Family Vacation and the Best Invention on the Web

[ScottJayhawk]

The web has been many things to many people. But without question one of the greatest inventions is the message board and forums like this. I consistently get wonderful responses from people on message boards - particularly this one! I can't thank everyone enough!!!

We are head to Disney with our 15 month old in September. I went as a kid but of course wasn't in charge of anything. So now I want to make this experience as good as possible. Here are my concerns. Any tips/hints/advice etc... is greatly appreciated.


1. There are plenty of rides/shows for a 15 month old - right?

2. I know to bring a stroller (still debating umbrella or full - but that's another issue) but what do I do with the stroller while we're on the ride? Is there a place for them - is it safe - can I use it in the line then store it somewhere - of course we'll have a baby bag as well?

3. We are renting a house in Kississimee. Are there any buses we can get to to get to the park rather than driving twice a day? I know it's not far but could get pricey for parking. I've heard of a bus from a nearby hotel that goes to the parks free for hotel guests. And that this bus doesn't really check who's getting on it. Not sure I feel OK with this - anybody thought about or done this??

4. Cameras, video camera. My camcorder bag is a fanny back - a bigger one but does attach to my belt. Can I wear this on the rides? Not sure how I feel about leaving my camera and camcorder anywhere while I ride. What's the policy?

5. Baby sitting services. Wouldn't mind a night out without the little ones (we'll be with 2 other families and 3 other kids). I'd feel pretty good I think at a Disney Resort with their baby sitting service - but what about off property services. Anybody recommend any??

I know it's asking a lot of information. Once again - thank you, thank you, thank you ALL

 

[BevS97]

Phew - lots of questions

1. There are plenty of rides/shows for a 15 month old - right?

Yes loads- nearly everything without a height restriction will be suitable.

2. I know to bring a stroller (still debating umbrella or full - but that's another issue) but what do I do with the stroller while we're on the ride? Is there a place for them - is it safe - can I use it in the line then store it somewhere - of course we'll have a baby bag as well?

You leave the stroller in the sea of other strollers outside each ride - there will be plenty of them so you can see where they go. it is safe but they may be moved by a CM tidying up (they fill in all the gaps when people leave)
The baby bag you can either leave with the stroller or bring on the ride - up to you. You can't take the stroller in the line - you will have t carry him (or he can walk) - I would suggest a sling or hip carrier of some sort

3. We are renting a house in Kississimee. Are there any buses we can get to to get to the park rather than driving twice a day? I know it's not far but could get pricey for parking. I've heard of a bus from a nearby hotel that goes to the parks free for hotel guests. And that this bus doesn't really check who's getting on it. Not sure I feel OK with this - anybody thought about or done this??

I love houses offsite, but I know you will get 100s of messages on here telling you to stay onsite. It's personal preference, but I think with a baby that a house offsite is a great choice - HOWEVER - you need to hire a car - you absolutely cannot stay in a house without one - it's just not feasable. Putting aside the ethics of taking the hotel bus, it's not going to run when you want to go home, you will have loads of stuff to carry, plus stroller etc - I don't think that offsite without a car is a good idea - maybe for 2 adults or older teens, but not with a baby.

4. Cameras, video camera. My camcorder bag is a fanny back - a bigger one but does attach to my belt. Can I wear this on the rides? Not sure how I feel about leaving my camera and camcorder anywhere while I ride. What's the policy?

You will be able to wear them on just about every ride - can't think of one that you couldn't

5. Baby sitting services. Wouldn't mind a night out without the little ones (we'll be with 2 other families and 3 other kids). I'd feel pretty good I think at a Disney Resort with their baby sitting service - but what about off property services. Anybody recommend any??

There are lots of posts about a couple of babysitting services, Fairy Godmothers, and A Kids Night Out - if you do a search you should fine loads of info. I haven't used either myself, I prefer to use a kids club, but that is only suitable for 4 and over, but I have read many peoples experiences of the babysitters - mostly positive.

Hope that helps,

Bev

 

[Amirah95]

*I recommend you purchase a Disney/Orlando Guide (I recommend the Unofficial, Passporter and Birnbaum's) for yourself to polish up on your Disney knowledge.

1. There are some good non-scary shows that will be scary to your child, but there are many rides that you can take him/her on with you.

2. I don't know about the umbrella's on the strollers because my DD is 9 years now and I can't remember that far back. I see a lot of people leaving the strollers in front of the ride entrances where there is a CM who lines them up and fixes them neat so that you'll be able to find your stroller. And I see people leaving their baby bags on their strollers too. Never heard of a theft yet.

3. I recommend you drive your car. Public transportation gets expensive. The fee is 8 bucks per day to park at Disney and it's good for the entire no matter which parks you want to hop between.

4. My DH carries the camera and video camera on the rides. He secures it to himself to where he's not crushing it and so that it doesn't fly away from him on the rides. Some CM will watch your stuff, some won't.

5. I have been recommended these places below from my boss and some family members, but I've never used them because I'm a scary cat when it comes to this topic.

All About Kids (407) 812-9300
Fairy God Mothers (407) 969-9847 and toll free 877-611-4314
Kid's Night Out (407) 827-5444
KinderCare (407) 827-5437

Hope this helped at least a little.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

Regarding you stroller question, I would bring an umbrella stroller and if he/she gets uncomfortable in the park you can rent one. Here's why: You will be folding and unfolding that huge stroller umpteen times to the point where you want to lay it gently on the ground and back the car over it.

If your child needs more room, you can rent a stroller at the parks. That's what we've done about half the time. They are very roomy, and comfortable, and then he/she won't be sick of the thing by the end of the week. Lat time we rented a double stroller and my 3 and 5-year-olds fell asleep in it.

I don't know if you're flying or not. If you are, your stroller will get damaged. Maybe not a lot, but it won't come out the way it went it. And it's going to get higher than normal use during your vacation. Would you rather ruin a $30 umbrella stroller or a $150 good stroller?

I can't believe I'm writing so much about strollers. I need to get out more.




Have a great trip.

P.S., If you can fit it into your plans, I recommend the Family Magic Tour. Absolutely Fantastic!

 

[moinab]

I have to disagree with the PP. We bring a full size stroller every time we go to WDW (7 times, so far, this year.)

If you are driving to the park, the only time you really have to unfold/fold the stroller is when you are in the parking lot. You have to fold it to get on the parking tram. Not a big deal. Actually, we usually just walk, rather than taking the tram. When going to MK, you can roll the stroller right on to the ferry or monorail.

If you are flying, you can (and should) gate check the stroller. We have done this many times, and our stroller has never been damaged. We have a 4 year old, $80 Kolcraft Ranger stroller that has withstood daily use for two children (I use it to walk to the store, beach, park, library, playgroups, etc), as well as multiple airplane, SeaWorld, and WDW trips (and a Disney cruise!), and it is still going strong.

Tie a bandana or some brightly colored ribbon to the handle of your stroller, so you can find it easily in the stroller parking area at each ride/attraction. The CMs often rearrange the strollers. Also, bring something to cover the stroller, in case it rains while it is parked. A large garbage bag and a couple of clothes pins work great, and don't take up much space. We always leave our diaper bag in the stroller and have never had a problem, but I wouldn't leave anything that I would be upset to lose. It doesn't happen often, but things do go missing from parked strollers on occasion.

Absolutely, drive to the parks from offsite. As was already mentioned, parking is $8 for the day. You receive a parking pass that is good for all of the parks for the entire day, so you can come and go as you please. Believe me when I tell you, it is definitely worth the $8 to have the freedom of a car. The offsite busses are notoriously unreliable and will eat up an enormous amount of your precious vacation time. You don't want to get stuck waiting for a bus with a tired, cranky 15 month old, and then having to wait through a gazillion stops before you get where you are going. Really, I can't emphasize this enough!

Have a great trip!

 

[NotUrsula]

I took over 50 flights with a stroller, but never had an airline damage it. However, I always folded it myself, wrapped it in a protective sleeve before gate-checking it, and left the hood and accessories in the checked baggage. Carelessness may cost you.
I do recommend bringing the smallest, lightest stroller that will still be comfortable for your child, however, and I personally consider recline to be a must for park use. Our park stroller of choice is a Mac Vogue.

Just FYI: I don't know when you are planning to be there, but be aware that the children's clubs at the Deluxe resorts give priority to onsite guests. For most of the year this isn't an issue, but if you plan to be there at peak season, you might not be able to get a space, especially on Fri-Sat or on "couples occasions" such as Valentine's Day.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

We brought our twins when they were 10 months old, 22 months old & then when they were 34 months old & the baby when she was 6 months old. There was plenty to entertain them each time.
We also brought our strollers eacht time. We checked the strollers at the airplane door - never had any problems. If you are going to get an umbrella stroller (which is easier tolug around) try to find a lightweigt one that reclines & possibly has a canapy on it. You will bless it when it is hot and your child wants to sleep! Can't help you with chilare - we always had someone else with us who watched the kids, though on our next trip we may have a babysitter for one night. Good luck!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

I agree that having a car to drive from offsite is necessary. We loved having the convenience of a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. with our DDs when they were much younger and always stayed offsite. I would never have chanced the possibilty of not having a ride when we needed one, however, by relying on the offsite transportation.

A little off topic, but the discussion of airline damage to strollers makes me chuckle at myself once again...
I was traveling with my first DD w/o my DH when she was three months old to see my parents in OK...get there and was furious to find that my brand new full-size stroller refused to open! "They ruined it! I think they crushed it!" I was heard to say. My father, Mr. Fix It, was determined to fix the stroller...and boy, was I embarrassed to find out that no, the airline had not broken the stroller, they had simply latched the two plastic pieces together that keep the stroller from opening during storage (which I had no idea even existed on the stroller)!

Enjoy your trip! WDW with a 15 month old is fun!

 

[MinnieGi]

We took DD for her first Disney trip at 14 months and we all had such a great time!! There is sooooo much for them to do at this age and you can still enjoy all the bigger rides with your spouse using the baby swap.

We always bring our full size reclining stroller. We debated on that first trip also to bring that one or the umbrella and were so glad we decided on the full size. At 14 months it provided a very comfortable spot for DD to sit and sleep. At 14 months whenever she needed a little snooze we would just recline the stroller for her and have the canopy extended and she slept soundly and was so refreshed after her nap. This enabled us to still tour the parks w/o having to go back to the resort. We have never had the stroller damaged on the plane. We always gate check it. Actually the stroller is a great help in the airport also!

You will see strollers parked all over the place at WDW. At the entrance and exit to every ride there will be strollers. As someone else noted it may help if you have an identifier on your stoller to make it easily stand out for you to see once you come off a ride.

Since you are staying off-site I would definetly recommend driving to the parks that way you are not relying on a bus schedule if you need to make a quick exit. As someone else said once you pay the parking fee at one park it is good at all the parks for the whole day.

Not sure of any off-site babysitting services.

Have a great time!!

DH always carries our camcorder on rides and I always have our camera in my bag.

 

[jodifla]

We've used Fairygodmothers about six times and been very happy with the sitters.