Disney with a 7 month old???

[chip91]

Looking for anyone out there who has taken a baby to WDW? We plan to go next October (late Oct.) & I will have a 7 mo old at that time.. Any tips/thoughts/suggestions??

The youngest I've taken was a 3 yr old, so this is all new to me, but I have seen babies at WDW, so I know it's doable..

 

[scribega]

Last September we took our 6 month old and it was fine. I wore one of those baby bjorn carriers most of the time and my wife wore it too. We never had a problem getting in and out of the smaller rides with him (our daugther was 3 1/2 at the time.) He would take good naps too.

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

I'll be going with a 7 month old next year also. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jennyL]

We're going in October too with a 8.5 month old so I'd like info too.

 

[southjerseymom]

Our 1st trip WDW was when DD was 5 months old and DS was almost 3. We had been battling colic and reflux since day one and our family really needed a vacation!! It was great! It was really the first time our family got to bond after a long winter! She loved the rides and all the sights and sounds. Really engaged her - I guess she had a long winter too!!! We've taken our kids a lot since then. We were the parents with 2 car seats and 2 strollers schlepping through MCO. Or the double stroller people in WDW! I never really understood folks who wait for their kids to be the "perfect" Disney age. IMHO every age is great! We've moved on from Fantasyland to rides like Soarin and Test Track and it is all good. DD is 5 now and DS is 7 and we are going back in September!!! We still laugh about DS crying through South Carolina on the way home (we flew everytime after that!) My memories my kids in WDW at every age are precious - have a great time!!!

 

[hardingk]

Does anyone have any tips for traveling with an infant? We will be going to WDW in December with our child who will be 4.5 months old then. I am looking for any suggestions on what to/not to do/bring!

 

[geogirl0626]

I went several times when my DD1 was a baby, and it was so easy. I recently went for a week when DD2 was 4 months and DD1 was 3. The baby is easier than the 3 year old in my opinion because she's content to ride around in her stroller. I also wore her in my moby wrap too when she wanted to sleep. At 4 months, all that I needed to bring was a stroller and some diapers/wipes and maybe one change of clothes. I used the baby care centers for nursing only if they were convenient. They are definitely nice when it's hot out.

You can take the baby on any of the rides without a height restriction, which is a lot. And the big attractions, you can use the rider switch option.

I'm going again in Oct when DD2 is 10 months, so I have to figure out what to do about her food. She doesn't eat commercial baby food. I cook her food myself, and it's usually just a version of what we're having, cooked softer. I'll have to figure out what to do.

 

[kjs1976]

We'll be bringing DD 7.5 months in a couple of weeks. I've posted several times on this board as well as gotten travel advice from a friend who has traveled a lot w/her young kiddos.

Flying advice I've gotten:
1. Don't pre-board, wait until the last comfotable minute to get on the plane.
2. Have the child drink from his/her bottle during take off to eliviate ear problems.
3. Bring toys that your child likes that really engages them. Buy new toys to take a long or pack some old favs a week to two weeks before you travel so they are like new during the trip. I hit the dollar store and garage sales for some new books that DD will love.
4. Don't worry about the people around you if your kid gets fussy or has a meltdown. There is nothing anyone can do about it so why get upset.

WDW advice:
1. Go at a slow pace and let your child dictate the schedule. A lot of people have told me they have gone early and stayed until lunch, napped and played in the pool in the PM, then maybe return for a quick evening playtime, and then back to the resort for a decent bed time. Others say their kid naps well in the stroller and on the bus and that was enough for their child. One lady said she brings her kids pj's with, changes them in the baby center before leaving, and then they sleep on the walk to the bus and on the bus, and then they have just schelpped them right into bed when returning! If only so easy for all of us!
2. A BABY'S BEST FRIEND - just found out about it last week and booked a crib and highchair with them! They are a highly recommended baby-needs rental place and let me tell you, put my mind at ease! I knew DD would have a tough time sleeping in the provided pack and play, so when I found out about them on this board, I breathed a heavy sign of relief. They rent EVERYTHING your infant to toddler would need that you'd use at home and can't travel with. Check them out online if you need a crib, stroller, etc.
3. The baby care centers are great for a break and a recharge.

That is the advice I've been given that we are planning to utilize. Hope it helps!!!

 

[DisneyMum4]

We took our DS3 when he was 2 months old and it was one of our favorite vacations. He is a very good baby and has always been one that goes with the flow. I highly recommend using a sling or baby bjorn carrier that you can wear with the baby close to you. Also, if taking a stroller, take it without the infant carrier to the park. It is quite cumbersome to fold the stroller up, hold the baby and carrier especially if he is not in it or you have other children. I was nursing the baby so I made good use of the baby care centers or somewhere that was private and cool when the centers were not close by. I would also recommend getting a cover for the stroller like the ponchos are made of for the Florida rains.

Have fun and take tons of pictures!!!
D

 

[dougsmom98]

I wore one of those baby bjorn carriers most of the time and my wife wore it too.

This is the same thing we did when my DD was 8 months old. It was a life saver in lines at the parks and we didn't need to take her out of it for the rides. We also used it at the airport. I am not sure if you are flying or not, but we did not buy a seat on the plane for my DD and we used the B'Jorn all the time on the plane except take off and landing (they won't allow it during those times). It was awesome to have my hands free on the plane. She slept most of the time, but when she was awake she was happy to be right next to me.

 

[hardingk]

Also, if taking a stroller, take it without the infant carrier to the park. It is quite cumbersome to fold the stroller up, hold the baby and carrier especially if he is not in it or you have other children.

Interesting that you said this because I have been going back and forth if we should bring the frame and car seat or a lightweight stroller. I am afraid that it will be too much to carry/handle. We will bring the baby bjorn as well.

 

[jennyL]

We went to the studios when DS was 4 months old and we went between the baby bjorn and the stroller. He loved both of them. We did take the graco stroller so that he had a place to lay down and sleep when needed.

This trip we are planning on taking the maclaren stroller since its a little smaller and easier to manipulate and the baby bjorn if we can still use it. DH had him in it the other day and he's getting so long that his feet hit a not so nice place when he was kicking around. LOL DH was not thrilled. We also have an ergo carrier so we may see if we can get that to work on the hip before we go. DS doesn't like being faced in to me when in that one so it will have to be hip or back. I haven't looked do you guys know the age for the back on that one? I'm afraid he may still be a little to small.

 

[Blondie_K22]

While my son was 1, I found these few tips to be especially helpful.
The key for me was organization and time management. Each morning I left with a gallon sized ziplock bag that included (all throw away brand) a sippy cup, tiny bowl for snacks, throw away bib, table topper, and juice. In the other zip lock bag I had travel wipes, diapers, and scented bags for #2 diapers. Either way, it was easy if I had to do a change break or lunch. I kept these all in my carry tote (which next time I'll use a backpack) and a fold-up stroller is a MUST. I bought a $60 travel one from Toys-R-Us before we left because the travel system stroller was too heavy and bulky. Unless you plan on renting strollers there, the type of stroller that you take is essential for smooth on-off transportation.

We came back to the hotel around 12:30-1 and went back out around 3-4 to give him enough time to nap and cool off. Just remember, RELAX and HAVE FUN! Take whatever steps to get your ready in advance and enjoy watching your little one's reactions to the World. Those are memories that I'll never take back, and I'm MORE than glad I took him at that age.

I'm an OCD planner so this may be a little much for you, but hope it helps!

 

[hardingk]

While my son was 1, I found these few tips to be especially helpful.
The key for me was organization and time management. Each morning I left with a gallon sized ziplock bag that included (all throw away brand) a sippy cup, tiny bowl for snacks, throw away bib, table topper, and juice. In the other zip lock bag I had travel wipes, diapers, and scented bags for #2 diapers. Either way, it was easy if I had to do a change break or lunch. I kept these all in my carry tote (which next time I'll use a backpack) and a fold-up stroller is a MUST. I bought a $60 travel one from Toys-R-Us before we left because the travel system stroller was too heavy and bulky. Unless you plan on renting strollers there, the type of stroller that you take is essential for smooth on-off transportation.

We came back to the hotel around 12:30-1 and went back out around 3-4 to give him enough time to nap and cool off. Just remember, RELAX and HAVE FUN! Take whatever steps to get your ready in advance and enjoy watching your little one's reactions to the World. Those are memories that I'll never take back, and I'm MORE than glad I took him at that age.

I'm an OCD planner so this may be a little much for you, but hope it helps!

Thanks! These are great ideas! I am an OCD planner too, so I understand!

 

[rdevine10]

We took my youngest DD when she was 9 months old. She was very collicky still at that point, and honestly, she was an angel the whole vacation (since she was so busy looking at everything!!!!) We even joked that we would of taken her sooner if we knew how much happier she would of been there!

I brought and used my sling, in addition to our mac side by side stroller. We also came back to our room every afternoon for a nap. Had a backpack with our supplies we needed (diapers, meds, bottles, etc). It was I think our best Disney vacation we had ever had! (we all needed a vacation so bad at that point!!!).

We did get her her own seat on the plane & it made the flight easy. She slept pretty much each way.

We didnt over do it.... and wearing your baby makes it really easy to take them on rides.

Totally doeable! Have a fantastic time!