taking a group of disney newbies and their baby

[EvilQueen-T]

ok...i've been to wdw more times than i can count. i have a company coming (2 adults with their 7 year old son and 8 month old daughter) for a single mk day in april. the youngest i've taken a child was 2...and i was young back then (that 2 y/o is now 21). we'll have my granddaughter also 7 (a seasoned disney vet already) with us as well. the novice mother is a bit of a drama queen and tends to be a bit whiny plus she doesn't do anything resembling a coaster so no mountains and probably no teacups which means she'll likely be the one with (her) the baby most of the time. of course my granddaughter is addicted to the mountains. they're of course looking to me to show them a good time (as evidenced by a million phone calls and text messages)

so any suggestions to juggling such a diverse group?

and any suggestions as to how to NOT end up being the "here hold the baby so we can ..." person? i'm a team player but am the oldest one going and am a bit past the baby stage (my kids are dd21 and ds26 with his daughter being 6). i'm not in mommy mode anymore lol.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Ok...well if you think about it, the Magic Kingdom has very few attractions for the thrillseekers.

Obviously there are the 3 mountains...and then the teacups (which are very tame if you don't spin them).

My advice is to convince her to go on Thunder Mountain. I say that because it's a tame coaster but she may enjoy it and feel a little more daring for the other two. It's obviously a different story if she gets motion sickness.

There is plenty to do if you need to "split up."
While you guys are on Space Mountain have her and the baby take a ride on the TTA.
At splash Mountain she can let the little one play in the little playground near the exit. While you're on Thunder, have her head on over to TSIsland.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

that just might do it:wave: thanks.

 

[melmood2000]

Remember that they have the baby swap for most of the major rides. When we just went in October there were many rides that we brought our 1 year old daughter on, and she loved them like pirates and haunted mansion. I was also surprised at what I enjoyed while everyone els rode the rides, and I stayed out with a sleeping baby in the stroller.

I just thought I would mention one thing if you are all going to wait and ride most attractions, you might want to think about brining one of the baby carriers like a Baby bjorn. It was a life saver for me at Magic because you can't bring the stroller in to the lines, and my little one wasn't able to walk yet. Holding a baby all day while you wait in line can make for a very long day.

Have Fun:wave:

 

[EvilQueen-T]

thanks. that's a great idea. i'll have to see if they have something like that for the baby. the baby will be about 8 months old when they come and i'm very certainly a little to old (bad back from to many years as a nurse) to play to much pass the baby. with the ride swap does everyone go through the line at the same time, where/how do they do the hand off with the baby?

 

[4everDory]

Here's another possible idea...do you know anyone that the mother would trust to babysit her baby for the day, so she can go and enjoy MK without having to take care of her baby while she's there?

 

[EvilQueen-T]

unfortunately they're getting to florida on a sunday night and leaving on the following saturday morning so it looks like we're doing the one day at mk on probably a thursday...everybody we know that could possibly do it works except my mother (in her late 60s) who watches my granddaughter quite often but i think watching an infant she's not familiar with on top of it would about do her in so i think unless someone from our family decides on staying home we'll have to take the baby. unfortunately they have the same problem i did when my kids were growing up...they're 6 years apart, mine were 5 years so i know what it's like. all the advantages you get in real life you loose when you're trying to vacation lol.

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

It sounds like you would be a great tour guide for the older children and she can relax and stroll around with the baby. If she doesn't like the thrill rides then she can meet back up with you when you're done. Does she like to shop? With cell phones it's so easy to find each other. Maybe have a map of MK for her before you get there (if you have an old one) and mark the baby care stations and other places they can go if they need to take a break? Good luck and hopefully you can have a fun day!

 

[mhaftman7]

The key to your answer is not going to come from you. Your best bet is let your granddaughter be the guide. Being 7, they could have a lot in common. It's easier for kids to convince another kid to do something. PEER PRESSURE can be a positive! Definitely take advantage of the swap system. I would give more advice, but I think the person you need to be talking to is your granddaughter.

 

[bmarkelon]

thanks. that's a great idea. i'll have to see if they have something like that for the baby. the baby will be about 8 months old when they come and i'm very certainly a little to old (bad back from to many years as a nurse) to play to much pass the baby. with the ride swap does everyone go through the line at the same time, where/how do they do the hand off with the baby?

We use the parent swap all the time it's fabulous! You just show the cast member the parent staying off, they give you a swap card which is good for 3 riders and fast pass line (no time frame). First rider must wait in the regular line.