WDW and Babies... Your Best Tips...

[AKL_Megs]

I have a co-worker who will be travelling to WDW with her family, including her 12 month old daughter. This will be the first time they are down there with a baby. (They are staying on-property).

I told her I would post this here, and let everyone give suggestions on "Must Have's", "Don't Forget's", and other "Baby Tips".

Thanks!

 

[LoveKermit]

Sorry you've not gotten replies.

Here's what people will say---

Try to start early and go back to the hotel in the afternoon for a good nap. At 7 mo, our DD would still snooze in the morning a little in the stroller too.

We have no qualms doing one or two of the evening things. DH's motto is that we can sleep when we're dead. That just about counts for DD as well. Or at least, we'll sleep when we get home.

But some kids are very schedule regimented (or at least their parents think they are), so some try to stick to a schedule. Now, we eat on a schedule, but that's as much for DH and I as it is for DD. She's too excited and distracted.

DHS has a fun kid area near (or called?) Honey I Shrunk the Kids. It's in the back near an eating area. MK had one called Pooh's Corner, but I think that is closed now, not sure. AK has one called the Boneyard. It's near Dinosaur and the "carnival area" right there. Don't know that Epcot has one. They are nice for after lunch to burn off some energy before the nap--at the hotel or in the stroller.

All rides without height restrictions are a go. They can either use baby swap or fastpass. In the early mornings, we pick up a fastpass for each of us, one guy will ride standby or single rider and we do babyswap. Then, we get to ride twice! (Think EE, Space Mtn, RnRC, etc)

Hope that gives you a start.

 

[Wild4Walt]

If you are not bringing your own stroller visit one of the sites advertised here to rent a stroller through them vs. at the park. The ones at the parks are plastic with no padding. Not the most comfortable for a kid all day.

Make sure to pack snacks for the little one as well as any special needs items ( ie - soy milk vs. regular milk ) The parks do not always have these items on hand.

If going in the summer purchase a small fan that you can attach to the stroller to keep the little one cool - pack small hand cloths or towels that can be wetted for the same reason.

If they freak the 1st time they see the characters they will probably freak each time. Last year my niece would scream ever time a hooded character like Mickey would come near her, but she was fine with anyone that looked like a regular person ( ie- the princesses )

Remember to relax and have a good time!

 

[antsss]

Bring (or rent) a decent stroller with a stroller cover!!

I dampen a few wash cloths and put them into a sandwich size zip lock bag and place into the freezer. Carry into the parks in a small cooler (I use one of our old insulated baby bottle bags) along with a small freezer pack. These are a lifesaver in the middle or end of a hot day in the parks!

Ditto: one of the fans that clip to the stroller!

 

[Beckypooh1972]

My tips in addition to what I've read:

Avoid fancy dining: an "almost" toddler will not be thrilled with sitting through that 1 -2 hour meal at Le Cellier and you won't get your money's worth. (Why is it kids always demand the most attention at restaurants when you've ordered the steak?

Instead: try a character meal. At 17 months our boys were absolutely thrilled with Chef Mickey's - the highlight of our trip! Babies younger seemed really excited too. Chef Mickey's features all the classic Disney characters - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. Ours enjoyed an early dinner ADR more than breakfast since they were more awake for dinner. That will depend on your friend's child's schedule of course.

It will be helpful if baby can walk by then since you won't have to hold the baby the entire time you are standing in line: if baby can't walk, absolutely have a stroller for getting from place to place, kids can get tired of being carried and you will be walking a lot! You will have to park strollers as they can't be taken into the lines - you and baby (if not able to stand) will get plenty of baby/parent bonding while waiting in line. Dress baby lightly so he/she doesn't get overheated.

Use the baby care centers in each park to change diapers, warm food for baby, get cold fresh water, and just freshen up. Each center is a little oasis.

Lastly, tell your friend: don't let anyone talk you out of going! Kids are only little for a short time and you will treasure the memories you'll make, in spite of the challenges.

Becky

 

[littlepeppers]

I have a co-worker who will be travelling to WDW with her family, including her 12 month old daughter. This will be the first time they are down there with a baby. (They are staying on-property).

I told her I would post this here, and let everyone give suggestions on "Must Have's", "Don't Forget's", and other "Baby Tips".

Thanks!

My DSIS is taking her 12mos old w/ us this year. Bring or rent a stroller & go (not a park stroller, those are hard)

Little fans w/ extra batteries. Get a few fans, b/c they tend to break. You can rig up the cheap ones from the dollar tree to velcro security ties from the dollar tree.

Velcro security ties are the best invention in the world. You can rig up so many things w/ them. ie. tshirt sleeves (embelish w/ a bow), sippy cups, pacifiers, secure down a poncho on stroller when in rides incase of rain, secure wet clothes from rides to stroller to dry out (or pee pee bloomers...been there)

Have diapers delivered to hotel if you fly out there (gardengrocer.com or amazon)

Take breaks when you need to. Get some icecream or treat. Babies love sharing food in the shade. You can't keep crazy pace w/ little ones, but you can have a lot of family fun.

I've taken my 2 at all ages & loved it each time. You can take babies on a lot of rides (within reason). Don't think you will be parked on a bench the whole time. You can do parent swap too. My DD loved the Haunted Mansion when she was 1yr old, but hated it when she was 2yr old. So DS & DH hit the Mansion & we hit Small World.

You don't stop living your life when you have a little one. Some people drive me nuts when they act like "Oh, you can't take one that small to Disney. It is just a waste of money." Disney has lots of things to do w/ small ones, even in the heat.

Parent swap Test Track & take the little one inside one of the Innovations buildings to play. Swap w/ DH & let him play w/ little one in Innovations. DD likes sitting under the track waiting & listening to the cars pass.

 

[3mickeymom]

Although taking a break for naps at the hotel is nice, it is also time consuming. There are lots of quiet places to nap is your baby is comfortable napping in the stroller. There was a nice spot past Pirates on the way towards Splash Mountain that was cool and shady. Also, there is a secret walkway from Toontown to Space Mountain that was almost always empty with places to sit and relax. I've heard of people taking their babies to nap in The Hall of Presidents or on the People Mover. Grab a drink, relax and people watch. Have a great trip!

 

[ban26ana]

We went when our oldest was 13 months, and we never went back for a nap. She just napped in the stroller. Now with my second child, I don't think that would be possible. They need to know their own child, and accommodate that personality.

Make sure to let the baby have free-roaming time. A playground, or any open space, is wonderful to let them just play. It's no fun to be shuttled from parent to parent to stroller to parent to...you get the picture.

The baby care centers are wonderful. Like a PP mentioned...an oasis. Go there to just relax. It was nice that I could change the baby without a huge line or people accidentally bumping into me. I could take my time and nurse her without her being distracted by a billion people. And then we'd let her play for a little bit before venturing back out to the world. Make friends with the baby care CM's. They are saviors.