Commando touring with an 8yr old

[BaseballMoM2007]

Totally depends on the kid. Our DS has to have a break. If we rope drop if we aren't headed out at 1pm he will have a melt down. Which in turn causes me to have one. We went with our baseball team last year and one day we decided to try it with some other kids and it didn't end well our DS was 8 at the time. We wound up having to leave others at the park so we could leave. I knew better after all of our trips but tried it anyways. The other kids seemed to handle it fine though it was all of their first trip so they probably don't get the sensation of over it quite like my son can. We swear by afternoon breaks. We also go once a year so we do not have the need to see and do everything that the typical commando touring people need to have.

 

[Roxyfire]

It also really depends on time of year. We went for the first time in June this year (we've had some changes and can't tour in the "off-season" anymore) and the heat was tough. My kids, who could happily rope-drop and close down MK in other months, were exhausted by 3p. We didn't see a single nighttime show this past trip because I had booked fastpasses from 2-5p each day, and by the time those were over everyone was just done. I was so disappointed, but I didn't want to force them to stay in the parks when they were so clearly over it. We took plenty of breaks and ate plenty of snacks but it just didn't work out.

If I had it to do over again, I would book early morning fastpasses, leave right after lunch, and come back around dinner time - because we found rope drop was not as useful as it had been in the past and we really didn't get as much done during those first two hours as in previous visits. Then we could recharge at the hotel, swim, whatever, before heading back into the parks for the evening.

Yes, I experienced something very similar. It was stupidly hot in late May/early June. After a couple of days of that I had to do a hard pivot. On our third morning I got out my phone and dropped quite a few things from later in the week, because I figured it just wouldn't happen. Next time I'll book my FP a lot earlier, like 10:00-12:00 and a lunch reservation after that.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Our DD is a Commando once you get her going... She was bouncing and awake with us from 8am to about 2am every single day. And I think she took a few naps the first three days - once on the PeopleMover, once in SE, once passed out on a concrete wall/seating area. But going back to the resort and taking a mid-day break? Nahhhhhhhhh... breaktime was eating or sitting down and not hustling to the next line. But you know... once you're in a slow-moving line.. that's pretty much like a breaktime as well! LOL

 

[Amelia :)]

We did 14 days of mostly commando touring with an 8 year old (Disney, universal and seaworld) and she was absolutely fine. Slept well though!

 

[Amelia :)]

Did you utilize a stroller?

A fit and healthy 8 year old should not need a stroller! I've seen people push it to about 4/5 which I can sort of understand... but 8 is a bit far!

 

[maltdizzy]

Did you utilize a stroller?

We did not.

We had the stroller with us when DS was just shy of 5yo and never unfolded it once. He kept up for a solid 12-15 hours every day with us pacing ourselves accordingly. This was in early November (our other trips were in late August). We sold both strollers once we were back home. So liberating to be rid of them; no more stroller parking, no more steering the stroller through crowds and buildings, no more dealing with the stroller on transportation, etc. We pack very lightly into one small daypack backpack.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

She has never outright required a break, but she has been known to take a nap during certain attractions.

I see parents pulling their kids through the park, determined to score more rides (and get their moneys worth). The kids don't look happy being in the "Happiest Place On Earth". Give them a rest. We now go back to the resort every midday for a nap. Our kids insist they are not tired, AND THEY DON'T LOOK TIRED. They don't want to nap. I'll say, "Okay, you don't have to nap, just lay your head on the pillow and rest for 10 minutes." Then they fall sleep for 2-3 hours. Despite the denial, they needed the rest.

Commando Parents: If you MUST be in the parks at midday, during the most draining, crowded and physically exhausting portion, at least give the little ones some rest. I applaud the parents who intersperse "rest type" attractions into their day, but really, if your kid is passing out (nap) at midday, THEY NEED A REST.

 

[GillianP1301]

I see parents pulling their kids through the park, determined to score more rides (and get their moneys worth). The kids don't look happy being in the "Happiest Place On Earth". Give them a rest. We now go back to the resort every midday for a nap. Our kids insist they are not tired, AND THEY DON'T LOOK TIRED. They don't want to nap. I'll say, "Okay, you don't have to nap, just lay your head on the pillow and rest for 10 minutes." Then they fall sleep for 2-3 hours. Despite the denial, they needed the rest.

Commando Parents: If you MUST be in the parks at midday, during the most draining, crowded and physically exhausting portion, at least give the little ones some rest. I applaud the parents who intersperse "rest type" attractions into their day, but really, if your kid is passing out (nap) at midday, THEY NEED A REST.

I would add to this, feed them! Kids that are melting down are either tired, hungry or both. I read so many people who plan to only eat 2 meals a day or eat at non traditional times and I always think to myself that it's just not a good idea. Most kids are used to a 3 meals a day schedule at home, so you should stick to that schedule as much as possible on vacation. Kids tend not to over stuff themselves at meals either, so don't assume a buffet breakfast will last them an entire day, they will more than likely be hungry at lunch time again. And an 8:30pm ADR when you normally feed them by 6:00 at home likely won't work well for you either. '

Above all though, I recommend following your child's needs. If they are tired, rest. If they are hungry, eat. If they want to see Tiki Room at RD, then do it. Dragging your kids around while they are exhausted with the "I paid xxx dollars for this trip and we will see and do everything that I say" is really not the type of memory you want your kids to have of WDW.

 

[Hisgirl]

I think it depends on the child and the heat. Is this an indoor video kid? Or, is this a bike-riding running around all day athletic kid? We took our grandkids and they did alright but we broke up the day to end by 1pm. We just took our 12-yr old and he wilted in the heat and humidity and could not keep up with his 56 yr & 61 yr old grands. The heat and humidity was too much and he said his legs hurt. He is more of an indoor kid and wasn't used to the multi-mile walking

 

[Micca]

I'm on board with letting the kids determine how the day is going to go. There's just no reasoning with a kid who's tired, hungry, and/or hot, it's counter-productive. With respect to the stroller conversation, our twin DDs (now adults) took advantage of the strollers until they were 6 or 7. They were small for their age but they just enjoyed not having to walk and they'd sometimes doze a few minutes during our commando park tours. Besides, when a kid is in a stroller you can easily keep track of them and out of the way of other guests.

 

[bumbershoot]

Can your kid tolerate all-day moderate paced park touring?

With or adult and my one kid, YES. My son and I have the best times like that!

We make sure to sit and eat. We have LOTS of water. We do what we want to do. So much fun.

Doesn't work for when you introduce the other parent. I don't know how it would work if it were DH and DS; they've never had that opportunity (times alone at wdw were bc DH got sick or hurt himself and decided that being in the room was better than renting a scooter).

 

[Mopedmom1]

Our first day ever at DW was July 4, 2000. It was me, dh, dd 15 and dd 6.5. We did commando for 7 of those days. The youngest had a fanny pack and carried her own snacks and water. There was NO WAY she would ever be allowed to sit in a stroller at that age. The teenager was the one who needed an attitude adjustment!

It is totally dependant on the child. Plan for the best and have a Plan B.

 

[cmarsh31]

My DD was 8 and did just fine - add me to the crowd of but my DH not so much! We were there in Feb, though. If it was the heat of the summer, I'd do more mid-day breaks.

I totally agree with the TS meals & feeding and watering them frequently. Frozen lemonades are always a hit when it gets hot.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

We did with our daughter when she was 7. even did the late EMH, stayed at MK until midnight as well as a Christmas Party late into the evening. We were more tired than she was...at least until we got on the bus...then she was out immediately.

But we also sat down and had lunch and dinner without rushing. just being able to sit for that time helps.

 

[HatboxHaint]

My DD was 8 and did just fine - add me to the crowd of but my DH not so much! We were there in Feb, though. If it was the heat of the summer, I'd do more mid-day breaks.

I totally agree with the TS meals & feeding and watering them frequently. Frozen lemonades are always a hit when it gets hot.

My DW...not so much

 

[scrappinginontario]

My 8yo loves Disney and we do 8 full days in the parks and water parks. Normally start early or mid-morning and go until park close. One thing for us though is that I rent a stroller. This is almost more for me. By the end of the day she is pooched and falls asleep on the way to the bus or on the bus.

 

[flortlebap]

All day? No. But I wouldn't try and cram a child in a stroller when they're at least 5 years too old for one.

Nap and swim break required, every day.

 

[scrappinginontario]

All day? No. But I wouldn't try and cram a child in a stroller when they're at least 5 years too old for one.

Nap and swim break required, every day.

How about you do what works for you and I do what works for me?

I will never understand why a person's choice that differs from their own requires some people to insult others. If you can't say something nice........

 

[ktlm]

Depends on the kid. My DD is high energy. She has been a commando park goer since age 2. Our last trip using a stroller was when she was 5. She never used a stroller at home or anywhere else we went, no matter how far we walked, after she took her first steps at 12 months. WDW was another story- the minute she realized how huge it was she jumped in the stroller. At age 6, she had her first non-stroller trip and it was a little rough. She just did not have the stamina for walking for open to close park days with no breaks quite yet. By age 7, she was going park open to park close, no breaks, with no issues. We usually go at that pace every day for a week. We try to find a evening to swim in there somewhere if it is swimming weather. She is 11 now. We usually do a TS at lunch for a sit down to get a break, and if it is really hot we try to do some longer inside/shaded things in the afternoon (rides and shows). She has gone from 9:00 a.m. to midnight in the parks with no issues on multiple occasions. She isn't being dragged around - half the time she is dragging us around. She is not an athletic our outdoorsy kid either - just high energy.

Our niece, on the other hand, was a very low energy kid. She would not have been able to handle commando touring at any age. Her family tends to go on vacations and sit. Our family tends to go on vacation and be on the go most of the time.

 

[HatboxHaint]

I wondered if this would somehow turn into stroller wars...i guess that never ending debate could not have been avoided. I wonder sometimes if people don't surf child related threads in those hopes to post negative stroller comments hoping to reduce the surplus population of strollers in wdw.