Vacation Destinations with 6-12 Mo Old

This isn't destination advice, but vacation advice in general. The key to success when dealing with small children is to lower your expectations. Plan on going somewhere where there's not much (any?) time change - babys don't do time changes. Assume that your baby will probably want to sleep in bed with you - they don't tend to like hotel rooms too much. You can try renting a crib or have the hotel give you one (check ahead. also see companies like "Babies Away"). Don't plan too much - maybe one thing per day. Take it easy and relax. Plan lots of unstructured time where you can wander, sit at a cafe, walk in the park etc. Have fun! Babies this age are easy to travel with but don't try and pack too much into your trip.

I know many think my husband and I are crazy, but we have been going to Disney World in Orlando Florida for the past 7 years. My oldest son is 4 and my youngest son will be 2 in April. We have taken them since my oldest was born...every year...sometimes twice a year. Disney World in Orlando is awesome, especially with children of all ages. Everytime we have gone, we have seen kids as young as days old. This is the only place that I know of that you can vacation with kids and while in the parks, they have wonderful nursing rooms that are a great size, baby store in the parks where you can purchase diapers, wipes, formula if not nursing, and all other baby products...some over the counter medicine and much more. Our boys love Disney...the rides, the attractions, the shows, the characters, the fire work shows at night, the parades, and of course the hotels witht he beaches, pools and parks. It is an amazing vacation everytime. Now, there are times when we go, minus this past vacation this feb. that we just got back from, where one if not both our children have gotten sick. Not to worry, they have an outstanding urgent care minutes away, and a great hospital, which we have only visited twice, called Celebration Holspital. What a name! The doctors and nurses there are so comforting, especially knowing that we were from out of state and upset that our 6 month old baby was sick with a high fever. They took very good care of him and us. I feel very comfortable taking my children to either one and knowing they will be treated as if they were at home with our doctors. Just a tid bit of info. because I know I worried about it the first time we took my oldest son...out of state for two weeks. No worries at all anymore.

There is something there all the time for the entire family. We always have a blast. We have never brought any family with us to help out, but I think our next trip we are iviting a grandma and grandpa to accompany us so we can ahve an eveing out to ourselves. I do know that the resorts do offer baby sitting, however I would never feel comfortable leaving my children with someone I do not know...plus in another state.

Anyway, my family loves Disney, and highly reccomend taking your family there. Any questions I could help answer, my husband actually plans vacations for others to go there. He is a Disney dictonary! :)

Good luck whereever your journey takes you.

Crystal G.

The Embassy suites Hotels are always very nice because they have a bedroom and a little living room. That makes it nice at night when the baby is sleeping . You and your husband can hang out in the living room. It is tough when everyone is in one little hotel room. They also have a free breakfast buffett and a happy hour at night. There are Embassy suites all over America. Choose a destination and GOOD LUCK !!!!

You should check out Sesame Street Place. It's in Langhorne Pennsylvania, I believe. It's a baby Disney and much cheaper. It's geared to the younger children. More like infancy through age 5. The park is small enough that you can do it in one or two days tops. And it's cheap enough that you can take your child there without breaking the bank. Price is probably less than a day at Six Flags. My kids loved it. And I took them there for years before they found out that Disney existed! They even do a parade on main street that the children absolutely love.

Hi D.,
Consider Wisconsin Dells. It is very child friendly, and not overly expensive. You can rent a small cabin for the three of you. It's beautiful, peaceful (try Wilderness Resort Cabins) and the indoor water parks have areas that are great for babies and toddlers.
Is there a set of grandparents nearby that might welcome the chance to watch your little one? Getting away as a couple when a baby is this age is so nice.....
C.

Locally, try Galena, IL or Door County, WI.