1st vacation with a 2 1/2 grandson

[Grace and Mickey]

Hello. I was wondering what kinds of things you do at home before your vacation to pepare your children for traveling, meeting characthers, rides and other activites they may encounter at WDW. Thank you for you help.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas:

* Watch Disney movies!!! All of the Pixar movies are great and watching the Disney Sing-A-Longs, especially Disneyland Fun, are fun and helpful for introducing the giant characters at the parks and character meals.

* Also, coloring Disney coloring books and reading Disney story books is a great way to introduce the Disney characters and their stories.

* Making an autograph book w/character stickers.

* Watching the planning DVD is a great way to get a view of the parks and a little of what to expect regarding rides.

* All of you get in shape for a ton of walking, by walking - practice pushing the stroller w/GS in it.

* If GS doesn't like the stroller, get him used to walking AND holding a hand, or practice w/a safety leash if necessary.

* Discuss what to do if he gets lost, is in a loud show, how he should behave in a restaurant, etc. My kids have always done much better when they know what to expect and what we expect!

 

[Wendybird55]

My son will almost be 2 when we go in Sept. He's been watching Playhouse Disney since he was 6 months and is familiar with Mickey, Minnie and the other big Disney characters. So if your GD isn't watching Playhouse Disney - get her started!

I am more concerned with getting him used to holding my hand when walking (he loves to run), not being afraid of the characters in costumes, and enjoying the rides.

So this summer we're taking him to local amusement parks and such and he's been having a blast.
We spent a long weekend in PA and took him to Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park - it's great for toddlers. He went on a log floom ride with us and loved it (ready for Splash Mountain), he went on the froggy jumper ride that went up and then bounced up and down and went up and danw again (ready for TOT), he went on a boat ride, a big slide and the Merry Go Round.

he saw this person dressed up as a big gingerbread man and went right up to him -

So it seems he's getting used to rides and characters, we still have a problem with the holding hands - he prefers to run free. But I did get a harness and am trying it out as well.

Also these little trips are helping me learn the best way to pack the diaper bag - what I need, what I don't need and how much activity my son can handle before he starts getting cranky.