First time going as parents, so many questions!

[roydavid7771]

Just want to say thanks, we're planning our first trip as parents next May and I am a little freaked out about bringing a little one to my favorite place on Earth! We've gone on earlier trips with my nephew and friends of ours with their two little ones, but this takes on a whole new level as parents. I know I'll have to drastically change our touring strategies, but I'm excited to be seeing the World through the eyes of my baby girl. Please keep the tips coming!

 

[CaleCakes]

My husband and I will be taking traveling as first time parents with our son who will be 17 months at the time of travel. I haven't been to Disney in 20 years and neither has my husband.
I am happy to have found your post with lots of great questions and answers. I was reluctant to comment because I did ask a similar question about the car seat thing on another site and was embarrassed after the responses because posters were rather rude that I wasn't bringing his car seat. Regardless we decided not to lug his seat when he can fly as a lap baby still, but we did end up purchasing an extra seat because the fare went down and we thought it better to be able to spread out.

We won't be taking the magic express from thr airport because we are driving from Fort Lauderdale were we are flying into the week before and taking a cruise. So we have a rental car reserved with a car seat. Then once on Disney property we will ditch the car and use Disney transportation.

So far we bought a new stroller, what I call a suped up umbrella one. It's the summer infant 3d one convenience stroller. It reclines, folds up easy, has a carry strap, and a large canopy. My only complaint is the cup holder isn't great. We also got the JL Childress gate check bag from amazon d the j is for jeep plastic rain cover.

On our way to the hotel we plan on stopping for a few things like more diapers, bottled waters, and snacks.

I love the suggestions for the battery operated string of lights. I'll have to look for come Christmas ones since we will be there for MVMCP.

 

[DisneyDre]

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.

 

[kdka421]

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!
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?

Hello! We were in a similar situation in April, our first trip with our daughter, although she was a little older than your son (1.5 years old). I am glad to see you got a stroller fan, we brought one and it was a lifesaver for our daughter. She did end up taking afternoon naps in her stroller, so we'd just turn on her fan, give her a light muslin blanket to cuddle and her pacifier, and she'd sleep for about an hour and a half. We stuck very firmly to bedtime, but I think with a younger kid you're going to get more flexibility than our daughter who was used to her routine.
Glad to answer any specific questions if you think of anything.

Pack n play: Yup, they are in the closet. Some of the resorts have "real" cribs too of you want to call ahead / ask at check in.

Just a heads up that this must vary by resort? We stayed at Caribbean Beach, requested and confirmed our pack n play ahead of time, and waited until about 9:30 the night we arrived for them to finally deliver one to our room. I think this was a fluke but my point is, be sure to let them know ahead of time and check for it as soon as you arrive.

 

[Becca1007]

My husband and I will be taking traveling as first time parents with our son who will be 17 months at the time of travel. I haven't been to Disney in 20 years and neither has my husband.
I am happy to have found your post with lots of great questions and answers. I was reluctant to comment because I did ask a similar question about the car seat thing on another site and was embarrassed after the responses because posters were rather rude that I wasn't bringing his car seat. Regardless we decided not to lug his seat when he can fly as a lap baby still, but we did end up purchasing an extra seat because the fare went down and we thought it better to be able to spread out.

We won't be taking the magic express from thr airport because we are driving from Fort Lauderdale were we are flying into the week before and taking a cruise. So we have a rental car reserved with a car seat. Then once on Disney property we will ditch the car and use Disney transportation.

So far we bought a new stroller, what I call a suped up umbrella one. It's the summer infant 3d one convenience stroller. It reclines, folds up easy, has a carry strap, and a large canopy. My only complaint is the cup holder isn't great. We also got the JL Childress gate check bag from amazon d the j is for jeep plastic rain cover.

On our way to the hotel we plan on stopping for a few things like more diapers, bottled waters, and snacks.

I love the suggestions for the battery operated string of lights. I'll have to look for come Christmas ones since we will be there for MVMCP.

Just as an aside, rental car seats are pretty gross not sure how they clean them between kids and they don't necessarily have the right seat for your child at the rental place. My cousins rented a car with two car seats when they visited and ended up having to leave mom and babies at the rental place and drive to the store to buy car seats because the rental place only had ones that their kids wouldn't fit in.

Walmart has a cosco scenera next for like $40 (most rental seats cost $10/day or so), so its not that much more expensive to have a clean new car seat.

I have flown several times with our LO both as a lap baby and with a seat. He is now 17 months and man without a car seat it is tough to keep him contained, he just wants to run all over the plane. So my thoughts would be buy the cheap car seat and use it on the plane, at the very least it will let you have your hands free so you can have a drink LOL.

 

[KerTggr]

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.

Anything you wouldn't want walking off, take with you. That said, we usually overpack diapers for the day, so I leave those in a non descript bag in the stroller on bottom under our morning sweatshirts. But I also find it easier to just carry a backpack all day with most of our stuff.

 

[CaleCakes]

Just as an aside, rental car seats are pretty gross not sure how they clean them between kids and they don't necessarily have the right seat for your child at the rental place. My cousins rented a car with two car seats when they visited and ended up having to leave mom and babies at the rental place and drive to the store to buy car seats because the rental place only had ones that their kids wouldn't fit in.

Walmart has a cosco scenera next for like $40 (most rental seats cost $10/day or so), so its not that much more expensive to have a clean new car seat.

I have flown several times with our LO both as a lap baby and with a seat. He is now 17 months and man without a car seat it is tough to keep him contained, he just wants to run all over the plane. So my thoughts would be buy the cheap car seat and use it on the plane, at the very least it will let you have your hands free so you can have a drink LOL.

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?

 

[jennygirlmt]

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?

We rented a car seat when my daughter was 13 months and I asked for a rear facing. They said they had it when we booked but had no idea what I was talking about when we got there. They only had forward facing, no convertibles. We now always travel with our car seats, esp rear facing.

You can also gate check them, so I just haul it with me. We usually travel with family and have lots of hands, but you can also put baby in a wrap and put the seat on the stroller to get through security. Honestly, if you bought him a plane seat, you could just install it. (Never mind, just reread that he hates being in it.)

I fretted the whole time my 13 month old was forward facing and it isn't legal nor safe for a 7 month old to rear face so you could be out of luck. That said the seat was brand new and spotless...Just something to either confirm 5 times over with the car place or have a plan for.

eta-just saw your guy is 17months, not 7. So still not safe and illegal in some states for rear facing. So definitely ask them about it!

Also-we donated baby gear that we bought on Amazon and had shipped across the country to a local church before flying out. Though we drove our rental car back to the airport and just dropped it off. You could also take it home via hate Check for a back up/parents' car.

 

[CaleCakes]

We rented a car seat when my daughter was 13 months and I asked for a rear facing. They said they had it when we booked but had no idea what I was talking about when we got there. They only had forward facing, no convertibles. We now always travel with our car seats, esp rear facing.

You can also gate check them, so I just haul it with me. We usually travel with family and have lots of hands, but you can also put baby in a wrap and put the seat on the stroller to get through security. Honestly, if you bought him a plane seat, you could just install it. (Never mind, just reread that he hates being in it.)

I fretted the whole time my 13 month old was forward facing and it isn't legal nor safe for a 7 month old to rear face so you could be out of luck. That said the seat was brand new and spotless...Just something to either confirm 5 times over with the car place or have a plan for.

eta-just saw your guy is 17months, not 7. So still not safe and illegal in some states for rear facing. So definitely ask them about it!

Also-we donated baby gear that we bought on Amazon and had shipped across the country to a local church before flying out. Though we drove our rental car back to the airport and just dropped it off. You could also take it home via hate Check for a back up/parents' car.

Just as an aside, rental car seats are pretty gross not sure how they clean them between kids and they don't necessarily have the right seat for your child at the rental place. My cousins rented a car with two car seats when they visited and ended up having to leave mom and babies at the rental place and drive to the store to buy car seats because the rental place only had ones that their kids wouldn't fit in.

Walmart has a cosco scenera next for like $40 (most rental seats cost $10/day or so), so its not that much more expensive to have a clean new car seat.

I have flown several times with our LO both as a lap baby and with a seat. He is now 17 months and man without a car seat it is tough to keep him contained, he just wants to run all over the plane. So my thoughts would be buy the cheap car seat and use it on the plane, at the very least it will let you have your hands free so you can have a drink LOL.

Thank you for these great suggestions. His regular car seat is big and heavy and was pretty expensive so id hate to get it damaged or dirty. I think getting the inexpensive Cosco seat to take with us is the best bet. We can gate check it and that way he has a nice clean one to use that we know is the right one for his age. It would be a hassle if we got to the airport rental car place and the seat was not available or dirty. And like you said having a cheap backup for air travel would be worth it. We are planning a trip to Texas in the spring where it would come in handy.

 

[DisneyDre]

Anything you wouldn't want walking off, take with you. That said, we usually overpack diapers for the day, so I leave those in a non descript bag in the stroller on bottom under our morning sweatshirts. But I also find it easier to just carry a backpack all day with most of our stuff.

Ya even when it was just husband & I we had a back pack. I actually have a diaper bag that is a backpack style because its so much easier. It has a bit of insulation for baby bottles, il see how it works in the Florida heat!

 

[Becca1007]

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?

I would just gate check it on the way home and keep it around for any other travel if you have the space. It is super lightweight and easy to move through the airport which is why we love it for travel. I can't even imagine having to carry our normal car seat while traveling ... it is a beast. If you try to donate it, it will likely just get thrown out since used car seats aren't recommended.

 

[Becca1007]

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?

The orange/red bags work to keep the stroller clean for sure, but I consider them one trip use items. Generally by the end of the trip it is so dirty and with multiple holes in it that I just throw it away in an airport garbage can.
We bought the more durable bag for our stroller (City Mini GT) before our most recent flight and it held up much better, but it was a slight pain to have to take the wheels off to pack the stroller in the bag.

 

[401Disney]

I'm loving this thread! My wife and I are taking our son (7 months) for the first time October 1st to the 6th. It's definitely a lot more planning and strategizing but I'm looking forward to figuring it all out. Thank you to everyone who posted helpful tips. It's one of the many reasons why I love the dis!

 

[DisneyDre]

I'm loving this thread! My wife and I are taking our son (7 months) for the first time October 1st to the 6th. It's definitely a lot more planning and strategizing but I'm looking forward to figuring it all out. Thank you to everyone who posted helpful tips. It's one of the many reasons why I love the dis!

I started this thread because my son will be 7 months too and we go sept 25-oct 2!! We will be able to give advice after our trips!!

 

[SheriBerry]

Thank you for starting this thread! We're taking our little girl at the end of October for her first trip and she'll be 6 months old. We've been quite a few times but never with a baby.

 

[Tucker24]

Not sure where they would put the stroller if it's in a bag. Last time we gate checked a carry on bag because we didn't want to fuss with it on the plane. Ends up at the gate they put it with the other baggage and we had to go all the way to baggage claim at Orlando airport to pick it up. typically if you fold up stroller at gate then they give it back to you at the gate

 

[buddha112]

DisneyDre. We just took our 10 month old earlier this year and I am sure I will repeat some stuff but this is what we found. I hope it helps.

No car seat needed for ME. Take your own stroller. Ours is a black green mix so easy to find so not sure about identifying.
Yes take diaper bag with you. We were in Epcot and chippers were crawling around in diaper bags that people had left on stroller.
I think you said you had family in area? If so, ship diapers, wipes and formula, snacks, whatever (if needed) to them to drop off to you . (what we did with my cousin) Saves room in suitcase and can bring extra home. Also, if using formula we had them pick up a case or two of water at the grocery store (less expensive then WDW or ordering from a delivery service).
Pack in play worked just fine ( may want own sheet)
Definitely gate check stroller. You will wait a bit when getting off plane but worth it.
Even with rain shield for stroller buy an adult poncho or stroller cover if rains. You will need it!! LOL experience talking

Other than that, in the parks. Enjoy. Our son rode almost everything, Slept a lot and had a ball meeting characters.

Good Luck and Have fun

 

[roydavid7771]

Not sure where they would put the stroller if it's in a bag. Last time we gate checked a carry on bag because we didn't want to fuss with it on the plane. Ends up at the gate they put it with the other baggage and we had to go all the way to baggage claim at Orlando airport to pick it up. typically if you fold up stroller at gate then they give it back to you at the gate

I'm thinking about getting a travel bag for our City Mini since it's beige and most assuredly will get grease or dirt on it when we check it at the gate. However, I really don't want to have to go to Baggage claim to pick it up, kinda defeats the purpose of DME...thoughts?

 

[skunis1]

There are some options if you do not want to bring a car seat for the car when your child is 3yo+ or for your infant + on a plane.

First the RideSafer Travel Vest takes the place of a car seat in a car.

http://www.travelswithbaby.com/gear-review-of-ridesafer-travel-vest.html

Second is the CARES harness for the plane.

http://www.travelswithbaby.com/gear-review-of-cares-harness.html

 

[DisneyDre]

DisneyDre. We just took our 10 month old earlier this year and I am sure I will repeat some stuff but this is what we found. I hope it helps.

No car seat needed for ME. Take your own stroller. Ours is a black green mix so easy to find so not sure about identifying.
Yes take diaper bag with you. We were in Epcot and chippers were crawling around in diaper bags that people had left on stroller.
I think you said you had family in area? If so, ship diapers, wipes and formula, snacks, whatever (if needed) to them to drop off to you . (what we did with my cousin) Saves room in suitcase and can bring extra home. Also, if using formula we had them pick up a case or two of water at the grocery store (less expensive then WDW or ordering from a delivery service).
Pack in play worked just fine ( may want own sheet)
Definitely gate check stroller. You will wait a bit when getting off plane but worth it.
Even with rain shield for stroller buy an adult poncho or stroller cover if rains. You will need it!! LOL experience talking

Other than that, in the parks. Enjoy. Our son rode almost everything, Slept a lot and had a ball meeting characters.

Good Luck and Have fun

Great advice!! Thank you so much!!