cribs (pack n play) question

[skoba-nelson]

For ASSp, Disney's website says pack-n-play's are available. Can someone tell me if they are free or is there a daily charge like the small fridge. Also, not meant for this category, but while I'm typing, DW and I are considering a trip in Jan-Feb when our son will only be 5 months old. Are we crazy? We realize our attraction list will be cut severely. Has anyone done the parent/baby swap thing? We are probably going because DW missed out on the summer of 2002 (May 25-Aug 21) while in the hospital and wants to get away soon to someplace warm. She had a bed-rest situation that required her to stay in the hospital until Brad's birth. But all is well, we have a beautiful son and Mom's problems are over.

 

[mrsv98]

I can't tell you about ASSP specifically, but I know at WL, they charged us $10/day for a crib. This year, we are renting from A Baby's Best Friend (www.abbf.com). We get a full-size crib for $65 for the week, less than Disney charges and it is set up and waiting when we get there. We are also renting a stroller to save us room in the van for the drive. As for going with a little one, I think it will be fine. We took our DD for the first time last year at 20 months and she loved it. Different from a small baby to be sure but because you have to go at their pace, much more relaxing. Go and have fun!

 

[CamColt]

So glad everything turned out well!!!!

The pack n plays are free of charge, just be sure to request it at check in. It should be in your room in no time.

I dont have much advice for you on the little one. We did travel with our DS when he was 8 months old, but we had extended family with us, which was a great help...especially the ones who dont like the thrill rides, as they would watch DS while we did the big rides. Actually, he did pretty well in the parks. At that young age they sleep wherever and whenever they need to. The only "inconvenience" I found was having to feed that messy babyfood on a strict schedule. Sitting on a bench with DS in a carriage wasnt the ideal feeding situation. But we got through it and still had a great time. You should be fine, just know you may need to slow down a bit, and not do everything you are used to doing. Good luck!

 

[CamColt]

Mrsv98, they charged for a crib???
Is this a regular thing or have I just gotten lucky?
We have gotten a full size metal crib at POR(then DXL), and a pack n play at ASMO 2x and never been charged. We even got a pack on play on the Wonder, again free of charge. I

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I just got back from POR and the Polynesian and was not charged anything for the cribs. One was wooden and the other metal (both half-size). I'm afraid someone made some extra $$$ off of you, mrsv98! I would write and ask for a refund!

 

[Janet2k]

Skoba-nelson, here are two photos of the Graco Pak-n-Play's that were in the closets of my most recent Beach Club Villa and Animal Kingdom Lodge stays (I'm sorry I never bothered to take a photo of one of them set up): click here for BCV photo and click here for AKL photo.

I have not stayed at the All Stars yet, but according to the WDW official website, the very same Graco portable unit is available.

Congrats on the new son! We have done Disneyland and Disney World with infants. The baby-swap works great if you want to do that in order to ride some of the thrill rides. However, my favorite memories are the ones where I was *forced* to take things slowly because of the little ones. Those memories are of a sleeping child in a stroller as I walked around and literally smelled the roses. I got the chance to do all those lazy things that I had never really bothered to do before. Those memories are priceless, and all thanks to my daughter and nephew (the first infants that I traveled to Disney with). To this day, I still take the time to stop and smell the roses, even though my daughter and nephew are telling me to "hurry up -- we've got to do the Tower of Terror at least three more times before dinner!" *Sigh*

 

[Janet2k]

By the way, the Graco Pak-n-Play is free. When we stayed at the Grand Floridian and requested a crib a few years ago, that was also free. (That crib was metal, I believe.)

 

[Kermit]

I've never done it (since I'm currently expecting my first), but I think 5 months would be the perfect time to go. Many pediatricians recommend not starting solids until 6 months, so I'd definitely plan on putting that off until you get home. You won't have to pack as much stuff, and it's a lot neater. The weather and crowds at that time of year will be perfect. It could be a little chilly, but that's much easier to deal with than excessively hot.

 

[Gillian]

Congrats on your new addition

A 5 month old should be very easy to travel with And they can't complain about the pack n play at that age! I've never paid for one, at any hotel. They shouldn't charge you.

You can get lots of travel tips on the family board. The only thing I'd suggest is your own stroller, one that has a shade & a decent recline so your baby can nap. At that age they will usually sleep anywhere. A baby bjorn or other carrier is great too! That way you can easily carry the baby while waiting on lines or in other places where you can't bring a stroller. You can't take a stroller in more places than you would think!

 

[Hunnybee]

I agree wholeheartedly with Gillian -- I was surprised at how many places would not allow you to take strollers inside!

We had to take turns eating at the food court in The Land because strollers are not allowed inside the building. My DS (3 years old) had a melt-down in Spain area at World Showcase and finally fell asleep on the walk back to the front to a "normal" food court/restaurant area. There was no way I was waking him up 15 minutes later! I begged the CM at the door who had stopped me, explained the situation, and was told that one of us could wait with him (in stroller) at the top there (there are a couple benches at the top that overlook the food court) until he woke up. Then we needed to bring the stroller outside.

So, be sure to bring the baby carrier as you will not be able to take your stroller into many areas.

As far as the pack and plays go, I don't believe we had to pay for ours at PO-FQ. And, ours did come with sheets (Mickey Mouse one, even! ). I thought I had read somewhere on a packing list thread to take sheets for them since they were not provided, but ours were.

Have a great time!

 

[copper0426]

This is long. Sorry


Congratulations on your little one.

We took our son there when he was three weeks old and than again at 3 months and at least twice a year every year since than and we have never had a problem and he always has a great time. He is six now. The pictures you take will be priceless. I can remember when my husband held he for a picture with Mickey. Mickey expressed he couldn't believe how small the baby was. What a memory.

Please take advantage of the baby swap it is great.

Also the Baby Care Centers in the parks are great for feeding times, they are air conditioned and have pretty much all the supplies you may have forgotten. I've been there and they are pretty much empty most of the time. People don't realize that they are there.

Most all of the rest rooms have changing areas and both the men's and the woman's have them.

Disney is a great place to appreciate you family and the memories will last forever.

As for the crib we usually brought our own pack n play but have always been told there is no cost.

The stroller we had had a carrier on it so when we went in to a sit down show, we just pulled of the carrier and took it in with us and sat him in the middle and he slept right throught the show. No sense in waking him up.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

I too was put on bedrest before our son was born, so I know mom must want to get up and out. What a perfect place to do that.

 

[Alice28]

Ditto the baby bjorn and your own stroller...I have taken both my kids when they were infants to DL and it was great. Last October we went and our younger son was 4 months old. He slept a lot and enjoyed being strolled around. As a previous poster mentioned, it is nice being forced to slow down. I spent many times sitting on a bench or chair, out of the way, nursing my baby, people watching, or watching the ducks on Rivers of America, listening to the carrousel in Fantasyland---it was great. Have a super time!

And no, you won't be charged for the crib. Just request it at check-in and housekeeping will bring it within an hour or so.

 

[Janet2k]

If you look at my BCV photo again (click here to view it), you'll see a sheet lying on top of the Pak-n-Play. This was provided for by Disney.

 

[robinb]

I would recommend that you bring your own pack-n-play sized sheets. I've had "cribs" delivered to my room with twin-sized sheets wraped around the "matress". I don't specifically recall this happening at WDW, but it's happened enough that I would bring some to be on the safe side. Unless ... other posters have a better memory than I have . The problem with the big sheets is that it could be a smothering hazard to a very young baby such as yours.

I would also make at least one character meal reservation. The characters (mostly women, BTW) love babies. I have some very precious pictures of my 4 month old DD at WDW with characters.

Here's one of my favorites. It was taken on 12/30/99.

 

[Eeyore1928]

We will be taking our 3 month old in December for her first Christmas! We will be flying in and taking our own stroller. I am really looking forward to having her with us! We plan on a lot of long scenic walks pushing her around the BW and DTD! I am breastfeeding her so that makes for light packing! I plan on using the baby care stations and we will baby swap at the major attractions if we really want to ride them! Otherwise it's Pooh, Peter Pan and Dumbo for us! I will post a report when we get back!

 

[skoba-nelson]

Thanks to everyone for their answer to my question, advice, and support. Janet2k you are exactly right. Taking things easy and slow will be our goal. We are thinking of a 7 night stay but only visiting the parks for 3 days. Our previous trips we saw and did a ton, but we are ready for a different pace.

We are driving so yes we are bringing our own stroller (that reclines for easy napping). Lime green ribbon will probably be attached to it. We have recently acquired a never-used baby carrier (bjorn?) and will now bring it based upon the posts. Good ideas everyone. Good example about the Land building. We remember seeing the strollers parked outside, yes it's a big place to have your hands full of infant.

We already thought about the feeding. Yes at 5 months he will still be on formula and rice cereal(?) I suppose. But we thought about how much easier that would be rather than jars of baby food to pack and carry with us.

I'm glad a couple of you mentioned the reactions by the characters. We kind of wondered how they did with infants.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by skoba-nelson
We have recently acquired a never-used baby carrier (bjorn?) and will now bring it based upon the posts.

The baby carrier is also good for rides like Dumbo or Peter Pan. I felt a lot more secure with my DD in a sling than just in my arms.

We already thought about the feeding. Yes at 5 months he will still be on formula and rice cereal(?) I suppose.

He'd be on formula, but the rice cereal depends on your pediatrician. Mine said no solid foods (including cereal) until 6 months, but every parent and doctor is different. If yours doesn't push it you may want to wait on cereal until you get back home.

 

[Gillian]

We didn't start DS on cereal until 6 months, which is typical, but it depends on your child & what the Dr. says.

Formula is very easy to travel with. I didn't have any luck with disposable bottles/liners, but we took the little tubes of powdered formula & made them up with bottled water. I brought a bunch of baby bottles and washed them out at night. There is also a great little formula holder - it's round with 3 compartments & each holds enough powder for 6 ounces of formula. They sell them at babies r us. It's cheaper than the packets.

formula dispenser:
http://store.babycenter.com/product/feeding/solid_feeding/feeding_accessories/3565

It sounds like you have a good plan! Have a great time