Disney Veteran but 1st Time Mom at the Parks Tips/Advice

[LMO429]

What Diaper Bag/Back Pack do you bring to the parks with you?

I was thinking a Daddy Back Pack so my husband can carry it?

Any thoughts on this one:

https://www.dadgear.com/product/diaper-backpack-basic-black/

..or what bag do you use that you find perfect for the parks??

 

[TravelingTotMom]

What Diaper Bag/Back Pack do you bring to the parks with you?

I was thinking a Daddy Back Pack so my husband can carry it?

Any thoughts on this one:

https://www.dadgear.com/product/diaper-backpack-basic-black/

..or what bag do you use that you find perfect for the parks??

I just went to a sporting goods store and got a good, sturdy backpack (which was on sale for like $20!).

Ours has 3 compartments, a mesh pocket on front, and a mesh drink holder on the side. Here's how we divide the stuff up:

-Front mesh pocket: hand/face wipes, clorox wipes, hand sanitizer (easy to grab)

-Drink pocket: Water bottle

-Small front pocket: Smaller things we may need to frequently access - phones, sunglasses, snacks, small toys, autograph book, etc.

-Middle/medium pocket: Everything for diaper changes - changing pad, diapers and wipes. Nothing else. Really helps to have it all together for quick diaper changes.

-Large back pocket: Extra change(s) of clothes, sweatshirt or bathing suit (depending on the season), bibs, and anything larger (like a camera, water bottles, etc.) or anything we might only need once or twice.

 

[krm222]

I definitely second (or third or fourth) baby wearing. My 9 month old spent 75% of the trip in the Ergo.

Wrap some ribbon around the handlebar of your stroller. You'll appreciate it when you can spot yours immediately amongst the sea of strollers in stroller parking! We have taken our Bob both times because there's lots of storage underneath. I keep my random emergency items (i.e. Ponchos, extra clothes, first aid supplies) underneath so nobody has to lug them around.

Use a backpack for diapers/wipes so everyone feels comfortable taking a turn carrying it. Keep your valuables elsewhere (or easily removable) so you can leave the backpack in the stroller when you park it for a ride.

 

[krm222]

Oh and definitely do a first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop. Make an appointment well in advance. It's like $20 and you get special mouse ears!! So cute! My son did it at 22 months and really wanted to go again this time but the appointments were all filled

 

[NewDisneyFam]

What Diaper Bag/Back Pack do you bring to the parks with you?

I was thinking a Daddy Back Pack so my husband can carry it?

Any thoughts on this one:

https://www.dadgear.com/product/diaper-backpack-basic-black/

..or what bag do you use that you find perfect for the parks??

I just ordered this exact one for our trip with a 3.5 year and 7 month old in a few weeks. I'm have really high hopes for it to replace my at home bag as well. I am also think I am going to order the Boba Air carrier. I am sure it won't be quite as comfy as my regular Boba 4G, but it is lightweight and folds up to fit in a diaper bag. I can't imagine leaving my nice (and expensive) carrier in the stroller ever, so this will give me peace of mind.

ETA: The regular Citi Mini will be fine. We actually have one as our stroller at home and used it when we lived in Chicago all the time. Love it so much. We are renting a double this time.

 

[LMO429]

Please let me know how you like the dad gears back pack????

 

[Mousemommy1]

When we stayed at the CR, we were able to get a full size crib through Disney at no charge. It was a nice crib. We did bring our own sheets though.
The back pack we use is the Jujube Be Right Back back pack - Love it!!! (see below)

 

[Mousemommy1]

Wow, that pic is really big, lol

 

[Corey127]

Rent a car and drive with your baby's car seat installed or take Disney transportation. Uber only has forward facing car seats which are illegal under age 1, (actually illegal in my state under age 2), and using a cab's car seat (which I doubt they even have them) is also unsafe. You could be using a car seat that has been in an accident or cleaned improperly (both make the car seat unsafe) or just gross.....you don't want your baby sitting where another kid could have puked/peed.

 

[princessbride6205]

Our first baby trip was when DD was 15 months. She loved the characters and "explore" moments. She danced around a little platform area at our resort, loved the musical carpet after the Figment ride, and play at the sidewalk hand prints in Studios.

My main advice for that age is to plan ahead of time where you might find some free range baby time in each park. Find an out-of-the-way spot, get the baby out of the stroller, etc. Epcot has tons of these kind of areas - we liked the hedge maze in the UK especially. Better to think about some spots ahead of time than try to scope out somewhere in the middle of a meltdown.

For a "Dad bag" we used a Timbuk2 bag. They don't make the exact one anymore, but it was a cross between a tote and a messenger bag. They aren't truly diaper bags, but are durable, have lots of pockets, and you can just slide a changing pad in them. They come in tons of sizes and colors: http://www.timbuk2.com/classic-messenger-bag/116.html?dwvar_116_size=8&dwvar_116_color=6061

 

[LMO429]

Another thought I had this morning. Right now my son uses an angel care bath support "chair" in the bathtub.. What would u suggest about bath time at disney world with an infant??? Should I bring one of those inflatable duck ones?????

 

[krm222]

We just bathed our 9 month old in the tub. We'd wipe it down first and she was old enough to sit herself for the all of five minutes she was in there. I wouldn't pack something extra just for that.

 

[LMO429]

Every day I think of another question!!! lol

If your infant is sleeping will the restaurants allow you to bring the stroller in??? Certain restaurants I can recall seeing strollers in but other restaurants I clearly remember them being parked outside. It's so funny the things you do not pay attention too or even think about when you are not a parent.

 

[aquabone1109]

We did this when our daughter turned 1. I have a large backpack that we were able to pack everything in (even the DSLR with an extra lens). Take advantage of the baby center in Disney. Great place to feed/change/cool down or even nap. There are outlets in there to plug in your phones. We purchased a city mini which was great (folds flat for baby to sleep). For bathing we just brought her in the shower with us and bathed her. It was easy. One thing I recommend is a carrier. We use an Ergo Organic Carrier which is great. There were points she hated being in the stroller. We placed her in the carrier which calmed her right down.

 

[Willow1213]

Every day I think of another question!!! lol

If your infant is sleeping will the restaurants allow you to bring the stroller in??? Certain restaurants I can recall seeing strollers in but other restaurants I clearly remember them being parked outside. It's so funny the things you do not pay attention too or even think about when you are not a parent.

Disney is pretty good about letting you bring the stroller in if baby is asleep, but in crowded restaurants, it just may not be possible. This one is going to be hit or miss.

 

[Willow1213]

We took our little guy last year when he was 9 months.

A few pieces of advice, plus some of my favorite memories.

They will fall asleep anywhere, anytime. Even when you least expect it. My little man fell asleep mid Safari. How? I have no idea! Apparently the bumpy ride put him right out!

We found the perfect spot to let him crawl around on Main Street. The new "grassy" areas near the hub. Look at the times guide for when the band is playing. He loved the music!

Stop and meet the characters. I know as adults you might not have taken the time, but the reactions we got were awesome! He loved all over Eeyore, and Eeyore loved right back. He played with his ears, peek-a-boo, etc. It was awesome.

Last, take lots of photos. I'm strongly considering Memory Maker this trip just for the character photos. Yes, the PP photographer will take some with your camera, but they will be using theirs 90% of the time. It's unlikely that the 1-2 shots with yours will capture everything.

 

[Lupeix]

Welcome to Disney with small kiddos!

First stroller: It seems this will not be your last trip with you little one, so I will buy a Citi Mini. If you buy it on sale at albee baby it will cost you about the same as renting it 2-3 times. The Citi mini is a great travel stroller, I finally caved in and bought one. I used to have an umbrella stroller for travel, gosh I wish I had bought the citi mini from the get go
The difference with the GT is not only that is has 3 wheels instead of 4, it is also lighter. The citi mini will make the cutoff for weight for AA and the GT will not.

Definitely ship baby needs to your resort: diapers, wipes, baby food pouches, etc. I always use amazon.

Cleaning bottles: Oxo tot travel drying rack with brush plus travel size bottle of dapple

Backpack: plain black fisher-price diaper backpack I got at target for dad to carry, super cheap and useful.

Definitely bring a carrier. If you are only going to use it for lines a ring sling will do and you can easily store it your backpack. An ergo takes a lot of room, so don't bring one unless you are going to baby wear a lot.

Pack individual outfits in ziplock bags.

Do not forget to bring baggies for soiled diapers! I personally hate those that leave the poopy diaper in the bathroom trash as is, which then makes the whole bathroom stinky
They are also great for soiled clothes.

Great for lines: baby mum mums

Bring a sippy cup for water, straws are not allowed at AK.

I personally prefer touring 1/2 days with small ones, with the option of coming back later (which we usually don't do)
Rope drop works well as most LO are early risers, then an early lunch ADR and call it a day (character meals are great instead of meet and greets). Sometimes just late afternoon.
Fireworks may not happen this trip unless you have a baby that is fine sleeping in the stroller in the park late at night.

most of all have fun making your first Disney memories!

 

[LMO429]

Welcome to Disney with small kiddos!

First stroller: It seems this will not be your last trip with you little one, so I will buy a Citi Mini. If you buy it on sale at albee baby it will cost you about the same as renting it 2-3 times. The Citi mini is a great travel stroller, I finally caved in and bought one. I used to have an umbrella stroller for travel, gosh I wish I had bought the citi mini from the get go
The difference with the GT is not only that is has 3 wheels instead of 4, it is also lighter. The citi mini will make the cutoff for weight for AA and the GT will not.

Definitely ship baby needs to your resort: diapers, wipes, baby food pouches, etc. I always use amazon.

Cleaning bottles: Oxo tot travel drying rack with brush plus travel size bottle of dapple

Backpack: plain black fisher-price diaper backpack I got at target for dad to carry, super cheap and useful.

Definitely bring a carrier. If you are only going to use it for lines a ring sling will do and you can easily store it your backpack. An ergo takes a lot of room, so don't bring one unless you are going to baby wear a lot.

Pack individual outfits in ziplock bags.

Do not forget to bring baggies for soiled diapers! I personally hate those that leave the poopy diaper in the bathroom trash as is, which then makes the whole bathroom stinky
They are also great for soiled clothes.

Great for lines: baby mum mums

Bring a sippy cup for water, straws are not allowed at AK.

I personally prefer touring 1/2 days with small ones, with the option of coming back later (which we usually don't do)
Rope drop works well as most LO are early risers, then an early lunch ADR and call it a day (character meals are great instead of meet and greets). Sometimes just late afternoon.
Fireworks may not happen this trip unless you have a baby that is fine sleeping in the stroller in the park late at night.

most of all have fun making your first Disney memories!

Wow what awesome tips!!!! Thank you!

What are baby mum mums??? (1st time mom ? lol)

 

[LMO429]

Do you bring anything to cover the high chairs?????

 

[LittleMissMickey]

We are leaving next week with 7 mo DS. This thread is making me feel so much better about all the questions that I have!

Our little guy doesn't sit up on his own yet, so I'm glad that we only made two ADRs. I wish that strollers were allowed in restaurants, but I totally understand why they aren't.

I'm trying to decide if I'll ask for a standard crib. I am bringing a sheet for the pack & play.

Do you pack your own towel for pool and bath? (Can you tell that I'm at "that point"?? Just toss everything in the suitcase and go!)

Someone posted about stroller weight limits on AA. I am planning to gate check my stroller in its travel bag on Delta. It's a large, heavy Uppababy. I hope they'll take it! I'd love to hear from someone if they think this will be a problem.