Disneyland with a 7 month old

[AJackson09]

Hi everyone. I've been to DL before (it's been about 5 years), and we are going again with our new 7-month old daughter in September. Any tips/recommendations? What rides can I take her on? Is she allowed to sit on my lap or does she have to sit on the seat herself? I've made numerous trips to WDW but feel totally lost planning a trip to DL and for the first time with a baby!

Thanks for any help!

 

[figment_jii]

I highly recommend the Baby Centers in both parks...they're a nice quiet location within the parks for nursing, diaper changing, etc. Also, if you're going with other adults, I would consider using rider swap/baby swap for any attraction that has a height requirement that someone would have to miss because they have to stay outside with the baby (note that the baby will not be allowed into the queue of any attraction she is not eligible to ride - e.g., you can't take her into the line with you for a thrill ride).

In terms of the attractions, the baby can go on any ride that does not have a height requirement and on those attractions you can hold her (i.e., she can sit on your lap). In this way, DLR is the same as WDW. I went with a 9 month old (so a little older) and he really liked things like the train, Dumbo, IaSW, the carousel (both of them), the Main Street vehicles, and the parades (not an attraction). We also took him on the other FL rides (not the Tea Cups though), the Jungle Cruise, the Ferris Wheel, Ariel's Adventure, etc. We focused mostly on slow-moving attractions with lots of bright colors and things to see.

 

[Manapua]

We took our 7 mos old last fall and from what I remember, pretty much any ride without a height restriction she will be able to go on. Our son really responded to Small World, and maybe the carousel for about a minute. He also was enjoying Disney Jr. Live until he fell asleep

 

[Imdboss]

We took DS when he was 5 months and we had a wonderful time. Take advantage of the baby care center located at the end of Main St near the red wagon/corn dog cart. It's nice and quiet in there, plus they have rocking chairs and you can warm a bottle if needed. Use the rider swap if there's something you and DH both want to ride and the ride has a height restriction. If the ride doesn't have any height restriction then your baby can sit on your lap. I was pretty surprised at how many things I was able to take DS on without having to do rider swap.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We took our then 7 month old last fall and had a great time. We took him on everything that didn't have a height restriction. Almost all rides let him sit in our lap. The only ride I can think of that made him sit in his own seat was the Golden Zephyr. I put him on the inside and just used my hands to hold him against the seat. He loved it! By far his favorite rides were flying ones (Golden Zephyr, Dumbo, Astro Orbitor).

My tip would be to bring a carrier/sling for your little one. We bring our Ergo and it works amazing! A lot of the rides (Small World, POTC, most in Bugs Land and more) will even let you keep baby in the carrier.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I can tell you hands down, the trip I took when my dd was 7 months old was by far the easiest trip we've ever taken. We rode everything except for the obviously not child friendly rides. I put her in a baby bjorn and that thing was a lifesaver. The only ride they made me take her out in was Roger Rabbit. I had to place her on the bench next to me and it was so completely unsafe, never again. I hadn't been on it in years and forgot how jerky it was, I should have known, she ended up hitting her face on the front and I felt horrible. She had no injuries, but I would never take a little on that one again. Also, for some strange reason, they required socks on the rockets, she had them, but they checked for them.

At that time, she enjoyed It's a Small World the most, her little face lit up like crazy.

Like Figmet mentioned, take advantage of the baby centers. I didn't back then and I wish I had, they have some good resources. I have a distinct memory of my dd having a blowout and randomly forgetting her extra clothes at the room. I ran all over Adventureland looking for baby clothes. I ended up having to run to main street to the Emporium and find baby pajamas, LOL. I can laugh about it now

 

[AJackson09]

Thank you everyone! Your responses have made me feel a lot more at ease about taking her. My DH was complaining that she/we wouldn't be able to do anything!

 

[disneymoon0606]

Yes, I highly recommend bringing a baby carrier such as an Ergo. That way she can nap whenever she wants, she will feel secure on the rides and your arms will be free. A stroller is nice to bring too, but the carrier is essential. So much easier when standing in line, etc.

 

[tiffjoy]

We took older DD for her first birthday, and younger DD's first trip was 9 months. Both girls were learning to walk for their respective visits, and I have the most beautiful memories of holding their hands and walking them around quieter park areas like the fountain at the Mexican restaurant. They are some of my most precious memories,and I'm so glad I didn't listen to the naysayers who said they were too young to enjoy it. The looks on their faces when riding IASW!!! Absolutely worth it all right there.

We did all the rides they could go on, which is everything except thrill rides, and we didn't do Roger Rabbit because I had read it was jerky. We also watched fireworks and parades. I had an Ergo, which was a lifesaver. For both of my children's first birthday's, I held them in the carrier while they watched fireworks. You are going to make the very best memories! Just go with baby's flow, take breaks, use the baby care centers, and enjoy the small things.

 

[VandVsmama]

You can get Child Swap passes on rides that your baby isn't tall enough to go on. That way, both of you could go on the ride...just not at the same time.

 

[vettegirl]

I went with my son when he was 6 months old back in Jan 3 days in a row and we had a magical time. The baby care center was excellent and the staff was so kind. He rode on my lap on several rides and napped while I dined solo at Blue Bayou. He enjoyed meeting the characters also. I also brought my carrier and parked the stroller and wore him as well. It was a nice trip, my husband was working nearby that week so while Daddy was at work, Mommy and Son played at DL.

 

[mummabear]

OK, PP have covered most of it, we have gone with a 7 month old last September
It was hot! She sleeps a lot in the front pack (Baby Bjorn now swapped to a Ergo) as she is the youngest of 3.
They often required me to take her out of the front pack (such as astro orbitors and that did not feel safe at all!), or were fine with it if she had been front facing but when she was asleep facing me there were some rides that were ok (like ISAW) but others like LM or HM that weren't.
Also Roger Rabbit they wont let them lap sit, they need to be seated NEXT to you, it was awful, that thing spins and jerks to stops, her head was right at the lap bar height and I would not recommend doing with her at all. If you want to ride (since it is not at WDW) then I personally would take turns with the other adult watching the baby.