HELP!!! Dreading upcoming trip to WDW

[RRBB]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm not looking forward to our upcoming trip to WDW. We're taking DS 2.75 years old and DD 5 months old. This will be DS's 3rd trip, his first was at 10 months old which was a great experience.

Meals are my biggest concern. I can't remember the last time I actually got to eat a peaceful dinner with my family. I either get dinner on the table for DH & DS then head off to the other room to calm/nurse DD while they eat or struggle to eat one-handed while feeding DD a bottle with the other while out at a restaurant. Neither situation is enjoyable for me. I'm hoping things will change in the next 3 weeks - we leave on 10/27 - but I'm not counting on it.

Then there's the restaurants themselves. Can we take a stroller in for DD to sit in during meals? As much as she wants to, she's still not sitting up on her own so high chairs aren't an option for her. And if so, are there any that you can't take the stroller in?

Okay, about strollers... I LOVE our Metrolite and have had no problem taking it to WDW in the past. But this year that won't cut it, at least on it's own. So we either have to take 2 strollers or get a double. I know DS will want to walk a lot in the parks, but with all that walking he'll want to ride too. We did purchase a Joovy Groove 2 last week, but I'm not convinced that's the right way to go. Should we take the new double or should we take 2 strollers? I see pluses and minuses for both options.

I want to enjoy myself when we go to WDW, but right now I just don't see that happening.

 

[deedeetoo]

I think the key to going with kids this young is to take it slow and let their needs direct your schedule.

When our kids were this young we left the parks early since young children are so prone to meltdowns around dinner time. We never went to a TS restaurant with them. It seems like you go often so you don't need to do eveything every time. The nighttime activities and fancy restaurants will still be there when your kids are older.

You don't give much detail about where you are staying. I know it may be too late to change much now, but when our kids were this young, we stayed in a suite with a kitchen and had a car. That enabled us to eat most of our dinners in the room using take out and a little light cooking. It also enabled the kids to unwind away from all the excitement of the day. After they went to bed, dh and I enjoyed a quiet evening with a bottle of wine.

 

[laughinplace199]

Please don't dread your trip - I'm sure it will be fine.

Our most recent trips to WDW were in April when our youngest was 5 mos old, and again in Aug when he was 9 mos old. We ate TS dinners every night with no problems. I tried to schedule our meals as close to his feeding times as possible. When we got to the restaurant, I would give DS his bottle as soon as we were seated. That way, he was full and content by the time our food came. It worked out really well.

I only brought the stroller into one restaurant (Spoodles) and that's because DS was asleep. For the rest of our sit-down meals, we brought the the car seat/ carrier into the restaurants since DS was not sitting at 5 mos. I did notice that some restaurants had infant high chairs with a reclining seat, but we never used them.

We also used our Graco Metrolite for both trips. I would suggest bringing that for the baby and a reclining umbrella stroller for your older child.

I'm sure that you'll have a great time. Please feel free to PM me if you have any other ?'s about travelling with a 5 month old.

 

[PA Princess]

Oh, please do not dread your trip to WDW! It will be okay, honest

Honestly, traveling with kids is a lot of work, but then so is staying home with kids I have to say, we have found it easier travel with kids to WDW than anywhere else. We have 4 kids (currently 12, 11, 7, and 2) and we have taken many trips over the years and several with infants and toddlers. Some tips I would offer.

1. Get dh involved. Seriously. No reason he cannot give a bottle. I also nursed all my babies, so I know that can make it harder. But you mentioned botttle feeding also, so have a conversation with your dh about your desire to have a peaceful meal and see if he can be on baby duty for a meal or two. You will be stunned how refreshed you feel with just one or two meals where you are off duty.

2. Look at your schedule and see if you can make it possible to eat at times when baby is napping. We have taken many a sleeping baby into WDW TS restaurants in the stroller.

3. Plan to do some character meals. If you do family style or buffet, it allows no wait for food and you can take turns with dh. Plus you have built in kid and baby entertainment. These meals have been a big hit with our family over the years.

4. If you are staying deluxe, room service is an option once the baby is asleep (or even both kids.

5. We always eat a meal or two at the pool. Water just calms our family.

6. We often plan our meals at unusual times so the restaurants are less hectic. We really like to do a late, late lunch or early dinner.

As for the stroller, I would take two strollers. That way you and dh can split up more easily if needed and it is just so much easier to navigate a single stroller. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[GiGi30]

I just got back with my 2 year old and 5 month old. I was like you. I began dreading the trip about 2 weeks before we went. I have to say it was ALOT of work with the 5 month old. Also, my daughter does not do well in sit down meal situations, so that was always a challenge. We made some great memories, but will be waiting until our son is at least 2 before we return.

Of course, each child is different, so there is never any predicting how they will do.

Take advantage of the Baby Care Centers. I loved nursing my son in there. It was dark, quiet, and a perfect way to wind him down a bit. My daughter also loved watching the TV in there and coloring!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

We are bringing the Maclaren double for our two DDs. I don't trust my old travelsystem stroller to make it thru another flight.. I just found a fold up infant seat by Summer Infant to take with us to restaurants for our 4 month old. Its smaller than a bouncer, folds up flat and has a travel case.

From past experience though, most restaurants did allow our stroller when our first DD was an infant.

 

[maxie]

We were there this past winter with my son who was 3 months at the time.

They have these really neat infant seats in the restaurants. The baby does not need to be able to sit up.

My biggest problem was when the baby decided he wanted to nurse while we were eating.

Make use of the baby care centres and enjoy yourself.

My baby in one of the infant seats at the Garden Grill.

 

[maxie]

Take two strollers in case you want to split up.

We took our regular big stroller and a smaller umbrella stroller. The 3 year old rode in the umbrella stroller when he got tired. When he wanted to walk we folded it up and hung it on the handle of the big stroller.

 

[Stasieki]

The only restaurant I went to in August that wouldn't let us take in our stroller was Rainforest Cafe at AK. They only let you bring it in if the child is asleep. It was tough b/c I knew my 18 month old was ready for a nap, but they wouldn't let us bring it in. Whereas, our friends who 2 year old was asleep in her stoller, they let them bring theirs in. We went when our daughter was 6 months, as well, and had a blast. I know what you mean, though, about enjoying a meal (we actually had better meals when she was 6 months versus this past Aug when she was 18 months).

 

[ehrn]

Consider a baby carrier like an ergo(might be the most versatile, comfortable and easiest to use) to give you some hands free ability and to make it easier to take the baby in and out of places--my son slept great in carriers and we didn't disturb him taking him in and out of strollers and such. You can nurse in them but I wasn't able to nurse so I can't give you much info there. You could consult thebabywearer.com for more expert advice.
It will be a lot of work but probably more fun than you expect. Have an open schedule and an open mind. Have a WONDERFUL trip!

PS--I saw so many small babes on our trip in Sept and very few parents wearing them!! It's such a great thing--esp waiting in all those lines, I wish more people knew about it! Hands free is the best--and it's really much easier on your back than shifting hip to hip.

 

[RRBB]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions everyone.

You don't give much detail about where you are staying.

We're staying in a one bedroom at BCV so we'll have a full kitchen as well as a washer/dryer.

For the rest of our sit-down meals, we brought the the car seat/ carrier into the restaurants since DS was not sitting at 5 mos. I did notice that some restaurants had infant high chairs with a reclining seat, but we never used them.

We're not planning to take the infant carrier into the parks for two reasons. 1) It can get so hot sitting in that thing, especially for hours. 2) DD really loves looking around, but if she's in the carrier she'll be facing backwards and won't see much but the inside of the stroller.

I never noticed infant high chairs before, but then I guess I never looked. Thanks for the heads-up.

Some tips I would offer.

1. Get dh involved. Seriously. No reason he cannot give a bottle. I also nursed all my babies, so I know that can make it harder. But you mentioned botttle feeding also, so have a conversation with your dh about your desire to have a peaceful meal and see if he can be on baby duty for a meal or two. You will be stunned how refreshed you feel with just one or two meals where you are off duty.

2. Look at your schedule and see if you can make it possible to eat at times when baby is napping. We have taken many a sleeping baby into WDW TS restaurants in the stroller.

3. Plan to do some character meals. If you do family style or buffet, it allows no wait for food and you can take turns with dh. Plus you have built in kid and baby entertainment. These meals have been a big hit with our family over the years.

4. If you are staying deluxe, room service is an option once the baby is asleep (or even both kids.

5. We always eat a meal or two at the pool. Water just calms our family.

6. We often plan our meals at unusual times so the restaurants are less hectic. We really like to do a late, late lunch or early dinner.

As for the stroller, I would take two strollers. That way you and dh can split up more easily if needed and it is just so much easier to navigate a single stroller. Hope you have a great trip!

Great suggestions. DD does love the fresh air and it seems to calm her, but I never thought about eating outside. As for strollers, my first thought - months ago - was to take 2 strollers in case we need to split up. But DH convinced me we should take just one double. Obviously I've been going back and forth on this lately.

Take advantage of the Baby Care Centers. I loved nursing my son in there. It was dark, quiet, and a perfect way to wind him down a bit. My daughter also loved watching the TV in there and coloring!

We did use the BCC in Epcot with DS on the last trips. But we never found them at the other parks. Guess I'll look harder for them this time around.

I just found a fold up infant seat by Summer Infant to take with us to restaurants for our 4 month old. Its smaller than a bouncer, folds up flat and has a travel case.

Where did you find this? I've never heard of it but would certainly like to check it out.

We were there this past winter with my son who was 3 months at the time.

They have these really neat infant seats in the restaurants. The baby does not need to be able to sit up.

My baby in one of the infant seats at the Garden Grill.

Thanks for sharing the picture. I was worried about GG because that is one of the restaurants we're going to but couldn't figure out how we'd manage without a stroller.

Take two strollers in case you want to split up.

We took our regular big stroller and a smaller umbrella stroller. The 3 year old rode in the umbrella stroller when he got tired. When he wanted to walk we folded it up and hung it on the handle of the big stroller.

I would have never thought to hang one stroller on the other. I'll have to see if we can do something similar with the strollers we have.

We went when our daughter was 6 months, as well, and had a blast. I know what you mean, though, about enjoying a meal (we actually had better meals when she was 6 months versus this past Aug when she was 18 months).

The first time we took DS to WDW he was 10 months old and it was wonderful. He was sitting in a highchair and eating some table foods. Meals were pleasant though long - more like 2 hours instead of just 1 most of the time. We had a great time last year, too, when DS was 22 months old. He wanted to walk around a lot, but we'd invested in a Monkey harness for him and he loved wearing it.

Consider a baby carrier like an ergo(might be the most versatile, comfortable and easiest to use) to give you some hands free ability and to make it easier to take the baby in and out of places--my son slept great in carriers and we didn't disturb him taking him in and out of strollers and such. You can nurse in them but I wasn't able to nurse so I can't give you much info there. You could consult thebabywearer.com for more expert advice.
It will be a lot of work but probably more fun than you expect. Have an open schedule and an open mind. Have a WONDERFUL trip!

PS--I saw so many small babes on our trip in Sept and very few parents wearing them!! It's such a great thing--esp waiting in all those lines, I wish more people knew about it! Hands free is the best--and it's really much easier on your back than shifting hip to hip.

I have a Snuggli that I use on occassion. And I just got a Moby Wrap that I've been practicing with. I like the idea of wearing baby in lines and such so hopefully DD will cooperate.

I guess I'm just worrying because we still don't seem to have a good afternoon/evening routine with the baby so I'm frazzled most days by the time we get both kids in bed for the night. It's hard to imagine doing this outside the home while still having a good time, but I know it can be done.

I really do appreciate all your suggestions. I'm actually starting to feel better about this trip now. We leave in 23 days. That should give me plenty of time to get a grip, and pack too.

 

[bgirl29]

If it was me I would want to practice having some peaceful meals at home ahead of time too. Could your husband start feeding the baby while you are getting dinner on the table? That way baby would be calmed down and not starving so you can eat together as a family? We also traveled to DW with a 5mth old and we had a great time, so it can be done. Also this is the only time I ever nursed in public, but a few times we sat in the back of theater type attractions that were very dark and I fed my daughter. Hope your trip is great.

 

[fofinia]

hi. You've gotten great suggestions. I just wanted to second the advice of a sling or whatever. I haven't used the Mobi but if I ever have another one I think I will. For us my DD's are not good in restaurants. Always loud, always seem to have meltdowns about 10 mins before the food comes. Do I stop going? No. I love to eat out. Early dinner ADR's help for sure.

Have you ever heard of a nursing cape? I got mine5+ years ago at Babies' R Us. It's just a big piece of fabric but it has a snap so you can snap it around your neck. No worrying if it is going to fall off or if you arent' covered as well as you should be. It is a lifesaver. I walked around the majority of the day with my 3 month old in the sling with the cape over her. And she could nurse or sleep. And then I used it in the restaurants too. No need to go hide somewhere. I was totally covered up and able to be part of the group. And side benefit, I was busy nursing the baby so DH had to take care of the older one. I had a lot of people come up to me and ask me where I got my cape. Some people thought it would be a good idea just as a sunshade while the baby was in the sling.

Have fun! Try to be slow and you will have a great time!