Our 10/19/13 "Eastern Fantasy" adventure with a 6 month old

[wendyoconnor]

Some quick background, we booked this cruise while onboard our 4/21/12 cruise to celebrate my birthday which is 10/21. At the time it was my DH (David) and I though we were hoping that our booking for two would become a booking for three. Fast forward to August 2012 and we found out that we were expecting and that our LO would be due in May. A big sigh of relief that we wouldn't have to change our cruise because she would be old enough.

We joined the cruise meet and decided to do the FE exchange for the first time. I'm a knitter/crocheter so naturally I looked for something Disney to make. Along with the FE gifts I got busy collecting a Disney themed wardrobe for our DD.

With the LO we decided to fly down the day before and spend the night. There was much discussion as to where to stay. Should we use DH's hotel points and stay near the airport, stay at WDW or at the port? The decision was made when Vera Bradley announced the Disney prints. I'm a huge Vera Bradley fan so we chose Port Orleans-Riverside because of it's proxcimity to DTD. We stayed at Port Orleans-Riverside on our honeymoon and really liked it then.

 

[wendyoconnor]

I was nervous about taking such big trip with our LO, luckily for us she is a very happy relaxed baby who is fascinated by everything in this world. I asked lots of questions on Disboards and read lots of threads about traveling and cruising with infants so I felt pretty good by the time we set off on out journey.

Our trip got off to a slow start when it took an hour to go five miles down the interstate because of an accident. We live in a small town with no big airport. When we fly we travel to Louisville, KY where DH's parents live so we have easy transportation to and from the airport. We finally made it to Louisville, packed the suitcases in my MIL's van and went to bed early.

Waiting in the airport


Baby tip #1
Wear your baby when flying, strollers have to be folded up and go through the x-ray machine and the TSA agents may let you leave the baby carrier on. I lucked out and didn't have to remove DD from the carrier either time through security. I have an Ergo baby carrier that DD loves and is comfy for my to wear. We used the stroller to hold the carryons. Going through security was easy, I did have to have my palms swabbed but I didn't have to remove DD from the carrier.

 

[wendyoconnor]

DD was amazing on both flights, we flew SDF-ATL-MCO. She slept on part of each flight and played with her new toy or gave big smiles to the people sitting behind us.

DD is formula fed so I bought a large bottle of water right after we got through security for her bottles. I already had her formula measured out in the dispensers. It was the one time I wished that breast feeding had worked out for us. TSA doesn't allow you to bring water in baby bottles through security though you can bring pre-made bottles of formula through security, they may test the contents they may not. I didn't do the pre-made bottles because I didn't want to have to try and keep them cold and then figure out how to heat them up. DD won't take refrigerator cold bottles.

Baby tip #2 - I have the Skip Hop Pronto changing station which made diaper changes a breeze in the airport and on board the ship. It was so much easier to put that in the stroller basket or my backpack then to pull everything out of the diaper bag every time. There's other similar products and even a gallon plastic bag would work to hold a couple of diapers, small pack of wipes, and a changing pad.

 

[JKSWonder]

With the LO we decided to fly down the day before and spend the night. There was much discussion as to where to stay. Should we use DH's hotel points and stay near the airport, stay at WDW or at the port? The decision was made when Vera Bradley announced the Disney prints. I'm a huge Vera Bradley fan so we chose Port Orleans-Riverside because of it's proxcimity to DTD. We stayed at Port Orleans-Riverside on our honeymoon and really liked it then.

Love the fact that you choose where to stay on the basis of Vera Bradley availability!

Your daughter is adorable...such cheeks!

 

[jedijill]

The baby is adorable! Can't wait to hear more about the trip!

Jill in CO

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Joining in.

 

[wendyoconnor]

Nobody slept very well the night before we flew, I think DD knew something was up. I woke her up at the last minute with the plan to change her diaper, get her dressed and feed her as she likes to sleep to about 8 and we had to leave the house at 6:45. She didn't really wake up so we put her in the car seat and took her bottle with us. She slept all the way to the airport.

Going through security was interesting, I wore DD in the Ergo and didn't have to remove her, nor did I have to walk through the full body scanner but my hands were swabbed for residue. The mistake I made was I forgot to pull out my plastic bag of liquids so they had to hand search the diaper bag, TSA also tested DD's bottle of formula.

Once through security, I bought the water I needed for DD's bottles (yea Starbucks) and she finally woke up enough to eat. This was the only leg of the trip where we got to board early, probably because the airport is small and there weren't many kids. DD did awesome during takeoff, she had her paci and a new toy. Part way through the flight she fell asleep and stayed asleep until we landed. I was now confident that we wouldn't have any problems with the rest of our flights.

We had a layover in Atlanta and didn't have to change terminals. It gave us a chance to grab lunch and let DD play. The second leg of the journey was just like the first, stay awake the first half and sleep the second half.

Next stop, Orlando and Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[wendyoconnor]

Check in for Magical Express was quick and we didn't have to wait long. I was slightly disappointed that we were on a DCL bus instead of a ME bus. Drop offs were really quick and organized, trust Disney to have everything organized.

It was at check in that I realized I forgot our Magic Bands, since we weren't going to the theme parks it wasn't a big deal and the traditional room key would come in handy later. Last time we were at Port Orleans we stayed in Magnolia Bend this time we were in Alligator Bayou which I like better. I loved all the landscaping and how the buildings were nestled among trees and bushes. It didn't feel at all like a huge resort. We relaxed, checked in with family to let anxious grandparents know everybody was safe and sound planned out dinner and our trip to Downtown Disney.

DD was thrilled to have a chance to roll around and move.
Finally I get to roll around a play with my feet


Ready to go exploring

 

[wendyoconnor]

Prior to the trip I had made dinner reservations at Raglan Road. After seeing the menu at Boatwright's Dining Hall I cancelled the Raglan Road reservations and changed them to Boatwright's Dining Hall. Both of us enjoy gumbo and jambalaya and decided to check it out.

I loved the cornbread and ordered the catfish, DH had jambalaya. The catfish was very good and the asparagus was cooked just right. DD slept through dinner and stayed.


Still asleep from dinner

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[wendyoconnor]

This was our first time taking the boat from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney and it was fabulous, so much faster then taking the bus. Our boat captain was a chatty grandfatherly gentleman who made sure the handicapped seat was left open for us to just push DD's stroller on the boat. He pointed out interesting plants and birds on the way there. Because of the dragon boat races and that everyone on board was going to Downtown Disney we didn't stop at any other resorts.

Emily's first boat ride


Sights along the way

 

[JKSWonder]

Your DD looks very happy to be there!

 

[jedijill]

Your DD is adorable! Love her chubby legs and her Minnie Mouse dress!

Jill in CO