Is it worth planning a trip to Disney World with a 7 month old? Tips or Tricks appreciated. How to slow down?

[Alucard84]

We've been once a year for the past two years and we're jonesing for another trip. I'm slightly obsessed with Disney World and even though I know money could go for more important things, I feel a family vacation at least once a year is vital to our sanity. Anyways, we are me, my wife, my 5 year old daughter, and what will be or 7 month daughter. We've been in the past with grandparents, but I doubt they will get to go on this next trip. If they do, that's great, but I can't bank on that.

The way we have done Disney in the past is very strenuous. Open to close every day for 4-6 days. No resort days, no downtime. We usually hit our fastpasses early and then I am buried in my phone try to pick up extras. We're usually too tired to rope-drop in the mornings so that usually puts us behind the massive lines at AoA or Pop. I'm guilty of having the "fit everything into the week" mentality. And usually I am successful. We usually ride each ride at least once and many times twice. I don't think i've actually seen Disney World though. I've seen bits and pieces of it in between looking at my phone. Trying to get the most bang for our buck in the wrong way I guess.

Anyways, I thinking about going to Disney with a 7 month old. Just the idea has made me reconsider the entire way I do Disney. Obviously with an infant, we will have to slow down. I think i'm alright with that especially considering how much we have accomplished on our last trips. Just a slow paced trip that is less structured. Heck, we might even actually get to see the World Showcase for once instead of just Frozen.

TL.DR. Need tips and tricks on slowing down at Disney with a 7 month old in tow. Would like to hear from people who had to transition to a slower pace like we are considering. Is a trip worth it at the slower pace?

Thanks everyone and appreciate any response.

 

[TravelandLeisure]

I just chimed in to say we are also in the same boat! My husband, 8 year old DD, and I have been WDW 3 times (and DL once). We are usually go,go,go and manage to accomplish a huge amount during our week.

This trip we are going in December and bringing my then 10 month old for her first trip. She’s an extremely easy-going baby, but we are definitely going to slow it down a lot. I don’t mind because, like you, we have already seen/done mostly everything but there are always little touches, shows, etc. we have always missed in the past because of this.

I’m looking forward to:
-really taking my time in World Showcase and taking time to see a lot of the musical acts

-watching things like DHS’s Streetmosphere performers and Monsters, Inc. laugh floor, which we have somehow always missed

-Doing some of the lower demand rides such as Living with the Land

-Taking time to sample various, yummy snacks that I have seen on Disney Food Blog

-Not having to constantly refresh for more fastpasses

 

[LSUmiss]

Yes! DS’ first trip was at exactly 7 mos. He also went at 15 mos & we are leaving this Sat & he is now 17 mos. So far 7 mos is my favorite trip we ever took. While he is more able to do things & interact now, he also has opinions about waiting in line & sitting down for dining! At 7 mos we just took him wherever, but he still enjoyed it. We were there with friends so DH & I were able to ride rides together while friends sat with him a minute. We had that this past time too with family, but I was much more worried about leaving him & there were times I missed s character interaction or something he enjoyed b/c we were in a ride so then I didn’t want to leave him. Also, we made sure to keep his schedule. He always naps well in the stroller even though he only naps at home if we hold him! Lastly, as far as slowing down, I found we just had no choice. Following his needs & schedule made that part come naturally. Of course, you have the tricky part of also caring for a 5 yr old. I only have the 1 so we were able to tailor everything to fit his needs. Good luck!

 

[disney11fan]

No. No. No. Stop bringing infants. What the heck are you trying to prove.

 

[tinkerjo]

We brought DS at 9 months ( actually the youngest 2 DS were both 9 months old their first trip) it’s a great age and when you have older kids the younger one learns to go with the flow. Rider swap was beneficial but we also rode a lot of family friendly rides. We are early morning commandos then we slow down about lunch time. I hate refreshing for fast passes all the time. I go on vacation to get away from my phone!!!! Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Some of our favorite things are the older more traditional rides. Also afternoon naps and time to crawl, roll and play is essential to a happy baby. Use the baby stations, they are air conditioned and a nice quiet place to feed your little one.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I have 4 kids--the youngest went to WDW for the first time when he was 6mo. Here are a few things that worked for us:

(1) Splitting up occasionally. We stayed in the vicinity, but we would switch off who was doing the bigger rides with the older kids (this was before Magic Bands and 3 fastpasses and all).
(2) We found a baby sling to be most useful for carrying him around. He could look out at a good height when he was alert, but if it was nap time, we could draw up the fabric to block his view and let him snooze. We did have a stroller as well, but he spent most of his time in the sling, while the stroller carried stuff.
(3) We didn't start him on solids until after the trip--he was nursing the entire time. This was kind of a good news/bad news thing for me, since I was the food source, but we found it easy to manage.

 

[verleniahall]

Please wait until they are older. You will enjoy it more.

 

[Klayfish]

It's entirely up to you. We brought our kids when our oldest was 4 and our twins were about to turn one. In all honesty, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't go. We simply didn't find the trip to be nearly as enjoyable as other trips. If you want to go, great, then do it. As you mentioned, just have a different approach and a different mentality.

How do you slow down? There's no magic to it. As the Nike slogan once said...just do it. It's really that simple. Don't do open to close. Don't rush around trying to do everything. Take the time to enjoy things you want to. Stroll down Main St and window shop. Watch some of the street performances. Take an extended lunch. There's no trick to doing it except your own personal mindset.

 

[Spunky946]

Please wait until they are older. You will enjoy it more.

Have you taken a baby? I have. It was our easiest trip by far in a lot of ways. First trip was 4.5 and 8 months. The baby was totally low maintenance and only had one persons opinion to deal with instead of two. Once the younger one got older and had her own opinions it changed things. That first trip was super easy in a lot of ways. We also don’t tour commando.

Op, take afternoon breaks, get your nose out of your phone and enjoy Disney.

 

[sponica]

My friend went with a 9 month old and said that one was far easier than when he was 15 months old.

Heck I'm dreading going with an almost 4 year old next year, whereas at 21 months she was a piece of cake.

Really 7 month olds are the same amount of work whether you're at disney, the beach, skiing, or in europe or where have you...at least at Disney it's easier to justify bringing them (they're free).

 

[MooseBucks]

We love taking ours when they are little. Our oldest was 9mo on a day trip for her first trip, our second was 6 mo, and our third was 3mo.

We’re like you go go go and fortunately our kids just roll with whatever BUT we don’t have expectations. The kids kind of make you slow down and it’s wonderful. We get our next FPP right after we scan our bands while in line and we build in down time With TS meals and rider swap is helpful to give baby time to not be on the move and get lots of naps.

Baby carrier or wrap is super handy but otherwise they are so easy at this age and look cute in Disney gear

Oh and a stroller with full recline so baby can stretch out in a safe clean space

 

[MooseBucks]

No. No. No. Stop bringing infants. What the heck are you trying to prove.

That Disney is the perfect place to bring a baby

 

[verleniahall]

Have you taken a baby? I have. It was our easiest trip by far in a lot of ways. First trip was 4.5 and 8 months. The baby was totally low maintenance and only had one persons opinion to deal with instead of two. Once the younger one got older and had her own opinions it changed things. That first trip was super easy in a lot of ways. We also don’t tour commando.

Op, take afternoon breaks, get your nose out of your phone and enjoy Disney.

No - I haven't - and unless a medical miracle happens - I wont be able to

BUT THANKS FOR ASKING

 

[bpx2]

Following for tips. We are also thinking about bringing our then 7 month old for a trip in the Spring.

 

[sponica]

OP: As far as whether the trip is "worth it" that's something only you can decide.

For me, I enjoy Disney FAR TOO MUCH to postpone a trip because a kid's "too young". Honestly we went last year because it had been 4 years since our last trip and I didn't want to wait anymore.

We're going next year because I want to, not because she's older or anything like that.

Since I know we'll be back, I don't worry as much about getting everything "done" also after this many trips, I haven't done everything. It's never done.

I'd say pick three things a day (or the trip) that are the MOST important to get done. Like it's not Disney if you don't do "x". If you get those three things done, will you be happy or will you feel like you left things on the table?

 

[MooseBucks]

Since I know we'll be back, I don't worry as much about getting everything "done" also after this many trips, I haven't done everything. It's never done.

Wise words!

 

[Rory607]

I haven’t take a baby that young, but we took our DS right at 12 months. He was so easy! He wasn’t really walking yet, which I think makes the most difference. Once they are walking it’s harder to keep them contained. Our DD was almost 5 at the time, so we basically did what she wanted to do and he went with the flow.

Just slow down and enjoy yourselves, especially since you’ve been before and will most likely be back. I know some people choose to leave infants with grandparents while they do Disney. In some ways I’m sure it’s nice. But for us, personally, it’s not a family vacation unless the entire family goes. I would not consider going somewhere that involved leaving the baby at home, but that’s a personal decision.

 

[JennTOR]

Took my oldest at 6 months and it was overall easy and a ton of fun, she was an easy baby. I adjusted our normal touring to start early, she took her first nap in the baby carrier or stroller, then we'd head back to resort for afternoon nap, then finish up the day a bit earlier than if no kids. Biggest challenge was just making sure someone in our group would fold and carry the stroller on buses. Would you consider a resort day or be comfortable doing a half day where needed? I feel the same way trying to get value for the high cost of park entry, but if I walk away feeling like we had fun and relaxed a bit, it took some of that # of attractions ridden/seen out of my mental equation.
As for those saying why bring a baby, for me it was the ease of knowing everywhere was baby friendly took away any thought of why take a baby, I could feed or change her anywhere and seeing her reactions to experiences there was fun for us too.
Dunno how next trip will be with 1.5 yr twins in tow!

 

[gmar1210]

For those who take their infants, what are some good spots in all the parks where it’s quiet. My son still naps 2x day.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Well it looks like you have ridden everything, why not take a nice relaxing trip. We like to rope drop then head back to the room mid day have some lunch tv time and naps and head back out in the afternoon. During your break baby can sleep you can try for afternoon FP. Its really nice to get out of the heat and just recharge.