Tips wanted - travelling with infant & grandparents

[Aristocats2]

Hi all,

First of all, thanks so much to those of you who responded to my post a while back re: buying passes from those roadside stands. The responses reflected what I suspected (but I still hoped....) In any case, we took advantage of the Canadian Special and purchased 7-day hopper passes because there are no holiday blackout dates this year. (We will leave our regular Hopper Passes, with leftover days, at home and will use them another year.)

I don't know if any of you remember, but I was posting about this time last year asking for tips on how to cleverly let my parents know that DH and I were expecting. We told them Christmas Day, as we were all relaxing at Mum & Dad's condo ... and of course, they were absolutely thrilled!

So this year, we have a 4-1/2 month old (William) joining us on our annual trip to Disney, for the very first time. Any tips on how to cope with things like the time difference (Orlando is 2 hours earlier than here), what to take to the parks every day, etc.? (FYI, we stay off-site, about 1 mile from AK, and will be renting a van.)

Also, my mum is not well this year, and is presently undergoing chemotherapy. Her doctor is quite pleased with the way she is responding to treatment (due in great part, I have no doubt, to her attitude -- she is such a sparky person!), and has given the OK for her to go on the trip (our plane tickets were actually booked long before she became ill) and delay her last treatment until we get back (yay!) so she can go away feeling as healthy as possible. So given that, does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how we can make this easier for her, while still allowing her to do as much as possible? She is the type of person who will try to keep going no matter what (a real trouper), so we want her to be a part of it all, without making her feel like she is slowing us down.

We are all very easygoing, relaxed people, and never even consider doing any type of "Dumbo-or-die-in-a-day" plan -- we are often content to do relatively few attractions, and spend a lot of time just observing and taking in all the Disney magic happening around us. (We are people who actually ENJOY queues, because it gives us more time to savour the moment and take in all the special little Disney details of the attractions! Weird, eh?) So it shouldn't be too difficult, but I just wanted to know if anyone else out there has any ideas on how to make this trip extra-special and easier on both Baby William and my mum.

Thanks for your help with this.

 

[josierac]

Take it slow and take a break before it gets to be too much for everyone. Take in the shows at the parks (gives resting time to everyone). Go with the attitude that what ever you get done is great and everything else will wait. 4 1/2 mths old is great because the baby can sleep in the stroller.

Make sure you do the things that your mom enjoys the most and be happy because she is.

 

[DancingBear]

Seriously consider getting a wheelchair for your mum. Even though she may generally be getting around fine, it can get really tiring walking around the parks. She doesn't have to ride in it all of the time, but using it from time to time could really make her enjoy the day more. Also she can wait for parades and Illuminations in the wheelchair areas, which saves an awful lot of standing or curb-sitting.

The first time we took my FIL he was in his early 70s and was reluctant to use the chair----but once he realized how much walking there was to do he hopped right in! He carried our gym bag in his lap so could be helpful.

If you might be interested in using a wheelchair outside of the parks as well, you should look into getting a weekly rental. I'm sure there are companies which do this in the WDW area, and probably they will even deliver to your off-site location. The DISabilities board would be a good source for this info.

 

[mom of girls]

I would ask your mom's doctor for a handicap placard. Based on her diagnosis she would qualify in the US state in which I live but I'm not sure about Canada rules regarding this. She shouldn't have to use up her energy just getting to the entrance.

Also take your time and enjoy.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you would like to hop over to the disABILITIES Board, just follow the link in my signature. We get a lot of questions similar to yours.
Here are some of the places that DIS posters have rented ecvs and wheelchairs from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com

They will all deliver and pick up form your hotel. If you are staying on site, the WDW buses are almost all equipped with wheelchair lifts/ramps. The buses will let you off close to the park entrance; at MK, AK and the Studio, you will be closer than parking in the handicapped parking areas.

 

[Kermit]

In addition to the great suggestions already, maybe you can use the fact that the baby and your mom need extra rest to your advantage. If you see her getting worn out, ask her if she'll sit in the shade with the baby or even go back to the hotel for a while. She'll be doing something to help out, so that should make her feel better, and she won't get so worn out she can't have a good time.

I hope your mom continues to improve. She sounds like a great lady from what you told us.

 

[catwho]

Since your mom is "sparky" and may "mask" her tiredness for everyone else's sake, talk to her doctor about signs that she may be tiring. There could be little things like abnormal thirst, flushing, sighing, etc. that could be triggers that she is tired.

I second the wheel chair. Even though we too take a very casual approach to the parks, it is surprising how big a place each park is! I was shocked at how quickly my kids tired while just walking. We are taking my dad who has had both knees replaced and despite the fact that he plays 2 or 3 rounds of golf each week, I know he won't be able to keep up with us all day. We don't want him going back to the resort bored, so we are going to arrange wheel chairs for afternoons and evenings so that he doesn't overtire and can stay with us.

As for the baby, get a sling! Seriously, we have taken our babies to WDW in slings and they were life savers! They allowed the babies to stay close, be held, nurse at will, and still allow mom and baby to keep up. No stroller to push or carrier to lug. (I've actually seen that!) And y our arms don't get tired from holding the baby all the time!


51 more days!

 

[Crow]

Have a wonderful trip! It seems like you have a wonderful mindset! Remember, there are no time limits (except the park closing) the rest should be pure fun...try not to get overwhelmed...this is supposed to be fun, and you want to look back at this as a blessing, not a nightmare!

Hugs to you!

 

[marli]

we went to disney last dec with my inlaws, and three kids -(then 4, 2 and 4 months). I was very nervous about 'doing disney' with an infant, but the trip was one of my best trips ever! Having a baby along was the perfect excuse to "stop and smell the roses" and we actually got to enjoy Disney in a very different way- we saw a lot more of the things that you usually pass by in your mad rush to the next ride. In each park there are Baby Centers which are great for feeding time, or if you need to just get a little bit of "quiet time". When travelling with kids I have always found that it is hard to pack lite. I would highly recommend taking along extra clothes for the baby (you never know!) and also ziplock bags so that any soiled items stay nicely contained. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[sha_lyn]

find out about sun exposure for your mum. I know with certain chemo treatments they need to limit exposure to the sun. I think WDW will give her a pass that will allow her to not wait in the sun in lines if it is the case.