How to Get To WDW With a Baby?

[diz_princess]

My husband and I will be going to WDW when our son is 8 mo. We are considering going by train, plane or automoblie. We live in the Philly area. What is the experiences of those that have made the trek?
I like the idea of the auto train since we'll have a car then. I'm a little nervous flying with a young child but it will be the quickest. We may do the auto train one way and then drive the other way back.
Thoughts, suggestions? I'd love to hear what other have done and suggest.

 

[crazywig]

we live in MA and flew with our then 9 month old. he did great and we had no problems. we bought him a seat on the plane and he stayed in his carseat the entire time. we rent a car while in florida.

personally i would drive that far with kids, but that's just me.

 

[Selket]

We've driven other places when our kids were that young and it is a LONG....drive! LOL! If you could leave very early in the a.m. then you'd get more time on the road while your child is asleep. You will definitely need to spend the night on the way down. And your first day there (arrival day) should just be down time too I think.

I've not done the auto train so I don't know how well an infant would sleep in the seats. Would you get a sleeper car? Those are quite expensive but would be quieter. Can you put a crib in a sleeper?

Flying has to be the easiest!

 

[jel0511]

I'd personally fly with one so little, and get a seat like a previous poster mentioned. Driving would be my second option, but remember that you might have to stop often, making it a longer trip. The train wouldn't even be an option for me, because I've heard so many horror stories about the train. You still have to drive to VA to catch the train, probably 7 hours or so, and then to be cramped up for another 12 hours, with an infant, not a good idea to me.

 

[liznboys]

I'd just drive down-save yourself money! (Unless you don't have to worry about money that is! lol)

When our oldest was 8 months old we did a big trip with LOTS of driving from Maryland to Toronto! It went SO well. I think when they are young like that it's actually easier because they will SLEEP in the car a lot.

As I said we live in Maryland, and it's a 15 hour drive to WDW for us. We drive 5 hours one day, spend the night somewhere, then drive 10 hours the second day. We did this last March with our then 3.5 yr old and 17 month old. It was no problem! (And we don't have a tv/dvd player in our car either ) We will always drive to WDW from now on. We loved having our car down there too!!

Good luck!

 

[PoohNPiglet]

liznboys, we are planning on driving from Cleveland with our will be 8 month old. I am concern since she will sleep the whole time in the vehicle that she will stay awake all night when we get there... I have enough troubles getting her to sleep. Did you run into this problem? Thanks!

 

[spr0m]

We go to FL all the time since my family is from Miami. With one it was easier to fly with two we like driving now. When we go we go for one to two weeks at least ( I have 6 weeks off per year ) and with the stroller two car seats and all the stuff my wife needs and my fishing gear it's easier in the car. I leave NJ on Friday night we stay at my sister-in-law's in cape charles VA 5 hrs. The wife and kids spend sat with their aunt I take a nice long nap and 8PM sat night we're off again and make orlando in 12-13 hrs so when this kids wake up we are there. I just make sure I'm sleeping early that night and I'm fine for the rest of the week

 

[liznboys]

PoohNPiglet-I understand your concern!

I honestly can't remember it being a problem-and he was the type of baby that didn't need a lot of sleep... So you'd think that him napping a lot in the car those days that we drove a lot would cause him to not sleep those nights. I think he didn't go to bed at his normal time, ya know he stayed up a little later... But it wasn't a big deal, didn't disrupt our trip or anything. And he went right back to his normal nap/bedtime routine the next day.

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by diz_princess
My husband and I will be going to WDW when our son is 8 mo. We are considering going by train, plane or automoblie. We live in the Philly area. What is the experiences of those that have made the trek?
I like the idea of the auto train since we'll have a car then. I'm a little nervous flying with a young child but it will be the quickest. We may do the auto train one way and then drive the other way back.
Thoughts, suggestions? I'd love to hear what other have done and suggest.

Don't take the auto train. It is just as expensive as flying but with more hassle and much more time eaten out of your schedule.

If you don't mind paying for a flight and rental car, that is the best way. But if your child has any type of sinus problem or infection, DO NOT FLY! The pain is not worth the savings in time.

I have a 3 yr old, 18 mo. old and a newborn. Except for the newborn (obviously) we've taken the other two at various ages by car. I can say that we never had problems, ever. Once the two yr old was old enough, we got a movie player and it has been a trip saver! With an 8 mo. old, just be sure to sit with him while he's awake to play with him and be sure to get him out of the seat whenever you stop for a minute. A little fresh air does everyone some good. Stopping on the way is a good idea. The trip will be doubly hard if you try to go straight through and the child starts acting up towards the end. (My recommendation is the Hojo's at Savannah off I-95. You can usually stay for $40.00 if you pick up a travel coupon book anywhere along the way.)
If you get there before lunch, you may be able to push a park visit. ut listen to your body and mind. If you think your tired, just relax at the pool for the rest of the day and get a fresh start the next morning.

 

[ErinInCT]

If you can afford it, I say fly. The Philly airport had nice playgrounds IN the airport for crawling around to kill time. It is much faster & I would not want to be stuck in the car with a fussing baby for very long. Our dd flew 1st at 6 months (from Philly to AZ so it was a LONG day) & then again at 8 months (Philly to Detroit - not so far). She was fine both times. It is when they start moving around & want to walk around when it is harder!! Ask your dr if you can give Benadryl to help your little one sleep during the flight - just try it at home before hand to make sure it does not have the opposite effect!
Have an awesome trip. We will be going with our dd4 & new dd who will be 11 months when we visit WDW!! Can't wait!
Also, I have now moved from Philly, but does Philly have JetBlue? They are great & have tv's at each seat!!

 

[GoofItUp]

Here's another vote for flying. On our last trip, my SIL and her family were with us. Their 7-month old had no problems on the plane and it certainly saved time getting there. If cost is not a problem, FLY!