Counting Our Nuts Like Chip & Dale, a Financially Aware PTR *Update 4/17 Pg 62 *

[Lady Lallie]

So I have made a decision in regards to the PTR.....I'm keeping it open!!!

I'm excited, are you?

So we know that my pregnancy and fractured foot have pretty much canceled our January '12 trip that we had planned. Goodbye Animal Kingdom Villas, see you later free dining at Pop Century. How have I moved on from Jan' 12 cancelation sadness? By dreaming about Baby's first trip but of course!

I'm not changing the title of the PTR because with a baby coming we are going to have to be even more financially aware. There is a lot of things to consider with Baby's first trip, there will be many firsts for us, traveling with a baby, strollers, packing, a whole new game so I am sure I will have MANY questions and I look forward to all of the advice from all the Mommies, Daddies and Grandparents out there.

We are thinking that we are going to shoot for December 2012 or January 2013. I would love Baby's first trip to be during the Holiday season, Marc isn't as crazy about this time as his vacation time might be a problem so that makes our backup date January 2013. Which I'm completely happy with, I love going to Disney in January.

I hope you stick with me as I start planning Baby's first trip. Man, I can't wait until we find out what Baby is because I am so sick of saying "Baby".

I'm going to end this with a question. If you were bring Baby on their very first trip, what would be your dream resort to stay at? Price is not an issue for this question, I want to know your reasons and why you think it would be the easiest/most convenient/etc.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay!!! I'm so excited you're going to keep the PTR going!! And Baby is the size of a lime now, how cool is that?? (We have limes on our counter right now and I'm sizing them up )

January might be a better month to go in terms of crowds too. I know the middle of December is usually quieter, but January could be more peaceful and relaxed. I think in terms of what resort, you should stay in close proximity to the parks you enjoy! I personally would recommend one of the Epcot/DHS area resorts, that would mean no worrying about using busses for 2 of the parks! I bet the Beach Club would be really fun with Baby!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay glad you're keeping the PTR going!

December sounds like a great time to take the baby on his/her first trip! And if not, January will be a nice quiet time to go as well!

Hmmm...I never thought about where I'd stay if I had a baby, since, well, I don't have one yet! I suppose I'd stay in either WL, just because I LOVE it, or one of the Epcot resorts. Definitely a deluxe, just because of the inside corridors and it would be nice to have everything in one building!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yay!!! I'm glad you are keeping this report open!!

Hmmm... where would I want to stay with "baby"? I'd definitely go for any resort that has more than just buses for transportation options. Something in the Boardwalk area or on the monorail loop.

 

[sunny_stace]

I would definitely stay on the monorail track! A suite at GF sounds good to me! In all seriousness, I would probably try for a studio at BLT

 

[MaryAz]

Hurray for keeping it open!! I agree with Cynthia on the Peg strollers and Britax car seats. Babies R Us has a big selection of strollers that u can "test drive" For baby's first trip I would say rent DVC points for a studio at BLT. Convienent but cost effective.

 

[999ghostslover]

My favorite stroller that I have owned was a chicco and I ran it over in the garage. Who left it behind my tire anyway? Oh, that would be me. So I bought one model down from it b/c I couldn't justify the money the second time and it was terrible.
Here it is before I killed it. Isn't my princess extra princessy here?

Craig's list will be your friend. Buy used. Sell used. It rocks. Maybe not cribs and carseats though.
I just got hired to teach prepared childbirth and new parents classes at my hospital. I am so excited! I wish I could fly you down here to take my classes.

I would choose PO resort because well, that is where I took my less than a year old baby for her first trip in January. We didn't really do the parks though. We walked a lot from one resort to the other. We took the boat. It was really really nice. But yeah, if I could I would stay at monorail or boat deluxe.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray!!! I am so glad you are keeping your PTR open!!!

For a trip with a baby, I would want to stay on the monorail -- any of those three resorts would be perfect because then you could get to MK and Epcot very easily!

 

[Jennifer48]

for keeping the PTR open!

I can't wait to follow your experience with hopes that sometime in the near future, I will get to use all the advise that you will be given!

As for a resort with "baby," I have to agree with everyone on either a monorail resort since you have the ease of going to MK or Epcot, or a Boardwalk resort with the option of boat ride or walking to Epcot or DHS. Since MK is my favorite park, I'd personally want to stay at a monorail resort.

 

[jenbear123]

I love that you are keeping this thread open. I'm really excited to follow you along for your pregnancy. It's crazy because I've followed you on the DIS for nearly 3 years and now you're having a baby! Can't believe it. I feel like I should throw you a virtual baby shower or something

 

[Megablocks]

I am sooooo glad you are keeping this open!

If I had my choice, for a trip with a baby, I'd definitely want to stay at Beach Club (just because it's my dream resort AND a quick stroll to Epcot), or somewhere on the monorail loop, like the Contemporary. Super close to Magic Kingdom and it would be a quick trip to Baby's first character meal at Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Yay, so glad you are keeping this open.

I would say a monorail resort as well just for the ease and convenience.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm so glad you're going to keep the PTR open! I'm excited to follow along with the pregnancy and the planning of baby's first trip! My resort vote would be one of the monorail resorts. I think you just can't beat the proximity to the MK with a little one, and the ease of the monorail.

 

[vamassey1]

Glad you're keeping this open.

I'm going to go with a monorail resort too. The ease of just rolling a stroller into the monorail sound fabulous. Also Mk is a kids favorite park. Since the Poly is my someday dream I'm going to go with it.

 

[Roxychica7]

YAY! Knew you couldn't resist us

December or January sounds perfect to me! You know that's my favorite time to be in WDW! Hmm..space for baby. I'd say by that point, you will have a pack and play and will need a studio or something..so maybe Beach Club? Or Boardwalk?

 

[mousescrapper]

looking forward to reading along...

baby's first trip and resort....hmmm I seriously don't need to think hard on this at all! RENT points and stay at BLT


reasons: location, location, location you can walk to and from MK, take monorail (with a switch) to EP, and you can also take monorail to TTC to grab direct buses to AK and DHS too

plus you have dining, characters and more along the resort monorail

just to jump ahead...pack some warm fuzzy blankets to keep BABY cozy on those chilly Jan mornings/evenings....

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I can't wait to follow your experience with hopes that sometime in the near future, I will get to use all the advise that you will be given!

We better be doing another drink night before THAT is a reality!!!

OK...LL, after staying at BC/V- I would vote against it with a baby. Definitely if you can swing a monorail hotel, go for that. Unless you are taking a baby to Food and Wine. Then stay at BC/V Then again, I wasn't brave enough to do WDW with a baby so don't listen to me

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey LL,

Belated Congratulations!

I'm so happy for you...

Hmmm....since you are shooting for the sky...why not go for the Grand Floridian for the Baby's First Trip and your 30th B-Day...

Something just seems fitting about it...with MK being your favorite park and all...

Here's a thought...subtley drop hints when it's closer and time for a shower that the baby needs WDW gift cards...

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay!!! I'm so excited you're going to keep the PTR going!! And Baby is the size of a lime now, how cool is that?? (We have limes on our counter right now and I'm sizing them up )

January might be a better month to go in terms of crowds too. I know the middle of December is usually quieter, but January could be more peaceful and relaxed. I think in terms of what resort, you should stay in close proximity to the parks you enjoy! I personally would recommend one of the Epcot/DHS area resorts, that would mean no worrying about using busses for 2 of the parks! I bet the Beach Club would be really fun with Baby!

Isn't it crazy that it is the size of a lime!? Last week it was the size of the prune and the week before was a green olive! If you line those up in your head that is pretty darn impressive for three weeks!

I'm leaning towards January for sure. I know my mom will be very upset if I miss any Christmas activities next year and I am not sure I want to listen to her.

Yay glad you're keeping the PTR going!

December sounds like a great time to take the baby on his/her first trip! And if not, January will be a nice quiet time to go as well!

Hmmm...I never thought about where I'd stay if I had a baby, since, well, I don't have one yet! I suppose I'd stay in either WL, just because I LOVE it, or one of the Epcot resorts. Definitely a deluxe, just because of the inside corridors and it would be nice to have everything in one building!

WL is a contender for sure, I like that we have stayed there before, I love the idea of a boat, all good things for baby's first trip!

Yay!!! I'm glad you are keeping this report open!!

Hmmm... where would I want to stay with "baby"? I'd definitely go for any resort that has more than just buses for transportation options. Something in the Boardwalk area or on the monorail loop.

I agree with you, a resort with more than just bus transportation is the way to go I think.

I would definitely stay on the monorail track! A suite at GF sounds good to me! In all seriousness, I would probably try for a studio at BLT

BLT is so very tempting, I really want to stay there. The idea of walking to Magic Kingdom sounds so nice!

Hurray for keeping it open!! I agree with Cynthia on the Peg strollers and Britax car seats. Babies R Us has a big selection of strollers that u can "test drive" For baby's first trip I would say rent DVC points for a studio at BLT. Convienent but cost effective.

I'm really hoping that we can rent points unless we find a really good room code that makes that more cost effective!

I'm so overwhelmed by strollers. I just want the perfect one to find it's way to my house all by itself.

 

[Lady Lallie]

My favorite stroller that I have owned was a chicco and I ran it over in the garage. Who left it behind my tire anyway? Oh, that would be me. So I bought one model down from it b/c I couldn't justify the money the second time and it was terrible.
Here it is before I killed it. Isn't my princess extra princessy here?

Craig's list will be your friend. Buy used. Sell used. It rocks. Maybe not cribs and carseats though.
I just got hired to teach prepared childbirth and new parents classes at my hospital. I am so excited! I wish I could fly you down here to take my classes.

I would choose PO resort because well, that is where I took my less than a year old baby for her first trip in January. We didn't really do the parks though. We walked a lot from one resort to the other. We took the boat. It was really really nice. But yeah, if I could I would stay at monorail or boat deluxe.

Oh my goodness, that is the best stroller picture that I have ever seen!!

I'm scared of childbirth classes, I honestly don't think I'm going to take one. I'm the type of person that with the more information I have the more I panic and freak out. I just want to go. I know the baby will come one or another.

Hurray!!! I am so glad you are keeping your PTR open!!!

For a trip with a baby, I would want to stay on the monorail -- any of those three resorts would be perfect because then you could get to MK and Epcot very easily!

I have to have a PTR. Having a PTR just makes me happy. I feel lost when I don't have one.

Monorail would be nice but I only see us staying monorail if we rent points.

for keeping the PTR open!

I can't wait to follow your experience with hopes that sometime in the near future, I will get to use all the advise that you will be given!

As for a resort with "baby," I have to agree with everyone on either a monorail resort since you have the ease of going to MK or Epcot, or a Boardwalk resort with the option of boat ride or walking to Epcot or DHS. Since MK is my favorite park, I'd personally want to stay at a monorail resort.

Yay! DIS babies all around!!

Boardwalk is a top contender as well. I loved being able to walk to Epcot and DHS last January. Being able to walk to Epcot prevents me from becoming Epcot Overloaded which is something that happens almost everytime I step in Epcot!

I love that you are keeping this thread open. I'm really excited to follow you along for your pregnancy. It's crazy because I've followed you on the DIS for nearly 3 years and now you're having a baby! Can't believe it. I feel like I should throw you a virtual baby shower or something

Aww, thanks. I really love the DIS and I want to keep this PTR open so I can still be connected with all of my DIS buddies. I am not too crazy about baby showers, my mom is already harassing me about mine and I told her I wanted a virtual one so all my DIS friends could be there!

I am sooooo glad you are keeping this open!

If I had my choice, for a trip with a baby, I'd definitely want to stay at Beach Club (just because it's my dream resort AND a quick stroll to Epcot), or somewhere on the monorail loop, like the Contemporary. Super close to Magic Kingdom and it would be a quick trip to Baby's first character meal at Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace.

You know, I hadn't even thought of doing a character meal with baby. Hmmm. I wonder if baby will freak out at characters.