Disney with an infant? Experiences?

[olliesmom]

We are looking at booking one of the "magical" Labor Day travel deals for 2018, but with the way the timing falls we will have a 4-5 month old at the time of travel! Obviously with a child that young the trip would really be for us and we would be expecting a very slow-paced, relaxed trip. However, we were already planning on a 2018 trip before we found out we were expecting and wondering if we should postpone for a few years or whether we should just go for it now!

WDW seems to be one of the easiest first trips to take as new parents, and I can't imagine a destination that is more child-friendly! For those of you have have done Disney with an infant, what was your experience like? Any tips? We've been in August before and know how hot it is in Orlando, but do fairly well with the heat but I'm not sure whether it's too much for a little one. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We are looking at booking one of the "magical" Labor Day travel deals for 2018, but with the way the timing falls we will have a 4-5 month old at the time of travel! Obviously with a child that young the trip would really be for us and we would be expecting a very slow-paced, relaxed trip. However, we were already planning on a 2018 trip before we found out we were expecting and wondering if we should postpone for a few years or whether we should just go for it now!

WDW seems to be one of the easiest first trips to take as new parents, and I can't imagine a destination that is more child-friendly! For those of you have have done Disney with an infant, what was your experience like? Any tips? We've been in August before and know how hot it is in Orlando, but do fairly well with the heat but I'm not sure whether it's too much for a little one. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

we were there last August as part of large family trip with 4 month old granddaughter and her parents. daughter found it too hot for both her and baby to wear baby. baby did very well in the rental double stroller with her big sister. stroller went almost flat. did not use her carseat as it was too hot with no way to cool her. the one thing we found was lack of infant highchairs at most table serves only found chair we could use at Chef Mickey's and Hollywood & Vine had a sling chair which we could not use as we did not have a carseat for her. rest plus all the counter serves only had toddler or able to sit by self chairs. ended up just passing her around our big group. remember to include baby in count for table serves even if not eating

 

[maramarrie]

I haven't traveled with one that young, but it has been done by others. There will be challenges for sure, but I think you can still have a great time if you "prepare" for the unexpected.

I would go for it, but be prepared to take it really slow, as it sounds like you are. We took our first trip with an 18 month old and one "in the oven" at 33 weeks. We went for 5 days and only spent 2 days in the parks. We explored the resort and played in the pool during our other days. We didn't go to WDW again until the younger one was 13 months, but again we took it slow and also took grandparents for the extra hands. I think having the extra hands was a HUGE help with two kids as young as mine were, so you may want to consider that if it's an option.

I found FL was usually too hot to babywear, but I took our Ergo in the diaper bag just in case (we always used it in the airport anyhow, so i had it with us). I would also plan out air conditioning to keep the little one cool. Almost every bathroom is a nice place to cool off, even if you just stand in the doorway for a few minutes. Little ones in diaper layers with all those skin folds are just magnets for heat rash. Know where the baby care centers are and use them. They have a nice area where you can privately nurse if you need to, a huge changing room, and basic supplies if you are short on anything.

When ours were smaller we would plan for them to nap in the stroller (going back to the hotel for naps and returning later just weren't going to work for us). We would hop on the monorail and ride it in circles for an hour while they slept in the A/C. Or we would go down by the waterfall near Starlight Rays (MK) and they would sleep to the white noise of the water.

As for the rides, there are many that you will be able to do WITH the baby, and many others will offer rider swap. If you are just two adults you will have to ride alone while one stays with the baby, but the rider swap will allow you to both ride without having to wait in line twice.

I would plan to take it easy, be relaxed with your ADR planning. Either skip ADRs just in case you have to leave parks early and don't want to worry about skipping a reservation; or plan them early enough in your day that if you feel like leaving the park early you won't miss it. We would make our table service reservations for midday so that we had a nice chunk of time indoors during the high heat.

Rent a stroller from an outside company or bring your own so you can take it all the way back to your hotel. Disney strollers are not for infants and are super expensive. You'll want one that lays down completely for those times when baby gets sleepy. Get a fan for the stroller and find out from the pediatrician if you can use sunscreen on a baby that age. If not, make sure you have a way to keep the baby fully out of the sun.

Congrats on your new addition! Happy planning, and have fun!

 

[dkdaisy]

We went when our oldest was 7 months and when our youngest was 10 months. Both were just fine - we did go with my in-laws, so we had people who were willing to hold them while we did rides, but Disney also has the child swap for that.

We rented a City Mini stroller from an outside rental place and brought a soft structured carrier both times and it went pretty well. When they got fussy in the stroller, I'd put them in the carrier for a while and vice versa. I have kids that won't sleep in strollers, so we made a point to go back to the hotel in the afternoon for naps. But if your baby would sleep in a stroller or carrier, you'd be golden. There were plenty of rides that we could take them on (we even took them both on Toy Story Mania, sitting on my lap) and we just took it easy. We used the opportunity to go to some of the shows or sit-down attractions that we might usually skip so it was nice to be able to experience those.

Honestly, the hardest part for me was that I exclusively pumped for my oldest and pumping and lugging frozen milk around was a pain - but we worked it out. I breastfed my youngest and that was way easier, but even formula would have been easier than the frozen milk! The baby centers at the parks were great for supplies or a quiet break if you needed it, but we were able to find places to sit and rest and feed them pretty much anytime we needed to.

 

[dkdaisy]

Oh, and we did get a clip on fan for the stroller (it was June with the 7 mo-old and Sept with with 10 mo-old) and brought a very light weight blanket (like the muslin swaddle blankets) and some large binder clips to cover the stroller when we needed to keep the sun out or if they happened to doze off. I typically had them dressed in just a onesie for the 7 mo-old or a t-shirt/tank and shorts or a romper and they did okay in the backpack - heat wise - but didn't want to stay in it all day.

 

[Bellesadventure]

I went with DD at six months. It is much easier to take a baby than a toddler! I wore her the whole day but we did bring a stroller to hold her stuff and she took a nap in the stroller. I second the fan suggestion. They also sell cooling packs that can go under the baby in the stroller to help cool them off, or a frog tog towel will do in a pinch. Use the rider swap and enjoy the adult rides that you want to do. My daughter loved the characters as an infant and really liked the winnie the pooh ride, as well. Make liberal use of the childcare centers. They are air conditioned and lovely.

 

[Megara5115]

I agree with babywearing, although we went in December where the temps were much more comfortable. Wore him on many rides. He took a lot of stroller naps, we used rider swap a lot which was awesome. We planned half days and then played it by ear in the afternoon, making 4th, 5th fastpasses via the app. Did PPO BOG to get a jump on the morning. Made ADRs basically an hour before in most cases.

I think having a flexible, relaxed attitude and plan is the biggest key with a baby, that way parents and kids aren't going to be as stressed. We had a great trip and I was definitely not sure what to expect!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I'm jumping in to read people's advice! Just had our first little one in August and planned on going for his first trip for Christmas (mainly due to the possibility of cooler weather,) but there are never discounts and by the time we decided to go for it there was almost nothing available. Therefore, we're planning for spring break when he'll be almost 8 months old. I know it'll be crazy busy and hot so I'm a little apprehensive, but I'm a teacher and I'm bound to school breaks.

A big debate for us is the resort. Seems my husband and I are in 2 different camps. A deluxe which will give us a comfortable room since we may be spending more time in it or a value/mod since the theming is more kid friendly and it saves money since the trip may be "challenging." We'll also be celebrating our 10 year anniversary and a big milestone birthday for me.

 

[kboo]

I'm jumping in to read people's advice! Just had our first little one in August and planned on going for his first trip for Christmas (mainly due to the possibility of cooler weather,) but there are never discounts and by the time we decided to go for it there was almost nothing available. Therefore, we're planning for spring break when he'll be almost 8 months old. I know it'll be crazy busy and hot so I'm a little apprehensive, but I'm a teacher and I'm bound to school breaks.

A big debate for us is the resort. Seems my husband and I are in 2 different camps. A deluxe which will give us a comfortable room since we may be spending more time in it or a value/mod since the theming is more kid friendly and it saves money since the trip may be "challenging." We'll also be celebrating our 10 year anniversary and a big milestone birthday for me.

I would go for the deluxe. We stayed at the GF in April when our little one was about 5 mo old. the convenience to the parks was well worth it. If you're going with a baby, theming doesn't matter - they're not going to notice or care! So go with the theming that you and DH like! If you think you might need to take your baby back for naps from time to time, then a deluxe is also nice because it's usually closer/faster to get back to, and if you're both back at the resort for a nap, there is more to do/see at a deluxe resort. The weather in April is pretty nice and we used a boba carrier no problem with our baby then. Definitely bring a stroller that is cooler (not a car seat snap and go) and plan to alternate those for when you get too hot and/or back gets tired. Also bring hearing protection for baby in case you try to catch a fireworks show. When we went in April 2016, our ODD was 4.5 and we told her if she napped, she could stay up for fireworks. The baby slept through them, and it was such a nice trip.

I see from your signature that you've stayed at deluxe and value. The nice thing about being in a deluxe with a baby is that you do still feel like you're in the middle of the magic when you're at your resort. As you know.

Happy anniversary, happy birthday and congratulations! I would stay deluxe and also get a sitter for (at least) one night and go to dinner for your birthday and anniversary. Disney does a great job with kids but as you know, it is also magical for adults. So even though you now have a baby, make sure you do some of the adult things you and your DH did in the past!

(We recently did a big disney trip for DH's 50th - it made the most sense since our kids are so little, and we went to V&A to celebrate his birthday as grownups. It was SO worth it.)

 

[jvz82]

I've brought an 8 week old infant before and an 11 month old, both of whom were a billion times easier than their older siblings lol. Both times I brought both a baby carrier and a stroller. With the 8 week old, I much preferred to wear her but at times it was just too hot and we both needed a break so she went in the stroller. We went slowly and mostly just hit rides/shows that she could go on. At that time, we had only her and a 2 year old so it's not like we had older kids who wanted to ride the mountains or anything. We spent lots of time in places like It's a Small World, Country Bear Jamboree, Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, and other quiet, dark, air conditioned places.

Table service meals might be a good idea too. Not only do you get delicious food, but you also get a break indoors. Maybe baby will even sleep!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I would go for the deluxe. We stayed at the GF in April when our little one was about 5 mo old. the convenience to the parks was well worth it. If you're going with a baby, theming doesn't matter - they're not going to notice or care! So go with the theming that you and DH like! If you think you might need to take your baby back for naps from time to time, then a deluxe is also nice because it's usually closer/faster to get back to, and if you're both back at the resort for a nap, there is more to do/see at a deluxe resort. The weather in April is pretty nice and we used a boba carrier no problem with our baby then. Definitely bring a stroller that is cooler (not a car seat snap and go) and plan to alternate those for when you get too hot and/or back gets tired. Also bring hearing protection for baby in case you try to catch a fireworks show. When we went in April 2016, our ODD was 4.5 and we told her if she napped, she could stay up for fireworks. The baby slept through them, and it was such a nice trip.

I see from your signature that you've stayed at deluxe and value. The nice thing about being in a deluxe with a baby is that you do still feel like you're in the middle of the magic when you're at your resort. As you know.

Happy anniversary, happy birthday and congratulations! I would stay deluxe and also get a sitter for (at least) one night and go to dinner for your birthday and anniversary. Disney does a great job with kids but as you know, it is also magical for adults. So even though you now have a baby, make sure you do some of the adult things you and your DH did in the past!

(We recently did a big disney trip for DH's 50th - it made the most sense since our kids are so little, and we went to V&A to celebrate his birthday as grownups. It was SO worth it.)

Thank you so much for your great response! I'm the one in the deluxe camp for the exact reasons you gave. Not having to collapse and haul a stroller on and off buses sounds wonderful. The only thing is, we'll probably be spending most of our time in the MK and those deluxes tend to be super pricey and often don't have great discounts. We'll have to keep an eye out! Thanks for the advice & tips, too!!

I also wondered (probably stupidly as a new parent and being new to Disney with a kid.....) our stroller, diaper bag, etc... are very nice, name brand, pretty upscale and I worry about just leaving all of that in a stroller parking area? Is there a "problem" with theft in these areas at WDW?

 

[kboo]

Thank you so much for your great response! I'm the one in the deluxe camp for the exact reasons you gave. Not having to collapse and haul a stroller on and off buses sounds wonderful. The only thing is, we'll probably be spending most of our time in the MK and those deluxes tend to be super pricey and often don't have great discounts. We'll have to keep an eye out! Thanks for the advice & tips, too!!

I also wondered (probably stupidly as a new parent and being new to Disney with a kid.....) our stroller, diaper bag, etc... are very nice, name brand, pretty upscale and I worry about just leaving all of that in a stroller parking area? Is there a "problem" with theft in these areas at WDW?

I have never had a problem after 2 kids, but we also don't take any high end stuff to Disney. There was recently a woman who was arrested for stealing high end strollers at Disney. When we've gone, we've either used our Maclaren Volo (super light but about $125 umbrella stroller) or lately rented a city mini double from the sponsor of this board. We never take too much stuff and don't take a nice diaper bag -we have a skip hop diaper clutch which clearly can't hold much other than diapers and wipes and costs about $25 to replace. We are really minimalist travelers though. We also take a clear stadium bag and put our minimal snacks, change of clothes for the baby, etc in there. No cameras other than our phones, no wallets because we use our magic bands, so our "wallets" are really sometihng big enough to hold a drivers license, $20 and our annual pass and DVC cards. IN a sea of strollers and bags, ours do not stand out as being likely theft targets. Our stroller is really the WDW equivalent of the older, slightly junky car that is decently maintained but clearly doesn't look like the owners have anything of value in it! (because it doesn't)

I will add that sometimes we have gift shop purchases in the disney plastic bags in the bottom of the stroller, but it's hard to see into the bottom of those double city minis, and often our ponchos will be sitting on top of that.

PS Good luck convincing the husband. I've had luck sometimes with a special 35% off email code (nontransferable) and also with an orbitz discount that is often discussed on mousesavers.com. The garden wing at the contemporary is likely your best bet. It's nice and quiet and the rooms are big. When we stayed there, it was an easy shot to go to MK.

 

[kboo]

I've brought an 8 week old infant before and an 11 month old, both of whom were a billion times easier than their older siblings lol. Both times I brought both a baby carrier and a stroller. With the 8 week old, I much preferred to wear her but at times it was just too hot and we both needed a break so she went in the stroller. We went slowly and mostly just hit rides/shows that she could go on. At that time, we had only her and a 2 year old so it's not like we had older kids who wanted to ride the mountains or anything. We spent lots of time in places like It's a Small World, Country Bear Jamboree, Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, and other quiet, dark, air conditioned places.

Table service meals might be a good idea too. Not only do you get delicious food, but you also get a break indoors. Maybe baby will even sleep!

LOL, Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents (pre-2016) are (were) my go-to places for an easy nurse and nap. Also the people mover - if it's not too hot and crowded, sometimes they'll let you stay on 2x.

Also - Spaceship Earth and any of the movies at epcot.

BTW - get hearing protection for the baby - when we took DD2 when she was an infant, she slept through fireworks that way. And dinner at many TS restaurants. (Narcoosee's, Citrico's, Spice Road Table, CRT, Akershus, BOG... ) She would start out awake, I'd nurse her sometime before the main course, and then she'd be asleep for the rest of dinner in the baby carrier. DH and I would alternate nights, but just step out for 5 minutes of bouncing and shushing and she'd be down for the count.

 

[SRUAlmn]

LOL, Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents (pre-2016) are (were) my go-to places for an easy nurse and nap. Also the people mover - if it's not too hot and crowded, sometimes they'll let you stay on 2x.

Also - Spaceship Earth and any of the movies at epcot.

BTW - get hearing protection for the baby - when we took DD2 when she was an infant, she slept through fireworks that way. And dinner at many TS restaurants. (Narcoosee's, Citrico's, Spice Road Table, CRT, Akershus, BOG... ) She would start out awake, I'd nurse her sometime before the main course, and then she'd be asleep for the rest of dinner in the baby carrier. DH and I would alternate nights, but just step out for 5 minutes of bouncing and shushing and she'd be down for the count.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[mum of two pirates]

Thank you so much for your great response! I'm the one in the deluxe camp for the exact reasons you gave. Not having to collapse and haul a stroller on and off buses sounds wonderful. The only thing is, we'll probably be spending most of our time in the MK and those deluxes tend to be super pricey and often don't have great discounts. We'll have to keep an eye out! Thanks for the advice & tips, too!!

I also wondered (probably stupidly as a new parent and being new to Disney with a kid.....) our stroller, diaper bag, etc... are very nice, name brand, pretty upscale and I worry about just leaving all of that in a stroller parking area? Is there a "problem" with theft in these areas at WDW?

Why not look into renting dvc points and stay that way. It was way cheaper when we did that.

 

[DduzDis]

I agree with the cooler rides @kboo mentioned above. Also, I am not sure if it has been mentioned, but don't forget about the Baby Care Centers at each park. We used each one to get away from the crowds (and cool off for a bit) when dd was 11 mos. We also took her there to feed and change her away from the distractions. We found them to be a very nice oasis.

 

[kboo]

I agree with the cooler rides @kboo mentioned above. Also, I am not sure if it has been mentioned, but don't forget about the Baby Care Centers at each park. We used each one to get away from the crowds (and cool off for a bit) when dd was 11 mos. We also took her there to feed and change her away from the distractions. We found them to be a very nice oasis.

In 3-5 stays with a toddler and infant, I have set foot in a baby care center zero times! I think because YDD used to just have blowouts regularly, but they always seemed to happen when we were on the other side of the park from the baby center. Same with nursing - I'd usually just find a quiet spot while DH took ODD on a ride that they baby couldn't go on anyway. Moot now since we are done having kids and YDD should be potty trained, or close to it, by the time we go again. But maybe I will check them out to see what I missed.

 

[KCF1216]

We just returned from a trip with a 7 month old. I don’t think I can think of anything that hasn’t already been posted!

The baby care center is great. They have bottle warmers and hot/cold water along with changing tables and quiet rooms with rocking chairs. They also sell baby items.

We rented a double stroller (I also have a 4 year old and a 7 year old) and the baby went between the stroller and carrier (I have an ergo). She will sleep in either of those but if yours won’t a trip back to the hotel helped us on the last trip with a 2 year old.

We stayed at the Contemporary which was great. The boys love the monorail which is why we picked it but the proximity to MK was great. I asked for a crib when we checked in and it was much better than a pack and play (IMO). We stayed in the garden wing and the room was large enough that the baby could sleep while the others were in the room.

Have a great time on your trip!