Disney with a baby

[littlepooh599]

Hello I need advice. We're taking our 5 yr old and 8 month old to Disney World. We're staying at the Doubletree Castle hotel(hilton honor points so it's free ) We only plan on going to Magic Kigdom since that's all we think the 5 yr old will be able to handle. We have two nights at the hotel so we'll probably go to Sea world too .

What I need to know is any advice anyone has for doing all this with a baby in tow. She's a very good baby but even the best of babies need to nap.
Any hints out there for how to handle this. For instance If the hotel offers some kind of shuttle service to the parks what do we do about a car seat for baby? Should we rent a stroller or bring a small one. I know the parks will stamp your hands(Only buying one day park ticket) should we take a break mid-day for naptime or try to nap her in the stroller? What's the best time to get to the gate in the AM(May 4th) to buy tickets without a long line? Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks

 

[laceemouse]

Hi, and WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!!! First of all let me tell you that the family forum may get you more responses on a ? like this, but I will try to help you. We have 4 kids, currently 6 to 13 years old, and have been to WDW many times. The youngest baby we took was our son when he was 5 months, and our older girls were 2 and 4 at the time. I think you are doing the right thing choosing MK and Sea World for a 2 day trip. Your 5 year old will love both of them. We have used Disney transportation many times and I don't think they have seat belts at all so a car seat does not work. I would think your shuttle will be the same. We just folded up the stroller, when we brought our own, and held the baby. I know it sounds scary but they never really go very fast. We have never been the kind to go back to the room mid-day but most people swear by it. We just always feel that we would waste at least an hour or more in transport, and the kids never want to leave the park before they have done all they want to do. That being said, it is impossible to "burn the candle at both ends" with little ones. You will probably have to play it by ear. Some kids will nap in the stroller in a cool spot and some won't. Just remember that you will not be able to see and do everything, and start planning your next trip as soon as this one is over LOL!!! You will have a great trip, I just know it!!!! Have fun planning, this is the best place to get info. I recommend doing a character meal, the kids LOVE them.....Lacee

 

[mmeb144]

I would drive, if possible. This way, you can leave MK for naps, etc. with minimal transportation time. I would definitely take an afternoon break. It helps my family a lot to go back to the hotel to rest. (Even at the ages of 46, 40, 11 and 9!)

I would also buy a 2 day park pass to MK. This will help you not to feel rushed to see it all. (I am a reforming theme park commando!) Check at the official Disney website for advance purchase tickets. You could have them set up for "Will Call" so that you could pick them up at the park.

I would also bring a stroller from home. You would have it with you at the hotel, too. Possibly, bring a stroller for the 5 year old? My DD was small for 5, so the stroller for her worked great.

Marie and DD

 

[laceemouse]

Pooh, one more thing. We have brought our own stroller and rented. We like renting because you don't have to lug the thing on and off of the buses, however, your baby may be more comfy kicking back in her own ride. If you have your own, and it is not too heavy or difficult to handle, I would probably say bring your own this time. Also, it will save you some $ over renting, JMHO.

 

[bjakmom]

Welcome to the DIS ! We just took my 5 1/2 mos old Grandbaby in January (first time I've ever taken a child younger than 2!) - she was a breeze!

I was very glad that we had taken our own stroller - a mid-size that still laid back and had a full hood - it was also nice to have the basket underneath for her diaper bag and bottles. We also kept a rain cover for the stroller with us - once it rained while we were on a ride and we were glad to come back to a dry stroller!- if you are going in warmer weather, be sure and pack a bug net also (and take a few Downy dryer sheets for bug protection - you can just tuck/hang one or two on the stroller). In the MK there is a wonderful baby center next to the Crystal Palace - they have changing tables, rocking chairs, high chairs, etc (they even sell bottles{not the formula, though}, diapers, wipes, etc in case you run out of {or forget} something). I just read that they are opening a second one back by Space Mountain in the old AP lounge area. We stayed on site, but we also held the baby on the buses. We took along a baby bjorn carrier and found that we used it quite a bit on and off - it was a great way to give her a break from sitting/laying down - easier to carry into many rides/shows that way - and great way to get pictures of her with the characters! If I were only going for 1 day and not staying on site, I would probably not bother with going back to the hotel mid-day - there are several great posts about quiet spots in MK where you can rest and let a baby nap.

There is a lot of great information on the "Families" forum for travelling with kids - Enjoy!

 

[decker96]

I would definitely bring your own stroller. The rented ones are fine, but not really conducive for an infant.
As far as napping in the stroller, that depends on your baby. We have never taken an infant to WDW, but I know if we had, my oldest would have had no problem sleeping in the stroller. She never had a problem nodding off when she was tired and could sleep through just about anything. My other two however, no way!! DS was such a light sleeper, there's no way he would have been able to sleep in such a stimulating environment and youngest DD has to go through such an ordeal just to get to sleep (walking, bouncing, rocking) that there's no way we would be able to get her to sleep unless we were in the hotel room!

 

[my3princes]

I've been to Disney with Infants 3 times (3 different kids too). We bring our own stroller and do not return to hotel in the afternoon. My kids have never wanted to go back to the hotel and they do fine staying at the parks for the whole day. The babies would fall asleep in the stroller when tired or sometimes in a show (the hall of presidents still puts the older kids to sleep. lol)
I say play it by ear and see how it goes.

 

[kilee]

I would just be flexible. It is so hard to predict how they'll react. Some kids/babies are fine while others get alittle overstimulated. The youngest I went a child to WDW was 15 months--- but it was the same game plan w/ her. We kind of had multiple plans, and went w/ what fit her best. Luckily we didn't have to take mid-day breaks because she would just sleep in her stroller. Just don't forget the sunscreen-- I see so many little one's red as a lobster in WDW and you have to wonder what were their parents thinking, I get so sad.

Have fun!!!!

 

[don8life]

Bring your own stroller. Disney strollers are not for infants. My children have never had a problem napping in the stroller during the day. They sell nice umbrellas that you can have personalized for strollers. I looked everywhere for about a year before I found one at WDW.
Have Fun!