Panicked Dad Seeking Immediate Help: 1st Disney Trip W/baby!!!

[michaela mouse]

Anyone have any tips-
My family will be making a trip to Disney this year and our daughter will be 1.5. I'm sure many of you have been there and done that so I'm looking for any helpful tips to make this vacation enjoyable for all.

I should mention this will be my 9th trip to disney and my wive's 4th so we know most of the ins in the outs of the parks, resorts, etc. But when you throw a baby into the mix we're CLUELESS!!!

A few things I'm loosing sleep over is...Diaper Changes, Nap time, Bedtime, Waiting in Lines, Strollers, Are rides even an option..Is this really going to be worth it since she's so young? Or should I just jump on the plane and figure it all out when we get there.

HELP..

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Relax there. You'll do fine, babies of all ages are wonderful to bring to WDW, a little planning and you'll be fine. I've brought babies at 5 and 8 and 14 months, plus 2.5 years and older.

Some tips,
1. Bring, do not rent a stroller, (whole topic of its own LOL). Trust me here. Bring a rain cover for it.
2. Schedule breaks. If you are staying onsite go back to hotel to relax. Take it slow if need be.
3. Keep baby fed and hydrated.
4. There are diaper change areas in all restrooms, and the baby centers in each park.
5. My kids almost always just konk out in the stroller. Our favorite thing to do is give baby dinner, dress em in jammies, plop em in the stroller, and do World Showcase while they sleep.
6.Baby can go on any ride without height restriction, for Example, Small world, Peter Pan, Carosel, Buzz, Pooh, Snow White, Pirates, even the Haunted Mansion. You and your wife can use 'switching-off' technique for the thrill rides if you wish.

You'll have a great time! We are bringing DD #3 for her first trip in April, she'll be 14 months. Can't wait.

Just do a little advance planning and you'll have a great time!

 

[catwho]

Originally posted by michaela mouse

A few things I'm loosing sleep over is...Diaper Changes, Nap time, Bedtime, Waiting in Lines, Strollers, Are rides even an option..Is this really going to be worth it since she's so young? Or should I just jump on the plane and figure it all out when we get there.

HELP..

Breathe breathe. In out. Slow deep breaths. Throw in an Om or two to help calm your nerves!

We've taken younger babies than yours to the parks without any problems. I'll address each issue for you:

Diaper Changes. There are diaper changing stations in most of the larger bathrooms as well as many in the Baby Care Centers in each park. The ones in the BCC are nice as they have paper to put down on the changing table (or used to). Just make sure you pack your own changing pad just in case. When you child needs a change, just head to the nearest bathroom and you can change her diaper.

Nap time: 2 things you can do. 1. let her sleep in the park. Our kids have always easily fallen asleep in their stroller or in a sling (highly recommend this) and we have just continued on our way. 2. Take a break during the day and go back to your resort and let her nap in your room.

Bedtime: Again 2 things. 1. Let her fall asleep in the park or 2. Just realize that you may be having shorter evenings and won't be able to commando the parks from opening to close. she will be a much happier child the next day if she has had a good sleep the night before.

Waiting in Lines: You can either get Fast Passes to avoid much waiting or find ways to entertain her while in line. Magnadoodles, bubbles, coloring books and good for entertaining little ones.

Rides: She will be able to go on any ride that does not have a height restriction. On those rides (and for rides where she might be frightened) you and your wife can do baby swap. Ask the CM at the entrance of each attraction what the system is for baby swap at that ride. They sometimes do things differently. Most will give you a FP or a Baby Swap card that is good for 1 adult and up to 3 other guests. This saves you having to wait twice for both of you to ride the same ride. There are a few rides that offer a "single rider line" which you may also be able to take advantage of.


Is she too young? Nope! Take time to see the magic through her eyes. Keep yourself aware of when she is getting hungry, thirsty and tired. Try not to say "no" too often (if at all) and realize that she is going to be a 14 month old even at WDW. Drives me crazy to see parents getting on to their toddlers and preschoolers for acting like toddlers and preschoolers.

Enjoy your trip. You will be fine. Just remember to breathe!

 

[mom2boys]

You have received great advice. OUr youngest was not quite 2 on our first trip - His brother was 3. We only took one stroller with us. After the first day we went off-site & bought a cheap umbrella stoller. Ohterwise you have to take carry them from the room until you get your rental stroller. And if they are asleep when you leave the park, you have to wake them.

The other thing was that our kids really enjoyed the characters at that age. The interaction is amazing. We were glad that there first interaction was at a character meal. Sometimes the characters get mobbed in the parks.

 

[DisFam95]

We are going in 5 days with our 18mo and I felt like you initially but have gotten over it. One thing we are doing is renting a full size crib from 'a babies best friend' abbf.com. The hotels have pack-n-plays, which my boy would not sleep in or those big metal scary looking cribs. I've heard about abbf here on the Dis with all great reviews and $65 is worth a week of good toddler sleep. They deliver to the hotel.

Not sure what your travel situation is but we are taking a towncar from the airport an scheduling a grocery stop. Packing my own diapers because I can get them on sale and then there's room for souvenirs coming home.

disposable sipper cups
rain cover for stroller
dog tag from pet store etched w/ cell phone/last name to lace on his shoe (god forbid he wandered off into a crowd)
thermometer
tylenol
ziplocks for dirty diapers in room
snacks

 

[WhispyPixie]

You will be fine and your family WILL LOVE this age at WDW! Some of our most treasured photos were ones around this age..

1. Bring your own stroller!!
2. Bubbles are wonderful enterrtainment
3. Pack a small towel or blanket in the backpack so when they crash you can take any breezy chill off them.
4. A small plastic poncho works great to cover the stroller in the rain.
5. Small Hand Held figurines are great for the little ones. That and a small favorite stuffed animal.
6. Last but not least don't stress the small stuff, go with the flow and enjoy seeing WDW through the eyes of your little one!

Pixie