if you had it to do over again/your 1st trip with baby...

[lynetteSC]

Hi! We are VERY new to the family board! Been hanging out elsewhere on the DIS for quite awhile now!

My question is if you had to do over again what would you change about your 1st trip with kids to WDW?

We are trying to decide whether we should do the following:
-stay approx one week(8nts) at moderate to save $$$$ but allow down time from parks

-stay approx one week in studio or one bdrm to allow nice place/more room to have down time

-stay only 5 nights to break him in slowly at moderate or value to save $$$$

-stay only 5 nights at studio or one bdrm to have more room but to break him in slowly

DS will turn one while we are at WDW and also we will have our anniversary and a long awaited mother's day.

Any ideas? (Even general advice for new parents) Thanks!

 

[BevS97]

personally, I like a longer trip to you can take it slow.
I would stay at the nicest accomodation you can afford - of course a studio or one bed would be brilliant, but I wouldn't sacrifice time to stay there, I would prefer more time and a cheaper resort.

I would also get the longest passes you can afford - I'm not keen on hoppers because of the concern of wasting a day, I prefer an AP or UMP (although they can be more expensive than a 7 day hopper, so compare carefully)

the reason is that we like to dip in and out of the parks, so we may spend only a couple of hours there one day, longer another, etc etc. If we want to go to MK for 3 hours then I don't want to have to worry that I am burning a day's hopper for a short visit. Does that make sense? I think having that flexibility really helps us to enjoy our trips more, especialy with the baby.

If we get to a park and she is tired or grumpy, then we can leave without worrying about have we got our money's worth out of that day - we know we can just come back another day for a few hours.

if we were only there 5 days and have 5 day hoppers, then I think I would feel a pressure to try and do everything and spend more time at the parks since I didn't have much time - I can't say I would definitley be like that as we have never done a short trip.

Bev

 

[sconnell]

Buy the souvies that you LOVE. I can't tell you how much those first souvies that we got for DD mean to me. I almost didn't get them, because she was to little to remember the trip and it was just and added expense. But, they are for me!

 

[akrake]

we went 7 days last year with the baby who was 7wks....younger than your's........but since i took it easy, i didn't feel baby about going back to the room or not going to epcot every night........this year when we go she will be15mo & i'm going to apply the same strategy........take it easy when it's obvious that she won't make it all day long.
amie

oh, and stay onsight so you can go back to your room via disney transportation & your husband can come back later on his own. if you're offsite, everyone has to leave if you leave.

 

[Barbday62]

We just got back with baby 5 months old. The stroller fan was his best friend!! He didnt like the heat and humidity at all.

What would/could we have done differently?

Book at a cooler time frame.

Go longer so we could do more. Travling with a 5 month old and 2 1/2 year old you accomplish very little but I have no regrets going slow and at their pace!! We saw so many things we never saw before through my 2 1/2 year old grandaughters eyes.

Book less resevations. Its harder to be at a certain place and time with the smaller ones. We only booked one a day but still was hard to meet the schedule.


Things I would never change:

We rented a car and used it when the bus was going to be a problem. It was espeically good when a downpour/Thunder/lightening closed Typhoon Lagoon and we were able to jump into the Van and be dry and not waiting for a bus.

My daughter carried the babys bumper pad and mobile so he felt liek the crib was familiar and comfortable like home.

 

[DisneyPhD]

My vote is for a stuido, save some money over a one bedroom, but still have all the great accodations. (you won't have a washer/dryer, or VRC DVD player,) I recomend you don't stay at OKW or any Mod or valule since they are very spred out and there is lots of walking outdoors (in the rain often). For that mater I am thinking not SSR either (but haven't seen it yet to detrimine.)

BCV or VWLwould be a great idea. I love the pool at BCV, your 1 year old will love it too, the close walk to Epcot is great, since you are often there at night. You can take a boat or walk to 2 out of the 4 parks. VWL is close to MK (but far away from all the other parks. )

If you stay for longer you can relax more and take breaks, but the 5 day trip would be nice also. Have you been away from home much with baby? If not after a 5 days you might be ready to be home again. Either way you are not going to "get it all in" so just enjoy having a good time and don't worry about missing stuff, it sounds like this is your babies 1st trip, but not last.

Be sure to bring your baby's comfort thing from home (blanket, favorite toy or lovey, lots of pacifeirs if your baby uses them. If you nurse the baby don't ween him or her before the trip, it is much easier, you have what you need with you. (and a great source of comfort for the baby.)

Bring your own good small stroller that is comfortable (not a cheap umbrella).

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

My vote is "stay approx one week." You don't need to "break him in."

The longer the trip the better!

 

[ckoncurat]

No opinion on the lodging, but did want to mention how WONDERFUL disney's baby centers are. They have airconditioning, water coolers, diapers, high chairs, private space for nursing, even baby food. I would break here every 2-3 hours in the parks, and it made all the difference. With a one-year old, by the time you get back to your resort, the baby is up from their nap and raring to go again! Also, my babies always loved music, bright colors and brights lights- things like "its a small world", and especially the SPECTROMAGIC parade-don't miss it!!!. Don't expect the baby to be into kilimanjaro safari, for example- the animals are too far away. Good Luck!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I vote for one week on-site. The only reason I would pick a 1 bed. over a studio is that I loke having the washer and dryer, otherwise I think you'll be fine in a studio. Also, like the PP, the baby care centers are awesome, especially if it is hot out. If you nurse it is great to get a comfy chair in the A/C. We don't do breaks as our kids nap just fine in the stroller, but if you need to break in the day, a whole week would definitely be better for you. I find in shorter trips, I am just not remotely ready to go home yet. Good Luck, and whatever you decide, I am sure the baby will love it!!


Andrea

 

[lynetteSC]

Thanks guys for all the input! I had forgotten that the one bedrooms have washer/dryers! Hmmmm ... may be worth looking at!
I had not thought of bringing all the same crib stuff from home ... what a good idea! He is used to being away from home, several beach trips and weekends away already, so that should not be much of a shock to him.

 

[DWhittles]

I don't have a vote but I think Connor is SUCH a cutie pie!
Diana

 

[SnowWitch]

I don't think I have ever posted on the family board before but now I have a reason. We have several Dis trips planned in the next 10 months- the one I'm concerned about is the one in June. Last week we found out we are expecting a new family member next May. Canceling this trip is not an option the older kids 12 and 15 will flip out. We will be staying ina 2 bedroom at the BWV's.

Just curiosu how old your babies were when you first took them. I realize I will be spending alot of time at the resort but I was hoping to get into the parks some. Baby will be 1 month old. So what do you think?

Also planning to go back over Thanksgiving- Baby will be 6 months old. Words of wisdom on this age.....

Thanks!! This little one is a major suprise and the boys are very concerned being the self centered teens they are that it will totally screw up their vacations. So any positive input is greatly appreciated.

 

[alicenwonder99]

If I had to do it all over again, here's what I would do:

-stay on-site...and stay at a monorail hotel with easy access to MK
-take breaks during the day
-ride Dumbo alot more with the little ones
-have more "no park" days
-get a dvd player for the car

We're taking our 2nd trip to WDW with the children next year and I'm implementing all of the above in our trip.

Mary

 

[ckoncurat]

Regarding the one month old baby...
Remember that Disney will be hot in june. Get a good hat for baby, and plan on spending plenty of time in those wonderful baby centers. I can't stand to nurse in the hot sun!! Consider giving baby some cold water or (supplemental) watered down formula if he/she seems to be sweating a lot. And I think Baby Bjorn is the very best carrier for babies- I've worn this through entire vacations with babies ranging from 6 weeks- 11 months a never gotton a sore back. Good Luck!