Anyone done DW with an infant?

[disneyvoice]

My DH and I went to DW for the first time in January and had the best time we have ever had on a vacation, including our honeymoon. We planned on going back once a year for other vacations but, at the time we didn't know for sure if I was pregnant yet or not. Turns out I was!!! We want to go back to DW again next year but don't want to leave the baby at home with grandparents so we are comtemplating taking him with us. Has anyone done DW with an infant before? What were the pros and cons? Anything in particular we should be prepared for that we might not think about in advance?

 

[JKW]

We did WDW last year with DS7,DD6 and a DS6mo. It was really nice. We went in early december. We were able to navigate with all very well. We put the tot in a well cushioned backpack which legs open up easily for a stand. He took naps while we walked and waited for the rides. It was wonderful not to have to worry about a stroller that and we could take the backpack on just about every ride. The pack also had a pouch to hold all the essentials. My recommendation is if the babe is able to use a backpack use the backpack. I hope your trip goes well.

Poly - 1996
GF/CSR - 1997
GF - 1998
GF - 1999
GF - 2000
GF/YC - 2001

 

[CamColt]

Congratulations!!!
We went with DS when he was 8 mos. That is a great age because they can sleep just about anywhere, anytime, whenever they need it. You dont need to technically "take breaks" for the baby.

Feeding him his baby food was a little messy and inconvenient, but we survived. I highly suggest bringing those disposable bibs.

My greatest tip goes for those babies on formula, like mine was. Spend the extra money and buy those individual glass nursette bottles of formula. There was no mixing, measuring, pouring, keeping cold, warming up, and all that to deal with. We simply opened the bottle, popped on a clean nipple and fed him. Then we stored all the dirty nipples in a zip loc bag(we also had a bag for the clean ones) and threw out the bottle. At the end of the day back at the hotel, I would wash out all the nipples with dish soap(trial size that I had brought along), and I was ready to go again the next day. I couldnt believe how well that worked out. It definitely wasnt the cheapest route to go, but it was so worth it.
Good Luck!

 

[JKW]

I just thought of another tip that we could give you for packing. We packed enough diapers for the trip down and 1 more day. We had the towncar stop at a grocery store and picked up diapers and bottled water for the formula. We packed the individual packages of powdered formula. Enfamil makes these and they are very handy. At the end of the trip we took all the dirty clothes, souvenoirs and extra suitcases up to the front desk and shipped them home. We kept enough for 2 changes of clothes and the essentials for a one night stay. That was 1 suitcase so the kids and us did not have to carry, tug or wrestle with anything when we were already tired. It cost us about $25 dollars and saved us a whole lot of Motrin.

 

[Carl]

You'll enjoy it better, and so will the baby.

 

[snuggles]

I'm going to move this over to our Disney for Families board. I think you will get more info there. Thanks for posting.

 

[TaraPA]

Last year we travelled with our 7-week old infant to Disney for a week (also with a 3 1/2-year old). We are also going back this Sept. when he will be 11 months old, so it can be done! At 7 weeks all he did was eat & sleep, we took a reclining unbrella stroller and the front pack. It wasn't fun carrying all the formula to the parks, finding a place to warm it & feed him...until we found the Nestle Carnation Baby Centers! They are WONDERFUL! Air conditioned, private nursing rooms with TV, VCR & rocking chairs, full kitchen to use to make your food, formula, etc. They are immaculately clean too! You can purchase formula, food diapers, etc. at these baby centers (double the normal cost of course!) but this year I will be buying things in the baby center instead of trying to carry it all along. It's just not worth the trouble dragging it all to the parks. Also...if you use Tiffany Town Car service from the airport they will make a grocery stop for you, so you can buy all your diapers, etc. on the way to the hotel if you don't have room (or don't want) to pack things. All I can say is it can be done, just don't expect to make definite plans & stick to them...let the baby set the schedule for the day. We tried to follow a set scedule of what to do at what time and found ourselves stressed out all the time because we weren't on our schedule. This time around we will just go with the flow! Good luck!

 

[kecall]

I agree with TaraPA...you couldn't be in a better place than Disney with an infant! Their facilities are wonderful! If you need it, they've got it! We went when my DD was 3 months old and her sister was 3 1/2. The key to finding happiness was being flexible...You just aren't going to "cover ground" like you could when it was just the 2 of you! BUT...with a baby you tend to slowww down and "smell the roses" a bit more! Take advantage of the resort you are staying in, the pool there, the beautiful scenery in the parks, etc. The secret is to relaxxxx, slowww down, and "go with the flow" (For example, you may have planned to watch the fireworks one night, and the baby has just HAD it! Rather than fretting, be flexible, go back to your resort, and order room service!) You will have very fond memories of this trip too if you remain flexible with your plans....

 

[TaraPA]

You got it kecall! Like I said before, I tried to cram 2 parks, eating out, naps, etc. into every day & it just didn't work. The first 2 days we felt rushed & both kids were cranky. Then we found that our 3 1/2 year old just wanted to play in the kiddie pool & we stayed at the hotel 3 whole days! We were at The Swan, so we could walk around The Boardwalk at night & see the Epcot fireworks. That was about as much excitement as we could handle knowing we'd be up every 2-3 hours during the night with the baby! This year I have no "plans." We'll get up when we want to, eat wherever it is convenient & take it as it comes!

 

[kendeann]

So where are these baby centers at the parks... are they the baby stations I see mentioned on other websites??? usually at the beginning of the parks????

We are going with a 8 week old baby in Feb. 2002.... Hopefully will be breast feeding but never know.......

Getting a lot of great ideas... Have been to disney 4 times with teens but a new born be different but just going for a relaxed vacation.... before heading back to work from maternity leave.

And Yes could leave with grandparents but plan to use this time to really bond with us 3...
With out the additional family along... quiet time for baby... No big sisters coming and going.

***T HIS TRIP OF MOM/DAD WAS planned before knowing of new arrival so teens not too disappointed.. They all just went this past year....

 

[kecall]

kendeann -- The baby centers are throughout the parks. I remember one beautiful one by the Crystal Palace Restaurant at MK, there was one close to the entrance at MGM (though not nearly as nice a facility as MK or Epcot....They are marked on the maps. Ask any CM and they can give you directions....Sounds like a wonderful trip....though I'm thinking it might be nice to have a sitter go along with you guys so you can have some alone time....I am conveniently available anytime in Feb!!! I will gladly "suffer" and volunteer for the job!!

 

[kendeann]

good am to ya, thanks for your info, we may just take your offer to baby sit. have a great day, & agin thanks

 

[DVC97-RobKathy]

Alot of the Disney resorts have inroom sitters for if you need a break. We took a 1 month old in March. Did not do alot of parks though. The main thing is if you do not rush around trying to fit all the things is that you want to do and just take it easy and everytime your baby needs something make that special effort to stop and take care of her/him. I am also breatfeeding so sometimes we had to go back out of the way to some nursing stations. (SeaWorld has the most I have seen by the way) but we and she I believe had a great time.
We will be going back in December and she will be nine months old then and planning to do a little more park hopping this time. We'll see how that goes...