Traveling With An Infant

[ladydancer]

We are planning a trip for Oct. I have been to WDW many times but have never took an infant. I will be taking my grandkids. I know this is probably going to be a difficult trip. Not only are we taking a 9 month old but also a 5 year old autisic child. I have taken the autisic child to fairs before and that is somewhat a challenge but can be done. Which means 1 adult for the 9 month old 1 adult for the 5 year old and 1 adult for the 9 and 12 year old. We are staying at the new Pop Century

Since never have I taken a infant or an autisic child on a plane or to WDW I would appreciate any suggestions.

I'm mostly concered about the stroller situation. I do remember the strollers being hard and don't recline. Has anyone here taken there own stroller? Type of stroller? I would like to know how you transported it on the plane and getting around on the buses at WDW.

Any advice would be welcomed!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hello and welcome to Wdwmagic. (I noticed you are from Michigan, I don't know what part, but some of us are meeting at the Detroit Zoo this Saturday July 24.)

I have been with a 9 month old, then again when she was 23 months old, 28 and just shy of 3 years old. Our next trip will be with a almost 4 year old and a 7 month old (yet to be born, any day now!)

I have a few tips for you, but I also have a resource for you. www.disboards has 2 forems that also might be helpful in addtion to here. There is a family forem with tons of advice from other parents who have taken young children, and a dis-abilties board that many parents of autsic children use (and they have good advice.)

As far as strollers go, bring your own (at least for the baby.) We like our Combi Travel savey DX because it folds up small and has a bar across the frount, a good canapy and a basket under it. (and is suited for young babies, unlike your average umbrella stroller.) When we took our 9 month old we took a stroller from Instep, that was a backpack and a stroller, it worked great. We have not decided what we are doing about our March trip, 2 strollers or a double. I don't really like most double stroller. The stroller on the plane is no problem, just roll it right up to the plane and fold it up (take everything off it or it will get lost) and then the air line staff will put it the luggage for you. When you get off it will be waiting for you (they call this gate checking, that way you have it for the airport too.)

Talk to your Dr. before the flight. Some sugest a little cold medication, (both to open the ears and make sure they don't get an infection, and to make sleepy, anything helps.) Also I nursed while the plan was going up and down and that helped. For your 5 year old I suggest preparing him or her as much as possible. Cailou has a good episode about taking a plane ride that really goes over what it is like for children.

When at WDW take advatage of the baby care centers, there is one in each park. They can be great places to stop and get a break. Depending on your 5 year olds needs there are some special services WDW can offer for disabilties. (Oct should be a great time of year to go, short lines and not too hot.)

You have a good ratio for kids to parents, also my 9 and 12 year old niece and nephew are very helpful with the young children too.

Good luck, I will post more if you have any other questions, or if I can think of more. (And as a warning ignore all non parents who ask why you are bringing small kids to WDW! )

 

[ThumpersThought]

I can't speak for the autistic aspect, but my son has been to the parks at 2 months, 9 months, 1 year and 13 months (and look out Chef Mickey's, he'll be back for his second birthday). Every kid is different, but for Simon, before a year old, less was better (he didn't seem to enjoy Fantasyland for instance, but *loved* AK)

We've always supplied our own strollers. He rides in a MacLaren TechnoXT. I love it because it's so easy to push (less fatigue) and maneuver in crowds (one hand). He loves it because it fully reclines, so he can take a nice comfy nap on his schedule.

With the busses, it really helps to have a stroller than compacts fairly well, fairly easily, and is relatively light. Practice collapsing it at home with one hand.

Most airlines let you check the stroller at the gate. You'll take the stroller right down to the door to the plane. When you get off, it will meet you (usually with a small delay) at the same spot. Some airlines tag the stroller as you board, others do it before hand -- ask the gate agent.

Oh, one last tip: pack the stroller reasonably. If you over-pack it, you'll have to unpack the whole thing at the bag check outside each park. It took us about two days to figure out the optimal diaper bag.

Have fun!

 

[Mickifan17]

We brought a 3 month old last December. We were nervous about it, but after talking to people on a previous trip before that, we were told it's easier. And it was!! My then 3 1/2 year old was more work than the baby. Even on the plane. We bought the baby a seat on the plane and attached his car seat which was very easy to do.

The baby drank from his bottle during take off and landing and slept most of the flight (2 1/2 hrs from NY). When he was up, he was very good and just kinda looked around. We brought the stroller with us and checked it at the gate so it was waiting for us by the exit when we landed. It really worked out well. The strollers in the park are hard plastic and don't recline so having your own is better.

I have no advice for your 5 year old, but there are many good web sites that can give you advice for bringing an autistic child with you. Good luck on your trip and have fun!!

Only 93 more days til I'm home!! :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[ladydancer]

Disney PHd

Thank you so much for the link. I have gotten some good information from the site.

I'm about 45 minutes from the Detroit Zoo. It's going to be a pretty nice weekend for the zoo, in the 70's. I don't think I'll be able to go to the zoo this Sat., but thanks for the invitation.

ladydancer

 

[Laura]

We just got back yesterday and we had our 1 year old and 2 year old with us this trip. The things I would recommend in a stroller would be:

lightweight - you won't believe how heavy the stroller feels at the end of the day

easy to fold - for when you are getting on and off the trams/monorails/etc

lots of storage and cupholders

make sure it reclines

and get one with a harness type strap instead of a lap belt. My daughter kept trying to lean way over so she could touch the wheels and it was really nervewracking.