Too young for big anniversary crowds?

[jsebsirois]

Hey there!

Good to be back on the Disboards! Been very busy lately with the new job and the baby on it's way!!!

So, the time has finally come : our next Disney Vacation will be our first with a kid! We can't wait, but we're wondering about when having this first family vacation...

I've look through the different threads and it seems almost everyone agree than you're never too young to to in a Disney Park.

Now, we're thinking about visiting Disneyland the week of July 17th, just in time for the 60th anniversary! Baby will then be 7 months and a half.

Being our first trip with a baby, do you think crowds will be too big for him (and us too!).

Can't wait to read your experiences!

Thanks in advance!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Personally, the idea of Disneyland in the Summer with a 7 month old doesn't sound fun at all. Maybe if I still lived nearby and had an AP and went all the time it would be fine. But now? No way. Just a personal preference, of course.

I think the trickiest part with a child that young is that there aren't really places for it to crawl around. And most kids will not want to be stuck in a stroller/held all day at that age either.

Also, the 60th may definitely bring in some additional crowds on top of the already larger summer crowds.

If you're dead set on this, then it's doable, of course. Just don't expect to spend ALL day in the parks, by any means.

And if you're flying, you'll want to do some research about that. Some prefer to hold an infant on their lap and renting a car seat when they arrive while others prefer to purchase a seat for the child on the plane and bring their own car seat. You'll have to decide what is best for you. (Though it's universally known that putting a baby/toddler into a car seat on an airplane is the safest route.)

Whether or not you breastfeed or bottle feed, you'll want to do some research on that in terms of travel as well.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

Some babies aren't even crawling much by 7 and 1/2 months. We took both my kids to Disneyland for their first time right around 6 months old. It was actually an easier trip than it was when my first was 14 months old since they tend to sleep a lot at that age and would fall asleep in the stroller or the baby carrier and aren't walking yet.

A good spot for them to get up and crawl around is Goofy's Bounce House or the Redwood Creek Challenge if they have pent up energy.

I think you'll have fun as long as you have realistic expectations!

 

[YukonMommy]

I think its totally realistic to want to go. It is just a bit different than going as a couple!

You will need a great stroller (which you can gate check for free) and baby carrier.
You might not need breaks at the hotel if your baby will sleep in the stroller. Our kids can sleep anywhere, through anything so this has never been a problem for us (heck we were sitting curb side once and our youngest slept through the whole parade!!!)

Your baby might be mobile, but with all the people, sounds, excitement there is a lot to keep his/her interest. But like someone else said Goofys house and redwood challenge are great places for them to crawl around.

You will do more rider swap's or single rider lanes for the height restricted rides.

As for the plane we always found it easier (and cheaper) to hold baby on our laps. This way I could breastfeed for take offs and landings. As for the carseat, on most airlines you can take a baby item for free so you can check the carseat (as you will not need to check the stroller as I highly recommend having one in the airports). Depends how you plan to travel to the hotel though as the bigger tour bus types do not have seatbelts, therefore a carseat is useless and unless you are renting a car would not even need a carseat then! (I know some people may get offended by this but realistically 1000's of people use these services every year with babies/toddlers/children) myself included and found the less I have to bring the better it is.

As for the weather just remember your baby will need a hat and clothes to keep it shaded from the sun (as sunscreen is not recommended for children that young). Remember also he/she will need lots of liquids just like you will.

Have a magical time and congrat's on your pregnancy!

 

[disneychrista]

Honestly baby isn't going to care about the crowds. It is the heat that I would be worried about.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Before making a decision about buying a seat for your child on an airplane (if you're flying)...please do the research to make an informed decision. Experts recommend buying your baby/child a seat and bringing your car seat and installing it into the airplane. I know many people don't like to pay the money or fuss with this. But like I said, do the research and then decide.

Same goes for bringing your own car seat, renting a car seat, checking a car seat at the airport. Again, the safest thing to do is bring your own and install it on the plane and then use it in your rental car. I wouldn't recommend checking it with the airline since they abuse the crap out of items and that can make the seat unsafe.

Of course, if you're driving then all of this isn't relevant to you anyway.

It's true about the crawling, he may not be doing that yet by 7 months. So that may not be an issue for you.

There is a very wide range of normal so there's really no way to know what he'll be doing at that point. All kids are so different. Example - a previous poster said that her 14 month old slept a lot and didn't walk. My 7 month old took multiple naps a day. But my 1 year old just takes 1 nap in the afternoon and that's it. And he's not walking yet, but a few of my nieces and nephews started walking in the 9-10 month range. They also crawled (stomach off the floor) around the 6 month age. Whereas my son only started army crawling at 7 months.

Also, people recommend a baby carrier. That's great if your baby likes it. Mine, however, hated his Ergo after just a few months old.

-------------
Just realized I misread that PP. Apparently the "sleeping more" and "not walking" thing was about the 6 month old. I guess I read it wrong because I don't see how "sleeping more" = easier. To me, that would be more difficult.

Oh, and I wanted to add that you should ask your pediatrician about sunscreen. Mine said it was okay after 6 months.

 

[scrapshappen]

My only two cents: the more crowded it is, the harder it is to maneuver a stroller through the tight corridors in Adventureland and Tomorrowland.

 

[jsebsirois]

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts!

If we choose to go, we will definitely make more research.

Now, THE question and THE debate : is it wrong to go as adults only, knowing this is our first child?

I know we'll have lots of different answers, but I'm wondering what you guys think...

 

[lizabu]

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts!

If we choose to go, we will definitely make more research.

Now, THE question and THE debate : is it wrong to go as adults only, knowing this is our first child?

I know we'll have lots of different answers, but I'm wondering what you guys think...

I'm betting the baby won't even know

 

[ClaraOswald]

I don't think it's wrong. But there's a good chance you won't want to leave your little one. My son turns 1 next week and I cannot imagine being away from him for any length of time.

 

[goooof1]

I'm betting the baby won't even know

Yep!!!