Just Booked Babies 1st Trip!

[VeroBeachGirl]

We're heading to Florida for a very short trip to take our baby girl to the MK in September! She'll be 9 months, which I know is such a cute age! Here's the schedule: we're flying to Orlando on Sunday, MK on Monday, and flying out on Tuesday. We're staying at AKL. Hubby and I have been to the parks too many times to count, but this is the trip we've been waiting for! I have a few questions, so experienced Moms and Dads please chime in:
1. We booked a standard view at AKL, is there a specific room/area we should request?
2. How do I arrange for bed rails? Baby HATES pack and plays so we booked a room with 2 queen beds. One for us and one for the princess!
3. We're planning on taking it VERY slowly in the parks and take as many breaks as dd needs. Do you think one mid-day break is enough or should we plan on going back to the resort more then once? Baby is an excellent stroller sleeper and we'll be bringing the stroller with the full recline.
TIA! I know I'll have a lot more questions in the coming months!

 

[Jenvenza]

Yay for baby's 1st trip! I think when we call to book your reservations, whoever you talked to should be able to put down you want bedrails in your room. We are taking DD who will be 13 months in September, and we are planning on one break everyday, but that isnt set in stone. We are just going to follow her lead! Have a great trip!

 

[jujashmom]

We are taking DD in September, too! She'll be 11.5 months.

We are staying at the Contemporary, so we'll have easy access to MK and Epcot. We plan on spending most times at those 2 parks. I have been many times, so we also plan on taking it slow.

We are planning on getting to a park early--DD is usually up at 6am--going back to the hotel after an early lunch. Then we will return to a park about mid afternoon and leave by 6pm to get DD to bed.

Good luck to you and have a fabulous trip!!!

 

[kpm76]

At your DD's age, you might be surprised that you don't necessarily have to go back to the resort to break...especially if she is a good stroller napper. We went last November and DD was 6 months. We didn't need to break mid-day because she would nap in the front carrier or stroller....we just cut our nights short to get her to bed at a reasonable time. This trip we are planning in November will be different. She is into much more of a routine and I hate to mess with that so we will be breaking mid day for a nap. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[kjs1976]

I would also check out A Baby's Best Friend. It is a highly recommended baby rental company where you can rent ANYTHING your child needs that you would normally use at home. We are renting a crib and highchair. You can also rent a stroller, toys, exersaucer, microwave, etc. Got a huge thumbs up on this board!

 

[exwdwcm]

i hope you have a great time. we loved AKL. in fact it was the first time DH actually had a really good time at disney and said he could picture brining our kids to AKL one day ( we were jsut starting our in vitro then!!). Our room unfortunatley was at the far end of the hallway. i swore it was a mile long walk. so be sure they don't stick you way down at the end of the hall.

i like being somewhat close to elevators for convenience, but not so close that i can hear all the noise. so you might mention things like that in your room request. we had a savannah view sort of- but we were so far at the end, that we also saw the fence and where the animals were taken back at night sometimes. but still was awesome to see animals from the balcony.

i would say one break is enough. hopefully your DD can nap in the stroller some too- when she gets cranky, maybe find a nice cool restaurant or show to rest and cool off?

have a super trip with your little one. i know i can't wait to take our DS.

 

[SDFgirl]

Congrats! As you can see from my siggie, we're taking our DD for her first trip in September too. She'll be 13 months. I'm soooo excited!

No advice except...don't listen when people tell you, "But she's too young to remember Disney World. Don't waste your money!" Poo-poo on you, people! I *know* she's not going to remember it, but does that mean we should stay shut up in the house until she's 5...cause she's not going to remember ANYTHING we do right now. That doesn't mean she won't enjoy it.

Have a great time and take tons of pictures!

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

No advice except...don't listen when people tell you, "But she's too young to remember Disney World. Don't waste your money!" Poo-poo on you, people! I *know* she's not going to remember it, but does that mean we should stay shut up in the house until she's 5...cause she's not going to remember ANYTHING we do right now. That doesn't mean she won't enjoy it.

Have a great time and take tons of pictures!

Thank you for the advice! My family totally "gets" this trip and knows that we are going to create some amazing memories for ourselves! DH is getting grief from his sister....so annoying! I think she feels guilty because she hasn't taken her kid yet and he's already 6!
You are right! Poo Poo on them!

 

[kpm76]

No advice except...don't listen when people tell you, "But she's too young to remember Disney World. Don't waste your money!" Poo-poo on you, people! I *know* she's not going to remember it, but does that mean we should stay shut up in the house until she's 5...cause she's not going to remember ANYTHING we do right now. That doesn't mean she won't enjoy it.

That's a really good point. We do lots of things with our DD including travel. We took her to WDW when she was 6 months old and to Vegas to visit family. Kids are never too young to learn how to adapt to different situations and circumstances. We have always been very active with her and it shows in her personality. She is much better behaved and happier when we are out and about. Have a great trip with your little ones

 

[lil mermaid]

I think you will have a great time with your 9 month old! That being said - bed rails are not safe for a child that age. There is a risk of strangulation and/or entrapment. There is lots of information out there on it, but here is one website http://www.keepingbabiessafe.org/recalled_products_bedrails.shtml

If she won't sleep in a pack and play, maybe you should consider renting a full size crib from A Baby's Best Friend? We rented a crib from them when DD was 11 months old and they were great!

As far as breaks - really, you should just plan on playing it by ear. I think a large part of it will depend on whether or not your child is a stroller napper! Since yours is, one break may be enough.
I also recommend seeking out and using the baby care centers. Nice clean places to change your baby, nurse, and just plan relax in a cool, uncrowded place.

 

[Blondie_K22]

Yay for baby's first trip!! It's definitely a once in a lifetime experience that you'll treasure forever! I agree with PP, forget those that may say "but they won't remember, why waste the money, etc". We just got back, and I'm so happy I took my son when I did. We shared his first birthday moments in the park and had such a wonderful time! My son is not a good stroller napper (and not to mention the July heat) so going back to the hotel around noon was a MUST for us. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[justhat]

I think you will have a great time with your 9 month old! That being said - bed rails are not safe for a child that age. There is a risk of strangulation and/or entrapment. There is lots of information out there on it, but here is one website http://www.keepingbabiessafe.org/recalled_products_bedrails.shtml

That is a very good point that I would not otherwise have thought of. We just went to WDW in June and my son, who was 22 months, got stuck between the bedrail and the bed overnight. I was sleeping in the bed with him, and he sorta woke up and was crying/yelling that he was stuck, so I got him out right away. But if he hadn't done that, who knows if I would have woken up or not. Their bedrails were extremely ill-fitting on that trip (we were at the Poly) and I hadn't had that experience before, but it is something to keep in mind.