Taking a 6 month old to the "World"

[DiSnEyF@n]

Hello all. I have a few questions...

I have gone to Disney World so many times that I've now lost count. My husband and I are expecting our first little one in February 2014. We are planning on going to DW in August 2014 when the baby is 6 months old. So here are my questions:

1. Does anyone have any advice or first-hand experience with taking a 6 month old to the World?
2. Can someone either inform me or point me in the direction of where I can find out more information on the rider-swap ordeal.
3. I've looked into what rides a 6 month old can go on and have gotten different responses that include "all rides except the ones that have a height restriction" to hearing that some rides that don't have a height restriction the baby still can't go on. Please help with this!!!

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice!!!

 

[KatMaria]

I don't have a child but I was around when my mom had my little brother and we went to disney when he was about 6 months. So here are my answers:
1. Relax. Take this as a come as you go trip and try not to overstress, my mom learned having a small one can be difficult but then it could be fun also. Disney has a lot of changing centers and baby centers where you can rest, feed or even cool down with your child (more rest for you since Feb might be chilly).
2. Rider swap is different at every attraction but they follow the same guidelines, go to the entrance of the attraction, tell the CM there you are interested in child swap and they will direct you to where to go and usually has a child swap pass to hand to you also. Fair warning: If it is really busy in the parks, probably will not be in your trip, but they do sometimes do not do child swap if it is too busy.
3. They will let you on anything without a drop pretty much. I however do not know if pirates will allow you once since it does involve a small drop but basically any of those slow moving attractions are safe for you to ride with the baby.
Hope that helped

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I don't have a child but I was around when my mom had my little brother and we went to disney when he was about 6 months. So here are my answers:
1. Relax. Take this as a come as you go trip and try not to overstress, my mom learned having a small one can be difficult but then it could be fun also. Disney has a lot of changing centers and baby centers where you can rest, feed or even cool down with your child (more rest for you since Feb might be chilly).
2. Rider swap is different at every attraction but they follow the same guidelines, go to the entrance of the attraction, tell the CM there you are interested in child swap and they will direct you to where to go and usually has a child swap pass to hand to you also. Fair warning: If it is really busy in the parks, probably will not be in your trip, but they do sometimes do not do child swap if it is too busy.
3. They will let you on anything without a drop pretty much. I however do not know if pirates will allow you once since it does involve a small drop but basically any of those slow moving attractions are safe for you to ride with the baby.
Hope that helped

Yes, thank you so much for your help!!! I really do appreciate it all!!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

Between the age of 10 days and 6 months my youngest made about 5 trips to WDW so I have a fair amount of experience with this.

1. You are on their schedule, not yours. If you follow that you will be fine. If you try to go full bore commando mode your child will snap and take you with them. Every park has a child care center and they are all quite nice. Find them and use them for naps, feeding, etc.
2.KatMaria covered rider swap.
3. As stated you can take them on everything with no height restriction. My daughter had been on every attraction that fit that description by about 13 days old. This would include KS, PotC, HM and SSE just to name a few. A baby front pack (pictured below) is a god send in the parks. It puts you child up higher where they can see and it frees both of your hands making getting into a ride vehicle much easier.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

Between the age of 10 days and 6 months my youngest made about 5 trips to WDW so I have a fair amount of experience with this.

1. You are on their schedule, not yours. If you follow that you will be fine. If you try to go full bore commando mode your child will snap and take you with them. Every park has a child care center and they are all quite nice. Find them and use them for naps, feeding, etc.
2.KatMaria covered rider swap.
3. As stated you can take them on everything with no height restriction. My daughter had been on every attraction that fit that description by about 13 days old. This would include KS, PotC, HM and SSE just to name a few. A baby front pack (pictured below) is a god send in the parks. It puts you child up higher where they can see and it frees both of your hands making getting into a ride vehicle much easier.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[jaklgreen]

I shutter every time I see a small baby in one of the body carriers in the heat of the summer. I can not even imagine how hot that poor baby gets. I have 2 kids both born early spring and I know how hot they can get in those body carriers. I would rethink taking a baby under a year old to WDW especially in the middle of summer. They can not regulate body heat well and whether they are in a stroller(back gets super hot) or a carrier(same thing), I can not imagine it would be good for a baby to be out all day like that. Plus I am kind of a germ freak, so many gross people touching everything and then you touch it then touch your baby=gross. JMHO

 

[Master Yoda]

I shutter every time I see a small baby in one of the body carriers in the heat of the summer. I can not even imagine how hot that poor baby gets. I have 2 kids both born early spring and I know how hot they can get in those body carriers. I would rethink taking a baby under a year old to WDW especially in the middle of summer. They can not regulate body heat well and whether they are in a stroller(back gets super hot) or a carrier(same thing), I can not imagine it would be good for a baby to be out all day like that. Plus I am kind of a germ freak, so many gross people touching everything and then you touch it then touch your baby=gross. JMHO

The danger of body temperature when it comes to infants is rarely too hot, it is allowing them to get too cold that is the danger.

http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/hrnewborn/warmth.html

 

[G8rchamps]

Based on my 11/2011 trip - On the bigger rides the exchange can be in the form of a fast pass for the second rider. Not perfect, but better than a 60 min wait time twice! My kids both went before age 1- the schedule and pace comments are dead on. May even plan a nap back at the room. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Disvillain63]

We used Baby Swap and it varies on each ride...always ask at the ride entrance...some rides you will go through the line together but be directed to a waiting area to exchange the child and shown a path to go directly to the ride...others you will be told to go to the EXIT while you're spouse goes through the line...some will have you wait at the entrance and you will be allowed to join the FP line when your spouse returns...it varies so ask.

We used a front pouch carrier and a back carrier at various times in our children's infancy/toddler stages. We've climbed Stone Mountain in July with them in a carrier. Heat was never an issue for the child...the person carrying them did get a bit wet...from sweating...but we still had fun.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I just had a baby in may were planning on going in September but after having her I think it would just be too difficult so were going next december when she is 1 yr 7 months, we went while i was 7 months pregnant why don't you do that then take a little break It was easy just took my time i was HUGE and swollen from pre eclampsia but still was able to walk around and every thing just fine.

 

[G8rchamps]

I just had a baby in may were planning on going in September but after having her I think it would just be too difficult so were going next december when she is 1 yr 7 months, we went while i was 7 months pregnant why don't you do that then take a little break It was easy just took my time i was HUGE and swollen from pre eclampsia but still was able to walk around and every thing just fine.

If you tale them that young it may really be to show them the photos....my DD as a 6 year old remembered being there when she was 4, but whith major gaps in memory. If you as a parent want to go- enjoy it, but at the new childs pace wits rests and naps and lots of photos. if they become true fans they will be proud od the photos as a youngling (TY Master Yoda). Enjoy trips when young- but plan heavy for age 6-11. Mineare now 6 and 9 and we just got got annual passes. Enjoy at your pace and take forum advice as is is... advice.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I shutter every time I see a small baby in one of the body carriers in the heat of the summer. I can not even imagine how hot that poor baby gets. I have 2 kids both born early spring and I know how hot they can get in those body carriers. I would rethink taking a baby under a year old to WDW especially in the middle of summer. They can not regulate body heat well and whether they are in a stroller(back gets super hot) or a carrier(same thing), I can not imagine it would be good for a baby to be out all day like that. Plus I am kind of a germ freak, so many gross people touching everything and then you touch it then touch your baby=gross. JMHO

I can understand how the heat would effect the baby. Seeing as how most of the rides are inside, I feel confident that the baby's temperature will not be a huge problem. We also plan on taking many frequent brakes. This trip is going to revolve around the baby, plus it's my first so I am sure I will be trying to make sure the baby is comfortable at ALL times. But thank you for your concern

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

Based on my 11/2011 trip - On the bigger rides the exchange can be in the form of a fast pass for the second rider. Not perfect, but better than a 60 min wait time twice! My kids both went before age 1- the schedule and pace comments are dead on. May even plan a nap back at the room. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for your comment... Ps: I love your signature with the saying from the monorail!!!

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I just had a baby in may were planning on going in September but after having her I think it would just be too difficult so were going next december when she is 1 yr 7 months, we went while i was 7 months pregnant why don't you do that then take a little break It was easy just took my time i was HUGE and swollen from pre eclampsia but still was able to walk around and every thing just fine.

We are going with another family, so it will be hard to change the plans We always go every other year in August and I do not want to skip this year... Plus my husband and his teenage children will be with us and I am sure that I will have plenty of help.... I'd rather go when I can enjoy a drink and the rides that I like to go on, too!!!

 

[jikobean]

We took our son @ 8 months and our daughter at 1 year. They both rode everything without a height restriction. Rider swap basically works as an instant fast pass. They give you a rider swap ticket. The first person waits in the regular line (unless you have fast passed). The second rider uses the fast pass line. When one is on the ride, the other is outside with the baby.

I used a Bjorn with my son and an Ergo with my daughter for waiting in lines and getting on and off buses as you need to fold strollers up while on the bus.

I would recommend a battery fan for the stroller to help keep them cool. You can find them on amazon or elsewhere. They have foam paddles so your child will not get hurt on them. Just bring extra batteries as you will need them.

When we were there in August it rained/t-storm every afternoon so a raincover/poncho is a nice thing to have.

Beach club is great as you have the walk from EPCOT and DHS. We used those walks for naps and avoiding lines for the boat from DHS at night. You can keep the stroller open on the monorails if they're not too crowded, which is helpful if baby is sleeping. Then just walk through EPCOT to get back to BC.

Just have fun and realize this will be a different trip than you've had before, but it will be great!

 

[OswaldTheRabbit]

I just wanted to say to have a great time! So exciting! The baby will be fine and you will be old pros by 6 months so no worries.

 

[tare]

I would wait until at least a year old. But at least you'll be able to do rider swaps.

 

[SMS55]

We took our 7 month old daughter almost two years ago. We made sure to go in the fall because we wanted to avoid th extreme heat or running into a strong cold front. We took a simple stroller, where she was comfortable but she could sleep and have her carry on. My wife put some extra clothes and diapers in case of accidents and baby food. Our daughter was on baby food and had a healthy appetite. We took an insulated foam lunch box s to keep her formula for the day. We didn't take the evening one though that was too long. She was in the strollers most of the time and took her naps there. Apart from stopping to get her bottle and food and the ocassion diaper change it wasn't too bad.
We put her on numerous rides such as jungle cruise, Alaidan and Pirates. No one even looked at us twice on pirates. She rode the haunted mansion and since it was her nap time I think the darkness put her to sleep.
Baby swaps work a lo like fast passes. One person goes through the line and you get the fast pass for the other person.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

We took our 7 month old daughter almost two years ago. We made sure to go in the fall because we wanted to avoid th extreme heat or running into a strong cold front. We took a simple stroller, where she was comfortable but she could sleep and have her carry on. My wife put some extra clothes and diapers in case of accidents and baby food. Our daughter was on baby food and had a healthy appetite. We took an insulated foam lunch box s to keep her formula for the day. We didn't take the evening one though that was too long. She was in the strollers most of the time and took her naps there. Apart from stopping to get her bottle and food and the ocassion diaper change it wasn't too bad.
We put her on numerous rides such as jungle cruise, Alaidan and Pirates. No one even looked at us twice on pirates. She rode the haunted mansion and since it was her nap time I think the darkness put her to sleep.
Baby swaps work a lo like fast passes. One person goes through the line and you get the fast pass for the other person.

Thank you so much for your positive feedback!!! I am glad that your trip was a success and that you and your family enjoyed themselves!

 

[Lynn1030]

My son went for the first time at 10 months, then again at 1 year. Our biggest change from prior trips was taking a midday swim/nap/eat break. Before, we never wanted to leave a park to go back to the hotel, but this was the best decision each day. He LOVED the pool at AOA and we got to beat the crowds and heat and he woke up refreshed and stayed awake later to watch fireworks. He went on most rides that didn't have height restrictions...POTC, Haunted Mansion, Buzz, Kilimanjaro Safari, both boat rides at Epcot. We didn't spend that much time at HS, though.

I may have missed whether this applies to you, but I was still nursing for both trips (along with his eating solid food too), but only used the baby care centers on the first trip. I was disappointed that I didn't get to experience the one at AK, as I've heard it is the nicest. The one at HS has 2 private nursing rooms; the ones at MK and Epcot are large rooms. The one at MK was PACKED when I went...a lady was even sitting on the floor. So keep that in mind if you have any shyness when it comes to that. They have plenty of supplies at each BCC if you run out while in the park.

Take lots of photos!