WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

Okay, So I've been to Walt Disney World more times than I count (I even lived in FL for 4 years so we went countless times) however, I've never done it with a child of my own. DH and I were thinking that if we have the money instead of having a big 1st bday bash for Emerson we would rather spend the money on a family vacation and take her to WDW for her 1st bday.

Here's my question.........for those of you that have done it with little ones how was it? Did you take them on many rides? Did they enjoy it? Did you have a good time? Just trying to get an idea of what it would be like.

I figured waiting until she was 1 would be good in that she'll be eating mostly table food and hopefully she'll be on milk and no formula so I wouldn't have to carry around all those bottles and baby food. And I know she wouldn't remember it but I think she would have a blast while she was there. Even now at 6 months she loses her mind in the Disney Store!! What do you think?

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

Posted by Hofstra26

Okay, So I've been to Walt Disney World more times than I count (I even lived in FL for 4 years so we went countless times) however, I've never done it with a child of my own. DH and I were thinking that if we have the money instead of having a big 1st bday bash for Emerson we would rather spend the money on a family vacation and take her to WDW for her 1st bday.

Here's my question.........for those of you that have done it with little ones how was it? Did you take them on many rides? Did they enjoy it? Did you have a good time? Just trying to get an idea of what it would be like.

I figured waiting until she was 1 would be good in that she'll be eating mostly table food and hopefully she'll be on milk and no formula so I wouldn't have to carry around all those bottles and baby food. And I know she wouldn't remember it but I think she would have a blast while she was there. Even now at 6 months she loses her mind in the Disney Store!! What do you think?

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

We took Kaydyn when she was 5 months and again when she was 10 months. She seemed to have a really good time. She was just cruising/crawling at the last trip and she did really good being in the stroller all day. She loved the characters at the character breakfast we went to. We took her on practically anything that wasn't a rollercoaster.

She was still on formula and babyfood but we just brought enough for one day (a little more for the formula just in case) and then stopped at Walmart when we got there and stocked up on what she would need for the week.

We stayed at a Disney Vacation Club hotel so it was great to have a kitchen esp a fridge to keep all her stuff in.

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

Sounds good!! That's what I wanted to hear!!

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

We took Logan when he was almost 13 months.

He loved it. The characters, the rides, the food. He loved every minute.

Each park has a "baby center" where they have changing tables, rocking chairs, nursing rooms, microwaves, etc.

We would plan the day so we would be near there around feeding/changing time and take advantage.

It was also air conditioned, so it made DH less cranky too.

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

We took DD at 15 months and it was an amazing trip!!! Feel free to FM me for any tips or help!

DD went on every ride that did not have a height restriction - including haunted mansion, pirates etc. She clapped and danced on many of them - and did not get upset on any of the rides.

Shows were hit and miss - she LOVED the 3D shows and Monsters Inc laugh floor (she was Boo twice) and played peek a boo with them on the big screen.

We did the dining plan and it was very easy. If you eat at a buffet or family style your DC would be free - otherwise we bought her a children's meal or she shared our meal. They have milk all over the park (mostly whole milk) and are great about accommodating children. If they need anything special (plain chicken and veggies or yogurt etc) just mention it to your server and it got taken care of right away. So you should definitely be able to find something that your DC can eat.

We stayed at the polynesian so we just rolled DD onto the monorail to the MK or walked to the TTC and got on the epcot monorail it was great b.c we didn't have to unload her and fold up the stroller. We did have a rental car and used that to go food shopping and to HS and AK and to some other resorts to walk around. We got snacks, diapers, milk boxes, breakfast so we were able to feed DD in the room and have drinks so we didn't have to wait on long lines if she wanted milk etc. If you don't rent a car - a lot of people mail packages to their hotel with snacks and diapers. There is a service like peapod called gardengrocer.com that is supposedly great, and another more expensive service but she will get you anything you need by going to more than one store (have to look up the name). If gardengrocer comes when you aren't at the hotel bell services will hold your food (perishables go in their fridge) until you pick them up.

The only thing was that she was a little afraid of the characters the first few days (she LOVED them if they were 3 feet away - calling to them and waving - but up close she would freak.) We got there on Sat and by tuesday she was running up to them hugging and kissing them - so it just took her a little while to warm up to them.

We took advantage of the extra magic hours and got to the parks as soon as they opened when the lines were short this made a big difference b.c we were able to see and do a LOT before it got crowded and so the longest wait we had with her was 20 mins.

They have really nice baby care centers with multiple change tables (not the kind you pull down from the wall), nursing rooms, high chairs for feeding if you need it (we didn't use anything but the changing tables), and a decent store (they sell diapers, formula, gerber juice, baby food etc as well as medicine if you need it - things like tylenol, asprin etc for parents).

Although the plan was to go back to the room to nap and swim every day - DD napped mainly in the parks in her stroller and we used the hotel breaks for swimming and relaxing.

We had a fabulous trip and we can't wait to bring her and the baby back in 2010.

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

We took DD at 10wks and are going again in May when she's 9 months. It was great! We used a sling to carry her around most of the time but we also brought our own stroller and used that. We shipped our supplies to the hotel-that saved a lot of luggage space. On the first trip we met my family there so they were able to help. On the next trip I'm sure it'll be different because it'll just be us. The cast members were very helpful. The baby centers are available but I also didn't feel uncomfortable discreetly nursing DD. Probably not a concern if your child will be on table food. As far as rides, because she was in the sling, she went on a lot of rides with us. They also have the parent swap option for the "older" rides. Happy planning!

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

Awesome!! Awesome!! Thanks for all the great tips!! I LOVE the idea of being able to ship supplies down to the hotel ahead of time. What a great idea!! I am SO, SO excited to take her. I cannot wait. Hopefully it will all work out financially because I think she would have a blast!! What a different experience it's going to be with a little one in tow.....I can't wait!!

Re: WDW Question...........Going with "little ones"

We just got back Saturday for Ryan's 1st birthday. He went on 2 rides - the Pooh Adventure (about 30-minute wait) and it scared him (some dark spots) and a carosel (10-minute wait). Not sure he was thrilled with that one either. He loves to people watch so he was happy.
He enjoyed the parade from Daddy's shoulders and we met Mickey (another 30-minute wait) which he LOVEDDDDD - he's a huge Mickey fan - so that made it worth it.

ETS: We stayed offsite at a resort in a one-bedroom suite which I think is a must - to have a kitchen and sep. bedroom. We hit Publix after the airport to get staples - milk for him, some food, water, etc.

Message edited 3/23/2009 11:46:34 AM.