Disney Babies:Let's compile our best tips for the under 1 set!!!

[Meredith'sMom]

Hello all!

I have been combing these archives since DH and I decided to take our baby Meredith to Disney World in April (she'll be 8 months old at the time). I thought it might be fun to compile all of our best baby tips in one thread; it'd be helpful to me and any other parent who comes along. What I have found fascinating with the tips in the archives is that they indicate how much easier it'll be to take a baby than a toddler or even 3 or 4 year old. My in-laws don't yet know about the trip b/c we know they'll make a big stink about how we're taking a baby, but I'll bet they'd be suprised to hear that taking a 3 year old can be much harder.

So, let's make a general thread to list baby tips at Disney, including any and all of the following:

packing for babies
air travel for babies
travel to resorts for babies
travel from resorts to parks for babies
park/nap schedules for babies
feeding baby at Disney (BF, formula, solids, highchairs at restaurants)
rides with babies
strollers, slings, etc.


Also, please list any personal experience including the baby's age when you went and where you stayed, what you rode, etc.

Thanks everyone!!! Let's make this a great resource for current and future DIS Board members!

 

[nucpharm29]

Thanks for starting this thread. We are also going to WDW in April. DD will be 16 months and we need all the advice we can get. We've never gone with children before, so we don't know what to expect and what we need.

One thing I would suggest is to bring some kind of carrier to hold the babies in line for attractions. My favorite is the hip hammock by playtex, but the Baby Bjorn is good to (we have both). DD is a big girl, so the hip hammock is more comfortable for me.

Hope we get lots of responses!

 

[mrsminniemouse]

We have taken DD to WDW at 6 months, 11 months and 16 months. Th e best tip by far is to use the baby care centres in the parks. They are cool, you can buy baby items and get water to drink from a cooler. You can use the kitchen to prepare baby food and milk too.

The main advantage of these centres for us is that we can both go in to change DD's nappy (diaper). When one of you has to manage a wriggling baby alone in a restroom you realise how much easier it is to have one entertaining at the head end and one doing the change!

When it was nap time we would go somewhere quiet, turn the stroller so it didn't face anything stimulating and give her milk. This way she would go to sleep instead of just keep going!

Mandy

 

[henrylovespooh]

Great thread!

My husband and I took my son at 7 months in 2002 and also went again in 2003 with my son (then 2) and daughter, 10 months old. Both trips were great. I think travelling with the little ones is pretty easy.

When you travel with those under 1, you are in control of the trip. They are basically along for the ride so you can do what you want. My son will be 3 1/2 on our next trip and he is already telling us we are going to go to Animal Kingdom every day. It's going to break his heart when I tell him AK is only open two days while we're there.

To take care of diapers and food, I shipped a box of diapers, formula, wipes, and snacks like cheerios to myself at the hotel so I wouldn't have to lug it on the plane. It cost about $12 to ship and was well worth it. I splurged on premixed formula and the individual packets of powder to make things easier. I shipped it via UPS about 4 days before we left and called to confirm it arrived before we flew down.

We did not hold our kids to their nap schedules and we didn't have any problems. They slept when they were tired and we worked around it. Parents know their kids schedules and should try to schedule their trip with that in mind. My kids were early risers (6:30 a.m.!), so we got an early start most mornings, especially those at MK. Then we would have lunch and go back to the room for downtime. Sometimes they napped, sometimes they didn't. Then we would go to another park around dinnertime. Often, we would be walking around a park and realize that they were sleeping in the stroller! My son (at 7 months) also fell asleep on the resort bus at least once a day. We found the buses to be a great way to get around.

We have taken our own stroller to the park and we have rented. I like both options. I liked the storage option in my own stroller more than the rental. But when renting, it was nice not to have to collapse my stroller every time we got on a bus, then open it after we got off. If you rent a stroller in one park, and you want to go to another, they will give you a certificate to use at the other resort so you don't pay again.

I liked the Babycare Centers when the kids were small, but as kids get older, they can cause a problem. Many of the centers have toys and a television, and one time my son (when he was 2) wanted to stay in the center to watch Buzz and Woody and play with the toys! They do have very clean changing facilities and private rooms to nurse and I would recommend them to anyone who needs them. They have formula if you run out as well, and so do the gift shops at most resorts.

Sunscreen is a must on these trips, and I would also suggest bug spray too. Little babies and mosquitos are a bad combination. You can find mosquito repellant without DEET if that is a concern to you.

As far as rides go, I wouldn't take a baby into any of the 3D movies. They are loud and most have some kind of explosion in them. It was very loud and scared the daylights out of my son when he was 7 mo and 2 yo. They can't wear the glasses so the 3D stuff is not the issue - it's the noise.

If you would like a nice memento of your baby at WDW, I highly recommend getting pastel portraits done in Liberty Square. I held my 10 month old on my lap and the artist drew her. It's beautiful. You can also have a family portrait. The silhouttes are also a good idea and look wonderful framed on a wall in your house. I'm going to have all the family get silhouettes this trip.

Visiting EPCOT is a good thing to do when your kids are 1 and under. As they get older, they won't like it as much. We spent many an afternoon strolling around the World Showcase, stopping for snacks and watching a show or two while the kids slept in their strollers. EPCOT is also a good place to get your babies'/families' picture taken with characters. There is a bus of characters that comes through at least once a day, and since there are fewer kids at EPCOT, we've always found that the lines are shorter.

And finally, as far as air travel goes, it's usually not as bad as you think it's going to be. The key is to have something for the baby to suck on during takeoff and landing. It can be a pacifier or bottle or thumb. Most flights to Orlando have lots of kids onboard so if your kid cries he or she is not likely to be the only one. My kids routinely fall asleep during flights anyway.

 

[lclark0621]

We took our DS last year when he was 9 months old. And are taking him again in April when he will be 21 months old.

Last time he was on formula. My DS could not tolerate the powder kind. So we bought enough of the 8 oz poptop ready feed & the 6 oz Nursettes for all his feedings in the parks. We had the 32 oz cans back in the rooms we would keep in the fridge for his evening & morning feedings. <I wish I had thought about shipping them to me at the resort! They were really HEAVY on the plane!>

We carry a padded blanket with us in the parks to use on the changing tables (when we are to far from a baby center). Those metal changing tables in the bathrooms are not only uncomfortable, but they can be pretty yucky to put a bare bottom on.

Throw any "schedule" out the window. We do not schedule our DS, but we did find it best to eat when he was hungry & let him nap when he was tired.

We would go back to the hotel at least once a day for a little nap, some quiet time or just a dip in the pool.

We would let DS sleep in the stroller or on our our shoulders or in our hip carrier when he was tired.

Avoid any and all lines for Characters. Meeting characters at character dinnings is SO much better. DS got some good one on one time with each one & they gave him a good couple of minutes to get used to them before they came to close to him. It was great!

If possible, avoid going when it is really crowded (summer, easter, christmas). We went right after the spring breaks last year & had such an easy time. There were not a whole lot of people in the parks, yet they still had great hours, and not a lot of lines.

If your child likes a ride alot, go on it as many times as you can! Those first reactions are So priceless! My DS LOVED Small World. We went on it 10 or 15 times one day! It drove DH & I nuts, but to see our DS's expression was such a wonderful thing! It is a memory we will always keep. And he wont have that expression of wonder for long. The grow up to fast.

If you want to see some more characters, the character greetings in Toontown are the most organized & best for little ones.

Keep em hydrated! Have your little ones drink as much as possible.

Go into a lot of the shows, especially if it is hot. My DS liked them a lot, and it would give us a good break in a dark a/c theater watching a fun show.

Take as many pictures & as much video as you can. Before you know it they are grown. My DS is not even 2 yet, and I miss that infant stage already.

For Planes:

If you are traveling with someone else (a husband, friend, etc), send them on the plane with your carry ons when it is time for your section to board. You and baby wait as long as you can. You will be cooped up on the plane for a while, might as well take advantage of the last few minutes to stretch.

Change the diaper right before you board. If it is not to long of a flight and diaper only gets wet, try & wait until you land to change again.

Bring an extra set of clothes for baby & an extra shirt for you. Accidents can happen.

Bring a couple of favorite toys for each flight & a couple your child has never seen before to keep their interest.

Dont stress, especially if baby cries. The baby will feed off your stress. Kids cry, it is going to happen. Yes you try to be curtious to other passangers, but your priority is your child. Dont worry about nasty looks of comments. And if it is bad, as for your flight attendants help with the other passanger.

Try to get your child to suck on something during take off & landing (pacifier, nurse if you can, bottle, etc). It helps with the ears.

Bring snacks on the plane.

 

[Meredith'sMom]

Thanks so much!

I am loving these tips so far!!!

mrsminniemouse-- I never thought of the fact that both parents could help with the diaper in the Baby Care center. Great tips! At the mall I actually often nurse on an out-of-the-way bench rather than the "Mothers Lounge" at Nordstrom for the very fact that it's easier to have DH help me out--holding the baby until I'm ready, etc. Same would be true with a diaper.

henrylovespooh--DH and I were recently saying that, in the future, we would not be "in control of the trip." While we plan to ride rides that DD will enjoy, we also know that she won't mind waiting for Splash Mountain while we do the baby swap. I am ROFL over Animal Kingdom being open only two days of your trip.

I also thought that 3D movies wouldn't be a good idea--especially since the audience gasps and make a lot of noise too.

I agree about EPCOT too. I went when it first opened (I was 10) and I hated it back then!!!

lclark0621--Thanks for the practical formula advice. DD is BF and supplemented after some nursing sessions. We would definitely be bringing along some formula.

I did not realize that the changing tables in the bathrooms were metal--yuck!

We are planning two character meals. I have to teach DD some of the characters--she has a stuffed Eeyore that she loves so Crystal Palace is a must!

You are right--it is easy to stress over baby crying on the plane. I'm totally nervous about it. I actually didn't go back to mass for 9 weeks post partum b/c of that (and of course now I realize that mass is full of crying babies and toddlers!).

Let's keep the tips coming...hurray!!!

 

[TNAngie]

One of the best things we brought along this past trip (son was 15 months old) was the disposable placemats that stick to the tables (found at Target and Wal-Mart). We could put his bite size table foods on there and we knew it was clean. This helped prevent him from throwing his plate on the floor and gave him more independence to eat what how he wanted. I'm sure there are other ideas, I just can't think of them right now. Well, there is one more thing... The insulated cozies that fit the gerber sippee cups. It worked well to insulate and has a velcro strap that you can attach to the stroller. Maybe I'll think of more later.

Mainly, do not stress over the baby. If you love Disney, you will love introducing your baby to it. We waited until our first two sons were 2.5 before we took them the first time, but with number three, we took him in utero and at 10 months. He even learned to walk on that trip. The next trip at 15 months, he had his first haircut. These memories will last, for us parents, forever.
- Angie

 

[Deesknee]

the best advice (sp) I can give is to give your peditrician a call and tell them your plans they may mention for you to give your baby an infant dimetapp or sudafed, if your baby is old enough.

I would also make sure you have a stroller that reclines. Our last trip we rented and it didn't recline no napping sitting up for our DD.

 

[KMH1]

Here are some of our tips based on our experience with taking a six month old to WDW:

1) If flying, buy your child a seat. Bring your stroller and car seat...check the stroller at the gate and take your car seat on the plane. We flew very close to Alyssa's bedtime too, so it was wonderful to let her sleep in her car seat in the seat between us. It was also awesome to just snap the car seat into the stroller when we got off the plane!

2) Don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray! We definitely needed both in October...it was hot and the bugs got bad in the evenings.

3) On your way to WDW, stop and buy a baby bath tub! We got in late, so Super Target was closed. We stopped at Albertsons, and they actually didn't have a baby bathtub, so we bought a sink water basin for $5.99. We lined it with a towel and placed it in the bathtub and it worked perfectly. We definitely needed this, because Alyssa couldn't sit up on her own for long periods of time. And, we just left it there upon check-out...for $5.99 it served its purpose!

4) If you're planning character interaction, making a PS for a character meal gives you more quality interaction than seeing the characters in the parks (in most cases). The characters have a little more time (and no lines) in restaurants...it also helps to make a PS toward the end of a meal. Our late lunch at 1900 Park Fair was awesome...Tigger and Pooh sat down on the floor with Alyssa and spent a lot of time with us. We also had great experiences at Crystal Palace, PSB, and Garden Grille.

5) If your baby can't sit up well on his/her own, let the restaurant know. Only Crystal Palace had a sling...we needed our stroller in the other restaurants, and they let us bring it in no problem. Alyssa simply wasn't ready for a restaurant high chair yet. At Ohana, they ended up giving us a table for 6, and I know our server was annoyed, but it certainly was wonderful being able to put Alyssa in her stroller and enjoy our meal.

6) Politely let your server know that you would like to take your time eating and that sometimes a baby slows you down...of course, they should know this already, but a reminder doesn't hurt. We also made sure we tipped well to make up for our long meals. This is why a late meal PS is good too...the server isn't hoping for table turnover by that point.

7) Many days, we had our stroller, car seat, and baby bjorn. Yes, it was a lot to keep track of, but the benefits were great. If Alyssa was asleep, we could take her on attractions (example, PotC) in her car seat. The only time this was a true pain was on the trams, since the stroller has to be folded up. Alyssa really loved hanging out in her baby bjorn too!

8) Invest in a sunshade for your stroller. I found one at Babies R Us, and not only did it help block the bright sun, but it could be snap closed when Alyssa was asleep. Many other parents commented on what a good idea that was.

9) The baby care centers were nice, but if you're nursing, don't hesitate to pick quiet places and even nurse/feed during shows.

10) Change your baby's diaper often in the Florida heat. Alyssa ended up with her first diaper rash (prickly heat) ever on our last day there (that was the most humid day).

11) Use your best judgment...as stated earlier, we had been to WDW many times before, but we needed to put ourselves in Alyssa's shoes. Some of the shows are really loud. Sometimes you need to forgo the best seat or viewing spot to give your family some breathing room.

12) Buy a shiny Mickey mylar balloon on Main Street. That was the best $6 we spent. It entertained Alyssa the whole trip...she even liked it better once it started losing helium because she could grab it. We also bought a $14 night light spinning globe...expensive, but definitely an investment, since you can replace the batteries and it doesn't have those twirling arms that could accidentally hit you or the baby.

13) Stay at a comfortable resort. Yes, the All Stars are a value, but the rooms are small. We splurged on the WL and loved it. We spent a lot more time in our room than in past trips, and it was awesome to be at such a great resort.

14) Have a plan, but be flexible. Fact: babies slow you down. Go with the mentality that you are going to have a great experience no matter what. Things won't always go your way (for example, Alyssa fell asleep during the ten minutes we waited for Dumbo), but you are still going to have a blast!

15) Take lots of pictures!

We had such a positive experience that we're planning a trip to DL to celebrate the 50th anniversary! Alyssa will be 13 months when we go in May...we can't wait!!!

 

[GEM]

We took my little guy for the first time at 12 months and again at 19 months - and we're going back for his 2nd birthday! Here are my tips -

-If you're nursing, WDW is a great place to be! Don't bother hiking back to the Baby Care centers, just find a nice bench, show, ride, restaurant, etc. After two long trips, I think I have nursed Paul on every bench, boat, bus, monorail, show, and ride at Disney World! Nobody will even give you a second glance.

-If you're flying, buy a seat and bring the carseat for the plane.

-Don't just assume that your little one won't like certain things. Some of Paul's very favorite things have been stuff that others told us he wouldn't like or would frighten him - Illuminations, Fantasmic, Wishes, Festival of the Lion King, meeting the characters, etc.

-Take time to enjoy the little things. Paul was so fascinated by the birds and ducks. We spent a lot of time just watching them and he LOVED it! He also adored all elevators and playing in the sand on our resort beach and swimming in the pool.

-Don't bother buying kids meals at restaurants for one that little. We used www.wegoshop.com to deliver things like canned veggies, spam, crackers, cheese, fruit, etc. and we took a little lunch box sized cooler with us with Paul's food in it. None of the restaurants had a problem with us bringing his stuff in.

-Disposable straws make great disposable toys! We bought a package of about 300 brightly colored disposable drinking straws before our trip. Whenever Paul started to get bored (especailly at a restaurant, waiting for a parade etc.) we just handed him several of the straws and he loved playing with them. If he dropped them, lost them, etc. it was no big deal. They were also great on the plane!

-Take your own comfy, familiar stroller. The ones they rent at the park are no good for a baby that small - and you'll want one at your resort anyway.

-If you go when it's warm, take a swimsuit and towel in your diaper bag and let your little one enjoy playing in the interactive squirt fountains at Epcot and Downtown Disney. Those were highlights of the trip for Paul!

That's all I can think of now, but I'll be back when I come up with more! Have fun!

 

[java]

We always seem to have a baby with us when we go(we will have 4 children this summer one a 2 year old and one a 5 month old- yep crazy we know) But I have nursed on several of the rides- the dark ones like Spaceship earth was great for nursing and I was able to nurse in the Haunted Mansion. Oh and I nursed in Imagination at Epcot. Saves some time of just sitting in the baby centers(although I did love them especially the one in AK) I didn't stress about nap schedules- and most of mine are good sleepers on the go. Go slowly with the characters. She may love her stuffed Eyeore but seeing him in person 6 feet tall is another thing. We have an entire roll of film of my first son with all the characters sound asleep during a character meal in Liberty square. Hats and sunscreen are musts and plenty to drink. Take it slow and take breaks when it gets too hot. We are the early morning people then break for lunch back at the hotel- quick swim- then back to the parks to catch a parade and more rides. I think you will have a great time.

 

[justhat]

We took our daughter at 12 weeks, 15 weeks, 6 months, and 9 months and we're going back in April when she'll be 13 months (turns 14 months the day we come home). One thing I like to do is bring the diapers and wipes with me in the luggage. It takes up a lot of space on the way there, but then on the way back it's like bonus space for those cute baby souvenirs! My daughter is breastfed so we never did formula, but I'd probably buy that down there since it's cheaper than here in DC. At 9 months she was eating baby food so we stopped at a Publix on the way to the resort and picked up a few jars.

I think it's true that kids will surprise you about what they like so don't stay away from something absed upon other kids reactions only. For example, my daughter loves Mickey's Philharmagic (at 9 months). I put the glasses on her and held her on my lap and even though I'm sure she didn't quite get it, she laughed and seemed to enjoy the pictures and the music (I did shield her fromt he blast of water though since I knew it was coming). At 3 months her favorite show was the Hall of Presidents. We went in there for the purpose of escaping the May heat, but she loved it! It was the first time she laughed since she was born. I don't know what she liked, but she thought it was a very funny show.

We also brought our "Clean Diner" which is a high chair cover we got at a baby store here in DC. It's really light and folds up very compactly and is great when you get to a counter service restaurant and the high chairs are all sticky and gross. We use it at home all the time, but it was especially handy in Disney since we were constantly using high chairs when she was 6 and 9 months. (At 3 months we usually just held her or brought in her stroller.)

And I totally agree that the younger they are the easier. My daughter's first trip was a breeze. She went everywhere with me in the Baby Bjorn, napped and nursed on demand and wherever we were and didn't cry the whole trip! At 9 months she actually started 'asking' for souvenirs, she'd get very upset whens he saw a light up globe or a balloon and we didn't get it (we actually did buy both, like another poster, and will say they were the best souvenirs ever, but everytime my daughter saw a new one she wanted it instead!). At 13 months I think our biggest challenge will be having a tiny walker who doesn't want to stay in the stroller or be held too much!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I think the Crystal Palace character meal is the best for the little kids. The Pooh characters are so sweet. Mickey and Goofy can be a littel scary to the little ones.

Your own stroller is definitely the best for the under 1 crowd. I was thinking of the rental strollers for toddlers.

 

[ceburto2]

To KMH1

-I PM'd you

-ceburto2

 

[estherhead]

Whew, I didn't have time to read them all so I hope I'm not repeating. I've taken a baby as young as 7 weeks old and up. Always had a great time. My tip is to take a front Baby Bjorn, or another brand of carrier. Even for a bigger baby they are amazing. It keeps you hands free while you stand in lines plus hubby can do it to. It also helps you move more quickly around the parks. We would push our babies in strollers into a world and then carrier them around the world. Very convenient. Plus the baby is looking out (back to your belly) and LOVES that. Never a peep from them while in the carrier.

We took all our kids into all the shows, 3D and otherwise while they were under 1. Sometimes I had to put my hands over their ears but they all loved the colors. It's the older babies, 18 and up that get scared in the dark. Younger babies love the stimulation and kick and coo. At least that has been my experience. I took my under 1 babies on anything they were allowed and never had any problems.

Airplane tips, nurse or bottle feed on take-off and landing. Tell the flight attendants it's babies first air trip and they might give you a present. I got a certificate and wings for both my girls which we have proudly in their scrapbooks. Try to choose flights at a time you know baby will be happy. I like to avoid non-stop flights with babies. I'm sure others disagree but I like to get out, put a blanket down and let them crawl for a half hour in the middle of our trip.

I think everyone else has probably covered it, so I'll leave it there.

Esther

 

[summersfam4]

We loved taking our "babies" with us! They are a bit older now 6 & 21 months but we can't wait to go again (oldest DD's trips 17 months, 2, 3, 4, 5, youngest DD 4months, 17 months, will be going again at 6.5 and 27 months)! Our girls are used to traveling/sightseeing so we didn't plan for, nor need mid-day breaks, they slept in our stroller when tired. We did take the sticky disposable placemats (great, great things these are), and we didn't start buying a kids meal for the oldest untill she was 3 because the regular meals are so big we just shared with her which gave her alot of variety. I always put my girls in sundresses! This way they can be changed quickly and easily into swim suits for playing in any water features and then quickly dried and redressed without the need for a bathroom to change in (swim suits are easy to slip on underneath, swim diapers too). Pack a few swim diapers in your bag for those water play moments. If your little one has enough hair go to the barber shop on Main Street for their first haircut! Good experience for baby and wonderful memories for you! One our oldest DD's first trip we arrived at opening and we left after the fireworks, she never napped, cried, or sat in the stroller, the magic just worked for her! We let the little one lead the way and we've found it to be the best way for us! Relax and enjoy the Magic!

DD#2 at Barbershop getting first haircut!
<IMG SRC="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL93/2037392/3947327/68114965.jpg">

DD#1 getting first haircut at 5.5 yrs for Locks of Love
<IMG SRC="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL93/2037392/3947327/68114947.jpg">

 

[sandyluvsdisney]

Specially the one about the crying babies on the plane, I'm so terrified that DD is going to be disturbing everyone, this will be our first trip on a plane with her and i'm so worried. I really don't like disturbing other people. THanks again

 

[princessmurdough]

Hey all-
We've just returned from our MAGICAL week, and had a great time with Max. To our surprise, he was not a bit scared of the characters, toddled all over toontown and loved any kind of music that was played. I was warned off of the 3D's, but he slept through Philharmagic in his Sit-n-Stroll (we found this INdispenseable!) he ADORED Fantasmic and the Candlelight Processional, and as far as rides, he enjoyed Dumbo, Pooh, Carousel, Buzz, Aladdin, Jungle Cruise, Triceratop Spin, Safari,and attractions: Little Mermaid, Living Seas, HISTK Playground, Millionaire, Wishes, Spectromagic and of course, the BW pool.
We had very good luck with ours, he slept through LOTS, which allowed us to do our baby-swaps for all our big-ticket items, enjoy a few romantic moments at Illuminations, and a fantastic dinner at Brown Derby (I still say sitting outside is the best - people and parade watching,, and you get the great background music!) But everyone always says - every kid is different. I think the best advice I got on these boards was to know your child - if he's easy at home, he's not going to be radically different at the parks, and vise versa. We did take the mid-day break, even though he slept sometimes at the parks, due to the holiday crowds, and found this to work really well.
A note on souvenirs - we also splurged on the spinning globe at Fantasmic (as well as the lighted wands for the 2&3 yo nieces) which were WELL worth it, as these kids needed the distraction for the 45 min. wait for the show to start. Max continued to be entertained with that toy, every time he wa stuck in his Sit-n-stoll for any period of time at night. It's a good thing.
Hope this is helpful!

 

[PatricenPete]

This is a GREAT thread! Keep the tips coming! DH and I are bringing our DS for his first trip this October and he will be 1. I am going to print out this thread!!!

 

[KMH1]

ceburto2,

I responded to your pm this morning.