Renting a crib from A Baby's Best Friend

[Meredith'sMom]

Hi all!

I've read some threads in the archives about how great ABBF is and decided to rent a crib from them. I did this mainly b/c it seems that only Pack n Plays are guaranteed by the resort and, since my daughter has never slept in a PnP (only a crib and our bed) I decided not to take my chances.

Anyway, I got the confimation from ABBF today and it said that we have to assemble the crib, which will be in a big brown box in the luggage area. I'm a little surprised by this since I didn't see that mentioned on the boards by anyone who's rented before. Has this been your experience? Even if the assembly is as easy as they say, I'm also worried about how to get the box up to our room. I'd thought if the crib were on wheels it would be simply for us not to trouble the bellmen with it, but a big box is another thing entirely.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[dtsaos]

bump.

 

[EagleHasLanded]

We get one from ABBF every time we are at WDW, and you will be happy that you have it. Assembly is ridiculously simple and only takes about 5 minutes. It is so nice to have a REAL crib with a REAL mattress, and it is the same one that is in the photo on the website. Pack and plays are OK for naps sometimes, but none of mine would ever sleep through the night in a pack and play. And in bed with us is NOT an option.

As far as the box, we always ask the luggage room to send it up, and we tip the bellman when he drops it off. That is a small detail compared to the wonderfulness (I know, but I like using it) of having the crib for the time we are there. You won't regret it. ABBF is the best, and everything we ever get from them is always very, very clean and nice, as we always get our strollers from them too. Their website is awesome for photos and ordering. We have used them on numerous trips.

Hope this helps.

 

[KerriMc]

Joyce ... I haven't rented a crib from ABBF, but I have seen other posts on here about how simple it is to put their cribs together. We did use them last year and rented an exersaucer for out youngest DD who was 7 mos old at the time, as well as a bouncy seat for her and a bed rail for our older DD. We were VERY impressed with the cleanliness of these items and the simplicity of it all. I can't imagine it would be any different with their cribs.

Good luck ... enjoy your holiday ... I only wish we had gone with a crib too, but we were at Orange Lake and I thought it would be hard to get the crib from the main lobbies all the way up to our building at the other end of the resort! DD got really sick while there and ended up having RSV. She didnt' sleep well in the darn PnP even though we put huge flat cushions from the couch in to make it a bit more comfortable for her.

Kerri

 

[mommyzone59]

ABBF any additional infromation? I have PnP being reserved but now I'm thinking a bed might be nice. do you all have a web site. Thanks

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

the website is www.abbf.com

 

[SnowBound]

Originally Posted By KerriMc: I only wish we had gone with a crib too, but we were at Orange Lake and I thought it would be hard to get the crib from the main lobbies all the way up to our building at the other end of the resort!

Just to let you know, KerriMc, we were at Orange Lake last fall, and ABBF now delivers to the warehouse, not Member Services, so it was much easier for everyone. The warehouse guys delivered our things from ABBF (we tipped them), and about 1-1/2 hours before we left we called them back to pick it up and they did (tipped again). It worked much better than before.

I asked why the switch, and was told that ABBF delivers so much stuff there that it was crowding Member Services. Delivering to the warehouse and having them drop off at the villas makes much more sense to me anyway, and the warehouse guys were very nice and appeared happy to do it.

 

[DianeV]

Evidently this is something new as when we rented a crib she came in and put it together..maybe getting too busy for that touch? That was about 5 years ago too though

 

[SnowBound]

Originally Posted By DianeV: Evidently this is something new as when we rented a crib she came in and put it together..maybe getting too busy for that touch? That was about 5 years ago too though

I inquired about that very same thing, actually. It seems that ABBF was having too many cribs destroyed (3 in one week, I was told) because once they set it up in a resort villa or hotel room, it won't go through the doors. People (like us) would arrive and there would be something wrong with the room (AC broken, as in our case) and woudl get moved to another room. Maintenance would "help" and move the crib to the new location, and yaddi yaddi yadda, the crib gets busted.

It actually worked out for us just fine for me as the last two times my kids and I have traveled a quick trip without DH, (and I am not really mechanically inclined), and I was able to assemble it in about 10 minutes, no problem. No tools, no hassle, and oh so nice to have a real baby crib. Mine never could sleep through the night in a pack&play.

FYI

 

[KerriMc]

Thanks for letting me know that Snowbound!

When we returned our baby items (exersaucer, bed rail, and bouncy seat) we had to take them to the member services area and it was PACKED and these poor people were working behind all of this stuff! They must be doing a great business ... it is no wonder though as they are great people to deal with!

Oh ... we called about renting a car seat (tad cheaper than a car rental and I imagine MUCH cleaner), but they won't bring to the airport (which I understand) as they have lost some with rental agencies claiming them as their own instead. So she said she would meet me about a mile away, but I didn't want to send one person ahead and I didnt' want to ride that mile without her in a seat so I had to decline the nice offer . We have decided to bring ours on the plane now anyways to strap our little monkey down!

Kerri

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We have rented with ABBF 3 times and I can't say enough about them. (My little blurb about them is on their website) We even rented with them duing the hurricane and we figured we were out of luck as we arrived the day after Charley hit and there would be no possible way that they coul dhave delivered our stuff with the terrible weather....well, there was our stuff (Crib, VCR and toys and bouncy seat) . We were thrilled! The crib does have to be set up and it only takes a few minutes (I promise, I love DH but we don't even let him touch a hammer here at home he is so BAD with tools) the crib goes together with no tools and it just takes 5 minutes. MAKE SURE TO SAVE ALL THE PLASTIC to re-wrap the pieces up. The linens for the crib are adorable and were Disney themed. The front piece had a "Stuffed" Mickey and Minnie on it. DD woke up every morning and "Talked" to Mickey. It was adorable. We are going to Disney again in July and we will again be renting from ABBF. The crib is delivered and kept for you in the luggage room until you arrive and then it is delivered to your room. Have a great trip!

 

[Meredith'sMom]

Thank you!!!

Thanks to all who responded. It took me a while to get back to the thread b/c I was taken to the hospital for bronchitis this week and it has been rough. Fortunately my daughter did not get ill (go breastmilk!) and fortunately I should be long over this before we get to Disney in a few weeks.

I'm completely happy that we decided to go with ABBF friend now.

Thanks again!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I hope you are feeling better soon!!

 

[Meredith'sMom]

Thanks, D, L & K's Mom. I feel SO much better already. For one thing, I'm sitting upright, which is more than I could do for 2 days this week. I do not recommend bronchitis. The only bad part was I thought I had the flu my husband appeared to have the week before, so I tried to tough it out way too long.

Fortunately, all is (almost) well and there's a Disney trip getting closer by the day.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I had pnemonia (which I am sure is like bronchitis (sp?)) and it was hell!!!I think you will be very happy with ABBF. Everything was clean and beautiful. We also got the port-a-crib from the hotle....POR. I hate to say it......it was DIRTY and GROSS. We thought we would use it for a play-pen with toys. We didn't use it at all. This time we will be renting one of those in addition to the crib. Make sure when you check out you give the Bellman quite a bit of time to come and get the crib....since it is big it seems like they take their time coming to get the big packages...they have to put it back into the luggage room. It took over an hour for them to come and get it. Well, I am glad you are feeling better. Your "little one " is adorable. So, so cute. How old?

 

[Meredith'sMom]

Oh, no! Pneumonia? That's where the doctor said I was headed had I not come in. Glad you're all better now.

I can't believe the cribs at POR were so disgusting. I know I made the right decision now; thanks as well for the heads up about calling early for pick-up. I will remember that!

And thanks for the compliment re. DD. She turned 7 months yesterday. Her trip to Disney will be her first big trip and she'll get to see all her relatives when they come from Melbourne to see her (I'm originally from there). It should be memorable! I'll have to put a trip report in when we return with pictures!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

DD went when she was 6 months. Remember to bring pre-soaped dishcloths to wash bottles and pacifiers at night when you return from the parks.(oops you are breast feeding), Also those tabletop covers and disposable changing pads are GREAT. We also borrowed a baby bath tub from ABBF for the tub in the hotel this helped a great deal as we used sunscreen on DD and she needed to sort of be "Scrubbed" of the greasy sunscreen each night. The sink didn't work.... not big enough. A great idea is to mail a box down with toys, diapers, shampoo ,wipes etc...to the hotel before you arrive. They will store it for you till you get there. We did this and found it was great. We sent diapers, medicine (baby tylenol), a few toys, books, formula,baby oatmeal etc down so we didnt have to carry it on the plane. We also brought a white receiving blanket down and had the characters sign it with "Sharpie" (Taped it to a piece of cardboard and moved it after each signature). When we got back Grandma embroidered the signatures so now DD will have something to remember the trip when she is older. Have a great trip!!

 

[Meredith'sMom]

Great tips, thanks!

I did buy some pre-soaped dishcloths to wash bottles since my DD gets formula or breastmilk in a bottle after daytime nursings (and at Disney it'll be formula b/c I'm NOT pumping on vacation!). Strangely enough, she has never taken to pacifiers so I can forget those.

We are wondering about sending the box of stuff. We think that we're going to order from www.wegoshop.com and do it that way--diapers, formula, baby food, and bottled water for the bottles and us can come from there.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea about the blankie. I would've never thought of that. My mom is coming on the trip too so I can probably get her all excited about the idea of embroidering the signatures afterwards.

Thanks again!

 

[jojo]

I was also thinking about renting a crib but we will be staying at Disney for 4 nights, then going on a Disney cruise and then coming back - it will save me about $40 to keep the crib the entire time instead of returning and then getting another when we return. Does anyone know how large the box that the crib is delivered in? Will it fit in a mini-van? It would be nice to bring it on the cruise with us but I'm sure that wouldn't be allowed?

thanks for any help!

Joann

 

[lovesdumbo]

I was also thinking about renting a crib but we will be staying at Disney for 4 nights, then going on a Disney cruise and then coming back - it will save me about $40 to keep the crib the entire time instead of returning and then getting another when we return. Does anyone know how large the box that the crib is delivered in? Will it fit in a mini-van? It would be nice to bring it on the cruise with us but I'm sure that wouldn't be allowed?

thanks for any help!

Joann

The hotel might keep it for you in the baggage storage for the cruise. I would call and ask them.