Travelling with infant granddaughter

[stephen11]

Hi, we will be bring out new granddaughter to Disney in September. She will be 7 months old. Any advice or lists of "must bring" would be truly appreciated. We will be staying at the Boardwalk Villas. We will fly into MCO and are thinking of using Magical Express, so we will not have a car at our disposal, or maybe we should rent a car or use a town car service...what do you think?

So far I have: stroller, diapers, formula -

Any suggestions will be so appreciated...

Thank you,
Steve

 

[GraysMom]

I would check out

. I believe in their planning section you will find a list of hints/tips and possibly a packing list for traveling with infants/toddlers.

If you're flying, I would also consider sending a box ahead of you (FedEx or UPS) containing most of the diapers, wipes, baby snacks, swim diapers, plastic/paper bowls (to mix cereal in), nonskid mat for the tub, etc that you might need without having to lug it to the airport.

PM me if you'd like the list of things I'm packing for DS2's first trip in May.

Oh, I almost forgot. Check out

. They rent tons of baby items from full sized cribs to age appropriate toys to swings to high chairs and strollers (Graco-so they have several reclining positions, as opposed to the hard plastic nonreclining strollers Disney rents). All items are sterilized and delivered to bell services at your hotel, you just take them back to bell services on checkout day. We will be using them for the first time in a couple of weeks, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[stephen11]

Thank you so much...I was unable to read the websites you recommended- just a square with an x I am putting together a list of everything I can think of and I will look into sending a package ahead. Thanks again!!!

 

[las3888]

My advice is always to rent a car. I know many are happy with Disney transportation, but we love having a car. We are DVC members, so we often stay at BWV, including our first stay with our DS when he was only 8.5 mos (he's now 25 mos). We had a nice trip at 8.5 mos and our DS did great. I would recommend requesting a crib from the resort if you haven't done so. To our surprise, DS would NOT sleep in the pack and plays found in the BWV rooms. You may want to bring a few blankets, especially something for your granddaughter to crawl on the floor on.

As far as a true list, it could be endless at that age! I know I brought WAY too much stuff for DS at that time. However, maybe a few of these items will be helpful to you: nice sun hats, favorite toys, books for bedtime, disposable spoons and bibs are great for dining out, a few standard bibs for eating in the room, favorite videos (if she watches any--plus my BEST advice for flying with young children is a portable DVD player for the plane, even at 7 mos), blankets are also handy for draping over the stroller if you granddaughter takes a nap in her stroller plus the sun can be so bright it is nice to block it if you can, her favorite lovey, swim diapers if you plan on going to the pool, baby-friendly sunscreen, misc. baby meds such as gas drops, baby tylenol, ambusol for teething, just in case, nursery water (to make bottles), we have found that a stroller fan is very very helpful (found ours on ebay),

We also really like having our rental car because we need so many things when travelling with our little one that we like the freedom to run to the store and get diapers, nursery water, diapers, or whatever is needed, versus paying the exorbinant Disney prices. I'm sure I'm missing alot but that was all I could think of right now. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Perditamarie]

The Boardwalk villas are excellent...a great location, w/boats to Epcot and MGM and you can stroll there as well. The 1 bedrms + have a highchair and pack n play in the room.

You can order food/baby supplies/water from gardengrocer.com -- they will deliver right to your hotel and bell services will hold the items in refrigerated cases if you are not there to receive delivery. This is an excellent service and you can enjoy your vacation and not have to bother w/a car. We have 3 kids and really enjoy NOT driving at WDW.

Make sure you have a good rain cover for the stroller as it will probably rain a little every afternoon .. this way you can go about your day and not have to worry if you get caught in a storm. Also, a good baby sling or hip hammock is a must for those times you can't use the stroller, like in lines, on attractions, etc. A stroller fan is a great idea, because it will be HOT. Don't forget the swim diapers. To keep baby hydrated, you may want to keep a cooler bag filled w/bottles, water, juice so everthing is cool and on hand. The single portions tubes of formula are pretty handy ... just mix w/bottled water for a quick bottle.

For renting baby items during your stay, I believe the prior poster was referring to a baby's best friend at abbf.com.

Have a great trip.. your dgd will have a blast!

 

[stephen11]

Thank you all so much... your suggestions have been so helpful. We can't wait!

 

[write2caro]

I personally found this site to be a HUGE help: http://www.babiestravellite.com/. We sent things like formula, baby food, diapers, stuff for the bath, extra sunscreen, snacks (even for the adults!), ETC. (and that ETC. is pretty big for an infant!!). Saved us from packing all this stuff and from taking home extra empty suitcases. We loved it.

 

[ehrn]

in the villa you will have a washer/dryer so you can pack lighter.
DEF agree w/stroller rain cover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my stroller handles were damaged on the last 2 flights we took! if you love your stroller try to cover the foam handles. bring a stroller that is comfortable for baby to sleep in even if it isn't the most compact! i'm a babywearer--i can't tell you how helpful it was to have a carrier--i had a sling and an ergo carrier and they saved the day--when my son fell asleep in the carrier we could still do things--we sat on the peoplemover in MK a few times while he napped--it was GREAT.
try to make little packets of things and take only what you will need for what you are doing right then--the less you carry around w/you the better!!!!
and we are big believers in having a car--walmart isn't far if you need something you forgot, we just like the freedom of not having to be dep on the bus but that is our choice.
have a GREAT time!!!