Rider Swap and Tips for Travel with an Infant

[joseph821]

HI.

My sister and I are going to Disneyland over Labor Day and the first week of September. My sister is bring her infant son who is 6 months old. He has already been on 4 plane rides already and he has had no problems flying.
We are staying on site at the Disneyland Hotel so we can easily go back for naps and rest and pool time.

Last year when my sister and I went to Disneyland she was pregnant and could not go on all her favorite attractions (Indy, Space, Matterhorn, etc.).
We both would like to go on those attractions now and I remember seeing something about a rider swap when people are traveling with infants and children who do not meet the height requirements. We know that we both cannot go on those attractions together since one of us has to be with the little one at all times. How does the rider swap work? For attractions that have the single rider line should we do that and should we use Fastpasses on attractions that have it?

Also we are bringing our own baby stroller on the trip. Is this ok for park entry?

Also is it possible for us to ship diapers, formula and baby bottles to the Disneyland Hotel. We would order from a place an order from a place like Babies Our Us and then have it shipped directly to the hotel. Does the Disneyland Hotel allow this? Is there a special number I should call to ask and if so will they tell me the shipping address?

Can anyone recommend restaurants in DL and DCA and Downtown Disney that are good to bring infants to? We know that Disneyland says that everywhere is good for infants/children..but I would like to know if there are places that better or better suited for an infant. We are not planning to go to Napa Rose but we were thinking of possibly having dinner at Steakhouse 55 or Hook's Point at the DLH Hotel...would it be ok to to make a reservation there with an infant?

Any answers or advice is so greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all!
Joe

 

[Kayla's Mom]

For Child Swap, you just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride for the child swap pass. Sometimes they actually want to see the child. Combining child swap with fastpass is the best!! For example, if you and your sister both get a fastpass for say, Splash Mt. You go ride using a fastpass, ask the CM for the child swap pass as you enter. When you get off, your sister uses the child swap pass and you still have a fastpass left. So you can do the entire process over again. Hope that makes sense. Some rides you get in the fastpass line with child swap and others (Space Mt for sure) you go through the exit.

Yes you can bring your own stroller.

 

[joseph821]

For Child Swap, you just ask the CM at the entrance to the ride for the child swap pass. Sometimes they actually want to see the child. Combining child swap with fastpass is the best!! For example, if you and your sister both get a fastpass for say, Splash Mt. You go ride using a fastpass, ask the CM for the child swap pass as you enter. When you get off, your sister uses the child swap pass and you still have a fastpass left. So you can do the entire process over again. Hope that makes sense. Some rides you get in the fastpass line with child swap and others (Space Mt for sure) you go through the exit.

Yes you can bring your own stroller.

Thanks!!!!

 

[engo]

HI.

Also is it possible for us to ship diapers, formula and baby bottles to the Disneyland Hotel. We would order from a place an order from a place like Babies Our Us and then have it shipped directly to the hotel. Does the Disneyland Hotel allow this? Is there a special number I should call to ask and if so will they tell me the shipping address?

Yes - Disneyland Hotel will accept package on your behalf. Make sure you put down your arrival info on the package so they can get it ready at check in.

 

[joseph821]

Yes - Disneyland Hotel will accept package on your behalf. Make sure you put down your arrival info on the package so they can get it ready at check in.

Thanks!

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

I took my 5 month old daughter back in February and we had a wonderful time. The baby swap is easy to do and the CM's are very helpful. Since there are just 2 of you the fastpass/babyswap system will work great. You will only need 1 fastpass per ride for the first person and then the second one gets in with baby swap pass (given to you by CM).
If your sister is a baby wearer at all, I would highly recommend using a carrier or sling. It works great waiting in line but then also if you take him on the ride (fantasyland, small world, haunted mansion, pirates, jungle cruise) I rarely had to remove her. We parked our stroller over by pirates and then only used it at night.
Also use the baby stations DL is located at the end of main street to the right by the photo shop and DCA is hidden in back by mission tortilla. For feeding, changing, or a cool drink of water.
I thought 5 months was the perfect age she really enjoyed seeing the people and the character and she loved Small World. She was easy to carrier and she slept when she was tired and ate when she was hungry.
Have fun!

 

[abouley]

To add to the first poster's response on the child swap...what we do is use 1 ticket to get a FP at one ride and the other ticket to get a FP at another ride (so we have 2 FP's out at the same time). We go to one of the rides and present the child and ask for a child swap and then the first person uses the FP to ride and when they get off the 2nd person uses the child swap pass to ride. Then you do the same at the next ride. Works great!

We took our DD for the first time at 5 months and she did great and rode pretty much all the rides without height restrictions. It's really nice to have a carrier (sling, wrap, structured carrier) in addition to the stroller for standng in line. If you ride the monorail or the train with the stroller, just be prepared to have to fold it up. At 6 months our kids were able to just nap in the stroller and we that was a great time for swapping off on rides!

As for restaurants...I have not been to the ones you are asking about so I can't help there. Definitely most restaurants I have been to are very child friendly and generally an infant isn't a problem (not nearly as loud as a toddler or older child)! If the baby starts to fuss, you can always head outside for a few minutes! I think Rainforest Cafe would be fun for an infant as there is lots to see. Can't really go wrong with any of the DT disney restaurants I don't think (except I haven't heard great things about Tortilla Joe's but we do like the walk up counter there).

ETA: I think disneylandplanner and I were typing at the same time
Alison

 

[joseph821]

I took my 5 month old daughter back in February and we had a wonderful time. The baby swap is easy to do and the CM's are very helpful. Since there are just 2 of you the fastpass/babyswap system will work great. You will only need 1 fastpass per ride for the first person and then the second one gets in with baby swap pass (given to you by CM).
If your sister is a baby wearer at all, I would highly recommend using a carrier or sling. It works great waiting in line but then also if you take him on the ride (fantasyland, small world, haunted mansion, pirates, jungle cruise) I rarely had to remove her. We parked our stroller over by pirates and then only used it at night.
Also use the baby stations DL is located at the end of main street to the right by the photo shop and DCA is hidden in back by mission tortilla. For feeding, changing, or a cool drink of water.
I thought 5 months was the perfect age she really enjoyed seeing the people and the character and she loved Small World. She was easy to carrier and she slept when she was tired and ate when she was hungry.
Have fun!

Thank you so much for your response. I will ask my sister if she wants to buy a baby carrer or sling. We will visit the Baby Center often. We are staying for 7 days and 6 nights so we will have plenty of time to tour, nap, relax, and go to the pool. I will definitely be writing a trip report!

 

[joseph821]

To add to the first poster's response on the child swap...what we do is use 1 ticket to get a FP at one ride and the other ticket to get a FP at another ride (so we have 2 FP's out at the same time). We go to one of the rides and present the child and ask for a child swap and then the first person uses the FP to ride and when they get off the 2nd person uses the child swap pass to ride. Then you do the same at the next ride. Works great!

We took our DD for the first time at 5 months and she did great and rode pretty much all the rides without height restrictions. It's really nice to have a carrier (sling, wrap, structured carrier) in addition to the stroller for standng in line. If you ride the monorail or the train with the stroller, just be prepared to have to fold it up. At 6 months our kids were able to just nap in the stroller and we that was a great time for swapping off on rides!

As for restaurants...I have not been to the ones you are asking about so I can't help there. Definitely most restaurants I have been to are very child friendly and generally an infant isn't a problem (not nearly as loud as a toddler or older child)! If the baby starts to fuss, you can always head outside for a few minutes! I think Rainforest Cafe would be fun for an infant as there is lots to see. Can't really go wrong with any of the DT disney restaurants I don't think (except I haven't heard great things about Tortilla Joe's but we do like the walk up counter there).

ETA: I think disneylandplanner and I were typing at the same time
Alison

Thanks for your response as well. We have never been to Tortilla Joe's..we may try it. We have been to La Brea Bakery Cafe and liked it. We also like Cafe Orelans/ I never thought about Rainforest Cafe....that is a good idea!!

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Whoops
Just call the front desk of the Disneyland hotel for address (714) 778-6600
Check out this location for baby travel supplies
http://www.babiestravellite.com/

Dinner out would be fine. DL carnation cafe would be nice for a sit down because of all the people walking by for Breakfast and lunch. DCA Wine Tatorrina outside would be nice. Hook's point is a small place so I would go with Steakhouse. The rain forest is nice because of everything there to look at. But the wait even with a reservation can be crazy. My baby girl was asleep on her normal schedule about 7pm so if you are interested in the little man being awake just take his schedule into account when making PS. We did do a character breakfast which was nice she enjoyed playing with the characters noses and she loved Captain hook! We did it a little later so it was not quite as busy. I would also recommend grabbing food at the to go windows in DTD Tortilla joes and Ralph breenars when you are headed back to the hotel to rest and swim. This is easy and on the way.

Abouley we are typing about the same time with the same type of info . . . GREAT MINDS!!

 

[joseph821]

Whoops
Just call the front desk of the Disneyland hotel for address (714) 778-6600
Check out this location for baby travel supplies
http://www.babiestravellite.com/

Dinner out would be fine. DL carnation cafe would be nice for a sit down because of all the people walking by for Breakfast and lunch. DCA Wine Tatorrina outside would be nice. Hook's point is a small place so I would go with Steakhouse. The rain forest is nice because of everything there to look at. But the wait even with a reservation can be crazy. My baby girl was asleep on her normal schedule about 7pm so if you are interested in the little man being awake just take his schedule into account when making PS. We did do a character breakfast which was nice she enjoyed playing with the characters noses and she loved Captain hook! We did it a little later so it was not quite as busy. I would also recommend grabbing food at the to go windows in DTD Tortilla joes and Ralph breenars when you are headed back to the hotel to rest and swim. This is easy and on the way.

Ok I will call the Hotel. Thanks for the website.
We have been going to DL for over 16 years and we have never eaten at Carnation Cafe - maybe we will eat there. We were only planning to do a dinner for one night during our 7 days - most of our meals will be eaten between 12 and 3 and will get snacks during the day. The little one usually goes to bed between 8 and 10pm. Lately he has been staying up later so we are definitely going to plan everything around him. A character breakfast may work as well.

Thanks for your response.

 

[MommiePrincess]

We are staying at the Grand Californian with our 7 month old and 3 1/2 year old in a few weeks. I called the concerige (spelling) and asked for the name of any baby travel gear companies they work with. They gave me two company names. We will be having a high chair for the hotel room, exersaucer and a stepstool (for DD1 to reach the sink, potty with. They will be waiting at the belldesk when we arrive. They have everything under the sun (strollers, swings) at what I consider excellent rental fees. We are paying $90 for 7 nights of gear including delivery fees. I figure the highchair will help with breakfast and snack feeds (we will be eating in restaurants obviously), but also serve as a place to sit DD2 to watch TV and play with toys. We will be bringing 2 strollers (one for each DD) and a Bjorn travel pack and play for sleep and play (I know one comes with the room....but). I will be hitting a grocery store once we arrive to buy baby food...we will be bringing diapers and tons of ready-to-feed formula. Good luck and have fun!

 

[joseph821]

We are staying at the Grand Californian with our 7 month old and 3 1/2 year old in a few weeks. I called the concerige (spelling) and asked for the name of any baby travel gear companies they work with. They gave me two company names. We will be having a high chair for the hotel room, exersaucer and a stepstool (for DD1 to reach the sink, potty with. They will be waiting at the belldesk when we arrive. They have everything under the sun (strollers, swings) at what I consider excellent rental fees. We are paying $90 for 7 nights of gear including delivery fees. I figure the highchair will help with breakfast and snack feeds (we will be eating in restaurants obviously), but also serve as a place to sit DD2 to watch TV and play with toys. We will be bringing 2 strollers (one for each DD) and a Bjorn travel pack and play for sleep and play (I know one comes with the room....but). I will be hitting a grocery store once we arrive to buy baby food...we will be bringing diapers and tons of ready-to-feed formula. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks so much. Have a great trip and be sure to let us know how the trip is! Do you know the name of the company you are using?

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

took my 2 month old to Disneyland this past X-mas and he pretty much slept in the sling/carrier the entire time.
He rode on all the fantasy rides plus HM and POTC plus Buzz.

We ate at Ariel's and Blue Bayou and did not have to make prior arangements for either.

Take advantage of the child swap for sure! Plus some rides have a single rider line aswell. Which basically means you go through the fastpass line without have a fastpass. Not sure how many of the rides have these tho.

Have a great time! I am sure your sister will Love being able to do rides this time.

 

[joseph821]

took my 2 month old to Disneyland this past X-mas and he pretty much slept in the sling/carrier the entire time.
He rode on all the fantasy rides plus HM and POTC plus Buzz.

We ate at Ariel's and Blue Bayou and did not have to make prior arangements for either.

Take advantage of the child swap for sure! Plus some rides have a single rider line aswell. Which basically means you go through the fastpass line without have a fastpass. Not sure how many of the rides have these tho.

Have a great time! I am sure your sister will Love being able to do rides this time.

Thanks for the tip. You are right my sister is very eager to do all the rides that she could not do last time because she was pregnant. I will keep my nephew company while she does whatever attraction she wants!

 

[MommiePrincess]

Thanks so much. Have a great trip and be sure to let us know how the trip is! Do you know the name of the company you are using?

Am I allowed to say...I guess I should be as the GCH recommended them....
Babies Away.

They also recommended Travel Babees. I got better response and price quote from the first name. I believe both also does diapers as well.

 

[joseph821]

Am I allowed to say...I guess I should be as the GCH recommended them....
Babies Away.

They also recommended Travel Babees. I got better response and price quote from the first name. I believe both also does diapers as well.

Thanks so much!!