I was planning a solo trip but things have changed...help & pixie dust needed..

[dezimber]

Just a little backround:
I was planning a solo trip for May '09 after finding the Disboard obsession. The other day I was talking with my friend on the phone. Somehow we were talking about said trip when she mentioned that our other freind wanted to go so now it's Girls Week Out to see the World! Here is where it gets tricky:

Cast Of Characters:
Me: The Planner. I am lurking here all the time but only post here and there because it takes me too long to type out a post. I love Pooh, Tigger, and going to Disneyland any chance I can. I have been planning, collecting LGMHs, gathering somethings for Dis tshirts, etc. What I didn't plan on was having company that might have left me a little souvinear. So now I need to prepare in in the event of a little princess or prince. So send me a bunch of Princess Pixie Dust!! This would be my first baby and first WDW trip. I can't think of anything more magical than planning a solo trip to a planning a trip with friends and a longed for baby(I'm no spring chicken). My biological ticking away but for how long is anyones guess.

The Other Me: The other me has the same name as me. She is also trying to have a baby. On my last birthday see announced that she was pregant but she miscarried. Both of think that it would be awsome if both of us are preggers together. She also wants a princess! So we would love some prayers and pixie dust!!

De: De is the mother of 2 a DD and DS. She has had season passes to Disneyland in the past and looking forward to seeing the World. She knows that The Other Me is ttc and her DD prays for her every night. I haven't told her yet about me but until I know for sure.

On to the planning. When I was going solo I decided early May or December 2009. Leaving on red eye Friday night and check out Sunday of the following week. Staying at Pop Centry with 6 day passes and dining plan. I am getting together with my friends on Saturday to start planning so I make some reservations. But my friends might want to wait until 2010 but I hope not. I'd go tomorrow if I could!

Questions:
1.) When would be a good time to go besides May and December with small children?
If I am pregant I would be due around Valentines day. Hopefully the Other Me is too or becomes pregant soon.

2.) How & when do I make advance resevations before Disney releases package prices for 2009 or 2010?

3.) How do I handle the parks with a baby and satisfy my commando, arrive early, stay all day, and squeese as many attractions and shopping as possible nature?

4.) What about the stroller? What kind should I get without spending alot of money?
I am mostly planning to use it to hold the diaper bag and stuff so something with a large storage area, that is not too heavy or bulky, and comfortable to push. I hate the ones that I keep kicking and tripping on the back wheels.
I have a collection of slings, pouches, wraps, and mei ties that I used with my nephew so I am all set there.

5.) How much will it cost for 3 adults and maybe 2 babies?

I know there are more questions that I want to ask but I am getting sleepy and have work and a workshop tomorrow so those questions will have to wait. Thanks for looking and your help.
~Dezimber

 

[eliza61]

De: De is the mother of 2 a DD and DS. She has had season passes to

2.) How & when do I make advance resevations before Disney releases package prices for 2009 or 2010?

3.) How do I handle the parks with a baby and satisfy my commando, arrive early, stay all day, and squeese as many attractions and shopping as possible nature?

4.) What about the stroller? What kind should I get without spending alot of money?
I am mostly planning to use it to hold the diaper bag and stuff so something with a large storage area, that is not too heavy or bulky, and comfortable to push. I hate the ones that I keep kicking and tripping on the back wheels.
I have a collection of slings, pouches, wraps, and mei ties that I used with my nephew so I am all set there.

5.) How much will it cost for 3 adults and maybe 2 babies?

I know there are more questions that I want to ask but I am getting sleepy and have work and a workshop tomorrow so those questions will have to wait. Thanks for looking and your help.
~Dezimber

Hey Dezimber,
Let go of your inner commando, it will only make you crazy if you are going with a baby. Arriving early should be no problem but kids tend to get cranky going from sunup to sundown. Plan on the attractions that are "must dos" and leave the rest as gravy.
I really like October for a trip. The weather is still very nice and it's less crowded. January & february also tend to have lower crowds but it's a little to cold for my taste.

I'm on the other side of the spectrum when it comes to bags, strollers and things like that. I carry the bare minumium required.
#1 All parks require you to go through security. the more you carry the more that has to be searched. Some guards will go quickly but I've seen some guards that go 1 step below a strip search. If you've got 5 bags with 10 zippers you may be asked to unzip all compartments.

2) You have to park your stroller with bags in a desiginated area. CM are not required to watch the stroller parking area. Thefts do occur
3) are you using park transportation? Remember the more stuff you carry, teh more stuff you are lugging on and off buses.
I've seen some families carry more stuff than Cleopatras barge and wondered, How in the world is this convenient? That's just me, though.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I was also going to suggest October. We've always had perfect weather then, and we LOVED MNSSHP, though the little ones will be a little young for that.

As far as your other questions...

You can't really reserve anything until Disney releases the dates, which (someone correct me if I'm wrong) right now only go up to 12/31/08. I cannot remember when they release the next year - I know someone here will let you know.

Sorry - You really can't do "commando" with a baby. You can get up early and hit the parks early, but to expect a little one to get there at rope drop and stay all day/night is setting yourself up for disaster. It's going to be a whole different trip from now on...in a good way.

The WDW strollers are expensive to rent, and uncomfortable for infants. I'd suggest bringing your own. People on these boards swear by MacLaren, but really any good lightweight stroller would be fine. If you're planning on using it mostly for "stuff", make sure it has an ample basket underneath, which most Mac's don't. For a full day out with an infant, you'll need a diaper bag, so although you may want to travel light, the days of a lanyard and a water bottle are gone for a while.

As far as cost - babies under age 3 are free, so it would just be the price of the 3 adults. You could technically all stay in 1 room (paying an extra charge for the 3rd adult) but if financially possible, I'd split into 2 rooms. The babies will probably be on different schedules, and the logistics would just be easier having an extra bathroom. BUt 1 room is a possibility. Guess it depends on how close you and your friends are

 

[mom2aredhead]

I forgot the most important part...



I hope you get everything you are wishing for...

 

[Camno's Mama]

I would definitely choose May over December. I've done both and May was such a great time with the weather and the crowd level. I thought December was a little too cold. I go to FL for the warm weather!!!! And my kids were so happy to be able to swim, etc. (Not that you really have to worry about that with a baby!) But it's not too hot for the little one either.

Good luck with the baby...either way, it'll be a great trip to DW!

 

[dezimber]

Thank you for the replies. I have been to Florida for a weekend at Tupperware thing. I think it was during summer and the hummidity was awful; being from Southern California it wasn't something I was not accustomed to. I don't like being hot and I really don't like the hummidity. I don't mind the cold as much but the older I get the quicker I am to whimp out once I start to feel a chill.