Clue me in

[la79al]

Our past 2 big trips, we had 2 kids but no toddler. The one trip when we had a baby was only 2 days long. Now we are heading to DW again in December and I really think I have some unrealistic expectations of the trip. When we last went, DD (then 10 months) was content to hang out in her stroller and people watch. We stayed in the park until after 10 then returned to the room where she finally crashed around 12. Now that she is walking, she will still stay in her stroller but probably not all day. Which is fine, this will be more geared towards kid stuff (our Epcot trip was to do the stuff we never get to do with kids along). But we have never really done midday breaks or really taken our time doing the parks. Here's the plan I thought might work, but I am hearing a lot of comments on a toddler not being able to handle it.

Sunday arrive at MCO at 9:30ish, DME to Pop, checkin, maybe drop bags in room, head to RC at AK for lunch, hit AK until it closes, return to Pop for dinner, probably an early bedtime

Monday (assuming MK has pm EMH) get to MK by ropedrop or shortly thereafter, Toontown at RD to meet the fairies, hang around MK for a bit, maybe lunch at Pecos Bill, head back to Pop for a break (pool?), CM for earlyish dinner, return to MK for a few more hours (close the park)

Tuesday wake up whenever (with a toddler this means 7, 7:30 if we're lucky) DTD, lunch somewhere, resort hop (GF, BCR for Christmas stuff), can't decide on FW for a carriage ride and the campfire or Ohana and the beach at Poly for Wishes and the Electric Light Pageant

Wednesday wake up whenever, probably head to DHS but not sure on lunch, mainly I just want to do a handful of things at DHS (including ToT and the Christmas lights), not sure on dinner

Thursday no plans for this day really, we don't want to do Epcot but might end up hitting one of the other parks again, return to Pop around 4 for DME

So what do you think? Will my easy going, happy, stroller napping toddler being spoiled rotten by her aunt and grandma stand a chance or should I set the expectations lower?

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I think you'll be fine with any schedule you set so long as you've got the mentality that if your little one crashes it may be a good idea to find a cool, quiet spot to relax in for a while or even head back to the room.

You may be surprised with your little one's excitement and stamina. Keep her well-hydrated, well-fed and go with the flow. I think that most kids are okay if you take breaks from the stimulation every so often and give them a chance to recharge their batteries in someplace quiet and calm like the Hall of Presidents at MK or similar low-key attractions at the other parks.

Lots of healthy snacks to keep her blood sugar on an even keel throughout the day can prevent any sugar crashes and the accompanying emotional meltdowns. I'm not saying skip the Mickey Bars (heaven forbid! ) but frequent bites of something healthy keeps our kids going all day and balances out the sugary treats.

 

[abouley]

I found the toddler years pretty easy for disney! My kids napped in the stroller when they were tired, no problem. Usually, that meant we just needed to take a walk somewhere (across the park to get FP's or something) to accomplish this! I found that they would fall asleep on the bus ride if we tried to go back to the room and then the nap was more or less a bust so staying in the park and resting there usually worked better for us (especially when the parks open later and we couldn't get too much in before noon to head back well before naps)! We stayed in the parks late most nights and had a great relaxing evening or took turn riding rides! It's one of my favorite times of the day!

The hardest part with a toddler is standing in line! I think the best strategy is to get to the park at opening and hit as much as you can before there are lines and then let the rest of the day be more by ear. I know my kids are up plenty early anyways so it wasn't a matter of waking them up it was just me getting up early and getting myself organized the night before so we were out the door on time!

My kids are great at Disney! They love it and we do have to adjust our plans and take things at their pace but we love taking them! Have a great trip!

Alison

 

[msmama]

What worked for us was to start early (since we were already up) but then cut the days short. Meaning no fireworks for us. We'd be at the park at rope drop, do whatever 'til lunch, which was usually a long one, then do stuff until dinner. After dinner it was right back to the room for relaxing, playing and bed.

One night we did put him in the moby wrap and go to Epcot for fireworks but we were staying at the Boardwalk so it was a quick walk back.

You know your child best so I'd say just be prepared to go with the flow and cut everything short if you need to. Have a great trip!