Best tips for going with a baby

[jsebsirois]

Hey there, me again!

So the trip is slowly but surely on his way. We booked some ADR, were able to get free dining and the resort we wanted and we're reading everything about travelling with a baby!

I would have a few extra questions so if you guys have time, thanks in advance!

1) What kind of baby purees do they sell at the Baby Centers?

2) Does babies need to wear shoes while in a restaurant?

3) Can you have the baby in his carrier while riding some attractions? Speaking of which, can you have the baby in his carrier while onboard Disney Magical Express and the aircraft?

Thanks!

 

[NJlauren]

Hey there, me again!

So the trip is slowly but surely on his way. We booked some ADR, were able to get free dining and the resort we wanted and we're reading everything about travelling with a baby!

I would have a few extra questions so if you guys have time, thanks in advance!

1) What kind of baby purees do they sell at the Baby Centers?

2) Does babies need to wear shoes while in a restaurant?

3) Can you have the baby in his carrier while riding some attractions? Speaking of which, can you have the baby in his carrier while onboard Disney Magical Express and the aircraft?

Thanks!

Congrats on your preferred hotel and FD!

I just got back so I am going to try to help you out

1. I think I saw Gerber, this type if I remember correctly http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=/product/index.jsp?productId=4309371&cagpspn=plab_8186445&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID8186445:BRUS&eESource=CAPLA_DF:4309371:TRUS&domain=http://www.toysrus.com&productId=4309371&cagpspn=plab_8186445&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID8186445:BRUS&eESource=CAPLA_DF:4309371:TRUS

If you prefer pouches bring or order to your hotel

2. I hope not... My daughter didn't wear shoes or socks once

3. Carrier on the rides wasn't an issue, wore her on tons of rides....DME I didn't try so not sure.... The plane welllll this is a sensitive topic some say yes some say no I have never done it but asked once and they said it was fine. I would ask your airline/flight attendant

Feel free to ask me anything else I may be able to help with

 

[DisneyParkLover]

I have my trip report from our trip with a 9 week old linked in my signature, but here are some things we learned:
1) a carrier is very useful for lines
2) you can also use that carrier on most every ride
3) a stroller is better in some situations so bring both
4) make sure you focus on hydration and keeping baby cool as September is hot and babies don't thermoregulate well
5) don't be afraid to try things - you may be surprised what your little one enjoys

And regarding flying, we flew with our son when he was four months old. They let me wear him in the carrier during the flight, but made me remove him for takeoff and landing. Not 100% sure why, but they said that was their policy.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I didn't read the whole thread and I'm sure there are some great tips with all the usual stuff. Here is something we did with our DS when we took him at 15 months. We visited in June (hot) and didn't leave the parks. Think about what you dress them in. We used light seersucker type rompers for my DS and we used the baby care center to feed him dinner and changed his clothes. After all the sweating and stuff during the day, my clothes feel kind of yucky. I figured his did too. I just always imagined that time in the baby care center to get cooled off, his belly full and a fresh set of clothes made him feel so much better.

 

[Hootch]

The parks have baby centers. They have all you need for changing, feeding (not the food), etc for babies including a place to settle them.

 

[NJlauren]

The parks have baby centers. They have all you need for changing, feeding (not the food), etc for babies including a place to settle them.

The do actually have a small selection of food to purcahse now, at least they did in MK a few weeks ago.

 

[jsebsirois]

Wow! Thank you so much guys! It really is special now to travel as parents! We've been to so many places before but still, I now feel like I'm travelling for the first time!

I'll now reed DisneyParkLover's report and NJlauren, I'll probably ask you more questions as the trip get closer.

Thanks again!

 

[NJlauren]

Ask away! Hope to help as much as I can!

 

[CaryHaven]

Hey there,

We've always travelled to WDW as a couple only, but next september, things will change for we'll be taking our first trip as parents, with our son who will then be 10 months old.

I've been through different threads already about the pros and cons of going to Disney with a baby.

Now, I'd like to know, what are your best tips while visiting WDW with a baby?

Thanks in advance everyone!

Lots of sunscreen and a stroller fan, maybe a little water mister too. Of course, make sure he's well-hydrated and bring along a receiving blanket with clothespins to block out the sun when needed. (The fan will still blow a crossbreeze). Remember that everything will slow down considerably, but most of our best memories have come from spontaneous moments and not planned ones anyway.

 

[CaryHaven]

Hey there, me again!

So the trip is slowly but surely on his way. We booked some ADR, were able to get free dining and the resort we wanted and we're reading everything about travelling with a baby!

I would have a few extra questions so if you guys have time, thanks in advance!

1) What kind of baby purees do they sell at the Baby Centers?

2) Does babies need to wear shoes while in a restaurant?

3) Can you have the baby in his carrier while riding some attractions? Speaking of which, can you have the baby in his carrier while onboard Disney Magical Express and the aircraft?

Thanks!

Not sure on number one, but they don't require shoes for restaurants that I've ever noticed. However, they will on the meet and greets (if they are walking) They wouldn't even let my toddler approach Minnie. She loved to take off shoes, and we lost a super cute Mickey Klog, so this was a problem. I think they said a parent could hold her while shoe-less to meet a character. As for number three, they generally want the baby facing forward, so I wouldn't think it would be an issue as long as they're forward-facing on the rides. It's just like an extra security belt really.

 

[Mommy to Kayla]

This is all so helpful, thank you all. DD will be turning 9 on our trip next month and DS will be 6 months! We never went when DD was a baby so this is a new experience for us. I didn't even know the baby centers existed!

 

[MissionMouse]

Depending on where you are in the country you may not find the same baby formula/food in Florida, so considering bring your own. We did not do Disney in the same way we did Disney as we did before we had kids. Our day ended earlier. In earlier trips we brought our own Cadillac stroller (just remember you have to break this down on buses and smaller boats), then later trips used umbrella and lastly we rented. Protection from the sun is important, so a stroller with some type of cover works best; rain is common too. We focused on making it a vacation for everyone, so we stayed at Deluxe due to their location. We also chose club level back then, not sure we would select CL todays as they have streamlined their offerings. It did provide us a lounge to hangout in or if calling it a day earlier allowed one of us to go to the lounge and return...sort of tag team. The deluxe provided a nice balcony view too during naps and end of day for everyone. Their location also provided quick access to take a break, grab a snack away from crowds and allow them to take a nap after the lounge break. A key item is to basically maintain the daily routine you have at home and your baby should have a happy day. Your dining experience will entail the normal feeding at the same time your meal arrives at your dining table. Were not fans of stroller sleeping overall, it did happen here and there, but overall we did return for a daily nap. It allowed our day to go a little longer and while others had to deal with the end of day melt downs (pushing children beyond their limit), we were fine. Also, think about attraction and rides colors, music, sounds and explosions (rides/fireworks) as your child will love some and cry in response to other experiences. Never to young or old to go to Disney. Its an experience and while children from age 1-10 may not recall a specific Disney Vacation we believe it provide an adventure of creativity and imagination that becomes part of who they are. It also provides a unique parent experience where you see first hand the excitement and innocence of childhood through the eyes of your own child. Have a great time and takes lots of pictures and video. Oh, don't forget about child swap which helps you experience rides your baby can't ride.

 

[jsebsirois]

Another question :

Can we bring our own life vest for the pools? It won't take much place in our luggage, but if we're not allowed to use it, no need to take it with us!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hootch]

I don't see Disney stopping you from bringing your own life vests. I would recommend bringing your own vests. The ones at the pools I have seen are limited in size and may not work well for some kids.

 

[Kathryn777]

Yes you can bring your own life vests. They may check them to make sure they're approved. We brought my daughters vest and my son's puddle jumper, both were fine

 

[Crystal824]

We just got back from Disney with a 10 month old. We also took my older daughter who is 4 when she was 9 months. My tips are make use of the baby care centers. They are great if you are close by for a diaper change. I wouldn't cross the park to get to one, but if you are near, it is nice as they have many changing tables whereas the bathrooms typically have one changing table so there can be a wait. We generally order from a grocery delivery service (diapers, wipes, babyfood, snacks for us and the kids, water, milk, formula, etc.) since we don't have a car. We use Garden Grocer, but there are others. Since we don't have a car, I find this easier and cheaper than getting a cab, renting a car, paying for an extra suitcase to take this stuff from home, or buying at Disney.

Yes, you can bring your own life vest. We actually brought a baby raft for our daughter. There were no issues with that. Make sure you bring or rent a good comfortable stroller for the baby. Don't plan on renting one from Disney. Those are really for older kids and are made of hard plastic. It would be difficult for a young baby to relax and nap in those. This past trip, we bought our own stroller, but we have rented from Orlando Stroller Rentals previously.

 

[baldy6060]

Talk to your pediatrician about what to bring, proper attire (they need to be covered but cool), medicines, etc. Try to keep the child on their schedule. Bring extra clothes each day. You've already heard all that, I'm sure. The main things you must remember are
1-keep them hydrated.
2-lather them in sunblock more than once each day (I saw a poor kid at AK who got very bad sunburn despite being in a shaded stroller with sunblock on).
3-from experience...make sure you have gotten prescriptions for your child at a pharmacy that also has a location near Disney. My pregnant wife got a cold a couple of years ago and her pediatrician tried calling in a prescription to Walmart's pharmacy but it didn't go through because the last time we had used their pharmacy it was under her maiden name and her most recent prescriptions were purchased at a store that only has locations in our region. Lesson learned.

 

[jsebsirois]

Once again, thanks to everyone for all these great informations!

The trip is closer now and soon, we'll be able to book our FP+.

I would have a question about Rider Swap and FP+ : If we're going to use Rider Swap, do we both need a FP+ or only one is fine, the other adult being given a Rider Swap return?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Davey Jones II]

Babies don't belong in parks. They belong at home, napping. Whenever I see them in strollers, they're either sleeping or crying. They get blasted by heat, sun exposure, noise, and overstimulation. What are they getting out of this experience, besides potentially dangerous sun burns? At that age, children are especially vulnerable to the sun.

Go ahead and blast me for saying the truth, but someone has to say it. Theme parks are great places for kids; not for infants.

 

[hopeful4fl]

Babies don't belong in parks. They belong at home, napping. Whenever I see them in strollers, they're either sleeping or crying. They get blasted by heat, sun exposure, noise, and overstimulation. What are they getting out of this experience, besides potentially dangerous sun burns? At that age, children are especially vulnerable to the sun.

Go ahead and blast me for saying the truth, but someone has to say it. Theme parks are great places for kids; not for infants.

You are entitled to your opinion and am sure plan your family events around it. In today's digital world, the baby may not remember anything of the trip, but it makes for some fantastic memories for the family (as a whole unit) and as the baby grows up, those pictures become a testament to the fun times that the family had. As the baby grows older, those pictures are something that he/she can look at and further bond. Heck, I look at pics from my infancy that my parents have and absolutely love some of the places they were taken, which I later visited when I was an adult.
BTW, adults get blasted by heat, sun exposure, noise, and overstimulation too, and some of them behave worse than infants.
Disney is about family (IMO) and I would not want to have that experience without anyone in my family regardless of their age.