Tips on WDW with infant???

[karajeboo]

We will be coming to Disney in May with a Grand Gathering. My SIL and her DH have a DS4 and a DS who will be 8 months old at the time. I have never traveled with an infant (my DD was 5 the first time we came as a family) and neither have they, so I'm trying to gather all the great tips I can find to make life easier for ALL of us! They are bringing their own stroller, and I know he'll be on baby food and formula by then. Also, they are driving so they will have their own car. We are all staying at onsite at Pop.

Thanx!

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

My biggest issue with planning has been rides- checking what rides my youngest 3 can go on- DS5 will be able to go on pretty much all kid orientated things (only the thrill rides he can't do) where as dd4 can go on hardly any at all as she's only 11.5 months younger but significantly smaller, ds18months will pretty much be left to walk thrus, playgrounds and mommy keeping him amused. Planning how the others are going to get to go on things without their younger sibs feeling left out and without one parent always feeling left holding the baby has been a big issue for us (especially as we'd always said no disney until they were ALL old/big enough for a reasonable amount of rides but we're having to go as part of a large group and didn't get to chose when... it's still disney but it's going to be disney with alot of tears from my dd4 when she realised ds5 can go on things without her as they are practically joined at the hip!)

 

[GrammyJudy]

There are many things they can all go on. The only height restrictions are only for the roller coaster rides. I went when my DD was 3 and tiny and agin with my 4 yr old grandson. They did not miss much. Even the 18 mos old can enjoy 90% of the rides. We are going Jan 2009 with an infant, due in Sept. Just nervous about the idea but it will still be fun

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Glad to hear that - looked at the height guide thing for dd4 and she'll be unable to go on stitches escape, the kali rapids, splash mountain, the barn stormer, dinosaur (and she loves dinos) big thunder mountain, body wars, star tours and quite a few others

 

[karajeboo]

We're not worried about attractions as I know that the baby will be able to go on Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pooh, things like that that we will all do as a family. I'm more worried about SIL freaking out because she forgot something or any ways y'all have found to keep everyone happy with an infant. One tip I saw was to tie something to the stroller so it's easy to find when getting off an attraction. Another was to pack each meal complete in a ziploc (food, spoon, bibs, etc). But I'm looking for those "secret" tips that you have found traveling with an infant to WDW.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

ohh thanks for that- i didn't realise the baby could go on some rides (everything i am finding is about who can't go on, not who can)

As for tips- I'd say buy a backpack rather than a shoulder bag for a stroller bag- dh and i have 4 kids (10,5,4 and 18months when we travel) and we find having 2 good backpacks makes it alot easier to take and carry what we need than a standard over the shoulder stroller bag, I also take my own small changing mat for diaper changes in crowded stations.

I have elastic webbing on my backpack which has been invaluable over the year with accidents- juice spilt down shirts, not making the bathroom in time- it means i can rinse the clothing item in the bathroom, put them in their spares and hang the wet item on the elastic webbing (held secure) to dry in the sun! (and then replace the spare) - my eldest son was a piddler and it was something another mom taught me which has saved carrying 3/4 pairs of shorts everywhere!

I've seen alot of threads about ordering in to the hotel from wegoshop and the garden grocer- I am doing that for diapers to save on luggage space for travel (just taking one pack and ordering more in)

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas:

* SIL should consider a hip harness or baby sling if she doesn't already. It is great to wear baby in lines, on rides, in restaurants, etc. especially if strollers are not allowed.

* bring a cooler bag in the park stocked w/bottles, snacks, juice etc.so they are on hand when the need arises. Security will check the bags but absolutely let you bring them in the park.

* there are baby centers at each park where you can rock, change or feed baby (and prepare food). You can also buy any needed supplies there (food, diapers, medicine). A great spot for a cool, quiet relaxing atmosphere if the kids need a break from the stimulation.

* there are baby swaps available on rides, where the adults can take turns so the 1 holding the baby doesn't miss out.

* make sure the 4 yo has a stroller/seat too....there will be a ton of walking!

* If it will be hot, consider stroller fans or supersized shades. Have kids wear sandals that can get wet so they can play on Donalds Boat and all the squirting fountains.

* If the car is stuffed, pack up a box of essential items and ship to yourself at your resort (like diapers, wipes, swim diapers, suntan lotion, formula, bottles, sippy cups, etc)

Have a great trip....I think the POP is a fun, family friendly hotel!

 

[blessedby3]

We were at Disney just a couple of weeks ago with our 4 kids-one of them a 3 1/2 month old infant. She did great and was so EASY!! A sling or carrier was a definate neccisity. We had both, a sling for me and a Bjorn carrier for DH to use. We also had our stroller, but some days we just left it in the room and used the carriers. The baby care centers are nice and a great place for a quiet break. I didnt make a special trip to go to one if I wasnt near it, but if we were near one or going to be I stopped in and nursed/fed or changed the baby. One day I forgot a bottle and had to buy one at the center. They sell all kinds of baby things- diapers, formula, pacis, medicine, baby food, etc. Everything costs a bit more, but it is convienent if you forget or need something. We took our DD on so many rides like Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Pooh, Small World, Buzz, etc. She also LOVED the shows like Lion King, Nemo, Bear Jamboree, Philharmagic, etc. She really took in so much more than I would have imagined at 3 1/2 months. I am so glad that we took her at that age for her first trip and we got some great pictures for memories for her!!

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

A couple of tips I've used with DD (trips at 5 months & 1 year):

*She may want to consider bringing a sheet from home for the pack & play in the room. Obviously they give you bedding for it but I felt DD slept better at 5 months when her sheet smelled like home.

*My number one secret: Diaper changing kits. Take a gallon size Ziplock and put in one diaper, a few wipes (I put these in a sandwich bag), and a disposable changing pad. Then when the baby needs a change just grab a kit out of the diaper bag. After the change everything goes into the Ziplock and into the trash can. And you don't have to lug the entire diaper bag into the restroom! I make up several each night to take into the park the next day.

*Bring the rain cover for the stroller. That way it can stay protected on damp days while everyone's on an attraction (nothing worse than coming out to find a wet stroller) and it provides great protection on windy/cool days.

*New finger foods/snacks are a great distraction. If he's used to Cheerios, get Honey Nut instead. They make baby-sized Goldfish crackers and Teddy Grahams. Anything he's never had before will keep him fascinated (and fairly quite) especially at meal times.

There will be so much to look at, you'll probably find the infant is a lot easier to keep amused & happy than the 4 year old! Have a great trip!

 

[Sammi2]

And to go with the baby carrying device... ibuprofen. I carried my 16mo through all of world showcase sleeping in her sling. Thank you Ibuprofen.