Areas to crawl?

[tania7424]

This is my 5th trip to DLR. Not being a mom before, or even married and thinking about kids, I've never paid attention to things for little ones. Are there any areas I can put DS down, and let him crawl for awhile? He'll be 8 months when we're there and is VERY active.

 

[tracer]

We took our oldest son at 10 months when he was crawling. We took a light weight, good sized blanket that folded up small and tucked it away in the stroller. We took it out a few times so he could stretch out and move around a little bit. I can't think of anywhere that you would want him to crawl around on at Disneyland. Yes, it's a clean place but not for little hands and knees to crawl on...I am at a loss maybe you will get other suggestions.

 

[tania7424]

Did you just put it on the ground somewhere? I'm thinking of like a grassy area somewhere?

 

[audrabolster]

Did you just put it on the ground somewhere? I'm thinking of like a grassy area somewhere?

now that you mention it, I can't even really think of a grassy area that you can step on in all of disneyland...

 

[tania7424]

That's what I thought. We're going from a cruise ship where he'll have tons of room to roam, to being in a stroller all day. He's fine as long as we keep moving, but as soon as we stop he's trying to buck himself out of it. Ride lines are not going to be fun.

 

[tracer]

Did you just put it on the ground somewhere? I'm thinking of like a grassy area somewhere?

yup just on the black top. there are some places that are not as crowded at Dl than others. try to pick a place that is sort of away from the traffic and walk ways, you'll know what i mean once you are there. when you eat lunch and snacks is also a great time to put it out. it worked for us, actually was a lifesaver. what else were we going to do when he insisted on getting down on the ground to move aorund. what time of year are you going? if its cold outside he will have the extra padding from his pants...

 

[tracer]

That's what I thought. We're going from a cruise ship where he'll have tons of room to roam, to being in a stroller all day. He's fine as long as we keep moving, but as soon as we stop he's trying to buck himself out of it. Ride lines are not going to be fun.

surprising enough the ride lines aren't too bad. there is soooo much for them to look at and distract them. just try to make sure you have some type of show on his foot so you can stand him up and hold his hands from time to time. they get so heavy if you have to hold them for too long.

 

[mariezp]

I haven't been to Goofy's Playhouse since they changed it up but it is for little ones. You might check it out. If it's not too crowded you might get lucky while there are no rambunctious kids around.

You can look for out of the way places in the park. Here are some places I have seen not overly crowded at times. The blanket idea is excellent.
Back in Critter Country, by the end of Pooh, there is a little cubby hole with a few benches that is not in the middle of a path so he wouldn't get run over.
Over by Small World there are some wide open spaces where you might be able to pick a spot to let him crawl a bit.
The trail back behind Big Thunder.
There is an empty area in Frontierland with a small stage that might work.
The fountain area in front of Roger Rabbit is usually pretty quiet.
There's a little side street just past the Market House that has chairs.
The area outside of Coke Corner.

 

[jernysgirl]

What about the baby center at the end of Main Street? If I remember correctly there was an area in there that kids could play. We only were in there just a few minutes for a diaper change, but it would be worth checking out.

 

[Janomi]

I am thinking of big open spaces and little people traffic where you can possibly put down a blanket for him to roam. So I'll add to mariezp's thoughts.

Unfortunately, there aren't any grassy areas in DL for him.

DL:
I second IASW area, there are open spaces near the topiaries and seating (helps that the ride is closed)
Old motorboat loading area (now with tables), in between IASW and Matterhorn
Main street, behind the Corndog wagon, adjacent to baby center (used by CM's but relatively low traffic flow)
Carnation Plaza - pretty empty during the day

DCA:
Animation Building - a bit of foot traffic, but indoors, carpeting, and AC
Concrete seating area in between Paradise Pier bridge and Zephyr ride
Twin Dragons Chinese restaurant area on the Wharf

Esplanade - plenty of open space on either side of DL

HTH

 

[SueTGGR]

What about the stage area in between Jedi Training sessions? I don't see a whole bunch a people walking through that area. It isn't soft but you may be able to block off a section. Plus if you are waiting in line for Nemo you could be in sight of the people in line if you need to scoop and dash to get back in line. Maybe??
For cleanliness I think your best bet is still the Baby Station at the end of Main Street. It is air conditioned if it is hot out side and seems to me there is a carpeted area near the front. They usually have great Cast Members in there to help you if you need other suggestions, too.
Good Luck!

 

[*RJ*]

We just got back from taking our 11 month old DD to DL and the hardest thing about the trip was finding places for her to crawl around. She would get quite fussy, because she wanted to get down all the time. Unfortunately, I was told that babies are not allowed on the floor of the baby station because of dirt. And there are NO grassy areas. So I just put her on the ground and let her get dirty! The best areas I found:

- The area beside Pooh Corner, where cast members go in and out. Very little foot traffic.

- The area in front of Small World, including the the area up those stairs. Because it's closed right now, there was nobody around.

- She LOVED the entrance to Donald's boat in Toon Town. And the gazebo, which is small, but I just watched her carefully.

- As somebody mentioned, the animation building in DCA is fantastic for crawling.

The most fun she had was crawling around in the water park in Bug's Land. I put her in her swim diaper and let her go. She was squealing with joy, but after only a few minutes a cast member came over and told me she wasn't allowed to do that. I was really disappointed, but at least she got to splash around for a little bit.

Good luck!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I definitely agree with all of RJ's suggestions.

The Animation Building is definitely great. We still spend a lot of time there. It was also my favorite place to nurse when they were younger.

Another place in DCA is in that corner area just past Muppets - by the closed "Who wants to be a Millionaire" soundstage. That area is dead between shows and then some.

Also don't forget Baby Care at DCA, too. They have a large carpeted space (compared to DL Baby Care) and an adult potty inside for parents and older kids. We hang with the gals there all the time and consider a visit to say hello to them as mandatory. They really have become an extension of our family since we are in there so much.

Another spot in DL is the Hungry Bear Restaurant near Pooh - that place is closed most of the off season and the lower level - near the potties - is shaded by the upper deck of dining. Great quiet view of the river and peaceful during most of the day.

What about on a sparsely populated deck of the Riverboat, too. I wouldn't do it on the Columbia, but on the Riverboat, it would be fine.

Here's another one folks forgot - Innoventions Upstairs between Segway and the St Joseph Hospital exhibit or in another out of the way corner. Or maybe by the old Stitch area - I think they have occasional shows there. Carpeted, air-conditioned, need I say more?

 

[bumbershoot]

For lines, and even some walking around, you need to get a soft baby carrier! He's probably getting a bit up there for a side-carry sling, especially if you haven't gotten strong as he went along, holding him like that.

But a mei tai or an Ergo or Beco, those are *perfect* for littles in line. During our trip when DS was around 17 months old, he loved the mei tai. He could see at our height, he was safe and secure, and I could easily take him out of it. He loved not just seeing our bottoms from the stroller, but to be able to see the decorations in the lines.


Places to crawl. The chip and dale treehouse in ToonTown. NO one goes in there. Goofy's House. Watch out for him though, there are bigger kids who like to run!

There are also places for semi-safe crawling in the Redwood trail area in DCA, but again, you have to watch out for the crawler with all the bigger kids around. Also watch out and be prepared with even more extra clothes than usual, b/c there's water on crawling level too.

 

[CrazyDuck]

What about the viewing area for fantasmic? Where they do the VIP seating? Isn't that a large flat area when there are no chairs?

 

[Mugglemama]

if you go when it's cold, you could put little mittens on the baby's hands, and then take them off when you pick him up so that the yuck from the ground doesn't make it's way into his mouth. maybe you could even bring a pair if it's warm? i mean, it's not like mittens will heat him up too much, and they won't be on that long. seems like a simple and effective way to keep him from getting any of the funk from the ground into his mouth.

and if you let him crawl around without anything on his hands, i would make sure to go wash his hands with soap and water in a nearby restroom afterwards. babies stick their hands into their mouths all the time, and can you imagine how much grime their must be on the ground at Disneyland with tens of thousands of shoes bustling through there every day? shoes that have walked in restrooms and airports earlier the same day? ick.

we never had the same problem, fortunately. we never went when the kids were still crawling, except with my youngest daughter, but she always wanted to be carried anyway, so we didn't have to deal with the issue of her wriggling to get down.

 

[tania7424]

For lines, and even some walking around, you need to get a soft baby carrier! He's probably getting a bit up there for a side-carry sling, especially if you haven't gotten strong as he went along, holding him like that.

But a mei tai or an Ergo or Beco, those are *perfect* for littles in line. During our trip when DS was around 17 months old, he loved the mei tai. He could see at our height, he was safe and secure, and I could easily take him out of it. He loved not just seeing our bottoms from the stroller, but to be able to see the decorations in the lines.


Places to crawl. The chip and dale treehouse in ToonTown. NO one goes in there. Goofy's House. Watch out for him though, there are bigger kids who like to run!

There are also places for semi-safe crawling in the Redwood trail area in DCA, but again, you have to watch out for the crawler with all the bigger kids around. Also watch out and be prepared with even more extra clothes than usual, b/c there's water on crawling level too.

I do have a mei tei, and was planning on taking it. I don't know how long either of us will last with it, he's a big boy (21 lbs and 28").

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

 

[DahliaRW]

I would just bring an ample supply of wipes as well. That way if he does go down and crawl on the regular ground you can just wipe his hands whne you pick him up and not worry about it. I did this when ds#2 was crawling and we were traveling. There really was no choice but to let him crawl around wherever there were not too many feet, wash his hands well after, and pray that his immune system was healthy enough to fight off whatever he was exposed to!

 

[cheshiregirl]

We just got back from a 5 day trip with our DS 12 months and I totally feel your pain regarding crawl time! By far the best place we found was Goofy's house. We had the whole house to ourselves for almost 20 minutes one morning and it was much needed.

Our plan of action was to hit FL rides early each morning, as DS loves the carrousel and Dumbo, and then hit a different area of the park for a little bit before heading back to the hotel for crawl/nap time.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Just be careful! I've seen a lot of people let their toddlers crawl/walk around while waiting for parades. In June a man carrying a child couldn't see a toddler walking under him, and he knocked him down pretty hard. Poor kid, the parents should have been watching better! Sadly I've seen that happen quite a bit. Parents letting little ones crawl around in areas where there is just too much foot traffic. Which really is most of DL. We took ds when he was 1 years old, and we didn't let him crawl around. Was really just too dangerous. Just all the sights kept him entertained from either our arms, or the stroller!