I need some advice to taking my little guy to Disney

[PGHDisneyfan]

Hi gang Im new here and wanted so say hello and happy holidays to all!!

Wifey and I just had our first baby in August, we are thinking about a late spring or eary fall trip back to disney( ya its mostly for us ). I was wondering if anyone had some insite in what rides we can take him on and maybe some suggestions to taking my son to the parks. Any and all advice and do/donts welcome!!!

Thanks

Brent

 

[Disneylush]

here are my tips:

make sure you have enough diapers and wipes so you don't have to buy them at WDW... they are very expensive here. I would also wait until fall to go so that your baby would be eating some table foods. packing tons of baby food to haul around would not be fun. make sure you have a stroller that is comfortable for you and for your baby. plan on doing your baby's 1st haircut on Main st. My daughter turns one on Thursday and we leave in 14 days! I am sure I will be able to tell you a ton more when we get back.

 

[mickeydreams]

Hello! Happy Holidays to you too! I have been to WDW three times now with our son, who too is our first child. We went around his first birthday in May then Aug and just returned home Dec. 15th. The May trip is by far the most complicated one. He was still on baby food, formula and needing diaper changes frequently. I had to pack a whole separate suit case just for baby food and formula which I strongly suggest, because by the end of your trip this suit case will be empty and room for souvenirs. Also I got on TSA.com to see airport security regulations for bringing baby food and formula on the plane. They will allow all that is necessary for the duration of your flight. Double check before you leave to make sure they haven't changed any rules.
Pack EVERY liquid and baby food, etc. in baggies!! You would hate to get there and anything bust and then you have to purchase it from Disney for double the price and all or any clothes be ruined! Of course another reason I packed in separate suit case. I took minimal bottles and/or sippy cups (if he/she is taking those too) to help reduce suit case weight and leave you more space. Remember the 50lbs. weight limit or they will charge additional $60. I took some Dawn in a Tupperware container (again put in a baggy as well) and washed them in the sink in the room when I needed to for the rest of the week. If your like me, I am very particular about germs and such, so I packed some travel Clorox wipes (found in travel aisle at Wal-Mart, Target etc.) to wipe out the sink first! Don't waste your money on the fans that spray a mist, they didn't really work for us. We did however get one of those fans that clip onto the stroller and it was nice! You probably have a good stroller, but one time we took a lighter weight one with out cup holders except for the child. Big mistake, be sure to have cup holders for you and your wife as well! You will want one with enough storage below too for your gifts, unless you stay at a Disney Resort and have purchases sent to your hotel. I think that was the big what to do's for us. I hope this helps you some. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Oh DO NOT forget sunscreen for you and the baby! No matter what time of the year you can always get harmful sun rays and burns! I think I even took a little hat to cover his face and neck from the sun too. Have a MAGICAL trip.

 

[blessedby3]

We took our 3rd DD when she was 10 mos and it was a very easy trip. When they arent walking yet it is so easy. She rode in the snuggly or stroller and napped in both places. I was nursing so no bottles and she ate some baby food, some table food. I dont recall it being a problem at all. We are getting ready to take her back (now 9 and a few trips under her belt) in Jan. and are bringing her baby sis, 3 1/2 mos. I am expecting another easy trip with the baby. Now the 9 year old- not so easy anymore!!!

 

[elderfam]

We took our son when he was just 4 weeks old and had no problems at all. I used my sling most of the time but always had the stroller. I ditto all the suggestions above. Most of our checked luggage was for him as we took all the supplies we would need with us. Just listen to him and when he has had enough of the noise take him back to your resort for a break.

Any ride that has no height requirement is usually ok for him. E.G.; Pirates, Small World, and Peter Pan.

Have a great time!

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

Thanks for the info gang!! I think waiting until Fall is the way to go, AJ will be 13 or14 months depending on our trip. Other than Small World and The Winney the Poo Ride can you guys tell me what I can and can take a little fella on? Im sure we will use the parent swap but I was just courious what else he can do. I guess things like Pirates and the Safari in DAK is out of the question?

 

[disney[xo]sweetie]

ahh, dont you love that age?
13 to 14 mos. is soo much fun.

you can take aj on pretty much anything.
at least thats how my youngest was when we took her at that same age.

heres some tips
1.KEEP THE BABY HAPPY AT ALL TIMES (as much as you can).
this is your mission. Once hes done, you'll have to be done for the day.
i know its a bummer leaving the parks, but the heat and crowds need to be taken in small doses.
2) keep the mickey magic goin!
stay happy! babies can tell when your stressed. at least mine can somehow. they see mommy unhappy, their unhappy. so keep some disney spirit in ya girl!! remember, its all for aj this time, this is your chance to turn him into another disney addict!
3)food is love.
keep some sort of food with you all the time.
baby food, saltine crackers, juice, all that good stuff.
babies can change their mood fast, and if they want food, most likely they'll want it now. that wont be very good when you've got long lines and a crying aj.
4)imagine average case scenario.
dont go into "this isnt gonna be good" mode or keep thinking "this will be the MOST MAGICAL TRIP IN THE ENTIRE DISNEY HISTORY EVER EVER EVERRR!"
because, neither of them will happen (well, most likely)
think of it this way
"yeah, theres gonna be some melt downs, but theres gonna be some awesome times too!"
5) find out his BRPaWSH
Baby Ride Personality and What Scares Him
is he a loud noises baby?
loud noises babies are usually scared by loud noises, (duh)
is bugged by people talking in a loud voice, loud snoring, etc.
and is sensitive to high stress levels
if hes a loud noise baby, you probably should stay out of
POTC
snow white
haunted mansion
jungle cruise
buzz lightyear
and most MGM shows

Do you think hes a dark rooms baby?
dark rooms babies are
scared of the dark (another duh)
scared of things popping out at them
obsessed with flashlights or shiny things

If hes a dark rooms baby, your should back out of
snow white
peter pan (well, you could try it, little risky though)
haunted mansion
buzz

do you think hes a "im just here for the magic" baby
loves parades
loves smiles
dosent favor rides or anything too hyped up
loves castles
obsessed with hugging characters
do you think hes a magic baby???
then you should go for
parades
characters!!!(a must for any baby)
looking at flowers
eating ice cream
taking it easy

haha hope my overly long reply helps!!
any questions pm me, or just post!
have a GREAT time with little aj!

 

[shellbelle1971]

As a veteran theme-park-with-babies mom, first let me say you will have so much fun with your toddler at WDW. Nothing compares to watching them "light up" with joy when they first get there!

If you're staying onsite or at least have a rental car everything will be easiest for you because you can go back to your room or villa when you son is ready for a break, and still be able to return easily after a nap, snack, swim, or whatever. When travelling with a baby, I highly recommend staying somewhere that has a kitchen and laundry facilities (like the DVC resorts onsite, or a rental home or villa offsite) because it will make your life SO much easier!

Also, don't forget that the baby care centers are a little bit of cool, quiet, peaceful nirvanna in the theme parks. Any time your little one needs anything, stop by. It's a great place to change a diaper, prepare anything (food, formula, whatever) you might need, or just rock and soothe a fussy toddler.

Finally, there is a company calle A Baby's Best Friend that will rent you anything you might want to have, but not pack or ship down, like a real crib, baby swing, stuff like that.

Good luck! If you have more questions feel free to pm me. Having 7 kids in our family, we've got Disney with babies down to a science!

 

[shellbelle1971]

I guess things like Pirates and the Safari in DAK is out of the question?

We just got back from a trip to WDW with our 12-month little girl. She LOVED pirates--giggled and smiled the whole time, so we went on it again, and she loved it just as much the second time around. She also loved the boad rides in Norway and Mexico in Epcot. We took her on the Kilimanjaro Safari, but she fell asleep as soon as we got on board and slept through the whole thing. So some babies do fine with these rides. My advice is to evaluate each ride individually (obviously, he can't go on the height-restricted ones) based on how your baby is acting at the moment and how he reacts to similar rides.

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

Thanks ladys!! great advice! Wifey and I are thinking about buying some DVC points and staying on one of the resorts. In our last 2 trips we stayed at the Double Tree near DT Disney since all my work travel gives me free stays at Hilton hotels but we REALLY want to stay in the park this time! Im glad we will still be able to take him on a few rides with us using the parent swap for every ride would be a bit of a drag, Im sure AJ will love it too.

Merry Christmas gang!!

Brent