Tips for Disney with a 9 month old

[Megara5115]

I saw the thread for a 21 month old and thought "This is what I need!" except applicable to a nine month old. It will be me, DH, DS 11 and my new DS who will be nine months in December when we go. Even though the baby is now pretty low key I know that is subject to change in seven months and honestly I have no idea what to expect from a nine moth old!

Any tips? I can definitely use them!

 

[sweetyk83]

We went when my daughter was 8 months old. We have 3 older sons. It really wasn't too bad. I'd say my biggest tip is to rent a stroller and take a carrier. I used an ergo and she stayed in that thing so much!
Also, take advantage of the baby care centers. If you nurse or pump they're got nice, dark, quiet, and best of all air conditioned rooms for that.
She got tons of special attention. I remember chip and dale adored her. She doesn't remember obviously but for is it was a sweet memory.

Eta: there are a LOT of rides you can carry your infant on. I was pleasantly surprised by that.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

It'll be the easiest trip you ever take with him, lol. There's a thread on the families board about quiet places to nurse.

Make sure you take advantage of rider swap with the older boys.

 

[poppinspenguins]

I took both mine at 7 or 8 months. Easier than a toddler!

I second the use of a carrier. We used everywhere we went, even the rides. Bring a floppy hat for the baby...something we forgot.

The baby care centers are awesome.

We brought our own pack and play from home and lots of toys to keep them busy so they weren't crawling all over the hotel floor... I know Disney cleans, but every thing at that age is straight into the mouth.

Brings pool toys for the splash pads.

Lots of extra pacifiers if they use them!

If they have hair and need a cut, get first haircut on main street. It is pretty reasonable and you get a certificate and a pair of first hair cut mickey ears.

My son and daughter both had adorable mickey, Minnie and pooh onesies with matching caps. Nothing crazy like a costume...just super comfy and cute.

Have a great time!!

 

[Megara5115]

I took both mine at 7 or 8 months. Easier than a toddler!

I second the use of a carrier. We used everywhere we went, even the rides. Bring a floppy hat for the baby...something we forgot.

The baby care centers are awesome.

We brought our own pack and play from home and lots of toys to keep them busy so they weren't crawling all over the hotel floor... I know Disney cleans, but every thing at that age is straight into the mouth.

Brings pool toys for the splash pads.

Lots of extra pacifiers if they use them!

If they have hair and need a cut, get first haircut on main street. It is pretty reasonable and you get a certificate and a pair of first hair cut mickey ears.

My son and daughter both had adorable mickey, Minnie and pooh on sirs with arching caps. Nothing crazy like a costume...just super comfy and cute.

Have a great time!!

I love my carrier but I am worried it may get too hot if it's really warm- did you guys run into this issue?

I LOVE the suggestion about the haircut- that will be so adorable!!!


Thank you!

 

[Megara5115]

It'll be the easiest trip you ever take with him, lol. There's a thread on the families board about quiet places to nurse.

Make sure you take advantage of rider swap with the older boys.

I'm glad to hear it was relatively easy! Our next trip after this we decided potty trained at least!

 

[Megara5115]

We went when my daughter was 8 months old. We have 3 older sons. It really wasn't too bad. I'd say my biggest tip is to rent a stroller and take a carrier. I used an ergo and she stayed in that thing so much!
Also, take advantage of the baby care centers. If you nurse or pump they're got nice, dark, quiet, and best of all air conditioned rooms for that.
She got tons of special attention. I remember chip and dale adored her. She doesn't remember obviously but for is it was a sweet memory.

Eta: there are a LOT of rides you can carry your infant on. I was pleasantly surprised by that.

I have a Tula carrier which I use a lot so I really like that suggestion- seems like it will be easier. I will look into the stroller rental! Thanks!

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I have a Tula carrier which I use a lot so I really like that suggestion- seems like it will be easier. I will look into the stroller rental! Thanks!

You will almost assuredly want a stroller. Either bring yours from home or rent one.

 

[poppinspenguins]

I love my carrier but I am worried it may get too hot if it's really warm- did you guys run into this issue?

I LOVE the suggestion about the haircut- that will be so adorable!!!

Thank you!

We didn't run into the heat too much as the trips were in march and october. But on the warmer days it was fine. We were always taking breaks for the baby's sake anyway Things like American adventure...philharmagic...turtle talk...monsters are good air conditioned stops.

Plus we would take turns wearing the baby.

We did a walk in for the hair cut...but I would recommend a reservation just to be sure. They even put a lock of hair in a little drawstring bag

I agree with the characters making over the little ones. We have the cutest pics of Minnie tickling our daughter and chip and dale cracking my son up

Another tip: buy a stroller rain cover. The best 15 dollars I ever spent haha. I always joke we could have sold them for 200 a pop the day we were at mk and it rained all day...hard. people were buying 5 or 6 ponchos to cover their stroller and our little guy was nice and dry and could see out the cover.

Stroller fan is good too.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

My son was only 8 weeks old and we hadn't used the carrier much at home before going and it was August so he HATED the carrier. We ended up with him in his car seat in our stroller with both canopies closed and a foam stroller fan inside the canopies to keep him cool.

Also the characters really do love the little ones

 

[Megara5115]

My son was only 8 weeks old and we hadn't used the carrier much at home before going and it was August so he HATED the carrier. We ended up with him in his car seat in our stroller with both canopies closed and a foam stroller fan inside the canopies to keep him cool.

Also the characters really do love the little ones

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Aw I love the pictures- so adorable!

 

[Megara5115]

Another added question- what did you do for food for the nine month old?

 

[glassslippergirl]

I just brought along all the food that we needed. My DS was 10 months old for his first trip. If you're flying, have an order delivered from Garden Grocer or take a car/cab to Publix and buy what you need. I think you can buy baby food at the parks ad resorts, but you're going to pay a premium, and they don't carry specialty items like easier-on-the-tummy formulas. The baby centers are great for changing diapers, nursing, and feeding. They have everything that you need in an environment that is cleaner and more spacious than changing tables in bathrooms or high chairs right up against the next table at a restaurant.

Make reservations for the first haircut asap; it fills up fast.

Do plan on a character meal. The photos are precious and will bring a lifetime of good memories.

Bring your own stroller. Especially since you have an older child, afternoon breaks may be harder to make happen than you would like. Baby is used to his own stroller, making it a better place to take a nap. We abandoned breaks all together because DS was more comfortable in his stroller than an unfamiliar hotel room.

 

[Imagineer5]

We brought our older DD at 8 months old and it was SUCH a fun trip. Seriously best character interactions and she LOVED the rides.

She has since been about 14? times.

At 8/9 months old, DD was taking 3 naps per day (napped perfectly in the stroller on the trip) and eating 5 times which was manageable, plus she was eating table foods so that helped keep her occupied at restaurants. We brought pouches (practice at home), freeze dried fruit, yogurt melts, etc. She sipped through her first straw at Kona café and had her very first taste of ice cream at ohana <3

Oh and we did do the first haircut as well -

She was also even independent enough to sit on her own during some of the shows

Now we have a new baby, and we took her at 10 weeks old. That was a much harder trip (but stemming from some eating issues she had been having). She would not lay in her car seat in the stroller, so we had to hold her the whole time, and of course at 10 weeks old she was taking something like 5 naps/day and eating 8-9 times per day, not as regular as an older baby. We still had a ball though and made some great memories as a family.

Any other specific questions feel free to ask <3

 

[Megara5115]

We brought our older DD at 8 months old and it was SUCH a fun trip. Seriously best character interactions and she LOVED the rides.

She has since been about 14? times.

At 8/9 months old, DD was taking 3 naps per day (napped perfectly in the stroller on the trip) and eating 5 times which was manageable, plus she was eating table foods so that helped keep her occupied at restaurants. We brought pouches (practice at home), freeze dried fruit, yogurt melts, etc. She sipped through her first straw at Kona café and had her very first taste of ice cream at ohana <3

Oh and we did do the first haircut as well -

She was also even independent enough to sit on her own during some of the shows

Now we have a new baby, and we took her at 10 weeks old. That was a much harder trip (but stemming from some eating issues she had been having). She would not lay in her car seat in the stroller, so we had to hold her the whole time, and of course at 10 weeks old she was taking something like 5 naps/day and eating 8-9 times per day, not as regular as an older baby. We still had a ball though and made some great memories as a family.

Any other specific questions feel free to ask <3

Your pictures are so great! Thank you for the information- it was so helpful!

 

[nilla]

We took our daughter when she was 8 months old. For the most part, it was just like touring without her, but we did have the benefit of my non-thrill-riding mother-in-law being along. Some tips I can give, though:

1. If you want your child to take a nap, Kilimanjaro Safaris does the trick! You don't even need to rock the child to sleep, since the truck does that for you!
2. The Peoplemover is a great place to breastfeed.
3. Keep your baby cool. Our baby didn't mind being sprayed in the face with one of those Disney spray bottles, so this one was easy.

That's about all I have to offer. Hope this helps!

 

[disnut8]

One huge hint I give to parents even though I have never taken an infant to Disney World. Every single bathroom at Disney World, both male and female, have baby changing stations. Every single one. So, switch off on changing duties.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

@disnut8 speaks the truth... Dh changed a lot of diapers in WDW

 

[Megara5115]

One huge hint I give to parents even though I have never taken an infant to Disney World. Every single bathroom at Disney World, both male and female, have baby changing stations. Every single one. So, switch off on changing duties.

That sounds like an excellent idea!

 

[tinkerbella16]

Awesome replies! I love following along these threads since we'll have a baby with us for the very first time in September. My niece won't be as young as your 9 month old, but she'll just be turning 18 months when we go. My sister and I have been trying to make sure we aren't forgetting certain things we'll need. My sister is super nervous - moreso about the plane ride. Our flight is less than 2 hours thankfully, but still a little nervous.

She already has the stroller bought for the trip. I had an adorable stroller tag made on Etsy, the stroller will be easier to find after rides/meals/shows. She bought a stroller rain cover, since we are going in September. Restaurant high chair covers that are disposable, and disposable place mats for our TS/QS meals. We'll be buying those misting spray bottles for the heat. The good thing is that so many things are in the AC, and there are so many rides the baby can go on than not. We normally always take midday breaks, without having kids with us.. so we'll be doing mornings at the parks, then leaving midday to relax/nap/swim at the resort and head back out to a park in the evenings. I don't really like being in the park in the afternoons when they're at their most crowded/hot, so I hope this works out. We have a few ADR's - mostly buffets and all your care to enjoy. My niece has an appointment for her first haircut at Harmony Barbershop at park opening on our first full day - very excited for that!