How easy would it be...

[TheOtherVillainess]

to take an infant (say..around a year or so old) to WDW?

Now DH and I have been twice ourselves BB (before baby). I wouldn't even begin to know how to do it AB (after baby). How easy is it to do the Great Baby Swap? Do CMs make it easy for you or do they hassle you (as I've heard)??

TOV

[20,000 Sheets to the Wind]

Not too easy with babies

Our last trip was in Sept, and our baby turned 1 during the trip. Frankly, it was pretty tough working around his 2 naps. We were staying close to the park and had a car, so we could go back and let him rest. But it did cut the days into several parts. Napping in the strollers didn't work too well, either.

We're headed back in May, and he should be down to one nap, so that will make it a lot easier. [We'll also have an even bigger contingent of free babysitters, and I plan to take full advantage of them!!]

Actually, having one set of grandparents on hand was maybe the only thing that kept my wife from going loopy! It was really nice to have them there. Don't know how possible that is for you, but worth considering.

As for baby swap, we didn't try too much [my folks and sister-in-law were there, too]. When we did try with the older boy, mostly they made us go through the line again [the lines were short, thankfully]. But we'd tell the first host outside the ride we were doing baby swap, and they'd tell us just to wait there, outside the ride, and come back around. I don't know if they change policies when it's busier. It was not the same 'baby swap' procedure I'd read about and was expecting. Maybe we just ran into a few lousy CMs.

If you choose to go, just slow down, be ready to enjoy the slow rides [ours just loved Dumbo, Triceratops Spin, the Teacups, etc.], and take plenty of breaks. Good luck!
mlm

[TheOtherVillainess]

Well..that makes me want to do one of two things:

A)drop the Bug off with DH's parents for a week and pay them well
or
B)Just wait six years until he's 'old enough to go' (as my parents said to me when I proposed using our tax refund money to go to WDW)

Ok..thanks. THat's what I wanted to know.

TOV

[20,000 Sheets to the Wind]

TOV--

We also had a 3 yr, 11 month old with us, and he LOVED it! So waiting 6 years may be overdoing it a little too much. True, we were still limited by his height [and very vivid imagination; no HM, no TOT, no characters besides Mickey, etc], but it was still so totally worth it to see him experience it all.

But for now, if you have a set of doting grandparents who would love to spend a week with their grandchild, so definitely do that instead!!! Enjoy a week of peace and quiet [?] at WDW by your lonesomes! And consider yourselves fortunate.
mlm

[TheOtherVillainess]

I dunno..I might feel bad leaving him for an entire week with the ILs, seeing as they are the babysitters right now when DH and I work (3-4 days a week). I don't know if they'd even WANT to do an entire week with him by themselves.

I guess we'll consider it. Thanks Sheets.

TOV

[ti2gr]

I'd say wait until the child is at least 4 or 5 years old. I don't get why people have to drag infants around the crowded parks. The children aren't enjoying it nor are they even appreciating it let alone remembering it. As the parent how much fun are you really having if you have to push a stroller, carry a child, change diapers, battle with the crowds, etc. If the child is too small only one can go on the ride. On top of all that, when the child starts screaming and crying because they are tired, hungry or whatever disrupts those of us that want to enjoy our time in the park.

[Neon Cactus]

We went in December with our 4 year old and 14 month old. Granted, the 1 year old won't remember a thing, but we will. It was a blast. It was a lot of work, though, so be prepared. Basically, the trip is going to revolve around the 1 year old's schedule. They may not want to see shows. Ours barely sat through Tarzan and Beauty & the Beast, and only got through Impresions de France thanks to giving her napkins to shred. But she did like the Little Mermaid show a lot. She loved Figment, and she did very well with most of the characters. She practically jumped out of her high chair when she saw Pooh coming at 1900 Park Fare. She did very well on the rides. Just keep in mind you may have to give up some things you want to do. Our daughter had a little cough and runny nose, so when the wind chill was going to be 30 degrees, I ended up skipping the Very Merry Christmas Party and took care of her while my wife and 4 year old had all the fun. I would say it would be much less work when they're about 4. My other daughter walked the whole time, she was definitely ride intensive and rode all of the rides she was tall enough for, including Tower of Terror.

As far as baby swap, we never had any problem. We would go to the cast member at the entrance and they gave us a pass and when my wife would get off the ride, I'd take the 4 year old back on it. We just had to stand in the fastpass line. In fact, in some situations where the 4 year old wasn't tall enough, I would get 2 fastpasses for Dinosaur or Tower of Terror and 1 for Primeval Whirl or Rock N Roller Coaster. Then when one of us got into line, we still got the baby swap pass and basically could hold fastpasses for two rides at one time.

Bottom line is you will still have a nice time, but expect a lot of work. Don't buy tickets to dinner packages like the Fantasmic show since you have no idea how your child is going to be that day (or that hour, for that matter). And the child care center at Animal Kingdom is awesome!