1st trip to Disney w/ baby...

[JenEck]

Hey all! I need some advice. In December we will be taking our first trip to Disney w/ our baby (who is due in July). Just wondering if any body has any tips or suggestions to make our vacation a little bit easier. Should we bring our own stoller? What places are some good places to sit and relax w/ him? Etc, etc, etc.

Thank you!
JenEck inkbounc

 

[apm]

You should definitely bring your own stroller. Disney's strollers are great for bigger kids, but won't do at all for infants.

The easiest to deal with are the light-weight, folding "umbrella" strollers -- At 5 or so months, your baby may or may not be ready for one of them (they don't recline, and they don't offer as much protection from the elements). It will depend on how "sturdy" you think he/she is.

I know the Magic Kingdom has a baby rest area, where you can sit and feed him/her (women only, I believe), but I don't know if the other parks have similar places.

Best of luck, and congrats on your new baby!

Andy
CSR, July 2001

 

[apm]

I meant to add -- the busses can be tough with one of the bigger, bulkier strollers, so the smaller and lighter the better. But, put your baby's comfort and safety first, of course.

- Andy

 

[rbuzzotta]

WE have travelled to WDW when my girls were 3 months, 6 months, 8 months(at different times).... I can honestly say, it was much easier then!!!!!!!!!!!

We always took our own stroller (one that reclined) and for the times I needed formula, we put enough powder formula in the bottle and then filled it with spring water when needed. We also bought some of those ready to serve formula can (the 8 oz. ones).

We planned dinner around thier nap times.

Now, they are 9,5,2 and it is non-stop all the way!!!!!!!

Wishing you a happy, healthy delivery and have a great time in December.........

 

[Lesley]

You will probably get more replies to this question on the Families board...

But anyway, we visited WDW with our 5month old last August. If you are going to use a stroller definitely bring your own, keeping in mind the busses/trams. There are really great umbrella strollers out there that recline, and have baskets and canopies, but they are expensive. Definitely bring a baby sling or soft carrier of some type because there are many places where strollers aren't permitted. My dd only used the stroller one afternoon during our trip...she hung out contentedly in the sling the rest of the time (and my 5yo used the stroller). And she slept a lot.

If you will be nursing this will be about the easiest WDW trip with the baby that you'll ever have....no concerns about feeding, just keep a stash of diapers with you and you're set. All the rest rooms have adequate changing facilities. I've heard great things about the Baby Care Centers in each park, but have never set foot in one. I really found no reason to use them...dd nursed in the sling whenever she needed to (and did most of her eating overnight at the hotel). But they sound nice to take advantage of if *you* need a break...rocking chairs, etc...

One big recommendation....do at least one character meal! I know it sounds funny but my baby just couldn't get enough of the characters...we had 2 character meals scheduled and added a third after seeing how much she enjoyed them. All the sights and sounds of WDW are great fun for babies too. One thing I would avoid, unless you don't mind taking turns eating, is making lots of PS's at the nicer restaurants. We did several of these too last trip and usually ended up trading our dd off and taking her outside to keep her from fussing in the dining room. Counter service was much easier, and even though we enjoyed our nicer meals, if I had to do it over again I'd do less sit down meals and keep them to noisier places.

Have fun!

 

[sha_lyn]

I believe all 4 major parks have the babycare centers. They sell supplies, have changing and nursing facilities and bathrooms. I went in the one in Epcot while waiting for WS to open. Wanted to check it out for future trips (if I had another baby) or if our then 2 1/2 needed a break from the parks. Someone posted they also have a little play area with a TV that plays WDW cartoons.

 

[adrien32]

I took my three month old to EPCOT, and it was so easy! I was able to take her carrier on all of the rides (they didn't have Test Track back then!)

 

[jesse]

We brought ds when he was 5 mo old. He went on lots of attractions at MK, but he was really fascinated by IASW I used the baby care centers at MK EPCOT and MGM. If you are nursing, the MK center is especially nice, its themed for Mainstreet area (tucked in by Crystal Palace). It has a nursing room for Moms and babies only, but the rest of the center can be used by Dads and older kids. We were very glad we brought our own stroller, we used it a the parks, but especially in the airport, parking lots, hotel etc.

 

[CareerMom]

We went to WDW last November with our 4 kids, ages 2 1/2 months, 2 years, 5 years and 9 years. For the baby, we never used a stroller. He was content in arms or sling the whole time. When my 5yo was 13 mo, we did the same thing... sling only... and had no problems. Strollers can be a real nuisance on trams and buses, so we found it easier to just use a baby carrier.

Any shady spot worked well for us to sit and relax. We are a nursing couple, so I didn't need the baby care centers to mix formula. I have never been inside one of the baby care centers, even!!

Hope you have a wonderful visit!