Taking a BABY to WDW!

[RobPickles]

Thanks everyone!

There is some great advice here! We are really looking forward to our trip this year, as so many of you said, it is a whole new experience!

We do have a Baby Bjorn carrier - I think it is designed to keep the baby (and me) cool too. We are taking out Disney Princess Stroller/Carrier - so thats covered... and i am sure will will have an extra suitcase full of just baby stuff!

Didn't know about the Baby Centers...good to know! In general, I think we are going to be doing just what all of you have been saying - take it slow.

We are in AKL Concierge for the first 8 days and the in BLT for the next 2 weeks. Nice easy walking distance/monorail service location. We will also have a Grandma and Aunt's help during the last week, so I think we are looking at a really nice vacation!

Thank you for all your advice, help and suggestions! Anything else you can think of, just type away - I am going to be suscribing/monitoring this thread until we go away in July.

Thanks again!

Rob

 

[RobPickles]

Here is a few other quick baby questions....

Flying....

Bottle for ear popping?

Seat or no seat? (Ours will only be 10 months at the time)

Stroller as a carry on? Type best to bring? What about the whole travel system thing... with the carrier, etc? or is a simpler, maybe snap and go or umbrella stroller better?

Thanks again!

Rob

 

[Disneypubgal]

Here is a few other quick baby questions....

Flying....

Bottle for ear popping?

Seat or no seat? (Ours will only be 10 months at the time)
Stroller as a carry on? Type best to bring? What about the whole travel system thing... with the carrier, etc? or is a simpler, maybe snap and go or umbrella stroller better?
Thanks again!

Rob

Bottle or pacifier is a must!! If you can swing the extra cost for the seat do it... baby will be safer and parents will have a more enjoyable flight! The carrier works really well... if you are renting a car you can check the base at the gate and a stroller as well! You will not be able to use a car seat for ME!

 

[AudreysMom]

Do you get a park hopper pass when you travel with infants?
(I am going to have to learn to slow down on this trip.) I doubt heading to a park on our travel days will be appealing this time so that leaves us 4 days to visit parks. This trip is for my daughter's first birthday. We are planning on heeding the afternoon break advice but I can't decide if having the extra flexibility of the park hopper is worth it. I know DD won't care and the adults have seen it all before. Any thoughts?

And thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread! Great info!!!

 

[kohlby]

My second child went at 2 months and 9 months. My third child will be going at 11 months. For us, using a sling helps a lot! We have three kids - or two kids for two of our other trips - and the stroller was barely used by baby. My daughter would nap in the sling at 2 months but only in the stroller at 9 months. She still spent 8+ hours a day in the sling. My current baby is 23 lbs and I have no problems carrying him for 3 hours in the sling - I haven't had to test longer than that yet! (My daughter wasn't even 20lbs at a year, so 8+ hours was easy).

I suggest a stroller that can lie flat in case baby won't sleep if reclined. Also, I draped the sling to block the sights while baby was sleeping. A full travel system would be a pain - only the stroller part without the car seat is really needed. Make sure it has a good sunshade.

Careful with the Bjorn. The ones that were on the market when I looked had a very light max weight limit. (The ones that are front carriers like the Snugglie). Also, they weren't comfy for my kids. A ring sling helped a lot. Not only did I use it to carry baby and as a sun/crowd block, I even used it as a seatbelt to get baby to sit in a regular chair safetly! I did sweat through the ring sling in June but it didn't actually make me any hotter. Just don't get a padded one.

 

[supersuperwendy]

So tell me about the slings...

I haven't had a baby in 8 years and they weren't popular when my older kids were babies. Our daughter is 6 weeks old and will be almost 6 months on our tripin May. Would it be wise to start using a sling now to get her used to it? Do you think my 12 year old would be big enough to use the sling too? She loves holding the baby and I bet she'd offer to carry her in WDW also. It doesn't hurt your back at all does it? advice please!!!!

 

[Jdougherty]

Couple of point that where missed.

Even if your gate checking your stroller, get a travel bag for it. You can find them on Amazon or babies R US has some. That will keep it protected and clean under the plane. My DD did fine in my lap at 6 months it wasn't till she was 18+ months old that she got really figity. I also found that she wanted to be held on the plan veris being in her car seat.

I also firmly belive in bringing a sling. They are great for rides and the bus; if you want one that is adjustable and looks amazing PM me and I will give you my person's name. She made mine and I will never use an other sling. My son loves to be in his and I have worn him in it for 12 hours while flying with no problems.

Another Diser mentioned them if you don't have a car have diapers and food ordered and delivered vs bringing it if you flying. We used Garden Grocer.

DD loved WDW at 9 months, she will be almost 3 and DS will be 1when we go in Nov. Enjoy the joy of thier experiences.

Yes get the park hooper, we normally ended up the day walking around epcot. You can start in AK and end the day some where else.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

So tell me about the slings...

I haven't had a baby in 8 years and they weren't popular when my older kids were babies. Our daughter is 6 weeks old and will be almost 6 months on our tripin May. Would it be wise to start using a sling now to get her used to it? Do you think my 12 year old would be big enough to use the sling too? She loves holding the baby and I bet she'd offer to carry her in WDW also. It doesn't hurt your back at all does it? advice please!!!!

I wouldn't recommend your DD you walk with the sling on, they're pretty big for a small person to handle!

And yes, I would get a sling soon and start getting baby used to being in them when you are out and about. Shoot, may even help you get some housework done when she's fussy! A friend of mine would vaccum and do chores with her's on. Her DD loved being in there because it meant being close to her mommy.

If you don't have the sling adjusted right it can wear on your back a bit, another great excuse for practice time.

 

[ksl5f123]

If you do buy an airline seat for baby, note that they MUST be in it during taxi, take-off, and landing - no matter how loud they are screaming to get out. Since mine never took bottles or pacis (stubborn kids ), I needed to bf them due to the pressure changes at those exact times and therefore had to hold them. If you have a short flight (<2 hours) it isn't a problem. Anything longer gets much harder.

 

[RobPickles]

Loving the advice!

Keep it coming ... and thanks!

 

[ses1230]

DD #2 was 7 moths old the first time she went to WDW. My suggestions are:

Baby carrrier/sling - we have an Ergo and it was great when she didn't want to be in the stroller anymore.

Use the baby care centers! So much nicer to change a diaper there as opposed to the rest room.

Definitely take your stroller or a stroller that reclines. It is good for walking around the airport, too, when you also have carry-ons and personal items to carry also.

Offer fluids often.

Sunscreen!

Ship diapers/wipes/baby cereal/baby food to yourself at the resort. Grocery delivery is expensive (although we did that too, see below) and shipping will give you more room in your suitcases. We bought a return label, too and shipped stuff back home at the end of our trip.

Use grocery delivery for water/milk/yogurt - perishables.

A battery operated, clip on fan combined with a light weight light colored blanket will make the stroller more comfortable for sleeping in the heat.

DD loved IASW at that age! have fun!

 

[canfield77]

We will also be taking my 9 month old son in May(so he will be 13/14 months there) and I think this is all great advice! I really think I'm going to go right out and buy a sling after I hear all of the people that it worked for. My son is big though, 22 lbs. so is he going to fit in one by May if he gets any bigger? What are some good brands? Also I have some questions as well, what were your babies eating around that 13/14 month stage? Baby food, or regular children food? I'm just trying to plan what all I'm going to need, or get some idea at least. Thanks! And great advice everyone!

 

[APB]

Anyone use the garden grocer for baby food?
Anyone have other ideas to get baby food down to your resort without a car?
Does the Meadows trading post at FWL deliver to other resorts?

 

[ses1230]

Anyone use the garden grocer for baby food?
Anyone have other ideas to get baby food down to your resort without a car?
Does the Meadows trading post at FWL deliver to other resorts?

Yes, I have used Garden Grocer and been very satisfied each time.

You can either use grocery delivery to get your baby food or before you leave you can ship it to yourself at the resort.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Anyone use the garden grocer for baby food?
Anyone have other ideas to get baby food down to your resort without a car?
Does the Meadows trading post at FWL deliver to other resorts?

YES!! Very Happy with Garden grocer for all baby needs!

 

[sully&mike]

Our daughter turned 9 months old in WDW last March. It really went well...better than I'd expected.

She was really into the plush characters. She went NUTS at the Crystal Palace character meals.

I made sure that I had an ample supply of diapers and wipes every day. At least one change of clothing as well as a lightweight jacket. (March was still iffy for temperatures). Sunscreen was a must for my daughter, too.

We kinda went with the flow. We really abandoned any schedule. She would be so tired and would just conk out on our shoulders. She was a perfect baby for the trip.

Oh, if your child uses a binky or bottle...bring that on the plane to help with the ears.

We also took those tablecover thingies along with us for every restaurant, etc. She was just learning to eat some table food and we couldn't give her any plates yet at that point. Those sticky table cover thingies were a lifesaver.

Have fun. We had so much fun with her at 9 months that we're taking her back again this March!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I found a great website that has baby food, diapers, toys anything you'll need for a baby while on vacation!!!!

www.jetsetbabies.com I added them on facebook and they sent me a 10% coupon code!!

We are going to try them out in May!

 

[RobPickles]

There is lots of really good advice coming people.

This is going to make our trip so much easier. Thanks and keep it coming!

 

[RobPickles]

Past the 180 day mark! Booked our dining rezzies. Just hope the baby can take it! LOL!

We are going to experiment and see how she handles the parks/dining one day at a time.

Looking forward to her first visit to WDW and the new experience it will bring for us as well.

 

[growinupdisney]

What about time in the parks? How do babies hold up in them?

We figured we would be spending a lot less time in them now. We were planning on taking her stroller and all her basic needs, formula, diapers, toys, clothes etc.

Thanks and keep the advice coming people! LOL!

Rob

The first time our dd2 went to WDW she was 8 months we spent just as much time in the parks that we did before she was born...Just at slower pace...We went in the morning stayed til after fireworks. She would take naps in the stroller, I had more trouble w/the older kids then her (they would bicker alot)
Not all children are alike if your little one can adjust well, sleep in stroller, etc. then you do what you want just be flexible. We were lucky just plan maybe a quick weekend day trip about a month before you go to test her out!