Baby Swap

[Pat_Elliott]

Hi!

This is my first post to the Family board. We're planning our first trip as parents. While we are Disney vets, I'm feeling like a rank amateur. I'm seeing some great stuff here. I'm going to try and read a lot of archives so as to not duplicate commonly asked questions.

We're planning a late April, early May trip, when Kimberly will be 8 months old, due to lighter crowds, even-handed temperatures (to heck with rain), and two basic theories we hope hold, that she'll be sleeping mostly through the night, but won't be walking yet. We're driving down and will thus take all our own "stuff." We've seen enough of Disney so that we're less into rides and being in the parks, more about just slowing down and enjoying the Disney atmosphere with our daughter. But my immediate question as we slip into the early part of the planning stages...

Baby-swap. What can you tell me about this? Is it something that sits well with non-parents in line? As a couple, we've never noticed it. Then again, line-cutters don't bother me, either. I hate the thought of ticking people off, yet want to use that which is available to us so we can enjoy a few E-Rides. I find a lot of definition of baby-swap, little data on how it actually plays out.

Also, does anyone have experience with a baby of this age (8 months) in a waterpark? Has anyone taken their child down Castaway Creek? I'm not much into the wave pool nor the slides. If I could take my daughter and drift the day away, I'd be a happy camper. But then there's that three feet of water beneath you...is this a good idea, allowed, and practical?

Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[always dreamin']

Pat_Elliott...I know you don't know who I am but I followed your ordeal over on the Community Board. What a happy ending! I'm sorry I can't answer your question, I too would like to know the answer. Although we have been there many times, this will be the first with an infant...our first DD was 2 the first time she went. Anyway...I just want to send a quick response thanking you for the smile you just put on my face. After the experience you and your wife went through, it is so nice to see you on the family board and it brought a smile to my face. I hope your little one will realize one day what caring and loving parents she has!

Have a great trip!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Thanks for the thought! I don't think there's anything cooler than finally getting to annoy the people on the Family board for a while. Posting here the first time is strange. It's one of the few boards in which I've never posted nor lurked. I've taken a half hour this morning to breeze through the archives and a couple other sites with family tips. The more I learn, the more I have to learn. Example: I never thought to myself she may be too big for her child car seat but too small for high chairs. Makes one wonder about attempting a sitdown PS!

I'll look forward to hearing how your trip went and taking tips. And I'm glad I put a smile on your face. You sure put one on mine!

Pat

 

[prplcrzy]

Baby swap shouldn't annoy non-parents. You have to wait in line and then once your partner comes off the ride, you get to go on.

They may have you go in the Fast Pass line, I know that's what Mission: Space does, they give you a ticket and you use that.

As far as the waterparks go, I guess that is a personal decision. I myself didn't take ds to a waterpark because I spent most of my time trying to keep him out of the sun and at the waterparks, that's not too easy. I would be nervous taking an infant in the tube. They are so slippery when they're wet in the tub, imagine that with 3 feet of water under you.

Have fun planning your trip!

Nancy

 

[Samandmom]

Just wanted to let you know that only rides with height restrictions have baby swap. I am mentioning this because I did not know that. We wanted to do a swap on Buzz Light Year (baby was sleeping) and they said the baby swap was only with height restricted rides.

Hope this helps

 

[Tank]

Disney is a great place to spend time as new parents. You find yourself noticing all the little things you missed in the past, because you have to slow your pace and relax. We took our DD when she was 9mo and we had a wonderful time. The baby swap is a simple process, wait in line til you come to the ride, tell the CM you want to baby swap, they will let one of you ride while the other waits with baby. After the first one gets back you switch. Every ride has different place to wait so just ask any CM working the ride. What I would do if I were you would be to use FP for the major rides. It makes it easier to take care of the necessities of an infant. Find a nice place in the shade one of you take off for a ride and the other can change the diaper, or feed the baby. When the first one gets back the second can rock the baby to sleep or whatever need to be done.
We also took DD to TL, put her in one of the rafts with a solid bottom. I stayed alongside(not on raft) and we had a nice day in the water.

 

[disneydude]

You'll have a great time, we took our DD when she was 6 MO and have went back at least evrery 2 months since. It is so exciting to see her notice new things, and even at 6 MO she loved the characters!!! One word of advice, learn where the "baby stations" are, there is one in each park and they are wonderful! they have nice changing tables, places to feed, breastfeed, and just rest away from the crowds.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I appreciate every's help! Although DisneyDude is making me jealous with that every two months thing. Please tell me there's a negative side to living in Tampa, lest my envy engulf me!

We've downloaded a lot of stuff, and already have the baby-stations pinpointed. The Epcot station between TT and Mexico sounds like the real winner. As Kim will hardly be able to "ride" things, Epcot (always our favorite park) seems like the best place to hang out and "let it happen."

Thanks again! I doubt that will be my last question.

Pat

 

[disneydude]

""Please tell me there's a negative side to living in Tampa, """

One word, Humidity!