Am I crazy for considering a trip to DLR with a 15mo and a 2mo?!?

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I have seen lots of folks with young children at WDW, and wouldn't think twice about going there, but we are living in Arizona for only one year, and will honesty never get to experience DLR if we don't go while we are out here. We are considering going next May.

My wonderful DH will be with us, and we will be driving (it's about 7 hours to DLR from here).

So, how baby friendly is DLR? Can the little ones go on rides without height restrictions? Any rides that you would not take a little one on even though disney would allow it? Are there baby care centers here like at WDW? Any hotel recs for traveling with two little ones?

I expect the trip to be laid back, and have lots of people watching/atmosphere enjoying time. I just really want to experience DLR while we have the chance! Thanks!

 

[Mtnman44]

Yes, you are crazy. I love DLR but I would not do that.

 

[MATTERHORN]

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I have seen lots of folks with young children at WDW, and wouldn't think twice about going there, but we are living in Arizona for only one year, and will honesty never get to experience DLR if we don't go while we are out here. We are considering going next May.

My wonderful DH will be with us, and we will be driving (it's about 7 hours to DLR from here).

So, how baby friendly is DLR? Can the little ones go on rides without height restrictions? Any rides that you would not take a little one on even though disney would allow it? Are there baby care centers here like at WDW? Any hotel recs for traveling with two little ones?

I expect the trip to be laid back, and have lots of people watching/atmosphere enjoying time. I just really want to experience DLR while we have the chance! Thanks!

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!! Disneyland is super baby friendly!! Okay, to answer some questions. Yes, the baby can go on any ride that has no height restriction except you have to be 1 to go on Autopia. There is only one ride that I never take my kids on as newborns/babies and that is Roger Rabbit. It's just the loudest and craziest of all dark rides. A baby can go on but it's not my cup of tea!!!

I take my kids all the time by myself (DH stayed home to work!!) so it can be done and we always have a great time. You will have two adults so it will be no sweat! My first trip with all three was with DD5, DD2.5 and DS 2 months and I have to say it was the easiest trip since DS was born!!! He just slept on the Baby Bjorn on me almost the entire time, so I was able to enjoy lots and lots of rides with the girls. I nursed so it was super easy (back row on Pirates, the Railroad, any 3-D show) are great places to nurse in dark, cool comfort.

Otherwise, they do have baby centers in both parks that are wonderful with changing tables, nursing area, highchairs, etc. I recommend bringing your own stroller for sure, most likely a double it sounds like. I also recommend staying across the street in walking distance as it was too hard for me to do the kids, fold up the stroller, and carry everything for the shuttle. A walking distance hotel makes the trip stress free as far as I am concerned!!

Okay, sorry that went on so long, but you can do this and it will be great!! Let me know if you have any other questions or if there's something I forgot to answer!!

Andrea

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I wouldn't do the drive!

My dd who is 3 now has been to Kauai for 2 weeks at 5 mo old, Mexico 2x before her 3rd b'day and Arizona more times than I can count (Grandma lives there), she is great on planes etc... but when I think about it, I wouldn't have brought her to Kauai at 5 mos... it was way too much work for me to keep her out of the sun etc... and not much of a vacation.

That said... if you think you can handle it--go for it... I would probably more consider it if you were nursing the baby--then you have no gear to pack for the baby (other than diapers and clothes)--that is what we did for Kauai and our 1st trip to Mexico, and it was fairly easy... but we had only 1 baby--not 2!!

GL!

--Lisa

 

[jham]

I live about a 10 hour drive from DLR. I have 4 kids DD10, DS8, DS4, and DD2 and have gone to DLR many times with kids at all ages. I've even gone pregnant! The drive is not too bad. The younger they are the more they nap It helps to have a DVD player although your kids are a little young for that. The parks are very baby friendly. I have spent plenty of time in the baby care centers at both parks nursing babies, even feeding baby in the high chair. One of my fondest memories is taking baby DS on POC and having him fall asleep in my arms every time. We have stayed at the GC and off site and found it is very nice staying in walking distance. We often stay at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn which is very close to the main gate and next to McDonalds. I say go for it and have a fun time!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I appreciate all of the honest opinions from no to maybe to YES YES YES!

I'm glad to know that even if I am crazy, I'm not the only one that has considered taking a baby (or two) to the parks.

I really don't think it will be too bad, my DS is soooeasy going, and even though he will be toddling around, he has the type of personality where he loves to be out and about. He loves to sit back and observe things. For example, he loves going to the mall, and will literally LOL while beig strolled around.

I hope the baby on the way is at least half as good as Nathan. Anyways, I am going to continue researching it, and will probably look to some of you for guidance, and help with questions along the way.

Thanks again, and if anyone has anything to add please do. I'm looking for all the advice I can get!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I just took my 11 month old. We were staying in Phoenix and made the drive over.

* The drive itself wasn't bad. You know your kid best. It took a lot of effort and energy to keep our girl entertained for the drive. (It was only 6 hours for us). That was definitely a challenge.

* The parks weren't bad at all. We did lots with her. She did: Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, It's Tough to Be A Bug, and Monsters Inc. She loved everything and actually fell asleep on Pirates. She was mad after It's Tough To Be A Bug because she wanted more. The difficulty was in the queue. Again - sitting waiting doesn't work for a baby. But once we actually GOT to the ride, she had a fabulous time. We worked our touring such that the ONLY things we waited for were Alice in Wonderland and It's Tough To Be A Bug. We were in line for early entry at 6:30 and did the bulk of our rides during the first hour they were open. We wanted to do Nemo - but it really is a choice. Do you want to do ALL of Fantasyland, or just the Nemo subs? And I was a bit nervous about the flume drops on Pirates of the Caribbean - but she fell asleep. The boat rides (Pirates and Small World) put her to sleep. She clenched her butt cheeks up on the drops, but like I said - sleeping the whole time.

*For the other rides that she couldn't go on - we made effective use of child swap. We had a friend come with us, so nobody had to ride alone. Plus our friend got the bonus of riding twice with no wait. And I'd HIGHLY reccomend using the child swap for a few Disneyland exclusives. The Matterhorn and Indiana Jones come immediately to mind. I'd also reccomend doing Space Mountain. While different, it blows the Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain away!!! And while I'm thinking about this, rather than child swap, you can just use single rider lines at some of the big ones.

*I don't know if you breast or bottle feed - but there's TONS of spots to do both. There's lots of little out of the way places for some privacy if you breastfeed. Likewise, there's shaded spots where you can bottle feed out in the open. (I don't know your comfort level with breast feeding - or if you do it - so no judgements - I'm just letting you know my observations as to where you can do both! )

*The KIDS are in charge. We had one meltdown - and it happened AS we were leaving the park. The moment those babies start to get uncontrollably tired, make your way toward the exit.

*Strollers - NOTHING like at Walt Disney World. With only a couple of exceptions, I didn't see ANY designated stroller parking. You just kind of left it. It was a bit nerve wracking at first, but we put our valuables into the diaper bag, left the stroller and it was still there when we got out.

*With 2 babies - it's gonna be tough to get family pictures so be sure and use Photopass!!!

*Even with a car, and a Good Neighbor hotel room within walking distance? You'll probably want to use the Anaheim Resort Transit. It saved a lot of walking at the end of the day.

I personally wouldn't hesitate going again with a 15 month old. But BOTH a 15 month old and a 2 month old? It'll be a challenge. But if you do decide to take it on, it will be well worth it.

If you want to check out some pictures:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net

 

[heatherleigh]

I think the Disney properties offer childcare services. I have never used one, but I read that somewhere. I agree with the previous poster about the strollers. It frightened me to have to leave it, but it was always there on our return. I'm debating whether or not to take my brand-new Maclaren on this trip, just because it is so nice.

The 2-year old will have a blast. I'm just wondering whether or not it would be worth it to do it w/ a newborn though. You and your husband will be sleep-deprived on top of everything else. I definitely couldn't do it w/ an infant.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Heatherleigh - You will see about a million Maclarens and Bugaboos and BOB's and Phil and Ted's and such!!! I just took our brand new Maclaren all summer and had no problems, but we've been going for years and haven't had a single stroller problem ever (crossing fingers!) But what I meant was, you will not be the only one their with an expensive stroller by far!

The Disney properties do offer childcare but not for her ages, it's only 5-12. But since you are going in the interest of family time and the baby is so little, I am assuming it won't be needed.

Also, I would stay directly across the street, which is so close of a walk that you can't even catch the ART there. We like the Desert Inn, which you can do a little suite or two rooms attached for pretty cheap so you can put the kids on the other side of the room!! It works great and it's right at the crosswalk!!

But it sounds like you have decided to go ahead with the trip and I say, let the planning begin!! It's kinda like the nervousness/excitement before a big ride, I usually make it out to be more than it ends up being. I think it's just a scary thought when you think about taking them, but it will be fine. And a day at Disneyland with two babies sure beats a day of dragging them to the grocery store, post office and bank!!!!

Andrea

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Wow! I really appreciate the time some of you have taken to tell me about your trips. It sounds like the trip is very doable, and so I am going to go ahead and plan it! YEAH! I will however keep in mind that the trip might have to be cancelled based on how I feel, how the baby is, and how the whole family is adjusting.

I plan on taking the HUGE double stroller, but will also have an assortment of slings and carriers to use for standing in lines, riding rides, and such. I honestly think the 2mo will be the least of our problems.

A couple of questions:
Are strollers allowed in the restaurants/counter service areas, or will I have to park the stroller, and carry the kids in to eat?

Are there 'normal' changing tables in all of the bathrooms, or do I have to trek back to the baby care center for all changes that require a place to lay one of the kids down? (I've been known to change a diaper in the stroller, but the 15mo will be a little big for that by then!)

Is there really no benefit to staying on property here? I'm just so used to the whole disney imersion thing at WDW, that I just don't know how I would feel staying off site. I would love to save the money, but don't want to spend my whole time wishing I was on property.

Thanks Andrea for your positive/cheerful attitude, and thanks to *snackystacky* for sharing your pics. Your DD is beautiful, and she looks like she had a blast!

 

[MATTERHORN]

A couple of questions:
Are strollers allowed in the restaurants/counter service areas, or will I have to park the stroller, and carry the kids in to eat?

We take our strollers in a lot!! Especially if the baby is sleeping. It can get tight in some areas but it is definitely do-able at mose places. Just let them know you need it at the table when you tell them how many in your party, they'll seat you accordingly!

Are there 'normal' changing tables in all of the bathrooms, or do I have to trek back to the baby care center for all changes that require a place to lay one of the kids down? (I've been known to change a diaper in the stroller, but the 15mo will be a little big for that by then!)

I also always change in the back seat of the stroller since it lays flat!!! But there are changing tables in all the restrooms, and from what I have seen, they are clean and they have really cushy cloths to lay down for protection!

Is there really no benefit to staying on property here? I'm just so used to the whole disney imersion thing at WDW, that I just don't know how I would feel staying off site. I would love to save the money, but don't want to spend my whole time wishing I was on property.

Not as many benefits here as in WDW!! Here I would say the only benefit is either EE (if you don't get it with your hopper) and the "magic" of it. Sometimes I find a great deal, but most of the time, I won't pay big bucks just to stay onsite at DL. The pools are great, but I don't know how much you'd be using them! That's one of the main perks for us to stay onsite. Otherwise, I save money!

Thanks Andrea for your positive/cheerful attitude, and thanks to *snackystacky* for sharing your pics. Your DD is beautiful, and she looks like she had a blast!

No problem!! I hate to see someone pass up a wonderful opportunity out of a fear that will most likely not materialize!! You should have just enough time to get used to having two before you brave DL!!

 

[tracer]

If it were us, WE WOULD TOTALLY DO IT!!! You won't be by yourself so you can still do "things" (ex - potty break, get food, etc). We took our kids on all the rides that didn't have height requirements and that seemed ok, not to jerky. I would avoid RR also. Our drive is about 7 hours too...DO IT. DO IT. DO IT!!! DLR is so child friendly it makes the trip a lot easier and more pleasureable!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Andrea-Thanks for answering my questions. I'm glad we won't have to juggle two kids while eating. I'm sure some places will be too tight for a big double stroller, and we'll just have to play it by ear. I'm just glad that it is not completely forbidden. Tracer-Thanks for adding your words of encouragment.

I think we are going to aim to arrive the Sat before Mother's Day. I would love to do the special buffett that I read about somewhere, and it would be a perfect day for me (the disney nut of the family! ). I think we are then planning on staying through Thursday...with our drive back on Thursday. I hope 4 days in the park is long enough. We can add a 5th day without problem if anyone thinks it would be beneficial. I just want to have enough time to tour around leasurely, and enjoy all of the small parts of the park.

Now we just have to decide where we want to stay!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Cool!! I know you said you are planning on the week of Mother's Day, but there is a special for 2008, but I think it expires one week before that, maybe the last day of April! It is get 5 days for the price of 3, I am thinking that will take place of the kids free special they usually run in the spring!!

But I digress, it sounds like a perfect time. You will get the weekend entertainment along with low weekday crowds. 4 days should be plenty, but I would always take an extra if you can!!!

Andrea

 

[m&j'smommy]

We live in AZ too, and took our kids to DL last year when they were 4 and 18 mos. (going again in 1.5 weeks!!!) and the best thing we did was drive to DL in the evening. DH went to work for the day, I'm a SAHM and so I wore them out all day long-playing, running, the park etc.- and DH got home @ 5, we ate a quick dinner, gave them a bath, put on PJs, and left around 6. It made for a long night for us, but the kids slept all but an hour of the trip. It was great! Dh and I listened to books on CD, talked, enjoyed the quiet as we don't get much. Now, coming back we followed DHs plan-left DL early in the morning-horrible!! Hit traffic leaving Anaheim, the baby projectile vomited all over the back of the car near Riverside, hit afternoon traffic in Phoenix, and had to listed to two kids whine the whole trip home!!!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

We live in AZ too, and took our kids to DL last year when they were 4 and 18 mos. (going again in 1.5 weeks!!!) and the best thing we did was drive to DL in the evening. DH went to work for the day, I'm a SAHM and so I wore them out all day long-playing, running, the park etc.- and DH got home @ 5, we ate a quick dinner, gave them a bath, put on PJs, and left around 6. It made for a long night for us, but the kids slept all but an hour of the trip. It was great! Dh and I listened to books on CD, talked, enjoyed the quiet as we don't get much. Now, coming back we followed DHs plan-left DL early in the morning-horrible!! Hit traffic leaving Anaheim, the baby projectile vomited all over the back of the car near Riverside, hit afternoon traffic in Phoenix, and had to listed to two kids whine the whole trip home!!!

now that is a perfect idea m&jsmommy...and just another reason why we shouldnt listen to the men...they have no idea what they're talking about

 

[m&j'smommy]

now that is a perfect idea m&jsmommy...and just another reason why we shouldnt listen to the men...they have no idea what they're talking about

Amen.

 

[CandCMommy]

We live in AZ too, and took our kids to DL last year when they were 4 and 18 mos. (going again in 1.5 weeks!!!) and the best thing we did was drive to DL in the evening. DH went to work for the day, I'm a SAHM and so I wore them out all day long-playing, running, the park etc.- and DH got home @ 5, we ate a quick dinner, gave them a bath, put on PJs, and left around 6. It made for a long night for us, but the kids slept all but an hour of the trip. It was great! Dh and I listened to books on CD, talked, enjoyed the quiet as we don't get much. Now, coming back we followed DHs plan-left DL early in the morning-horrible!! Hit traffic leaving Anaheim, the baby projectile vomited all over the back of the car near Riverside, hit afternoon traffic in Phoenix, and had to listed to two kids whine the whole trip home!!!

You've got the right idea! We live about 9.5 hrs from DLR and have had AP's for the last two years so we make the trip frequently. We always leave in the afternoon or early evening and drive anywhere from 6.5 to 8.5 of the 9.5 hrs. The kids sleep most of the way then we get up early the next morning and finish off the drive. By the second day my DS 3 is so excited that we are going to DLR that he's an angel for the rest of the trip. On the way home we do the same thing, go to the park for the better part of the day, wear the kids out and then start the trek home. Works out great!

 

[CandCMommy]

Having just returned from our second trip in a month with our DS 3 and DS 2 months I can tell you that we had absolutely no problems. The most challenging thing we encountered was trying to figure out how to keep the hot CA sun off of our DS 2mos. On the first trip I was a nervous wreck trying to keep the stroller covered when he was in it and when he was in the Bjorn constantly telling my DH to shade him with his body. It was in the 90's and covering him with a blanket was not an option. After returning from that trip I decided I wasn't going to go through that again so I did a little research and found a sunscreen that can be used on children under 6 mos. We used this sunscreen on our second trip and it worked perfectly. It was over 100 degrees this time and all we did was put the sunscreen on him and go. If he was sleeping or facing directly into the sun I still covered his stroller with a blanket but the sunscreen sure made things easier on us. It's called Mustela and is a little hard to find. Fortunately, we found it at a baby store in our area. Other than this little challenge, we had no problems with the DS 2 mos, we rode every ride we wanted and ate at all the restaurants we wanted with the stroller in tow.

One other tip I can give you, if you're nursing there is a blanket on the market for nursing mothers that has a strap that hooks around your neck. It made nursing at the park so much easier without having to run to the baby care center each time I needed to nurse. I could just pull it out and find a shady spot and no one could see a thing. No falling off your shoulders or getting pulled off by the baby. The name is a little funny but it works wonders, it's called a hooter hider and can be found on numerous places on the internet.

Good Luck and enjoy your time with the young ones.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Leaving in the evening is a good idea...I hadn't really thought about it since right now it wouldn't make a difference. We drove from Alabama to Tucson in 3 days when we moved last month, and I guess I was just thinking about how good DS was during that trip. I'm sure at 15 months though, he'll have a different idea about what a good time riding in a car is!

Thanks for the tip about Mustela also. I'll have to get some...I'm leary about putting most sunscreens on DS 7 months now...I'll have to try it. The sun and the heat does worry me some, but I'm reading that the average temps in May are 56-74 degrees. I don't think that would be too bad. The slings that I have are all lightweight and cool since we've lived in the deep south and now the desert.

I'm looking at staying at the candy cane inn. I like the decor, the location, and the heated baby pool sounds like something my son will love! My only hold back is...do I want to ride a shuttle or just walk. It sounds like walking from the CCI in the morning is doable, but after walking around the parks we'd want to use the shuttle. How cramped would we be on it with two babies and a double stroller? I wish I could find a picture of it's shuttle, or hear first hand accounts of how it works.

Thanks again everyone for your tips!