.
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
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florida is really hot during the summer months. i probably wouldn't go to the beach unless i planned on staying in the water because the sun is so strong especially for more sensitive skin. we went to captiva last summer and we were constantly attacked by mosquitoes too.

farther north on the east coast will be more bearable.

where are you starting out from?