Is going with 6 mo old crazy?

[shy28]

We're thinking of going to WDW in Oct with our 4 1/2 yo and our ds who will be 6 mos then. Our dd will love it this year, as she is in full-blown princess mode She's been before when she was 2.

We figure that our 6 mo old will not be doing much and that it'll be easier to take him this year as opposed to next year when he'll be a full-fledged active toddler. Does this make sense? Do you think it's better to take him as an infant?

What other tips would you have for taking a 6 mo old to WDW (strollers, bottles/formula, things he may enjoy, etc). Should we put him in our baby bjorn instead of a stoller, or do both?

Thanks!

 

[disneymath]

I'm in the same boat ... leaning towards a trip in early December ... 5 adults and my nephew who will be just about 6 months old! The adults are all Disney veterans, so if we go, we'll just take it slow and enjoy the xmas sights! Hope someone else has some good tips!

 

[aswift]

Our dd was 8 months old when we took her and she has been at least once per year ever since. She is 13 now. My parents went with us when she was small and would gladly help us out. They would take her back to the resort for naps and let us stay in the park. We also went in October most of the time, when the weather was a bit cooler. We took a stroller from home, because they are more comfortable, in my opinion. She went on most of the rides that did not have a height restriction and she did not have a problem with them, even the loud ones. It wasn't until she got to be 3-4 years that she got afraid of everything. I would do it again.

 

[klineyqueen]

I don't think you are crazy! We went when my DS was 9 months old then when my DD was a bit older than that...like 11 months.

Many people thought we were crazy but our response. You take your kids everywhere else why not on vacation. Things go at a slower pace, but we had a great time. Obviously, they won't remember it, but they will be happy to see the lights and rides. We enjoyed the expression on our kids faces when they were on rides.

Our DS is now 4 and we are leaving today for the airport. He is in TOTAL CHARACTER MODE!!! Don't miss the opportunity for your oldest. You don't get these years back!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Our baby Ryan will be 5 months old when we go in Nov. I can't wait and just have to remember that commando won't work with a baby-LOL!

 

[blessedby3]

Not crazy at all. We are taking our newest DD (will be 3 1/2 month old in Jan.) for her first trip.
We have taken all our kids at various ages. The youngest (before our Jan trip) was when our 3rd was 10 mos. It was very easy with her. We used the baby carrier and the stroller. The carrier was great. We boarded lots of rides with her in it-whether she was sleeping or awake. I would definately use the stroller and the baby carrier. Im not sure about the bottles and all as I nurse mine and was nursing the 10 mo. old, but I know they have baby care centers for all moms to use in each park. I would probably pack powdered formula and water bottles to use if I was bottle feeding.

 

[klbest]

When we did a trip back in Sept '99 our DS was 3 1/2 and DD was 7 months. We used a double (back and front stroller) and I also used my Baby Bjorn for most of the trip (DD was tiny so it was a breeze!). The Baby Bjorn worked out great for us - if I didn't already have her in it, I would just pop it on before a ride and we were good to go. Most of the time she would fall asleep in it if we were inside a dark show. She loved the rides - especially Kilaminjaro Safari!!!

I took the individual formula packets to mix as we needed and back then they didn't have the plastic containers of baby food - just the jars - so I would imagine toting the little plastic containers would save alot of weight!

Looking back, it was our easiest, most enjoyable trip! We have three kids now and back then, the two of them were happy and there was no fighting!!! LOL!!!! You're definitely not crazy - you will do great!!!

 

[mrsltg]

Take the baby at 6 mos - it's easy! They are portable, alert, and generally happy to be anywhere! Our baby was just about 7 mos old for her first trip and it was fantastic! So much so, in fact, we were lulled into a false sense of security and went again when she was 14 mos . She wanted to be out of the stroller, doing what she wanted, when she wanted. I longed for the trip 7 mos prior when she was a little darling in my arms happily looking at the lights and all the goings-on around her.

Another bonus - at that age they don't understand mice aren't supposed to be 5' tall! I've got the best character shots of the baby with all sorts of characters who she wouldn't let get near her the second time around.

 

[dspads]

We went when our boys were 4months & 2 yo. I felt like I was crazy going in, but the 4 month old was the easiest part about it.

Honestly, the hardest part was the airport with strollers & carseats.

-At WDW, we had a relative with us who was a FL resident (and handicapped & with his minivan) so we never used the buses. Which was a big plus -especially since we got good parking spots. I haven't navigated the buses with kids yet so I really can't comment on that.

-We did use a bjorn and a stroller for a change of pace for the baby. So if you are used to that I think it is a good idea. I would bring whatever stroller is good for your DS at home (and probably another for the older one).

-I took the baby on all the rides. Of course we weren't doing the thrill type rides with a 2yo anyway. And I did not go on the carnival type rides like Dumbo -DH just took the older one on thoose while we waited. I did get stuck waiting outside attractions sometimes if the baby was napping and I didn't want to disturb him. I think a 6mo will really enjoy people-watching etc.

-The baby slept fine in the PNP at hotel. We were in a condo at OKW so we had a full kitchen & laundry which was ideal. I used powdered formula so I would make a few bottles in the morning and kept them in a mini-cooler. And I bought a few of the single serving nursettes to stash in our bag in case we ran out of the other. I was worried about the cold ones going bad. But if you get one of the new fridge-to-go's that shouldn't be a problem (if they work as good as they claim). Where are you planning on staying?

-There are baby comfort stations in each of the parks for changing etc. We used them several times & they were nice. I don't remember the changing facilities in the regular bathrooms but we used those as well.

All-in-all the baby did really well. He napped as usual in the stroller without a problem and the noise did not disturb him. I think toddlers are much more 'challenging'!
Have fun!

 

[Missin'Disney]

We will be braving WDW with our 4 month old in late October. I am hoping for the best, as our 4 & 6 year old daughters are so exited about Mickey's Halloween party. I figured we're better off now than when he is in the 1-2 year range, not knowing the characters & having his own agenda. I plan on bringing our travel-system stroller from home as well as using snugli carrier on rides that we can get away with him on. My biggest concerns are the transportation, navigating the buses with the stroller (proved very annoying last time around), and the dining situation. Have ADR's at Cindy's royal table, O'Hana's, Tony's (plan on watching Spectromagic from patio table) and Le Cellier's for lunch (figured it was more infant appropriate). I'm nervous about not being able to bring the stroller up to the table if the restaurants are crowded, yet baby is too small for regular high chair. I've been told that there are special "infant" high chairs- so i will check for those and if not i plan to use the "bucket" from our stroller on the top of a regular high chair (upside down usually works better). I'm nervous about baby not being strapped into a carseat for all the transportation but i will just be praying the whole time for the best since we couldn't afford to stay on the monorail line. We will be at POFQ. Good luck to you!

 

[dspads]

Wow, I don't even remember what we did in restaurants, and we ate in several sit-down (including Ohana, Rain Forest Cafe, and an italian place at Swan/Dolphin). I dont think we had the car seat attached to stroller, but maybe we did (?). I don't remember having to hold him the whole time either, so I think either we bought in stroller or they had some type of infant seat.

QUESTION: How are you planning to watch Spectro from Tonys? Do you have to request that in advance? How do you time it? We have a 5:30 ressie there for our Dec trip(which is probably way too early considering Spectro is at 8pm). My biggest 'worry' is trying to fit in Spectro & Wishes on our trip -think doing both in one night may be too much. But this could be an option......

 

[two-foxes]

I asked a similar question a while back.....here's a link to my question, also, there are some other links in there that are VERY helpful! Have fun!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1382513

 

[Missin'Disney]

Well, from what i understand Tony's has an outdoor eating area that is a great Spectro viewing spot. You have to request the patio when checking in at the podium. I made a 7:15 ressie for an 8:00 show, assuming that we may have to wait 30 minutes or so, we'll be seated for the duration of show, beats staking out curbside 60 minutes early only to have people squeeze in front of you at the last minute, which is what usually happens to us. This is an experiment for us, so i'll have to see how it goes. I'll report back when we return, in November. Happy planning!

 

[Diz Kids]

We took DD when she was 7 months old and had taken DS when he was 10 months old. It is a breeze and I would do it again. Both of our kids napped in their strollers when they were that young and just seemed to love watching everything that was going on around them. I would recommend powdered formula and bottled water for the parks. It is then pretty easy just to mix it when you need to and won't have to be refrigerated. I would bring both the Bjorn and a stroller.

The only thing that was tough at 7 months is that DD had a hard time supporting herself in a high chair so she spent about half of each meal sitting with me.

 

[partyplannermom]

We had our DD there at 3mos. and let me tell you how easy it was then compared to her @ 17mos!

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

We took our little one in September when he was 4 months old and he was absolutely wonderful. The baby care centers were really helpful. I would take him in there sometimes and rock him. He had a really fun time. I say go for it

 

[Elvis1515]

My husband & I visited WDW with our two kids in 2006 with age 6 mo and 3 1/2 years old. We used our bjorn & stroller in the parks all the time. I would also suggest the New Native Sling which worked wonders for us. Our 6 mo old would fall asleep in the sling and my husband would even wear it. There is alot of eye candy for the baby. The parks have alot of great rides to rest and maybe even put the baby to sleep.

I would suggest, Go FOR It.

We love it b/c no charge for the little one.

 

[Tink215]

I have done it Twice, First with my oldest dd when she was 9 months and it was great.....and with my second dd we went when she was 3 1/2 months old.....I was a breastfeeding mom we went in July, it was an unplanned trip and the best ever.....I took advantage of all the baby care centers to breast feed....took a comfy Stroller and lots of extra clothing for accidents......We had a wonderful time even had lots of surprises....We stayed at a Moderate and I liked that cause the room was a bit bigger and roomier so we all fit well.....So I say Go for it......

Tink215

 

[Michelle1123]

I dont think its crazy! We took my daughter when she was 1 1/2 months old and again at a year. We will be returning this year (she will be 2 and my son will be 9 months!)

The babies obviously wont remember anything, but its so much fun to take pictures of them with characters and they DO notice things.

 

[honey11dog]

GO NOW!! We took 4 mos. old and it was an awesome trip. Our other children ages 8 and 5 got to do everything they wanted too. We enjoyed our meals, because the baby slept a lot. And we even stayed late for fireworks a couple of nights. The baby was completely content to be in her stroller or carried. It was June and hot. But she was completely cool in her stroller because I kept a light white sheet over it with a fan running constantly. She was happy and content and slept most of the time. The baby care centers were nice for a break and I nursed her in there. Now she is an 18 mos. old. We took her to Sea World last month. Lets just say my husband and I didn't get a chance to enjoy much. If she isn't moving, she isn't happy. We are planning a trip back to Disney next summer. I am wondering if I have lost my mind to take a 2 1/2 year old to Disney. But an infant, GO FOR IT!