Florida Guide > Travelling
Orlando Florida with an Infant & Toddler
On our 1st visit to Orlando since becoming parents we arranged a 3-week visit with our 12 week old baby Jessica. We flew with Virgin and were guaranteed a bulkhead seat with sky cot, as Jessica was less than 6 months old. She received lots of attention on the flight and travelled very well.
We stayed in our own villa and as with most it has very good baby facilities including a travel cot, highchair and pushchair. Jessica was too young to use the highchair but enjoyed sleeping in the travel cot and adjusted to the 5-hour time difference within a day or so.
Jessica loved the private pool and the sunshine and this together with her reaching 12 weeks old the day we arrived seemed to cure her colic.
We visited Gator Land and Sea World during our visit, and the fresh air and sunshine seemed to agree with Jessica although she was more interested in the ducks at Gator Land rather than the alligators and the birds at Sea World instead of Shamu. But all the same she seemed very happy and had a great time.
We took lots of walks and enjoyed a variety of restaurants including Bahama Breeze, JT Prime Time, TGI Fridays and The Tavern at Celebration. All were very happy to welcome us with a baby and most had good changing facilities.
On our 2nd visit when Jessica was 15 months old, we again arranged a 3-week trip flying with Virgin. Unfortunately the flight was a disappointment as when you travel with an infant you are unable to check in online which meant only Jessica and myself were allocated a bulkhead seat with my husband Mike seated the other side of the plane. The flight aside we arrived at our villa in good time and in good spirits, and as before Jessica adjusted very well and slept through the night followed by a long nap the following day.
The pool was again a big hit which she would have been happy to stay in all day. We visited Magic Kingdom, which was lovely; we had been many times before but wanted to experience it through the eyes of Jessica. She seemed to enjoy the singing and dancing and was intently taking everything in her stride. We ate lunch at the Crystal Palace. We tried to book in advance when we arrived but were told the restaurant was fully booked but to come back at 12noon in case of a cancellation. We arrived slightly earlier than 12 noon and were pleased to get a table by 12. 30pm.
The restaurant is buffet style with whinnie the pooh and friends on hand to entertain you. The food was very good, plentiful and varied with a separate section for young children. The characters including Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet visit all the tables to ensure everyone gets a great photo opportunity. Jessica liked to point to Tigger and pooh but was not so sure when they approached her as they are rather big, although mummy thought they were great.
We also visited Sea World and as before Jessica enjoyed watching the birds especially during the Blue Horizons show which was spectacular. She was very excited by the shows and enjoyed watching the people in the crowds.
We enjoyed cooking at the villa as well as eating out. Jessica’s favourite foods are Pasta and mashed potatoes so there are no shortages of restaurants that are suitable. We found Bahama Breeze very good as they served Jessica first so that we could enjoy our meal and provided fresh fruit free of charge for her to munch on whilst she waited. We also enjoyed Carrabas where Jessica enjoyed the salmon and mashed potatoes.
During our 2nd week Jessica learned to walk which we are sure was in part due to the squeaky shoes we bought her in the lovely children’s shop in celebration. By the end of our holiday she was running around and enjoying every moment.
Both our visits with Jessica have been fantastic and stress free, and we are very much looking forward to our next visit in May 2008 when Jessica will be two.
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