Advice for traveling from Australia to DW with a four month old

[Willow25]

I am currently pregnant for the first time and we are planning a trip to DW when the baby will be four months old. Any advice on how to cope with this. What to bring. Should we bring our own stroller etc from Australia or purchase/rent one from US.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Staci

 

[NotSoNewMommy]

We traveled overseas when my DS was about 4 months old. We did bring a stroller and just gate-checked it before boarding the plane. I know that Disney rents out strollers, but you will probably want your own for times when you are not at the parks.

Other items such as diapers, wipes, etc....I would bring enough for a couple of days (including flight travel time) and buy the rest when you get there. If you are renting a car, you can easily find a pharmacy or grocery store to buy these items. If not renting a car, you can take a taxi or possibly a shuttle bus. I find it much easier to buy things when I get there versus packing a million suitcases full of baby items.

For the plane ride, your baby will be so young that s/he will likely sleep for much of the flight. Will you be nursing? I found that really easy and comforting for my son while on flights. If not, make sure to bring plenty of bottles/formula and pacifiers if your child will be using one. You should also bring a couple of new toys, some changes of clothes and OVER estimate the amt of diapers and wipes you would need for the day(s) of travel.

Hope that helps!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I agree with pp, do bring your stroller, it will come handy in the airports.

I usually feel better bringing diapers, wipes, and baby food and formula from home, and can always use that empty space in the bags for souvenirs.

You can rent a lot of baby equipment from www.abbf.com, we have used them and they are great, so don´t bring anything that you can rent.

HTH

Julie

 

[mama03]

One thing I always did was try to plan feeding times at take-off and landing, because it will help your little one equalize(open up the ears). Also, see if you can bring a baby bjorn, it will be easier walking around the plane. Coming from Australia it will be a long flight, I wish you a peaceful one!

 

[blessedby3]

Definately bring your own stroller. Disney's strollers were not made with small infants in mind. You will want your own. Gate check it so that it does not go through the regular luggage check. You will want your stroller in the same working condition as when you boarded the plane. They are so rough with the bags and checked things you dont want to risk checking it. It will come in handy in the airports and they can gate check it and have it waiting for you when you come off the plane. Also bring a baby carrier for the parks. When we took our youngest DD at 10 mos this was invaluable. If you are nursing things will probably be easier in the feeding department. No bottles to keep up with or heat. Have fun and take lots of pictures for great memories for your baby!!

 

[Esteri]

Unless you're on a flight where you can get a bulkhead seat, and the carrier / equipment (plane) has those nifty infant cradles that attach to the wall. Get your baby it's own seat. Just getting to the West Coast is, what, 11 hours for you? That's way too long for someone to have to hold the baby. It'll just make everyone cranky (including the baby). I've seen these on Lufthansa flights, which probably isn't a choice for you. But if they've got them - someone else has them too. Expecially for the really long Trans-insert-ocean-here flights.

You also might think about breaking your trip for a day on the West Coast (California? Or are you going the other direction?) just to give everyone a chance to rest.

Finally, the best way I've found to beat jet-lag is to spend as much time outdoors (in the sunshine) as you can for the first two days. (Not a problem at WDW.) Do NOT succumb to the sleepies and go to bed early. Make yourself stay up until at least 9pm. Otherwise it just makes the jet lag worse. You're looking at about a 13 hour time difference? It's not fun for the first 5-7 days. (For grown ups - the baby might adapt quicker since it's already on a 6 or so hour cycle.)

Ditto to everyone else - bring your own stroller, and gate check it.