Any Disney Hacks for Traveling with YOUNG Kids?

[Disney Princess]

We have gone a couple of times with young kids and had great times, but we are always up for any suggestions or hacks that families have come up with that made their trips even that much better. We are leaving in 3 days and super excited. We are doing a LIVE TRIP REPORT HERE if you'd like to follow, but please let us know if you have thought of something that made your trip fun!

 

[Magic Band Defender]

I'm not sure how well known this is, but there are tot play areas in each park. Some are cool, some are kinda lame, but they are nice spots to let your little ones stretch their legs while doing rider swap.

 

[Disney Princess]

I'm not sure how well known this is, but there are tot play areas in each park. Some are cool, some are kinda lame, but they are nice spots to let your little ones stretch their legs while doing rider swap.

Thanks so much. We hit a couple of them last time. We went to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set and the Boneyard, but we'll have to keep our eyes out for others as Jack loved them

 

[DisneyCAL]

We grabbed a snack once and hopped on the Liberty Square Riverboat. Along the way were some ducks and kids got a hit out of feeding (which i know feeding people food to ducks is bad)but a few cracker crumbs put some smiles on the kids faces. DH playing Big Hungry Bear with the kids in the cave areas of Tom Sawyer Island was a nice moment to watch.
Our last trip the kids were 2.5 and we were teaching them shapes and colors. At Its a small world the stand by line was 40 minutes so we spent the time in line reviewing shapes and colors by playing name that shape or name that color and "I see something...."
Also finding the lizards outside of Rainforest Cafe at AK was pretty neat for the kids.

 

[Disney Princess]

We grabbed a snack once and hopped on the Liberty Square Riverboat. Along the way were some ducks and kids got a hit out of feeding (which i know feeding people food to ducks is bad)but a few cracker crumbs put some smiles on the kids faces. DH playing Big Hungry Bear with the kids in the cave areas of Tom Sawyer Island was a nice moment to watch.
Our last trip the kids were 2.5 and we were teaching them shapes and colors. At Its a small world the stand by line was 40 minutes so we spent the time in line reviewing shapes and colors by playing name that shape or name that color and "I see something...."
Also finding the lizards outside of Rainforest Cafe at AK was pretty neat for the kids.

I love the Big Hungry Bear on Tom Sawyer Island That is too funny!!! We are at the shape stage as well, so that's a fun game for Small World (Hopefully it isn't a 40 minute wait).

Thanks so much for the reply!

 

[lauradis]

We grabbed a snack once and hopped on the Liberty Square Riverboat. Along the way were some ducks and kids got a hit out of feeding (which i know feeding people food to ducks is bad)but a few cracker crumbs put some smiles on the kids faces. DH playing Big Hungry Bear with the kids in the cave areas of Tom Sawyer Island was a nice moment to watch.
Our last trip the kids were 2.5 and we were teaching them shapes and colors. At Its a small world the stand by line was 40 minutes so we spent the time in line reviewing shapes and colors by playing name that shape or name that color and "I see something...."
Also finding the lizards outside of Rainforest Cafe at AK was pretty neat for the kids.

ohhhh your going to disney hello.

 

[Pinkos]

I read on here a while back to pack some pipecleaners in your park bag. Kids can use them to twist into different shapes while waiting inane. I thought that was a cute idea. I'm going to try it out in a few weeks

 

[RRZJ]

What I remember most from our son's first birthday trip years ago is how much he loved the boat ride from MK to Grand Floridian. It had everything to do with the wind. He also loved being allowed to run loose barefoot on the big green open spaces at EPCOT (it was not crowded when we were there on that trip). Looking back, I realize that these were both "free" activities" and involved no planning or stress. Maybe that was it?! A couple years later what amazed him most were things that he could see that we didn't pay attention too - for example, look up at some of the ceilings in the gift shops and you'll find decorations, things hanging from ceilings on rides ... kids spend so much time looking up and us looking down that we miss some stuff that they see up above. Finally, there is nothing like the Wedway People Mover (I constantly forget the "new" name!) to stay cool and relax and entertain the little ones.

 

[newestkg06]

Best "hack" I've read was to use a drink cup topper (the plastic thing you put the straw through) on the bottom of a Mickey Bar to catch drips.

 

[CookiesNcream]

My grandson just loves riding the train around the Magic Kingdom. My goodness, I think he could do it all day long. And any fountain that squirts water is a winner with him. But I think our biggest accomplishment was letting him use his little Nintendo game thing while standing in the lines, it's surprising how fast 45 minutes or an hour can go by when he's occupied with that. I make sure he turns it off and gives it back to me before we get on the ride though.

 

[Disney Princess]

ohhhh your going to disney hello.

hahaha. I think we all have fun doing it, but don't want to admit it. It's like those fish feeders

 

[Disney Princess]

I read on here a while back to pack some pipecleaners in your park bag. Kids can use them to twist into different shapes while waiting inane. I thought that was a cute idea. I'm going to try it out in a few weeks

Interesting. I guarantee my 2 year old would be fascinated by pipe cleaners for a nice chunk of time. I bet you could make letters out of them too.

 

[Disney Princess]

Best "hack" I've read was to use a drink cup topper (the plastic thing you put the straw through) on the bottom of a Mickey Bar to catch drips.

Absolutely genius!!!

 

[Disney Princess]

We are definitely going to pack ziplocs with swimsuits, swim diapers, and crocs for when there is an urge to play in the splash zone

 

[AJ1983]

I saw someone in line today playing a travel memory type game with her small kids (find matching words). So refreshing after seeing so many kids with their face so glued to a phone that they dont even notice a line moving.

 

[larryz]

Kids can use them to twist into different shapes while waiting inane.

An authentic autocorrect lol!

 

[eyehartdisney]

How do your kids feel about self flushing toilets? If they're scared, bring post it notes to cover the sensor with.

Are you planning on doing water type activities? (You might not have a choice in this... those vicious camels in MK like to spit. ) Bring a spare set of clothes in a gallon baggie.

These eye spy bags are really easy to make, just get a clear plastic fronted pencil case and fill with rice and small toys.

Not willing to spend loads of money on evening glowy toys? Go to the dollar store and get a bunch of glow necklaces. I was at dollar tree yesterday and they had glowing swords and princess wands, too!

How 'young' are your kids? for the 5-8ish set I find these to be lifesavers on the plane and at dinner (they come in pretty much any character imaginable, and can be found at walmart and many other places:

These, too:

(please excuse the cars and such links... can you tell we have boys? lol)

 

[Stacymarie1216]

Following along for some unique suggestions! We are heading out for the first week in June with a very newly 3 year old boy and a few days shy of 7 year old girl. We went two years ago when they were almost 1 and almost 5 and had just the best time. It was just after the spring break crowds though so the weather was much cooler and it was much less crowded overall. So excited to see how our 3 year old experiences things this time around! Definitely planning on riding the trains for a good bit and splashing around in fountains .

 

[Mikie]

My kids loved collecting pressed pennies. A mini M&Ms tube is the perfect size to stack 2 quarters, penny, 2 quarters, penny on and on so its ready to go at the penny machines. Then a Mentos gum container is the perfect size for the elongated pressed penny. If you're feeling really crafty, the Cretive DISigns board here has designers who make printable customized labels for your containers - my son had a Star Wars theme label with his name, and daughters had a Mike Wizowski and an Ariel each with their names. Fun to find the machines and I challenge you to find any other souvenir for only $.51 ! Once you've collected a few, the kids like to get them out and admire them to pass the time.

 

[lauradis]

My kids loved collecting pressed pennies. A mini M&Ms tube is the perfect size to stack 2 quarters, penny, 2 quarters, penny on and on so its ready to go at the penny machines. Then a Mentos gum container is the perfect size for the elongated pressed penny. If you're feeling really crafty, the Cretive DISigns board here has designers who make printable customized labels for your containers - my son had a Star Wars theme label with his name, and daughters had a Mike Wizowski and an Ariel each with their names. Fun to find the machines and I challenge you to find any other souvenir for only $.51 ! Once you've collected a few, the kids like to get them out and admire them to pass the time.

If they like them it becomes a hunt in every store to find them too.

I recommend not buying the press penny holders at disney, unless they really want them.

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Souveni...im_misc_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=11AW5Z97Q7A5A7T08C4P

We have a couple of off market ones, I bring one with me so at night or during our free time she can put them in her collection.