A Whole New WDWorld: A March PTR (NEW! 6/27 TR link!)

[jenjolt]

Wow!!! Your travels sound so much fun!! Can't wait to see those pictures!! Sounds so exciting!

 

[micandminforever]

Joining the fun of March planning for Disney.

I hope to see you March 1st at Small World along with MeMom.

 

[ksl5f123]

Just saying to a fellow March traveller. We also travel a lot and take our kids everywhere. (I have taken a 5 month old to Hawaii and a 3 month old to Italy.) You will have a great time with an 11 month old at Disney!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

Hello! Joining in - can't wait to read more about your trip!

I might be able to help a bit with your questions as we took a family holiday to Tunisia last March when Toby was 11 months old!

By then, he was pretty much on "normal" food - but we took enough supplies of "baby" food in the suitcase with us to keep him going just in case he wouldn't eat what was on offer (each meal was a buffet). We knew he would still eat the baby food so at least he would have something. We didn't get anything delivered - we had to take it with us. If I were in your situation, I would take some stuff (or get it delivered) as a back up!

Car seat - we didn't take ours. Toby sat on my lap for the flight (3hrs) and then sat with me cuddled up on the bus journey both ways. Luckily he fell asleep on the bus!!!

Nappies - we had to take ours of course as we had no idea what brands Tunisia would sell and the cost (probably very expensive!). But I would also get some delivered there if I were in your situation!

T was a fantastic age to travel at 11 months. Not fully on the move walking, but crawling fast and cruising and he loved every minute of it!

Claire will have an AMAZING first trip to Disney!

Julie xxx

 

[WDWCP96]

Just wanted to pipe in again to say I totally agree on the bibsters, disposable place mats (love those) and the Cares Harness. We used that on the plane with my oldest son and it was fabulous. I know you don't need it now but with all the traveling you do it would be a good investment.

I, too, am in the midst of planning a WDW with a newborn who isn't even born yet as well as two other kids so I love hearing about other peoples trips who have young children.

 

[oOJulieOo]

A very exciting year ahead!!

One of the things I used to take with me when I traveled with a toddler was disposable placemats that have tape on the back to stick to the table. I'm a bit of a germophobe so having a clean place for a little one to eat made me feel better.

Oh, good idea, Amy! We have a placemat that we take with us to restaurants, but it's bulky and definitely not disposable. Disposable placemats will be wonderful! It has been added to the list.

I just address it to the resort and put my name and the date of arrival.

Cool, Thanks!

Wow!!! Your travels sound so much fun!! Can't wait to see those pictures!! Sounds so exciting!

I always love to have many trips to look forward to. This is my kind of year!

Joining the fun of March planning for Disney.

I hope to see you March 1st at Small World along with MeMom.

Hello!

I plan to be there at Small World. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Just saying to a fellow March traveller. We also travel a lot and take our kids everywhere. (I have taken a 5 month old to Hawaii and a 3 month old to Italy.) You will have a great time with an 11 month old at Disney!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

Hello!

You are brave to take a 3 month old to Italy! DH's mom wanted us all to go to Norway over the summer, but I had to decline after Claire was born. I couldn't imagine doing a trip to Norway with a 3 month old! Maybe I'll be braver with our next baby...

I'm going to check out your PTR!

Hello! Joining in - can't wait to read more about your trip!

I might be able to help a bit with your questions as we took a family holiday to Tunisia last March when Toby was 11 months old!

By then, he was pretty much on "normal" food - but we took enough supplies of "baby" food in the suitcase with us to keep him going just in case he wouldn't eat what was on offer (each meal was a buffet). We knew he would still eat the baby food so at least he would have something. We didn't get anything delivered - we had to take it with us. If I were in your situation, I would take some stuff (or get it delivered) as a back up!

Car seat - we didn't take ours. Toby sat on my lap for the flight (3hrs) and then sat with me cuddled up on the bus journey both ways. Luckily he fell asleep on the bus!!!

Nappies - we had to take ours of course as we had no idea what brands Tunisia would sell and the cost (probably very expensive!). But I would also get some delivered there if I were in your situation!

T was a fantastic age to travel at 11 months. Not fully on the move walking, but crawling fast and cruising and he loved every minute of it!

Claire will have an AMAZING first trip to Disney!

Julie xxx

Hi Julie! Thanks for reading!

And thanks so much for your input and advice.

I'm hoping Claire isn't walking yet by the time we go on our trip. I think it will be much easier to catch her if she's still crawling!

I'm trying to give Claire more and more table food right now and she loves it, but doesn't really swallow it all. She kind of keeps it in her cheeks like a chipmunk! I'm sure she'll get the hang of it soon...

Just wanted to pipe in again to say I totally agree on the bibsters, disposable place mats (love those) and the Cares Harness. We used that on the plane with my oldest son and it was fabulous. I know you don't need it now but with all the traveling you do it would be a good investment.

I, too, am in the midst of planning a WDW with a newborn who isn't even born yet as well as two other kids so I love hearing about other peoples trips who have young children.

How old will your newborn be when you go on your trip? I can't even imagine doing a Disney trip with 2 kids and a newborn!

Thanks for the advice on the bibs, placemats, and harness. I will be purchasing all three!

 

[oOJulieOo]

Some New Years photos:

Claire received a new car for Christmas and she LOVES riding around in it in the house. I can't wait till the weather is nicer and we can use this for walks!

 

[oOJulieOo]

Today, I decided to make a change to our trip plans. Originally, I had booked us at Pop Century and I was happy with that choice. As an added bonus, MeMom, BrooklynnsMommy, and their girls were going to be there at the same time.

However, I've been feeling the itch to upgrade ever since I booked. So, today, I called and inquired about upgrading to a moderate. I compared prices of all the moderates and after much internal debate (about 5 minutes ), I did it! We will now be staying at Port Orleans Riverside!

I've stayed at POR several times and I have loved it every time. There's something about the atmosphere there that is my kind of magical.

I'm happy that we'll have a fridge in the room and that we'll have that curtain that divides the bathroom area from the rest of the room. I think we'll put Claire's pack and play behind that curtain so my mom and I can read or watch TV at night without disturbing her.

That brings me to my next round of questions. Sleep questions. Claire is not the best sleeper in the baby world. She does pretty well with her naps, but she is still up 1 or 2 times each night and she thrives on having a strict routine for her naps and nighttimes. I am kind of nervous about what a Disney trip will do to her as far as sleep goes! I think I'll get somewhat of an idea when we are in Park City and then we'll get two weeks to recover before we head to Disney.

So, what do we do about naps at Disney World? One in the stroller/baby carrier and one in the room? I'm thinking that's what I'm going to aim for, but I have no idea how that will play out in reality.

Also, Claire goes to bed at 7:00 every evening, which is 8:00 Florida time. Do you keep your kids up later when you're at Disney World?

I am SUCH a new mom!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

So you decided to go with the upgrade, I'm sure you will love the bigger room.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for a resort switch!!! Cute New Year's pictures!

I think you should probably plan on going by what Claire wants to do -- if she seems tired at her usual time at night and cranky, I would head back to the room. Does she seem to do okay sleeping in her stroller?

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Today, I decided to make a change to our trip plans. Originally, I had booked us at Pop Century and I was happy with that choice. As an added bonus, MeMom, BrooklynnsMommy, and their girls were going to be there at the same time.

However, I've been feeling the itch to upgrade ever since I booked. So, today, I called and inquired about upgrading to a moderate. I compared prices of all the moderates and after much internal debate (about 5 minutes ), I did it! We will now be staying at Port Orleans Riverside!

I've stayed at POR several times and I have loved it every time. There's something about the atmosphere there that is my kind of magical.

I'm happy that we'll have a fridge in the room and that we'll have that curtain that divides the bathroom area from the rest of the room. I think we'll put Claire's pack and play behind that curtain so my mom and I can read or watch TV at night without disturbing her.

That brings me to my next round of questions. Sleep questions. Claire is not the best sleeper in the baby world. She does pretty well with her naps, but she is still up 1 or 2 times each night and she thrives on having a strict routine for her naps and nighttimes. I am kind of nervous about what a Disney trip will do to her as far as sleep goes! I think I'll get somewhat of an idea when we are in Park City and then we'll get two weeks to recover before we head to Disney.

So, what do we do about naps at Disney World? One in the stroller/baby carrier and one in the room? I'm thinking that's what I'm going to aim for, but I have no idea how that will play out in reality.

Also, Claire goes to bed at 7:00 every evening, which is 8:00 Florida time. Do you keep your kids up later when you're at Disney World?

I am SUCH a new mom!

Yay for upgrades!

As for naps, both of my girls were only taking one nap a day by 11 months. Some days we head back midafternoon for a good long nap in the room and then stay out late for fireworks and parades and sometimes they fall asleep in the stroller, but most of the time they are just awake until we get on the bus to head back to the resort. Other days we may stay until 5 or so and they nap in the stroller and then we go back to the resort for a decent bedtime. The one good thing is you won't have to contend with the extreme summer heat which just drains you so much faster than the cooler weather.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Julie! Thanks for that link. We definitely need to buy something like that because we have lots of traveling in our future.



We're flying out of Midway. How are they on the baby stuff through security? They were pretty lax about it in July when we flew, but it was just formula that we brought through then. Does baby food count as a liquid? Something to check on.

I haven't flown through midway w/ a baby (did that through O'Hare once)...but I really thought I recall the one security aisle that is "designated" family and liguids noted baby food too...I'd try looking online or calling. If it's the small little bottles and they work in the oz restrictions...you should be fine

If I think of it I can try and ask when I'm going through there in just a few weeks

One of the things I used to take with me when I traveled with a toddler was disposable placemats that have tape on the back to stick to the table. I'm a bit of a germophobe so having a clean place for a little one to eat made me feel better.

yes I used those too! great easy thing to use and carry

We will now be staying at Port Orleans Riverside!

I've stayed at POR several times and I have loved it every time. There's something about the atmosphere there that is my kind of magical.

we stayed their for our first trip w/ the kids back in 05 and I really liked it too...especially the double sinks in the bathroom, you'll like your extra space


So, what do we do about naps at Disney World? One in the stroller/baby carrier and one in the room? I'm thinking that's what I'm going to aim for, but I have no idea how that will play out in reality.

Also, Claire goes to bed at 7:00 every evening, which is 8:00 Florida time. Do you keep your kids up later when you're at Disney World?

I am SUCH a new mom!

the youngest i ever went to Disney w/ was 18mo and she was a decent sleeper/napper still is at age 4.

like Jackie said...go by Clarie and go by your best judgement...I'd say plan a realistic first trip and PLAN to go back to the room each day for some down time. My kids all stayed up later and we just went w/ it...but you'll know what she can handle and can't by the first day. 1 nap in the room is doable and hopefully she can stretch a bit at night.

My kids have all bounced back to their normal routine about a week back from a trip.

 

[PirateKate]

In my experience, trying to figure out the babies' sleeping schedules before a Disney trip is sort of like trying to calculate 4837432 divided by 7 in your head. It is difficult and time consuming and likely to be wrong.

On the other hand, trying to figure out the babies' nap schedule as you go, once actually at Disney is like long division with pencil and paper. Not necessarily easy, but definitely doable.

On our first trip with the boys, I spent a lot of time worrying about their sleeping schedule and how to get them to sleep in general. Once we arrived, the sleeping just took care of itself. There is so much to see and do at Disney, that the boys usually go to sleep pretty easily because they are tired.

I had planned on coming back to the room for naps every afternoon. I think they only napped in the room once the whole week. We still came back for afternoon break, because it was really hot and Jeremy and I wanted to rest. The boys napped better in the stroller than in the room, which was fine.

For our recent trip, I didn't bother to plan too much. I figured it would become apparent what the boys needed to do once we got there and it all worked out fine. They are both really good sleepers, though. They both started sleeping through the night at four months.

We never worry too much about keeping a normal bedtime for the boys at Disney. We leave the parks whenever someone has had enough. We sort of figure it is their vacation, too and one week of late nights won't hurt them.

 

[oOJulieOo]

So you decided to go with the upgrade, I'm sure you will love the bigger room.

Yes! I could not resist! I was so tempted by CSR, but couldn't find a way to justify the extra money. I know we'll love POR, so i'm super happy!

And just so you know, it was you that started me actually checking the prices. So thank you!

Hurray for a resort switch!!! Cute New Year's pictures!

I think you should probably plan on going by what Claire wants to do -- if she seems tired at her usual time at night and cranky, I would head back to the room. Does she seem to do okay sleeping in her stroller?

Claire has never slept in her stroller. She has, however, slept in the baby carrier (Ergo) many times. So if we do a nap at the park, I'll probably have her in the Ergo for that.

You're absolutely right...we should follow Claire's lead. No sense pushing her too far and having a cranky baby on our hands!

Yay for upgrades!

As for naps, both of my girls were only taking one nap a day by 11 months. Some days we head back midafternoon for a good long nap in the room and then stay out late for fireworks and parades and sometimes they fall asleep in the stroller, but most of the time they are just awake until we get on the bus to head back to the resort. Other days we may stay until 5 or so and they nap in the stroller and then we go back to the resort for a decent bedtime. The one good thing is you won't have to contend with the extreme summer heat which just drains you so much faster than the cooler weather.

Hmmm...I wonder what our normal sleep schedule will be in 2 months. It seems to be ever-evolving.

Claire has never fallen asleep in her stroller. I guess I've never given her the chance. I think the Ergo carrier is going to be our in-park nap spot. But maybe she'll surprise me and fall asleep in the stroller.

I am very happy that we will most likely have mild weather when we're on our trip. I can't imagine the summer weather with a baby!

yes I used those too! great easy thing to use and carry


the youngest i ever went to Disney w/ was 18mo and she was a decent sleeper/napper still is at age 4.

like Jackie said...go by Clarie and go by your best judgement...I'd say plan a realistic first trip and PLAN to go back to the room each day for some down time. My kids all stayed up later and we just went w/ it...but you'll know what she can handle and can't by the first day. 1 nap in the room is doable and hopefully she can stretch a bit at night.

My kids have all bounced back to their normal routine about a week back from a trip.

I'm trying to not really have any plans for this trip so we can let Claire's needs set the schedule. We will definitely plan to come back to the resort in the afternoons each day.

If we can't stay late at the parks, no big deal! I'll just be very happy to be there at all!

Right now, we're trying to get back on track after the holidays and it has been a rough couple of days!

In my experience, trying to figure out the babies' sleeping schedules before a Disney trip is sort of like trying to calculate 4837432 divided by 7 in your head. It is difficult and time consuming and likely to be wrong.

On the other hand, trying to figure out the babies' nap schedule as you go, once actually at Disney is like long division with pencil and paper. Not necessarily easy, but definitely doable.

On our first trip with the boys, I spent a lot of time worrying about their sleeping schedule and how to get them to sleep in general. Once we arrived, the sleeping just took care of itself. There is so much to see and do at Disney, that the boys usually go to sleep pretty easily because they are tired.

I had planned on coming back to the room for naps every afternoon. I think they only napped in the room once the whole week. We still came back for afternoon break, because it was really hot and Jeremy and I wanted to rest. The boys napped better in the stroller than in the room, which was fine.

For our recent trip, I didn't bother to plan too much. I figured it would become apparent what the boys needed to do once we got there and it all worked out fine. They are both really good sleepers, though. They both started sleeping through the night at four months.

We never worry too much about keeping a normal bedtime for the boys at Disney. We leave the parks whenever someone has had enough. We sort of figure it is their vacation, too and one week of late nights won't hurt them.

I love that analogy!

I am so very envious that your boys slept through the night at four months.

It is good to hear from experienced moms that a week of disruption is going to be just fine. Logically, I do know that, but the new mom (and obsessive planner) in me wants to try to have control over everything!

So I will do what you have all suggested and go with Claire's flow. If she's cranky, we return to the room. If she's good to go, we go!

 

[MeMom]

However, I've been feeling the itch to upgrade ever since I booked.We will now be staying at Port Orleans Riverside!

I'm happy that we'll have a fridge in the room and that we'll have that curtain that divides the bathroom area from the rest of the room. I think we'll put Claire's pack and play behind that curtain so my mom and I can read or watch TV at night without disturbing her.

You'll just have to play everyday as it comes along. Nothing will be predictable. What works well for the girls is to get up early and get lots of stuff in, and then as the park of the day is getting crowded, go back to the resort for food, swimming, and good naps. Then they are refreshed to go back out at night. Like Jill said, some days we'll push it a little longer and the go back and have an early night in with lots of water play and an early bed time. I'm sure a mix of those will work for you, too. As long as you go in knowing and accepting a trip with a baby is going to be different, you will be fine.

I'm glad you went with your heart on changing resorts, if that was what was calling you. You want it to be the best it can be, when the money is there, of course.

Just FYI - for any future Pop trips - they did add curtains with the refurbs, so you have the nice dividing curtain there now, too. Jill put Bella's pack & play back there and turned the light off and she went right to sleep. Bella has always been a good sleeper, though. Maybe Claire will be worn out enough to go on to sleep, too.

 

[oOJulieOo]

You'll just have to play everyday as it comes along. Nothing will be predictable. What works well for the girls is to get up early and get lots of stuff in, and then as the park of the day is getting crowded, go back to the resort for food, swimming, and good naps. Then they are refreshed to go back out at night. Like Jill said, some days we'll push it a little longer and the go back and have an early night in with lots of water play and an early bed time. I'm sure a mix of those will work for you, too. As long as you go in knowing and accepting a trip with a baby is going to be different, you will be fine.

I'm glad you went with your heart on changing resorts, if that was what was calling you. You want it to be the best it can be, when the money is there, of course.

Just FYI - for any future Pop trips - they did add curtains with the refurbs, so you have the nice dividing curtain there now, too. Jill put Bella's pack & play back there and turned the light off and she went right to sleep. Bella has always been a good sleeper, though. Maybe Claire will be worn out enough to go on to sleep, too.

It's very good to know that about the curtains at Pop. I might not have switched if I knew Pop had those, but I am very happy to stay at POR. I'm pretty sure Claire will be spending a lot of her time behind that curtain!

I need to get a lot better at going with the flow and taking each day as it comes! I am sure that Claire will teach me that in time, but for now, I need you all to remind me of that! And not just for Disney trips!

Did you guys use a Disney pack and play or bring your own?

I am really looking forward to having a different kind of Disney trip with the baby along with us. I think it will give me much more time to enjoy the small things at Disney rather than rushing around trying to fit every little thing in. I tend to be very commando at Disney (and with life in general) and I know for sure that I won't be able to do that with Claire in tow!

 

[ksl5f123]

Hooray for the upgrade! We stayed at POR in June 2010 and it really is a wonderful resort.

I am sure you will notice this when you get there, but in case you are exhausted from travelling, make a note to re-locate the iron. Why? Because the logical place to put a baby bed behind the curtain is opposite the entrance to the toilet/shower area and the iron hangs on that wall just above baby's head. I relocated ours because of the visions of DS pulling that thing down on his head when he didn't want to go to sleep.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

It's very good to know that about the curtains at Pop. I might not have switched if I knew Pop had those, but I am very happy to stay at POR. I'm pretty sure Claire will be spending a lot of her time behind that curtain!

I need to get a lot better at going with the flow and taking each day as it comes! I am sure that Claire will teach me that in time, but for now, I need you all to remind me of that! And not just for Disney trips!

Did you guys use a Disney pack and play or bring your own?

I am really looking forward to having a different kind of Disney trip with the baby along with us. I think it will give me much more time to enjoy the small things at Disney rather than rushing around trying to fit every little thing in. I tend to be very commando at Disney (and with life in general) and I know for sure that I won't be able to do that with Claire in tow!

I have always used Disney's pack and plays. I figure anywhere that mops the concrete sidewalks on a regular basis has clean pack and plays! I usually bring a blanket to put underneath the sheet just to make it a little softer.

 

[jenjolt]

YAY for Room upgrade and to POR....OH!! I love that resort!! That is my resort of choice most trips!!! I so love the Mansion side, brings out the Southern belle in me!!!!

 

[oOJulieOo]

Hooray for the upgrade! We stayed at POR in June 2010 and it really is a wonderful resort.

I am sure you will notice this when you get there, but in case you are exhausted from travelling, make a note to re-locate the iron. Why? Because the logical place to put a baby bed behind the curtain is opposite the entrance to the toilet/shower area and the iron hangs on that wall just above baby's head. I relocated ours because of the visions of DS pulling that thing down on his head when he didn't want to go to sleep.

Oh, thanks for the tip about the iron. That would be terrible!

How did it work out having the baby behind the curtain?

I have always used Disney's pack and plays. I figure anywhere that mops the concrete sidewalks on a regular basis has clean pack and plays! I usually bring a blanket to put underneath the sheet just to make it a little softer.

Well, you have obviously used Disney pack and plays many times and Brooklynn and Bella are still alive, so I'm going to leave ours at home and use Disney's. I have some quilted, padded pack and play sheets that I'll bring with me.

YAY for Room upgrade and to POR....OH!! I love that resort!! That is my resort of choice most trips!!! I so love the Mansion side, brings out the Southern belle in me!!!!

I also love the mansion side. In 3 stays at the resort, I have never been on the other side. I hope we can score a mansion room again!