Anyone take kids less than a year old?

[KelPAmom]

Hey Guys!

My husband and I are expecting our first baby on August 5 (hopefully at the end of July, though! ) and we're also planning a trip to go to WDW for either the second or third week in March. We want to do a big family vacation with my ILs (yeah, I'm starting to rethink that one, too! ), my parents, his brother and brother's girlfriend, and my sister. We're SO excited! My parents are going to be down in FL anyway for spring training at that time, so it works out perfect. Our baby will be about 7 months old in March...has anyone else taken a baby to WDW? I'm just curious about your experience. Nothing will dissuade me from going because I'm a Disney fanatic, but I just want to be prepared, too. Any tips you have will be totally appreciated! I also have a friend who will be taking her little girl down there next year, and she'll be about one year old at the time, so I can share these with her, too! (She's the one who introduced me to this awesome board! )

Thanks in advance!

BTW - A little bit more info...we plan on staying at one of the All-Star Resorts in the park since I love staying in the park and we wanted to save $ on the resort and spend it on the baby (who can't have enough Mickey Ears, of course!), we're flying from Philly to Orlando so it's only about a 2/2.5 hour trip and we do plan on taking our Jeep Liberty stroller (the Urban All-Terrain one...kind of like a jogger with the three wheels but smaller).

 

[dizneydiva2005]

My youngest was 15 months when we took him. I also had at the time a 9 y/o and a 5 y/o. I say break 'em young!!

Please bring your own stroller~ one that will lay back so the baby can nap. Disney strollers are hard plastic, I can't stand seeing little babies in them, trying to nap.
That's my advice!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

Haven't taken my Ds yet but he is getting ready to turn 9 months so little older than your little one will be. Probably will be doing the baby food thing by then and if not breastfeeding then lots of formula. Make sure you have lots of bags to haul all this around. I think my Ds would be really good at WDW right now (just because of the age not that he is exceptionally good or anything lol) so I think you shouldn't have a problem. Go and have fun and DON'T STRESS!!!

 

[jessica52877]

Took DS at 6 weeks and haven't stopped yet! It was great, at 6 weeks of course he was along for the ride, although I have some precious pictures with the characters oohing and ahhing while I hold him. Anyways, their pack n plays are great, don't bother to take your own, I have usually had a fairly new one. I do bring my own sheet. Just me! and a blanket of course if needed.

At 7 months and depending on how much time you'll spending in the room throwing in a box of outlet plugs is probably a good idea. Of course I didn't tend to let my son crawl around the floor, but at some point they'll be down there and safe is just better then sorry. At 3 I still bring them and he has never even gone near one!

Make it simple as can be. Pack light but make sure you have what you really want. I found it easier to just throw in the whole pack of diapers, since you are flying I would seriously consider a grocery trip to pick up the food, diapers, wipes, etc. That would make so much less to pack. We always fed my son table food, no baby food. This made life on vacation 100x easier. All his baby food I made and smashed or grinded myself. Quick easy fixes are bananas, simple to have wherever you are.

Definately take your own stroller. You might not want a huge one at disney but that is up to you and you'll know what kind of items you'll have with you. I enjoyed always a smaller one at disney, just easier to manuever, etc as soon as he was out of his infant carrier. Have fun!

 

[7lords]

Took our kids when they were 3 1/2 years old and 11 months old the first time - they both loved it. He doesn't remember it but he had lots of fun when he was there.

 

[lissawynn]

I took my DS last August just before he was 6 months. He was a dream on that trip. We drove from just north of Philly to Orlando. We stayed at the VWL. I had no problems with DS on that trip. I took my Maclaren stroller, which was relatively easy to get on and off the buses and boats. We ate at CG, BD, Le Cellier, CP, Ohana and numerous CS places. I took the stroller into Ohana CG and he slept through most of our meals.
Whenever he needed to be changed or fed, I took a break and did what he needed. The only little problem we encountered was the shower in our room was a handicapped stall, so we bathed DS in the sink.
I used the baby station in MK and MGM (I needed an extra jar of food and a bottle the day I left ours in the room).
I took DS on just about every ride, with the obvious exceptions of RnR, ToT, Soarin', BTMRR, etc. He loved all of the characters he met, especially Piglet.
I wouldn't hesitate to take a baby in the future. I'm curious to see how he does when we go this July. He's much more mobile now, and his strong-willed personality should lend itself to some fun times.
Have a great trip!

 

[3littleHalls]

We have gone every year since our oldest was 3, and the second was 11mos. That includes a trip with a 9mos old 3rd child! Our kids love Disney, and have always been great esp. when they were young. So much for them to see and do! There is magic even for the tiny ones. Just wanted to point out that it will be a busy time being spring break. Congratulations on your baby on the way!

 

[kimpossible]

My 11 mth old has been there twice and also on the Disney Cruise for 3 nights. The first time he was only 4 mths old and mostly slept. This past time he was 10 mths old and enjoyed more. It really wasn't bad. He is not sleeping through the night yet and vacation did not help the cause. I strongly suggest renting a crib from Children's furniture rental or ABBF.

Also we have a timeshare w/ w/d, microwave and diswasher at the Boardwalk. You may want to consider renting one of these. It makes life easier. But either way it was not bad at all. Although he won't remember it, the rest of the family will and the pictures are priceless.

 

[las3888]

My DS is 15 mos and has gone twice now -- first time at 8.5 mos. It was a challenge getting down there but once there we had a great time. The packing, flight, etc. is the worst part of it all in my opinion. Anyways, we stayed in a 1BR at BWV so that was really key to us as a PP has mentioned.

DS was not a real good stroller napper so we had to go back to the room 2x a day for naps. It was kind of a pain, but still not a showstopper for us. DS also would not sleep in a pack and play we discovered, so we were lucky to have a full size crib at BWV. It was critical for us, although I think many many other kids do just fine in pack and play. I am not sure if there is alot of room in the All Stars to fit a full size crib (if you rent) or even a pack and play, but I'm not an expert there so I can't say for sure.

We didn't pack/buy enough formula, so we ended up having to buy at the diaper centers in the park. It is in tiny quantity and very expensive, so plan accordingly! We were doing nursery water and powder and I think I brought a sample jar of powder and it wasn't enough for 5 nights for us. I really just didn't think it through in advance. On the flip side, I always bring way too many diapers!

DS did good on some rides, but I didn't realize how dark and loud alot of the attractions really are. We took DS on some of the more adult rides that don't have height restrictions (babies can go on all rides w/out height restrictions). He was kind of whiney in a few of these since again it was dark and loud. He really enjoyed alot of the kid-geared rides and attractions at MK so plan on spending more time there if rides are really important.

Character buffets were alot of fun...DS enjoyed seeing the characters. At that time I can't remember or not if he could sit well in the standard wooden high chairs that are available at all the restaurants. I think it could be iffy so plan accordingly.

The pool was alot of fun too. All Stars has great kiddie pools for the tiny ones.

We are like you - major Disney freaks...we have DVC so we knew we were going twice a year no matter what age. Good luck and congrats on your new one!

 

[las3888]

My DS is 15 mos and has gone twice now -- first time at 8.5 mos. It was a challenge getting down there but once there we had a great time. The packing, flight, etc. is the worst part of it all in my opinion. Anyways, we stayed in a 1BR at BWV so that was really key to us as a PP has mentioned.

DS was not a real good stroller napper so we had to go back to the room 2x a day for naps. It was kind of a pain, but still not a showstopper for us. DS also would not sleep in a pack and play we discovered, so we were lucky to have a full size crib at BWV. It was critical for us, although I think many many other kids do just fine in pack and play. I am not sure if there is alot of room in the All Stars to fit a full size crib (if you rent) or even a pack and play, but I'm not an expert there so I can't say for sure.

We didn't pack/buy enough formula, so we ended up having to buy at the diaper centers in the park. It is in tiny quantity and very expensive, so plan accordingly! We were doing nursery water and powder and I think I brought a sample jar of powder and it wasn't enough for 5 nights for us. I really just didn't think it through in advance. On the flip side, I always bring way too many diapers!

DS did good on some rides, but I didn't realize how dark and loud alot of the attractions really are. We took DS on some of the more adult rides that don't have height restrictions (babies can go on all rides w/out height restrictions). He was kind of whiney in a few of these since again it was dark and loud. He really enjoyed alot of the kid-geared rides and attractions at MK so plan on spending more time there if rides are really important.

Character buffets were alot of fun...DS enjoyed seeing the characters. At that time I can't remember or not if he could sit well in the standard wooden high chairs that are available at all the restaurants. I think it could be iffy so plan accordingly.

The pool was alot of fun too. All Stars has great kiddie pools for the tiny ones.

We are like you - major Disney freaks...we have DVC so we knew we were going twice a year no matter what age. Good luck and congrats on your new one!

 

[Dewy]

Congrats on the soon to be little one!!

We last went in 2004 and our DS was 8 months. We had a great time but it was a much different vacation when we did not have kids for obvious reasons. Just plan for naps and meals and you will be all set. Each park has a Baby Changing Station that we found to be great. Clean, air conditioned, and well stocked. Find where they are as you first get to the park just in case your child needs a quiet place to be fed and changed, especially if it's a hot day and the excitment of the parks is getting to be too much for your little one.

I agree with previous posts about bringing your own stroller... food and diapers as well. All can be found at Disney but for more $$.

We also rented a car for the first time too...loved that convenience but obviously adds to the cost of the vacation.

Have a great time!!

We'll be going back in the fall with DS who will be 2 1/2 and DD 14 months