[Qestia]

We're going to Disney later this month and I was wondering whether anyone had any advice or tips. We're actually staying in one of the Disney resorts, and will not even be renting a car. I have a six month old and an almost-four year old. (I would have held off on the trip for the kids a few more years but DH had to go for work so, hey, why not). Here's my plans so far--I'd appreciate any advice!

--Bring bjorn, ergo, and umbrella stroller
--pack lots of sunscreen + hats
--bring as much food as possible--even PB + J and bread, because I'm assuming there is no grocery store convenient without a car? and empty water bottles to fill on plane and in fl (and also bring sponge and soap to wash bottles). DD of course doesn't eat much besides BM and really DS doesn't eat much besides PB+Js so...
--bring some of DS's beach toys

I guess that's as far as I've got. I was planning on just hanging out at the hotel with the kids while DH is at his work things, he gets out early in the afternoons, so we can go to the parks then. There's apparently a beach and a nice playground there--I'm sure that's all we need to have fun. We also have all day both weekend days to go. We have passes for four days, but not park-hopper passes.

Obviously I need help!

ETA how in the heck am I going to BF in a swimsuit anyway? Just let down one of the top straps? Is Disney BF friendly?

 

[Mandynee22]

I found Disney to be quite BF friendly There are lots of benches that are under some shade.
I wore a tankini to make BFing easy. You can pull it up like a tshirt or down like a tank.
There's a tribe for disney (dis mommas I think) you might want to check out. Mousesavers.com, allears.net and tons of other sites have family info too. Even disneyworld.com has "ask a mom" with lots of FAQs. Have a great trip. I'm so jealous

 

[Lindsay1234]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qestia We're going to Disney later this month and I was wondering whether anyone had any advice or tips. We're actually staying in one of the Disney resorts, and will not even be renting a car. I have a six month old and an almost-four year old. (I would have held off on the trip for the kids a few more years but DH had to go for work so, hey, why not). Here's my plans so far--I'd appreciate any advice! --Bring bjorn, ergo, and umbrella stroller --pack lots of sunscreen + hats --bring as much food as possible--even PB + J and bread, because I'm assuming there is no grocery store convenient without a car? and empty water bottles to fill on plane and in fl (and also bring sponge and soap to wash bottles). DD of course doesn't eat much besides BM and really DS doesn't eat much besides PB+Js so... --bring some of DS's beach toys I guess that's as far as I've got. I was planning on just hanging out at the hotel with the kids while DH is at his work things, he gets out early in the afternoons, so we can go to the parks then. There's apparently a beach and a nice playground there--I'm sure that's all we need to have fun. We also have all day both weekend days to go. We have passes for four days, but not park-hopper passes. Obviously I need help! ETA how in the heck am I going to BF in a swimsuit anyway? Just let down one of the top straps? Is Disney BF friendly?

We went in Oct with our 7 yr old and I remember a few things (and this is just for inside the park).

I saw a LOT of moms bfing everywhere, lots of empty benches and pretty decent bathrooms for potty breaks. You can bring in food and get a locker, we filled up water bottles everywhere. They have fresh fruit stands all over the park too which i wasnt expecting.
And If I was in a suit, Id just let down one of the straps, doenst seem like a big deal!!

Have fun!!!!

 

[Biscuits & Gravy]

:

We're going in September. Like you it was not when I would have chosen to go since DS1 will be 3.5 and DS2 will be 9 months, but when family offers an opportunity for a super low cost vacation how do you resist?

 

[lolar2]

I think there are nursing swimsuits on the market, if that would help- do a search.

 

[Drummer's Wife]

We went in August and stayed at a Disney resort, too. You are right that there isn't a regular grocery store you would be able to get to (unless you paid for a taxi) but there are plenty of places to buy fruit, water, milk, etc., at the hotels. It's just more expensive, I assume (we had a meal plan so I'm not sure of individual cost). And the parks, too, have healthy food options at various vendors.

Nursing shouldn't be an issue, even at the pools. Just use a towel if it makes it easier to latch on.

I'd probably just take the Ergo and a small stroller, don't see the need for the Bjorn.

I think your plan to hang out at the resort and then hit the parks in the afternoons is a great one-- I wish we had had more down time to relax... but we pretty much left in the am for the parks and didn't get back to the hotel until after midnight.

 

[St. Margaret]

At Disneyland, they have a Baby Center where you can get some quiet time in the cool, change diapers, nurse, whatever. We haven't used it yet (we got passes this year) but it's nice knowing it's there in case we are ever just feeling overwhelmed and need downtime. But we normally just ride the big train around when we need a break

. I've sat and nursed wherever, and it's been fine. I think they must have good pro-BF training.

We've done PB+J and DH just went back to the car/cooler to get them while I nursed DD down for a nap, but the lockers are good, too. And it wasn't a big deal to bring some food inside, too, like cereal and even leftover sandwich and then DD could eat whenever. We just tucked it down at the bottom of our backpack

.

 

[snoopy5386]

my advice:
check out www.disboards.com like mothering.com but for Disney addicts (like me!) also www.allearsnet.com is a great site too. For nursing in a swimsuit I always just put a tshirt on over the suit and then wiggled my arm out of the suit and dropped it down for boob access. If you want to eat at any specific restaurants you need to make reservations like now. And expect to be shut out of the popular ones at this point. People are on the phone right at 7 am 90 days before to make reservations for the most popular places. WDW is huge and it takes a long time to get from one place to another so build in time for that. What resort are you staying at?
http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html is a list of free things to do in Disney.
It is a beautiful lovely place, we visit yearly and have been tons of times. PM me if you have more questions.

 

[asoulunbound]

we are going to Orlando on our honeymoon next mth, and are considering WDW. We have a (then) 6 mth old, soooo we're not sure what to do about that. But a family member offered to rent us a car, pay for airfare, and lodging, so we felt really couldn't refuse. i haven't heard of any of these sites so TIA, ladies.

 

[LynnS6]

When you come to an intersection, go left, not right. Most people are right handed and so go right. You'll find shorter lines and fewer crowds to the left.

Go early in the AM (if you stay in the Disney hotel you can get in an hour earlier), take a nap in the afternoon and go back in the later afternoon. You'll miss the peak crowds and it'll be more comfortable.

Spend some time just sitting and watching things go by.

Get a tankini for swimming! Then you can just lift up the top and breastfeed easily!

 

[EnviroBecca]

It's been 5 years since I went, and this may have been a temporary situation, so I want to ask more recent Disney-goers: Is it still true that all the water in central Florida smells and tastes like sulfur? This was a huge issue for me because I was 5 weeks pregnant and my sense of smell was hypersensitive, so all beverages made with tap water (not just water but fountain drinks and coffee), showers, and fountains were absolutely repulsive.

We'll go there again someday, and if the water hasn't changed I'll have to make a plan for having lemon wedges available for all beverages!

 

[transformed]

target has a book called "Fromers guide to Disney." get it.

 

[transformed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnviroBecca It's been 5 years since I went, and this may have been a temporary situation, so I want to ask more recent Disney-goers: Is it still true that all the water in central Florida smells and tastes like sulfur? This was a huge issue for me because I was 5 weeks pregnant and my sense of smell was hypersensitive, so all beverages made with tap water (not just water but fountain drinks and coffee), showers, and fountains were absolutely repulsive. We'll go there again someday, and if the water hasn't changed I'll have to make a plan for having lemon wedges available for all beverages!

mine doesnt....but I am on the gulf coast in central fla.

 

[daytripper75]

A couple of money savers I read were:
If your room has a kitchenette, bring along or buy a crockpot. Coming back to your room with an already cooked meal waiting is priceless.
Buy Disney themed presents at home and bring them. Let the kids open them each morning before going to the park. You can get a $7 t shirt at Target instead of a $25 t shirt at the park and they have souvineers!

Have fun!

 

[karemore]

For the water problem, you can fill up your water bottles at the resort. For some reason the sulfer water is only a problem in the parks.

I would fill all our bottles in the food court from the soda fountain, or the water fountains around the resort.

Brita also sells sport size bottles with filters but I didn't need to use ours because the water was fine at the resorts.

 

[mamatowill]

I am currently at a Disney resort with my almost 5 year old and 3.5 month old. We purchased a refillable cup- plastic for 12.49 but we are able to refill them with coffee, tea, lemonade or soft drinks for free the entire trip. The baby centres are nice and have everything you would need for sale but they are sponsered by Nestle. I have used a stroller the most but the ergo will be good for when you have to park the stroller.

 

[PatchChild]

I've been multiple times and will be going back in September with my 2yo.

All of the parks have a baby center in them that will become your new best friend. They are cool and quiet. Rocking chairs for nursing, real changing tables, and emergency supplies in case you forgot anything that day. Your older one can relax in there too.

Absolutely, get there as early in the morning as you can. The start of the day is by FAR the quietest time to be there.

 

[OGirlieMama]

We were there about a month ago. One thing we found was that Fantasyland was very quiet after dark - like starting around 7:30. We rode Dumbo with maybe a 5 minute wait, and practically waltzed in to see the Princesses at Toontown Fair. If your kids are OK staying up late (mine are, but I know some just do not fare well at that point) it's a good idea to go then.

Another tip - know beforehand how your child reacts to loud noises, i.e. fireworks. They're unavoidable at night, and if I had known how they'd terrify one of my daughters, I'd have brought earplugs or something for her, rather than hiding in the back of the bathroom, as we had to do one night.

I saw plenty of women nursing throughout the parks. It's so busy and bustling I can't imagine most people even noticed.

I think you're fine without park hopper passes. It's hard to do more than 1 park per day even without kids, and with kids, not worth the hassle, IMO.

Have a great trip!

 

[MonAmiBella]

We went to WDW when DD was 4 months old. I took our larger stroller so she could lay down and nap, it was far too hot to keep her in the carrier for long. We were both more comfortable with her in the stroller. The baby care centers are a nice break, we liked the one at Animal Kingdom the best, it was so bright and cheery! I think I scared the poor man at Epcot when I brought the stroller into the baby care center, but I was alone, DD had just exploded out of a diaper and I needed to get to a change table fast - he looked a little out of sorts but helped me get it all in!

We're heading back to Disneyland next month!

:

 

[Breeder]

No advice, everybody seems to have it covered, but I wanted to say that I think 4 years old is the PERFECT time to take a kid to DW (as I see your son is) we took our big kid when he was four and he had an amazing time and so did we. Have fun!