Calling all experts! Tips for travelling with a 13 month old!!

[N&B'smom]

I'm pleading with all you Disney experts out there!!! If any of you could give me some tips on going to WDW with a 13 month old daughter it would be GREAT! Anything you think I just HAVE to know??? Please help!!! This is my first trip anywhere with my children, I have a 5 year old son as well.

TIA!

Shelby

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Bring a stroller of your own. We were so happy we brought our stroller as it reclined and DD could sleep in it. We bought a cheap umbrella one that reclined jsut for the trip. The ones you rent don't recline well.
The changing stations at the parks are great for changing, feeding etc. They are QUIET and it is a great break.
Bring snacks and bottled H2O. Our DR. said that the H2O in Florida has a lot of sulpher in it and the baby probably would not drink it. We brought H2O with us into the park each day. Also bring sunscreen and snacks.
If your little one is still using bottles remember to bring dish detergent. I like the towelettes that already have soap on them to wash out the bottles and nipples back at the hotel.
Link favorite toys to the stroller with those plastic links so you are not constantly picking up dropped toys all around the parks.
Put some kind of identifying mark on your stroller ( a pompom on the handle etc). While you are on the rides they sometimes move your stroller. Our stroller was navy blue and so were 100s of others.
If you are staying on Disney property you can mail yourself a box. We mailed down a few toys, bottle bags, wipes, diapers and a few other things. It saved us space on the plane and DD was happy to have something to play with at the hotel.
If this is the first time you will be using sunscreen on the little one, try it before you leave. DD got hives from the sunscreen and we had to call DR from our cell phones at the park to find our how much benydryl to give her She looked terrible. Ditto for bug spray...try it before you leave.
If you are flying make sure you have bottle, cup or pacifier for take off and landing so babys ears dont hurt.
There are some great links on these boards for activities for your 5 year old..coloring pages, etc. There are also some trivia and questions you could help him find the answers to at the parks. There is also a great journal that you and he could do togeather so he has some great memories. We gave our other DD a disposable camera for the trip so she could take her own pictures...worked great.
Remember a great big fat pen (you can buy them in the parks) for autographs. It is easier for the characters. I hope some of these help you out.You are going to have a great time. The best part will be watching the childrens faces........magical.

 

[b-1]

We went in December 2003 and brought our own reclining stroller that had a canopy. What I should have done is brought a rain protector ( like a poncho that wraps around the front of the stroller) for the stroller. Sometimes we would come out of an attraction and the seat would be wet from a short rain. I also would think a mosquito net would be necessary in the summer months.

The single best thing I brought was a sling. This worked really well for standing in lines, since you can't have the stroller in line. I would pop DD 15 mos into the sling and away we went. I would even leave her in the sling while we rode things like POC or HM. I would bring her over so that she was facing me instead of on my hip. Worked really well. The sling was also convenient when walking around the resort to the pool. DD wanted to walk sometimes but would tire out so I could scoop her up and carry her and still have my hands free to carry the swimming stuff.

I also brought her own crib sheet from home as well as blankets for the pack n' play crib that the resorts supply.

Have a great trip.

 

[NALA 24]

My advice is to look for shade. Also, look for rides and attractions that are air conditioned. My favorite one with small children is Its a Small World.
Enjoy having your young children at WDW. Taking older
children to WDW is fun, but taking young children is magical.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thank you all for the great advice!!! I actually rented a sit/stand stroller from a place in Orlando that will be delivered to our room along with a full size crib. It does recline and if my older child gets tired he can stand on the back even when it's fully reclined!! Thankfully she has not had a bottle since she was 9 months old so that'll be easier with sippy cups.. We're staying in a Villa that has all the necessities so it should be easy to get them cleaned up for the next day. I'm REALLY looking forward to this trip and seeing their reactions!! Thanks again for all the advice!

Shelby

 

[pandamom]

I'd like to second the suggestion of the rain cover for the stroller. We always brought it on our Disney trips and used it often. (Bought ours at Babies r' Us. Clear plastic cover with mesh air vents on side.)

 

[LuvAriel]

N&B's Mom,

I am going down in October, I LOVE your idea of renting a sit and stand stroller and s FULL SIZE CRIB!!.

My DD's will be 41/2 yrs. and 8 months old.

Can you give me the # of the rental place so I can do the same!!!

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[N&B'smom]

Here's the site, you can reserve whatever you want online and they send you an email confirmation w/ instructions about where the items will be delivered!!! Hope this is helpful to you!!!!

http://www.abbf.com/

Shelby

 

[LuvAriel]

Thanks for this tip...I will check it out.

I was starting to stress about taking an 8 month old, but after reading so many great posts like yours, I am starting to relax.

Thanks

 

[moinab]

I absolutely second the suggestion to bring a sling or hip carrier. We have been to WDW 7 times since DD turned 1 year old in January (and we're going again this weekend! ) My MayaWrap sling and our stroller are the two things we couldn't do without.

We also love Pampers Bibsters, and I always have lots of wipes to clean off tables and highchairs. Some people like the disposable place mats, but my DD just throws them on the floor.

Have you checked out the Disney for Families board? There are lots of threads there about babies/toddlers at WDW.

 

[aimee11621]

TOOOOO HOT !!! TOO MUCH TROUBLE !!! TOOO MANY CROWDS!!!!

STAY AT THE HOTEL WITH THE BABY AND ENJOY. LET THE REST OF YOUR PARTY GO DO THEIR THING.

I'VE SEEN HORRIBLE RAINS AND STORMS. BABIES WET. BABIES HOT AND FLUSTERED. NOT WORTH THE CHANCE IF HE/SHE GETS SICK. LUGGING AROUND ALL THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED.

SORRY IVE GOT TO GIRLS AND WE JUST STAYED PUT UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO BEAT THE HEAT!!

SORRY GUYS! I FEEL SOO SORRY FOR THE LITTLE ONES THEY CAN'T SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

MOMS PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THEIR INFANTS YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF DISNEY FUN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

 

[N&B'smom]

Too be honest I'm not sure what you're talking about, Disney is FOR kids. Kids of all ages will enjoy it. I went at age 11 months and survived. We're also going in Sept when there are no crowds. I do plan on 'taking care of my infant'. But gee, thanks for the tip.

Shelby

 

[TooBoyz4us]

N&B'smom,

I think your going to have a magical time with your children.And seeing your daughter with all the princess's and characters will bring tears to your eyes, and give you memories of a lifetime.

It sounds like you have gotten wonderful tips from the other Mom's who have posted here (well, except the one ), and your plan on renting a stroller and full size crib sounds ideal.

I hope all of you have a truly magical vacation!

 

[babby]

Three things to say:

Ignore the post about not going.

Bring a sling- Maya Wrap- I bought one from advice I got on these boards and it really helped.

Watch out for sharp edges on nightstands at POP century if youare staying on site. My son cut his head so just be careful.

 

[LuvAriel]

I KNOW WE WILL HAVE A FABULOUS TIME IN DISNEY!!!!! Depspite some of your thoughts.

I agree, Disney is FOR kids of all ages.

As far as my children go, they DO come first, that's the reason for this trip, and the reason why I am doing so much research, so I am fully prepared to meets the needs of my kids!!!

Thanks to the moms for their support and all their wonderful tips.

If you have anything else to share on how to make this trip smoother with an infant and 4 yr. old, please do.

 

[pandamom]

Also might want to bring plug protectors for the electrical sockets in the hotel room. We took our dd (now 6) when she was 9 months, 12 months and 17 months. She absolutely LOVED it! (Much more so than if she had been cooped up in a hotel room!) We took breaks in the afternoon and went back to the hotel room and we never stayed very late in the parks.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks to those of you who actually wanted to give good advice! I truly appreciate it! We plan on going to one of the parks in the morning and then after lunch crashing at the Villa (Wilderness Lodge) for my daughter to nap. Some of us may hit the pool at that time while the others nap, we're also traveling with my parents and my grandmother. (she'll want to nap too) Then we'll head back out later in the afternoon until the evening! Can't wait! I plan on taking it nice and slow! I'm just looking to enjoy Disney for the first time through my children's eyes! I know you others feel the same way as well!

Shelby

 

[princessmurdough]

Thanks to all for the good tips - we're taking DS this Dec. - he'll be 13 months, so we're also looking for any and all advice. Keep this thread open !

 

[princessmurdough]

Great thoughton taking the sling - just wanted to post that I just got a great one. New design from L'il Bugger Hugger called the lil bugger snugger. Nice patterns and comfy dbl ring design - good for at least a half day at the park. (www.lilbuggerhugger.com)

 

[N&B'smom]

Just wanted to mention that along with renting a full size crib and a sit/stand stroller I just added some toys to the order! I wanted something to keep my dd occupied during the times we are in the Villa. It's $25 for age appropriate toys for the week!! Just thought I'd share it's from www.abbf.com

Shelby