Taking a baby to WDW - staying @ DVC resort

[KristiKelly]

We had planned on going to HHI in June for our 1st trip as DVC members. Well, as is turns out, we are expecting our 3rd child July 4th & I don't think it would be safe to travel that close to my due date. We now have to decide if we want to bank our points or we are considering a Dec. trip to WDW. In Dec. our baby would be 5-6 monthes old, we would be getting a 1 BR & putting our DS & DD on the sleeper sofa - if we decide to go. We would be driving down from NC. We have always wanted to visit WDW in Dec. What's the youngest any of you have taken your children? I thought at least in Dec. (hopefully) the weather would be mild & the sun would be less intense. What are your thoughts? Would we be crazy to go with a baby? Both, DD & DS were almost 2-1/2 for their 1st trip. What should we expect?

 

[Diana Lyn]

My DD was 8months the first time we took her and she was wonderful. In fact, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. She was so easy going about everything and just looked around and enjoyed the scenery and music. We took her on just about every ride without a height restriction and didn't have any trouble. To me, it was easier because she didn't walk and didn't want out of the stroller. And the look on her face during some of the rides/shows was just priceless.

Next, we are taking her right after her 2nd birthday and her sister who will be 11 months on a cruise in September. THAT should be a challenge!!

edited to add: It helped a lot that we had a 1BR at the Boardwalk. Convenient location, washer/dryer, dishwasher and fridge.....nothing more to say about that!

 

[Tigger031266]

We took my sons when they were 2 months old, 6 months old, 9 months old... Its still fun. Every age is fun and has advantages and disadvanteges. Try taking teenage girls, you wish you would have taken a baby.

You can take the baby swimming and too the parks. Its not hard at all, in fact that may make you relax a little more instead of trying to do everything. Piece of cake.

 

[gopherit]

6 mos ought to be pretty good, actually! We took our dd (who was our 3rd) when she was about 7-8 mos on a Jan. trip to WDW, and my SIL/BIL came with us in Aug last yr with their 8 mos. old. Both trips were great; I think the babies just loved having all that hold-me time and attention! And I loved having a reason to slow the pace a bit! Dec ought to be so nice with the decorations and xmas spirit out... go for it!

That said, my only caution would be to take lots of hand sanitizer and be prudent about who handles your baby's hands and anything else he/she might put in his/her mouth! Call me obsessive, but Dec/Jan flu season is the only thing about WDW (or any large venue like that) that would worry me. On one Dec trip we had a whopping 50% out of 18 with stomach flu; in Jan we had 4 out of 6 get it for the trip home. Our July and August trips, however, have been fairly flu-free. I just think the odds of it in WDW are greater during the usual flu season as folks bring it in with them and pass it around, so to speak.

 

[riggins]

My DDs took their 1st trips at 9 and 6 months respectively. I'd do it again without hesitation. Babies are a lot easier to deal with than toddlers. Search the Disney For Families forum and you'll find lots of tips and experiences from other DISers who've taken babies. Good luck!!

Leslie

 

[jpmom97]

I am due at the end of July w/ our third baby too. We also have our vacation planned for Dec! I think it will be great w/ a baby. We went in March when my DD was 15 months old and it was great! She even took her first steps at Disney.

 

[ErinC]

I have taken a trip with a 4 month old, and an 8 month old. The 8 month old was with DVC accomodations, and it was great. We also went in Dec. My 8 month old hated the stroller, but I ran to target and bought a baby carrier pack, and she lived in it during our trip. It was easier too, because I didn't have to take her out and put her back in the stroller every time we entered an attraction. She also stayed warm up against me and I could just drop a blanket over her to keep the wind off her when it kicked up. She napped constantly too. She slept all night long with out waking in the pack-n-play(I wanted to pack that puppy up and bring it home!! ). I don't know if it was the fresh air all day or what. Having the washer and dryer as well as the kitchen was great! I would do it again in a heartbeat. The baby care centers at the parks are great if you need some down time. We always took a break every day, and went back to the room to rest and relax. Good luck with your pregnancy, and have a great trip. Dec. at the parks is just awesome!

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I really don't think going with a baby could be any harder than going with a 2 year old . Dh & I both just have our hesitations I suppose. We went in October, DS& & DD4, the first trip in 5 years that we didn't have to pack or rent a stroller, it was so nice. We are very excited to see WDW through a small child's eyes again. Hmm, I guess I better start thinking about where we want to stay, now.

 

[canda]

We went to HHI with a 3 month old durning Oct. The bad thing was that he got his shots on Fri. and then was driving down on Sat. On Sunday we sat in the room as he was dripping with sweat and was crying. THe next day was fine and the week was great. THis next June we will be taking a 2 month old to HHI. At 11 months out, our vacations get planned before having babies.

 

[Lesley]

My baby was due in March and we visited HH in February...I was kind of hoping I'd go into labor so I'd have the use of that whirlpool tub! Didn't happen though.

Alethia has been to WDW three times now...at 2 1/2 months, almost 5 months, and 9 months. WDW is much easier with a baby than with a 2yo...and the younger the baby the easier it is. I'll admit that with both our girls we have avoided the age between walking and about 20 months (Alethia took her first steps at VWL!) but younger babies are so easy. I hear you about going without the backpack and stroller...since we had just hit that point before our third came along. It was nice...but we'll be there again before we know it.

I agree with canda...the vacations get planned before the babies do!