Traveling with a Baby...

[leopardspot]

I know that all the resorts will do your laundry for a fee but I was wondering do you think they would use DREFT (baby detergent) if I supply it?

ANY TIPS FOR TAKING A 11 MONTH OLD ON A TRIP TO DISNEY?

THANKS!

 

[Lewski709]

I feel like a moderator on this board, I can't tear myself away.
Anyhow, they will use it if you supply it. Just make sure it is in the bag with a note.

On a seperate note: If you are buying dreft because your baby has allergies to other detergents, I understand. If you are buying it because you have had people tell you to use it, I would try washing something for your baby in regular (normal) detergent. All specific baby detergents do is cost more, IMO.

I spent a lot of money on my first born who is now 4.5 buying seperate detergent, just because. When do you stop? You have to run a whole cycle of clothes just for baby, which isn't so bad, but I never had enough baby clothes to pile up before doing a load.

My 10mo old never had any baby detergent and does just fine.

Take cheerios and pure juice boxes for snacking. Introduce table foods so he/she can eat right from your plate. My 11.75 (now almost 9.5 mo's) mo old is going to be off the bottle and formula by the time we go. Right now we do a sippy at meal times. I will switch him to milk at 11 mo's. You can ask your dr about that one, if you like. I am not going to hassle with formula or bottles while there.

 

[2MuchOhana]

I don't know what you plan to do as far as where the baby is going to sleep; but I highly recommend renting a crib from A Baby's Best Friend. It comes with all the bedding, too.

Make sure no matter if you rent a crib or use one from the resort be sure to pack something like a favorite blanket or other things to put in the crib. Just so they have something to remind them of home. It will help with sleeping in a strange place.

Here is there link if you need it.

http://abbf.com

 

[MikeVarney]

Two of our trips were when each of our 2 kids were between 9 and 12 months old.

We've had no problems with the cribs from the resorts... they actually used the playpen type crib that we had at home as a travel crib / play-in-while-we-are-all-outside-doing-yardwork playpen. So, they were already familiar with the surroundings.

The #1 thing I can think of is (as you probably already know from your other family trips) to not interfere with naptime. Taking part of the afternoon and going back to the room, while you may feel you're losing value on that parkhopper, will keep Junior non-cranky. Having a stroller is a MUST (obviously), but having one that reclines so Junior can take a nap at will is GREAT. Otherwise, you have a sleeping kid with some rather unusual postures... <grin>

Another tip - even though you're traveling with Junior, don't be afraid to use that baby swap and do some rides yourself. Keep yourself happy! Otherwise, the whole family just gets crabby.

We actually had my son's first haircut done at the barbershop on Main Street. My brought my daughter there when she was 10 months to have hers done a few years later, but her hair was coming in really slow. My wife swore her first cut would be in WDW, so she's held it off for 2 years and she'll get it done (finally!) this coming late January.

Anyways - - one final tip. BRING LOTS OF FILM! I'm sure you know why.

-- Mike

 

[MikeVarney]

Where are you staying? If they have laundry facilities there you can use (like at the value restorts), that solves your problem... just bring your detergent and a roll of quarters. I guess you could probably even drive from a higher level resort to the All-Stars resort and do your laundry there.

My wife is kind of insane, and likes to come HOME with clean clothes. She does the laundry while we're all swimming on the last day. The laundry facilities at the All-Star resorts are next to the pools, and have a dozen or two each of washers and dreyers so it all can be done at once.

-- Mike

 

[MissMagnolia]

We are going to CBR in January with our 3 year old son and 8 month old daughter (age at the time of the trip). My interest is peaked concerning the reply about renting a crib from outside WDW. Why would this be necessary? Is there something wrong with the cribs at the resorts?

By the way, we are bringing Grandma with just to play with the little one while we go on the "big kid rides".

 

[2MuchOhana]

MissMagnolia,

The CBR offers a pack and play style crib. I have seen them there. It is just not as comfortable for sleeping in as a full size crib. If your child/children have no problem sleeping in that style of bed there is no need to worry.

The benefit of renting the crib was getting our DD to sleep through the night in her own bed and not in the bed with us. Can't put a price tag on a decent nights sleep. I think it was just under $70 with tax for seven nights. Money we feel that was well spent. We will be renting from them again for our December trip. It also comes with all the bedding (bumper pad, crib sheet and comforter). I believe they only put a sheet on top for the cribs at the resorts. The crib we rented had only been out once before. It was the exact same crib my parents have at their house. For us it was worth the extra expense.

 

[2MuchOhana]

Forgot to mention the fact that the little one in the room next store was in the CBR's crib. The poor thing was up most of the night. They apologized to us if he was keeping us up. We heard him a little bit; but not too bad as far as the noise goes.

So, depending on your child and what they are used to can make a difference. It is a new and different environment; so whatever helps make them get a good nights sleep is worth it to us. I do suggest that if you plan to use a resorts crib that you start by having your child sleep in that type of bed at least a few nights to a week to make sure they are okay with it.

 

[SueEllen]

We have always used the resort's cribs, but I do recommend taking along a familiar blanket.

They do use the "pack n play" style portable cribs there. Both of my children were used to them so we didn't have a problem with that--however we did have an issue one night with a smokey smelling non-smoking room. We all had difficulty sleeping--especially my DS who was 9 months old. I'm sure he kept the neighbors up--he kept us up all night.
Even though the room smelled bad the crib was fine.

I always take my own portable crib sheets and a blanket with me for those so they "smell" like home.

Sue Ellen

 

[swilphil]

The Swan/Dolphin gives you a choice between a pack n' play and a regular crib (actually it's a little smaller). We took the regular crib, and it worked out great. Our son had never slept in a pack n'play.

We also took our baby at 11 months. I would recommend bringing lots of toys that clip onto the stroller and snacks. Stop by the play areas in each park: MK's Toontown, AK's Boneyard, MGM's Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Epcot's Viking Boat. While our son loved sitting in the stroller and looking around, he was not walking yet so he needed to be able to crawl and climb a bit. He loved swimming in the pool. I would highly recommend a nap/pool break every afternoon.

 

[MissMagnolia]

Regarding the play areas for young ones -

The Epcot Viking boat??

I've been to WDW four previous times and I've never seen it nor have I read about it in any guidebook. Is this something in Norway?

 

[leopardspot]

How Much smaller is the crib that Swan/Dolpin gives you? Do regular crib sheets fit? My baby is used to sleeping in the Pack and Play on trips...we usually just take our own to avoid a dirty one.

As for baby laundry...I just saw a "portable washer/dryer" that costs $99. I am considering buying it so that I can do baby laundry in the room. Any opinions on this?

 

[Lewski709]

I don't know anything about them, but just some questions to consider are:

Will you have the space to take it? How often do you go to Disney or other places that you would need it? Will it be worth packing/unpacking it and the detergent needed? Where will you put it at home? Can you find a use for it after the baby isn't a baby?

IMO, I would just use the on site laundry service or head over to one of the Value Resorts.

You have to do what is best for you in your situation. Hope my things to think about help.

 

[HumphreyBear]

leopardspot I think it would be a whole let easier to just use the laundry room - don't all the resorts have laundry rooms? I know they do at boardwalk, beach club, wilderness lodge. Maybe the older ones don't, I'm not sure.