Bring a baby to DLR!

[kellymouse]

My baby just turned 3 months old, but we are planning a trip to DLR in March. I have never brought a child, or a baby to DLR since this is my first. I have so many questions. I know she won't know what's going on, but it's my favorite place in the world, so I will have a great time just knowing we are there.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for us? It will just be me, DH, and my 7 month old.

I'm curious about strollers, rides, etc. We will be staying at PP for 3 days.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you use a sling to carry the baby? That makes things so much easier, in my opinion. I "wore" my then-16 month old almost all day at Disneyland, couldn't have been easier (front carry in a mei tai, traditional chinese baby carrier). The few times he was in the stroller it frustrated him b/c all he could see was rear-ends!

Rides are easy...pretty much anything without a height limit, and at that age she won't really get scared of anything like Snow White ride or POTC. Though they generally make you take babies out of the sling, before you go on rides (doesn't always happen, but expecting it makes it easier IMO).

I wish I had been into Disney when DS was so little, and that I'd had the stamina (I had a rough 1st year physically) to go there with him!

Oh, and learn about rider swap (aka child switch/baby swap/baby switch, etc) for those rides with height restrictions, to reduce the amount of time your family as a whole waits in lines! (others can describe it better)

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, and as far as I know, PPH has pack 'n plays in their rooms, in case your little one sleeps elsewhere. There was one in our room...didn't use it b/c we have a family bed, but it might be good for others to know!

 

[Vanvmom]

Our youngest DS had his first trip of many when he was 3 months. We used a Baby B'jorn carrier and his infant seat attached to a stroller. There is a place in each park for nursing moms. It is filled with Mary Poppin like ladies. There are comfy dressing room type rooms with gliders in them. They had high chairs and toddler size feeding areas. They have nice diaper changing areas and toddler potties as well. It is sponsored by Carnation, and when we were there they offered free packets of rice cereal if you needed them. The one at DL is over at the hub end of Main St toward Tomorrowland, by the photo store.

Our son loved the lights and music on Small World & Tiki Room, and POTC was a sure nap inducer. We also got tons of cute photos on this trip. DS loved the characters.

 

[Vanvmom]

We used our own pack-n-play as I wanted to make sure my baby slept in a clean bed (just in case the previous baby to have used the hotel one slobbered an illness all over the netting- some parts are just hard to disinfect). BTW... all of our babies went camping at early ages, they flew on planes, etc... so DL was just another travel experience for them.

 

[lilpixie]

On our first trip to DL, our youngest was 6 months. She loved it! In every picture -- she is just smiling away! There is so much for them to look at and see. We rented a stroller for her and she did fine -- she took naps in the stroller. She loved rides like Peter Pan, Dumbo, Alice, Small World -- she also did great on rides like Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean (pretty much any ride that they can sit on your lap). They have the Baby Centers which are nice for feeding/changing time. We pretty much just had to bring diapers/wipes/extra change of outfit/sunhat/sunscreen (if over 6 months)/bottles if using -- our little one wasn't eating solids yet, so we didn't have to worry about that. Anyways, you will have a great time with your little one!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Babies do great at DL!

Stroller - I would bring your own for an infant so young. The rental strollers don't recline at all, so it would be very difficult for an infant to take a comfortable nap in one.

The rooms at the PPH all have pac-n-plays in the closet. We always used the hotel pac-n-plays because we didn't want to drag our own down there. We did use our babies own blankets/linens in the pac-n-play though.

You should have a great time!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

All 3 of my kids started going to DL at 3 months....and I'm so glad we did that. It helped them later on when there were crowds at the 'mall', or anywhere. They learned patience (amongst many other life lessons) at a very young age. But my favorite places were definitely the 'Nanny stations' as we referred to them. Other breast feeding mom's had there own area, and I never felt uncomfortable. The women that worked in there were so great DL is such a kid friendly place, even for babies

 

[melbarkwith]

I second the baby sling/carrier suggestion. We have quite a few photopass pics, with my 11mth old asleep in the sling. It was sure way for her to have a nap, particularly if she was grumpy in the stroller.

While your baby may not really know what is going on, she will love the music and colours of the parades. My DD sat and clapped through the entire Parade of Dreams, and was just spellbound by the Electrical Parade (as we all were!).

Have fun!
Mel

 

[pumpkin5156]

I did not read the other posts, so sorry if I repeat info. We took my son at 3 months and 3.5 months old. He is my first child as well.
I was so nervous because he had colic and I thought he's scream all day (since that's what he did at home). He did so great. He loved all the action and movements! He slept on me in the Bjorn sling(which I was never asked to remove for a ride), and sometimes he slept in his stroller. I know not all babies like their strollers, my my son loved (and still loves) his. We took him on a lot of rides, even the ones that would be scary (Haunted Mansion, POTC, Snow White, etc.) We came at Rope Drop, went back to the DLH for an hour or so to change into our warm clothes, and went back until fireworks. The fireworks woke him up and he started screaming. So we promptly returned to the hotel where he slept very well (first time since birth!).
The only thing I found hard was nursing him sometimes. We weren't always near the Baby Center, and I like to be super covered and modest when I nurse. We also had others in our party, so I couldn't just halt all plans for his feeding schedule. Most of the time it was fine, but I remember a few times being uncomfortable with people just staring at me.

Have fun and relax!! I wish I would have relaxed more, but being my first I was super paranoid. You guys will do fine.

 

[ShawnaF]

I wouldn't take a baby anywhere else! DL is so wonderful and thoughtful for families! Babycenters are awesome, take advantage!

So, I'm also a bit modest and the breastfeeding bothered ME, but there are a ton of places to do it (benches by City Hall are always empty and a great view of parades if you happen to get the timing lucky) - and you should just go ahead and not worry or think of it. Believe me, we've all done it just about anywhere when the need arose, and there will be 20 women right close around you who have been through the same thing. Of course, that's IF that's a concern to you.

 

[kellymouse]

Thanks so much for the tips!

Do they only have one type of stroller there that you can rent? I am guessing that doesn't lay down so she can take naps in it?

Also, are there any rides she can go on besides the train? I'm not sure since I never paid attention.

Thanks guys!
I'm too excited!!!

 

[Casey's Mommie]

They rent jogging type strollers. They do not recline. You are best off bringing your own stroller.

Babies can ride any ride w/o a height restriction. Our 6 month old went on Pirates, Small World, all the FL rides, Buzz Light Year, HM, etc...

Have FUN!!!

 

[pumpkin5156]

Thanks so much for the tips!

Do they only have one type of stroller there that you can rent? I am guessing that doesn't lay down so she can take naps in it?

Also, are there any rides she can go on besides the train? I'm not sure since I never paid attention.

Thanks guys!
I'm too excited!!!

I would for sure bring my own stroller. We always do. It's a bit of a hassle on the trams to and from the parking lot (if you're not staying at a hotel), but the benefits far out weigh the restrictions IMO.

I would say there are more rides that she CAN go on than cannot go on. My DH and I were just going over all the rides that our 15 month old can go on (I'm asking for an AP for my birthday). He can go on so so so many! Same with your 6 month old. That's what I love about DL: it truly is a park for the entire family! Like I states before, I just had my son in my sling and we went on everything. When my DH wanted to hold him, we'd just take him out of the sling and he'd sit on an adults lap (all this at 3 months old). You guys are going to love seeing your daughters reactions and smiles. There is no age to young for DL in my opinion.

Have fun!!

 

[Vanvmom]

A be sure to hold on tightly to your folded up stroller while on the parking lot trams. One trip we saw one fall off the back car of the tram, and before the driver could stop the tram, it totally crushed the wheel area of the stroller. There was no way that it could have been repaired.

 

[kellymouse]

Thanks everyone!

 

[kellymouse]

Oh, I have one more question!

So, I know that our 7 month old obviously can't go on things with height restrictions, but does that mean she can go on everything else? I'm worried that once we get on something, it will be too fast or scary for her. Is there any place that lists rides suitable for a 7 month old, or from your experience is there anything I shouldn't take her on? I don't think it would be wise to take her on anything that went around and around, like teacups, because I can't even handle those.

I just haven't been on all of these rides so I don't have a clue.

TIA!

 

[Casey's Mommie]

The only thing that I can think of that may be too wild for the baby is Roger Rabbit's Car Toon spin. And come to think of it, I wouldn't take a little one on the tea cups either.

 

[pumpkin5156]

Oh, I have one more question!

So, I know that our 7 month old obviously can't go on things with height restrictions, but does that mean she can go on everything else? I'm worried that once we get on something, it will be too fast or scary for her. Is there any place that lists rides suitable for a 7 month old, or from your experience is there anything I shouldn't take her on? I don't think it would be wise to take her on anything that went around and around, like teacups, because I can't even handle those.

I just haven't been on all of these rides so I don't have a clue.

TIA!

I am the same way about the spinning rides, so we stay away from those. I think 7 months is too young to get 'scared" from Pirates or Haunted Mansion. Everything else I would say is safe. We took our 3 month old on almost everything. Even if she does seems upset by a ride, babies that young are usually easily distracted and change moods quite quickly, so I wouldn't worry. Just enjoy yourselves!

 

[Figment's Girl]

I took my youngest DS to DL when he was 5 months old. Now I'm known in my family as the mom who nursed her son around DL. I used the baby stations but there were times when they just weren't convenient so I made sure we were covered and nursed away. My DS had no problems with any of the sedate rides even POTC and HM. And he loved the Electric Light Parade.