alone with a 9 month old?

[justhat]

Okay, my husband and I are planning on going back to WDW with our daughter in April, when she'll be almost 14 months old. When we got our Mickey Monitor, however, I saw the Osborne Lights article and started thinking about taking a quick (3-4 days) trip in December so Madison could see the lights (her favorite thing in the world) and the Christmas parade (she loves the characters) and other Christmas events (like the Bear Jamboree). I've been there twice during December and loved seeing the decorations so I'd love to go back too. I sorta just thought about it, not really thinking I'd go, till I got an e-mail today with nonstop airfare from DC to Orlando for $96 r/t!!! We're AP holders so I could get a cheap room (I don't care where we stay and since I'm a SAHM I'm flexible about the dates, so I could probably get the $49 rate at a value resort) and wouldn't need to worry about passes. So I thought, we're so going! 4 days in WDW for only $400, including airfare, room, and transportation to the airport/resort, I can't pass it up.

But then I realized, that I'd be there alone with my daughter, who will be about 9 months (10 months on 12/26). Now, I've flown alone with her before (including 5 hour flights to Las Vegas at 7 months) and have even been alone with her in Disneyland when she was 6 months (went with my mom who was at a convention, so she was only with us in the parks at night). So I know I could handle the travelling aspect, and touring the parks alone, but will I be crazy by the end of the trip from no adult contact? In Disneyland, even though I was alone all day, I had my mom at night, so I had someone to talk to. If I go this time though I'd be alone all the time. My husband would love to go, but he's in medical school and is often on call on weekends, plus he has an exam on 12/17 (we'd go before then) so he'd have to study during his free time. It's possible that he might come for the weekend if he can, but not probable. Has anyone who stayed alone ever felt unsafe at a Disney resort? I haven't ever felt that way, but I've also never been there alone.

Has anyone gone alone with a baby and had a good time? I don't mind missing all the big rides, as this trip is really for her to see and enjoy things that will only be exciting to her as a baby. I'm sure she'd like the Osborne lights when she's 5 too, but you know how excited babies get with things like that. And she's only going to want to eat Santa Goofy's nose for so much longer, so I feel it's worth it to me to take her to see these moments before she outgrows them. But if others have done this and been starved for adult company, I'll rethink it. I have to decide by tomorrow night (November 10) cause that's when the air sale ends so please, anyone with advice, let me know!

Also, some background info, we were there with her in May and June, when she was almost 3 and almost 4 months, and we all had a great time. In fact, it was so much easier for me being there, mostly because she was 'worn' in a Baby Bjorn all day and, being a high need baby, she was very content to be held. She didn't cry once the whole trip and loved looking around at everything. At Disneyland at 6 months she had an even better time, since she knew more of what was going on and loved the characters and lots of the rides/shows. She's a great baby (well, except that she started getting up so much during the night over the past 2 months, but she did that in DL too and we were fine) and we even took her to see The Incredibles this weekend and she sat through the whole movie without making a sound. She is a great traveller so all that makes me want to go more!

 

[swilshire]

I would be hesitant because of the logistics of not having anyone to watch her when you need bathroom breaks. How DID you survive that long flight? Did you take her into the plane lavatory with you?

Do you have a female friend or relative who might love a few days at WDW? How about a teenage neice. When I was single, I would have probably loved the chance to go with a friend and a cute kid at such a happy time of year. And the costs would be low, even if they had to buy a park ticket.

Sheila

 

[justhat]

Yes, I did take her in the plane bathroom with me. Twice, and it wasn't the most pleasant conditions for me, though she loved it cause she could see herself in the mirror. When we're out in public, like the mall or something, I take her in the bathroom with me too. Sometimes I have her stroller and I'll wheel her in the handicapped stall if it's available, or if no stroller then I'll wear her in the Bjorn and just hold her feet out so they don't touch the toilet. Again, not the most ideal, but it's doable. Of course, since I'm breastfeeding and never drink enough water, I often don't have to use the bathroom for much of the day. I know, that's bad, and I try to drink a lot, but sometimes I'm just watered out!

You're right though, that's why I'm wondering if it's a good idea to take her alone, for logigistical issues like that too. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to take with me. I do have a 12 yo cousin who loves kids and babysitting, but she's afraid to go away without her mom overnight so that rules her out. Everyone else I know works or has kids (or both) so they either wouldn't be able to take time off, couldn't afford to go, or with their kids couldn't afford to go. At least with my husband we'd only need airfare, since he's got an AP, but I doubt he can come.

 

[tmfranlk]

I say absolutely go!!! I went alone in March with my then 13 month old DD. My 8yo sister was along, but that doesn't help bathroom logistics or adult conversation. I had the best time. I WAS planning a trip for Dec with just DD and me, but had to cancel for $$ reasons. I travel alone with her all the time.

The logistics are not much different than going to the mall, etc. You have the bathroom down already. Buffets are easy enough if you just carry baby and fill one plate at a time. Rides are no different than your Disneyland trip.

Adult contact for me was supplied enough by talking to DH nightly and striking up conversations wuth others while waiting in line or when DD was napping.

Go and have a great time!!!!

 

[BlueBayou]

I just wanted to add something about using the bathroom on the plane.

I met my husband for a vacation at the end of his business trip. It meant I had to take my two daughters 3 1/2 and 15-months alone on a more than 4 hour trip alone. I just handed my youngest to a stranger when I set up the car seats (I figured that was better that picking something off the floor and putting it in her mouth.)

When I needed to go to the restroom when my 15-month-old was asleep, I left both of them in their car seats. It was a quick trip. I did take the two of them with me the other two times when my oldest needed to go. Not easy, but can be done.

Have a great trip.

Sher

 

[gigi1313]

i guess i'm the dissenter in the group... i say no... personally, i don't see a 9mos old *LOVING* anything so much that you'd take her to florida for it... if she soooo loves Christmas lights, i am sure there are plenty in your neighborhood... and yeah, those are some precious moments, but unless the trip is really for you, then i don't get it... she will never remember any of it...

 

[justhat]

No, she won't remember it when she's 20, but oddly enough, one of the parent magazines (I forget which one) recently had an article about a study on child memory. They asked a bunch of 3 year olds who had been to Disney World when they were 18 months what they remembered from the trip and they all remembered many details, including ones that parents found insignificant. This was true at age 5 as well, but by age 10 the memories were mostly faded. The interesting part was that most of the 18 month olds were non-verbal at the time of the trip, and those who were verbal spoke few, simple words, so apparently they saved these memories and then when they gained the verbal ability they put names to them.

Of course, my daughter will only be half that age, so I don't expect her to remember it at all. I just care about the moment, and seeing her face light up with excitement now, even though she may never know she went. So I guess that side of it is going for my benefit. Maybe part of that is because we really don't have anything like Christmas lights in my neighborhood since we live in downtown DC, so she can't really get her fix at home. I put up lights and a small tree in our condo, but those are the only ones she'll see as we're surrounded by hotels and office buildings. That might also be why she likes them so much since she never sees anything like it. At 3 months she was asleep when we took her to Spectromagic and I desparately tried to wake her up but she was out. Well she happen to open her eyes as the first float came by and she picked her head up and stared and smiled at every float. Immediately after the parade ended she fell back to sleep.

With that said, we decided to go-my husband will be with us for the weekend and she and I will be alone the other 2 days of the trip. We got lots of positive experiences from people on the community board so we figured if they could handle it, usually with more than 1 kid, then we can too! Hopefully we'll have a great trip and can come back and encourage more moms to take their kids even if dad can't make it!

Oh, BlueBayou, when I flew from Vegas to DC, after I came back from the bathroom with my daughter, then 7 months, a bunch of women sitting around me (no men in the front of the plane!) offered to hold my daughter while I used the bathroom. Unfortunately I already had. I thought about asking someone, but it was a late night flight and everyone looked sleepy and was involved in reading/knitting so I didn't want to bother anyone. Turns out there were 2 pediatric nurses sitting by us, one behind us and one across the aisle, totally unrelated to each other. So I really woulda felt safe leaving her for the few minutes I was gone. Unfortunately she doesn't sleep on planes so I can't go when she's asleep!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I hope you have a great trip. We took DD#1 when she was almost 9 months old (it was an early Decemember trip so I am guessing our kids have close birth dates!) Anyway she did like the lights, but we liked them more.

One thing I have noticed that you are never alone with a baby. You have the perfect excuse to talk to yourself and being alone with a baby is like an open invitation to talk to strangers (and I have found that no one is a stranger at WDW!) I don't think you will be starved for adult conversation. It isn't like you are alone in the room all day (and think of all the days you are home alone with the baby, you don't go crazy, well maybe a little but it comes with being a mom!)

Eating might be an issue. I read a trip report from a women who the waiters and waitress always held the baby when she ate!

Now that I have 2 going out with just one and the baby is a peice of cake!

A side note with memories. DD went again when she was 23 months old, and 2 more times when she was 2 before she turned 3 (Annual Pass year.) She still remembers and talks about things we did when she was 23 months old. She did have great lanuage skills at that time.

Good luck and have a great trip.