KMH1
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2001
- Messages
- 4,884
Hi! We got back last week from an 8 day trip to the World with our six month old Alyssa. Kevin and I had been to WDW many times just the two of us, but this trip was definitely different.
Here are some tips based on our experiences:
1) If flying, buy your child a seat. Bring your stroller and car seat...check the stroller at the gate and take your car seat on the plane. We flew very close to Alyssa's bedtime too, so it was wonderful to let her sleep in her car seat in the seat between us. It was also awesome to just snap the car seat into the stroller when we got off the plane!
2) Don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray! We definitely needed both last week...it was hot and the bugs got bad in the evenings.
3) On your way to WDW, stop and buy a baby bath tub! We got in late, so Super Target was closed. We stopped at Albertsons, and they actually didn't have a baby bathtub, so we bought a sink water basin for $5.99. We lined it with a towel and placed it in the bathtub and it worked perfectly. We definitely needed this, because Alyssa can't sit up on her own for long periods of time. And, we just left it there upon check-out...for $5.99 it served its purpose!
4) If you're planning character interaction, making a PS for a character meal gives you more quality interaction than seeing the characters in the parks (in most cases). The characters have a little more time (and no lines) in restaurants...it also helps to make a PS toward the end of a meal. Our late lunch at 1900 Park Fair was awesome...Tigger and Pooh sat down on the floor with Alyssa and spent a lot of time with us. We also had great experiences at Crystal Palace, PSB, and Garden Grille.
5) If your baby can't sit up well on his/her own, let the restaurant know. Only Crystal Palace had a sling...we needed our stroller in the other restaurants, and they let us bring it in no problem. Alyssa simply isn't ready for a restaurant high chair yet. At Ohana, they ended up giving us a table for 6, and I know our server was annoyed, but it certainly was wonderful being able to put Alyssa in her stroller and enjoy our meal.
6) Politely let your server know that you would like to take your time eating and that sometimes a baby slows you down...of course, they should know this already, but a reminder doesn't hurt. We also made sure we tipped well to make up for our long meals. This is why a late meal PS is good too...the server isn't hoping for table turnover by that point.
7) Many days, we had our stroller, car seat, and baby bjorn. Yes, it was a lot to keep track of, but the benefits were great. If Alyssa was asleep, we could take her on attractions in her car seat. The only time this was a true pain was on the trams, since the stroller has to be folded up. Alyssa really loved hanging out in her baby bjorn too!
8) Invest in a sunshade for your stroller. I found one at Babies R Us, and not only did it help block the bright sun, but it could be snap closed when Alyssa was asleep. Many other parents commented on what a good idea that was.
9) The baby care centers were nice, but if you're nursing, don't hesitate to pick quiet places and even nurse during shows.
10) Change your baby's diaper often in the Florida heat. Alyssa ended up with her first baby rash ever on our last day there (that was the most humid day).
11) Use your best judgment...as stated earlier, we had been to WDW many times before, but we needed to put ourselves in Alyssa's shoes. Some of the shows are really loud. Sometimes you need to forgo the best seat or viewing spot to give your family some breathing room.
12) Buy a shiny Mickey mylar balloon on Main Street. That was the best $6 we spent. It entertained Alyssa the whole trip...she even liked it better once it started losing helium because she could grab it. We also bought a $14 night light spinning globe...expensive, but definitely an investment, since you can replace the batteries and it doesn't have those twirling arms that could accidentally hit you or the baby.
13) Stay at a roomy resort. Yes, the All Stars are a value, but the rooms are small. We splurged on the WL and loved it. We spent a lot more time in our room than in past trips, and it was awesome to be at such a great resort.
We had a great time. Don't hesitate to ask questions!
Take care,
Amy
Here are some tips based on our experiences:
1) If flying, buy your child a seat. Bring your stroller and car seat...check the stroller at the gate and take your car seat on the plane. We flew very close to Alyssa's bedtime too, so it was wonderful to let her sleep in her car seat in the seat between us. It was also awesome to just snap the car seat into the stroller when we got off the plane!
2) Don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray! We definitely needed both last week...it was hot and the bugs got bad in the evenings.
3) On your way to WDW, stop and buy a baby bath tub! We got in late, so Super Target was closed. We stopped at Albertsons, and they actually didn't have a baby bathtub, so we bought a sink water basin for $5.99. We lined it with a towel and placed it in the bathtub and it worked perfectly. We definitely needed this, because Alyssa can't sit up on her own for long periods of time. And, we just left it there upon check-out...for $5.99 it served its purpose!
4) If you're planning character interaction, making a PS for a character meal gives you more quality interaction than seeing the characters in the parks (in most cases). The characters have a little more time (and no lines) in restaurants...it also helps to make a PS toward the end of a meal. Our late lunch at 1900 Park Fair was awesome...Tigger and Pooh sat down on the floor with Alyssa and spent a lot of time with us. We also had great experiences at Crystal Palace, PSB, and Garden Grille.
5) If your baby can't sit up well on his/her own, let the restaurant know. Only Crystal Palace had a sling...we needed our stroller in the other restaurants, and they let us bring it in no problem. Alyssa simply isn't ready for a restaurant high chair yet. At Ohana, they ended up giving us a table for 6, and I know our server was annoyed, but it certainly was wonderful being able to put Alyssa in her stroller and enjoy our meal.
6) Politely let your server know that you would like to take your time eating and that sometimes a baby slows you down...of course, they should know this already, but a reminder doesn't hurt. We also made sure we tipped well to make up for our long meals. This is why a late meal PS is good too...the server isn't hoping for table turnover by that point.
7) Many days, we had our stroller, car seat, and baby bjorn. Yes, it was a lot to keep track of, but the benefits were great. If Alyssa was asleep, we could take her on attractions in her car seat. The only time this was a true pain was on the trams, since the stroller has to be folded up. Alyssa really loved hanging out in her baby bjorn too!
8) Invest in a sunshade for your stroller. I found one at Babies R Us, and not only did it help block the bright sun, but it could be snap closed when Alyssa was asleep. Many other parents commented on what a good idea that was.
9) The baby care centers were nice, but if you're nursing, don't hesitate to pick quiet places and even nurse during shows.
10) Change your baby's diaper often in the Florida heat. Alyssa ended up with her first baby rash ever on our last day there (that was the most humid day).
11) Use your best judgment...as stated earlier, we had been to WDW many times before, but we needed to put ourselves in Alyssa's shoes. Some of the shows are really loud. Sometimes you need to forgo the best seat or viewing spot to give your family some breathing room.
12) Buy a shiny Mickey mylar balloon on Main Street. That was the best $6 we spent. It entertained Alyssa the whole trip...she even liked it better once it started losing helium because she could grab it. We also bought a $14 night light spinning globe...expensive, but definitely an investment, since you can replace the batteries and it doesn't have those twirling arms that could accidentally hit you or the baby.
13) Stay at a roomy resort. Yes, the All Stars are a value, but the rooms are small. We splurged on the WL and loved it. We spent a lot more time in our room than in past trips, and it was awesome to be at such a great resort.
We had a great time. Don't hesitate to ask questions!
Take care,
Amy
