Best Tips for 2 1/2 old for waiting what game Pixter. gameboy, leapster...help!

[siennacrew]

I need some help. We are going on our first trip to Disney. My son will be turning 3 during our vacation. He loves computer games! He will sit for hours playing them. I am considering either a gameboy or leapster. He does not have very good communication skills. He can however manuver games very well...loves frogger & can even do more advanced games. He talks more like a 2- 2 1/2 year old. He has tantrums too. I am thinking if I can get something to help distract him while waiting for parades & shows that it will make the trip great! Give me your best tips for a 2 year old! Thanks

 

[summersfam4]

We love bubbles for waiting in line or for parades. We also pack fruit snacks, ect to eat which will keep the girls busy for a limited time, but bubbles are a favorite (I usually buy some of the tiny special birthday bubbles at Walmart Disney Princess for my girls, but I bet they have something your DS would like). Also if you are going to be there after dark check our www.illuminationz.com for glow braclets/necklaces, at $0.07 per bracelet, we decorated everywhere. You can also get the glow stuff @ wal-mart, dollar tree, and oriental trading, but I think illuminationz has the best prices (if someone has found better prices let me know!).

Have a wonderful time!

Kelly

 

[talicskai]

Definitely a Leapster if you are considering a Video game system. Gameboy is too advanced for a 3 year old. My friend has a 4 year old and he loves it. Our DS7 would love a Gameboy but if I bought toys like that we wouldn't be able to go to WDW!!!!! Selfish aren't I?

 

[siennacrew]

Our son is sometimes a difficult child. I just know that it will make our trip so much better. I wouldn't be spending the money if I didn't forsee problems. It is also a B-day gift for him (he turns 3 when we are there) & me (it keeps my sanity & my b-day is in Feb too). Any cheap game options? I just haven't seen much out there. Any other ideas are welcome too. I'm just worried.....that he won't do well waiting for things. My daughter never went through the stages my son has. She talked really well at 1. My son on the other hand has speech therapy and cannot communicate very well. He was evaluated & has great comprehension & is smart....just can't use the words... The speech therapist says that's why he has the behavior problems at times. He is much calmer than he used to be. This is our first real family vacation and I want to be the best time possible.

 

[Ambassador]

We have the kids select their own small toys, and then break out surprises as they become restless or bored. Sticker books are popular. As a last resort, on flights without in-flight age-appropriate entertainment, we play pre-recorded movies of our camcorder.

In the parks, we try to direct their attention away from the wait at the facinating world around them. But after a short time, we break out bubbles and small noisy toys, like Buzz Lightyear voice-changer.

 

[3Mousketeers]

My 5 yr old has a leapster that he loves. He really wanted a gameboy but I wasn't ready to go that route yet. Yes, a leapster is pricey (we got his for his 5th birthday and my relatives gave him games). I wonder if you could find a gently used one on E-bay from someone who has grown out of it. We got a pretty good deal on ours from Kohls online it came out to $59.99 (with a $10 rebate). It is a little bulky to have in line with you but you can get a carrying case to throw in your bag. I would say to let him try it out before you go to make sure he'll be into it. Good luck!

 

[estherhead]

My nephew sounds just like your boy and he had a Gameboy at just under three. Made the trips much easier. This is your vacation too and you should come home relaxed, not stressed from trying to keep him quiet on your own willpower. We also bought a DVD/TV laptop combo at Wal-Mart for under $150.00 and take movies for our young girls. It makes it so peaceful on our way down. Plus they can watch Disney movies and get in the mood.

Esther

 

[Okiemom]

I fully understand where you are coming from. My kids are older now, but my two girls were hyperactive, hard to deal with, type kids. You are right in thinking what will help make your trip easier.
I would take each their own cassette player, guess its DVD now days, and they could listen to their favoite songs, and the read along books where the story using different voices read the story and they could follow along with the book.
Snacks were a must, fruit drinks.
I would take things he as not seen yet, new to him! I would take bags that had new things, or only given to travel times and they were not tired with already. It would seem like a surprise bag.
The DVD video players are wonderful too. Can put their headset in and listen to it while they watched.
He might be too little, but on plane I would also take small puzzles, coloring books, he can pull down the desk thing in front of him and use it.
Good luck.

 

[Laura66]

Hannah just turned three and we've been taking her to Disney and other places every year since she was 5 months old.
Leapster is good and so is the Gameboy. Right now they have Gameboy videos like Sponge Bob, Fairly Odd parents etc. Hannah really loved doing both. But be sure to bring EARPHONES for the games - the plane can be very loud in the cabin and they won't be able to hear what they are doing or watching.
We right now are working on a surprise pack for the plane for our trip in June - stickers, suckers, pez & Polly Pockets.
That said - by the end of the plane ride she is starting to fade!
Good luck and I hope everyone's suggestions here helped.

Laura

 

[DisneyKeith]

Snacks while we are waiting in lines or for parades always works well for us. Try sunflower seeds, pretzel sticks or our favorite Mickey ice cream bars. We've also give our kids Push Pops while we were standing in line. My son loves his Gameboy but he was 5 when he got that. I would go with the Leapster. I've read lots of great posts about it and it looks more user friendly for a 2.5 to 3 yr. old. We play I Spy and other little word games waiting in lines.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Our son is sometimes a difficult child. I just know that it will make our trip so much better. I wouldn't be spending the money if I didn't forsee problems. It is also a B-day gift for him (he turns 3 when we are there) & me (it keeps my sanity & my b-day is in Feb too). Any cheap game options? I just haven't seen much out there. Any other ideas are welcome too. I'm just worried.....that he won't do well waiting for things. My daughter never went through the stages my son has. She talked really well at 1. My son on the other hand has speech therapy and cannot communicate very well. He was evaluated & has great comprehension & is smart....just can't use the words... The speech therapist says that's why he has the behavior problems at times. He is much calmer than he used to be. This is our first real family vacation and I want to be the best time possible.

Our walmart has had some of the leapster titles on clearance for $7.

 

[turnerx5]

No one said this, so I will chime in with: planning your day well to minimize lines/using fastpass and knowing what rides have little or no wait times in each of the parks so you can spend the time waiting for your fastpass window to arrive productively. (Okay: and Gameboys will make you a Hero).

Have fun! Tx5

 

[Laura66]

I thought of some other things as well - I don't know if they apply - but if you don't mind me sharing:

My one friend has a son who has speech problems - the therapist has had her and the child learn and use sign language - started very young. The therapist said it would help with behavior problems.

Also, Disney has special passes that they issue to families with members that have certain challenges - ie autism, aspergers syndrome, downs syndrom, etc. Waiting in line is really a hardship and problem for these families. I don't know the specifics (maybe someone else can help) but if you have your doctor write an excuse - you can go straight to the head of the line.

Laura

 

[siennacrew]

Ok, here's another question...I found Pixter at Target half off for $15. What do you think of this toy? Anyone tried it with this age child? Would a 6 year old girl like it as well? Any software recommendations? Thanks a bunch...great tips...keep em coming please....

 

[BevS97]

I will turnerx5 - don't wait in long lines, there is generally no need. We have been to WDW 4 times, and only on one day in MK have we had to wait in long lines (more than 10 minutes)< generally we walk straight on, or wait just a few minutes.

We use FastPass and go on other rides while we are waiting for our slot- shows generally have no wait, you can usually go straight into the next showing, so you can get your FP, then watch a show, or get something ot eat and then do your ride.

 

[Kate716]

Siennacrew-

As a mom to a 4.5 yo DD and a 1.5 yo DS, I HIGHLY recommend the Leapster. I gave it to my DD when she was about 3 and it is still 1 of her favorite toys -- the best part is that not only are the games fun, but they are educational too! If your son is creative I recommend the Mr. Pencil's Write & Draw cartridge. It allows your kids to color electronically, create their own pictures, and it has some mazes & games. I'd also reco the Dora animal cartridge. They got lot's of play in this household! The game boy, while I have it, is still a little too difficult for my daughter to master just yet -- your son might be ok -- but my vote still has to go with Leapster for sure.

For our trip in May, while the Leapster will get packed for DD, I am also planning on bringing with me the VideoNow Jr player for my son. I'm hoping that will keep a "not quite 2 yr old" amuzed while waiting for the parades. If not, I'll have the travel magna doodle as a back-up!

Good Luck!
Kate

 

[siennacrew]

Thanks so much for everyone's help! The software advice is great! It seems like sometimes games sound better than they are! Leapster sounds great!

 

[billwendy]

hi,

i know lots of kids who have both regular or a color pixter,,,,they LOVE them!!! all of the software is really cute, but the disney cartridge, cool wheels cartridge and dino draw seem to be the favorite,,,another little guy i know loves the rescue heroes cartridge,,,,there is also barbie, story writer, learning software etc,,,,,just be aware that im not sure if the color cartridges work in the regular pixter,,,,,if its color pixter, there is a new camera that came out for it this year!!!

wendy

 

[mjmcca]

I got my son who is 4 a leapster and pixter for chistmas. I also got him a v smile. He loves them all. My daughter who is 2 plays with the pixter and the leapster.

 

[ut_dentist]

We have both a Pixter and a Gameboy at our house. The Gameboy wins out by far. The use of the Pixter is limited and the kids don't play it for very long. My son broke his arm during the summer last year. He was barely 4 and had spend the entire summer (2-1/2 months in a cast). When he had to have surgery to place pins in his right arm (yes, he is right handed), his dad bought him a Gameboy. Let me tell what a lifesaver this was. We ususally swim every day in the summer. I could still take both of my kids to the pool and while my daughter and I swam, he would play the Gameboy. Everyone was happy. About games--you can buy cheaper games at Target. They are ususally a row over from the games in the locked cases. He really likes Shrek (not cheap), Frogger and Sonic. I am a fan of the Gameboy too! I hope this helps.