Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

We have been planning for about a year to go to Disney this summer. We were aiming for the end of August. Although we knew it would be brutally hot, we were aiming for smaller crowds and free dining. Well to our surprise, I am pregnant and due end of June. Disney in August is out of the question. I am a teacher and can only travel during peak times. I am now thinking of going in November since I will be on maternity leave and pull my kids out of school for a few days (they will be 9 and 11 by then). The baby will be about 4 months old. Am I crazy for planning this??? Has anyone been to Disney with an infant? I could easily wait for next summer, but I feel so guilty because my kids have been wanting to go so badly. I don't want to have them wait any longer. Also, I imagine it would be easier to go with an infant in cooler weather than with a one year old in the hottest month. Any thoughts, suggestions, or advice?

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I’ve been with 6-7 month olds three times. When my oldest was 6 months we went with my sisters family and she had a 4 month old. I wouldnt hesitate to do it again. There are baby care centers in each park that are great for feedings. Baby can go on any non height restricted rides. Just make sure you have a good carrier and have fun!

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

Not crazy.

Admittedly I haven’t been with an infant, but I’ve been a bunch of times in general and one of those was with an 18 month old, and I was glad I had a lot of help. All he wanted to do was run around but he was too young to fully appreciate what was going on. I would’ve been miserable if I had to do that in the heat of the summer.

November is good because you’ll certainly be sitting with the baby while others ride rides and at least you won’t have to do it in the blazing heat. The baby will still nap a lot at that age too so you can find a spot and get a drink or something and relax.

Go for it!

Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

We took DS 2 when he was 6 months and it was great. The baby can go on a lot of things and they offer rider swap as well.

We went this past November and it was a great time to go. It was warm but not unbearable.

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

4 month olds can be bad travelers... but you have other kids so you know. I had 2 bad travelers and 1 good one.

It’s not terrible & I have seen lots of infants at Disney. The infants just tag along. Everything is stroller friendly. Babyswap is easy to do and will get your kids on rides twice in a row. Lots of parents so breastfeeding or crying baby will not be anything out of the ordinary. It’s easy to get diapers and formula/baby food.

I’d personally wait a year and go on a beach vacation with a small infant... but that’s me. I get that the older ones will have their own agendas & timelines.

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I think it depends on your personality.

I've done Disney once with my kids, when they were 3 and 5, and I found it to be very stressful. I'm a hot mess to begin with, but add a four-month-old to the mix and that would have put me over the edge. I wouldn't find it enjoyable at all.

But, a lot of my friends have done Disney with infants and loved it. Sorry I'm no help lol.

Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

my friend just did this. her younger daughter was born early July, and they went in early november. her oldest is 5. they had a great time-- she said she used the baby care centers in each park which were helpful, and at that age they baby just kind of tags along... its not like you'll be chasing after a toddler, or trying to hold a super wiggly 8/9 month old that WANTS to be moving around LOL
AND it helps that your other kids are a little older, too- they'll be a little more independent with their own stuff, and can help hand you things for the baby or whatever... i would go!

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

It depends on the baby.
No way in hell could I have even gone to the grocery store, let alone Disney with my DD at 4 months.
She screamed 24/7.
We would have been thrown out of the hotel because she was up crying all night.
And forget the plane. That would have been a nightmare for us and everyone on that plane.
Nothing was enjoyable.
But every baby is different so....

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I think the 4 month old would be the easiest to deal with.

The only pain in the ass for me would be having to fold up the stroller on boats/buses. And dealing with the plane ride. But otherwise, I'd gladly take a 4 month old (especially if I was nursing!) over a 4 year old any day. lol!

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I just think Disney is a big enough "project" (we're going next week!) that the thought of lugging a baby in a stroller, bottles, diapers, etc, is a turnoff.

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I wouldn't personally.

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

Go, go go! I went last year right after Thanksgiving when my kids were 5 months, 3 and 5. I purposely went before the baby could walk. Now my baby is 19 months and it would be SOO hard. At 5 months she was content to sleep in the stroller all day and was excited just to look around.

If you are breastfeeding - it was super easy. I read all the online advice and did things like take the people mover ride. It's about 15 minutes, no one is on it. You can just sit in the back and feed your baby.

It was also a good time of year weather wise - not to hot for the baby.

ETA: The others are right though, my 3rd was a pretty easy baby. I also stayed off property in a 2 bedroom hotel room with a kitchen and living area. (It was cheaper than most Disney properties and I had groceries/diapers/baby things delivered there.) I don't think it would have worked if we were all in one room.


One more tip - I brought noise canceling headphones. They were great for loud shows and rides.

Message edited 2/18/2019 8:43:02 PM.

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I just brought my 9 month old. He is fairly easy going. We stayed off property. We took it fairly easy. Did about 8 to 10 hours in most parks. Used the baby center in Epcot and animal kingdom. He slept on some of the dark rides. My husband changed him in the men's room since the women's room was crowded. We did one late night at Epcot.

Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I don't have a problem brining a baby there BUT i do feel like 4 months is still so unpredictable. My kids were still up eating 2x overnight and crying a lot from reflux..

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I've seen just out of the hospital infants in the parks. I really think its depends on you and your dh if you guys are more easy going or not. Also will your older kids be ok with you taking breaks. The weather that time of the year will be way better than August. Which will make the stroller and baby wearing much more tolerable for your lo.

Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I know it will be a lot of work but I also think it would be much easier than going in the summer with a 13/14 month old. We are very laid back and my kids are ok with taking breaks. My DH can go on rides with them if I have to sit out or they can go on their own while we wait right outside. I know it's not ideal but I also feel bad that they've been waiting on this trip for so long. This baby came as a surprise and I know that there will be so much more that baby will have to tag along for. We also have a few sports tournaments also but I'll save that for another post. I guess I'm trying to balance their active lives along with a newborn on the way. I know it'll be hectic and the brunt of it will fall on me. I'm hoping baby turns out to be very calm and go with the flow. The milder weather is also a huge incentive.

Re: Disney with a four month old- am I crazy?

I would go!