Talk to me about Disney with a 9 Month Old

[Mocharilla]

We got a code in the mail, so now we're thinking of going. 4 nights, 5 days. We know a 9m old isn't going to really be able to do much, but I love stuff like walking around at Epcot. Are we insane? Give me your thoughts.

 

[katied]

Took DS at 8 months (last Dec). He loved it. We also went with him at 6 months. We did lots of the rides - he loved Its a Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, walking through Mickey's house, Buzz Lightyear...

He didn't like the dark rides as much - Haunted Mansion or Pirates - but he would generally sleep on the darker rides (or nurse).

The 3D movies - we learned to consider the noise level - Mickey's PhilharMagic was just too loud for him, so I left part way through.

At DS - he loved Playhouse Disney (mostly watching the older kids dance around). He liked the Backlot Tour, etc. Mostly, he was happy if he could be held, and the scenery was changing. He was happy just in the stroller people watching. Overall, both trips at 6 mo and 8 mo were really easy with him, and if he needed a break, we went back to the Resort, or stopped in Baby Care to nurse or just rest. He also loved the characters (esp. the fuzzy ones) and I got a ton of great pictures.

He may not remember it, but I had a great time with him, and have pictures forever.

 

[720L]

You're not insane! Bringing a baby isn't that hard at WDW. There are lots of changing stations, each park has a place to nurse or get baby supplies if needed.

 

[Mocharilla]

Took DS at 8 months (last Dec). He loved it. We also went with him at 6 months. We did lots of the rides - he loved Its a Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, walking through Mickey's house, Buzz Lightyear...

He didn't like the dark rides as much - Haunted Mansion or Pirates - but he would generally sleep on the darker rides (or nurse).

The 3D movies - we learned to consider the noise level - Mickey's PhilharMagic was just too loud for him, so I left part way through.

At DS - he loved Playhouse Disney (mostly watching the older kids dance around). He liked the Backlot Tour, etc. Mostly, he was happy if he could be held, and the scenery was changing. He was happy just in the stroller people watching. Overall, both trips at 6 mo and 8 mo were really easy with him, and if he needed a break, we went back to the Resort, or stopped in Baby Care to nurse or just rest. He also loved the characters (esp. the fuzzy ones) and I got a ton of great pictures.

He may not remember it, but I had a great time with him, and have pictures forever.

You're not insane! Bringing a baby isn't that hard at WDW. There are lots of changing stations, each park has a place to nurse or get baby supplies if needed.

Thank you guys so much! I was so worried. I really wanted to go ($1000 including airfare, plus a weekend on either end with my dad). But, I was so nervous about bringing him. So, he can go on rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean, etc? That's really good to know. I was thinking we'd be stuck walking around and that's it. And I heard they do have a baby swap for some rides, so that's cool.

I think we're going to book tomorrow!

 

[Ariel8676]

I started taking my girls when my 6 yo was 8 months and we have gone 2 times a year since. You can take your DS on anything that doesn't have a height requirement..and do the baby swap for the bigger rides that you and your Dh would like to ride.
Oh and the characters LOVE babies..we have such great picture of my girls in WDW. My girls loved the rides even at that age. The slower darker rides, ie. TTA, Spaceship Earth etc. are great for relaxing or nursing!!
A good ring sling or Mei Tei is great for standing in lines.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

When we went in October, our kids were 11 months and just-turned-2-years. We did sooo much with them.

There really is more that little ones can do than they can't at WDW. My kids loved Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc. and of course all the Fantasyland rides. If a ride doesn't have a height requirement, your 9-month-old can ride it!

Have fun! We loved it so much with the little ones that we're going again this year.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

9 months is probably the best age to take a baby, IMO. We took our 12 month old and had a great time. There will be more that you can do than you probably think. And while the baby naps in the stroller, you can do child-swap for the few things he or she can't get on.

 

[las3888]

We took DS on his first trip at 8.5 mos. It was well worth it. Not only did we all have a good time, he just really blossomed at Disney. He started to wave and crawl and a few other firsts. It was very eye-opening for him. He was very easy and managable. We took him back for naps and knew that staying out until park closing was not for us up front, so it just wasn't a problem. DS was never a stroller-sleeper so we just planned very well around naps and bedtime. No problem though. He loved the characters...character meals were well worth every penny. He was very easy on most rides...didn't like intense, loud, dark i.e. the Great Movie Ride at Movie Park, but he was good on just about everything else. Now (at 3 y/o) we are having a hard time on the rides, even "It's a Small World".....it was MUCH easier at 8.5 mos!!!!!!

Good luck and have a good time!!!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Not insane at all! We took DD for the first time when she was 12 days old. My best advice is to use a carrier, not a stroller. There are lots of places that you cannot bring a stroller in to (such as the Living Seas at Epcot), and if you have a carrier that is not an issue. Also depending on the carrier, you can leave the baby in the carrier for some rides (such as Safari and the Fantasyland rides). You can take the baby on anything that doesn't have a height requirement. My second best advise is to use the Baby Care Centers!

 

[sbrotherton]

We took my daughter when she was just over 9 months. She was a doll. The pics were fabulous and she LOVED character meals. She's not much of an eater and she ate better there than at home. It is nice to have an extra set of hands (we have two older kids and also went with my sister-in-law and her family) so it worked out well. We are going again in September (this time with my parents) so I can't wait to see how she does on this trip.

The Baby Center at the Animal Kingdom, by the way, is outstanding! So nice and cool and the CMs were so helpful. Definitely take advantage of the Baby Centers (we skipped the one at MGM) at all of the parks. We ended up buying a few replacement pacifiers at these centers after ours were tossed into a fountain and/or lake.

I would definitely go for it!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We took both girls for the 1st time around that age. (DD who is 6 now, when she was 8 1/2 months old) and DD who is now 3 when she was 7 months old, and again at 9 months old (AP and DVC!)

The trip when my youngest when she was 9 months old was great. She loved all the action, all the people, the lights, the smells. She thought it was all great.

One time were staying at BCV and had to walk (fast) to get to the living seas for for an ADR and she was in the baby Bjorn and I got "smiled at" by every person I passes (as my a adorable 9 month old was smiling and laughing at every person she saw.) It was fun.

If you are breast feeding, keep it up. It is so much easier to deal with then bottles and clean water.

Have a great trip. Going when it isn't crazy hot, really rainy or crowded really helps a lot.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

The Baby Center at the Animal Kingdom, by the way, is outstanding! So nice and cool and the CMs were so helpful. Definitely take advantage of the Baby Centers (we skipped the one at MGM) at all of the parks. We ended up buying a few replacement pacifiers at these centers after ours were tossed into a fountain and/or lake.

I would definitely go for it!

I agree--the Baby Center at AK is the best of all of them. The one at MGM is the worst, don't even bother with it unless you really need a quiet place.

 

[Mocharilla]

You guys make me feel so good about doing this trip! We're booking tonight!

I started a PTR.

Thanks so much for the good advice!!

 

[wlwilliams9]

We took DD last year at 10 months (see my Avatar) and she had a blast! She went on every ride that didn't have a height requirement and loved them all. DH and I enjoyed using the baby swap at the rides that she couldn't go on. We're taking her again in May at 22 months and can't wait!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

what suggestions do you guys have regarding your hotel room and where baby should sleep? We are going next year for her first birthday and I am afraid the room will be too cramped with the pack and play? Wouldlove to hear how everyone made it work