3 year old at Disney World

[TooMuchMana]

Aloha Everyone,

I am taking my daughter to Disney World this year and super excited. However, I've never been to Disneyland or Disney World with someone so young. Just hoping for strategies to handling someone so young in a place of endless distractions. Example: waiting in lines, bathroom breaks while waiting in line. Or something like that. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo,

Will

 

[Wallaby]

Everyone is mean and grumpy at Disney. End of the line for you!

 

[Wendybird55]

We first took our son when he was almost 2 and he's been going every year since. I found with his first couple of trips it was best to keep to a schedule he was comfortable with. We planned our meals to be around the same time we had them at home. My son really didn't nap so we found staying in the parks day into evening and not staying out late worked. On days we wanted to see nighttime parades or fireworks we went back to resort for late afternoon rest. Many families with toddlers prefer to go back to rooms in afternoon for nap and pool time.

A comfortable yet easily portable stroller was essential. Make sure there's a decent sized basket to carry a small bag with diapers, wipes, snacks, small toys to keep them occupied, first aid, sun screen etc. We had a McClaren which lasted us for many enjoyable trips. Many toddlers also tend to nap in their strollers which can be helpful.

Unless you know your child is an excellent eater, I found bringing familiar and favorite snacks very helpful. I was concerned that DS would want to run around and not stay in stroller, but it was opposite. There's so much to see while strolling through Disney DS enjoyed sitting back and watching the sites as we went from area to area. We also found we didn't need much to occupy him while waiting on lines as there was always something that caught his attention.

Before we went to Disney for first time we took DS to local amusement parks and such to see how he reacted on rides and with people dressed in character costumes - though you won't really know how they will react until you get there.

I just found it was best to take our cues from DS. I had been to Disney many times before we took him and DH and I went together before he was born so we were totally fine with planning the trip around his schedule, likes and moods and we had a great time! We also found the play areas in the parks to be great spots for him. Gave him a chance to run around and have some fun.

A good suggestion I got on these boards was before we left I printed out a sheet of avery labels with my son's name and mine and my husband's names and cell phone #s and made sure there was one stuck to the back of my son's shire while in Disney. Though I didn't expect for him to get lost, just in case we did get separated he had our contact information on him.

I suggest you become as familiar as you can with the parks before you go so you know which rides /attractions will be good for your daughter. Youtube is a great way to see the rides.


Some pre-planning and the ability to be flexible while there based on your daughter's reactions are 2 good starts. Don't worry about doing and seeing everything, just go and enjoy watching your little girl experience the magic for the first time...it's amazing.

 

[Hootch]

of our kids on their first WDW vacation when they were three. Naps are important. We stayed at the Contemporary with our son. It was convenient for the midday break and my wife was five months pregnant at the time. That location is convenient if you are leaving with a crowd. The first trip for the second child was short. We tried to make it through the whole day but had a meltdown at 50s Prime Time.

Umbrella stroller, umbrella stroller, umbrella stroller. Great to have at night heading back to the room with the child. Folds up easy on the bus.

Going with a child that age is different but very rewarding. I think it is important to allow the child some time just to play. Sure you have playgrounds at home but sometimes the child just needs a little time play. They won't probably remember much but they will be thrilled by so much on the trip. I thought using a video camera in the early years was good as you can catch more of the spontaneous actions.

 

[denneg]

Our son is five and going on his 8th trip next month, it will be our first with two kids ( baby will be 5 months), so I have some experience and tips!

I totally agree with the poster who encouraged bringing favorite snacks, and I would suggest juice boxes or Capri Sun waters. My DS doesn't like drinking plain water, so we have found the Capri Suns to be lifesavers in Disney. It can't really spill, he drinks it quickly through the straw, and they fit nicely in our small cooler bag with our waters. You can place a grocery order through a delivery service like Garden Grocer if you don't have a car, very easy. I also agree on the importance of a stroller! We love Joovy strollers for their smaller size and huge canopy, plus DS says its the most comfortable. He has never complained about not walking, he stands enough in lines and walking around each area. We had to buy a sit and stand for our next trip, he feels too old to sit next to his brother in a double but still wants to avoid walking.

For lines, typically DS would play or talk with other kids in line. Otherwise we play Rock Paper Scissors, eye spy, or other silly games. Last resort, to avoid a meltdown, I always have an iPod or toy in my camera bag. I try to avoid him being head down into electronics, but will d anything to avoid a meltdown. We also go on his schedule, arrive early and by lunch we are ready for a break. Lots of families can go much longer, but we find some pool time or a rest goes a long way. Take advantage of the rider swap pass for rides your child isn't tall enough for if you are interested in the bigger rides, DH and I would do that while DS napped in his stroller when he was really young.

Book ADRs for dinner on the earlier end, you'll all be ready to get to bed, or at least relax, and won't want to be bussing back after a late dinner. I'd suggest the Disney Jr breakfast at Hollywood & Vine, and fun dinners like Teppan Edo, Ohana, Chef Mickeys, or the Hoop De Doo - we found that DS does better with some entertainment when he's tired at the end of the day, rather than a quiet restaurant!

 

[Tondee]

I read somewhere to take ring pops. Best advice ever...great for HM and Pirates. My son doesn't like to ride by himself so he was happy on all the rides cause mom or dad could be right there. Heck, most of the rides we were all in the same seat.
We would snack in line. I also brought my iPad-he would play on that during any long waits.

 

[froggygal1301]

Have something that lights up as a comfort item for dark rides. We just happened to have a plastic Spiderman bracelet that lit up that was purchased at a Walgreens nearby. It was a lifesaver for my normally not clingy 3yo son. Glow bracelets, etc may work too just remember sometimes you have duds with those.

 

[frozengurl]

Aloha Everyone, I am taking my daughter to Disney World this year and super excited. However, I've never been to Disneyland or Disney World with someone so young. Just hoping for strategies to handling someone so young in a place of endless distractions. Example: waiting in lines, bathroom breaks while waiting in line. Or something like that. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Mahalo, Will

Aloha!
Your daughter is going to love it!!! To see disney through her eyes is going to be amazing!
One of the tips I encourage is afternoon breaks, even if she doesn't nap anymore, give her time to rest or swim, then you can go back to the parks in the evening. Tip: there is a nice quiet walkway behind space mountain on the left hand side, sometimes I walk back there with the kids just to get them out of the hustle and bustle.... Or if one fell asleep in the stroller!
Good luck! Have fun! And if a meltdown does happen, relax, we've all been there!!!

 

[wallskm]

I agree with the poster that said to make sure to give the 3 year old time to play...My kids loved just playing on the playgrounds! Getting out some of that pent up energy from sitting in the stroller was good for them. I also had snacks and drinks handy always to curb hunger/thirst and that also helped. My oldest was almost 4 when we went and was no longer napping at home but took a few naps at Disney. Both in the stroller and in the room. He had a blast and his behavior was AMAZING that trip...absolutely no problems from him at all.

 

[cmwilson523]

I think you have gotten some excellent advice above.

Make sure you really listen to your child's cues about whether you should keep going or take a break. You aren't going to see and do everything, so expect that from the beginning. The biggest family breakdowns that seem to happen are when everyone seems to be pushing the "we are here and don't know when we are going to get back so we have to get our money's worth and must go go go all day" thing. That makes everyone tired and miserable. It does not matter if you are there for weeks - you won't see everything, so just enjoy what you can see and the time with your family.

The break times can be the best opportunities for fun. I got some of the most wonderful pictures of my son during a trip when he was two when we went back to the resort for nap time and he discovered the splash pad at the Contemporary. He started running through the water and had a blast! The pictures are amazing with his happy face and his little body running full speed through the water. So what that he was soaked? He had more fun than we could have planned for. We were going back to the room and he was headed for a nap anyway.

Have a stroller that you can take back to the room - not a park rental stroller. Umbrella stroller, rented through one of the Orlando rental companies, whatever. Just make sure you can take it back to the room because a sleeping kid is heavy to carry back to your room! I don't know how but they weigh somewhere close to 150 pounds when they are sleeping and your room seems about 5 miles further than when you left it.

Some kids love the characters and some are terrified of them, especially in that 2-5 year old age. The "face" characters (the princesses and those whose real faces you can see) are generally not as potentially scary as those who have the full costumes. When you think about it, they look like really, really big stuffed animals that have come to life. So they could be very exciting or very terrifying. If you don't know how your child might react, it might be good to first find out at a time when you don't spend a very long time in line waiting to see a character and then have them get horribly upset upon coming face to face with something that scares them!

And have tons of fun! Our son is four and has been to WDW and DL a total of 6 times so far. He already asks "how many days until we can go back?" The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

 

[khertz]

You have gotten some great advice already that I would suggest too, so I won't repeat it. But you did mention bathroom breaks, so I wanted to share our experience with that since it may help you out.

On our last trip in October, DS was fairly newly potty trained, and I was terrified if how the trip would go. I can happily say there was only one single time we had to leave a line for a bathroom break and that was for more than just a pee break, if you get my drift. At home, he will sometimes go several hours before he needs to potty, but then when he needs to go, he needs to go RIGHT THAT SECOND. So in Disney, we did our best to avoid that by taking him very frequently. We went after every mealtime, and then about every 1.5-2 hours we'd take him and make him go, even if it was only a little bit and he didn't feel like he needed to. The first day or so, he'd try to insist he didn't need to go, but eventually he realized we weren't backing down. The frequent bathroom stops helped us to avoid having to leave any more lines later on for potty emergencies. I will say, though, that the one time we did leave the line for the bathroom, everyone in line was sympathetic.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Prepare your child (By showing them photos on Google images of similar) of the characters so they realize Minnie and Company are huge. Lots of little ones are surprised by this and a little intimidated at first.

Watch the Disney cartoons in advance, so the child understands the themed rides, shows, and characters.

Bring a glow stick each day and night and tell the child it's a 'magic wand' to carry during dark rides. (Red was suggested as less noticeable to other passengers.)

TAKE A MID DAY BREAK and come back refreshed in the evening.

Most kids love their hotel pool as much as the parks. Schedule some time to just kick back there.

Plan little entertainments for the lines. "Do you see something blue? Who is the tallest person you see? Where is the littlest baby? What's your favorite snack to eat later?" and so on.

A few thoughts!

 

[disnut8]

I'm thinking you still have a stroller so I would prepare yourself by making sure you can fold it up and down easily. Also, I would advise you explain to your daughter that she might not be able to immediately be in that stroller once you are off an attraction and she might have to leave that stroller before you board an attraction. Could save some time there.

I'd also encourage very inexpensive line time diversions. Pipe cleaners are recommended to fold into different shapes. Cost very little. You could also get some index cards and make flash cards with a picture of a Disney character and then some facts about them on the back. Or, if she's into something specific now (church or dance or whatever), you could do flash cards for those subjects. Just don't tell her she's learning!

But the best thing you can do is to listen to her and her needs. If she's tired, pull over to the side and take a break. If that doesn't work, go back to the resort and have a few hours. If she's hungry, have her eat - pack some items in bags or a small Pringles can so she can snack. If she eats Uncrustibles, pack one of those. Pretzels are great as are nuts or other healthy items. Peanut butter snacks. Take a bottle of water for hydration.

Wait a minute....... that last paragraph sounds like I do for me!

Taking a three year old is no different from taking this 52 year old. Know what they like and what they want to do but more importantly, know what they CAN do.

 

[kitayama]

If she's hungry, have her eat - pack some items in bags or a small Pringles can so she can snack. If she eats Uncrustibles, pack one of those. Pretzels are great as are nuts or other healthy items. Peanut butter snacks. Take a bottle of water for hydration.

Uncrustibles are the best thing ever!!! I thought they were a waste of money until we started taking them for long days at Disneyland.
I guess this goes without saying, but get a good backpack (don't be cheap, $100+ for a supportive daypack that breaths well is worth it). I found it necessary to carry the snacks, drinks, wipes (I know, no diapers, but these are still useful), spare change of clothes, etc. with me at all times. The time you think you won't need something so you leave it in the stroller will definitely be the time you need it. Having said that, pack lightly. Don't carry things you may possibly need once on a rare occasion, buy them if you need to. It is worth the Disney premium price to save your back.

 

[jiminyfan]

You know your child the best and a lot better than anyone on this board or anywhere in the world. What worked best for us may be a disaster for you. Our son was raised in amusement parks, first part was at 3 weeks old (one week out of NICU) and his first WDW trip was at 6 months. We always had him out and about in public, restaurants and everywhere we went. He could handle everything that he was exposed to without almost and trouble. He flew and travels better than a lot of adults I know.

Out child didn't need a lot of naps and breaks and still doesn't at 14, so we could go-go-go with him. He went on any attraction that didnt have a height restriction from his first trip and as he met the others they were added.

Depending on how you raised your child they may freak out at a 5 foot mouse or a 7 foot dog in clothing or they may run up and give them a hug. Facing swarms of legs and arms at face level may also put them into a panic or they may love seeing all of the action. Only you know how they may act and even you may be shocked.

My only advice with a small child is allow them to enjoy the magic they find. I used to hate hearing parents grump that their kid wants to play in the fountain or play area rather than ride an attraction. We always felt the vacation was a family vacation and he was happier feeding ducks a $3 box of popcorn that was priceless to us. Many times we forget that our children see the world and especially a place like WDW a lot different than we do as adults. To a small boy watching a steam engine go by is more magical that sitting in a boat going through a dark ride with cannons going off and people singing about pirates. If they are an only child it may be a lot more rewarding to play with others their age than ride a car and see colorful wood cutout and watch you try to shoot the targets with little "laser" lights.

Fireworks could be a WOW or OUCH experience too. You know your child's likes/dislikes/fears/favs - so plan your day around them.

At three it is tough for them to tell you what they like at times and sensory overload can easily happen.

Forget about over planning and just go and enjoy watching your child experience the magic first hand, I guarantee you will see some new magic that you walk by a hundred times before because of your child.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[BellsFam]

The frequent bathroom stops helped us to avoid having to leave any more lines later on for potty emergencies. I will say, though, that the one time we did leave the line for the bathroom, everyone in line was sympathetic.

We took DD at 3, to help with bathroom breaks, we bought Minnie pull-ups... justincase we couldn't make it fast enough, or super long lines that we didn't want to leave/couldn't leave... DD thought of them as her special undies, and was shocked to think of going potty in them, so accidents didn't occur, but the idea of the "backup" eased my mind a lot...

 

[Travelgrrl]

Depending on how you raised your child they may freak out at a 5 foot mouse or a 7 foot dog in clothing or they may run up and give them a hug. Facing swarms of legs and arms at face level may also put them into a panic or they may love seeing all of the action. Only you know how they may act and even you may be shocked.

My only advice with a small child is allow them to enjoy the magic they find. I used to hate hearing parents grump that their kid wants to play in the fountain or play area rather than ride an attraction. We always felt the vacation was a family vacation and he was happier feeding ducks a $3 box of popcorn that was priceless to us. Many times we forget that our children see the world and especially a place like WDW a lot different than we do as adults. To a small boy watching a steam engine go by is more magical that sitting in a boat going through a dark ride with cannons going off and people singing about pirates. If they are an only child it may be a lot more rewarding to play with others their age than ride a car and see colorful wood cutout and watch you try to shoot the targets with little "laser" lights.

Forget about over planning and just go and enjoy watching your child experience the magic first hand, I guarantee you will see some new magic that you walk by a hundred times before because of your child.

Enjoy your trip.

This was really beautiful, and sound advice for any parent.

My daughter at age 6 loved the pop up fountains at Epcot and I spent a good hour letting her prance and play to her heart's content. She had a light cotton dress on, it was warm and breezy and I knew I could wrap her in our two cardigans until she dried fully.

She was in her glory, while a few kids ran hither and yon but didn't get soaked. We got a few hateful looks from other parents, but she didn't notice and I didn't care. Maybe I planned for us to go on a particular ride at that point - but would I have remembered that ride the way I do her fountain dancing? Of course not.

 

[ilovebassets]

Lots of great advice on here. I recommend rope drop and making the morning hours really count in terms of doing lots of attractions. If you are going to do a lot of TS restaurants, then we found lunch around 11:30 to be the best time. They haven't reached meltdown stage yet. Restaurants are usually less crowded and sometimes cheaper at this time. And most importantly, it gets you sitting down and relaxing a bit while the parks are starting to get really crowded. If you are going to eat CS lunch, go between 11 and 11:30 or else crowds can be unbearable. We liked to do CS dinner instead. Usually very uncrowded.

We typically checked out of the parks by 5:30-6. We just skip nighttime entertainment for the most part except for one night at Epcot. The day we stay up late at epcot we don't do rope drop though. Instead we do downtown disney or mini golf or a water park in the morning. (Downtown disney and mini golf are practically empty first thing in the morning.)

Basically, don't stay up too late just because you're at disneyworld. And zig when others zag if that makes sense. 3 is a wonderful age to go to disneyworld. The magic is so real at that age.