Advice for a friend going to Disney with a 3 year old

[Unregistered]

I have a friend who is going to Disney in June with her DH, and her child who will be 3 like the week after they get back. What advice to tell her? I have been to Disney many times but no child in tow. She will also be about 5 months pregnant at the time as well.

I have told her so far:
Take lots of breaks
Do not try to do it all
Get to the park at rope drop, then relax in the afternoon
Bring your own stroller because of the price increase and put something on the stroller to identify it is yours


I know some of you have awesome lists. Any other things, including packing and what not. TIA

 

[BeautyNBeast]

I did not realize I was not logged in when I posted.

 

[Aliceacc]

If finances allow it, think about a monorail resort-- the Contemporary in particular. THere's something to be said for being able to walk (OK: Carry) a cranky 3 year old back from the Magic Kingdom regardless of the lines for transportation!!

 

[BeautyNBeast]

They are staying off site. My DH was upset that they were, but it is not us that are going. Thank you though.

 

[scjo68]

We went with my 3yo ds in Jan. One thing I would warn people is that their idea of an "attraction" might not be the same as the child's. My ds loved to play on the playgrounds, wander through the stores, play in the cars at the end of test track, chase birds, and play in the sand. Now, as the paying adult, your first reaction is to think you don't want them to spend this very expensive week doing things they could do at home. But it makes them happy.

I would suggest alternating between real attractions, and letting them have down time, where they do their own thing, and you just follow.

My ds didn't want to do several rides and shows. Normally, I would never try to get a child (or anyone) to experience an attraction they were afraid of. But it soon became obvious that without some strong encouragement, ds would not be doing anything at all. So we got him to try small world, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and the boat Ride in Mexico in Epcot. He liked them. He loved tomorrowland speedway and teacups, and rode them each several times.

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

We went with my 3yo ds in Jan. One thing I would warn people is that their idea of an "attraction" might not be the same as the child's. My ds loved to play on the playgrounds, wander through the stores, play in the cars at the end of test track, chase birds, and play in the sand. Now, as the paying adult, your first reaction is to think you don't want them to spend this very expensive week doing things they could do at home. But it makes them happy.

.

I will have to remember this when I take my 3 year old for the first time in Sept...

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

We went with my 3yo ds in Jan. One thing I would warn people is that their idea of an "attraction" might not be the same as the child's. My ds loved to play on the playgrounds, wander through the stores, play in the cars at the end of test track, chase birds, and play in the sand. Now, as the paying adult, your first reaction is to think you don't want them to spend this very expensive week doing things they could do at home. But it makes them happy.

I will have to remember this when I take my 3 year old for the first time in Sept. The magic of Disney is everywhere on the grounds, not just on the rides.

 

[Cadillac_Dreamgirl]

Your friend should buy a child harness from target or walmart... just in case . If u dont use it you can always return it.