I want to hear YOUR stories of taking an infant to WDW in the summer!

[Imbris]

My fam is planning on bringing our 8.5 month old to the parks this August and we're kind of terrified of the heat. I've read every thread on the subject and we understand all the accessories we should bring and that we should plan on heading back to the resort each afternoon...but it's still scary! What would be most reassuring is to hear your anecdotes from taking your ~6-12 month olds to the parks in the midst of summer. If you have negative stories we sadly want to hear those as well. Thank you

 

[Betty Rohrer]

My fam is planning on bringing our 8.5 month old to the parks this August and we're kind of terrified of the heat. I've read every thread on the subject and we understand all the accessories we should bring and that we should plan on heading back to the resort each afternoon...but it's still scary! What would be most reassuring is to hear your anecdotes from taking your ~6-12 month olds to the parks in the midst of summer. If you have negative stories we sadly want to hear those as well. Thank you

mine was younger and a granddaughter. one thing my daughter found was it was too hot to wear her. this was true for both baby and mom. we had rented a double with a good recline so she rode with big sister most of time. we did not use her carseat as that was also too hot. we did not head back for a break but they headed back early in evening instead. we took a break at lunch time in AC while eating which we found worked best for us. you should not have a problem with the other thing that caused us problems. yours should be able to sit in the plastic highchairs that our little could not and most places at least then did not have infant ones and they were not the kind that you could flip over for infant in that the back was higher than front so it would not sit level flipped over. also bring at least a change of shirt for each adult to the parks in your bag not just baby. this comes from when another grandchild went and he is now 16 years old but take lots of pictures of baby doing things in the parks and make a scrap/picture book for the baby. a second one if going to do one for family. for a couple of trips after his baby trip he would use that book to remember what he wanted to do and he could proudly tell what that baby had done in the parks. of course he did not really remember. we went at pace of the 4 year old big sister and you will not do everything you plan as babies do not follow plans but you will have a great trip. biggest fail I have been on with a little one was trip with a slightly older child when we tried to do a break lets just say no one on that floor that day got a nap. it was that bad of a fail

 

[Imbris]

Thank you Betty for the thoughtful reply! I really appreciate it!!

 

[tinkerjo]

I took both my youngest sons in the summer when they were about that age and it worked out great. We found that rope drop was our friend. Our babies were early risers and it’s coolest in the mornings. I was still nursing and would take breaks with the baby in the baby stations (air conditioning). Most days we left the park about 1-2 and let them nap, go to the pool and since we stayed at Ft Wilderness cabins, would eat supper in the cabin while he played. We would go back to the park in the evening for a few hours and be done. We kept our expectations low but they always did great. My kids weren’t stroller nappers and we aren’t the commando type. We also utilized the child swap a LOT as we had older kids. I remember riding it’s a small world over and over because it was cool, the baby loved it, and there was no line that night, while everyone else went to the parade. Actually, that age is easy because they aren’t quite walking yet so they don’t want out of the stroller but big enough to enjoy the sights and sounds without being scared.

 

[Cupcakesmum]

Our first trip was in a September with a 10 month old, 2 year old, 4 year old and six year old. We had a blast. I definitely recommend a good stroller that reclines for naps with a solid sun shade and a stroller fan. We did full park days with stroller naps, plus some pool days and half park days. The baby went with our flow. It was a bonus that he wasn’t walking yet. We never did stroller naps at home so it was new at the parks but he would fall asleep in our arms or nursing and then we would pop him in the stroller. He wasn’t a fan AT ALL of characters, but he was amazed at all of the sights. We also limited table service meals, but had a few where he was bored after 10 minutes in a high chair and happy to sit on a lap for about 15 and then totally done with being stationary. It was supposed to be a one off trip but we want back 3 more years in a row because the trip was that fun!

 

[Imbris]

Thank you tinker and cupcakes! You have no idea how helpful it is to hear success stories.

 

[BeeBopp717]

Imbris: Mom of 2 here. 4 & 15 months. Just remember one thing - it’s going to be HOT. So, pace yourself. Also, take care of YOU. Especially if you’re nursing / pumping. Make sure to eat & drink. The baby centers were all excellent. Agree with everything above. Reclining strollers. Fans. Water spritzers. Sun hats. SPF clothing. Frozen squeezie packets (ie: applesauce, yogurts). I used to nurse my baby in dark rides / shows (Phil-Har-Magic, Pires, Spaceship Earth, The Land, TGMR, TLM Show st HS) - anywhere dark with A/C. I use A refillable YETI & get free iced water all day at the park as opposed to buying it. I’d also fill my kids’ cuppies this way. Stroller sign (mine is from Etsy) to ID your’s in a sea of coaches. Backup onesies. Backup socks for wet piggies. Throwaway, fold up ponchos from Amazon as opposed to the big bulky ones you can buy from the Parks. Stroller rain cover. Infant Tylenol. Topical Benadryl. TONS of sunscreen (but not for an infant). Don’t make yourself crazy. It’s going to be crowded. Push the baby, stroll & people watch. As long as they’re out of the sun, you’re golden.

 

[Imbris]

Thank you BeeBopp! My wife will likely still be nursing (although we're open to weaning by then I can't say I'm optimistic we'll be done nursing entirely) so those are helpful tips.

Backup socks for wet piggies

Is there any reason for baby socks? I figured just a light onesie or romper is the way to go to maximize airflow. Can we let her tootsies fly free?

 

[BeeBopp717]

Thank you BeeBopp! My wife will likely still be nursing (although we're open to weaning by then I can't say I'm optimistic we'll be done nursing entirely) so those are helpful tips.



Is there any reason for baby socks? I figured just a light onesie or romper is the way to go to maximize airflow. Can we let her tootsies fly free?

I really meant for y’all. I hate wet feet. Yes, let her piggies air it out!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you BeeBopp! My wife will likely still be nursing (although we're open to weaning by then I can't say I'm optimistic we'll be done nursing entirely) so those are helpful tips.



Is there any reason for baby socks? I figured just a light onesie or romper is the way to go to maximize airflow. Can we let her tootsies fly free?

a lot of places require at least socks for rides some even require shoes even for infants to ride. plus if feet stick out beyond stroller shade will not take much for those "tootsies flying free" to be sunburned cause they are usually covered

 

[BeeBopp717]

a lot of places require at least socks for rides some even require shoes even for infants to ride. plus if feet stick out beyond stroller shade will not take much for those "tootsies flying free" to be sunburned cause they are usually covered

I don’t disagree, Betty. I had my infant in a bassinet type stroller with a MilkSnob breathable cover though, so she was flat or reclined & fully shaded. I swear by those. Consider some infant slip on shoes, like Robeez.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I don’t disagree, Betty. I had my infant in a bassinet type stroller with a MilkSnob breathable cover though, so she was flat or reclined & fully shaded. I swear by those. Consider some infant slip on shoes, like Robeez.

all the parks in my area require shoes not socks even if held by parent to ride anything. caught my daughter once when she thought shoes were in bag but did not make it. had to buy a pair for him to ride even the train sitting on mom's lap. when at Disney we had a double so big sis could tell her little sis all about the park

 

[Imbris]

Thank you both, I didn't know socks/shoes were required for some rides for infants. Appreciate the help!

 

[Lilsia]

I would also like to say that the baby should have a sun hat. The sun can be brutal, especially to their new skin. If they are out, there head should be covered with a wide brimmed hat, that will protect their face and ears as well. Especially since sunblock is not recommended for little ones on the face.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you both, I didn't know socks/shoes were required for some rides for infants. Appreciate the help!

do not know if true for Disney as we are used to it here so we just did it there

 

[NotUrsula]

I didn't even buy shoes for my children until they could stand; socks are fine on WDW rides. Once they can stand, full water sandals are the easiest option (and you should also wear them; we don't wear any other kind of shoe in Orlando parks in summer.)

I took mine to WDW several times as infants. Loose cotton sundresses are best, let that tummy get plenty of air.

Some things we found helpful:
1) flat cloth diapers; several of them. These are HUGELY versatile. You can use them as cooling cloths, as sun blockers, even tie two of them together at the corners as an emergency dress. Every morning I folded three of them inside a gallon ziploc bag with ice, which melted through the day, and I could use them to wipe down the baby to cool her off quickly if she was overheated. (And they are a godsend in the event of vomiting or a severe diaper blowout; they hold up to mopping up a large disaster in a way that paper towels just don't.)
2) handful of large binder clips, to secure the previously mentioned diapers to strollers or backpacks.
3) a 3-oz travel bottle filled with liquid detergent, so you can wash the previously mentioned cloth diapers if you need to do it when away from your hotel.
3) A light-colored mesh sling that we could wear to securely get her wet. Wore it in the pools and into the splash pads at the parks -- much easier to keep a secure hold on a slippery baby. The other children at the splash pads fascinated her, and the fountains were endlessly entertaining for her to watch. The sling is also the best option for taking a baby onto rides or through long ride lines where strollers are not allowed, as it can be swung to the side to make room for the lap bar. (It can be awkward to climb in or out of ride vehicles with a baby in arms; nicer to have a hand free.)
4) Extra gallon ziplocs to contain soiled clothing that has to be washed later.
5) Sunglasses for the baby. Florida sun is very bright, and all the concrete reflecting light can tire out little eyes. Get some that can be chewed, with full ear hooks.

 

[Rory607]

We’ve taken little ones in the heat. I would plan to start your day early, as someone else mentioned and take lots of air conditioned breaks. I would plan a table service meal for brunch or lunch so you can get out of the heat. We just went at a slow pace and took breaks at the hottest part of the day. Definitely have a sun hat for the baby.

I would talk to your pediatrician about sunscreen. I can’t remember how old they have to be, but I know someone who took their 6 month old and knew not to use sunscreen, but did not anticipate how easily the baby could burn. They ended up in the emergency room:/ He ended up being okay, but it was scary.

 

[westie55]

I took both my children as infants during summer and we had great trips! Both of mine napped in the stroller when they were tired. Have a stroller with a full "awning" to give baby shade and help keep sun exposure down. Definitely pack several changes of spare clothes. On one trip my son had stopped spitting up at home but started again in Disney. Maybe it was the heat. I also suggest having bottles in a little cooler that you can break out on rides or in lines if you need to. Disney does NOT require babies to being wearing shoes to get on rides. Mine were barefoot when they weren't walking yet and we had zero issues. They do make the baby sit front facing in your lap on some rides, so for example you can't keep a sleeping baby on your shoulder. If you love Disney, you will love it with a baby! Have a great trip!

 

[Imbris]

They ended up in the emergency room

Well that's kind of terrifying. I think the general rule of thumb is 6 months = okay to use sunscreen, so at 8 1/2 our baby should be good to go. Would check with our pediatrician before applying...who will probably go ballistic if we mention there's a pandemic Disney trip on the horizon. (yikes)

Have a stroller with a full "awning"

I'm so glad to hear you had a couple positive summer infant experiences! We have a Chicco Bravo and I think we'd just fly with it to Orlando. It has a pretty big awning that should cover everything but her legs/feet if we're facing the sun.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Well that's kind of terrifying. I think the general rule of thumb is 6 months = okay to use sunscreen, so at 8 1/2 our baby should be good to go. Would check with our pediatrician before applying...who will probably go ballistic if we mention there's a pandemic Disney trip on the horizon. (yikes)



I'm so glad to hear you had a couple positive summer infant experiences! We have a Chicco Bravo and I think we'd just fly with it to Orlando. It has a pretty big awning that should cover everything but her legs/feet if we're facing the sun.

also remember reflected light from any direction. long story short all out trips had to be summer because of court order for one grandchild to come. just watch those legs and feet been there and done it