STM's..... Disney Trip?!?

Re: STM's..... Disney Trip?!?

• crwedler member

  February 2016

  Hey I have done both Disneyland and disneyworld with little ones. My best advice would be to plan to head back to the hotel in the afternoon for a couple hours each day. That is usually when the park is the busiest and hottest and it worked out perfectly to have my son nap at the hotel instead of in a stroller. We usually went to the park around noon, then headed back to the hotel till around 3. We were there for 10 days and never felt too tired or anything. 
  Also they have rider switch passes. So your family can go on the ride and you can get a rider switch pass and after they are done, you and 2 other people from your party can skip the line and go right on the ride.  
  You can also get the disneyworld app to help plan your trip. It allows you to book fast passes for rides so you don't have to wait in line. You can also book restaurants so you don't have to wait. I found this super helpful since my Son wasn't quite 2 and there was no way he would wait more than 10 minutes for a ride or food. The app helps you plan your day so you don't have to wait too long for anything. 
  
  

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• crwedler member

  February 2016

  Oops, correction. We went to the park till noon not at noon. 

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• brittanym211 member

  February 2016

  Thanks! Gives me some hope that it wont be a disaster! Going to be a big party... Not sure how mant adults but there are only 3 kids (My 2 and my brothers 1) so I do want to make sure the whole trip doesn't revolve around them and make everyone without kids doesn't have to deal with a kiddy schedule.

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• PhoebeJune1984 member

  February 2016

  We did Disneyland a week after DD's 1st birthday, and for her 3rd birthday. We stayed opening to closing, and pretty much threw the daily schedule out the window. Because she was happy and content the whole time, it wasn't that big of a deal. In fact, we woke up in San Diego and drove to Disneyland, got here right when they opened, stayed until closing, and DD (a year old at the time) took one 15min nap all day (in the stroller). But she was a peach. There was so much to look at, and was happy. I don't do rides, but my husband and our friends did. So they would go on the crazy rides while I walked around and went in shops with DD for a bit (which they didn't want to do), and then we would meet up again, and go on a ride that DD could go on. The only thing that I wish I would have done with DD the first time we went, was brought the Ergo with, to put her in when we were standing in lines. We had the stroller, but you pretty much leave that outside the ride, and it was tiring holding her in our arms while standing in the line. It would have been nice to put her in the Ergo on my back while we were waiting. 

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• brittanym211 member

  February 2016

  I plan on bringing my carrier for DS but don't know if we will buy another for LO or just carry him since he will be so little in lines. We have already planned on buying a double stroller ASAP! I do not want to have to have a 13 month old screaming cuz we don't have a seat/stroller for him too!

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• Taymiller member

  February 2016

  I will report back in a month! We are going to Disneyland March 20th with my then 20 month old and my sisters 8 month old. I will be hanging with the kids while the adults ride rides because I can only ride the rides the kids can

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• MDmomma1217 member

  February 2016

  We went 2 years ago, but DD was 4, so not infant or diaper wearing age. We were staying at a resort, so we just used the bus to get back and forth. We aimed to get to the parks when it opened, and we would come back to the resort for lunch and to take naps - we went at the end of June into July, and DH and I were actually wiped out from the heat so we slept too! We would head back to the park later in the day, and because DD got a nap in, we didn't feel bad about staying out late. If you are driving in yourself, the one thing to think about is paying for parking, and then getting there early enough to get a close-ish spot (otherwise you will get stuck waiting for the shuttle to haul you out to the lot, or walking forever). 
  
  It was my first time going to Disney, and I was really impressed with how clean everything was, even the restrooms. If you think your LO's will get hot, or need to duck in someplace to feed them, there are souvenir shops and restaurants sprinkled everywhere among the parks (I think Animal Kingdom was a bit more walking). 
  
  There is also the option to rent strollers in the parks, not sure how much they are. I saw other kids using them, they were pretty big, and would accommodate even an older/larger child. 

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• MDmomma1217 member

  February 2016

  Oh and also definitely load up your FastPass for rides! Sounds like you are good to go with the app, it's awesome. You can change rides or shows you have reserved on your FastPass if you get into the park and decide to do something else. There's a limit thought to how many you can add at once. We did this and it was great to cut down on waiting for rides. Some of the restaurants fill up really fast for reservations (like dinner at Cinderella's castle) but I believe you can book several months in advance. 

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• Shelby00519 member

  February 2016

  FTM but I have planned my fair share of Disney trips. My biggest advice is to stay at a monorail resort, if it's in your budget. All the hotels on Disney property provide transportation to the parks by bus or boat. On the buses and depending on your boat you have to fold up your stroller, which can be a pain especially if you have a child taking a nap. With the monorails it's easy to get to both Epcot and Magic Kingdom, you don't have to fold up your stroller and you don't have to wait in a long line for the buses. If it's out of your budget I would try a cabin at Fort Wilderness. They have a full size kitchen and the kids can sleep in the back room while you and hubby have a bit more privacy with the Murphy bed upfront. DH and I are bring baby with at the end of October and are staying at Yacht and Beach Club because it's within waking distances to Epcot where we'll be spending most our time. 

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• brittanym211 member

  February 2016

  My father made all arrangements and paid for everything as a big family vacation with his kids and their families..... He booked a hotel outside the park and rented two cars. I know its going to be harder that way then in the park but he is the one paying it and if that's how he wants to do it I cant complain....

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• matryoshkadoll member

  February 2016

  We had the annual pass to Disneyland this year, so we went several times with our 1yo and 2.5yo. Not sure the differences for disneyworld. 
  
  Normal Disneyland advice applies: go at opening, leave during midday, come back for evening fun. Look around online for general tips and tricks. 
  
  Having a a lot of adults around will be ideal. You can do a combination of rider switch, fast pass, and single rider and never have to wait very long. 
  
  You will be able to take your baby with you on a lot of the rides (anything with no height requirement). Definitely get a carrier, preferably a Tula/boba/ergo style that has support around your waist as well as shoulders. Some rides you can keep your baby in the carrier, some you will have to take her out. Check before getting in line if you'll have to take her out and she is sleeping. 
  
  Having a a stroller is great, you can load it up with everything you need. Keep in mind you have to leave it to go on rides, so nothing of value obviously. 
  
  Check where the Baby Centers are located. They are wonderful places with ladies that look like nannies from Mary Poppins. There is a diaper changing area, toddler toilet, feeding area, and nursing and pumping stations. I typically nursed all over the park and even on some rides, but sometimes it is nice to go to a quiet place if you are trying to put them down for a nap or something. They also have baby supplies to purchase if you forget something. 
  
  Most of all, have fun and don't worry too much about doing everything. We love the atmosphere at Disney more than anything, just walking around can be the best!

  TTGP December Siggy Challenge: Favourite Holiday Movie Moment
  

  
  

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• whataboutscience member

  February 2016

  I LOVE Disney and hope to take my family next year when we have a 1 and 3 year old. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but a newborn and 1 year old does not sound like fun at all at Disney unless you have a lot of family that are happy to help. Both kids will need tons of attention: naps, breaks, food, etc. If it was just your kids, you, and SO, I would think it's a waste of money and energy because I don't see how anyone could enjoy the attractions. You did say you have other family coming. How helpful are they with the kids and how comfortable are you leaving the kids with them? We have travelled with a little one, and it can be a lot of fun, but it is no vacation. Expect to come home exhausted. I don't mean to sound rude and I'm sure some people could enjoy the trip, I would just personally would be more stressed than excited for the trip and would probably say thanks but no thanks.

  
  
  
  

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• ladythrice member

  February 2016

  You are going to have a great time! I highly recommend getting to the parks as early as you can and pushing through until the LOs are too tired to hang, and spending the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel. Since you will have rental cars, it will be more difficult to do the morning at the parks, afternoon at the hotel, and evening at the parks routine. I suggest doing mostly mornings and trying to squeeze in an evening when you can. Do you plan on BFing your second? At that age they might still have a bit of the witching hour in them and be cluster feeding on your boob for the whole night.
  
  I would DEFINITELY get more than one carrier. One exclusively for each kid. You will probably be able to wear #2 most of the day and he/she will happily sleep for much of the day. #1 will likely need at least one long afternoon nap around noon-three so he can recoup (best time to return to the hotel). If you want to stay out and about, you might be able to get him to nap in a stroller but you might not. If he likes being worn you'll probably be able to get him to nap for an hour or so that way (my 14 month old will still nap while being worn when he's tired).
  
  Find the babycenters in the parks. They are great for changing diapers, being in the air conditioning, feeding the baby, and just sitting and relaxing.
  
  PRE-BOOK any (sit-down, table service) meal you plan on having on site at Disney (breakfast, lunch, or dinner, doesn't matter you'll want a reservation for anything on site... not just at the parks but also any dining at Downtown Disney (disney springs?) and any WDW resort dining). This is an absolute necessity and recommend for even people that don't have kids. The last thing you want to do is wait for a table with a hungry/tired 13 month old and 3 year old.
  

  
  DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
  DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
  
  
  Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
  

  

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• brittanym211 member

  February 2016

  I do plan on BF and I really hope it works this time... DS was doing good until he got taken to the NICU. The nurses screwed me over pretty much. But I pumped until I dried up from the pregnancy. So I will either be BF or pumping at the park. DH has told me the last week or so he doesn't want to go or just wants to hang at the hotel??? What a party pooper.... BUT might come in handy if he actually does it! I could leave him with DS if its just too much on him all day and me and everyone else(with LO of coarse) can go do our thing and those two can go swimming or whatever.

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• mswings1 member

  February 2016

  I live an hour and a half from Disney so my 2 year old has gone MANY times starting when he was about 6 weeks old. Definitely take advantage of the baby care centers if you are near them but if you're on the other side of the park you can usually find a quiet(ish) corner somewhere to sit. Usually we were there for day trips versus staying in a hotel so we rarely left for nap time in the afternoon and he's done fine just napping in the stroller but I'm sure that can be different for each kid. Sitting in a dark show (country bear jamboree, carousel of progress, hall of presidents, etc) is an excellent place to breastfeed in air conditioning without crossing the park to go to the baby care center. I think all of the other advice I would give I've seen already in this thread. Have fun!

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• soberkfell member

  February 2016

  That's super awesome of your dad, and it will be a GREAT time! My parents take the whole family to DW every other year right around Halloween. We went in 2014 when my DS was 6 months old and my nephew was 2-1/2. I echo PPs advice to head to the parks in the AM for opening, possibly eat lunch there before heading back to the hotel for naps. We usually would squeeze in some pool time after nap and before dinner and would spend the evenings either in the parks or at Downtown Disney.

  Going with family, especially when the adults outnumber the kiddos, can be convenient for you and DH - my mom and dad volunteered to watch DS and our nephew a couple of evenings so that we could go out to dinner/enjoy the attractions on our own. October marks the Food & Wine festival in Epcot, so DH and I always make plans to drink and eat around the world one evening. I highly recommend it while you're there!

  With regard to baby-wearing, I'll just forewarn you that it is still QUITE warm in Orlando in the fall. So I'd advise wearing light/breathable clothing for you and your LO. Definitely take breaks in the air conditioned stores and attractions and keep re-applying that sunscreen you're sweating off!

  Lastly, one benefit of having the rental cars - you could spend a morning/day at the beach! I think the car ride is maybe 2 hours tops, and it's a fun change of pace.

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