Planning Baby's First WDW Trip... Before She's Arrived! * TRIP REPORT LINK 6/27 *

[PixieMama]

Seriously precious photos of your DD!

Be sure to wave as you drive through 'nooga! I'll wave back!

 

[beckysko]

Wasn't planning a trip but as it happens, DH has a work conference at the Grand Floridian!!! We are staying there June 17-24, then we booked 2 nights at the new AoA resort! Keeps us posted on your packing/planning....my son will be 8 mos when we go!

 

[JennisSilly]

Subscribing!

We took a 12 hour trip with DD when she was 9 months. The best advice I have is the more you can travel during her sleep times the better! Also, get new toys she hasn't seen before and bring those out throughout the drive. The trip up we left at 3am and she did okay- the trip back we left at 8 am and it was miserable- 2 hours in I almost booked a flight from Vegas (the little more then halfway point) and have my parents drop us off. Hopefully your LO likes the car more then ours!

What a great idea to surprise your sister!!

 

[cbcrockett]

Aw, your little one is precious! I love that she wore one of your dresses to church!

Good luck with getting your sister out of the house at 4 or 4:30. I have two teenage girls--18 and almost 16-and they are slooooooow! Maybe she'll be so excited, she'll have no trouble getting out of the bed!

Not sure where you live, but we lived in west TN for three years.

Thank you! My mom saved all of our little dresses and I'm so glad now! Of course, she saved everything, and DD totally wears some of my little gowns and sleepers too. Some of my baby pictures look so much like her, especially when we are wearing the same clothes!

And I'm definitely banking on the excitement factor to get my sister up and at 'em...that and the promise of some Starbucks

Seriously precious photos of your DD!

Be sure to wave as you drive through 'nooga! I'll wave back!

We'll all do a big collective wave out the windows! I'm sure whoever is passing us at the moment won't think we are crazy at all, hehehe

Wasn't planning a trip but as it happens, DH has a work conference at the Grand Floridian!!! We are staying there June 17-24, then we booked 2 nights at the new AoA resort! Keeps us posted on your packing/planning....my son will be 8 mos when we go!

Yay! And I've definitely started my packing lists for DD and I'll share it for sure! I feel like there is always something I'm forgetting or something else I "might" need whenever we travel. I'm actually about to head to Nashville for the weekend with DD in a couple of hours, and I swear you think we were going for a week. But I think I pack less each time, so that's progress, right?

Subscribing!

We took a 12 hour trip with DD when she was 9 months. The best advice I have is the more you can travel during her sleep times the better! Also, get new toys she hasn't seen before and bring those out throughout the drive. The trip up we left at 3am and she did okay- the trip back we left at 8 am and it was miserable- 2 hours in I almost booked a flight from Vegas (the little more then halfway point) and have my parents drop us off. Hopefully your LO likes the car more then ours!

What a great idea to surprise your sister!!

We are hoping to leave really early the first morning so she can go back to sleep for a while. Thankfully, she generally does well in the car. That is a really good idea about getting a few new toys. I my hit up the dollar store and get a few cheap new ones, just to keep her attention and keep things new! We are also hoping that it will help to change up who is in the backseat with her when she is awake (me, DH and my little sister). Fresh faces never hurt!

The way back may be a little more difficult, but I'm hoping to leave around the item of her morning nap, and maybe that will at least get us down the road a bit! I'll just pump her full of graham crackers

 

[cbcrockett]

(So, I wrote this yesterday, then didn't get it posted...)
Happy Easter Y'all!*

Today, the Easter Bunny came to visit!

Then, Hannah was excited to see her Easter basket.

Next, we got all pretty for church.

And all that excitement will wear a little girl out!

I'm getting behind on this pre-trip report. I feel like we've had a million things going on lately! But, with DD down for her nap and DH watching the Masters, it is the perfect time to catch up and write about our first park day!*

I'm pretty big on trying to match the best park for the best day... But, I just HAVE to be in MK the first day! And so, on Monday, June 4, we'll be in the Magic Kingdom! The park is open 9am -10pm (as of now). We'll get up, have breakfast in the condo, and then head to the park for rope drop! DD is definitely an early riser ( much earlier than we'd prefer most days), so rope drop should not be a problem for us. Which is great, because that's what we like to do! I'm not sure if we'll take the ferry or the monorail to the park entrance. I love the monorail, but have never taken the ferry. We'll probably just see what is closest to leaving... Gotta keep moving along!*

We have another MK day planned (our last park day), so our list of attractions to do this day are:*Walt Disney World Railroad,*Jungle Cruise, Aladdian's*Magic Carpets,*POTC,*Splash Mountain, BTMRR,*Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, Carrousel and*IASM. Dole Whips are also on the list... Yummy!*

Our first order of business will be getting over to Splash Mountain, as that is mine, DH and my little sister's favorite ride in all of Disney! I'm a little apprehensive over the whole rider swap thing.... Anyone have any experiences? Tips? General suggestions? Then, we'll probably do FP for BTMRR, and head back to Adventureland to POTC and the Magic Carpet's so DD can get in on the ride action! If the line is pretty short, we'll hop on in for the Jungle Cruise as well, or grab a FP if we can.*

Then, we'll work our way around to Liberty Square, and on into Fantasyland! I get so excited thinking about DD on IASW!*

We will have some CS lunch (probably Columbia Harbour House or Pecos Bills) and will probably head back to our condo so DD can get her afternoon nap in a bed.*

Dinner this night will be in the condo, and I'm thinking it's going to be seafood pasta! We'll probably have an early dinner, then head back to MK, and just explore/hop in a short attraction line/enjoy the evening. I'm no sure hoe exhausted DD will be, so we'll just play it by ear. And, we'll have to get back and rest up, so we can mad dash with everyone else in the morning at DHS for Toy Story Mania!*

Hope y'all had a great Easter weekend!

 

[PixieMama]

I have died from the cuteness.


I'm trying to remember... I know on our last family trip (in 2010), Epcot was our first park. We spent the afternoon/evening there once we had checked in to our resort. But I can't recall what park we went to first on our first family trip (in '07)... it might have been MK!

Oddly enough, we have never done the rider-swap. Even when my youngest was 4... the attractions she couldn't ride but my other DD was old/tall enough for were ones that DH or I didn't want to ride (like ToT for him, and Space Mtn for me) It worked out for us, one of us taking our older DD while the other stayed with the younger. Sorry I don't have any tips for you on this!

 

[MHTeacher]

Looks like a wonderful Easter! Love the pictures of baby Hannah all ready for church!

 

[smellyia]

Saw you were from Nashville and wwanted to wave HI - just wondeering if that pic on your first page of your Mom and DS was at Steeplechase? I'm a west nash chick myself, so it just seemed awfully familiar....

We actually leave Orlando the day before you get there for some beach time at Amelia Island (skipping south walton this year for something new....:/)

We are driving from Nashville as well; me, DH and DD (2) - I'm pretty nervous about the trek myself...I've never driven that stretch before. Do you have any favorite rest stop areas? Like I love the one in Huntsville with room to stretch out and was hoping to find something similar to let DD rest at intermittently on the road.

Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! I hope y'all's first trip is awesome.

 

[cbcrockett]

I have died from the cuteness.


I'm trying to remember... I know on our last family trip (in 2010), Epcot was our first park. We spent the afternoon/evening there once we had checked in to our resort. But I can't recall what park we went to first on our first family trip (in '07)... it might have been MK!

Oddly enough, we have never done the rider-swap. Even when my youngest was 4... the attractions she couldn't ride but my other DD was old/tall enough for were ones that DH or I didn't want to ride (like ToT for him, and Space Mtn for me) It worked out for us, one of us taking our older DD while the other stayed with the younger. Sorry I don't have any tips for you on this!

Hehe, I love her bunny costume! It was actually her Halloween costume from when she was 2 months old (and it was HUGE on her) and I drug it out to see if I could squeeze her in it. Turns out, she was a perfect Easter Bunny!

I'm hoping the Rider Swap will be painless. Most things we'll do it on will be attractions we go to first thing in the morning, so hopefully that will make it easier

Looks like a wonderful Easter! Love the pictures of baby Hannah all ready for church!

It was a great first Easter with the little one! And thank you!

Saw you were from Nashville and wwanted to wave HI - just wondeering if that pic on your first page of your Mom and DS was at Steeplechase? I'm a west nash chick myself, so it just seemed awfully familiar....

We actually leave Orlando the day before you get there for some beach time at Amelia Island (skipping south walton this year for something new....:/)

We are driving from Nashville as well; me, DH and DD (2) - I'm pretty nervous about the trek myself...I've never driven that stretch before. Do you have any favorite rest stop areas? Like I love the one in Huntsville with room to stretch out and was hoping to find something similar to let DD rest at intermittently on the road.

Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! I hope y'all's first trip is awesome.

Well hey right back ((waves))! And, very good eye... That's definitely Steeplechase! I grew up in West Nashville (Bellevue) and my mom/stepdad/little sister still live there! I feel like there really are a lot of us from the Nashville Area around here. (And I know I live outside Memphis now, but I am and always will be a Nashville girl... Can't wait for the day we can, hopefully move back!)

The last time we drove, we drove from West TN, so we went through B'ham and then through a ton of t-iny towns in Alabama and GA... So I'm not much help on the rest stops. But, Huntsville is always good and if you are still on I-65 between the Ham and Montgomery, Exit 205 is the Peach Park. Good stop for some ice cream and peaches! nice restrooms, BBQ if you are hungry, fresh produce, and I'm pretty sure there is a little playground for the little ones to stretch their legs on! I'm in it for the ice cream though

And, thank you thank you! We're pretty proud of the little one! She's growing up way too fast though (as I hear they tend to do). With a week or two, we are probably going to have a crawler...

 

[smellyia]

Well hey right back ((waves))! And, very good eye... That's definitely Steeplechase! I grew up in West Nashville (Bellevue) and my mom/stepdad/little sister still live there! I feel like there really are a lot of us from the Nashville Area around here. (And I know I live outside Memphis now, but I am and always will be a Nashville girl... Can't wait for the day we can, hopefully move back!)

The last time we drove, we drove from West TN, so we went through B'ham and then through a ton of t-iny towns in Alabama and GA... So I'm not much help on the rest stops. But, Huntsville is always good and if you are still on I-65 between the Ham and Montgomery, Exit 205 is the Peach Park. Good stop for some ice cream and peaches! nice restrooms, BBQ if you are hungry, fresh produce, and I'm pretty sure there is a little playground for the little ones to stretch their legs on! I'm in it for the ice cream though

Bellevue! Hello! DH grew up in West Meade, but we are in Bellevue now. We actually flooded quite badly a couple years ago....I hope your family made it through unscathed. I'm so glad to see Opry Mills finally opened back up....Nashville really needs it.

Thanks for the stop tips...I'm going to look into them for our map. I hate basic gas stops and like to have a nice place to actually rest and eat a packed lunch....although I caught your chik-fil-a reference and thought Sunday...closed...before I read on and started laughing. It's a local problem I think...we only crave CFA on Sunday!

 

[cbcrockett]

Bellevue! Hello! DH grew up in West Meade, but we are in Bellevue now. We actually flooded quite badly a couple years ago....I hope your family made it through unscathed. I'm so glad to see Opry Mills finally opened back up....Nashville really needs it.

Thanks for the stop tips...I'm going to look into them for our map. I hate basic gas stops and like to have a nice place to actually rest and eat a packed lunch....although I caught your chik-fil-a reference and thought Sunday...closed...before I read on and started laughing. It's a local problem I think...we only crave CFA on Sunday!

I totally went to Westmeade Elementary... "It's a small world...."! So sorry to hear y'all flooded! My family was very lucky. I was actually in town that weekend, staying with my little sister while my mom/stepdad went out of town. We were actually AT Opry Mills that Saturday morning. We made it back to Bellevue before things started floating down the interstate . We were on the Bellevue "island", between Publix and the Natchez Trace. I was stuck inNashville until Wednesday when they opened I-40 back up and I could get off the "island". My dad and stepmom live in Goodlettsville and besides some basement flooding, they were unscathed as well. We were very lucky.

And, what would I do without other Dis-moms to remind me that,yes, we are leaving on Sunday and that I can't have Chick-fil-a!?! So used to going on vacation on Saturday, I just assumed... Sigh. Apparently too much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is bad for mommy's brain! So, breakfast on the road, take two!

 

[cbcrockett]

Day 2 - DHS

Tuesday will be our second park day and we'll be headed to DHS! Again, we'll be planning on rope drop. How else will we do TOY STORY MANIA?! We are big fans of this!*

The plan will be to get up that morning, have breakfast in the condo, and get to DHS by around 8:30-8:45. Park opening is 9am as of now. We'll make the somewhat mad dash over to Pixar Place and will most likely jump in line. I think that DD would like the queue there, with the bright colors and Mr. Potato Head! This is what we've done in the past, and the wait at opening has been pretty quick. I'd rather wait in this queue for a few minutes than some of the others at DHS!*

Does anyone have any experiences on taking little ones on Toy Story? I know there is know height/age limit, so she can go.*

Next, we'll head over to RNRC and get some FPs for me and Little Sister. DH doesn't do this or ToT. Then, LS (little Sister, I'm tired of typing it, haha!) and I will do ToT! It's one of our favorites! I'm not sure what DH and DD will do during this time. It may be around her morning nap time, so the may just stroll around while she snoozes, or find a quiet, shady spot.*

Next, we'll probably check out the Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Tour. LS and I will also want to check out the new Star Tours. That's another one that DH will skip out on. If we can fit it in, and DD seems up to it, I know DH would love to see Lights, Motors, Action again. He's a car guy.*

We're planning on heading back to the condo for lunch this day. We'll let DD take a good nap, and probably have some pool time ourselves.*

This night, LS and I are going to Kouzzina to celebrate her graduation! DD and DH are going to have a Daddy/Daughter night at the condo. After Kouzzina, LS and I will head back to DHS and hit some of our favorites again (ToT!). We planned it this way since DHS has more rides that LS and I like that DH could take or leave.*

A little off topic: I HAVE to figure out a baby carrier to purchase for WDW and I'm running out of time! I want to get one and have time for DD to get used to it before we go, because we don't use one much. I'm looking at the Ergo, Beco Butterfly, and Lillebaby. We want to be able to carry her on our back. Anyone have any thoughts on these? Or any others? I like these three, but honestly don't want to spend that kind of money... I keep hoping I'll find someone who wants to sell me theres! So yeah, any reviews are appreciated!*

Up next... day 3 at EPCOT!*

 

[PixieMama]

Next, we'll head over to RNRC and get some FPs for me and Little Sister. DH doesn't do this or ToT. Then, LS (little Sister, I'm tired of typing it, haha!) and I will do ToT! It's one of our favorites! I'm not sure what DH and DD will do during this time. It may be around her morning nap time, so the may just stroll around while she snoozes, or find a quiet, shady spot.*

If you think Hannah will be ok with characters, your DH could take her to the Magic of Disney Animation building to do the meet & greets, while you and LS go ride ToT and RnR... y'all will walk right by there anyway, on your way from TSM. Just a thought... it would give them something to do while you two ride.

 

[smellyia]

I totally went to Westmeade Elementary... "It's a small world...."! So sorry to hear y'all flooded! My family was very lucky. I was actually in town that weekend, staying with my little sister while my mom/stepdad went out of town. We were actually AT Opry Mills that Saturday morning. We made it back to Bellevue before things started floating down the interstate . We were on the Bellevue "island", between Publix and the Natchez Trace. I was stuck inNashville until Wednesday when they opened I-40 back up and I could get off the "island". My dad and stepmom live in Goodlettsville and besides some basement flooding, they were unscathed as well. We were very lucky.

THE ISLAND! I guess it was...we live off of McCrory...when we bought our house, thought so cool we lived by the river we just didn't bargain it coming through our living room! But c'est la vie! We repaired and really love the house now. BTW just went to the reopened Disney outlet today....so great! Got DD tees for our trip for $6 and me and DH shirts for $10. They have the coolest Minnie toy...her skirt spins and lights up when you press the button...they even have a Mini Minnie for little bit babies...

Day 2 - DHS

Tuesday will be our second park day and we'll be headed to DHS! Again, we'll be planning on rope drop. How else will we do TOY STORY MANIA?! We are big fans of this!*

We'll see you in line! That's our DHS day as well.

 

[cbcrockett]

I'm hoping to get an update in on our plans for Day 3 today or tomorrow, but first I thought I'd sneak in a little update about our weekend!

Last night, we took DD to her first professional sporting event! Now, of course, I would have preferred it to be a Titans or Predators game, but that's ok We went to a Memphis Redbirds baseball game! DH's work had an event for the employees and their families, so we had club level seats and Rendezvous BBQ !

Of course, what was I thinking about? The fact that there were going to be fireworks , and it would be GREAT to expose DD to them before Disney!

While we didn't make it all the way until the end of the game (when the big fireworks happened), they did do some fireworks during the National Anthem, and DD was absolutely fine with them. She just looked at them, didn't jump at all. Acted like nothing happened!

And, look who she got to meet:

It's Rockey the Redbird! AND a smiling DD!

And y'all know what this means.... Baby Hannah is NOT scared of characters! When Rockey came up to our area, I grabbed DH and was like "Hannah has to meet him... then we'll know how she'll do in WDW!" And she did AWESOME y'all! She practically jumped out of DH's arms into Rockey the Redbird's! I'm so relieved... and excited!

So, that's mostly been our weekend. Now, DMIL is at the house to see DD for the afternoon and DH is studying for his CPA exam (which will be happening from now until, what seems like eternity... Hopefully he'll be done by October!)

Only 5 weeks 'til Disney! WOO HOO![/COLOR]

 

[cbcrockett]

Our third park day (Wednesday) will be EPCOT! I do love EPCOT! Our morning plan will be the same as other mornings... Breakfast in the condo, and to the park for rope drop. Then, of course, we'll walk quickly to The Land and we'll probably grab some FPs for Soarin' so we can easily do a baby swap with it later. Since we'll be in The Land, we'll hope on Living' with the Land. I've always liked it and so does DH. We live surrounded by cotton, soybeans and corn in our parts, so it is need to know info for us If DD is anything like my LS was when she was little, she'll love it too, because it's a boat . Then, we'll probably hit The Seas with Nemo. Hopefully by then, we can go back and use our Soarin' FPs!

Since Test Track will be down for the refurb while we are there, our only other "must do" in Future World (besides MouseGears... Obviously, hahaha!) is Spaceship Earth!

After SE, we'll head to WS, probably starting with Mexico for another boat ride on Gran Fiesta for DD!

Our lunch plan is day is just CS. We are just going to see what everyone is in the mood for. I know that I WILL get to France for my Grey Goose Limon slush !

We'll head back to the condo for nap time in the afternoon and for dinner, DH and I have 5:30 ADR's at California Grill! So excited! LS is going to watch DD for the night. Since our anniversary is 2 weeks before our trip, and he is going to be in the middle of studying for the first part of his CPA exam during our anniversary, I put that it's our anniversary on our ADR. Hopefully it will be really special.

After dinner, we should have enough time to get back over to EPCOT and I'm hoping DH and I can wander around WS and catch Illuminations.

Thankfully, the next day, Thursday, is our rest day.... And I have a feeling we're going to need it! (But I also have a feeling we're still going to get out and have some fun!)

And just a little edit... Look, little one is ready to go! (sorry for the blurry iPhone picture!)

 

[PixieMama]

Great plans so far!

That's nice of LS to watch the baby for the night. Your dinner at Cali Grill then a leisurely stroll through the WS sounds like a great way to celebrate!

 

[jesemeca]

First of all your daughter is adorable.

Second of all, we took my brother and sister(twins) to WDW when they were 10 months old. We also went at the beginning of June. They were the best behaved on the trip. I would recommend bringing your stroller from home. It will be much more comfortable for her, than the ones you can get in the parks.

As far as travelling, we drove mostly overnight and the twins slept most of the way.

If you have any other questions I can try to help. Granted this trip was like 15 years ago. But I will do my best.

P.S. I will be there the same time as you.

 

[cbcrockett]

Great plans so far!

That's nice of LS to watch the baby for the night. Your dinner at Cali Grill then a leisurely stroll through the WS sounds like a great way to celebrate!

Thanks! Is it bad that LS doesn't know she'll be watching DD yet? My mom suggested it though. She said "Y'all are taking LS and she'll be HAPPY to watch Hannah for a night".

First of all your daughter is adorable.

Second of all, we took my brother and sister(twins) to WDW when they were 10 months old. We also went at the beginning of June. They were the best behaved on the trip. I would recommend bringing your stroller from home. It will be much more comfortable for her, than the ones you can get in the parks.

As far as travelling, we drove mostly overnight and the twins slept most of the way.

If you have any other questions I can try to help. Granted this trip was like 15 years ago. But I will do my best.

P.S. I will be there the same time as you.

Thank you so much! We are definitely bringing her regular stroller. We debated about getting a smaller umbrella stroller, but decided she'd be more comfortable in her regular one and would probably nap better in it. Who cares if it takes us an extra 7 seconds to fold the thing?!

I'm hoping that leaving at 4am will give us a few good hours of her sleeping in the car to start the trip. She's a good car sleeper, so I'm hoping her naps will be longer too. I've loaded up my iPad with some videos too and I'll be shopping for some new small toys to keep things interesting. We're going to switch up with who sits in the back with her too, to keep things new. Here's hoping for the best!

If you think of anything else, let me know!

And...YAY! Our trips are just over a month away!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Such a cute picture!