Which resort is best if taking an infant?

[mistaroo]

My husband and I are planning a trip in February. We will be first time parents and will be taking our then 4 month old infant with us. We are excited about being parents but have no idea what to consider when picking a resort with an infant in mind. We have gone to WDW a million times as a couple but never with any kids.

What, if anything, do we need to take into consideration when picking a resort when travelling with an infant?

Which deluxe do you think is the most infant friendly (or are they all the same)?

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

We plan to stay at Animal Kingdom lodge for a couple days at the end of our trip but want to stay at another resort as well. We noticed last time we were at AKL that they had a porta-crib thingy folded up in the closet- do all deluxes have them in the rooms? Some may say we are crazy for taking a small infant to WDW but we had to cancel our 10th wedding anniversary trip this May because I was way too morning sick to travel. My husband and I are dying to go back and February is the soonest we can go.

Thanks for reading and please give any advice you have to give!
Thanks,
Mistaroo

 

[mrsltg]

If money is not an issue, go with a monorail resort. It provides easy access to two them parks. Strollers can be cumbersome to fold and unfold to get into and out of cars and busses!

Have a great trip!

Erin

 

[sharoncity]

First off, yes all the deluxes have pack & plays in the closet (or should). The monorail resorts are a VERY good choice. You can't beat wheeling the stroller on and off, especially if the little one falls asleep. If you're on the bus, you have to take the baby out and fold up the stroller.
The other thing that comes quickly to mind is the home away from homes. The kitchen amenities are SO convienent with an infant. Microwave for heating bottles, etc. VWL would be only a boat ride away from MK. BWV are a walk or boat ride to Epcot and MGM. Where will you spend most of your time? Also, think about what you will do when little one goes to sleep at night. If you have a balcony, you can sit out there. At the villas, in a 1 bedroom you would have the separate livingroom to relax in while baby sleeps. Also nice perks of the 1 bedroom villas are the jacuzzis and washer/dryer (you won't believe how much dirty clothes you have with one tiny baby!)
I guess with the age of your little one I'd lean more toward the 1 bedroom villa, but I don't think you'd be disappointed with the Poly of GF either. Good Luck and congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

 

[jel0511]

When we took our 4 month old DS (now 14months!) we stayed in a one bedroom villa at VWL. It was very convient to MK and the W/D was AWESOME!!! It was like being home, and it was very helpful traveling with such a young infant. If I have any more children and travel with them to WDW at that young age, I wouldn't stay in a regular hotel room, I'd only stay at a villa. You really need all the amenities.

 

[banks37]

We took our 6 month old son with us in Feb and we're going back in Sept when he'll be 13 mo. It wasn't bad at all having him with us, this was our first trip with a child for me and my wife. The important things to remember is that you must travel on your childs schedule, be ready to leave a park if you have to or skip a priorty seating. Also make sure you take advantage of the baby care centers in each of the parks. My wife found them very comfortable and convenient. As far as hotels go, I would recommend a deluxe hotel with a balcony so while your child is napping, hopefully, you don't have to be stuck watching the TV with no volume, you can atleast go out on the balcony for some quiet time. We stayed at WL and found the smaller size of the resort was very convenient for those quick trips back to the room to get something while you're at the pool or on you way to the busses. Hope this helps, if you have any other questions please ask. - Mike

 

[Geoff_M]

We took child #3 along when he was 8 months old. He did great. A lot better then a year later when he was 20 months old! He was happy to sit in the stroller and take it all in. He wasn't fussy and sleeped and nursed on a number of attraction. We stayed at the old PO and it worked out fine (4 people + baby). One of the keys is the time you are going. One of the biggest concerns I'd have with an infant is the heat. You'll be fine in February. We went in late January.

As far as resorts goes, if you're planning on doing all the theme parks I'd recommend the Dolphin or Swan. You're a short walk or boat ride from both Epcot and MGM.

 

[josierac]

Our first trip to Disney my youngest was 6 mths old. We stayed at a 1 bedroom at the Boardwalk. IT WAS THE BEST

It was so nice having a full fridge so I didn't have to worry about a little one to store his formula, etc. We also had a full kitchen, very handy because he was starting food.

The best was the washer and dryer in the room and the door between the bedroom and living room. When the kids fell asleep they were in the bedroom and we still had the living room to relax, watch tv, sit on the balcony without disturbing either one of them.

Also the boardwalk was nice to stroll around when they fell asleep in their stroller at night before going back to the room.

 

[mistaroo]

Wow, thanks everyone for the great replies!!

I never even thought of the villas before- they sound perfect. I realized I would need a mini fridge for formula but I hadn't even thought of the microwave or washer and dryer. I guess there are a lot of things I'll soon be learning about Everyone had great suggestions!!!

I think I may check out the Boardwalk Villas as we had ressies at the Boardwalk Inn in May but had to cancel.

Thanks again for all the input, it really, really helped me!
Mistaroo

P.S. My sister-in-law bought me a snugli front pack to use instead of a stroller. I think I will be brave and try that during this trip.

 

[sharoncity]

If you don't mind, I'll offer a little more advice on the Snugli. Still bring a stroller with you. The strollers they rent are not great for small infants. Also if you're strolling at the boardwalk or going to a restaurant, the stroller is key. If you are lucky, maybe you can time it that little one falls asleep at the time for you to sit down to dinner. Then baby can sleep in stroller while you enjoy a more leisurely meal. Also remember at 4 mos, they won't be sitting in a high chair at restaurants.
Additionally, besides baby in snugli, you will have to carry diaper bag/backpack with all the supplies for baby and possibly a small cooler type bag for the formula. That means a lot of weight to carry around. If for nothing else, sometimes we use the stroller just to relieve ourselves of the weight of the bags!
Lastly, some babies just plain don't like the snuglis. Mine were never happy in them, while others I know lived in them. Each baby is different, so you'll just have to see "what you get"! Good luck!

 

[pam2girls]

I took my 4 month old in April and she did great! I agree with the stroller issue. Mine didn't like the snugli either and you must have your own stroller for an infant the rental will only work for babies that are older and sit up well. Ditto on the high chair issue.

4month old will sleep a lot and most will sleep anywhere. We stayed at AllStars and it was just fine at that age, the TV was right next to her pack-n-play. Mine could fall alseep with her 2 older sisters playing right next to her. My main advice would be that in preparation for the trip, don't teach your baby to only have dark and quiet when going to sleep. I left the light on and door open (for naps) to her room at home or let her nap on the family room floor.

All babies are different though. I pray yours is a peaceful baby.

 

[eeyore0062]

My DD hated the Snugli, too. I always envied those parents whose babies did like them. Mine was fine, as long as she was in the stroller, but as soon as she was confined against another human being, forget it! All children are different, so don't discount that stroller... it will save your back and shoulders, in the long run!

 

[Belle1962]

Took my 5 month nephew in Marhc--they had infant strollers at the Magic Kingdom but you had specifically ask for them and they were very limited.

 

[Gillian]

I'm not sure how old you have to be, but at 5-6 months DS liked the baby bjorn front facing. He could see the world better than in the stroller & it was hands free for me! Can the snugli go front facing?

You can learn to travel light with a baby! Nursing (if it works for you) is the easiest, but powdered formula is great too. Very light. Instead of a big changing pad you can bring a pillowcase (covers the whole changing table!) or disposable ones.

The studios at the BWV or VWL are good too because they have balconies, microwaves & a small fridge. Still just one room, and very affordable in February, especially if you rent points from an owner.

Happy planning!

 

[mistaroo]

Thanks for all the new replies. I will definitely "test drive" the snugli before I go to make sure it will work for us. Good advice about strollers, too. Gillian, the snugli is front facing and back facing, too. I will try the front facing if the back facing goes over like a lead balloon.

Pam2girls, you advice about sleeping/dark is something I've heard before and I think you are correct. My neighbor used to tip toe around her sleeping infant and she couldn't do anything for fear of waking up the baby. I will definitely heed your advice as I want my infant to be able to sleep anywhere, too. I don't live in a vacuum and neither should my baby.

Thanks again to all for your replies. It really is helpful to a complete novice like myself.

I am getting very excited about this trip! I really need a vacation.
Mistaroo

 

[BounceyOne]

Mistaroo, I would most definetly consider nursing your baby, aside from many many health benefits it is sooooo convenient when traveling. You do not have to worry about how many bottles to bring with you, you will not run out of formula and it won't go bad if its hot outside.
Just something to think about.

 

[lizzie64]

I too was at WDW with a 3 month old. Have a baby bjorn and stroller. Definitely take the stroller. While the baby bjorn was great, I found that whenever he was in it his legs would get red from the sun. Unless of course you plan on holding an umbrella. In the stroller, he had a great canopy that protected him from the sun.

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! We brought our littlest one when he was 4 months old and I have to say that it was the best age as far as infants go. We stayed at the Poly and it was wonderful. Any monorail resort would be good. We have also stayed at WL Villas. My husband will now not stay anywhere else! The kitchen and W/D are wonderful. The resort is beautiful and the boat ride to the MK is nice. You can even push your stroller right on to the boat (monorail allows this as well).

I agree with the Snugli. All 3 of my kids did not like it. Hopefully yours will, but I'm glad you are going to try it out before your trip. Even if your baby likes a Snugli, I would definitely bring your stroller. My babies' strollers were like their second beds. When baby feels comfortable in stroller, baby sleeps! It's also great to have at the airports. When you are about to board the plane the flight attendent will tag your stroller and check it at the gate. When you de-plane the stroller will be right there on the skywalk.

February is a nice month to visit, but it can get chilly. Bring blankets with you. By the way, I think that breast feeding is an extremely personal and private choice. This baby sure is lucky to have parents who love Disney World! Have a wonderful time.

 

[MinnieGi]

Just another vote for a home away from home resort. Our DD is now 21 months old but we find it so much easier to stay in a suite type room with at least a kitchenette and more room for all that baby stuff! At 4 months you may be starting baby on cereal and its more convenient with that kitchen. Even if you are nursing, you still may use bottles of pumped milk so DH can feed baby also. And so the extra sink and counter area is real helpful.

Also just another echo about bring both your Snugli and stroller. By 4 months your baby will most likely much prefer the front facing position. I used a Baby Bjorn and DD started preferring front facing at 3 months. Our DD loved being in the carrier and HATED the stroller! She loved seeing people at eye level and having them talk to her and being close to mom or dad. So you'll have to see what your baby prefers. Anyway even though we exclusively carried DD in the BAby Bjorn or sling in those early months I still brought the stroller on trips to hold the diaper bag and anythin we bought!! It was so handy for that reason alone!

Best wishes on the rest of your pregnancy!

 

[mistaroo]

twinmomto3boys, lizzie64,minniegi- thanks for the additional votes for the stroller. I realize that it will definitely have more benefits than I even imagined. I never even thought about the sunburn legs sticking out of the carrier. I'll also be sure to bring a blanket for the stoller. I get it now, stroller=shopping cart!!

twinmomto3boys- thanks for the comment on the feeding choice being extremenly personal and private. I couldn't agree more and really really appreciate your message to me.

Another cool thing about having a child to take to Disney World is that I will have an "excuse" to go to WDW even more now..... like sure, I've been there during x-mas but the baby hasn't, and I've stayed at the beach club but the baby hasn't......see my point?? I get to do everything all over again

 

[josierac]

Originally posted by mistaroo
Wow, thanks everyone for the great replies!!

P.S. My sister-in-law bought me a snugli front pack to use instead of a stroller. I think I will be brave and try that during this trip.

Another thing about the Villas is that there is so much room that you can just go into the room with the stroller and no need to fold it. It will fit in the closet by the front door without folding it.