Is this crazy? Split stay with infant?

[Desnik]

Hi everyone. I am already planning our annual WDW trip for Oct.2003. My DD will be 5 then and I will have a 6mo old baby. We are driving from NY and really want to go to Vero as well as WDW. Here is what we would like to do.
Sun. Sept.28-drive to GA, spend the night
Mon. Sept.29-drive to VB-Check in-Check out on Wed. Oct.1
Wed. Oct. 1-check into AKL- Check out Fri. Oct.3
Fri. Oct. 3-check into GF- Check out Thurs. Oct.9
That would give us 2 nights at VB, 2 nights at AKL, and 6 nights at GF. We have been to VB before and really would like to go there again, DH really wants to try the AKL and while there wouldn't go to any parks, just enjoy the resort. The GF is our favorite and being close to the MK(where we'll probably be most)and on the monorail loop would be helpful with an infant.
So, to my question, would you do all this moving around with an infant? Have you done it and can offer tips? I am really organized and I'm just worried that all the switching might make me stress! Any opinions welcomed!

 

[riggins]

Hi Desnik-
It is a lot of moving, but it sounds like you will be taking it slow enough that may not be too much trouble- especially since you plan to just "hang out" at AKL. We went with 9 mo. old DD and just did one move. We drove down on a Saturday night and stayed at ASMo before moving to BWV for the rest of our trip. We had planned to stop somewhere along the way on Saturday, but were making good time so we called from the car and booked ASMo and arrived about 7pm. We checked out the next morning, went to AK, and then checked in at BWV at 3:30. It wasn't terrible, but it was not the best day. If I had to do it again, we wouldn't have tried to squeeze in AK. It was just too much. The big issue was that DD really needed some down-time in the afternoon. She slept in her stroller so it wasn't terrible, but we all would have benefited from the afternoon nap that we didn't get due to the move. So, to make a long story short, as long as you keep it slow and plan in advance how to deal with your "homeless" afternoons, you should be ok.

As a side note, I did the calculation and figured you must have an April due date. My 2nd is due on 4/24 . . . I'm curious if we're close.

Good Luck!

 

[Desnik]

Thanks for the advice! We are close in due date. I am due April 10th! How are you feeling?

 

[susy]

While at AKL I would do AK, since it is just a five minute bus ride from the hotel and you can do quite a bit, if there by opening. We were there for three nights a few weeks ago and it was perfect. You will love the quiet of this place (even though they are constantly playing African music). We ate at Jiko, boma for breakfast and dinner and mara. All were great and my son loved Simba's cubhouse. We had a pool view room over the lobby, which was perfect for a short stay, since we were right by the elevators that go down to the pool, restaurants, everything... I would recommend this location if you are just staying a couple of nights. When one of us was down at the pool we could signal to each other from the balcony. It was a wonderful place to relax. Try the Swahili Colada (in the sovenier cup) from the poll bar. I am not a big pina colada fan, but my DH got one and I drank most of it!

 

[mirlow]

I think it just depends on you. We switched resorts 2 times. Well actually 5 times. We started off at the Polynesian got the room next to the service area in the Hawaii bldg asked to move, but we couldn't do it until the next day. We were able to switch rooms at the same time. Then we switched over to the BWV's. We had a late check out at the Polynesian so the kids got a quick nap in. When we were at the BWV's we switched rooms after 3 nights because of all the construction noise. We had to check out at 11 and our new room wasn't ready until 2, not much of a nap that day. We were lucky with our last move to the AKL. Our room was ready at 9:30 am Moving around really isn't a big deal to us. It helps when we can get a late checkout so the kids can nap. You won't be able to get a late check out at the AKL, but maybe your room will be ready at the GF? BTW we drove out to MI this summer and stayed in 8 different places over 2 weeks

 

[tedsmom]

Bell services makes it pretty easy to move. I just wouldn't spread out too much in the rooms where you're only going to be there a couple of nights.

 

[mrsltg]

I guess I am the dissenting voice. I would wait and see how your new baby handles sleeping in different beds. S/he may take awhile to get used to a new place and this could cause some sleeplessness. Go ahead and make the reservations, but keep the idea in the back of your mind that this may have to be tentative.

Good luck and congratulations!

Erin

 

[scanne]

Hey, I'm impressed that you're planning to drive with an infant! We live in NJ and are plannin a trip for 8/03 or 10/03 when my baby will be one year+. I'd rather drive than fly, but I think it'd be easier to fly...how are you planning the drive as far as feedings and diaper changes????

 

[sheryl0521]

My one suggestion would to bring your own pack-n-play and bedding. If baby is in a familiar bed, he/she may not even notice the change in hotel rooms.

Our youngest was 3 months (1st trip) & 9-months (2nd trip) when we took him to WDW. We brought his own bedding for the pack-n-play and he seemed to do well.

Good luck!

 

[momx2]

I'm trying to decide the same thing for an April - May trip. But we will be there 10 or 11 nights. My DDs will be 5 and 2. My only concern is that we drive and bring soooo much stuff! Let us know how it was to switch rooms. Have a great time!

 

[Desnik]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will bring my own pack and play if the baby sleeps in it at home. My niece hated the thing and as soon as you put her down in it she screamed! I hope my baby likes it!
scanne: We drove down once when my DD was 9mo. She was great! She slept most of the time. That time we left in the evening and drove straight through all night. So she slept and we stopped for changing and feeding. She was a really good baby and adjusted so easily to different surroundings. I hope I am lucky again with this baby. This time we are leaving early in the morning, driving all day(we have tv's and DVD for our older DD)sleeping over in GA, then driving the next day to VB. It is so much easier driving with an infant than with a toddler! We've done it every year since she was 9mo, but it seems to be getting harder. We have to come up with new and clever ways to keep her busy! DH won't fly so it isn't even an option for us. I just plan on packing necessities, and stopping about every 3-4hrs. to feed and change the baby. With 2 girls, my DH is already use to stopping alot for potty breaks! I do think it is easier to drive with an infant because you can pack as much or as little as you like! The stroller, pack and play, whatever, I don't feel like I have to "whatch what I pack" or try to minimize what I need!
Another question, I know VB rooms have a fridge and micro, but how about the AKL and GF. I will definately need both for storing and warming formula. Do you pay two seperate fees? Do you just tell them when you arrive that you need it? Thanks for all your opinions and advice!

(Don't mind all the faces, my DD likes to do that!)