8 Month Old in Disney

[DWhittles]

Hi all!
We are planning our son's first trip to Disney World in September (how do I get that neato countdown clock thing?)
and I'm wondering how you all deal with carrying a baby onto the rides? I'm thinking about Haunted Mansion and Pirates and Spaceship Earth and El Rio De Tiempo...you get the idea.
My son is 4 months old now and weighs 16 lbs and is a long 27 inches. If he keeps going at this rate in 4 months he should be around 20 - 22 lbs and around 35 inches long. He's going to be too big for his Baby Bjorn. Can I just sit him on my lap for the rides?
We are also thinking about driving to Orlando from NY, that way we can bring my stroller and our portacrib and stuff like that with no hassle.
Any tips on driving cross country with an infant?
Thanks guys!

 

[mbb]

Welcome to the Dis!! and how exciting!!

You can get your countdown clock by heading to the Technical support Board...it's easy

He'll probably nap at Spaceship Earth It's our family's fav ride on a hot afternoon

 

[mistaroo]

We took our son for his first b-day and again at 15 months. On all the rides you mentioned (and more), he rode on my or dh's lap, no problem. He was 31" and 21 lbs at the time. His very first ride was Spaceship Earth and he was mesmorized by it. We found that our ds was too little to sit on the seat between us. On a lap was ideal- he could see and there was plenty of room even considering my dh and I aren't thin. You are sure to have a great time!

We brought our own stroller, which was great because the ones at the park aren't good for small infants (don't recline, etc). You can get a crib or pack 'n play at the resorts, but our son always sleeps best in his own so we brought one from home. We drove from MD to Disney and had no troubles but our son is a good traveller who loves his carseat.

Have fun! The first trip to Disney with a little one is very special.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes you can sit the baby on your lap!! I

f memory serves me right he probably will slow down a bit in growth and you should be able to use the bjorn or a sling until age 2ish. I say this because even though he can lap sit on all rides without a height restriction you can't bring the stroller through the line. My youngest was 15mos and over 20lbs and dh and I took turns wearing her - it was a lifesaver. Don't leave the stroller home by any means but its nice to have options. FWIW baby can ride with you on any ride without a height restriction and accompany you at all shows. Have a great trip.


TJ

 

[my3princes]

We have an infantino front carrier that we have used with all our boys until they were 3 or so. Our youngest was 9 mths on our last trip. He loved it. He rode in the stroller taking in the sights or taking a nap, we put him in the front pack from time to time and it was so easy. We drove from VT. It took us 28 hours and we drove straight through. He was perfect. We had a tv which he never watches at home, but it kept him entertained on the way. He slept probably 3/4 of the trip and we had new toys to help entertain him. We are driving again in July and he'll be 20 mths. This trip will be much more difficult. He is so on the move and hates to settle down for anything. I'm sure that we'll make out fine as we always do.

 

[CarrieAP]

We took our daughters when they were 8 mo. and 3.5 years and had a very nice time. The baby was quite content to sit in the stroller and observe all the activity. We carried her on rides and she sat on our laps. We have some very special memories of this trip. For example, when we were at Cindy's for breakfast we have video of Belle holding and dancing with her.

I would encourage you to consider flying. I think it's much less hassle than driving. You can use your stroller all around the airport and drop it off at gate when you board. They will have it ready for you when you disembark. No need to carry a portacrib as hotels will have one for you. We didn't even rent a car, but took a towncar with grocery store stop and I picked up babyfood and other breakables that I did not want to pack. We hauled a lot of stuff, given the need for multiple changes of clothes for the kids, but did not feel overwhelmed or stressed by it. Much preferable than being stuck in a car for a day or two with a fussy baby. Remember by 8 months he will start getting antsy and may not like sitting in that car seat for 24 hours.

Carrie

 

[HazelsGenie]

Hello...

I just posted a long message on my experience with an 8 month old.. check it out.

Basically, I would use a carrier for the rides.

Also, I would fly. My daughter was great on the plane. We fed her going up and coming down so her ears would pop. You can ask your doctor. Sometimes they give decongestants too.

Driving might become a nightmare. They only sleep just so long.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[DWhittles]

Thanks guys! Very helpful. I will now bring my sling, Baby Bjorn and the stroller.
I'm so excited, I can't wait!

 

[justhat]

Don't worry, his height (or length) will slow down and he won't be 35 inches at 8 months old. 27 inches at 4 months is around the 97th percentile and following that curve he'll be around 30 inches at 8 months (35 inches is 97th percentile around 18 months) My fiancé just started his pediatrics rotation in his 3rd year of med school so I've been looking at the cdc growth charts a lot lately! So you'll still be able to use the Bjorn, which I bet will come in handy for the buses and lines.

 

[DWhittles]

That's great! Thanks so much! I always forget to ask my Ped. about what percentile PJ is in. Now I don't have to!
Diana

 

[justhat]

Mine has never told us what percentile my daughter is in and I was too focused on asking about sunblock and other things related to our trip next week that I didn't even think about it. It's nice that my fiancé is doing his pediatrics rotation first since we have a 10 week old daughter. It's really coming in handy (though backfiring a little learning about the different illnesses she could be exposed to next week in WDW and on the plane!). By the way, 20-22 pounds is right on target for him at 8 months.

Like I said, we leave next week for WDW with our daughter who will be almost 12 weeks old then. We're flying from DC and bought her a seat, so she'll get 2 checked bags and a carryon. Since I'm flying alone with her (my fiancé decided at the last minute to come and has to leave the next night as a result) I don't plan to have 2 checked bags for her, but if you want to bring things like a portacrib it would be a great way to increase your allowable baggage if you choose to fly. For us, driving would not be an option as it would be a nightmare since our daughter hates her carseat and would scream most of the drive there and back.

 

[bubbasmom99]

My kids were both 75-90th percentile in their first year, so I feel your pain! Nick was 8 mo and Sarah was 6 mo at their first trips to Disneyland, and they were both fine in the Baby Bjorn. You probably won't be using it all the time, but it is definitely handy for rides and times when the baby is tired of the stroller. I have one that loved the stroller and one that loves being parked on my hip 24/7. She's almost 2 now, 28 lbs and my arm is tired! If she's still clingy by the time we go in December, I might buy this: http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.js...t=117&iSubCat=27213&iProductID=751&change=117 which seems well suited for older children... but I think you'll still be okay with the Bjorn.

 

[DWhittles]

I LOVE the Bjorn but lately when I carry it my back hurts so badly from him being so heavy but I think to take him on the rides and stuff it will be just fine

 

[DWhittles]

When you checked your strollers, did you guys have a cover for it or how did you ensure it didn't get slammed around and be in peices by the time you arrived in Orlando?

 

[justhat]

Not sure if it's worth investing in now, but we have the Baby Bjorn Active Carrier and it's got much better back support than the original Bjorn. It's more money, but after having used a friend's I can say I'm glad we spent it on the Active.

 

[bubbasmom99]

Originally posted by DWhittles
When you checked your strollers, did you guys have a cover for it or how did you ensure it didn't get slammed around and be in peices by the time you arrived in Orlando?

Take it with you to the gate and when you check-in or get ready to board, they will give you a claim check and tag the stroller "claim at gate" or something like that. You roll it down the jetway and fold it up, leaving it at the entrance to the plane. It is one of the last things they load into the cargo hold, and one of the first things they bring up. It should be waiting for you when you de-plane. (except on Southwest, when we board first and are off the plane first, before they get a chance to unload it!)

I did check a stroller once and purchased a stroller bag for it. Not sure if it made a difference. I'd much rather take it all the way to the gate... the only hassle is getting it past security.

 

[DWhittles]

The active carrier? What is the difference? If it will save my back, I'll invest in it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[justhat]

This is a picture of me using the Baby Bjorn Active Carrier with my 2 month old daughter and one of her happily sleeping in it. You can see that there is additional support in the lower back. It really does make it a lot easier to wear for extended periods of time. My daughter spends lots of time in hers since she's a high-need baby who does not do well when she's not being held by mommy. We used a friend's original Bjorn when we forgot to being ours to their house and it wasn't as comfortable. Now, my daughter is about 12 pounds and 23 inches, so smaller than your son, and so when she's larger I'm sure I'll feel it more, but right now I have no problem wearing her all day long when we're out (and most of the day in the house too). We're getting a sling since I've heard such great things about them and also since she gets tired of the Bjorn position, so you might want to look into a sling. They have a greater weight limit than the Bjorn so you'll be able to use it even when he's a toddler.

 

[DWhittles]

Your daughter is such a cutie!
That support on my lower back is exactly what I need!
I'm spending money faster than my husband can make it this week! New car seat, new Bjorn, Pack and Play Crib...
Thanks!