Braving the Magic of Disney: A Few Lessons Learned!

So we decided to pack up and take a magical vacation to Walt Disney World with our 8 year old daughter and soon-to-be 1 year old son.  We knew it would be a challenge, but also knew it would be worth it!  We had a GREAT time, and hated to leave, but there were a few things we learned along the way that I thought I would share for anyone else who decides to make some Disney dreams come true (with an infant!)

Our first day at Magic Kingdom

Mickey & Minnie!

Disney Tip #1: Make reservations for lunch.  We actually did a Disney meal plan, which I also recommend, but the best part was having made our reservations in advance.  This gave us a predetermined time that we knew we HAD to take a break.  Another great part of having reservations, was not having to wait for 45 min. for an open table.  Especially with a baby, that could have gotten VERY challenging.  It was such a perfect break from the heat, craziness, and stroller, to just walk in and enjoy a nice sit-down lunch every day.

Lunch at Tony's Town Square-Magic Kingdom

Disney Tip #2: Stay at a Disney resort that has access to the Disney Tram.  We did not, and even though we WERE at a Disney resort, with access to Disney buses, we soon discovered the extensive amount of time we were going to be spending waiting for and riding them back and forth from the parks.  Having access to the tram would have been SO much easier, and at times, would have literally cut hours of travel time from our day.  

Disney Tip #3: If you can, plan a little longer of a trip, and just spend 1/2 days at the parks.  We were wishing we would have just planned to spend the mornings/lunch time at the parks and then headed back to the resort to swim and rest.  Kellyn would have liked that so much more, since there are not many options of things to do at the parks for pre-walkers!  He LOVED the relaxation of the resort!

Our pool @ Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney Tip #4: Every park has a Baby Care Center.  Take advantage of this!!!  There's only one at each park, and they don't always stick out, but they were life-savers for us.  (You can find the location on the park maps.) They have nice, quiet, air-conditioned rooms for nursing/feeding, changing diapers, and even a big room playing Disney movies, with lots of floor space to crawl.  We used this many times when Kellyn was really needing to get down on the ground and explore on his own a little.  And she would never admit it, but it was also a relaxing break for Sara, to sit down and watch a movie for a little bit.  The Baby Care Center also carries some baby essentials that you might run out of: diapers, baby food, liquid formula, pacifiers (we lost two along the way..) and more!

Disney Tip #5: If there are certain characters that your kids MUST see, and you want to avoid the lines of waiting to find them in the park, schedule character dining experiences.  Go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/ and you can view character experiences, where it will tell you what characters you'll meet during your meal.  With our meal plan, these were included, so we were able to do a character breakfast every day!  Meeting the characters were Sara's and Kellyn's favorite parts!

Ariel at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall-Epcot

Daisy at Tusker House-Animal Kingdom

Special Agent Oso at Hollywood and Vine-Hollywood Studios

Disney Tip #6: Make sure baby gets one good nap in!  If your baby is already down to one nap a day, you might be better off, but in our case, Kellyn is still taking two.  We did what it took to make sure he could nap-either in the stroller, Ergo, or one of us taking him back to the room to nap there.  It made all the difference.  Of course, vacation is still vacation, so napping isn't at all the same, but it sure does help!

Stitch and sleeping Kellyn :)

Disney Tip #7: If you have an older child, and one of you still has the energy, stay out late one night-no babies allowed.  Michael stayed with Sara at Magic Kingdom on our second night, while Kellyn and I headed in early for bed, and Sara had a blast.  Sure, Michael she was exhausted by the end of the night, but after two days of making all of the decisions around her baby brother's schedule, this was a much-needed treat.  She loved being the big kid and staying out late with Daddy!

Late-night Space Mountain ride with Daddy!

(Tired, but happy :)

Disney Tip #8: Do your research online before your trip, to find out what special festivals will be going on while you are there.  There's almost always something special going on, so you'll want to take advantage of it if you can!  We were there for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, and were able to experience seeing all of the amazing character topiaries that they've created!

 Toy Story 3 Topiaries

Minnie, Mickey, and Pluto Topiaries

Disney Tip #9: Don't try to be on a diet while at Disney.  There's TOO much good food!  I know this has nothing to do with taking an infant to Disney World, but I had to include this.  Life is too short to be worried about getting or staying skinny ALL the time.  Make good choices, and enjoy every bite. :)

Yum.Yum.Yum.

Disney Tip #10: HAVE FUN!  Disney really is one of the happiest places on earth!  There is so much talent to discover, and no matter how old you or your kids are, there is fun for everyone.  We can't wait to go back!

Daddy, Kellyn, & Sara dancing with Goofy at Mickey's Backyard BBQ!