Best tip for going to WDW with young children?

[dismom301930]

What is your best tip for going to WDW with young children?

Here is mine: If you have children who are potty-training or newly potty trained, let them experience self-flushing toilets before you get to WDW! Last time we went, my DD 3.5, who had been potty trained for nearly a year, was terified of the flush and refused to sit. After almost 45 minutes in the bathroom, I told her we would have to go back to the hotel if she didn't go. (I wasn't trying to be mean, and I told her this very nicely, but it was the truth - she had to go to the bathroom!) I also tried to get her to pee into a diaper, but she wouldn't do that. I covered the sensor so the toilet wouldn't flush, but I'm not sure she believed me. She FINALLY went, but she was quite scared the whole trip.

This time I am going to make sure my DD2.5, who is potty-training, is exposed to these BEFORE we get there.

What are your best tips? I'd love to hear your advice on how to make a trip with young children easier. (My DDs will be 6, 5, and 2.5 when we go).

 

[lovesdumbo]

I think there is already a post like this somewhere....but wanted to address your auto potty problem-which I have had too. You can use one of those really small (like 1" x 2") postits to cover the sensor. I just went to WDW with my DD(7) and she was still afraid of the auto potty but did fine with a post it.

 

[dismom301930]

Thanks so much for the Post It suggestion! It will free up my hands in the bathroom. Great idea!

Sorry for the multiple post, but I did a quick search and didn't see anything. I'm pretty new to this. I will try again!

 

[merrywether]

I'm leaving in 8 days with my 2 yr old - so keep the suggestions coming!!!

 

[KimWDW]

Go at park opening! The parks are empty for the first hour compared to the afternoons.

 

[momimouse27]

We have three and have taken all of them before they were one, and every year after, so we have had some experiences! That is so funny about the potty thing...my 2nd daughter(now 9) was petrified of the auto-flush toilets, but encountered them long before Disney. Anytime we went to the mall, I just had to hold my hand over the sensor when she went.

My tip is this: dont try to do Disney "commando-style". Plan a long enough visit so that you can see things in leisure, and taking time to take a break during the day for the little one. This is really hard for us, since we have two older ones who want to be in the parks!

Also, really think about what they ride, because things we love might be frightening to them. I learned this the hard way...

 

[momof3littlelilos]

I think there is already a post like this somewhere....but wanted to address your auto potty problem-which I have had too. You can use one of those really small (like 1" x 2") postits to cover the sensor. I just went to WDW with my DD(7) and she was still afraid of the auto potty but did fine with a post it.

I never would have thought of that! I love it! Thanks! My DD5 is still wary of the self flushing toilets, this will make things better for us both!
Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes. My daughter (and son when he was little) fell in love with the Tiki fountains at MK and the Splash Pad at Epcot and didn't want to leave!

 

[princessjv]

My suggestions (most gathered from here) for traveling with the younger crowd are:

1. Bring a cheap plastic shower curtain liner (dark in color) and a few of those 3M clips for the wall that can be pulled off. You can then create a little "room" for the pack and play in your hotel (we did this in a corner of the room), so the little one can sleep without seeing everyone.

2. Bring a baby Bjorn (carrier), for the ride lines and rides, if she can fit in it still. (we felt a lot safer with her in it while on rides (small world, peter pan, jungle cruise etc.) than loose and able to crawl around.

3. Bring a towel into the park. You can drap it over your stroller and block out some of the commotion if little ones can nap in their stroller.

4. Take a break EVERYDAY for a nap back at your hotel (esp. easier if you are on property). Everyone is then refreshed and can stay out a bit later.

5. Bring a lot of snacks for the lines (puffy's, cherrios, crackers)...just be careful so they don't all end up on the ground for everyone else to step on.

6. If your stroller doesn't have a rain cover, bring an extra rain slicker for it (target has them for just a few $ in the travel & sporting areas).

7. Bring your own stroller. The parks rent them, but they are not too good for little ones (they are hard and don't recline).

8. Use the baby care centers. They are great for feeding/diapering/ or resting. (they also have toys for older siblings)

9. Use the Baby Swap at all rides they allow. This feature allows 1 parent to ride (with other children/people in party), then non riding parent gets to go on ride through fast pass line when the riding parent returns (up to 2 people get to join them too-- so it is fun for other siblings to ride 2x).

10. Bring music to play in your hotel room and/or run heating/aircond fan to create white noise while the little one is sleeping and you are still awake. (we brought our IPOD with speakers and put it under the pack and play, playing Disney Music of course).

11. Always use extra magic hours to your advantage. Get to the parks before AM hours, ride the heavy hitters and get out of that park by lunch, go to hotel and nap/swim (if needed) and head back out to a park open latter (esp. if the park had EMH the night before).

12. Most importantly- enjoy your self and slow down!

 

[gianna2006]

We have been to Disney several times with my kids from the time they were 5 months old to our last visit when they were 7 and 4. The absolute most important and valuable tip I have is to go at your children's pace. Commando is not an option with little ones!!! Sometimes you spend more time at the water fountains and misters than anything else...and that's OK. Vacation is all about having fun as a family - not seeing everything (which is impossible even if you stay three weeks!). If they are OK with breaking or napping in the stroller in the middle of the action, then great. If you need to leave for a while to take a break, then leave. Follow your kids lead, and stop to smell the roses...it's really worth it!!!!

 

[mugsy]

We have brought our son to WDW when he was 1 & 1/2 years old, 3 & 1/2 years old, and 5 years old (last month). One thing that we always did was to recognize that the parks get overwhelming, and schedule "down time" for him at the parks. We did this through finding the playgrounds in each park, and letting him go play for 1/2 hour to an hour.

In MK, the playgrounds are in Fantasyland (the 100 Acre Wood) and Mickey's Toon Town (Donald's Boat and a small playground between the Boat and Mickey's House). At AK, it is the Boneyard. In MGM, it is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (this one is my favorite). At Epcot, there may be a playground near Germany and on the way to Canada from Futureworld -- although we were there for the Flower and Garden show, and these may have been temporary.

 

[Lisa0503]

We are planning a trip with our little ones in Sept and one tip that I had read about was to bring a fan/mister and/or a face cloth in a plastic bag to wet at the water fountain to wipe down faces to help cool off the little ones if you are not used to Florida temps. Also drink LOTS of water to keep hydrated...(maybe even pedialyte to keep the kids well hydrated)

 

[dismom301930]

Thanks for all the great tips! Even though we were there once before, we just kind of "winged it" which probably wasn't the best idea. I am feeling much better prepared this time. A few thoughts/questions:

1. Bring a cheap plastic shower curtain liner (dark in color) and a few of those 3M clips for the wall that can be pulled off. You can then create a little "room" for the pack and play in your hotel (we did this in a corner of the room), so the little one can sleep without seeing everyone.

I NEVER would have thought of this - thanks for the great tip! I was wondering how we were going to get DD to sleep with so many distractions.

2. Bring a baby Bjorn (carrier), for the ride lines and rides, if she can fit in it still. (we felt a lot safer with her in it while on rides (small world, peter pan, jungle cruise etc.) than loose and able to crawl around.

She is too big for a baby carrier, but we still occasionally use a backpack. Does anyone have experience with backpacks at WDW, and is it worth lugging it around?

Use the Baby Swap at all rides they allow. This feature allows 1 parent to ride (with other children/people in party), then non riding parent gets to go on ride through fast pass line when the riding parent returns (up to 2 people get to join them too-- so it is fun for other siblings to ride 2x).

How did your children react to being left behind? I'm afraid mine might cry because she can't go with her sisters. Do you wait at the loading area, or is there a special area to wait? And can my two older DDs both ride twice, once with me and once with DH?

At AK, it is the Boneyard. In MGM, it is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (this one is my favorite).

I've heard from some parents (while we were at WDW last time) that these playgrounds are a nightmare with little ones. We didn't even attempt them last time. Any opinions?

Sorry for all the questions. You all have such great ideas and are so helpful! Thanks!

 

[princessjv]

She is too big for a baby carrier, but we still occasionally use a backpack. Does anyone have experience with backpacks at WDW, and is it worth lugging it around?

How did your children react to being left behind? I'm afraid mine might cry because she can't go with her sisters. Do you wait at the loading area, or is there a special area to wait? And can my two older DDs both ride twice, once with me and once with DH?

I have never used a backpack, but I would think it should be okay. Just be careful to not swat people with your baby and backpack

Our dd was fine with being left behind. The parent left with her, would take her for a little ride or give her a treat while the others were gone.

 

[Hannathy]

Disney is not the place to insist your little one eats carrot strips instead of french fries-especially if they do not like them at home! I hate to see and hear parents and kids screaming over food. It is such a short time that even if they eat french fries with every meal it will not hurt them (I do not mean kids on a medical diet) I had one kid on a trip at 10 who ate popcorn ever day for a week, guess what he grew up fine and now at 24 still remembers that trip very fondly ! Relax and enjoy the trip.

Do not feel you have to leave the parks to take a break. If it works for you great, for us it did not so we never did and found places in the parks to take it easy for a bit.Some people make people feel like bad parents if they do not leave the parks.

 

[emma'smom]

Here's mine:

Pack at least two extra changes for clothes (or at least shorts/underwear) for your preschooler. My dd4 had been potty trained for a year when we went in March. However, she was so caught up in the fun (and in an unfamiliar environment) that she would forget to tell us that she had to go. Even when we reminded her, she sometimes wouldn't want to stop what she was doing and would say she didn't have to go. Anyway, we had several potty accidents over the course of the week. I just learned to throw in a few pairs of shorts/undies for each outing.

 

[tiff211]

EARPLUGS, EARPLUGS, EARPLUGS!!!

We used these for all the "loud" attractions with DD5 and DD3 and we FINALLY made it through Wishes!!!! They loved looking at the fireworks, just not hearing them!!! We used the little foam ones. I can't recommend these enough.

I don't know about other food courts but at the POP, all DD3 wanted was PB&J so I would buy the uncrustables for $3.49. I realized day 3, I could buy 2 pieces of white bread for 55 cents, PB (can't remember how much but supercheap!) and then grab jelly for free in the condiment area. Made her no difference!!!

Laughingplace.com has nametags made to order with your little ones name. DD's LOVED when CM's would speak to them using their names. "good morning, princess Savannah! How are you this magical day?" "Hello, Sierra, did you enjoy the show?" They even have autographs with their names on it. They can clip on or pin on. There are several designs to choose from. They are put away for our next trip.

When choosing their clothing, choose bright colors, stripes, polka dots. I do this whenever we go somewhere I know will be crowded. Makes it so easy to pick them out of the bunch.

I probably have more but that's it for now.

 

[hollyb]

Disney is not the place to insist your little one eats carrot strips instead of french fries-especially if they do not like them at home! I hate to see and hear parents and kids screaming over food. It is such a short time that even if they eat french fries with every meal it will not hurt them (I do not mean kids on a medical diet) I had one kid on a trip at 10 who ate popcorn ever day for a week, guess what he grew up fine and now at 24 still remembers that trip very fondly ! Relax and enjoy the trip.

Do not feel you have to leave the parks to take a break. If it works for you great, for us it did not so we never did and found places in the parks to take it easy for a bit.Some people make people feel like bad parents if they do not leave the parks.

AMEN!!!! I agree %100 A recent trip DD ate french fries for 4 days straight. Guess what she is still alive and happy. Hasn't had fries since though.

My biggest piece of advice I got on the boards is to relax and enjoy the parks. I now know that we won't see everything our first trip down. If we let the kids keep the pace, they will be happier and will be able to last longer.

 

[momimouse27]

We have brought our son to WDW when he was 1 & 1/2 years old, 3 & 1/2 years old, and 5 years old (last month). One thing that we always did was to recognize that the parks get overwhelming, and schedule "down time" for him at the parks. We did this through finding the playgrounds in each park, and letting him go play for 1/2 hour to an hour.

In MK, the playgrounds are in Fantasyland (the 100 Acre Wood) and Mickey's Toon Town (Donald's Boat and a small playground between the Boat and Mickey's House). At AK, it is the Boneyard. In MGM, it is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (this one is my favorite). At Epcot, there may be a playground near Germany and on the way to Canada from Futureworld -- although we were there for the Flower and Garden show, and these may have been temporary.

This is one of the best tips, I think. My son was almost 3 when we went to Disney last Oct. Both my girls had taken Disney in stride and were never stressed during their trips. But my son was totally different and I wasn't prepared for that. On our day for the MK, my son was just having a real meltdown. We had never been to the Pooh playground that is where 10,000 Leagues used to be, so we ducked in there. It was like magic!!! He was so happy running around and playing in the water. It is one of my best memories. I would rather see him happy in his element than try to push him too far doing what I wanted to do....

 

[Tam1067]

Here are two of mine: you cannot have too many wet wipes, and don't overdo it in the parks--let the little ones (and Mom and Dad) have enough rest each day for a happier time for all.

 

[Belle'seviltwin]

First of all if you do no plan on going all the time (I am 12 and have gone once), then make sure it is a time when they can remember it. My parents regret taking me so young because I couldn't go on many of the rides. Secondly, Park Hoppers are a must! Going back to the resort for naps keeps everyone awake. Get maps before leaving online to plan when to go on which rides to keep walking distances short.