Infants on rides?

[DWhittles]

Morning all!
We are planning on taking our son who at the time of the trip will be 9 months old.
I'm going to have him strapped to the front of me and I'm wondering in each park, which rides are off limits to him. Does anyone know? I'd like to be able to plan ahead so I know how to navagate the parks...
Diana

 

[KMH1]

Hi Diana...I've been monitoring several of your posts, because we are also taking a baby to WDW in October. Alyssa will be 6 months old, and we're so excited about this trip!

As you can see in our signature, we've been to WDW quite a number of times over the past 4 years, but this trip is going to be A LOT different!

As far as rides go, your precious baby boy won't be able to go on anything that has a height restriction. Obviously this includes: ToT, RRC, Spc & Spl Mts, BTMMR, Kali, Dinosaur, etc.

We're very disappointed that Small World will be closed during our visit, but we think Alyssa will enjoy a lot of the other Fantasyland attractions (Dumbo, Pooh, Peter Pan, etc.).

Looking forward to taking her on the Safari and planning to go to shows too, but we're going to try to sit toward the end, so if a quick exit is necessary, we can head out.

Kevin is determined to get in the hot seat again (he's been in it twice) so Millionaire is a must. Again, we'll sit at the end of the row, but I have a feeling if Alyssa gets fussy, it'll just be me leaving with her!

We also have lots of character meals planned (fingers crossed that she'll be receptive...going to test this out with characters in the park first, but hoping we don't have to cancel our many PS's).

If you want to chat further, just PM me...I could carry on all day about WDW...we're so excited!!!

Amy

 

[TampaDisneyFreaks]

The "thrill' rides will obviously be off-limits (height restrictions, etc.). I am not sure about the other rides, you might want to ask a CM at the ride to be sure. However, I believe they still have the "parent swap" or "baby swap" program. When you get to each ride you want to go on (regardless of whether it is a "thrill" ride or not), ask the CM when you get in line about doing the baby swap. This would allow your party to go thru the line and ride, while one of the parents, or someone in your party, waits near the exit with the baby. When the rest of your party gets off the ride, you are then taken on the ride virtually immediately, so everyone gets to ride (just not together) with just a very little bit of extra time added (certainly beats waiting in line twice). This may be an alternative to only trying to go on "baby-friendly" rides (if there are any), and you can go on the rides that you please. The drawback is that not everyone will then be able to ride together. But, at least it is something to think about and consider.

 

[GEM]

The only thing he can't ride are the rides with height restrictions -

Magic Kingdom:
All of the "Mountains"
Goofy's Barnstormer

Epcot:
Test Track
Mission Space
Body Wars

MGM:
Tower of Terror
RRC
Star Tours

Animal Kingdom:
Dinosaur
Primeval Whirl
Kali River

I think that's really it, although I'm probably forgetting one or two. We took my little guy in May. He was 12 months old, but about the size of a 4 month old (he was a micropreemie) and he rode everything else just sitting on our laps. Some of his favorites: Dumbo, Journey Into Your Imagination, Kilimanjaro Safari, Pooh, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Carribean. He had a great time!

 

[kilee]

Like the other's have said-- anything w/o a height restriction is a go. You'll have to have your baby on your lap-- not in a carrier of any sort. Now as for the noises and special effects-- that will be dependant on your baby. We don't realize how loud some of the rides are until you take a baby. GMR scared my neice to pieces-- she was just over 12 monhts-- because it was sooo loud!!!

 

[Annette_VA]

Originally posted by kilee
Like the other's have said-- anything w/o a height restriction is a go. You'll have to have your baby on your lap-- not in a carrier of any sort. Now as for the noises and special effects-- that will be dependant on your baby. We don't realize how loud some of the rides are until you take a baby. GMR scared my neice to pieces-- she was just over 12 monhts-- because it was sooo loud!!!

That's good to know! I wasn't aware that you couldn't have the baby in a carrier while on rides. Thanks for the info!

 

[DWhittles]

Thank you thank you thank you!
Those are the rides I figured were off limits and that's fine.
My husband is convinced (and no amount of talking will tell him otherwise) that he will be going on 99% of the rides himself.
I've tried to tell him that all our favorites are FINE for PJ to ride on.
I just wanted to be sure I wasn't going to be eating any shoe leather when we arrived...
I cannot WAIT to take him on Dumbo. I've never ridden it myself (Unless I did it back in 78 and I can't remember) and I'm so excited to experience it with my little guy!
I'm hoping that he will be ok with the characters. He's got that personality where everyone is his friend and really doesn't show much fear towards new faces or new people.
This trip can't come fast enough!!!!
Thanks again!
Diana

 

[DWhittles]

Kilee,
I can't put him in a baby bjorn front carrier or a sling on the rides? I have to actually carry him in my arms? I didn't know that!
Diana

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Amy and Diana,

You will have a great time! The youngest I've taken were DD 8 months and DS 10 months (different trips LOL they are 17 months apart). It really is easy to take a babies to Disney. They stay in their strollers and in snugglis/slings/Baby Bjorns easily throughout the parks.

And, they ride almost all the rides. Like everyone said, not the biggies with height restricitons, but everything else is ok -- and they aren't afraid of things like the Haunted Mansion! They just think it's a nice slow moving ride with music.

I didn't like some of the high frides,though, even though the babies were allowed (Dumbo, Astro Orbiter). But everything else was fine! (Buzz, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Movie Ride, Winnie the Pooh, Safari, all of them, you just hold you sweet pea and enjoy the ride. The shows, too!)

If they are nursing, that's super easy. If they are taking a bottle, then you plan best you can -- and rest easy knowing you buy anything you need at the Baby Centers in each park very easily! I believe they carry diapers, wipes, pacifiers, formula, bottles, jars of baby food. It's awesome knowing if you forget someting, you can get it easily!

ANd don't worry about cancelling the character meals. My little ones were fascinated by the characters,not scared, and I got great pictures! Some of them will even sit on the ground to hold your tiny tots. It's less scary at the meals because it seems calmer than in a crowd in the parks. You can also wave the character by if your baby is upset. They are great about that! They don't want to make anyone cry.

Disney is the best there is when it comes to traveling with kids -- fun for all ages and super smooth sailing! And just wait until you go when your wee ones are between 18 - 36 months! Now, that's Disney magic. On our first trip with kids my oldes DD was 19 months and I was 5 months pregnant with my next DD. She was in awe of everything. We had a blast. And I remember saying to my DH, "You think Disney is cool when you go as a kid, but that's nothing to how great it is to go as a parent -- and watching your kid enjoy the magic!!"

Enjoy!!

My next trip in December, my three will be DD 6, DD 4, DS 2. Can't wait!!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by DWhittles
Kilee,
I can't put him in a baby bjorn front carrier or a sling on the rides? I have to actually carry him in my arms? I didn't know that!
Diana

That might be true on some rides, but I was able to bring DD 8 months and DS 10 months on rdies in the Baby Bjorn. I have photos of me and my babes on Dumbo. I just went and check the albums to make sure I wasn't losing my mind...Anyhow, depending on the ride and the safety bar or whatever, maybe not, but I am sure you will be able to use the Baby Bjorn for many rides. My little ones slept through plenty that way!

 

[DWhittles]

Snowhite,
your post gave me anticipation goosebumps!
I really cannot wait for this trip. I honestly think I'm going to sob like a deranged fool when we first step onto Main Street and my son gets to see the Castle!
We actually haven't scheduled any character meals but we always seem to end up at the Crystal Palace for one meal or another.
I do have lunch schedule at the Castle on the 5th and can't wait for that!
I didn't know that the baby stations sold jars of food...that's great to know and something I will utilize for SURE.
Ok, I'm going to pack now!
Thanks again!
Diana

 

[kymi]

I'm so excited hearing all this. We are going in early November w/our 4 kids---2 teenagers and twins that will be 22 months then. I was thinking it wouldn't be as much fun wthe twins as we have been numerous times before w/the older kids. Now, I'm convinced that the twins will enjoy it too. I'm so sad that small world will not be open as I know that is one that my twin daughters would be sure to enjoy. It sounds like there are a lot of other fun rides for little ones too. I'M DOING THE HAPPY DANCE THINKING ABOUT OUR UPCOMING TRIP!!!!

 

[Fox&Hound]

My youngest son was 18 months old during our last visit and he had a wonderful time! He was a bit older than your son, and had outgrown the Baby Bjorn, so he had to sit on my lap for most of the rides. His absolute favorite was Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin! Fortunately, YOU are in control over how much the ride actually "spins", so I was able to keep it pretty mild, while my husband and older son rode in a car ahead of us and got a little wild. We spent a lot of time at Toontown and Fantasyland, and didn't even venture over to Adventureland where the rides were a little too adventurous for my young kids.

We had one disconcerting incident with the Kilimanjaro Safari at AK. A very arrogant and boistrous woman sat behind us and insisted that our son was too young for the ride. We disagreed. She continued by saying that the ride was too rough and asked what kind of parents we were by endangering our child in that way. I was so livid. My husband told her to mind her own business, and we agreed to just ignore her, but she just wouldn't shut up! She continued to make inappropriate comments throughout the trip and NO ONE enjoyed it. Several other people asked her to leave us alone, to no avail. I was so upset over the whole experience that it took a lot of joy out of the morning. (FYI, Although I did think that the safari ride was a little rough, I'm confident that he was safe. I held on to him very well.)

 

[cinder1]

Fox & Hound,

That woman sounds so rude. We have been on the safari many times. My 3rd child went on it at 20 or 21 mths and I never considered it anything but fine for him. He LOVED it. We are going at the beginning of Oct and our newest addition will be 4.5 mths and she will be on the safari. I'll hold her tight, but with 3 older siblings, she is already quite social and full of spirit so I know she will have lots of fun.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Me and Dh are going this December, May, and next December with our DD. She will be 13 months, 18 months, and 25 months- I'm trying to get in as many trips as possible while she is still free . I can't wait. Our last trip was September of 2003 when I was 32 weeks along. It was a good practice trip for having DD. Anything I could go on pregnant she will be able to go on. She loves watching people and music so I know she will have a blast. She may not "get" it yet but she'll be with mommy and daddy and have a great time. There is so much you can do as a family. I found that out this last trip. Enjoy your trip!