3 Year Old - And queues!

[Tinks1984]

Title says it all really...

We're in the planning stages for May next year and my LO will be 3 & 3 months around the time we arrive. I know May isn't normally excessive for queues, but as my LO has the attention span of a goldfish at present, I just thought I'd ask if any of you have any distraction techniques for beating the boredom whilst in the queue with a 3 year old?

Anything will do, no matter how big or small. Of course we will utilise FP+ as best as possible for her, but I know some rides will be inevitable to queue in even with the FP help!

 

[2Tiggies]

I used to take a small bag with stickers, crayons, paper, snacks, coloring in sheets and a few small toys whenever I went out anywhere I thought DD would get bored. Although she was a bit older than yours when we first went to Disney, we went over Easter the first two times and some of the meet and greet lines were well over an hour I just sat her on the ground with her stuff and scooted her along as we went lol. She generally waited well but a distraction made it easier

I must say, Disney has done a great job of making the queue areas interesting and many are interactive. Especially the ones targeting small children.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[tinks_1989]

I think she will surprise you.

Elsie is crazy literally doesn't sit all day long not even to play with toys she is up running around, jumping about. But in WDW and in queues she is so much better I think the excitement of what is to come keeps her better behaved. She loves rides and meeting characters.

She will get handed stickers from pretty much every CM. We would come back to the hotel every morning with pockets full of them. Also other children in the queues will talk and play together, show each other their autograph books, souvenirs.

 

[PJB71]

I can't add much more than what's already been posted but we also makesure that we have either iPad / iPod / or iPhone with us ( only one of them ) incase of emergencies

She will be fine don't worry

 

[pickers1982]

My two year is normally pretty lively but in queues and dining he was a star. That said we didnt do any particularly long lines. Maybe thirty mins max

 

[Elise79]

My DD has never had a long attention span but like others had no issues in the queues. We however have a 30 minute rule - that we won't line up if the quoted waited is longer than that.

Now she is 5 we give her a choice if she really wants to ride something we tell her how long she will have to wait & she chooses if she wants to or not.

 

[2Tiggies]

I can't add much more than what's already been posted but we also makesure that we have either iPad / iPod / or iPhone with us ( only one of them ) incase of emergencies

She will be fine don't worry

Ok so I am old fashioned and used paper and crayons

Now she is 5 we give her a choice if she really wants to ride something we tell her how long she will have to wait & she chooses if she wants to or not.

Oddly when mine was younger she did better at waiting in queues than she does now. Now that she is 12, understands how long an hour is, can read posted wait times and access the Lines app from her own iPhone, I am more likely to get 'how long?!" comments than I was 6 years ago Younger children are often a lot easier to manage, lol

 

[scoobydooby]

Early morning is your friend I think with younger children. They get up when you tell them. So make them get up early!!!!! The first two hours in a park are fabulous and if you use a touring plan they keep you ahead for the next two hours. Make sure to use a stroller (even of you don't at home), WDW is massive. If you get up early and use a touring plan you won't see a queue of any real sort till after lunch, by which time I advise you get back to the hotel for a swim or a nap. In your case I'd book FP plus for my evening park so you can guarantee short lines morning and night. It's magic when they are that young. Just be sure to take that afternoon break

 

[crabbie1]

Oddly when mine was younger she did better at waiting in queues than she does now. Now that she is 12, understands how long an hour is, can read posted wait times and access the Lines app from her own iPhone, I am more likely to get 'how long?!" comments than I was 6 years ago Younger children are often a lot easier to manage, lol[/QUOTE]

Exactly. My feelings . DD now pulls a face when we say 30 min wait. Told her she needs to go when there is a 90 min wait and thats a good day.

 

[mollies_mum]

I have a VERY fidgety 3 year old and was worried about queuing with him but he was absolutely amazing in the queues! Other guests were talking to him, he was having a good nose around and generally just enjoying it. He was even better once he had been on a few rides and knew what was coming. He waited for an hour in the TSM queue at 10pm after no afternoon nap with no problems at all! I did have some small bags of crisps and other goodies in my bag but didn't really need them. I think your little one will surprise you x

 

[Tinks1984]

Ahhh, thanks for the reassuring replies everyone! Seems LO's are sometimes better than we are in queues

We wouldn't queue anything over 30 minutes with her, if that was the case, I'd stay off the ride, or my Mum will, and do another activity with her why the others ride

 

[orangetiggs]

We are on our forth trip this year with our now four year old twins and they are fab in the queues, there are so much to look at around most of the queues they will have too much to do

Like some have said early morning with lowercrowds we found great to get loads done before lunch

My girls love it and im sure you will do fine

We even queued for 40 mins to see pooh and rabbit and the girls were just so excited about seeing rabbit the wait didnt matter