WDW with a baby?

[cdrn1]

We are planning a trip in December with our three adult daughters, their spouses, and our then 11-month old granddaughter. She will be the only child in the group, and I expect that Grandpa and I will be doing lots of Abby-sitting during the trip. The question: how big of a hassle will it be to tour the parks with a baby that small? We plan on staying at the AKL and she already sleeps in a pack and play so we think that will go well, but have never noticed if there are high chairs available, strollers for rent, that sort of thing. Any thoughts out there?

 

[catnik]

We just returned from 10 days at WDW with a 9 month old. The pack-n-play worked well for us and we used the DIS stroller for baby transport (check the Budget boards for "stroller swap" to see if your time period is available). If you choose to rent a stroller, I believe they are $8/day at each park (for that price, you can take your receipt from one park and get a stroller from another park on the same day as needed). Every sit down restaurant we went to had both high chairs and booster seats available (even CRT). Did not see high chairs at counter places like Cosmic Ray's but we usually had our son sit in our lap to eat at those places. Staying at AKL will mean that you will either drive to the various parks or take the bus. Since strollers rented at the park have to be left in the park, if you plan to drive, bring your own stroller (depending on where you park, it can be a LONG walk to/from the parks, and carrying an 11 month old after a long day can be an endurance test!). We prefer to drive ourselves rather than take the bus as we can leave when we want, guarantee that we will have a seat vs standing for the ride back to the resort, not have to hassle with trying to manage the baby, stroller and diaper bag/stuff while on the bus, etc. Parking is free at the theme parks for resort guests. The weather should cooperate with you in that it will not be too hot for her, but I would still plan on afternoon naps to allow both you and her to decompress/recharge batteries. We loved our trip.....our son is WAY too young to remember any of it, but I sure will remember his excitement and curiosity (and at that age, he was not afraid of any of the costumed characters, rides, etc.). Hope you all have a WONDERFUL time

 

[Luv2trav]

We just returned with our 6 month old at the end of May. I highly recommend for you to bring your own stroller. I don't the the strollers that you can rent are very compatable for a 11 month old. I would also recommend that you drive to the parks instead of taking the bus. You can take the bus but it will be a hassel to take the stroller on and off the bus.

We stayed at the Poly and it was awesome because we could just jump on the monorail for MK and Epcot.. We drove to the other parks.

 

[goodferry]

We returned last week, and we took our 11 month old. We went back and forth on the stroller issue. Do we take the good one or the stroller one or do we just rent one daily. Last trip we took and umbrella stroller (dd was 15 months old at the time) so this trip we took the big comfy stroller. Worked out perfect. We took it on the buses and everything. Zoe was able to nap in it, anywhere they wasn't a stroller, she sat in it to eat, it worked out perfect. As far as rides, the baby swap worked perfectly. Make sure you ask the cm at the entrance for each ride and they will tell you how to doe it. WDW is very accomodating to parents traveling with youngsters, so it went great.
We also used Kid's Night Out (a baby sitting service) I would book them once or twice so YOU get a night out also!!
I know a lot of people say it's a waste to bring a young baby, but it is worth it for me. I would miss her if we left her at home. Plus, while she won't remember the trip, I will remember her reactions to the trip!

 

[bartleby1]

Definitely bring your own stroller. The ones they rent are hard plastic without much support or restraints to hold the baby in. They really are built for older kids. I find a tray on the stroller to be very helpful for feeding little ones finger foods, sippy cups, etc. Also, be sure your stroller has a canopy and reclines. A basket is great to keep all your stuff in also.

We found high chairs at most places. If they weren't available, my little one sat on our lap. If she is eating table food, I would strongly suggest bringing some disposible placemats. They are sold in baby stores or you can probably find them online. You can peel off the sticky strips on the back and stick them to the table. They work great for little ones. We also brought a portable high chair/booster seat with a tray for the hotel room.

 

[Zoesmama03]

We are going in May 2006 when my dd is just under 3. But I have gone in past with my dad, step mom and step sister who had her 5 month old with us. Of course we had plenty of people to watch her as my step mom hardly goes on any rides with us but it was really easy and she was calm and slept easily. I believe we rented a stroller but we only went for one day so it was worth not lugging one but she didn't bring one from IA anyway.

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

We have been to WDW numerous times and have always rented everything we need from A Baby's Best Friend ( www.abbf.com ) . They have it all (nice comfy strollers, full cribs, toys, etc.) and now they even have refrigerators and microwaves for rent.

We have always been very pleased with the condition of the items, and very clean which is important to us. It is all delivered before we arrive at whatever resort we are staying. I get it from the luggage room without any problem and then take it back there the day we leave. I would not do WDW without using A Baby's Best Friend.

HTH!

 

[cdrn1]

Wow! It's great to know about abbf. I hated the thought of lugging the stroller through the airport etc. Great suggestions and encouraging words. Thank you all so much.

 

[crl]

We took our 7 month old in December. She loved to look at everything. I'd recommend bringing your own stroller since the WDW aren't very comfy. Your own stroller will probably also double for a place to eat if it has a snack tray. Plus, the walk to and from the car will be much easier. In the airport, we took the stroller right to the plane and checked it there. Then it was waiting for us when we stepped off the plane.

 

[tink2]

Both of my children went to WDW at 6 months old. Both were very different babies- DD was easy-going and DS was NOT! However, both were easier on the trips as babies than later at 2 1/2 and DD when she was 4. It will also help having so many adults! We took our own stroller at 6 months, I think I would bring mine for an 11 month old too. Both took naps easily in the stroller and we kept going- they slept through fireworks even! Just remember you will have to slow down some for bottles and the occasional crying. It will be a trip you will never forget! My babies both loved the character meals and got lots of attention also!!! Have fun and enjoy your grandchildren!

 

[goodferry]

We found that taking our stroller through the airport made things easier. We wheeled right up to the door of the plane, they take the stroller and check it. In the meantime, you don't have to carry the baby around the airport, very helpful for us since we always seem to get there super early.

 

[Disneylvr]

We took our dd on her first trip to WDW last month. She was 13 months old at the time. We brought our own stroller, a Graco CitiLite which is lightweight and folds up pretty flat. She was very comfortable in it and it did recline for her morning and afternoon naps. We did fly to Orlando and gate checked the stroller. I do recommend bringing your own lightweight stroller that reclines so the baby will be comfortable enough to nap in it.

We also brought our own carseat, a Cosco Touriva, which is a very lightweight one that worked well on the airplane and was easier to carry. Installing it on the plane was very simple. We don't use this carseat as our primary carseat at home, but it works very well as a travel carseat.

At the airport we rented a car and used it exclusively as our transportation to the parks even though we stayed on site. We didn't want the hassle of lugging the stroller on and off crowded buses. Folding up and carrying the stroller on the parking lot trams was very easy though. You don't have to fold up strollers on the monorail or on the WDW boats. Since we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, we made a trip to Downtown Disney on the boat which dd loved!

We used the pack n play Disney provided in our room and dd slept very well in it. Disney does provide a fitted sheet and blanket but we also brought along a spare as well as her favorite crib toys to make her feel more at home.

We rented a highchair and fridge(cheaper than Disney's prices) from A Baby's Best Friend(mentioned above). Both items were waiting for us in the luggage room when we checked in. Bell services delivered them to our room. We were glad we did this!

Dh and I have made 16 trips to WDW before Madelyn was born. Our 17th trip was our first with her. A totally different experience but we had such a good time and so will you!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

BTW, dd favorite "ride" was the parking lot tram!!!!!! Go figure.

 

[Scotch]

My husband and I were just discussing the possibility of visiting WDW during Thanksgiving with our new baby, who will be 7 months old by then. We wondered about whether WDW would = too much stimulation for the little one and whether the hassle would be worth it. We're just getting used to our parenting roles and our upcoming trip to CA (from the midwest) over Labor Day weekend is giving me a headache as I am worried about keeping to his evening *routine* with a 2 hour time difference. So we were thinking of skipping a trip over Thanksgiving. But I love travelling and I really would rather go somewhere than have family come to our house for Thanksgiving! This thread is helping -- gives me hope that we can do it. Please continue to share your experiences!

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by goodferry
We found that taking our stroller through the airport made things easier. We wheeled right up to the door of the plane, they take the stroller and check it. In the meantime, you don't have to carry the baby around the airport, very helpful for us since we always seem to get there super early.

I agree. The stroller in the airport helps keep the little ones safe and occupied too while you're trying to handle other things. Same is true for while you're waiting for the bus.

On our last trip we hired a car service instead of renting a car. The car service provided car seats and a grocery stop. It seemed pricey, but much cheaper than renting a car to sit in a parking lot for 5 days.

I found traveling with my kids when they were 6 months and 11 months to be much easier than when they were more mobile and more demanding.

 

[lovesdumbo]

In Jan my youngest was just 10 days shy of her 1st birthday. She was much easier than her 4 1/2 year old DSis and 3-year-old birthday boy DBro but they were so much better than anticipated. We brought a double stroller with us and rented a full size crib and single stroller from ABBF. I also had a hip carrier for baby and a few days she prefered that over the stroller. She would nap in the stroller and then we'd bring the other kids back to the room for a rest and the baby would get some floor time. She wasn't walking yet.

She was able to go on all rides that had no height restriction.

The baby care centers in the parks are great. HUGE changing tables.

We did buy her a seat in the plane. I called the airline (Delta's Song) and got an infant fare roughly 1/2 of our fares. $116 vs $215. I can't imagine our flight without her car seat. She slept most of the trip.

I 2nd the advice on the placemats-those are wonderful! We were able to find high chairs at all the counter service places. We used them to contain the 3 year old also.

And 2nd that the Poly is a wonderful place with kids. Great walk-in pool and monorail or boat to MK or walk to Epcot monorail. If you go with AKL you'll have to drive-then tram or bus to every park.

She was a bit timid around the characters but LOVED the Pooh characters-especially Tigger at the Crystal Palace and the food was great too.

I am actually getting a bit nervous about our upcoming Oct trip as she is mobile now. I'm hoping she'll be talking more and that will end some of her current frustrations which results in lots of screaming.

December is a great time to go. You'll have a great trip!