advice for bringing an infant please...

[TinaCasa]

Hi! I have been to Disney almost every year for the past twelve years, but this year will be different. I am bringing my daughter who will 15 months at the time of visit. She is very good natured and not startled easily. Everything makes her laugh. I am sure she will love it but I need some good ideas concerning food preparation, the best rides for her age, attractions, etc. Also, airplane suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Cyndo723]

My first advice is...if you can find a babysitter, don't take an infant. That being said, if you have to, here is my experience...

I took my oldest daughter when she was 18 months old. She was also a very easy going baby. She seemed to enjoy the trip although now she of course has no memory of it. The trip was for me, not her. We used a stroller when she would stay in it, and to take naps in. Luckily she was a heavy sleeper and didn't wake up when we moved her to ride slow moving attractions where we could hold her while she sleeped. (Looking back it might have been easier to leave the parks and let her nap, but she could sleep anywhere in any position so we saw no need to go back to the room.) I also had one of those tethers that you attach to your child to let them walk without having to hold your hand. You would not believe how many people asked me where we had purchased it so they could get one for themselves. It was wonderful. It gave her the chance to move around a bit without getting too far from me.

As far as food, find things that need NO preparation. The instant dinners, fresh fruit, etc. And make sure she has plenty of water. We sometimes forget about the little ones staying hydrated. Remember, if the diapers aren't getting wet very often, then she may need more water.

Just remember to have fun and don't try to push her into anything that she seems apprehensive about.

 

[suemac]

I have taken a trip to WDW with a 2 months old, who had to stay in the front carrier strapped to me the whole week after the airline smashed her stroller. On a different trip my DS was 15 months old and DD 3yo.
We loved both of toose trips as much as any other trip.
No they will not remember the trip, it is for you more than them. But with a bunch of pictures in a scrapbook and stories to tell it becomes a nice memory for them.
We packed a large suit case with easy snacks and and drinks (gave us an empty suitcase for trip home). My kids favorites other than fruits (stocked up at buffets) cherrios, juice boxes, pretzel sticks, apple sauce in a tube, etc.
On the plane I had bought a few small special toys (peoples tyoe thing) and did not let them see them until they needed entertainment on the plane. The Cheerios and Gold Fish books that they put the crackers right on the book, than eat them to turn the pages, works well.
Hubby and I did alot of "baby swap" and any mellow ride thay could go on they went on.
The only time I hired a babysitter there was for one special night out. We had a service come to our room.
Enjoy and take lots of photos!

 

[ProfGoofy]

We've traveled to many places with our infant DS and my biggest two words of advice: 1) Let your daughter set the pace, you'll be surprised how much more you notice thru her eyes. And 2) I can't stress this enough, get her her own seat on the plane (use her car seat). She'll be more comfortable, you'll be more comfortable, and more importantly, she'll be safer. Most airlines I've experienced chage half fare for seats for children under two.

 

[jcemom]

My DD was 16 months when we went last month--she sounds just like yours, very good-natured. We were there for 10 days and the only time we had a "problem" with her (if you can call it that) was when we were on line for Donald's breakfast at the AK and she wanted to ride TriceraTop Spin AGAIN! As soon as we got inside she was fine.

We found something for her to eat at every meal we had, nothing special required. We weaned her from the bottle the month before going, so that wasn't a problem either. I did pack her small fork and spoon though, as they are easier for her to use than regular sized ones.

She enjoyed just about everything we went on (obviously things with height requirements were out for her). The 3D movies she wasn't exactly crazy about, but she wasn't scared and didn't cry, just squirmed a bit. She absolutely LOVED Tom Sawyer Island (feeding the birds), the characters, Dumbo, and TriceraTop Spin (her favorites). She also liked the playground in Toontown, the Tiki Room show, Wishes, Buzz Lightyear, Dream Come True Parade, Beauty and the Beast show, Fantasmic, Playhouse Disney, Figment ride at Epcot, Ellen's Energy (the dinosaurs), and Illluminations. The AKL pool was a biggie for her too.

You'll have a great time!

 

[kilee]

A few months ago we took a family trip and since DH and I have been to WDW a lot in the last few years. We traded Dsis my DS (10) for her DD (16 mo). So they could do more of the thrill rides. This was a first for DH and I -- as we didn't take DS to WDW for the first time until he was older.

Anyhow-- we truly had Dneice from opening to closing. We just did anything she could do. She is sooo easy going, and rarely fusses over anything. Patient as can be. Anyhow-- we found she didn't like the really, really loud noises. She did however make it through fantasmic. (We were prepared to leave if she didn't). She didn't watch it though. She sat w/ her back to the show facing me, playing w/ my necklace. She HATED Indiana Jones-- we left that. She LOVED Playhouse Disney and HISTK movie set. She went down those slides at least 50 times!!! At MK-- she did okay on Buzz and POC. As well as Jungle Cruise and all of Fantasyland including Snow White. Epcot-- spent 1+ hrs at the Living Seas!!! She didn't care for the characters. They were okay from a distance. She did form a bond w/ Minnie though. And ONLY Minnie. She kissed her nose ! She sat completely still and loved the parades.

Just remember, a toddler, no matter how easy going, changes everything at WDW. Remember, they melt down faster than us. We let her out of her stroller often in quiet areas, just so she could "run". The memories for me are priceless as I will probably never get to do this w/ any other neices or nephews that come along. I wouldn't of changed a minute of it.

 

[Swan]

I have never taken an infant before, but I suggest that you take around the park for a couple of hours, and then take her to those baby care center and have some alone time with your DH

 

[HaleyB]

I have taken a 15 month old to Walt Disney World. We also took him on a 4 month long 'road trip,' as in by car. We used a back pack carrier that converted to a stroller (a not so greatbut better than nothing stroller). It was the best. We could keep him in it while we waited in lines and then the CM's would just put it to the side (like if you hand them a big camera bag before a ride) so it was right there when we got off (or if it was a baby swap ride we could easily switch off). We never had to back track to pick up a stroller (or hunt for one). He loved being up high where he had lots to look at. We spent a lot of time in Epcot because the lower crowds and slower pace worked well for us. We had the time of our lives. It stands out as one of our best trips ever to WDW. Of course back then DH and I were in great shape and hiked a lot, so it was nothing to carry him on our backs for hours (now hiking up a mountian with him was another story, but WDW is pretty flat). I don't remember having to do anything too special about food. Seems like I could always find something he could eat, and I am sure we would have had Cherrios with us. I am one of those people that always took my babies every where. This one took his first road trip at two weeks old! Before he was two he had been spelunking at least a dozen times, to Yellowstone, the Black Hills, Boston, NY City, up and down the California coast, and like I said- we took him on a four month cross country drive from Huntington Beach California to Halifax Nova Scotia!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by Swan
I have never taken an infant before, but I suggest that you take around the park for a couple of hours, and then take her to those baby care center and have some alone time with your DH

I don't think there's anyone at the baby care centers who actually take care of your baby for you. They are just there for YOU to use to take care of your own baby.

 

[kilee]

Those aren't free child care centers. They are to change and fed your baby if you need. I also wouldn't leave a child that age in the hands of strangers at Disney.

 

[moinab]

Regarding food preparation, the baby care centers actually have little kitchens with a sink and microwave, as well as a room with high chairs and toddler sized tables and chairs. We usually just bring some cheerios and other snack type foods, though, and let DD (13 months) eat whatever we eat. She is still nursing, though, which makes it really easy.

We go at least once a month, so let me know if there are any specific questions I might be able to answer for you.

 

[SueM in MN]

It looks like people have implied this, but no one has actually spelled it out:
Strollers are not allowed in lines or in buildings like The Land and Living Seas.
This comes as a surprise to some people when they get to WDW. So making sure you have some way to carry your toddler in line (carrier, sling, etc) becomes quite important. If you haven't used one in a while, you might want to get your child (and your bodies) in practice before you go.

 

[TinaCasa]

Thanks for all of your tips. I didn't realize strollers were not allowed inside of the Living Seas. I am not going with my husband this time around. He won't have vacation time then and I am a teacher so I am going with a teacher firend and her daughter and a mutual babysitter. My friend has been there even more than I have but her daughter is 9 now and a lot has changed. Does anyone know where else strollers are NOT allowed? As for waiting in lines for rides, we will be getting right on because my friend has MS. We are staying in a preferred room in Pop Century. How do I get one of those neat countdown to Disney thingies under my post? Was Honey I shrunk the Kids okay for a 14 month old? Does a fridge in the room cost extra money? I don't plan on leaving my child at any time for time to myself. This trip is for her and she will be setting the pace. I have seen and done nearly everything there so I am just going to enjoy watching Disney through her eyes.

 

[jcemom]

Countdowns link from the Tech Board. You can go there to set up your countdown!

We didn't see the Honey movie, but my DD (16 months) went to Philharmagic, Tough to Be a Bug, and Muppets and was fine. I did hear lots of crying babies though, so it will probably depend on your baby's temperament.

Seems to me that a fridge is an extra $10/day. We used a cooler and just refilled it with ice from the ice machine every day.

As far as strollers, I can't remember it ever being a problem. The Festival of the Lion King line did feel rather long without a stroller, but other than that I just can't remember feeling too inconvenienced anywhere. Maybe someone else? I'm thinking that if it doesn't stand out in my mind and I didn't notice, then it must not be too big a deal, right?

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by TinaCasa
Thanks for all of your tips. I didn't realize strollers were not allowed inside of the Living Seas.Does anyone know where else strollers are NOT allowed?

In general, if it's a shop, they are allowed. If it's a show or a pavilion (like Living Seas, the Land, Life at Epcot) they are not. For some rides/attractions, you can bring the stroller part way with you, then there is a stroller parking lot. ITTBAB and Fantasmic are examples.

As for waiting in lines for rides, we will be getting right on because my friend has MS.

Most of the lines at WDW have been made Mainstream Access over the last few years. This means that the lines are wheelchair accessible and people with disabilities wait in the same line with everyone else. There are no disabilites that allow you to get right on. The exceptions would be children on WISH trips or adults with terminal conditions (especially if they are technology dependent, like on a respirator). WDW advises people with stamina concerns to use wheelchairs or ecvs (electric scooters). Your friend could request a Guest Assistance Card to help meet her needs, if she needs to wait in a cool place or out of the sun, etc. Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board if you want more info. We have several frequent posters to that board who have MS.
AK and the Studio were built with Mainstream Access. The other parks have had Mainstream Access added as new rides or remodeling occurred.

How do I get one of those neat countdown to Disney thingies under my post?

If you go to the Tech Board, you will find instructions.

Does a fridge in the room cost extra money?

They normally cost $10 a day, but they fee is sometimes waived if you need it for formula and shold be waived if your friend needs it for medication. Call and ask to have one added to your reservation. Check the statement when you check out since they sometimes do bill for it even when the fee was supposed to be waived.

 

[moinab]

In general, if it's a shop, they are allowed. If it's a show or a pavilion (like Living Seas, the Land, Life at Epcot) they are not. For some rides/attractions, you can bring the stroller part way with you, then there is a stroller parking lot. ITTBAB and Fantasmic are examples.

Just to elaborate on this, in our experience, you can use a stroller to get from one place to another, but then you have to park it before entering a building, ride, or attraction (except for shops, as Sue mentioned). The majority of rides, you have to park the stroller before entering the line.

The Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Adventure is a big playground at Disney Studios, and is great for toddlers to run around, as long as it's not too crowded. Once it starts filling up, though, there will be bigger kids running everywhere. (BTW, strollers aren't allowed inside any of the playground areas, either.)

Honey I Shrunk the Audience is a 3D movie at Epcot. We haven't seen it, but I've heard it can be very intense for little ones.

 

[snyderla]

Just a comment on the 3D movies. Everytime I've gone to see It's Tough to Be A Bug I've heard screaming, scared children and people have had to leave with them. I've seen it 4 times. I would not take a child under 4 or 5 yrs, personally. However, everyone has to decide what their child can handle. By contrast, I have never heard a child cry during MuppetVision 4D. (Probably seen that 10 times or more!) It is funny and not at all scary. HISTA is kind of somewhere in between.

Lori

 

[SamanthaL]

If you are flying try jet blue. They have DirectTV at every seat. I took our Dd when she was 2 to Portugal. What a trip that was! 8 hours on a plane and 2 hours in a car. We bought a few new toys and wrapped them. She got to open them on the plane when she needed a distraction.
As far as food goes hopefully she will be eating regular food and you won't need to pack jars of food. I would do the Cheerio and cracker thing.
We are gong in October and Luke will be 16 months. I am not intending on him remembering anything but the memories are for me. If you keep that in mind you will have blast!
People say I'm crazy too but oh what great memories you and I will have!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by snyderla
Just a comment on the 3D movies. Everytime I've gone to see It's Tough to Be A Bug I've heard screaming, scared children and people have had to leave with them.

Yes, that was my experience as well. However, I think sometimes (as with my DD) they can be TOO YOUNG to be scared. She wasn't old enough to wear the glasses or to really know what was going on. She wasn't scared of anything this trip. Having said that, we did not see them for her enjoyment, it was for the rest of us. If it were just she and I we would have skipped them altogether. If YOU want to see them, I would suggest trying one, sitting near the exit just in case you need to leave.

 

[TinaCasa]

OK. So do you think I should just bring my essentials on my person and leave everything else in a a diaper bag while I go into attractions? Is theft a concern for anyone out there? I know it is Disney, but it happens...