I'm pregnant and due in March 2016! And we have a trip planned in June...

[momto2js]

I have a couple of thoughts. At 8 weeks you could feel good our you could feel like you got hit by a bus still (depends on a lot of factors). We did a trip with a 5 month old and I refer to it as the trip from he**. The problem was we got back from the park and DH and older son went to sleep, I was up for an extra 30 minutes feeding the baby. In the middle of the night I got up and fed the baby. In the morning, I got up early, packed us for the day, and fed the baby before we left for the parks rope drop. By the 3rd day, I was EXHAUSTED. All I wanted to is go home. At that point we gave up rope drop. DH took older son to the park a couple of days alone. It was no fun.

I would not take a newborn and an older child and stay in a single room. This is the time to experience the wonder of a condo not far off-site. Having a small kitchen will improve meal flexibility. And if the baby is up all night there is a chance the whole family won't be. It is possible that you will have a great sleeping baby that is happy most of the time. It is also possible you have a baby that doesn't sleep much and cries most of the time. I would be inclined make sure your arrangements are changeable, or consider sending DH and DD on the trip alone.

 

[Paigesmom2013]

We took our 4 month old during first week of September. In some ways it was easy because she just had breastmilk and wore onesies in the park. We brought her on all the rides as our 2.5 year old, except tea cups and a few things where she was sleeping.
The bad part was that I didn't like nursing in public so I did bring those formula packets and made up some bottles in the parks for occasional feedings. We had a stroller fan since it was hot. I think it worked, but again we dressed baby very light. And by 4 months she was kinda "sturdy" and could hold her neck up, etc. I was not worried about germs and stuff like that. I did try to baby wear her one day and I was sweating profusely! She went back in her infant seat attached to the stroller.

 

[Paigesmom2013]

Oh, and she was my second csection and walking around the parks was no problem.

 

[jerseygirl82]

We took our dd(5) when she was 3 months old and if this dd comes on time she will be 3 months when we go in November. We are doing a large family trip so I will have plenty of hands to help if need be. We do stroller fans and nice baby size bucket hats and it works out just fine. I loved our trip when oldest dd was a baby bc it forced us to slow down and truly take in the magic. We are DVC members though and vacation at WDW regularly, so we don't feel the need to tear through parks like commandos.

 

[Minnesota!]

If it were me, I would push it back to August based on just a few things - lower crowds, and more chance of baby sleeping through the night. I would not have enjoyed getting up at night, on vacation, with my baby.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

We took DD to WDW at 3 months old and that was a much easier trip than taking her to DL at almost 2 years old. On the other hand, we almost did a September trip last year when YDS would have been 8 weeks old, but decided against it and are going this year when he will be 14 months old.
August might work if you really want to keep your trip next summer. I can't give you great advice for any age younger.

 

[DisNerdsince08]

We don't want to cancel, but I'm starting to feel like there's no other solution? We can only go in the summer months, so moving the trip is out. We could shorten the trip, and we thought about upgrading to a moderate to make things more comfortable. And I know about the baby care centers and we'd definitely take mid day breaks. Definitely going to just cancel our plans to go to Universal. It's a 10 day trip, it'll be DH and I, our 5 year old, and now a 2 month old baby. I'm just worried that it would be too much trouble. It's not our first trip, and definitely won't be our last, but obviously I still want it to be a great trip.

Anyone taken a baby that young to Disney, and how did it go??

We took our DD when she was 3 months old and it was wonderful! She was still in that glorious stage where she slept a lot. We brought the travel system stroller and she slept in that throughout the day. It was relatively easy to use even when folded up on the bus. One of use just had to hold the carrier in our lap while the other held the baby out of the carrier. However, I will say, we did have my mother in law with us, which was a huge help. We used rider swap for any rides DD couldn't ride and all three of us wanted to ride. We also utilized the baby care centers. They are fantastic! Huge changing tables with butcher paper to cover so you don't even need your changing pad. The changing tables in the regular restrooms are pretty large, too. Most are made directly into the walls so that you don't have to use one of those fold down "Koala care-type" tables. We did several feedings on slow attractions like the People Mover. I would encourage you to go! You will only have your older child as this age once.

 

[North of Mouse]

We don't want to cancel, but I'm starting to feel like there's no other solution? We can only go in the summer months, so moving the trip is out. We could shorten the trip, and we thought about upgrading to a moderate to make things more comfortable. And I know about the baby care centers and we'd definitely take mid day breaks. Definitely going to just cancel our plans to go to Universal. It's a 10 day trip, it'll be DH and I, our 5 year old, and now a 2 month old baby. I'm just worried that it would be too much trouble. It's not our first trip, and definitely won't be our last, but obviously I still want it to be a great trip.

Anyone taken a baby that young to Disney, and how did it go??

Congratulations on your impending new 'bundle of joy'! As for a Disney trip with a two month old - no way would I do it! Yes, I have seen infants that young at Disney, but I always feel sorry for them - especially in the heat, and yes, it is super hot and humid in June.

People will say it's so easy with one that age - maybe so - but it's risky for many reasons IMO - and is a very special time to be just enjoying them at home - also you need your restful days at home. I would have so not been ready to travel to Disney when mine were infants, but you will, or have already gotten replies - haven't read the thread - that say it's the greatest time - a totally personal decision by you!

 

[AshleeH]

We took a cross-country road trip to Disneyland when my daughter was four months old - but she was a preemie and was the size of a newborn (she'd been out of the hospital nearly three months). She was my third c-section and neither of us had an issue. In fact, people called us crazy, but it was quite possibly our best family vacation ever. Yes, you have to tour differently with a newborn, but it was so much fun - and was a surprisingly easy trip. We traded off taking lots of breaks with her while the other parent (usually my husband) would take the boys on rides. I was able to ride several things with her (anything without a height requirement is generally safe for babies).

She was actually such a good baby, that I opted out of an Angels baseball game (DH got free tickets from a friend) because I didn't want to always be on the go. DH took the boys for a Guys Night Out, while we stayed at the Grand Californian for a Girls Night In. That's one of my favorite memories of the trip, snuggling with her while watching all the news clips of the new Prince George (he was born the night we arrived) and ordering room service. It was not a night I would normally have on vacation, since we're almost always on the go, but it was wonderful.

The trip was postponed for a few months when I got pregnant - her due date was the day we were going to be pulling in to Anaheim. Our options after having her two months early were to postpone the trip for a year (a trip we had been planning and my boys had been looking forward to for a full year) or making the best of it. It took 30 hours to drive out there and because she was so little, she slept the entire trip. We'd stop every four hours to get gas, I would change her, nurse her, and she would go back to sleep. This was frequently the case for Disneyland as well - lots of snoozing, waking up for meal-time, sleeping again. She spent the whole time in my ring-sling or the stroller and anytime I started getting too warm, I'd step into a shop, baby care center, or QS to cool off.

Our lives don't stop when we have children. The family dynamics change, sure, but babies tend to go with the flow.

 

[NinaBella]

I have four kids who are 23, 21, 13, and 12. We also live in Tampa about 1.5 hours from Disney. I would highly recommend you postpone your trip until the following summer. Really, there are too many unpredictable situations right now. Your planning a trip with a 2 month old is assuming everything will go 100% as planned (which I hope it does). However, reality tells us there can be a myriad of issues with childbirth and a newborn. My thought process is to cancel now, relieving the stress of planning a trip and focusing on your new arrival. It's better than a last minute cancellation. Also on the positive side, you can take your trip budget and add to it over the next year and plan an even more spectacular trip with your family of four.

It's ultimately up to you. I also fall into the category of where ever I am and see little babies less than 6 months old wonder why the parents felt the need to take a little one out like that. We had a nanny with our last two and the only times they left our home during the first six months was to go to the doctor's office, passport photo office, and passport office. They were born overseas and were required to get a passport immediately and rules were the baby had to come with you to the Embassy. With the older two I lived in my hometown but other than the doctor's office the only place they went to was to Grandma's house.

 

[SweetMissy]

I have a 2 month old and wouldn't go this young. We took #3 when he was 4 months old and wasn't as needy as this one. #3 was fine....hung out in the carrier, nursed or slept the whole time. This little one is much more needy and whines a lot....I wouldn't have a good time. You don't know a baby's personality until he/she is here. FWIW, we delay vaccines until toddlerhood, my #3 was at Disneyworld 3 times by the time he was 3....all without a single vaccine and has lived to tell the tale. If you believe in the effectiveness of vaccines....going after the 2 month old 1st shots won't do anything, as it takes a full series to become "immune"....BUT, that's if that's a concern of yours. Just wanted to put that out there.

 

[JPPT1974]

Congrats on your soon to be newborn. As hope you can work it out.

 

[keepswimming76]

Congrats to you!

I did a short 2 day trip with my parents, 3 year old son, and 4 month old daughter. We were at the parks from 9 to 4 both days with no break. It was a bit tiring, but my daughter was great. The stroller fan kept her cool, and I made sure to keep her under the canopy the entire time. She was able to come on many of the rides at MK with us as well. Since this is your second baby you may feel the same way. #2 is much easier IMO.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Are you flying? I don't think it is wise flying with a baby that young. Airplanes are so germ ridden. Ask any nurse or pediatrician. They won't likely tell you what to do but when my kids get ear infections, the second question my doctor asks is if we have traveled recently. Oftentimes the answer is yes. You will meet lots of people who do fine, but it's a big risk. Unfortunately breastfeeding only transfers antibodies that your body is already producing, so if you go to an unfamiliar environment, there is a reduced immunological benefit.

I agree with you about not flying and vaccinations, but I did want to point out that it's not true about the antibodies only to what mother was already making. Baby's saliva cues a response from immune tissues in the breast. As long as you are direct feeding, mother is be able to make antibodies based on baby's exposure as well.

As for the original post, we waited until 7 months and that was AWESOME. Everyone thought we were nuts but she couldn't have been easier. She was almost fully vaccinated and could sit up independently, but couldn't walk. I took her back at 14 months and she had a lot of fun then too, but SHE was more difficult.

I personally would wait until next year if there is no way to go before next summer.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Thanks for everyone's input and advice! We've still got a lot of time to decide, but I'm starting to have a plan formed for if we do continue with the trip. We'll definitely upgrade our resort, and we're not commando park tourists by any means but I'm thinking of adding extra park days so we can slow down even more and have plenty of time and take lots of breaks.

The vaccinations are a very good point and I'll be sure and speak to our doctor about it. We won't be flying.

I know some people are strictly on site folks, but if you do take a young baby and are driving like you said, I would really look into a vacation home or time share rental. I think having things feel like home would help me a lot and it's often similarly priced to a moderate resort on site.

 

[wed100105]

First of all, congratulations! We actually just found ourselves in the same predicament. We have a trip planned for next summer, and surprisingly are now expecting for early April. Disney is my happy place, and this trip has been planned for two years. We are taking my cousin along as a college graduation present. I've been on the fence about how to make the trip work. We drive from IL, and now there will be six of us! (dH, myself, my cousin 23, DD 8, and DS 4--all ages at time of travel). We book through RCI so we are at the mercy of their availability and timing. I am nervous about heat and immunizations. DH can't take off in July, and I return back to work the second week of August. I am hoping to go in June, preferable after the baby is two months old. This is our 6th family trip, and we will go back the next year, so I am just trying to figure out if this trip will be safe for the baby. I know we will the differently and that this trip will be different.

I am happy to chat anytime. Feel free to message me. I am interested to see what you decide.

 

[mom25kiddos]

I won't comment on the medical side of whether you should or shouldn't (because I think that is up to you to discuss with your medical provider) but from a pragmatic stand point, I think the answer is really, it depends. I have done Disney trips (as others have on this thread said they have too) with little babies, but I also know of parents with different parenting styles to us who thought we were crazy and had no interest in a trip with a newbie. We have five kids and typically just roll with it, we are not park stormers and are not looking to get our money's worth. So it depends on what kind of parent you are (and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer) and what you want out of the trip. You said it wasn't your first/last trip so if you plan to just be very relaxed then I think it can work. if you want to go rope drop til fireworks, maybe not. Also, if you are a fairly easy going parents, who can nurse (or bottle feed) a baby anywhere, etc. then it can work, if you like things to happen a certain way and the same way each time (feeding a baby in a particular rocking chair or on an exact schedule) then it is tough. If you do decide to go, invest in an awesome baby carrier, congratulations!

 

[staceychev]

I've got a March baby! We went in July of 2010, when DD was four months old. I carried her in a Babyhawk (see here--it's kind of like an Ergo, but ties instead of buckles), front or back depending on her mood, and learned to nurse her in the carrier while we waited in line. It was super easy--a great trip! We had the stroller for DD5, and occasionally would move the the little one to the stroller to stretch out while her big sister walked.

 

[ldymcbth]

My concern would only be the heat - all the rest of it you can manage, I think. But it can be SO hot with little respite - that would concern me with a newborn. Good luck, no matter what you choose!

 

[wed100105]

OP, I saw that you are planning an October 2017 trip. Did you decide to postpone?