Ok, Let's have Some Fun

[Pat_Elliott]

Hi All!

Those who helped me through my crisis two weeks ago, I thank you, more than you know. If you have interest in DW's progress, I'm posting it to the CB as it becomes available.

So we cancelled our trip. And we wait with dry mouths for our daughter to be born, hoping it takes place later than sooner. To kill the tension, there's only one darned thing to do. DW says we have to plan our next trip. Is this gal a trooper or what?

It's been so long (twelve years, I think) since I've been to WDW in the first quarter. By comparison, I've done early December (too darned cold) and NYE (too darned New Years Eveish). But mostly June, September, or late October. Our potential timing leaves a hundred new questions, when I thought I knew it all. And in advance, thanks for advice to not take a baby to WDW. But we're going.

DW will be going back to work in early April after a six month's leave of absence. By that time, I hope to have cut my consulting business back to about 25 hours per week and will becoming a semi-stay-at-home dad. I figure about 27 hours a day should keep the business and the kid going.

But we've got a wonderful window between February and April where my hours will be down significantly, DW will still be on leave, baby will be in the sixth month old range and hopefully sleeping SOMEWHAT through the night (I am a realist, mind you), but not walking. And by not waiting until my next conference in June, we'll avoid the oppresive heat, a bad thing for a newborn. And we'll put Kimberly Jane in a lime ribbon and introduce her to Cinderella! Might even get me a microwave for the room...

Question being, when? I've not done the winter thing. We really, really like it to be a little warm and we like the water parks, yet reading hundreds of posts here tell me it's hit or miss in winter. Does March show rapid improvement, temperature-wise? When do the Spring Break crowds kick in, or is that pretty much from President's Day on? And knowing I've done many a June (and one or two un-appreciated July's), is Spring Break THAT bad?

Also (and this is just preliminary work), how much can we do with a six month old? Our belief in dreaming together last night was we'll do movies and slow rides, take our time, have no agenda, and be happy to just be in the parks, especially Epcot, which we fear will never see again once we have kids. But on a ride such as Spaceship Earth: can this be done holding an infant? Is it frowned upon?

Help me get started. It's part of the ongoing therapy...

Pat

 

[iwannabeminnie]

I am so glad your wife is doing better. We will continue to pray for her and the baby.

We have been twice during the second week in March. Once the weather was wet and chilly, once it was BEAUTIFUL. The crowds were tolerable both times.

 

[WebmasterPete]

Hey Pat:

Hope Amy is doing well...please tell her we all say HELLO!!

Trying to predict Florida weather these days is very difficult. I've seen the month of March go from oppresively cold, to spring-like, to downright hot, all in the course of a week. THis past March, it wasn't too bad here....we got quite a bit of rain (we still are), but I believe this is an "El Nino" season...which means that next year will be "la Nina". Last time we had a La Nina season, we had fires burning all over Central Florida. Normally, March is pretty safe bet, a little more crowded depending on when Spring Break falls, but even still, it's not too bad. September/October have been warmer than normal in recent years. I was at a wedding last October that was held outdoors. It was 97 degrees with 90% humidity. It was BRUTAL!! November is fairly safe (early in the month). I think that Dec/Jan/Feb of this upcoming year will be very good, and not nearly as cold as it was last year (again, the whole El Nino / La Nina thingy). I would say that your biggest concern with March would be the possibility that the fires may start up again. Don't know why, but I have a feeling we'll have that issue again next year. I hope I'm wrong though.

Pete

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by WebmasterPete
Hey Pat:

Hope Amy is doing well...please tell her we all say HELLO!!

I would say that your biggest concern with March would be the possibility that the fires may start up again. Don't know why, but I have a feeling we'll have that issue again next year. I hope I'm wrong though.

Pete

Pete,

I just called Amy who says "HELLO" back. She hopes her email reached you!

Was the last "La Nina" episode in 2000? I was down the first week in June. It smelled like a campfire all up and down 192. I spent my two "extra" nights in the HJME and they handed me a flyer letting us know they may at any time wake us up at four AM and tell us to get out of Dodge.

To be honest, it was kind of exciting. Then again, I bet locals take a different view...just like distant relatives of ours think Penn State Football weekends must be really neat.

Pat

 

[ShaneV]

And in advance, thanks for advice to not take a baby to WDW. But we're going.

Good for you. I say you should go for it! Just as you well know you wont be able to keep the same pace as before. Go and enjoy it and Kimberly Jane will enjoy it too.

 

[jennymouse]

I hope everything is going well! I've been the week before Easter (April 9thish) and the weather was beautiful but it was very crowded. Since you don't have to worry about taking the baby out of school why don't you go in May? It wouldn't be spring break crowded anymore and you can do the Flower & Garden Festival thingy!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by jennymouse
I hope everything is going well! I've been the week before Easter (April 9thish) and the weather was beautiful but it was very crowded. Since you don't have to worry about taking the baby out of school why don't you go in May? It wouldn't be spring break crowded anymore and you can do the Flower & Garden Festival thingy!

Actually, that's our hope. I'm more familiar with that time of year, love "Flower Power," and we'd be assured of warmer weather. The catch is DW will be coming off a 6 month leave of absence from the gov. We're looking into avoiding that look on her boss's face when she tells him she's going to come back from work after six months, work six weeks, and take a two week vacation. But in the end, that may be the way we go.

Pat

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott
Actually, that's our hope. I'm more familiar with that time of year, love "Flower Power," and we'd be assured of warmer weather. The catch is DW will be coming off a 6 month leave of absence from the gov. We're looking into avoiding that look on her boss's face when she tells him she's going to come back from work after six months, work six weeks, and take a two week vacation. But in the end, that may be the way we go.

Pat

I hope it works out for you. Hopefully, after all you all have/will have been through, the boss will understand. Let us know!

 

[FLCherylB]

There are a TON of things you can do with an infant. Check out the Disney for Familys link on the boards. I posted there. I have a 9 month old son that we have been taking to Disney since we moved to Florida in March. (BTW... we went to the waterparks in March and had no problems!) There are more things you can do with the baby than without. And the things you cant do with the baby (like RnR coaster or the Tower of Terror) You can baby swap! Just walk up to the attendant get a pass and once one parent rides, the other can basically walk on without having to stand in line again! We use this alot! I also have a 5 year old DD who gets to ride a second time with the other parent, so she gets more ride time in!

I totally suggest going with a baby. Its really not that bad as it seems. Just cant go to Dance clubs or bars, like pleasure Island, (if thats your thing) but you can get the most out of Disney.

Hope I helped and Good luck!
Cheryl

 

[donna in Oz]

Pat, we all know that PI doesn't interest you at all . . . . .

Kungaloosh (and that goes for Amy & Kimberly, too!!)

 

[FLCherylB]

one more thing..

Yes! You can take an infant in arms on Spaceship Earth! And a whole lot of other rides! too many to name them all! HM, IASW, PP, Snow White, oh.. and the pictures you can take! All the characters are GREAT with babys! (just ask them ahead of time if they will hold the baby!)

Cheryl

 

[tc]

Pat, never been in the Spring, but wanted to say hey, and glad Amy and the baby are doing well. We have a Kimberly, although it's Kimberly Renee. She'll be 21 in October and still goes by Kimmi. Good luck to you and have fun planning.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by donna in Oz
Pat, we all know that PI doesn't interest you at all . . . . .

Kungaloosh (and that goes for Amy & Kimberly, too!!)

What, you can't put mother's milk in a Yakoose Head? I thought that was the whole idea

 

[snuggles]

We've been twice in March and the weather was very different both times. First time it was nice and warm with no humidity. The second time we almost froze. We were wearing our coats around. Mind you, we are from Georgia where we don't get the really cold weather. I know whenever you go, you, Amy and little Kimberly Jane will have a blast!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by tc
Pat, never been in the Spring, but wanted to say hey, and glad Amy and the baby are doing well. We have a Kimberly, although it's Kimberly Renee. She'll be 21 in October and still goes by Kimmi. Good luck to you and have fun planning.

Amy says I can't call Kimberly "Kimmi." We'll be having fights about that one!

I don't think I'm ever going to enjoy planning a trip more. If nothing else, it passes the time! August is getting closer every day.

Pat

 

[tc]

I insisted that our Kimberly be called Kimberly, but I lost. I still call her that, but she's definately a Kimmi, it fits here.

 

[allie5]

Hi Pat

I have been following your story on the community board and havent plucked up courage to respond to you yet.....not sure what to say, except my thoughts and prayers have been with you all throughout this time. Cant tell you how happy I am that things are evening out a little. Your two girls are fighters!

At least on this thread, I can offer a little help as we have been in Feb and March with a small baby. You will be amazed at a whole new world of Disney opens up to you with a child. You will spot the tiniest thing that will enthrall them, like the balloon seller and splashes from the dancing fountains. Everybody is extra friendly when they see you with your precious baby and this gives the trip even more memories. You WILL get a tear when a CM calls Kimberly "Princess" for the first time or when you buy her a tiny set of Mickey Ears.

We found the weather a little cool, so take sweaters, but be ready to pack them into the stroller as the sun can get hot in the middle of the day.....great thing about strollers, you can carry SO MUCH under them!! Make sure you have high factor sun cream for the baby, as even if its chilly, the sun can be strong in Florida even in the cooler times.

Looking forward to your trip report already!
All the best.
Allie. Taking my son to WDW next week....his first trip, he will be 9 months old. My daughter is on her 3rd trip this year.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

Hi Pat-

We hope that all goes well for Amy and you during the rest of your pregnancy.

We just returned last month from a trip with our then seven month old. We had a great time! As you said we did only what our little Katy-Bug could handle. When going on rides we carried her in a little Snugli carrier so that she could see what was going on. She loved the carousel! Also did Peter Pan, Snow White, Small World. Alladin, and Porates of the Carribbean. You could also do alot of Toon Town Fair, Indy Speedway, and Jungle cruise. And that is just in MK. We always built in a little nap time for Katy. There are rides and show in every park your little girl could experience in a little carrier.

As the above poster mentioned, a whole new realm of WDW will open when you go with your daughter. And yes you will tear up when the CM speak to your little daughter. We still tear up when we remember Aurora speaking to Katy as we left EPCOT one day. She spoke to Katy and said, "Hello Katy. I think we have met before, once upon a dream!" We were so touched. Disney Magic at its best.

As for when to go, early May is great. Not quite HOT but usually mid to upper 80's. The afternoon thunderstorms have not set in yet. And there is a break in the crowds between Spring Break and Memorial Day. Just a good time to go. However, don't know if that is too close to your June trip or not.

Have a good trip and GOOD LUCK with your little girl!!