A question about balloons in the parks . . .

[2princes'mom]

I have been to WDW several times but never with a 2 year old and so I have a question for those who have purchased balloons (with or with out kids) .
My little man LOVES balloons so very much that despite his speech delay, it is one of the words he tries to articulate multiple times a day and he usually has one in his hands. Bbbbwwwoommm Bbbwwooomm!! Due to this love and facination for balloons, I can tell you that we will need to purchase the first one we see (and possibly 2 or 3 more) so my question is this:

If we tie it to the stroller, is it likely to be taken while we are in a ride or at a show?

If I bring a small one with me (think size of a softball) that I blow up personally (no helium) so that he can have one in his hands as well, will he be able to carry it onto the majority of rides (well the ones that he is allowed to get on?)

I am concerned because part of what his developmental therapist and I have noticed is that he often has something in his hand and does NOT want to let it go until he decides he is ready. She has said this is his way of organizing himself and giving himself something that he can have control over. When he has an object like a balloon in his hands, it helps him to focus on that instead of some of the things that trigger his frustrations (and yes fits).

Anyway, if any one could answer either of those questions, I would be most appreciative.

THANKS so much!!

 

[shellybaxter]

Could he hold something else in his hands. There are many people with latex allergies and Disney balloons are designed to be safe for those people. We have tied balloons to our ECV and never had them taken but anything is possible. Also, don't stay at AKL - no balloons allowed their or at the Animal Kingdom theme park

 

[Disneyadore]

I really have no answers for you but just what a sad society we live in where balloons from two year olds get stolen.

 

[kaligal]

Theft is always a possibility when things are left unattended. I don't know about "likely", but thieves go to WDW, too.

Don't stay at AKL if you want to bring balloons back to the room. They have a policy against it.

There are so many, many things available to buy at WDW that it is likely you'll find something else the child likes, even if balloons-all-day isn't practical.

People with latex allergies may frown on you bringing latex balloons.

Have a great trip!!

 

[KathyK]

We have tied balloons to strollers in the past, and they were there when we got back.

 

[Bradsdadg]

I don't believe they will let you take a balloon onto a ride. It might get loose and be stuck in there or somthing. I have seen people tie their balloons to their strollers. Not heard of people stealing them, but you never know. Also, be prepared for the cost. I believe the big clear balloons with the colored mickey one inside costs $10 each.

 

[babby]

I have a 2 yr old that loves balloons also. He also has a speech delay and calles the balloon "baaaaaaaaaaaaa"!!!. Has your son watched the UP movie? When the house floats off with all the balloons in the air Jacob screams "BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" "BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" - too funny, I has to share that. But back to your question- I think your balloon would be safe- just tie it real tight that may discourage someone from attempting to untie it to take it, but I guess they could always pop or cut the string. Be prepared the balloons are not cheap! 10.00 a pop I believe!

 

[Kat&Dom]

I always end up buying a balloon for my son and we tie it to the stroller and I have never had it stolen. They are expensive though - $10 per balloon. Also, the balloons are not for sale until later in the day - I think at parade time, they bring them out and sell them to a captive, waiting audience.

What I did this last trip was bring some Disney balloons that I got at the dollar store that my son could play with at the condo. This was the only trip where he did not ask for me to buy a balloon at Disney.

My son did take a stuffed animal "Goofy" on the rides with him with no problem. I have not seen anyone with a balloon on a ride though.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

My son has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) & he was the same way, always needing something in his hand to twirl & hold onto. Because of his needs, I would not have taken him to Disneyworld at the age of 2. He may be too young to enjoy the experience due to his needs at this time. I don't want to be flamed for saying that, but speaking from a mom with experience, I did not take my son to Disneyworld until he was in 1st grade, so about age 6-7.

I did always have something for him to keep him entertained in the ride lines & waiting for the show/parades to start, his Nintendo DS, or a Buzz Lightyear spiinny toy that lights up (tons at Disneyworld)!!

We have since been every year & he is now in 9th grade. I truly understand your needs, so that is why I wanted to share my thoughts & experiences with you. If you are flying, a portable DVD player on the airplane with some of his favorite movies (like UP) would keep him focused & entertained. Hope this helps !!! Take Care !!!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

If a balloon gets popped they will replace it for free. Just see a castmember. They have no problems doing this. No, they will not allow them on rides and I would consider finding an alternative at the stores - maybe an animal backpack with a balloon pin or something like that just to carry him over until the ride is done? They have clip on Puffles which could resemble a balloon on www.disneystore.com or they have a Minnie Mouse birthday plush with a stuffed balloon? But if it is okay to just leave the balloon tied to the stroller, I would stick with that. But, like others have said, they are not allowed in Animal Kingdom or the Lodge. I hope you find a solution that will work!

 

[YodaGirl]

We tied DD's to her stroller and never had a problem. I guess the possibility exists, but I've never heard of anyone having an issue with it.

I think that it would be perfectly fine to bring a smaller balloon for him to play with. No one else should be messing with his balloon, and as long as he doesn't have a latex allergy, you should be fine. They don't ban nuts from the park because some people are allergic.

ETA: The balloons, while expensive, stay up fairly well. DD's stayed up for several weeks after we returned home.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Just be aware that ballons are not sold or allowed in Animal Kingdom Park, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and both water parks.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We have gotten them in the past and tied it to the stroller. When we were staying at AKL, when we were leaving the park I asked my son to give the balloon to another child so he can enjoy the balloon. We explained to him no balloons allowed at the resort.

 

[skier_pete]

All info is good so far -

MK and DHS will be selling huge balloons near the entrance. Balloons are harder to find at Epcot, and non-existant at AK. As pointed out AKL doesn't allow balloons either.

We bought a balloon at DHS last trip - we brought it with us into shows and put it between our legs, but did leave it with the stroller on occasion. At Playhouse Disney show, we tried to bring it in, but they made us leave it outside. It was still there when we came out. They give you weights for the end of the string, so it is unlikely it gets lost. There's always a chance of it being stolen...but I would save your receipt, and if it is stolen, they would probably replace it.

In our case, we were coming out of IJ stunt show, and it rubbed against a tree which poked a hole in it. A CM helped us put scotch tape over the hole. By the time we got up front again, they had stopped selling them, but Guest Services gave us a slip for a new balloon. We never used it, as the balloon lasted the full 5 days of our trip, even with the tape over the hole. We gave it away our last day, and still have the replacement slip in with our park passes.

As far as blowing up a small softball size balloon and letting your DS hold it on rides, it is probably not a problem, but you may run into CM that say no. Most of the rides a 2-year old would ride would not be an issue - it's not like he is going on Space Mountain. Just keep it as small as DS will approve, the smaller the better.

 

[SweetSpot]

My 20 yr son is AS so I understand the need to hold something at that age. I always kept him far from balloons due to choking issues (he put everything in his mouth for many, many years) so never had that one but there were other fixations. I would start searching for a plastic balloon or some sort of balloon replacement that can be consistant and not disposable so you don't have to worry about where to get one or taking it on rides. If you find somehting he likes buy many, just in case you lose it. Sometimes his fixations were a blessing because it calmed him down.

 

[MareSINY]

My niece just turned 3 and has ASD, she also has speech delays and an affection for balloons (she also calls them bawwooons). We usually can't get out of a store without purchasing one. Her newest obsession is balls. Every store we go into that has a ball she manages to find and want. Some times we manage to divert her, other times she melts down if she doesn't get what she wants. She carries a blanket that she's had since she was born, she calls it bankee and bankee is very well loved. It's definitely her security blanket. She's been to Disney with us twice now, the first time she had just turned 1 and hadn't been diagnosed or in therapy yet. The second time was in November, she was 2 1/2 and really hated Disney. She gets freaked out in large crowds and just couldn't handle it. We made sure to get a GAC, but even with the card she hardly went on any rides. She wouldn't leave her stroller, and by the time she adjusted to her surroundings on a ride it would be over. It was just too much of a sensory over load for her. We don't plan to bring her back until she's a few years older and we'll see how she's coping then.

We have had balloons at Disney and have never had them taken from our strollers.

Would a small ball work the same way for him as a balloon? You might find it easier to get on rides with a ball rather than a balloon. Kyleigh is so freaky about her balloons, she wont let us tie them to anything and wouldn't understand having to leave it while we got onto a ride. You might be better off trying to avoid the balloons if your son is anything like Kyleigh.

 

[2princes'mom]

Thank you so much for all of your responses. We aren't staying at AKL but it's good to know that we can't take you to AK. This will allow me to talk to him about it before we go. We actually plan on doing AK before MK so there is a possibility we will not have picked one up yet I suppose. Our first park will be DHS.

We have traveled with him before (last year it was Sea World) and he does great in the car with a DVD player so we will be bringing our lap top with us on the plane.

It is a GREAT idea to find a stuffed toy that is perhaps holding a stuffed balloon! I will look for something like that. Knowing that children have been allowed to take small stuffed animals on a ride in the past helps me to know that if I do find something like that we should be ok. My mom is coming with us to be with him when he is unable to get on a certain ride or gets tired and needs a nap.

It is also a FANTASTIC idea to get one of the Buzz Lightyear Spinning Light Up toys! He would really enjoy something like that.


I was happy to hear that so far it sounds as though people pretty much leave the balloons that are tied to the stroller alone! It's a great idea to keep my reciept. I remembered the cost from our last trip when ODS wanted one.

@Babby - YES!! HE LOVES UP!!! He can't get enough of that movie and has learned to say UP but still calls it Bwwwwoommm Bbbwwwooom! lol

 

[fairestoneofall]

whatever you do, don't leave a balloon in a hot car. we've always gone in cooler months and never had any problems. DD has been planning for MONTHS to get one of the light-up balloons. my sister told her to wait until our last night (i just should've followed my instinct and let her get it the first night). on our way out of town, we made a short hour-long stop. in that time, the mickey balloon popped and the clear outside balloon deflated. DD was so upset. i felt so badly for her because she has talked about that balloon for a long time.

we always bring our balloons home with us and they always last for a few months. she was looking forward to having this one for awhile. that was $15 wasted.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Have you ever tried filling a small balloon with sand? It's a good alternative to blowing it up and will give him something squishy to hold and squeeze. That might suffice as a balloon toy for him but it's more like a ball and perhaps more likely to be allowed on rides. We use sand-filled balloons in my special ed preschool class. Some of the kids focus better during circle time when they have something in their hands to fidget with. Koosh balls are also good but your son might like the balloon better.

 

[Avery&Todd]

I have to say, even though the balloons are pricey, they are sturdy!!

We actually came back to our hotel room & there was a balloon in there from mousekeeping and it was a double balloon - with a purple Mickey head inside a clear balloon and its STILL in my dining room floating up in the air - and we were there from June 12-16th!!



it is starting to look a little sad, but until it "dies" on its own, it can just float there...