First DVC trip with baby!

[nickandlarisa]

We are so excited to be new members, just joined last year and will be taking our first DVC trip this fall. This will also be our first trip with our first baby, who will be 10 months old when we go. Any advice or recommendations? We are planning to stay at BLT (anxiously awaiting our 7 month mark!) hopefully with a MK view. We own at SSR but wanted the convenience with baby to walk back and forth to MK. As the booking time is fast approaching, now I am thinking maybe we should do a split stay, possibly at AKL, just to mix it up? Also thinking this trip will be more down time at the resorts than what we used to do just the two of us! Before we joined DVC, we used to always do the dining plan, past two trips we did deluxe dining. I know we can still purchase the dining plan as DVC members but not sure if its such a good deal. We do like the idea of everything being paid for up front, gives that all inclusive feel, but if we are overpaying for food than its not worth it! Also we have generally stayed at moderate resorts up until now, so we are VERY excited to see the difference DVC resorts have to offer!!

 

[Tinks "SS"]

congrats all the way around. yes, i think you will need more down time at the resorts with the baby. We went quite a few times when my kids were little and in the baby/toddler age. We found it still enjoyable but you jut have to let them go at their pace instead of your normal. Everyone feels differently bout it. My oldest could go all day without a nap as long as he was busy. My youngest would nap and be good to go. i think your idea of BLT with MK being main park of interest this trip is a great idea. I've not tried a split stay yet so don't have any advice to suggest but love AKV as well as BLT. Actually, i haven't found one i hate yet. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Have a blast!!

 

[2binak]

I wouldn't recommend a split stay with a young baby. You might find that you'll spend more time at the resort than usual and it will be easier to just be settled in for the entire stay.

I would recommend renting a full-sized crib from an off-site company like A Baby's Best Friend. The pack 'n play is ok for a nap, but definitely not great for an entire night's sleep.

 

[disprincessatheart]

I wouldn't recommend a split stay with a young baby. You might find that you'll spend more time at the resort than usual and it will be easier to just be settled in for the entire stay.

I would recommend renting a full-sized crib from an off-site company like A Baby's Best Friend. The pack 'n play is ok for a nap, but definitely not great for an entire night's sleep.

Do not do a split stay with a baby. Getting settled with all their stuff once is enough! (we have a ds that just turned two and has been 6 times). Plus if you do a split you have to be without a room possibly for a day, and with a little one, that's not a good plan. On our first two trips with our son we did blt and bwv. We mainly did things we could walk or monorail to. Busses were too much of a pain, and really for us it wasnt worth the trouble to go to AK or HS with an infant. Our son slept fine in his stroller so we were able to do longer park days than we expected, but when we or he had enough, walking distance to the room was so nice!

Insted of renting a crib, I recommend requesting a mini crib from disney. The resorts have them on a first come first served basis and they're free. It's a metal crib with a real mattress, but it's the size of a pnp. Our son reaches end to end in it, but slept great anyway (but he rarely sleeps all stretched out). On his first 5 trips he slept fine in the pnp (didn't ever bother to ask for the crib until this last trip). For a 10 month old the pnp is probably fine, and if you get the free crib, even better.

 

[2binak]

Insted of renting a crib, I recommend requesting a mini crib from disney. The resorts have them on a first come first served basis. It's a metal crib with a real mattress, but it's the size of a pnp. OUr son reaches end to end in it, but slept great anyway (but he rarely sleeps all stretched out). But on his first 5 trips he slept fine in the pnp (didn't ever bother to ask for the crib until this last trip). For a 10 month old the pnp is probably fine, and if you get the crib, even better.

The reason I suggested renting a crib is that we did have the metal crib and our DD (8 months at the time) kept banging her head on it as she moved in her sleep. We ended up weaving the top sheet from the pull-out sofa through the metal rails to create a makeshift bumper. It worked, but we were all much happier with the crib we rented from ABBF the following year.

 

[Nikisha421]

We are so excited to be new members, just joined last year and will be taking our first DVC trip this fall. This will also be our first trip with our first baby, who will be 10 months old when we go. Any advice or recommendations? We are planning to stay at BLT (anxiously awaiting our 7 month mark!) hopefully with a MK view. We own at SSR but wanted the convenience with baby to walk back and forth to MK. As the booking time is fast approaching, now I am thinking maybe we should do a split stay, possibly at AKL, just to mix it up? Also thinking this trip will be more down time at the resorts than what we used to do just the two of us! Before we joined DVC, we used to always do the dining plan, past two trips we did deluxe dining. I know we can still purchase the dining plan as DVC members but not sure if its such a good deal. We do like the idea of everything being paid for up front, gives that all inclusive feel, but if we are overpaying for food than its not worth it! Also we have generally stayed at moderate resorts up until now, so we are VERY excited to see the difference DVC resorts have to offer!!

Larisa,
Long time no speak...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

I wouldn't recommend a split stay with a young baby. You might find that you'll spend more time at the resort than usual and it will be easier to just be settled in for the entire stay.

I would recommend renting a full-sized crib from an off-site company like A Baby's Best Friend. The pack 'n play is ok for a nap, but definitely not great for an entire night's sleep.

Count me in with this opinion. We took a ten month old and had a super time. You will be amazed at how much your baby will love Disney. However, a split stay could be very difficult with all the baby items to move and the possibility of your things not being available for a period of time. Also, babies like to sleep in familiar surroundings...might be better to only deal with that once. Have an awesome time!

 

[Halle]

how far in advance can I request the crib?

 

[Mick@Tink]

First, congrats on securing a ressie at BLT. That is the perfect location to stay with a 10 month old. We own at BLT and took our 11 month old (at the time) granddaughter last May. BLT is the perfect location, since it is so close to the MK, knowing she would be ready for bed very early each evening. We would walk over in the morning, do RD, stay through lunch and return to BLT for her nap and pool time. While her parents would go to other parks and enjoy some "couples" time, DW and I would piddle around the resort with our granddaughter, or take the monorail to the Poly (she's already enjoyed her first Dole Whip) or GF, until she was tired and ready for bed. We drove so we only had to take our truck to AK and HS. We found that a better mode of transportation than taking the busses with her stroller in tow.

Enjoy your time with your family and know you made a great choice in BLT. We are returning in May with our granddaughter and can't wait!!!

 

[katied]

We've stayed at BLT with little ones on just about every visit. I would just plan to stay there, and not worry about a split stay. The issue with a split stay is you don't have a room from 11 - 4. Not great if you need the room for a baby's nap. Since we had kids, we end up back at the resort every afternoon for a nap break.

Also, we skip the dining plan. It's so much easier to just eat breakfast and dinner in the room, and generally have lunches out. We plan ahead, bring some of our meal stuff, and round things out with an order from garden grocer. At 10 months, babies start becoming a bit more difficult about eating out

The pool at BLT is nice and quiet, with a toddler slide. There's also a little sand play area.

Now typing this, I can't wait until we're back there in less than 60 days...

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Congrats on everything

I originally opened this thread because we will also be making our first trip with a baby next year (she will be 8 months old in january 2013 for our trip) but it's not our first DVC trip (more like trip 10 or so )

Anyway, I agree with the others who suggested not doing a split stay with a baby. Although WDW does an excellent job of transporting all of your luggage from one resort to another I wouldn't want to have to pack everything up again with a little one. The wait for the room isn't normally terrible, by them time you have your bags picked up at resort #1 and get to resort #2 (don't forget that you will need to get a park or DTD and get on another bus/boat/monorail or walk to get to the next resort) and check in at #2 your room may be ready, of course it may not be too. Of course your bags are with luggage services somewhere and it could be awhile before you get them again. Realistically, plan on being without a room and most of your "stuff" from at least 11am to 4pm.

We haven't stayed at BLT yet so I can't really comment on that resort.

Many people love AKV but IMHO I'm not a huge fan. All transportation is via bus, we found the waits to be long and buses to be crowded, we were staying in the off season. The walk from our room to the bus stop also seemed ridiculously long (not something I really want to have to do with a tired baby). Of course you can request a room closer to the main lobby and bus stop but it's only a request, you could still end up in the last room at the end of a looooong hallway

Have you considered booking at SSR for now and switching your ressie at 7 months if something is available? Depending on exactly when you are planning on staying, it may not be easy to get exactly what you are looking for at 7 months.

Regardless of where you stay you will love DVC and your little ones first trip to WDW will be amazing

 

[Debby7]

Last year we made two trips with our son, daughter in law and infant grandson who was 4 months on the first trip and 9 months on the second.
My advice is to make good use of the child care center in each park. They were wonderful, quiet, cool places for a feeding, diaper change or just a get out of the stroller and crawl around time.

We definitely did not get to as many attractions as before baby, but enjoyed the ones we did get to do.

Have a great trip !

 

[akl-fan]

We took our DD when she was 11 months. The best advice i can give you, is to take an umbrella stroller, one that can be totally reclined and one the has a full sun canopy. It is best not to get a black one as they absorb lots of light and get really hot. Umbrella strollers are far easier to get on and off the buses and you can store quite a lot beneath them. Our DD took a nap in hers often and was able to recharge her batteries. We also went back to the resort for downtime each day. IMO it is not advisable to to any parks commando style with a baby.

 

[RachaelA]

When are you guys going? We're taking our first DVC trip in October and it will also be our first trip with DD who will be 11 1/2 months.

We're staying at BLT. I didn't even want to think of attempting a split stay with and infant. We're driving so we are bring our own PnP if not I would have rented a crib.

 

[nickandlarisa]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Obviously as new parents we are still a little sleep deprived ... split stay, what was I thinking?!? You have definitely talked me out of that one. It will be much more enjoyable to settle in to one resort for the week. Looking forward to BLT!! Still undecided about dining. Wondering how many table meals we will actually be able to do? Would definitely like to take the little guy to Chef Mickey's for breakfast and a few other of our favorites. Maybe look into Tables in Wonderland instead of DDP? Good to know about the crib rentals. I guess I have to do a little more research in this area. So what exactly does Disney provide, just maybe the metal crib but first come first serve basis? A PnP would be your own you brought from home? So many things we are learning here!

Random note - how many of you have flown with infants? Did you buy them a seat? Did you get a discount infant fare? Any issues with your carseat being FAA approved (seems like most are)? Again an area I have to research a bit more. Planning to buy him a seat but that's about all we have figured out so far!

One more thought - obviously this is still pretty far off and who knows what the case will be at 10 months, but any mommies have any breastfeeding tips while at the parks? Not really into public displays but what is it like in the child care centers?

And hey Nikisha, good to see you on here! Hope everything is going well!! We had a baby as you can tell, he is great, and we bought into DVC so life is grand Still doing invitations and business is great!

RachaelA - we haven't booked yet but looking at possibly Oct 6 - 13. We are pretty flexible with when we can travel so it all depends on availability. Also we have certain points we have to use up this year, so if we don't get a MK view, might stay for longer! Never been to the World in the fall, we usually do spring or summer, so this will be a change of pace for us in addition to everything else!

So excited, I love the planning, and thanks again everyone for your two cents!! I know some of these questions are more general planning and not all DVC related, but this group seems to be the seasoned pros of vacationing!!

 

[HotdogDncrs]

I know that you have made your decision not to do a split stay, but we have done split stays almost every trip with little ones, and have a different perspective than the other posters. The first time was with our 5 month and almost 3 year old sons. We stayed at BLT and BWV in May, and then in September we did another split stay at BLT and BCV when they were 9 months and 3 years old. Having said that, 4 nights in each resort is the minimum we will do. Any shorter, and you don't really feel settled before it is time to move or check out.

For us, we enjoy feeling like we are getting 2 vacations out of one, and by staying at both MK and Epcot resorts it really is the best of both worlds. We only had to take a Disney bus to Animal Kingdom, which was fantastic. We have a Phil and Ted's double stroller (not side by side), but it is not the smallest thing to cart onto the buses. I can't even imagine not having the stroller that my boys are used to, and the most comfortable in while at Disney. We don't mind walking though, so whenever we can walk instead of taking a bus we will.

As far as packing up and getting ready for the second resort - it really wasn't that big of a deal (we didn't have a car with us as we flew). The night before the move, I packed up the suitcases. What I did was pack all of the souvenirs or clothes that we weren't going to need for the second part of our trip into one suitcase so that when we arrived at the second resort there was no need to even open that bag. If you are staying in a 1 bedroom you will have a washer and dryer, and therefore won't have to take as many clothes, blankets, etc. (an absolute life saver when travelling with little ones). The morning of the move, we called Bell Services, and had them pick up our bags. We then headed out for breakfast, and to whatever park we were going to for the morning. Usually around lunch we headed to the second resort to check in. By the time we checked in, and got ourselves oriented the rooms were ready.

I am sure whatever you decide, you will have a fantastic trip with your little one! Just remember, now that you are DVC members you have many, many years to experience all of the resorts!

As far as your concern for feeding - the Baby Care Centres have private nursing rooms with rocking chairs. It gives you and your baby privacy and some quiet time. The Baby Care Centres are really great - we always make sure to head to them when it is time for a fresh diaper. They are always clean, and less crowded than the public washrooms.

 

[castleri]

Agree with the pp who suggested making a reservation at your home resort now and then try to change at the 7 month point. You are talking about a busy week because of Columbus day and some states in the south have fall breaks then. It is also Food and Wine and mnsshp. It is such fun to watch the expressions on babies' faces at WDW and I know you will have a wonderful time no matter where you stay. I think the baby care centers haverockers and are a good place to nurse your baby and relax a little. I would get the TIW car. The last times we have gone we did breakfast in the room, cs in the parks and ts in the evening and spent far less than the ddp would have cost. However if you can eat three ts meals a day then you may do better with the deluxe plan. It is just too much food for the way we eat and having to plan our days around our meals just didn't work for us. Good Lucio getting the resort you want and have a magical trip.

 

[RachaelA]

I checked the week you said and the week we are going (13-20) and the 13-20 seemed to have better availability for lake view (but no full weeks for MK view in a studio or 1 bedroom for either week) Obviously that can change when people from BLT change resorts at 7 months, but if you don't get what you want at 7 months for the 6-13, you could try for the next week.

We're taking a PnP from home though Disney does provide one if you don't get a crib. I like DD in her own stuff. I'm sure I'll get over that in a year or two

Good luck! If you guys change weeks and go the 13-20, let me know. We can get the babies together one day at a pool or something

 

[MsTessP]

The nursing rooms are very nice, but only if in a convenient location for you at that time. There are lots of spots in out of the way places in all the parks where many nursing moms and babies have enjoyed some quiet time. If the weather is hot, though, it will probably be best for both of you to head to the air conditioning for a while inside the baby care center.

I have seen countless babies being breastfed at WDW and I suspect most people walking by - unless nursing moms themselves - didn't even notice..

Just don't ever be coerced at WDW or anywhere else to go to the restroom to feed your baby! Anyone suggesting this should try eating *their* next meal in a bathroom stall!

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We did not purchase a plane ticket for our DD when she was 10 months old. I think children under two were free at the time as long as they were in your lap. It was no problem. I just fed her and she went right to sleep both times. We had rented a car for that trip and just rented a car seat from the rental company. It ran about $30 I think...it was a generic brand, but clean and seemed sturdy enough. Hope that helps!