New here, DME, bus & BFing baby at WDW
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| Tue, 05-09-2006 - 2:46pm |
Hi all!
We're going to WDW next month, taking DME and using the busses and possibly boats for transportation.
First, does DME really work? Does it stop at every resort, or just a few?
Are the busses that take you from your resort to the parks terribly slow?
If you take a water launch to MK (we are staying at the Wilderness Lodge) how big are the boats, and is that slow or do they send them around pretty frequently?
I've heard there are family centers of some type where you can nurse your baby---are these nice, or would I be better off going back to my resort? (BTW I wholeheartedly support a woman's right to NIP anytime, anyplace, I tend to tense up and have bad experiences while doing it myself.)
Boy I am excited and nervous. We are taking our almost-3-yr-old and our then 7 month old on a plane for the first time. We'll luckily be traveling w/ my siblings and nephew, as well as another family. Thanks in advance!!!
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There is a nursing station that mom's can go into to nurse. IF I am remembering right it was near the Crystal Palace in Mk. I'm sure the other parks had them as well but I never looked for them. I can't say what it's like inside since I never used it. I couldn't see wasting the time to go there when she was hungry. I nursed during rides and shows mostly LOL
There are places that you can have some privacy and some washrooms have a mom's area that you could probably sit in.
We took the boat from the ticket centre to MK and it was as quick as the monorail. And it was huge. I don't know about the ones from the resorts or if it's the same boat.
Siggie by Mylissa
Thanks so much Mylissa !
We went in Sept with my friends who had a 6 month old. She used the nursing stations in all of the parks (mainly because it was so hot outside) and she said they were very nice. I did go in once to change my son's diaper and they were very clean and nice. I believe they have high chairs and places to warm food and bottles as well. The only bad thing is having to go back to one each time to nurse. In Epcot this was a LONG way. Still better than going all the way back to your resort though. I would definitely take advantage of them. We stayed on-site at the Caribbean Beach. The bus wasn't too bad but it was very crowded at the end of the night. It was a hassle to have to empty and fold the stroller while managing all the kids. I did it once by myself (my son was 19 months) and it was hard. Using a sling or baby bjorn or something for the baby for the bus ride would help make managing everything much easier (keep your hands free for your older child,the stroller, or the diaper bag).
Have fun!
Alison
I love the baby centers!
I used DME in Feb. and our bus stopped at CR, Poly & GF...which leads me to believe that the WL bus is probably only shared by FW - maybe someone else can confirm that. We stayed at WL (before DME was available) last April (2005) and it does share busses with FW, but that's it. Both WL and FW only have one main bus stop (FW also has internal busses...that place is huge!) So that saves a good amount of time as far as bus transportation goes. Some of the larger resorts first loop around the resort and THEN go on to the next resort.
As far as the boats are concerned my family had the worst luck with just missing boats! There's nothing you can do about bad timing!! But even still the longest we ever waited was 20 min. The boats are not nearly as large as the ones from TTC to MK, and I'm horrible at judging capacity, but I would say that each boat fits about 70+ people. You can roll the stroller on without a problem and keep it open. The strollers are definitely more cumbersome on the busses.
I had the same problem BFing in public. I have nothing against it, and I wish I could just pull up a chair and let it flow, but it never worked out for me. I've only been to the baby center in MK and it was very comfortable and relaxing.
I'm sure you'll have a great time - Ejoy!
Mara
Have so much fun! I think your kids will have a wonderful time.
The baby centers are lovely. I used them to change diapers and to buy forgotten supplies when my youngest was 10 months old. I nursed all over the place during our Disney visit - sometimes on rides or during shows, but it was also pretty easy to find a secluded corner. I know for sure I nursed on a rather private bench on Tom Sawyer's Island, which was nice. Also a bench to the side of a building in Epcot. I visited in December though, and it wasn't as crowded vs. the summer months.
I did not have a great experience with DME on the way back to the airport. We were the first stop, and there were 3 other resort stops (we stayed at the FW cabins). Because 2 families were late at the other resorts, we almost missed our flight home. We would have if the flight hadn't been delayed! Next time I'll ask what the pick-up order is - so I know for sure that we have enough time.
As for the boats and buses to the parks....we never have a problem in the off season, but I bet it can get crowded in the summer. If you aren't stressed and allow plenty of time, that is a good thing! :)
Best wishes for a GREAT trip!
Laurie, mom to
Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, (almost) 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old
Disneyworld trips in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 1