The Disney Philes

Meet our friends Juliet, 6, and Gabriel, 8 months, and their cute dad Camilo. These Mickey fans just got back from an amazing family vacation to Orlando. We asked their mom, Betty, to give us some insider secrets on doing Disney with a baby in tow.

Go Late. "Our strategy was to head to the parks after lunch. On the afternoon we went to Magic Kingdom, we got there around 3:30 in the afternoon and were happy to see hoards of people were already leaving."
Bring a stroller and a Baby Bjorn. "Most rides and shows make you park the stroller even as you wait on line. So I had Gabriel strapped on me while we waited."
Try the teacups! "Gabriel giggled through all the spinning on the Magic Tea Cups ride at Magic Kingdom. We never took him on anything too bouncy or fast moving, but there were plenty of shows and rides that are fine for babies. Both kids loved the new Finding Nemo Ride at Epcot Center: You sit in these slow-moving clam shells that take you through the story. The Finding Nemo Musical at Animal Kingdom is also cool for little kids. One ride we thought was too scary even for Juliet—It's a Bug's Life at Animal Kingdom. It freaked her out!"
Time feedings around shows. "You get to sit in a comfortable place to nurse or give your baby a bottle. And Gabriel would often fall asleep and continue to nap once we got outside."
Plan ahead for dinner. "Call the Disney dining hotline ahead of time and make a reservation. The week we were there, it was so crowded, we couldn't just wing it. Try the Play 'n' Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney MGM Studios—really fun."

What are your best tips for navigating Disney? Let us know!

Comments

[Amy H]

We've been *trying* to plan a *secret* trip for early next year (it would be their Christmas present...save $$$).

So I'm, ah, soliciting advice as well. http://butrflygarden.blogspot.com/2007/03/magic-dreamsblah-blah-blah.html

I don't like to talk about money when it comes to my income or my mortgage and such...but why won't anyone tell me how much their trip cost??? That's my #1 thing is I want to know "How much did you spend???" I'm an uber-planner so not knowing how much I need to save is KILLING me! (Can't you just FEEL my anguish?)

ahem.

Also, I'd like to know what hotels were stayed in and how you liked it. I've had one person tell me "Don't worry about the room, you're never in it." and another person say "Our room was horrible, it reeked and the bathroom was too small to move around in!" I'm very conflicted...I agree that you shouldn't spend lavishly where you will be spending a small amount of your time...but then again..four people and one itty bitty bathroom???

Hhaa..sorry this is so long...but seriously, I need some help!! :)

[Kourtney]

Amy, I'm currently working on a Disney story for our July issue, which will be out in June. In the meantime, if you want to email me and talk about some tips, just click on my name below.

[Melanie]

Go here for anything you could ever need or want to know about doing Disney:

http://www.disboards.com/

Seriously, everything you could think of is covered.

[judy]

Melanie,
That's awesome! OMG!