DL With A Baby

[BabyMo]

My family (DH, DD, and me) will be heading to CA at the end of September. We would love to take our DD to DL. I have had such wonderful help with WDW planning, so I have come here with my questions.

1. We will be going at the end of the September during the week (either a Wed or a Thurs). What will the crowds be like?

2. Our baby will be 5 months old. What rides can we take her on?

3. Do they have a Baby Center?

4. Would she be big enough for a rental stroller or would we have to bring our own? She is pretty big for her age.

Any other advice for doing DL with a baby would be appreciated.

 

[8lovesmickey]

It's been several years since my son was that young, but here's what I can tell you:

-We almost always go in September; the crowds are usually low and the weather is awesome. It does get crowded for some events that only happen once or twice a week; for example the weekend parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic can be really crowded. Weekdays should be great.
-DL has an awesome baby care center. Very peaceful, cool, and well-equipped.
-You can take your baby on tons of rides as long as you think she won't get too scared. As far as I remember, anything without a height requirement is o.k. as long as you're comfortable holding her on your lap.
-The rental strollers will work if she can sit up well. I'd seriously consider bringing yours, however, because those trips to and from the hotel can get awfully long if you're carrying the baby! Also you will probably want it in the airport, etc. Something else to think of is the little tray in the front of the stroller. The rentals didn't have one when we last used them, and that little tray saved us! We could put cheerios, etc. on there and also worry less about our son sliding around. We took our own stroller until he was five, and we never regretted it; just be sure it folds easily because some forms of transportation like the train and monorail require you to take the baby out of the stroller and fold it up.

-Other advice that's worked for me:
*bring clear plastic bags to take supplies into the parks. You can put a few diapers, wipes, lotion, binkies, etc. in there and not worry much about things getting stolen PLUS you will get through security much faster and you won't care about spills, etc.
*if you're using formula, buy the individual powdered packets or the pre-mixed stuff. They're more expensive but so much easier. You can buy bottled water anywhere to mix the formula.
*take advantage of the stroller switch pass. Just ask the first cast member you find at the entrance to each attraction to help you -- basically it will allow you and your DH to take turns riding things the baby can't go on but you won't have to wait in line twice. For example, you all 3 walk up and get a switch pass, then you wait in line while DH and DD go shopping or get a coke or something (or even hang out in line with you). When you get off the ride, you hang out with DD while hubby uses the pass to go through the back entrance and right on the ride. In most cases it's the wheelchair entrance which is even faster than fastpass.

We'll be at the DLH September 20 - 26; maybe we'll see you!!!!

Hope that helps (even if I'm long-winded!!!). You'll have a great time!!

 

[Dukland]

The Baby Center on Main Street is soooo nice. I loved taking my ds there. It was cool, peaceful, clean, quiet, and well-equipped. They have rocking chairs for nursing, they have toddler sized toilets, multiple changing tables with clean liners already in place, etc. From the DL enterance, it's on the right side. You go around the corner (right across the street from Coke Corner) and it's right there, in a quiet little place.

I agree that it's likely more convenient to bring your own stroller, too. If the baby takes a nap in the park, it's not very comfortable sleeping in an upright stroller.

And there are a lot of rides to take a baby on. It's a Small World, Pirates, Winnie the Pooh, Casey Junior, are just a few.

And don't forget to utilize FastPass and the Baby Swap. Although you might not need Fastpass as much at the end of September. But for bigger rides, like Indiana Jones or Splash Mountain, if only one of you gets a Fastpass, then the other can get a Fastpass for a different ride. For example, if you get a Fastpass for Indiana Jones, then, when you go to ride it, ask for a Baby Swap pass. Then your dh can use the Baby Swap pass for Indiana Jones. In the meantime, he could have a Fastpass for Splash. And again, when he goes to ride it, he can ask for a Baby Swap, and then you can go in the fast line to ride Splash. Does that make sense?

Have fun! DL with a baby is totally doable. Don't forget to take pictures! It's so sweet to see the tiny ones with the characters.

 

[kuusimo]

1. We will be going at the end of the September during the week (either a Wed or a Thurs). What will the crowds be like?
Crowds should be pretty good for you. Are you just going for one day?

2. Our baby will be 5 months old. What rides can we take her on? Any ride that does not have a height requirement you can take her on.

3. Do they have a Baby Center? At both DL and CA they have baby centers. They have a place to nurse or just feed your baby. They also have filtered water there for free- so do not worry if you run out of water- don't pay for it! They do charge however for diapers (they only have size 3) and formula (use only Nestle brand). The packets are good, or we just brought our formula cup with the pre-measured formula. Since we went back to the hotel in the afternoon to take a nap we could refill then.

4. Would she be big enough for a rental stroller or would we have to bring our own? She is pretty big for her age. The strollers at Disneyland are the jogging strollers. They are designed to fit toddlers and up, so I would recommend bringing your own stroller.

Last March we took our 13 week old along with our two older boys. We brought a sling and snugli for the baby. At 5 months that would be perfect if you could carry her around for that long. Remember it will still be warm so a hat and sunscreen are a must. Utilize baby swap and fast pass on the rides that you want to go on. Most of all- have a great time!

 

[bumbershoot]

This is one of their strollers. My boy was a big 2 year and 3 month old at the time.

We took DS when he was a bit over 1, and he was very easy. He would have been a dream at 5 months, just slinging him around (you can see my mei tai from that first trip in my avatar), letting him sleep in the sling or in arms when he wanted (the rental stroller on the first trip was the first time in a stroller, and he was only in it for a short time b/c he wasn't comfortable), taking him on any ride allowed that we wanted...ah, lovely.


End of September, weekday, also lovely, in our experience. Our first trip was around 9/22. It was a bit colder than expected (even down in San Diego, where we were staying), and there was a cold rain that morning, which kept the crowds down nicely.

 

[mimichan]

The link below talks about bringing a 1-yr old to DL but a lot of it might help even with a 5-month old:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/akrock26.htm

 

[BabyMo]

Oh, wow! What a treat to wake up to so many responses. Thank you so much!

8LovesMickey- we will be going on the 26th or 27th.

Putting all the baby stuff into a plastic bag would be a good idea. Not just for DL, but also for the airplane.

I do need some more stroller advice though. Currently, we have a Graco Quatro stroller. This thing is a behemoth, and I don't think we want to lug it from Boston. We also have a frame that the carseat clips onto, and we will probably be taken that, but I am petrified of having it stolen/misplaced. We would we lose our carseat and be unable to leave the park!

This is why I was hoping to be able to put her in one of the rental strollers. Another alternative we are considering is buying an inexpensive umbrella stroller or maybe even a sling.

DD is big for her age. At just over 3 months, she is about 25 inches and 13 lbs. We have tried putting her in the regular stroller, and she does well in it, but we have not had her in there for very long stretches.

She LOVES her Bjorn, but I don't know if my back could take hours and hours of her in it. We picked up a used Snugli for DH to wear- maybe we could bring both and stow the spare in the backpack....

Would a sling be easier on the back? But then she wouldn't be able to see what is going on, and she loves to people-watch.

She will be even bigger in two months. Could she possibly be comfy in a rental? Would she be fine in a Bjorn/Snugli if we trade off?

I am so excited for the trip! We are definitely planning on a ton of pictures, and character encounters. DD loves going to the grocery store in the Bjorn and looking at people- I think she will love DL!

 

[imjen]

We bought a lightweight Chicco stroller from Babies R Us a couple years ago primarily for a Disneyland trip. We had a 9 mo. old at the time. We wanted a stroller that could recline for naps and the DL jogging strollers don't. Also, one to use at the airport and walking back and forth to the hotel. I love the one we got and we have actually used it as our primary stroller ever since. It's so easy to collapse and fold and not too heavy to carry. It has a large canopy, 3 reclining positions (I think), and a good sized basket. It was around $50 but with the cost of stroller rental (currently $10/day) I figured it was totally worth it. And it was. We still use it with my now 3 yr old.

We have also taken a 3 mo. old to DL before and it was great. The nice thing about taking babies that age is they can sleep just about anywhere so you don't have to worry about trekking back to the hotel if you don't want to. We took our babies on all rides that didn't have a height requirement. And did baby swap on the others. Have fun!

 

[lilpixie]

We brought our daughters ages 6, 3, and 6 months to DL on our first trip. Our 6 month old did great! We ended up renting a stroller because I only had a double stroller at home (definately didn't want the bulk of a double stroller at DL). My 6 month old was so content in the stroller and loved sitting on my lap during the rides (we took her on Peter Pan, Alice, Casey Jr. circus train, Small World, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, etc . . . she never got scared). She was fine on the rides in Bugs Life land over in DCA (kiddie rides).
They have diaper changing centers in the restaurant restrooms as well as the baby center. My daughter would only take a bottle by this age -- so I would just find a quiet bench and feed her the bottle at feeding times.
Be sure to shield them from sunburn with a sun hat (I think most doctors don't recommend sunscreen until 6 months . . . but not sure about that).
I was so amazed that when we were there I got lots of comments like "You took a BABY to Disneyland?????" It was kinda funny! But if you look around, there are tons of babies there. LOL
One other thing -- my daughter had such teenie tiny feet and no shoes would fit her. We lost so many baby socks when we were there! Nothing would stay on until I found those Robeez baby shoes (they sell imitation ones at Target for much cheaper, too - but I like the original ones). Those are the only shoes that would stay on and I wish I would have known about them on our trip!
As long as you're prepared (diapers, wipes, extra outfit in case, burp cloth for spit ups, pacifier or bottles if you use them, etc) I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[BabyMo]

Lilpixie, how big was your daughter at 6 months? And she was fine in the rental stroller?

I know what you mean about people's reactions. I told my mom that I wanted to take DD on Mr. Toad, and my mom was SHOCKED.

 

[mimichan]

The following link has one person's opinion on renting strollers in DL:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/akrock2.htm


This link has the same person with some advice about bringing your own stroller to DL:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/akrock3.htm


FWIW, she does have some good info to know.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would *highly* recommend going beyond the snugli/bjorn concept of babywearing. There are carriers that are FAR better for everyone involved. The biggest one I would recommend is the Ergo. It has a broader base for baby's pelvis than the Bjorn (which gives them more ergonomic support b/c they aren't "hanging from their bits and pieces"), and it's a DREAM on the adult's back. If DS and I were still in "wearing" mode, I could easily do it still, and I'm 5'3" and he is over 38" and 34 lbs now. A back carry, of course, otherwise his feet practically kick my shins, LOL.

The Ergo with a back carry took up about half of our DL day last October (the sleeping picture was an anomaly), but I can't post a picture b/c my sister in law is in them and I don't have her permission to post her online.

As you can see from my avatar, DS was on my front, facing me, most of our first trip in '05.

Having a kiddo in a sling or carrier doesn't mean they don't see anything. Quite the opposite, actually! They see more, they are up higher, so they are seeing the sights, NOT people knees and bottoms. And if they are facing you, they are interacting with the people behind you, and see all the sights, just after you. Have you ever taken a train and sat with your back to the front of the train? You actually see MORE scenery like that....I don't know how that works, but I love to sit backwards in a train b/c I really get to savor the scenery that way. DS absolutely adored interacting with the people behind me, and I think the people did too, b/c they could make silly faces at him without me seeing them, LOL.

IMO it's not sheer size, but it's development that comes with age, that makes it OK to go from a reclining stroller to an umbrella. The little ones just usually don't have the stamina to keep themselves upright as they need to be, in an umbrella or jogging stroller. IMO.



It's so fun to start DL when kids are little. You get to see them develop and change...on our first trip, DS just nursed and slept through POTC and into our lunch. Last trip, he sat on the seat and stared, wide-eyed, through the whole ride. He wasn't frightened, but he chewed on my shirt as some sort of comforting device (something he has never done before or after) to keep himself feeling safer, and LOVED the ride and is almost desperate to go on it again this September. I cant' wait to see how he reacts to everything this year (though I'm slightly concerned he'll have a bigger fright reaction). I only wish we'd started as young as your kiddo!!!!

 

[Hofmanns4]

Everyone has posted a lot of info here, and I only have one more thing to add.

My DS first trip to DL was when he was 6 months old. We had a wonderful time and during the day at the park he was as happy as can be. Smiling and giggling at everything and everyone. He became very entertaining for everyone in lines =)

The only issue we had was at night. He was sleeping thru the night before the trip. However, every night during the trip he woke up at least twice. I would nurse him back to sleep and that would work for a few hours.

Hopefully this will not happen to you, but I thought I would add so that you are prepared just in case.

 

[BabyMo]

Thanks for the clarification, bumbershoot! When I hear sling, my first thought is something like a Slingrider from Infantino- one of the ones intended for a newborn. I see that as a FTM, I still have a lot to learn!

Do you know anything about the Red Castle brand?

Hofmanns4- So sorry to hear that! DD does sleep through the night. I am worried about the time change and how she will handle it. Did he go back to sleeping through the night once he returned home?

 

[Hofmanns4]

Hofmanns4- So sorry to hear that! DD does sleep through the night. I am worried about the time change and how she will handle it. Did he go back to sleeping through the night once he returned home?

Yes...first night home sleeping habits were back to normal. I guess he was just "over-stimulated". But, we had a wonderful time anyway!

 

[queenrollog]

You've got tons of great tips here -- I just wanted to add that this is a great time to try and get a "Christmas card photo" with the Disney characters. By the next year, my son was a little more wary and wouldn't smile and hug like he did that first year. Enjoy every minute of your trip to the happiest place on earth!

 

[kuusimo]

They also have pair of "My first ears" for babies. I just took a picture because they were still too big for my 12 week old at the time.