First time going as parents, so many questions!

[KrazeeK120]

I'm loving this thread! DH and I have been to Disney several times, but will be taking our son for the first time in May when he is 18 months old. We're driving down, so the airplane stuff doesn't apply, but I never would have thought about a stroller fan had I not read this thread!

 

[KGKragle]

I know it doesnt apply to the original poster but is for anyone traveling with kids in cars. Most kids get car sick/motion sickness. We take multiple changes of clothes, cover the carseats, backseat, and kids with towels. When they were younger they would puke on the towel and then we would put a new towel out. Now they are older 3&6 we us large lidded coffee containers as puke buckets, if the miss the bucket they usually get the towel.

 

[vratiana]

A big sunshade is my most important criteria for a Disney Stroller. I would consider renting something like a City Mini (or GT) offsite if necessary.
I also highly recommend babywearing in lines.
Our storage method was: plastic bag in stroller with non valuables-change of clothes, extra diapers, snacks, etc. basically anything I wouldn't be heartbroken if stolen goes in there (in a bag so it's easy to grab it when you need to fold the stroller for the buses)
Valuables & a few diapers & essentials go in park bag that you carry onto rides. I love my stroller hooks where so I can hang my bag when not on rides.

 

[Ndusmama]

I know it doesnt apply to the original poster but is for anyone traveling with kids in cars. Most kids get car sick/motion sickness. We take multiple changes of clothes, cover the carseats, backseat, and kids with towels. When they were younger they would puke on the towel and then we would put a new towel out. Now they are older 3&6 we us large lidded coffee containers as puke buckets, if the miss the bucket they usually get the towel.

I actually keep one of those buckets you get at a hospital in my car for when she gets sick. In it I have paper towels, wipes, and a bag for trash. She easily gets car sick poor thing.

 

[Ndusmama]

One thing I have not seen anyone post is the plane ride itself. So if this is first time for the baby to fly be aware that babies don't know how to pop their eardrums to equalize the pressure. So best advice anyone gave me , and it's worked every time, was to give the baby something to suck on when you are landing (bottle, pacifier).

 

[DisneyDre]

Now we are 2 weeks out til our trip so Im finally starting to pack. I have some more questions....

Obviously I cant bring his big bath tub, so should we just help him sit up in the big tub? He is a pretty good sitter, but at home i still use a baby tub. Does anyone have any input on bathing?

Also this might sound silly, but i have a bottle drying rack i use at home, should I bring that with us or just let bottle dry on counter?

I know i might sound crazy, but I am that crazy first time mom!!

 

[Habbott]

Glad to hear your going to get a scenera. Honestly, it will end up costing you less than a rental seat.

As for bathtub, We used the regular tub by that time with my son, so I would go that route. We started using the regular tub right away with my daughter with me in it as well. She's almost 10 months right now (and will be 14 months when we do Disney).

I use one of those microfiber/foam drying lads for all our dishes, so if you're washing and drying a lot, that would be my suggestion. It would roll up in your luggage easily.

Don't forget gallon sized ziplock bags. They are very useful. You never know when you'll be needing to bag up an outfit for whatever might have gone wrong. I usually keep at least an outfit for each kid in their own ziplock bag and then put the dirty in the beg, replacing the clean. For a flight, we all have one full change of clothes easily accessible. You never know if your child will get sick, and in such close quarters, it will be on at least one of you.

 

[Ndusmama]

Do not forget a fan! I brought a travel size drying rack for bottles so I don't think you are crazy at all.

 

[rainpetal]

We are planning our first trip with our daughter for her 1st birthday in early December. I'm a late in life Disney convert (Honeymoon was my first trip to WDW), but my hubby was born and raised on WDW. He even walks at what I call "Disney speed", which is insanely fast and impossible to keep up with. I have a feeling that this trip will be an almost painful adjustment for him since he is used to going non-stop all day, every day at the aforementioned Disney speed. Our current debate is whether to bring our own stroller or rent one from one of the authorized vendors. I think it would be easier to rent, he wants to bring ours. Anyone have any insight on this? Pros and Cons?

 

[ziggystardust]

I'm taking notes! Will be going for the first time as parents with 7 month old twins in January.

 

[Ndusmama]

We are planning our first trip with our daughter for her 1st birthday in early December. I'm a late in life Disney convert (Honeymoon was my first trip to WDW), but my hubby was born and raised on WDW. He even walks at what I call "Disney speed", which is insanely fast and impossible to keep up with. I have a feeling that this trip will be an almost painful adjustment for him since he is used to going non-stop all day, every day at the aforementioned Disney speed. Our current debate is whether to bring our own stroller or rent one from one of the authorized vendors. I think it would be easier to rent, he wants to bring ours. Anyone have any insight on this? Pros and Cons?

Personally I like my own stroller because I know it. I am glad I have brought my own. I saw a family today loose a wheel into bay lake as we were leaving the dock of WL. The cast member managed to retrieve (thank goodness that thing floated) and asked if the stroller was rented. Apparently the rentable strollers have wheels designed to be popped on and off.

But really think about how you plan to get here. If you are flying and it isn't a direct flight do you want the hassle of changing planes getting stroller rechecking stroller and then coming?

 

[GBShorts]

This is the thread I was hoping to find! <3 This is the first time I'll be heading to WDW with an infant too! I wanted to share with you some of the ideas I came up with and tag on a question I'm hoping you find helpful as well.

Not sure if this will help you, OP, but we're heading down week 2 October with our 7 1/2 month old squish, 5 and 15 year old. I plan on shipping a box to the hotel (POFQ) with diapers, baby food, and a few other random things before we leave. They suggested I send it 10 days in advance so I know if it arrives or not.

I'm nursing but I exclusively pump so I'm going to have to have cooler packs for bottles-I read that you can bring 2 sets and swap out with the front desk daily for your frozen set to keep bottles cold during your stay. Most hotel fridges don't have a freezer compartment.

I also requested a deep-cleaned room for allergies. My older ones have allergies, but it works two-fold since then I'll feel better about having baby in a deep-cleaned room.

I really am a minimalist packer so I've been trying to come up with the minimum "stuff" I need to drag around with us to the parks. It's already bad enough I'll have to bring the pump-I really didn't want to have to but it's that or head back to the hotel every 3 hours (insert eye roll here) and I'm not ready to give it up yet. Here's what I've got on my list so far! Is there anything that anyone here would add or take away? I'm talking absolute necessities here. I'm not a worst-case-scenario kind of girl. I figure there's always SOMEWHERE I can buy something if I absolutely have to and the convenience of not being weighed down with extra crap outweighs what I'll have to pay in the bizarre off chance I'll need something.

For baby:
Diapers/travel pack of wipes
travel size diaper rash cream
spare onesie - maybe - baby rarely has oopsies and I mean, who doesn't want an excuse to buy a new outfit for baby??
pre-measured supplementing formula tubes
Bottles/nipples
1-2 packs of baby food/disposable spoons (local frozen yogurt places are great for these! Smaller sized and substantial... also FREE)
puffs
stick down table placemats (freebies from Chik-fil-a... haha)

For me:
pump, storage bottles, lids, quick clean wipes
travel size dish soap for quick washing
camera/extra battery
Camelback water bottle with filter

What else??

 

[Honeybee83]

one more question about that, i was tempted to get one of those orange bags to put stroller in, i see them at babies r us. just to try and keep stroller a bit clean since i know they throw those things around. have you ever used one?

We've traveled with our stroller several times and have never used one. No problem so far.

 

[Honeybee83]

My stroller was a whole set and was very expensive so i just wanna try and keep it nice. I was thinking of looking for a cheaper one, but would rather use the one i know my baby likes.

Do you have any quiet spots around the park you like to just relax at? I know EPCOT now has a DVC lounge so Im thinking that would be a good spot for feeding and cooling off.

The baby care centers are a lifesaver. They have everything you need for baby and are air conditioned!

 

[Honeybee83]

OK another question I have is, when we leave the stroller in stroller parking and go on a ride, should we take the diaper bag with us? I know its Disney but what if someone was to take it? I hope I don't sound paranoid but we would be lost if our stuff got taken.

We've left our diaper bag under the stroller every time. Multiple times a day for two separate nine day trips. Most diaper bags and items could be replaced in a worst case scenario. We just bring our camera, phones, wallets, and valuables like that on the rides.

 

[Honeybee83]

I have heard car rental car seats can be dirty, that is a concern of course. I didn't even think to buy a cheap one to use just while down there. I wouldn't use it on the flight because my son wouldn't sit in, he would be screaming to get out. He doesn't like being confined especially if he sees we're free. What would I do with it when we get back to MCO? Would I throw it away or just abandon it?

If it were me, I wouldn't bother. If you don't need it for transportation once there and your kiddo is the type to not need it on the plane then it is much more hassle then it's worth. That being said, my husband is a pilot so we've flown many times and used the car seat on the plane for non DW trips. This thing is a lifesaver. Especially if you plan on renting a stroller once there, you will have a car seat hybrid while at the airport.

BRICA Roll 'n Go Car Seat Transporter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0074JKQ0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_nk.1xbA9QSRAJ

 

[Honeybee83]

One thing I have not seen anyone post is the plane ride itself. So if this is first time for the baby to fly be aware that babies don't know how to pop their eardrums to equalize the pressure. So best advice anyone gave me , and it's worked every time, was to give the baby something to suck on when you are landing (bottle, pacifier).

Agreed! If nursing, definitely start feeding when the pilot makes the final descent announcement.

 

[Honeybee83]

This is the thread I was hoping to find! <3 This is the first time I'll be heading to WDW with an infant too! I wanted to share with you some of the ideas I came up with and tag on a question I'm hoping you find helpful as well.

Not sure if this will help you, OP, but we're heading down week 2 October with our 7 1/2 month old squish, 5 and 15 year old. I plan on shipping a box to the hotel (POFQ) with diapers, baby food, and a few other random things before we leave. They suggested I send it 10 days in advance so I know if it arrives or not.

I'm nursing but I exclusively pump so I'm going to have to have cooler packs for bottles-I read that you can bring 2 sets and swap out with the front desk daily for your frozen set to keep bottles cold during your stay. Most hotel fridges don't have a freezer compartment.

I also requested a deep-cleaned room for allergies. My older ones have allergies, but it works two-fold since then I'll feel better about having baby in a deep-cleaned room.

I really am a minimalist packer so I've been trying to come up with the minimum "stuff" I need to drag around with us to the parks. It's already bad enough I'll have to bring the pump-I really didn't want to have to but it's that or head back to the hotel every 3 hours (insert eye roll here) and I'm not ready to give it up yet. Here's what I've got on my list so far! Is there anything that anyone here would add or take away? I'm talking absolute necessities here. I'm not a worst-case-scenario kind of girl. I figure there's always SOMEWHERE I can buy something if I absolutely have to and the convenience of not being weighed down with extra crap outweighs what I'll have to pay in the bizarre off chance I'll need something.

For baby:
Diapers/travel pack of wipes
travel size diaper rash cream
spare onesie - maybe - baby rarely has oopsies and I mean, who doesn't want an excuse to buy a new outfit for baby??
pre-measured supplementing formula tubes
Bottles/nipples
1-2 packs of baby food/disposable spoons (local frozen yogurt places are great for these! Smaller sized and substantial... also FREE)
puffs
stick down table placemats (freebies from Chik-fil-a... haha)

For me:
pump, storage bottles, lids, quick clean wipes
travel size dish soap for quick washing
camera/extra battery
Camelback water bottle with filter

What else??

Unless you're using the water filter for formula you can get free ice water (it is tap water) from any counter service restaurant.

 

[Honeybee83]

Hello everyone, first time posting in this section of the Dis Boards! My husband and I are Disney nerds and have been to WDW over 20 times, but this trip will be different because I recently had a baby boy! He will just be turning 7 months when we go this September 25th. We usually go to WDW in the start of September but this year we pushed it back to the end of the month, but we know how the crowds and temps should be so we have a heads up. Because we have never traveled with a baby before I have so many questions and would love some advice, tips, tricks and feed back!! I Hope my questions don't sound silly, but sometimes I over think, please bare with me!

This trip will be my Husband, myself & baby. My sister does live next to the mouse so when she is not working she may hang with us. We will be staying at AKL, Jambo House for a week. Our flight to WDW gets us to the MCO airport around 10:30 am, so once we get to AKL i think we will take it easy since it will be a lot for all of us since its the lil guys first time flying.

So as usual we will be taking the Magical Express to our resort, AKL, but i cant recall anyone using a car seat? (I know I've never seen them on the other Disney transportation through out the parks).So if We dont need a car seat on the M.E. I don't think we should bring at all right? Just bring our stroller!! I did get a fan and rain shield for stroller. I've heard its a good idea to put something on your stroller to make it recognizable for us since cast members do have to move them. Also any ideas of different things i should put in diaper bag while in the parks?

I wanna say i remember seeing pack n plays in the rooms? Is that what everyone uses for a "crib" while there? I should just bring wipes to clean it( first baby so I am that crazy mom) and I will just bring my own bedding for him.

We did book our fastpasses, hoping to take the lil guy on rides like peter pan and dumbo.( and meet Mickey, I don't wanna overwhelm him, curious what he will think of the Mouse)I did hear there is a rider swap for rides we cant take him on??

Like i had mentioned since my sister lives next to the mouse she usually brings us groceries, so i will have lots of bottled water for his formula. I was thinking of having her bring me diapers just so that's one less thing i have to pack? Any other items I should have her get?

We always do the MNSSHP so this year will be exciting to take the baby! Still working on our costumes!

We know this trip will be like no other, so we plan on taking it slow and enjoying the little things that we haven't in the past. I know we cant run the parks from sun up to sun down, we have to learn to take it slow! I also know he wont remember this trip, but we will! My first trip I was 4 and I do recall a few things! Im thinking to do parks early and then come back to resort and hang and maybe go back at night for a bit? I did get head phones for the baby so we can see our favorite Wishes.( We plan on standing far away from the castle and crowds) Like I said, we have done the parks so many times, so this time we just wanna relax as a new family!

I have so so many more questions but I don't wanna drag on and on, So like I said, I would like to hear some tips, tricks and advice. Thanks in advance!

I too have a germ thing about rented pack n plays, especially since so many will have used them at a place like Disney. My solution was to go to Walmart and get a very large rolling duffle bag and a pack n play. I also think that pack n play mattresses are too hard so I bought an extra mattress on Amazon. I left the pack n play in its travel bag, wrapped the mattress around it and shoved the whole thing in the duffle. You can pack your pack n play sheets, sound maker, blankets, loves, nightlight, etc in the bag as well. Voilà, bed in a bag. We travel a lot so I knew I'd use this more than once.

 

[GBShorts]

Unless you're using the water filter for formula you can get free ice water (it is tap water) from any counter service restaurant.

Yes, the filter is for formula if I need to supplement. I love the free ice water rule!