Blessed but need HELP!!!

[Heidi Myers]

We are very excited that we will be travelling all the way from New Zealand across the world to experience the magic of Disney World. We booked our accommodation nearly a year ago and it seems like forever having to wait for the time to come.

We booked onsite accommodation for ten days at the Disney All Stars Movie Resort. Yes, it my seem a long stay to you, but we are travelling many miles to visit your wonderful country and would like to take in as much as we can.

The predicament we are currently facing is that we had a very strict budget that we have to adhere to. We booked the accommodation for two adults with a six year old boy and knew we could get away with a studio room for all three of us, BUT, we have now been blessed with a very last minute addition to our family through the adoption of a wee baby boy. We have been waiting nearly five years to have this amazing blessing but it has put us in a pickle of note. We definitely cannot afford to upgrade to a one bedroom room as it would cost us another nearly $1,000. This is not in our budget.

I know we could stay on an offsite hotel for a better price, but we have been scrimping and saving ferociously for ages to afford this and have been getting our six year old son all excited for the incredibleness that is the Disney resort.

It would not be impossible to do it, but having such a wee man waking up all hours of the morning would be very disruptive and may make for a difficult holiday. I think, the question I am trying to ask is, is there a cheaper option, besides the camping as we cannot drag camping gear all around the world that would still afford us to stay onsite. Or, if you have a better suggestion, we are open!

Thank you for your help!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

All-Stars Movie rooms will sleep 4 + 1 child under 3. You are within capacity for the room.

There will not be anything on-site more affordable, and off-site you will need a car and to pay parking.

 

[dvc cruiser]

All Star movies room can hold 4 people just will be little tight. Something that might work for you is a renting points from one of the DVC exhanges I am sure you can find one on the DVC board. Try looking into a studio at old key west. It will be very large for a studio with mini fridge microwave and such for your family.

 

[Heidi Myers]

Hithanks

All-Stars Movie rooms will sleep 4 + 1 child under 3. You are within capacity for the room.

There will not be anything on-site more affordable, and off-site you will need a car and to pay parking.

Thanks for your reply. Yes I know we are within capacity and am therefore not worried about that side of it, more for the difficulty of trying to keep a six year old quiet while his wee brother is trying to sleep. Also having bub wake up crying for his feed will wake everyone up. We have already arranged to have a car for the stay so having to pay for parking would be a pain.

We may just have to bite the bullet and deal with it! :-(

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The most affordable alternatives will cost considerably more -- a family suite at All Star Music, or a family suite at Art of Animation.

 

[Heidi Myers]

The most affordable alternatives will cost considerably more -- a family suite at All Star Music, or a family suite at Art of Animation.

:-(

 

[Heidi Myers]

All Star movies room can hold 4 people just will be little tight. Something that might work for you is a renting points from one of the DVC exhanges I am sure you can find one on the DVC board. Try looking into a studio at old key west. It will be very large for a studio with mini fridge microwave and such for your family.

Thank you, ill definitely look into this!

 

[Barbara76]

We are very excited that we will be travelling all the way from New Zealand across the world to experience the magic of Disney World. We booked our accommodation nearly a year ago and it seems like forever having to wait for the time to come.

We booked onsite accommodation for ten days at the Disney All Stars Movie Resort. Yes, it my seem a long stay to you, but we are travelling many miles to visit your wonderful country and would like to take in as much as we can.

The predicament we are currently facing is that we had a very strict budget that we have to adhere to. We booked the accommodation for two adults with a six year old boy and knew we could get away with a studio room for all three of us, BUT, we have now been blessed with a very last minute addition to our family through the adoption of a wee baby boy. We have been waiting nearly five years to have this amazing blessing but it has put us in a pickle of note. We definitely cannot afford to upgrade to a one bedroom room as it would cost us another nearly $1,000. This is not in our budget.

I know we could stay on an offsite hotel for a better price, but we have been scrimping and saving ferociously for ages to afford this and have been getting our six year old son all excited for the incredibleness that is the Disney resort.

It would not be impossible to do it, but having such a wee man waking up all hours of the morning would be very disruptive and may make for a difficult holiday. I think, the question I am trying to ask is, is there a cheaper option, besides the camping as we cannot drag camping gear all around the world that would still afford us to stay onsite. Or, if you have a better suggestion, we are open!

Thank you for your help!

I think the cheapest onsite option for a separate sleeping space would be All Star Music suite, but still that will be considerably more expensive. Something I have heard of people doing with little babies is getting a room at a moderate resort with the sliding good doors between the bedroom and the sink portion of the bathroom and putting the portable crib behind those doors, the issue with this is if someone needed to use the bathroom they would have to open those doors which might disturb the baby.

If it were me, I would keep the room you have and I would but the sex year old on the bed closest to the bathroom, and the portable crib in on the opposite side of the other bed furthest from the sex year old. (hope that makes sense).

 

[Heidi Myers]

I think the cheapest onsite option for a separate sleeping space would be All Star Music suite, but still that will be considerably more expensive. Something I have heard of people doing with little babies is getting a room at a moderate resort with the sliding good doors between the bedroom and the sink portion of the bathroom and putting the portable crib behind those doors, the issue with this is if someone needed to use the bathroom they would have to open those doors which might disturb the baby.

If it were me, I would keep the room you have and I would but the sex year old on the bed closest to the bathroom, and the portable crib in on the opposite side of the other bed furthest from the sex year old. (hope that makes sense).

Awesome idea, failing all else, this will be the plan, thank you!

 

[tseitel]

How old will the baby be when you travel? Any chance by that time he is making it thru the night (or at least longer stretches)?

I know every baby can be different, but with my 2, they didn't wake up immediately screaming for food, they kind of squirmed around a bit, fussing a bit and working up to the screaming. I was always able to get to them before the full on screaming started.

Perhaps with you right next to the baby you would hear him just as he started to wake? And be able to quickly get the bottle warming? And after a full day at the park, your 6 year old might just be so tired he sleeps through it all.
I agree with Barbara76 that I would put the most distance between them.

Congratulations on the new addition, and whatever you decide, you will be able to make it work. After all, you will be at Disney!!!

Best wishes and have a fantastic trip !!!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It sounds like your stay is coming up. generally, a DVC rental needs to be made 7-11 months in advance of the trip, and fall (mid-September through marathon in January) is heavily booked and you will not find 10 straight days in a 1BR or studio at ANY DVC resort.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Congratulations on your new addition! We traveled to Disney with a new 3 month old, and stayed in an All Stars Movie standard room. 2 adults, 2 kids, and the new baby. It was tight, but I don't ever recall the baby disrupting sleep. As someone else suggested, put the pack n play by your bed near the door, and your son in the opposite bed.

That trip was one of my absolute favorites, really having time to bond with the baby. Make sure you utilize child swap while you are there, so you can each ride with your son. It will make touring so much easier, and almost like getting double fast passes!

Congratualtions on your blessings; I'm excited for your for your trip! It sounds just priceless!

 

[tseitel]

Yes! With the child swap your older son will get to ride twice !

 

[Heidi Myers]

Congratulations on your new addition! We traveled to Disney with a new 3 month old, and stayed in an All Stars Movie standard room. 2 adults, 2 kids, and the new baby. It was tight, but I don't ever recall the baby disrupting sleep. As someone else suggested, put the pack n play by your bed near the door, and your son in the opposite bed.

That trip was one of my absolute favorites, really having time to bond with the baby. Make sure you utilize child swap while you are there, so you can each ride with your son. It will make touring so much easier, and almost like getting double fast passes!

Congratualtions on your blessings; I'm excited for your for your trip! It sounds just priceless!

Thank you so much! Really thrilled to have the reassurance that it will work out... We are SUPER excited and will definitely take advantage of utilizing the child swap.

While I have your attention, may I take advantage of your experience? Do you have any recommendations in particular when travelling with a young one?

 

[Heidi Myers]

It sounds like your stay is coming up. generally, a DVC rental needs to be made 7-11 months in advance of the trip, and fall (mid-September through marathon in January) is heavily booked and you will not find 10 straight days in a 1BR or studio at ANY DVC resort.

Thank you, good to know!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Heidi,
Well, I would definitely plan on touring early, and taking a break about mid day. We usually arrive at the parks at opening, eat lunch about 11, and head out by about 12 or 1ish. Head back for naps or pool time. Kids are usually up early, so it is likely no different than your daily routine.
Do you have any table service meals planned? With our young kids, we've found buffets just work best, because they are both entertained, and you can feed them right away. It definitely takes the stress out of waiting for your food to arrive at a traditional dining experience.
If you aren't on a dining plan, do plan to bring drinks and snacks into the parks. This is permitted, and you should take advantage of it. We travel with a small soft sided cooler bag, and just put our cold beverages in there. Then use any QS restaurant to request cups of ice.
I assume you'll be traveling with a car seat combo stroller? Great for baby to sleep in at the parks. Do you wear your baby? I'd get your husband comfortable wearing baby too, so that it isn't all on you.
Mommy hooks are the best invention for strollers, to easily hook bags on and off. Also, make sure your stroller has a drink holder.

I'm happy to answer any questions! We have four kids, so have been there at just about every age.

You are going to have the most magical time!

 

[Heidi Myers]

How old will the baby be when you travel? Any chance by that time he is making it thru the night (or at least longer stretches)?

I know every baby can be different, but with my 2, they didn't wake up immediately screaming for food, they kind of squirmed around a bit, fussing a bit and working up to the screaming. I was always able to get to them before the full on screaming started.

Perhaps with you right next to the baby you would hear him just as he started to wake? And be able to quickly get the bottle warming? And after a full day at the park, your 6 year old might just be so tired he sleeps through it all.
I agree with Barbara76 that I would put the most distance between them.

Congratulations on the new addition, and whatever you decide, you will be able to make it work. After all, you will be at Disney!!!

Best wishes and have a fantastic trip !!!!

Bub will be 6 months. He may be sleeping through the night by then, here's hoping... You are right, my wee man squirms around a bit before he wails...

Disney here we come!!! One month, 3 weeks and 3 days till we hit your shores, WoooHoooo!!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think, given your dates, holding firm on your reservation will be your best move. You won't get DVC for early October, and not for 10 nights. Upgrading to a suite will be a decent chunk for you.

 

[vratiana]

Congratulations on your new baby! We stayed in a value room with our youngest in a pack n play when he was still waking up at night. I would hear him but I think everyone else was too exhausted to wake up or be bothered by him. We really liked being on site. The buses made it easy for one of us to return to the room with the little one even if the other wanted to stay out with the older child. For in the parks, I highly recommend babywearing (Ergo/sling/etc) for waiting in lines with a six mouth old. Also, I would rent a stroller off site delivered to your hotel if you aren't bringing one (I would probably do a double with a 6 year old). For a baby I would make sure you get a stroller with a great sunshade (like Baby Jogger City Mini single or double). I keep extra diapers, wipes, change of clothes, extra snacks in a plastic shopping bag in the stroller basket. I leave this bag in the stroller all day (no valuables just in case of theft). I then have a smaller bag that I carry on rides with valuables & essentials.The baby care centers are great and in every park. But regular restrooms work fine for diaper changing as well, if you are too far from a baby care center.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know every baby can be different, but with my 2, they didn't wake up immediately screaming for food, they kind of squirmed around a bit, fussing a bit and working up to the screaming. I was always able to get to them before the full on screaming started.

So much yes. And the closer baby is, the easier it is to feel/hear/sense those squirms.

Once DS was actually asleep the only person he ever woke was me, and he was right in between me and DH.

Adding formula into the mix adds a complication, but I can totally see myself going the easy route and using room temperature water instead of heating it. Lazy me.

And after a full day at the park, your 6 year old might just be so tired he sleeps through it all.

So so true. My son had a hard time getting to sleep for years (I still do...I've just never been great at it!) but at Disney he's asleep almost before his head hits the pillow, and he sleeps incredibly soundly while there.

Bub will be 6 months. He may be sleeping through the night by then, here's hoping... You are right, my wee man squirms around a bit before he wails...

Disney here we come!!! One month, 3 weeks and 3 days till we hit your shores, WoooHoooo!!!

I probably wouldn't assume *sleeping through the night*, but with him at least in the same room you should be able to sense him working up a hunger before he freaks out.