DL experts..please advise

[jmac323]

Hello...I used this forum when planning our 1st DL trip back in 2008 and found so much knowledge and info here. I'm thinking of trying to get back there this September with our 4 year old. I have some questions...

- We now have a newborn (6 months old in Sept.) is doing DL with a baby easy, or should we have her stay with the grandparents? Tips/tricks with babies?

- We stayed at Hojo's last time and it was great. Thinking of staying on site this year. Recommendations? Suggestions on hotel preferences?

- Is there a place where I can find info on things happening at the parks for the timeframe I want to go? Our schedule is flexible, so I want to pick part of a week where there's not huge groups attending or special events. We did middle of OCtober in 2008 and it was perfect. Ideas?

I think this will get me started to even consider booking soon. THanks in advance everyone!!!

 

[chrissiecutie]

Yes! You can totally do Disney with a newborn.

Take advantage of the rider switch options- where either you or your hubby wait with the baby while the other gets in line. Then when the rider is done, you just switch. I believe they give you a ticket or put you in a special line- it's been awhile since I've used this.

My cousin has been several times with his newborn and they always take Grandma along. IMO this is the best option! So if you can swing it and Grandma doesn't mind...by all means, take her!!

At this time, I think the baby center is closed for refurbishing. At least I think I saw that thread on here- so you may want to look into that further. But I can tell you that there are nice of quiet, tucked away corners to sit and nurse or let baby sleep.

As far as attendance and crowds go- check out the sticky/thread from Hydroguy. Sorry...I suck at attachments and links, otherwise I would post it here for you. However, I'm sure someone else more tech savvy will be able to do that for you if you're unable to find the thread.

And if you're going to stay onsite, GCH is the easiest to access/walk to parks, IMO. However, HoJo's is always an excellent choice!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I think 6 months would be a great age ~ not so much a newborn and not mobile yet, your little one will probably still be light enough to comfortably carry/wear *in a carrier/sling/mai tai and probably will enjoy/tolerate the stroller, sometimes older babies/young toddlers don't like the stroller ~ DD at 2 years old in Chicago was a beast when it came to her stroller. And since it'll be your 2nd round of motherhood I'm sure you'll be fine ~ motherhood the 2nd time for me was much better, not that DD was a better baby I was a better *more relaxed* mom.

 

[BlueBayou]

As a new parent - I thought I would NEVER take an infant to DL. We live driving distance away (long drive but a one day drive) - and suddenly we had family from back east who were going to be at DL one Saturday. They had never seen our 6-month-old and we felt we could not pass up the opportunity to see our family.

It was funny - I had never met my sister-in-law, but within 10 minutes of meeting her I was leaving my daughter with her so I could ride Soarin'.

My daughter was almost exclusively breastfed at the time - and it was very easy to feed her.

As long as your baby is a good traveler and not fussy - I find DL with and infant is far, far easier that DL with a toddler.

 

[Somegirl]

Like chrissie said take advantage of the parent switch off option. It works very well, we did this when our DD was little. You usually end up meeting other parents while waiting and then you kind of get to ride with someone that you sort of know.
The Baby center is wonderful. You can change diapers there as well as nurse or heat up baby bottles.

 

[momto2nenas]

We took our middle daughter for the first time when she was 7 months old, it was easy! She slept in her stroller, we found quiet spots to nurse or I used the Baby Center. She could ride most everything in Fantasyland and we did the Switch Pass for everything else.

We are going next month with our 3rd daughter who will be 10 months old. I'm a little more leery of this trip b/c she is not a stroller baby like my 2nd was! She is going to want out and be carried the whole 5 days, lol.

Anyone else know if the Baby Center is under refurb? That will throw a wrench in my plans as far as nursing/nap schedules go.... This one is also very NOSY so nursing on a bench will be a challenge vs. using a quiet rocking chair like she's used to at home.

 

[jmac323]

Thanks everyone, great advise. I was thinking it would be too hard to take her, but yea 6 months isn't a newborn anymore LOL. I'm just looking for dates we can go now, so I'll go to Hydroguys tips and check that out. Thanks again!!!

 

[jimreuter]

The Baby Care Center is supposed to be back in it's normal location starting April 23. During the remodel, it is located at the Main Street Conference Center next to City Hall.