Messing up baby's routine

onlyroz

Person_one wrote: »

I think 18 months is a bit too young to get the most benefit out of Florida/Disney. If you wait a few years it'll be easier to keep her entertained on the plane and she'll get a lot more out of the experience, and remember it for longer!

I've taken mine abroad every year since they were babies and I've found that a toddler is far more difficult to entertain than a baby on an aeroplane. As for whether a baby will "get much out of Florida", I agree that they're not going to remember much but there's plenty there to entertain adults as well.

We went last when our daughter was 5-months and our son was 4, and had a great time. We're planning on going again this year now our daughter is 6 so that she can have her fun there too. And we'll also go and see the Kennedy Space centre too because space rockets are always fun

cookiecrumbs

Hi

Thanks for your replies. Just to be clear, we are not actually going to Disney, just somewhere else in Florida - where the beaches are nice and we can just enjoy a nice holiday in the sun!

I know the plane journey will be a nightmare but there's not a lot I can do about it

I am more worried about settling her back into her routine when we get home - and was just wondering what other people's experiences were of this when they had taken their LO somewhere with a significant time difference.

notanewuser

Wouldn't somewhere else be less disruptive? Canaries perhaps?

Person_one

onlyroz wrote: »

I've taken mine abroad every year since they were babies and I've found that a toddler is far more difficult to entertain than a baby on an aeroplane. As for whether a baby will "get much out of Florida", I agree that they're not going to remember much but there's plenty there to entertain adults as well.

We went last when our daughter was 5-months and our son was 4, and had a great time. We're planning on going again this year now our daughter is 6 so that she can have her fun there too. And we'll also go and see the Kennedy Space centre too because space rockets are always fun

The OP's daughter is a toddler now, I was thinking that 5 or 6 is probably a better age for Disney!

I suppose it depends on whether they can afford to go again later if they want, rather than maybe regretting going too early when they potentially have a Disney mad older child who doesn't remember going!

Edit: Just read the update about no Disney. While the Florida beaches are beautiful, if that's the point of the holiday I wouldn't put myself or the child through such a long flight and jet lag on return when that's available much closer to home.

AngelOfTheNorth

onlyroz wrote: »

I've taken mine abroad every year since they were babies and I've found that a toddler is far more difficult to entertain than a baby on an aeroplane.

DEFINITELY. You're absolutely right! They are so much easier when they're small and sleepy. Honestly, if I ever have to take a toddler on anything more than a very short plane journey again, I'm taking all the drugs.

onlyroz

cookiecrumbs wrote: »

I am more worried about settling her back into her routine when we get home - and was just wondering what other people's experiences were of this when they had taken their LO somewhere with a significant time difference.

Well I have taken my kids to the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and to various places in Europe from when they were babies - and yes we all experienced some jet lag but I don't recall it being a significant factor in the enjoyment of the holiday or in getting back to "normal" after returning home.

But it is true that if all you want is a holiday in the sun then there are plenty of places much closer and cheaper to visit. My personal favourite European beach destination is Turkey, but I'm sure others will also have an opinion.

Make-it-3

If OP is looking at March then most Europe destinations aren't going to be warm enough for a beach break.

OP the standard recovery from jet lag is supposed to be one day for every hour of time change, but many people get back into routine far quicker especially children.

Lexie

We came back from Florida in October with my then 22 month old. She was good as gold on the plane and the time difference didn't really bother her. First few days she was up little earlier than usual but we were in Florida, no time for sleeping when there's Mickey to see.

She had her own carry on for the plane that was packed with new exciting things that kept her entertained and an iPad with 3 films on for when she wasn't sleeping.

Return journeys are usually night flights so she was only awake for take off and landing.

Who will you be flying with? We had a shock to find that meals are not offered to toddlers, jar food for babies but nothing for toddlers, we didn't even have an option to buy a meal when we phoned to check.

We also allowed her sweets (gasp she'd never been allowed to have before) for take off and landing, it didn't bother her in the slightest cos she was too excited with The new sweets lol.

Saying that it wasn't an enjoyable flight for me because she was on my knee the entire time because she didn't want anyone else.

pollypenny

cookiecrumbs wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for your replies. Just to be clear, we are not actually going to Disney, just somewhere else in Florida - where the beaches are nice and we can just enjoy a nice holiday in the sun!

I know the plane journey will be a nightmare but there's not a lot I can do about it

I am more worried about settling her back into her routine when we get home - and was just wondering what other people's experiences were of this when they had taken their LO somewhere with a significant time difference.

Well done! Florida is far more than Disney!

She will love the beaches, with the very gentle slope into the sea. You could take her to Wickee-Watchee to see the mermaids!

Busch Gardens had lots of interest for little ones, with rides and all the animals.

Enjoy it.

Savvy_Sue

Make-it-3 wrote: »

If OP is looking at March then most Europe destinations aren't going to be warm enough for a beach break.

But the Canary Islands will be fine! OK it's a four hour flight but no jet lag.