Tips for a 5 month old infant to DLR

[tlynk]

Hello, I was wondering for anyone who has brought an infant to DL recently can you can offer any tips? I know the BEST tip is to NOT to bring the baby, but my DD is wants to join us with my granddaughter. What rides can we safely ride? How does the ride swap option work nowadays? Do we wait in line or do we go straight to the Exit to get on? I took my kids to Disneyland at almost every stage of growing up, but I think they were at least 1-2 years old. Thank you in advance!

 

[alvernon90]

In this scenario my number one tip would be to make it very clear to your DD that taking care of the infant will be her responsibility, in case she was hoping that grandma wouldn't mind watching the baby while she rides Splash Mountain for the sixth time.

 

[Gisele]

Try not to become terrified by some of the sights and sounds at the parks. And don't suck your thumb or anyone elses either.
No, that isn't a real dog.
Or mouse......

 

[NJlauren]

Assuming DL is like WDW in that the infant can ride anything with out a height requirement.

We took DD at 10 months so a little older but the same idea and the trip was lovely! Enjoy your self, take breaks and know that DGD will need to be accommodated but it can still be a ton of fun!

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

There was a 6 month old in my party when I went this past July. The biggest advice would be to mentally prepare yourself to get only a fraction of the amount of stuff done that you normally would. I was able to separate from the group and do my own thing at times, but when the baby was in tow everything had to move at a much slower pace. The parents had to skip out on parades and shows because they couldn't rely on the baby not freaking out or needing to be taken somewhere to change, feed, etc., and it would have been too difficult to extract themselves from the hordes of crowds to take care of these things. They found it easier to just skip many things and ended up spending a lot of time at the hotel. This isn't necessarily bad and the trip can still be fun, just make sure everyone has their expectations in order. I think my sister and brother-in-law thought they could have the same sort of Disney trip they did when they weren't parents, just with the baby coming along in the stroller, but it really is a different kind of trip entirely.

Also, this could be because they were new parents, but they didn't want to take the baby on much. There were rides the baby could go on, but they were very apprehensive about it and felt more comfortable having one of them stay with her or just skipping the ride altogether. I think they were surprised by this, as they expected to be more okay with baby going on the rides.

Also, make use of the baby centers! They will provide clean and quiet areas to change, feed, pump, etc. And if you're going in the summer like we did, they have awesome air conditioning! They also have some supplies, I think some free and some for sale, in case you need a new bottle, pacifier, diapers, medication, etc.

 

[wanderlust7]

We took DD when she was 9 months. I definitely recommend the baby care centers, they are an oasis of calm. The one in Disneyland is towards the end of Main Street, next to the Plaza Inn. The one at California Adventure is next to Carsland, near the Ghirardelli.

This was 3 years ago, but the procedure for rider swap was show the CM the baby, at least one person in your group needs to enter the line, then they will give you a rider swap pass. When you use the pass, you still go to the entrance and the CM will direct you to a different line (probably the Fastpass line). We even did this for Toy Story Mania, which doesn't have a height restriction, but the CM only gave it to us grudgingly after we showed him DD was asleep in the stroller.

Some rides that I recall being nice for DD were Small World, Jungle Cruise, the train (though she fell asleep), and Heimlick's Chew Chew Train. The ones that had no height restriction but still made me nervous were Toy Story Mania (jerky motions) and the swinging version of Mickey's Fun Wheel (we didn't know what we were getting into!).

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Your daughter can take advantage of the baby care center for some clean downtime with her little one. She may need this due to all of the crowds. Take advantage of the shows, too, so you can all enjoy the parks together. Other things - the train, Casey Jr Circus Train, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, It's a small world, Jungle cruise, any dark ride with a reasonable line, Aladdin & Mickey & the Magical Map, Lincoln on Main Street, Monorail, Frozen sing-a-long (you might find you really enjoy it)...

Have a great time.

 

[Gisele]

We took DD when she was 9 months. I definitely recommend the baby care centers, they are an oasis of calm. The one in Disneyland is towards the end of Main Street, next to the Plaza Inn. The one at California Adventure is next to Carsland, near the Ghirardelli.

This was 3 years ago, but the procedure for rider swap was show the CM the baby, at least one person in your group needs to enter the line, then they will give you a rider swap pass. When you use the pass, you still go to the entrance and the CM will direct you to a different line (probably the Fastpass line). We even did this for Toy Story Mania, which doesn't have a height restriction, but the CM only gave it to us grudgingly after we showed him DD was asleep in the stroller.

Some rides that I recall being nice for DD were Small World, Jungle Cruise, the train (though she fell asleep), and Heimlick's Chew Chew Train. The ones that had no height restriction but still made me nervous were Toy Story Mania (jerky motions) and the swinging version of Mickey's Fun Wheel (we didn't know what we were getting into!).

Omg! Mickey's wheel of death? You are a very brave family.

 

[Epek]

I have taken my dd almost dd almost monthly since she was 6weeks old. She's now almost 20 months and we've always had a great time! I personally had to skip a few things because of breast feeding or naps, but we never had issues with parades or shows. The baby can ride everything without a height requirement. If mom (or anyone else!) is a baby wearer, she can wear the baby on those rides. The only one I've ever encountered an issue with is Rodger Rabbit. On that one, the baby needs to be sitting on their own, on the seat. I recommend skipping that one! I have heard of others being given a hard time on other rides as far as wearing the baby, just so you know. But I have a feeling it was CM ignorance in those cases.
Rider swap- your party goes to the line and requests a rider swap. Some people have reported that the non-riding child must be in view of the CM's , but again I've never had a problem with just the current riders going to the line. The riders get a pass to hold on to. The next wave of riders takes that pass to the entrance, usually of the fp line. You can ask the cm giving you the pass where they should go. The pass is good for 3 people to come back and ride the ride at any time of the day! My group consists of 6 adults and 2 kids, usually. By combining fast pass and rider swap, we usually get 2-3 rides each!

My dd's favorite ride has consistently been small world. She has always hated the drops on pirates and usually is lulled to sleep on haunted mansion!
I like the baby care centers, but find it inconvenient to go all the way there when my group is in another part of the park. The changing tables are fine in the regular bathrooms and there are lots of nice spots to stop for a rest and feeding.
Have a great trip! Right around 5-6 months was when bringing dd started to be lots of fun. You can really see them taking in all the sights.

 

[wanderlust7]

Omg! Mickey's wheel of death? You are a very brave family.

Not brave, just clueless (I hadn't found disboards yet). The entire ride I was freaking out and going "this is safe for babies"???

 

[egritz]

First tip is to suggest she brings some sort of carrier to "wear" the baby, especially while in lines.
Second tip as others have suggested is to make use of the baby care centers, they are awesome - climate controlled, have filtered water, can buy baby necessities (cash only). They have high chairs, nursing room, pumping room, microwave, etc.
As others have said, anything without a height limit is fine for baby to ride!
Ride Swap works the same as the past - the person staying with the baby needs to be seen at the front of the line for the person going through the line to get the swap. You can use the Fast Pass line and still get a switch pass (which is good for a total of 3 people). You return to the fast pass line for all rides EXCEPT Space Mountain, you get to feel like a rebel and enter through the exit for ZERO wait...it is all kinds of awesome!

The only warning I have for a baby that age is sit-down / table service restuarants. If baby isn't developed enough to sit in a high chair, someone will need to hold the baby as strollers are not allowed in at most sit down restaurants. Other than this negative, I LOVED having my 4 month old with me last year! IT was MUCH easier than last month (he was 16 months) with him running around everywhere wanting to be Mr Independent.

 

[tlynk]

Thanks everyone! Great tips!