1st Time with 5 month old - Advice

[monicastanner]

**I posted this already in the resort section, but didn't want anyone to "miss" it and not give me advice. Am I going to be zapped by a moderator for posting twice in different areas, I apologize. I am sure they can move one or something if need be. On we go**

We have been going to Disney World throughout our 10 years of marriage, including our honeymoon. (Plus I grew up going once a year) We've had annual passes, stayed value/moderate/deluxe, we've Disney cruised, we've done Holiday parties, we know where to eat, where to shop, what to do for freebies. What we've waited on all this time, 10 long years is to go with our OWN little one and now it's time!!

We are taking our (will be) 5 month old in Oct/Nov. We're using hubby's military deal and staying at Riverside (again) for 7 nights @ 40% off and using our super duper (free for him) and $99 for me tickets. Plus, we have a set of free Universal Tickets () I know, I know...but they are free.

Anywho-

Although we are considered by all of our family and friends as "the go to Disney freaks"... this will be new to us. So please, share your tips... I have planned on taking the travel size pack n play that he still sleeps in. (in our bedroom) Does Disney provide a large pack n play or crib, have you used it? Would you use there's or take your own? We are packing enough diapers, formula, yadda yadda to last extra time b/c I don't plan to do an off site shopping trip and know things like that are nuts crazy on site. I have always heard the "baby stations" in the parks are very nice. Did you always use those or just changing tables in the restroom that was close to ya? We've been so many times, we do take it slow. We are NOT open to close park hoppers. Often time we are go in the morning for a few hours and be done for the day... or play elsewhere all day and go in the evening, take afternoon breaks, whatever. So that part of taking it easy and being prepared for coming back for naps and rest will not be a problem! .... All that being said, now....lay it on me!

Thanks in advance

 

[TinaLala]

OK -

Baby Stations - I enjoyed them because they were cool, quite, clean - multiple changing tables and had rocking chairs. That being said, yes I used the tables in the bathrooms also. Besure to use papertowels or liners (at the tables) down on the tables (germs).

Diapers/formula/wipes - definitely bring and don't buy! remember the 3-1-1 rule for your carry-on and maybe bring powder for the flight or even the trip and then have bottle water shipped to the hotel through COSTCO - it was only $15 for 2 cases of 12 oz water to be shipped directly to the hotel.

Naps - utilize the shows or go back to your room! Hall of Presidents, Nemo Show, Little Mermaid show - these are good sit down relax shows to get your little one in the mood for a nap.

Stroller - you didn't mention bringing one, but I would recommend so you don't have to carry from the bus to the room. 25lbs feels like 100lbs by the end of a long disney day!

Hats/suntain lotion/sippy cup/wipes/stroller fan/light up thing - I'd pick up all these things before you go - the stroller fan can be purchased at Walmart, toysrus or babysrus to clip onto the stroller. Target or Disney store have little spinning light up things for complete darkness shows/rides.

Characters - if you're not sure if your little one is going to like the characters get over to the toontown area into the Hall of fame where the princesses and the Tinkerbell fairies are. Because they can see the faces and not costume heads, they do better there. Then you can go over to Mickey's judge's tent to see how he does.

Crib - I believe riverside has a crib, but jump on Allears.net and call the resort directly to make sure. Save yourself the packing if they have what you want, but bring your own sheets.

Safety - don't forget to bring a night light as well as outlet plugs - my little ones liked to crawl around the room and those outlets are at a perfect spot for hazard

You've planned it fine with breaks during the day - maybe a jump into the pool to cool off (don't forget the swimmy diapers) and maybe another jump in the pool at the end of the day to help with going to bed. Bring cheerios for those meals he doesn't want anything. There are some great Dole popsicles strawberry and pineapple that will help with any teething issues he might have. Be sure to pack medicine for EVERYTHING - we have a big drug bag for teething, motrin, benadryl, vicks, bandaids, pepto, immodium - everything!

Have fun!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We took DD (was 6 mo) to WDW in April and here are some of the things we did:

1) bought disposable everything! Bottles (playtex drop-ins), bibs, spoons, changing pads, etc.
2) bring 5-6 diapers for each day (unless you average going through more than that)
3) one regular sized package of wipes AND a travel container - you can refill on breaks
4) bring an old crib sheet to cover the borrowed pack n play - we left ours behind at the end of the trip
5) bring a sling/carrier - DD got sick of being in the stroller a couple of times
6) some form of rain cover for your stroller - you can buy them pre-made, use shower curtains, or do what we did and buy some plastic by the roll and drape it over the stroller
7) sunscreen, hat, sunshade
8) bring your stroller. WDW ones aren't for the littlest of our society
9) bring a BIG can of formula and use the chamber things in your diaper bag, again refill
10) bring at least one warm outfit
11) take them on rides! as many as you can unless they begin to flip out. DD LOVED any boat ride and Monster's Inc.
12) she slept when she wanted to (in the stroller or sling) and basically just hung out with the rest of us - she was a lot easier to deal with than DS 2.5!

 

[kiddisney]

hi -

just a couple of extras - we actually stayed at po w/the baby & they do have a pack and play - but we asked for extra sheets so that we could line the sides to keep the space warm - depending on florida's humidity and heat it may be too cold at night for the baby so you'll want warm clothing - and w/the a/c you want to keep drafts off of the baby -

use a grocery service - think of their fee - and luggage fee - and you can get diapers, formula, wipes, and what ever you need -

we got a cheap small brita pitcher to clean the water and used powder formula so we didn't have to use expensive small bottles or keep the liquid formula cold - we took extra bottles, put the powder in the bottom - and brought the necessary measured water in water bottles - but the end of the day everything was empty so it wasn't too heavy - or use the small tubes of powder if the baby is drinnking that amount - or use both if the baby drinks odd amounts -

also get a little pedilyte - just in case - better to be safe than sorry -

i second bring your own stroller - it more familiar for the baby - and as long as it's reclining the baby can sleep anyplace - lot's of quiet spots -

and the last item is bringing a small container with sponges pre-soaked w/dish detergent in it to clean bottles, pacifiers, or anything else (and a bottle brush) - you can't take liquids - but the sponges are dried and will resoap when rewet -

and the best is to relax - as long as you're relaxed - the baby will just go w/the flow

 

[laughinplace199]

First of all, congrats on your baby!

Our youngest was 5 mos on his first trip to WDW.

We used the pack n play provided by Disney. It was a standard size pack n play and there was a Mickey themed sheet with it. I bought my own sheet from home because I thought it might help DS sleep in an unfamiliar place if it smelled like home. However, I do not buy the Graco pack n play sheets because I think they're flimsy and I fear that they could come off and become a danger to baby. I bought some pack n play sheets online from a place that makes them like pillow shams - there's no way they could slip off.

We use gardengrocer for diapers, wipes, swim diapers, etc for baby, plus water and snacks for us. My DS was on a formula that was not readily available in a lot of places, so I ordered it form Enfamil and had it shipped to the resort. If he had been on regular formula, I would have ordered that from gardengrocer as well.

Will you be flying or driving? If flying, make sure to pack formula, diapers, etc to last for 24 hrs in case of delays.

We brought our travel system (car seat/stroller). We flew and DS had a seat on the plane, so we wanted his carseat for that. Also, we rented a car while in WDW, so again, we needed his car seat. When we went to the parks, we often used just the stroller. But, if we were heading to the parks at dinner time and we had ADR's for dinner, we brought the carseat as well since DS was not able to sit in a high chair at the time.

We brought disposable changing table covers and scented bags for stinky diapers. If we were near a baby care center, we definitely used it for diaper changes and feedings too. Otherwise, we used the changing tables in the reg restrooms (this is where the disposable changing pads come in handy). The scented bags were great for disposing of smelly diapers - esp in our hotel room.

I always bring a lightweight receiving blanket. It can hang over the stroller hood for extra protection from the sun. It can also be used to keep baby warm indoors if the A/C is too cold.

I always brought footed cotton pj's or blanket sleepers. The hotel A/C is often chilly for me, so I dressed DS a little warmer since he couldn't use a blanket.

If your baby uses a pacifier, bring extras as well as those clips that keep it attached.

Although we almost always take a mid-day break at the hotel, we found that DS would just nap wherever and whenever he needed to. He took many naps in the stroller that week.

I also brought a larger blanket and a few small toys so that DS could have some play time on the floor in our room.

Talk to your ped about what kind of sunblock to use. It used to be that sunblock was not recommended for babies under 6 mos old, but my ped said it was fine to use it when DS was 5 mos.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[monicastanner]

Thanks yall!!

 

[Iggipolka]

Congrats on your baby! I took my then 4 month old to WDW in August and had a great time. It was extremely different from past adult-only trips, but we still had a great time.
My trip report is at http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2271075

Some things I did:
I rented a stroller and a swing from A Baby's Best Friend. http://www.abbf.com/ The swing was awesome and allowed me to shower! It turned out my baby hated the stroller, so I just wore her in the Bjorn all the time. However, having a cushy stroller that laid flat and to have it in the resort is much better than using the hard plastic Disney strollers. I also bought a stroller fan from Amazon and highly recommend it.


I bought diapers & wipes from Babies Travel Lite http://www.babiestravellite.com/. They shipped directly to the resort and were waiting when I arrived. Super easy.

I was dissapointed with the Disney pack-n-play. I didn't realize that it didn't have a bassinet, so to get the baby in it, I had to lean waaaaaaay over. By the time I got so far over, my baby woke up. So, I gave up and just co-slept with her. We mostly co-sleep at home, so this wasn't a big deal. Next time, I'd rent a pack-n-play or a travel crib from A Baby's Best Friend.

Have a great time!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I have planned on taking the travel size pack n play that he still sleeps in. (in our bedroom) Does Disney provide a large pack n play or crib, have you used it? Would you use there's or take your own?
Yes, we used a hotel PnP in April at CSR and it was just fine. We took our own crib sheet that we put in it and then left it behind when we left (it was a cheapie one, so no big loss) It worked perfect for what we needed.

We are packing enough diapers, formula, yadda yadda to last extra time b/c I don't plan to do an off site shopping trip and know things like that are nuts crazy on site.
Bring a full pack of wipes (one of the 720 ct ones) and also a travel sized one. Keep your diaper bag light but using the travel one and refilling when you go back home. The Huggies ones are the fattest and you can cram the most wipes in it.

I have always heard the "baby stations" in the parks are very nice. Did you always use those or just changing tables in the restroom that was close to ya?
We did not use the baby care centers on our trip with DS 2.5 and DD 6 mo. I packed my own disposable changing table covers (I think I picked up a pack of 12 for $3.00) and used the public bathrooms or in one case a bench at AK... We would put the changing cover down and go at it. I have a phobia of public bathrooms but everytime I was in one at WDW I saw someone in there cleaning so I was okay with using them to change DD.

Here are a few other things to consider:
- use your stroller, WDW ones aren't built for the youngest kiddos
- purchase as many disposables as you can find (drop-in bottles, bibs, spoons, changing pads)
- consider purchasing and taking along a bottle drying rack. They run ~$7 and were a lifesaver on our trip.
- rain gear for your stroller!!!
- sunscreen, sun shade
- take a sling/backpack to use on some of the rides (POTC, JC, HM) it will free up your hands to get on and off the ride AND will give you somewhere to put baby if you eat TS meals
- mark up your stroller somehow so you can find it in the sea of strollers
- don't leave anything in your stroller you'd be upset to lose