Baby A and Chris accompanied me to the Financial Services Assurance Sector Conference at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida on November 7-9, 2016. We moved to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for a couple days after the conference to introduce Baby A to Walt Disney World.

With our SPG Gold status, we were upgraded to a Resort Room at the Swan Hotel. Although the room had a mini-refrigerator, there was no freezer compartment for my breast milk ice pack. My request for storage options was met with resistance from the front desk and hotel manager, but we were eventually given freezer access by the bell desk.

After settling into our hotel room, we took a walk along Disney’s Boardwalk. We ate dinner on the waterfront outdoor patio of Big River Grille & Brewing Works as strollers were not allowed inside the restaurant. I ordered the Brewery Nachos with Chicken and Chris had the Hickory Bacon Burger accompanied by a Southern Flyer Light Lager. For dessert, we shared a large sugar cone filled with Baked/Unbaked (vanilla ice cream with pieces of housemade chocolate chip cookies and brown butter cookie dough) and Butter Pecan Brittle (dark brown sugar ice cream with pieces of housemade pecan brittle) ice cream from Ample Hills Creamery.

Ordering Flowchart at Ample Hills Creamery

Disney’s Friendship Boat Transportation at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort was closed for renovations and we took the jogging path along the water to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Baby A was dressed as Donald Duck for the day. Cast member Akiko loved the costume and gave Baby A a Donald Duck plush toy souvenir to take home.

Many of the theme park attractions were not suitable for a four-month-old infant, so we spent our time meeting and taking pictures with the Disney characters. We met Donald Duck outside Guest Relations by the park entrance after visiting the Baby Care Center. We met Chip and Dale nearby ABC Commissary after enjoying our lunch of angus burger and chicken sandwich with fries. We met Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse after a half hour queue for the Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams attraction (Baby A fell asleep while in line). We met Pluto at the Animation Courtyard shortly before leaving the park. Goofy was standing in an uncovered area facing the sun, and we elected against the photo-op to avoid excessive sun exposure for Baby A.

The Baby Care Center located within Guest Relations was a tremendous convenience for nursing and diaper changes. The main room included a sink, a microwave, cushioned seats, high chairs, and a television playing Disney cartoons. On either side of the kitchen area were curtained private rooms for nursing. The adjoining room was equipped with changing tables with disposable changing pad sheets and a child-sized toilet.

Seating and Television in Baby Care Center

We participated in Disney character dining at the Garden Grove restaurant in the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. My half roasted chicken and Chris’s cedar plank salmon included an unlimited buffet of soups, salads, and desserts. Pluto and Goofy stopped by our table to meet Baby A and take pictures during dinner.

Half Roasted Chicken at Garden Grove Restaurant

We were able to secure 2:00PM late checkout at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort and took the complimentary Disney Bus Transportation to Disney Springs during our last day in Orlando. We had breakfast at Starbucks and lunch at Earl of Sandwich during our visit to the shopping area. Baby A was mesmerized by the painted ceilings at World of Disney and the life-size figures at The Lego Store.

Buzz Lightyear at The Lego Store

Wall Display at The Lego Store

Baby A was able to take a brief dip in the kiddie pool at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort before check out. Chris and I took turns holding Baby A while he splashed in the pool since he is not yet able to sit unsupported. We are looking forward to more travels and Disney adventures with our little explorer!