Where would you stay with an infant?

[helenabear]

I really am not asking for people to pick for me as much, but to maybe give me ideas to think about when I try to book next month for our trip in May. We will be first time parents with a little one that should be just about 5-6 months old when we arrive. We are staying in a studio this time for sure (I know washing machines would be handy, but this is our way to actually bank some points for the next time).

Assuming I can choose any resort, which would you stay at if you were us? We are veteran visitors (me 31, DH 30 when we go) and don't expect to do "everything".

I admit BWV is my last choice because we stayed there last.

So tell me your thoughts as I am totally undecided but will be happy almost everywhere.

And in case you ask, I am not sure if we will drive or fly. It all depends on flight costs, but at the moment we plan to fly... which means we are unsure about renting a car or not, so don't factor in us having a car just in case

 

[browniemtb]

With an infant in a stroller I would still consider BWV or BCV. Reason being is the walk back from both Epcot and MGM, I am biased because we love the Boardwalk area.....There is always VWL that is a boat ride away from MK. The other resorts are very nice but all would require a bus to wherever you wanted to go, unless you have a rental car. One thing we disliked was jambing the strollers on the bus so if we can walk to at least 1 or 2 of the parks thats where we stay.
Brownie

 

[laughinplace199]

If you're not goig to have a car, I would choose a resort that has transprtation options other than busses. Bringing a stroller on the busses is doable, it's just a bit of a hassle. We usually rent a car, but we did not on our trip last month. We stayed at VWL. Our youngest is 10 mos and it was great being able to wheel the stroller right onto the boat to MK.

I would also consider BCV (since you don't want BWV) because you can walk to Epcot and walk or take a boat to MGM.

Have a great trip and congrats on the baby!

 

[helenabear]

I think BCV is my first choice, but I haven't had good luck staying there. My DH is really interested in AKL though... and we won't be w/o a stroller for about 5 more years

I do think that any of the rooms that have a couch instead of a 2nd bed (like OKW) would be easier too with the pack n play.

We hardly go to MGM and could very well skip it all together this trip. Epcot and MK are our favorites. AK will probably only get a day or so... again not a lot to go on there (other than EE with baby swap )

 

[NYMomof4]

I would say that BCV would be my 1st choice and have seen many moms with babies enjoying the shallow sand area together. It is also near the back door to Epcot with many restaurants to choose from and near Boardwalk/MGM.

 

[eporter66]

We rented a car with our daughter and this was very useful. No waiting for the bus, or 30-45 minute bus rides if they are overtired, cranky or whatever. This was the BEST DECISION we made. Seriously consider it. Our daughter was two and a half when we took her the first time. Luckily, she was really good and did not have any incidents. But I am sure the car was very helpful. Plus - if you rent a car, the resort location becomes less of an issue.

Not to be picky, but you may want to reconsider the studio as well. Having a 1 bedroom (they had pack and plays at the resort) was great. We could put her to bed and then sit out in the living room, watch TV and not disturb her or have to tip-toe around. I understand wanting to save the points, but the 1 Bedroom was worth it!

 

[helenabear]

Thanks for the advise eporter66, but I will admit most of what you said isn't a consideration for me or my DH this trip. I'm the only one who drives and it isn't relaxing for me to do. Far more stressful for me to deal with driving to and from parks. I plain don't like it. The 1 bedroom can't happen this trip either. I understand the reasoning, but it isn't in the cards for us this year.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I would go BCV for the convenience and pool, but you may really want to re-think BWV, for convenience and less points (since you have "points issues").

BTDT as far as WDW with a 6mo--one of you is likely to take the baby back for a midday nap. If you're nursing, that's likely to be you. Our 6mo would take a short nap in his baby sling, but needed the hotel nap as well. If your child uses a sling, bring it--it's a convenient way to carry a baby and strollers can't go everywhere. Not all babies like them, though.

We went in August and Animal Kingdom felt like the Bataan Death March for me.

DH and I also alternated having one of us go out in the evenings and enjoy various parks solo. Not our first choice, but it was better than both of us sitting in the room watching little ones sleep. Again, this would point to BCV/BWV as convenient to Epcot/MGM.

Good luck--I know I gave you more than you asked for, but there are lots of things to consider, probably ones you never thought of.

 

[helenabear]

I do appreciate all the thoughts given. In all honesty, my DH and I are not commando types, so coming back in the afternoon always happens no matter where we stay. We just don't feel the need to go all day long. And we are picking early May so that it is warm, but not usually blazing hot and miserable (a requirement for my DH) that and lower crowds really help.

I realize that with the F&GF going on, it might be harder to get into the Epcot area resorts though. I admit I really just don't care for BWV at all. I'll stay there, but it's not a favorite of mine at all. (please no flames)

We only have "points issues" in that I would have to borrow from next year for a 1 bedroom and I'm tired of being in the borrow mode (been that way since we bought our resale). So we are doing a studio just to make up for it and then banking the points so we have more choices for the next year.

I have been told that a baby carrier is a must (sling or the "traditional type") so I know we will get that. I will wait until a month or so before the trip and I can see which he might prefer as I know all babies like different things.

I really do appreciate the thoughts though! That's the kind of thing I was looking for.

 

[laughinplace199]

We only have "points issues" in that I would have to borrow from next year for a 1 bedroom and I'm tired of being in the borrow mode (been that way since we bought our resale). So we are doing a studio just to make up for it and then banking the points so we have more choices for the next year.

I do understand your points issues, but I would suggest thinking about borrowing one more time and getting the 1 BR, then staying in a studio next time when baby is a little older. If you're bottle feeding, the dishwasher is a lifesaver. Also, if your baby is a spitter, you'll be doing a lot of laundry.

We were in a 2BR in April when DS was 5 mos. It was so nice to be able to put his bottles, pacifiers, teethers, etc in the dishwasher and know that they were really cleaned well in hot, hot water. Also, DS was a spitter. He went through several outfits and burp cloths a day. I often needed a clean shirt as well! I don't know what I would have done without having the washer and dryer right in the unit.

In Aug, DS was 9 mos and we stayed in a studio. It was a short trip, just 3 nights, so it wasn't too bad. I washed his bottles, pacifiers, etc, in the sink. If he was younger, I would have been a little concerned that the water was not hot enough to kill germs, bacteria, etc. but at his age, I was less worried about that. Also, I ended up in the laundry room at VWL at midnight one night because he had gone through all of the PNP sheets, burp cloths, and pj's that I had packed (he still spits up a lot).

Just something to think about. Congrats on your baby. I hope you have a wonderful trip with your little one!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about the spitting up! It depends on the child--for me, #2 spit up so often, I would have to do laundry just to get fresh burp cloths!

Something to keep in mind, BCV has higher points requirements--maybe OKW or SSR would be the way to go? Since point conservation is an issue. Also, it might be easier to get into during the F&GF.

Also, baby carriers/slings can be very subjective. Not all babies and parents like all types. My oldest never cared for them. For #2, I used a NoJo baby sling--he still sleeps with the tattered remnants of that sling! #3 liked the sling the first few weeks of life, but then didn't care for it anymore. #4 loves his and still cuddles in it and sleeps with it, although he's now 18m and doesn't "hang out" in there much anymore. So please, borrow a couple if you can, to see what you (and your baby) like, and don't wait until right before WDW to try it.

I'm sure you'll have tons more questions once you actually have the baby and are seriously looking at planning and packing. You'll find that traveling with an infant isn't difficult but requires a different "mindset"--the fact that you're not commandos will help.

 

[eporter66]

Thanks for the advise eporter66, but I will admit most of what you said isn't a consideration for me or my DH this trip. I'm the only one who drives and it isn't relaxing for me to do. Far more stressful for me to deal with driving to and from parks. I plain don't like it. The 1 bedroom can't happen this trip either. I understand the reasoning, but it isn't in the cards for us this year.

No problem - I understand completely. I do the driving and to for me it was no problem, and pretty relaxing actually. Easy route from the airport, and driving around WDW is no biggie either.

We are like you, we dont do WDW commando at all. Our daughter was 2.5 on our first trip, and we did exactly what you said, went back for midday naps. One of us would stay in the room, the other would go back to the parks or hit the pool. It was nice and relaxing...I love doing WDW these days, we have done the rides so nothing is a "must do" anymore. It is really a fun vacation when you can do it that way.

Just so you feel ok about it, I think many people here are in the "borrow" mode. We joined in 03, and have borrowed every year. With a 50 yr contract at SSR, we figure borrowing will be our thing. The 1 bedroom is just easier with all the extra's that have been mentioned. Dishwasher for the bottles, Washer and Dryer, we use the kitchen a lot for breakfast - makes it easier to get going in the morning.

Congrats on the baby, good luck planning and have a wonderful vacation. We are going in two weeks, this will be my daughters 3rd trip (3.5 yrs old now). SHe is a WDW Vet already!!!

E

 

[El&Asmom]

Don't have many comments about the resorts. I think any would be fine with a baby.

Thought I'd pipe in with sling recommendations. Many that don't like them had Bjorn type carriers. IMO there are much better carriers out there that are more comfortable for you and baby.

Check out thebabywearer.com Lots of info and help with sling selection. Congrats on your baby.

 

[helenabear]

I'll revisit an idea of a 1 bedroom... we are just so close to being "on track" for the right year... I doubt I'd do SSR (theming isn't my cup of tea), and we've done OKW a ton as our home resort. I'll have to see what we can do with our dates for that week. I forgot about burp cloths and that is a good point.

I should ask, would you all rather a 1 bedroom at a more remote location or a studio at BCV?

We plan to breastfeed, so we hopefully won't need any bottles with us. I will only bottle feed if I can't nurse myself.

I know I'll have real questions about babies once our little one comes along, but the booking will be coming up next month for us. We could even knock off one day for us on the weekend if we can make it close.

Of course some of it I won't be able to address until we know how the baby is. I do plan on checking out different carriers about a month before we go. I have many friends with babies so hopefully I can just borrow different ones.

 

[Reppstir]

Best place to stay with an infant is home. Thanks

 

[castleri]

I would do the studio VWL if you can get it - you have the boat to MK and then if you want you can do the monorail to EPCOT with baby still in stroller. AK is a bus trip no matter where you stay. If you go back to the room midday and need to do laundry the laundry room near the pool will probably not be busy at that time. Then you can save the points as you originally planned for when you have a more mobile child.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you prefer the MK and Epcot, then I would say your best choices are either BCV or VWL. If you think you will be spending a lot of time at MK, then VWL will be a nice relaxation place and VERY easy to get to. It's easy to get the stroller off and on the boat.

 

[d-r]

Best place to stay with an infant is home. Thanks

Yes, babies should never go out. In fact, the best thing would be to put the baby in a carseat and keep it in the closet.

Here's the thing, if it is a studio, I'd agree with the others and go bcv or wlv. It is easy to put the stroller on the boat for magic kingdom at wlv. The flip side is, if you have a car, old key west is actually surprisingly good with a baby, the rooms are bigger and you can park right outside. If you are considering a one bedroom think about doing it at old key west, the rooms are big and nice - IF you have a car. Whatever you decide, the washer and drier and dishwasher and fridge and extra space are worth it for the one-bedroom.

The things that our first child liked most at that age (our oldest is three and has been 12 times, I think. Our youngest makes her first trip this December at 4 months).

1. Babies love its a small world. There is so much color and interesting things in there, and music. It is sort of like a boat ride through a baby einstein video.

2. winnie the pooh ride. Same sort of thing.

3. Peter Pan.

4. safari ride at animal kingdom.

5. Lights. Lights were a big thing. So things like spaceship earth were fun for the baby. Spectromagic was great, but you don't want to be on the street in a big crowd. Because you are going with a baby, and you are keeping the kid first, you have time to hang out, so if the weather is pleasant just get some food to go and stake out a spot on the train station to watch spectro magic.

6. Dumbo - at least you are going want that picture. You are DVC so you are going to go back a lot. Take pictures with the cigar indian or with humphrey bear or the little mermaid statue or something like that to watch them grow in the pictures over time.

7. The characters. OK, that seems sort of weird, but the characters are good with babies. There will be a point about 1-2 where the characters will freak the kid out a bit, so it is nice to have some pictures when they are babies to show them later when they go back. See here you are as a baby with the princess, etc. Toontown is good. Ride the train.

Now our son didn't like shows as a baby, he didn't like the noise. But, he liked things like haunted mansion and pirates and snow white that at about age 2 he wasn't so sure about. The imagination ride has a bit of a boom at the end so I don't know if I'd recommend that for a baby. But the nemo ride would be a really good one. He loved the mexico boat as a baby, and loves the cabelleros now, so I think that would be a good one too.

The reason I am thinking about what babies like was to say stay at WLV if you will do most time at magic kingdom, stay at bcv/bwv if at epcot. For us, there wasn't really anything at the studios.

Remember to take your time, you'll be back. Don't push it. Go to the baby care centers and chill out. Enjoy yourself. Take a boat ride that sort of thing. Ride the people mover. In a couple of years you'll have a toddler racing to dumbo and climbing on the treehouse stairs and singing with the country bears. For now, think about what is stimulating and interesting to the baby - lights, music, that sort of thing.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I agree with the PP. In fact,when we were there, the characters made such a fuss over the baby! Now, whther you choose character meals is a personal choice--we did several due tothe older kids. At the princess breakfast (Akershus), Snow White left a lipstick kiss on the baby's forehead since he'd fallen asleep by the time she got there. At Chef Mickey's, I thought I was going to have to pry him away from Minnie! (I'm thinking it was a grandmother in there!). Also, the characters don't usually hold infants, due to their gloves and poor vision. Face characters could. Since we had older kids, we just took the little guy everywhere we took the 3yo--no problems. We did skip thrill rides for both the little two.

 

[helenabear]

Yes, babies should never go out. In fact, the best thing would be to put the baby in a carseat and keep it in the closet.

I'm sorry but that just cracked me up after the other post!!!! My parents actually traveled a ton with us as kids (though usually not as far... they didn't discover WDW until I was 5) so I have no intention of just staying home ever. Heck I took a year off due to this pregnancy and it is KILLING me!

But thank you all for the good ideas! I never would have thought of doing the boat from WL to go to Epcot just for the ease of strollers. That really makes VWL stand out a wee bit more than before.

We may have to change our dates a smidge due to a church committment so I need to re-look at all the points yet again

I loved all the ideas on what to ride. I was expecting that most of MK would be good for a baby (well the non-thrill rides) and probably a decent amount of Epcot. We will be happy to do a baby swap for a couple of things that I haven't been on in a long time (I miscarried after our last trip which I was pregnant on so I have an itch to go on a few rides). but most of it will just be getting out and relaxing.

I also love the ideas of pictures with characters. I wouldn't have thought of that, but the reasoning behind would be smart!

I better get looking on the points charts again and then deciding soon since we may be booking soon. A part of me really does want to keep to a studio, and just hand wash anything needed or do one load of laundry halfway through during a mid-day break.

I really do appreciate all the ideas here! You really have given me more to think about than I would have otherwise.