April vs August with a baby

[coconutsunshine]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new mom to a very adorable 4 month old boy and am trying to plan our next trip to Orlando. We'll be staying off site this trip since I want a full kitchen and washer and dryer in our room and the disney version of this would be way out of my budget

So we were considering April and August, we have family who are 99 percent sure they are going in April and it will be cooler, but our little guy will only be 71/2 months as opposed to August where he will be almost a year but it will be hot and humid!!

All advice and opinions will be appreciated

THANKS!!!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

April. The heatalone would make the choice for me.

 

[justwinnie]

I would prefer April when it's cooler.

The August weather is just so hot and humid. I feel like a little one would be miserable in the heat, sitting in a stroller.

 

[coconutsunshine]

Thanks that's what were leaning towards too, I've actually already bought the tickets but have 24 hours to change or cancel, so thought i would get other disers opinions!!

 

[2binak]

April. We took DD on her first trip when she was 8.5 months old. It was Oct and the weather was amazing. She wasn't too young at all. In fact, she loved everything - the sounds, the sites, the characters, you name it, she loved it! Also, I think they are easier to handle at that age then when they get a bit older.

 

[puffkin]

April! The weather will be better. Plus he won't be walking then. When they start to walk, it gets MUCH more difficult to take a baby. He will be a piece of cake in April, seriously!!!!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I say April as well ~ weather will be so much nicer, plus at a year old your son might not want to sit in a stroller, that's never fun.

 

[loveysbydesign]

April...due to it being less hot and your little one not being able to walk yet! Makes it much easier!

 

[Mrs D]

Another vote for April.

 

[coconutsunshine]

Thanks everyone.... another question how long do you usually go for when you are vacationing with a baby????

 

[loveysbydesign]

If you plan to take it easy and not go commando I'd say 8-10 days! We generally don't tour the parks on the days we fly down and back home.

 

[2binak]

We went for 5 nights the first time and 6 nights the 2nd time. We took a day off from the parks the 2nd time and it was really nice to have a day to relax. I think any longer than that and it could get difficult on everyone being away from home for so long.

 

[CLR4321]

Unless you are used to being outside in very hot humid weather, I would always pick April over August. I can't function properly in that sort of heat....March is my month of choice (booked before spring break) for WDW.

 

[blessedby3]

April will be much better. Babies are easy at any age (from my experience). It is the preschooler age that gets difficult. We took our youngest for her first visit at 3 1/2 mos and her second visit at 17mos. Easy at both ages, so dont get hung up on 7 mos vs. 12 mos. The time of year you go is more important

 

[dmbfan]

I say April too...we have gone the last couple of years in July, middle of July and the heat was so bad that at times we had to leave the parks cause it was just to hot...So I say April, if your looking for "cooler" less humid weather. Enjoy!!!

 

[katied]

April!! DS was there at 8 mo in Dec. We had great weather and had a great time. He was there again in late May/early June at 13 mo. We still had fun, but the last two days were so hot (95+ with high humidity). DS was having a really hard time with the heat, and during our day at Ak we spent most of the time in Babycare cooling him down because he just got over heated. Once he was better, we went straight back to the resort for rest and pool time. I can't imagine ever taking such a litte one in the hot months (unless they're from a warmer climate than DS and I).

In terms of lenght of trips - I knew when DS was that little that we would have many trips. He was there at 6 mo, 8 mo, 13 mo, 18 mo, and 20 mo. All but the trip at 13 mo were tacked on to my business trips, so we generally spent 3 days at WDW during each of those trips. I only picked a couple parks, took it easy, and didn't try to squeeze in too much. At 13 mo we took a 10 day trip with DSister and her family. It was great to have such a long trip - for the family visit time (since DSister lives about 2,000 miles by air away) and also a relaxing Disney pace. If you do want to get to all the parks, plus have some relaxing time, I would say you need at least 6 nights/7 days.

 

[mejkjj97]

we are going in Aug. with a 8 month old. I wish we could do April but we are unable to. I was there this past year in Aug at 21 weeks pregnant and we will follow the same "rules" as this past year. Out early in the am, back to the hotel mid day and out early evening. Tons of water and snacks to eat.
It's managable but it's hot.

 

[lutzash]

I agree with April! We took our DD (and big sisters) the first week of last May when she was 6.5 months and it was wonderful. There were actually a couple of record heat days (upper nineties) but it's hands down better than August in Orlando!

We did 8 days/7 nights and it was perfect - better than our 5 night/6 day previous trip.

As for staying in the park, we loved it - just something to think about for next time. We LOVE staying in the park because of the ease of transportation and cost savings by not having a rental car or pay parking. IMHO, it's the best way to visit Disney with a baby, especially if you can swing doing a monorail resort. We forked out a few extra bucks for the Polynesian last time (with 14 year old, 9 year old, and 6.5 month old DDs - all of us in one room!) and the convenience was fabulous. By staying in the park and doing the park hopper, you can take plenty of breaks for naps and pool time and split it up however you want. It really takes the stress out of having to do every ride on your list in one visit. We could hop on the monorail and go do Peter Pan after dinner, or go to see a parade somewhere, without having to make a day out of it. We did the dining plan and supplemented with PB&J, etc. Pricey, but easy...(and there were discounts at the time that made it worth it!) I'd love to go again this fall but the deals just aren't all that great right now.

Have fun!! And congratulations!

 

[PrincessMom4]

I have never been in April, but I can tell that August is HOT and humid and your chances of random showers are higher.

 

[Alexander]

DS was 3 this past August and he was MISERABLE in the heat. Just being outside for 15 minutes would turn him into an absolute grump. The minute he hit the A/C he was a different child. Prior to that trip, he has been at least a dozen times in Februarys, Aprils, Novembers, and Decembers. It was definitely the heat that put him on edge.