To take the baby or not???

[mlg32]

Hi, I know there have been threads on this in the past but I seem to have a hard time searching on the boards anyway---I am planning a trip in May with my DH, and DD's 6,5 and 9mths. I would really like to hear from people who traveled with a 9mth old(or about that age) and their HONEST opinion on what it was like, good, bad and ugly. I know there have been heated discussions about leaving the baby home while vacation and I have always been of the opinion that everyone goes but now having a baby with a 4 and 5 year old I am not sure that the everyone goes policy is the best especially since the 9mth old would be just as happy with Grandma. Enough about that don't want to debate that again just looking for overall review on traveling and touring with a baby---Any opinions welcome!!!

 

[blessedby3]

Here's mine
We took a trip in 1999 with DD9, DS4 and DD10 mos. This was one of our easiest trips!! We had a very good baby and since she was not yet walking she was very used to sitting in the stroller and we also took our front pack and she rode in that quite often and slept in it while we rode rides and saw shows. I was nursing her so that was very easy- no trying to keep milk cold or carrying powder for bottles. I only carried juice in those gerber small plastic bottles and brought a nipple to attatch. A few cheerios and a couple of jars of food and we were good to go. We really enjoyed this trip and I am thankful we had her there to make memories. Our pictures are priceless. She enjoyed much of what was going on around her. This will be her 3rd trip and now she is 7 and MUCH harder to deal with. Very strong willed!! Others might think it is difficult with a baby that age, but honestly, ours was a VERY enjoyable and fun trip and I have no regrets. Have fun on your vacation no matter what your decision

 

[jill9072]

Last year we were there with our 9mo old, and he did great, we did the child swap when he wasnt able to ride the bigger rides, but that was ok, becuse when you do that you get instant readmission to that ride and usually 3 ppl can go with you, so you are not alone.Our 7 yr old loved this because he got to do alot of thing back to back. Taking him was no bother at all. He was very entertained by everything that goes on.We are going back in a few days and he is now 20 mo. this will be a whole different situation, he is runner now lol. Have a great time.
Jill

 

[pedro2112]

Let me take the oppostite view. First off, I personally don't have any "problems" with people taking babies on vacation. Frankly, our daughters were much easier to travel with when infants than they were when they were toddlers. But if you truly feel that she'll have just as good of a time at Grandmas, then from a logical perspective, it would make sense to just take your older children. You will be able to do more and not have to worry about the baby. The baby wont care, as she won't remember anything .... and it will be one less thing to deal with while you are on vacation.

 

[go cowboys]

I have to agree with the "take her" opinions. We have four (9, 7, 5, and 2) and have taken all of them every trip. This will be our two year olds third trip. I find it no more difficult with them and the memories of our whole family being together and in the pictures are great. The older kids are used to the momentary delays to change, feed and tend to a younger sibling and we try to use the time when they are on a "big" ride to take care of all the necessary things. I honestly think the older ones enjoy our DD2 seeing the characters and how excited she got at all ages. We still talk about her flapping her arms in excitement like she was trying to take off.

May will be warm, but not unbearable. Lots of shade available.

Plus, I think my wife would spend more time worrying about what was happening at home and would miss some of the fun of the trip.

GOOD LUCK.

 

[akamom]

I took dd#1 when she was 9 months and she did really well. I was able to take her on just about everything. I'm taking my 4 year old and my 5 month old next week.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I have taken 2 trips with infants -- my ds was only 6 months old the first time and my dd celebrated her first birthday on her first trip. I always packed up the bag with everything we'd need the night before so we'd be ready to get up and go. With a little planning, it's not that inconvenient. Your dc will be able to experience most attractions and will be at an age where she will really enjoy the sights and sounds of the parks. You and your spouse shouldn't have to miss out on anything because of the baby-swap and your older dd's will get the opportunity to ride twice in some cases. You will need to slow down a bit but I'm sure you realize that since your older dd's are young as well. I really enjoyed both trips with my children when they were young and am looking forward to the trip next year -- my ds will be 5.5 and my dd will celebrate her 3rd birthday there this time.

 

[JVL1018]

We have been with our DD at 3 months, 10 months, and 13 months and our son at 13 months.
Honestly-the younger they are, the easier it is, they are content to sit in the stroller and hang out taking everything in.
At 10 months my daughter was walking and we were at the H&V character meal and the characters got down on the floor and held out their arms as she toddled from one to the other getting hugs.(there was maybe 2 other families there besides us). One of my favorite WDW memories.
She LOVED all the attention and was happy happy happy the whole trip.
Plus at 9 months they are sitting up so you can use the high chairs(that was the one bump when we took her at 3 months)-it's a fun age to see thme interact and enjoy the experience.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

We have taken our DD when she was 5 months and 16 months and both times were great!!! I would say take the baby, you'll have some great memories that you will have forever, not to mention great pictures.

 

[Callalily6]

LOVED IT! We have taken both our kids at a really young age. Their little faces light up with awe. The only thing is to expect different things from the baby, than from your older kids...like naps, breaks, food, etc. The other thing is the baby is free...No park passes for you to buy. We enjoyed swimming, Fantasyland, and let them nap in the room 1x a day in the stroller 2x a day (we had a sleephead). All the stimulation can make them cranky - if that happens, just remove them from the noise and lights -- go into a little shop of room that is queit - the baby centers are great for this. I would take the 9 month old - and just plan the baby into your trip the same way you plan for the older kids...

 

[tinaluis]

We took our oldest DD (now 9) when she was about 8 weeks old and had a blast!!!!! It was so nice to be in the warm FL weather when it was soooo COLD back in Chicago. She really enjoyed people watching and we really enjoyed being there. Also, as someone else mentioned, babies are free!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

We're "here" in Orlando now, but won't be hitting the parks until Sunday to avoid the crowds. This will be our ds's first park visit, and he just turned 1. I think it would have been even easier to take him at 9 months, because he was just pulling up on things then and cruising, rather than full-on walking. Now he can fairly run, and I'm sure it will be a lot more work. I say take the baby! Then again, admittedly I could never consider leaving a baby home from a family trip. Part of it is sentiment...I was raised to believe that babies should go everywhere the rest of the family goes, so that is what seems normal to me. Also, I breastfeed, and therefore leaving a baby behind would be detrimental to our nursing relationship. Do what feels right to you, but my personal feeling is that I could never go through with it! Good luck!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

We took my DD when she was 9 months. Now she's a disney fanatic too - hmmmm ya think I could have predicted it!
Anyway, it was an easy trip. My DH took my DSDs 21, 12 and 10 on the big rides and I stayed back with the little one. She napped, she ate, she played. Park was not crowded so I never felt she was being crushed or anyone would have to step over her.
And the great part, pack the diapers in the suitcase, don't buy them down there. By the end of the trip you have room for souveniers!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

My oldst 1st trip to WDW was when she was 9 months old. It was a great trip.

Her baby sister went to WDW when she was 7 months, and then again at 9 months. Both great ages and she loved it both times. Infact she loved everything about WDW, the people, the weather (much better then Michigan in March) the lights, people smiling at her ect..)

I don't know about my baby being just as happy with grandma, being breast feed children I never left them as babies.

I am happy we bought her, it was good memories at least for us. She was really easy. The age that your kids are now somone will have to wait with the baby for most rides since your kids are most likely tall enough for the over 40 inch rides. Back then my oldest was still too short for those rides anyway.

I think as a mom every baby I saw would remind me of mine and I would miss her too much. I know there were a number of mom's who had left their youngest with family and mentioned that when they saw my DD. They seemed rather said actually.

If you want to bring her. If it really would be easier and she would be just as happy with grandma leave her. As I said I don't think mine would of been as happy with out me. She is rather *attached* shall we say.

This next trip she will be 17 months old. I don't think it will be as easy this time! (but still fun! She is a very fun baby.)

 

[kc26]

Hello,
I have trveled with my DS to WDW when he was 7 weeks, 5 months, 7 months to DIsneyland all by myself and 10 months to DW all by myself too. All of the trips were fun.He behaved very well at DW and even on the plane. I would definately reccommend traveling with your baby. My husband and I took advantage of baby swap. Hve fun. I took my son on all the rides I could. We all had a great time. Have fun.Our next trip will be in March and my DS will be 16 months.
Kerry

 

[southjerseymom]

We did our 1st family trip to WDW when DD was just 5 months. My poor little baby had severe colic and reflux since the day she was born so I wasn't sure how our trip would go. (Don't flame me - only a mom who has been through it would know - but I was ready to throw us both out the window!) In the end -it turned out to be a real turning point for our family. She actually seemed happier with all the stimulation and change of scenery (although she still had her moments) but on the whole it was a great time. She did better...DH and I realized that maybe she would grow out of the colic...and DS 2 got the chance to have us focus on him for a change. I look back now at the stuff I had to bring like bottle washers, formula, diapers, zantac, droppers etc and I can hardly believe we did it. (Plus we drove from NJ!) I think it was harder on me because I was the one who had to remember the millions of things it takes to pull off a family vacation. And I admit I felt pretty sorry for myself one day when DH played golf and I was left with the kids...but I wouldn't trade those memories for the world. We have been back 2x since then and will return in Feb. I can't wait.

 

[raven69david]

There's absolutely NO WAY i could go without my DD13 months. The separation anxiety we'd have from her would negate any fun we would have at the parks. We are all ready to go, including SIL, BIL and 14 month old nephew.

I would like to know how the baby swap works. I had seen it in previous years, but was unsure how it would work on a ride like Aerosmith's RRC. Any info on the baby swap would be appreciated.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I would like to know how the baby swap works. I had seen it in previous years, but was unsure how it would work on a ride like Aerosmith's RRC. Any info on the baby swap would be appreciated.

It is different for different rides. Some you go in with the whole group and then just trade off (I think star wars still works this way.) Most now a days give you a specail "fast pass" but it isn't fast pass. You can take up to 3 people with you (so older kids can ride twice with mom an dad.) It works just the same way as fast pass and you stand in the same line. Ask the cm going in each ride and they will explain how it works. While the fast pass system takes a little longer, it can be eaiser becase one parent can go somewhere with the younger child and let them play there, and then contact with walky talkies when you are done. This normally works well for us.

 

[raven69david]

It is different for different rides. Some you go in with the whole group and then just trade off (I think star wars still works this way.) Most now a days give you a specail "fast pass" but it isn't fast pass. You can take up to 3 people with you (so older kids can ride twice with mom an dad.) It works just the same way as fast pass and you stand in the same line. Ask the cm going in each ride and they will explain how it works. While the fast pass system takes a little longer, it can be eaiser becase one parent can go somewhere with the younger child and let them play there, and then contact with walky talkies when you are done. This normally works well for us.

Hey that's pretty neat. I think we will definetly be taking advantage of the baby swap .

 

[sandieb]

We have taken our baby grandchildren and did have a good time. However, there are some real tradeoffs. We could not just sit and relax - we were always 'on duty' with the little ones. It is NO FUN to bring an infant out to dinner - we really enjoy Epcot and fine dining.

If I had the choice, I would leave the baby with Grandmother. Hey, I'm Grandmother, and I want to go too!
Sandie