DIS parents with small children... Share your Disney tips!

[lpoeppelman]

We've all been there. Dragging strollers around, over-packing for park trips or under-packing... navigating crowds with a stroller...

What is your best tip for others who are going to Disney with small children? I'd love to know! We're traveling in a few weeks with small children and I'd love some ideas to help get us through the parks. I have a few ideas of my own (from previous trips), but I'd love to see what you have done too... please share

I'll start:

1. A good mister to cool off the little ones... and us!
2. Having a rain canopy for the stroller
3. Parks in the morning, break in the afternoon, parks in the evening

Your turn.

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

No tips of my own as we haven't BTDT yet, but definitely can't wait to hear what others have to say. I always read the best tips on threads like this!

 

[Neesy228]

I've got three kiddos...we've taken them every two years (or so) starting when they were 2.

Here are things that got me through:
1. Patience. My son would have spent his entire day playing at Poohs playground in Fantasyland if I would have let him. Did he not see that he was in MK?!
2. Take a change of clothes for each child, plus a jacket. Pooh's playground has water jets. 'nuff said.
3. Take small snacks for them to munch on while you're pushing them around. It will avoid the attempted stroller escape. If you don't want them to eat all the time, take stickers for them to "decorate" the stroller. This is also good while waiting for the parades.
4. Give them a map! They all love looking at the map!
5. Take sippy cups. Even though the cups have lids (except AK), my kids always spill drinks on themselves!
6. Take your own stroller. (I know lots of people will disagree with me.)Not only does it save you money, but it's easier to pick out in the sea of rental strollers. You have it with you all the time. It will save you time not having to rent/return, it will make it easier to get out of and into the parks from the buses/trams/parking lot. It will make it easier to get around your hotel grounds if you have a little one, or DTD or the Boardwalk...
7. Sunscreen - even on their scalps. The florida sun is brutal!
8. I usually stay up after everyone goes to bed...and I lay out clothes, charge camera batteries, restock the wallet and diaper bag etc. That way in the morning, we can get up and go. It makes for a much smoother start to the day.
9. Take pool toys! We've taken small pool toys in the past - inflatable innertubes, dive sticks, squirters. It keeps the little ones interested for a while since there's only so much splashing you can do before you get bored.


I hope that helped? Whatever you do, enjoy yourselves!

 

[adell557]

I agree about the renting of the stroller, take your own or rent one from a place like baby's best friend friend. 31 dollars fro a double stroller at the parks is ridiculous.

Also, I got this tip off the boards, and it works like a dream:

Take and toss sippy cup filled with a bibster, plastic placemat, and cheerios snack(or whatever your kid likes). This keeps it all condensed into one little package, and is great for dining in the parks or out somewhere.

I have also found for my kids who are 2 and 4 I can get the hefty throw away sippy cups from walmart. They are made like a throw away coffee cup except they have sippy lid and are animal print. Then when I am done, I just throw everything away.

 

[coolbeans]

4. Give them a map! They all love looking at the map!
8. I usually stay up after everyone goes to bed...and I lay out clothes, charge camera batteries, restock the wallet and diaper bag etc. That way in the morning, we can get up and go. It makes for a much smoother start to the day.

I love tip number 4! and I do the same thing when we travel, it is so awesome to be able to get up and just get the kids (and DH) dressed and go. I restock everything while DH watches tv and DD rests. DS is going to make this trip interesting!!

The only other thing I can think of is to SLOW-DOWN.

 

[JustSayin]

My best tip is to take the vacation at a child’s pace. You simply will not be able to do as much as you would on an adult only vacation. Plan downtime. Everyone in the family will be much happier and more relaxed if you don't have a hot, overtired, toddler/small child.

Second tip is based on the first. Don't over-regiment the vacation. Don't be so concerned about doing everything that you miss the small unplanned pleasures of the trip.

 

[EthansMom]

When we went to WDW when DD was a baby and eating baby food, I made up meal packets. Each packet was a sandwich-sized ziploc baggie with a disposable bib, disposable spoon, disposable placemat, and a jar of baby food. In the evening, when I was packing the diaper bag for the next day, I made sure to throw in 3 or 4 of these meal packets. Then, at meal time, I'd just pull one out and DD's meal needs would be ready to go... no need to search in my bag for a bib, a spoon, a jar of food, etc... separately. I also took disposable sippy cups from home. Hint: If you're trying to trim costs on that, then don't buy too many disposable spoons (maybe enough for a couple days) and wash them every couple days to put into new packets. Definitely plan on one disposable bib per meal. If the bib stays clean, pack it back in the diaper bag for snack time.

Also, if you have a child who doesn't nap well in a stroller in the parks, the Monorail is a nice quiet place that works well for getting baby to sleep.

For our family, getting up at a decent hour, going to the park early, and heading back to the resort for an afternoon nap/swim works the best for us.

 

[EthansMom]

8. I usually stay up after everyone goes to bed...and I lay out clothes, charge camera batteries, restock the wallet and diaper bag etc. That way in the morning, we can get up and go. It makes for a much smoother start to the day.

I'd usually do this when the kids were getting ready for bed or were in bed and starting to settle down for the night. When we woke up in the morning, I'd have the clothes laid out, the diaper packed, and everything we needed for the day in our stroller. All we had to do was shower and get dressed.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Ds is two and we traveled during early December so the heat wasn't an issue for us.

1. With dd (now 6.5yo) we traveled w/ the backpack diaper bag...which on a long day was worth carrying.. but w/ ds I just tossed some diapers and travel wipes in my Baggalini and the changing pad from the diaper bag in the bottom of the stroller. SOOOO much easier!

2. Bring small beloved toys to play with while in lines. Ds loves Thomas. He had at least one train in each hand and sometimes a third! He was quite content playing w/ his choo choos while waiting!

3. We brought disposable sippy cups w/ us (First Years has Disney themed ones). Didn't have to worry if we left it somewhere! We only used them on the go, the restaurant drinks were fine for him w/ the straw.

4. Plan out your time with space to be flexible. We started out w/ our first three days as 1/2 days in the park (1/2 MK on arrival, 1/2 Epcot on day 2 and 1/2 Animal Kingdom on day 3). This allowed us to relax and take it easy. Over days 4-9 we closed the parks two times, but had sleep in days the following day. With this schedule we didn't have to go back to the resort for a nap (and on the long days, ds just collapsed in the stroller or the carrier).

5. Character Meals - Ds LOVED them! He was all smiles at whichever one we went to...even the princesses!

6. I packed our suitcases w/ both kid's clothes separated by outfit in 1 gallong zip locs...including everything (socks, etc). Dd's had underwear and socks, ds' only had socks. MUCH easier than pawing through all their clothes looking for matching stuff! All I had to do is pull out the bag and toss it on the table to get ready for the next day!

7. We used a Beco carrier for ds (30lbs at the time) when he was tired. We didn't use it when he was awake as he much prefers to be mobile, but when he was tired and needed to sleep it was priceless. Dh carried him as much as I did and when ds was in the carrier...dd jumped in the stroller!

8. Monkey Backpack w/ Leash - Every kid is different. We never even thought about using a leash w/ dd at WDW back when she was a toddler. She was perfectly happy to hold our hands...heck we didn't even have a carrier for her then. Ds is a totally different child. He HATES to hold hands, everything has to be done by him w/o anyone else's help, and he likes to bolt at the drop of a hat. We picked up the Monkey Backpack from Walmart for about $10 and it was really a godsend. Ds had the independence he needed and we had the peace of mind that we wouldn't lose him!

9. Id Bracelets - Many people use the IDs for shoes or tattoos but I liked the silicone rubber bracelets the best (especially when wearing Crocs or sandals!). Dd wore hers on her wrist but we put ds' on his ankle. I ordered 4 (a back up for each kid) and paid only $12 including shipping. They arrived in less than a week.
I'm sure I'll think of more!

 

[mom2aredhead]

CHARACTER MEALS - budget permitting, do a few. It will help you avoid the long lines to see them in the parks. I loved being able to tell my son "c'mon, lets go ride _________ instead, we're having breakfast with Pooh tomorrow." Line and meltdown avoided.

If you plan on being in the parks at night, throw the kids pajamas in the stroller or in your bag. My son ALWAYS fell asleep on the bus back to the resort. I'd stop in the bathroom or child care center when we were getting ready to leave (or while my husband was saving a parade spot) and get my son cleaned up and changed into the PJ's. This way he could go straight to bed without having to change. Then we would just give him a bath the following morning.
OR if you're going back to the park JUST to see parade/fireworks and they'll likely be in the stroller the whole time, bathe them and put PJ's on before you even go.

I completely agree with Nessy's tip about getting everything ready the night before...especially if you have an early ADR or plan on being up for rope drop. It saves soooo much time in the morning.

And my #1 thing to pack (don't laugh) is my i-pod nano, freshly stocked with new kid music, a few Disney TV shows and maybe a movie. It takes up no room, weighs nothing, and is great for long waits, (in a pinch) restaurants, and the flight. Sharing may be an issue for families with 2+ kids, but for us it works great.

 

[LadyShea]

Combine meals. We ate only two big meals a day, one at 11-11:30 am, then around 4:30-5pm. We had cereal or toast and fruit as a morning snack at the hotel, a packed snack around 2, then another later night sandwich or something light back at the hotel. This way we missed the breakfast/lunch/dinner crowds, and saved money. Added benefit of keeping blood sugar levels even with the snacks, and my DS tends to get cranky when he gets hungry, and waiting in lines or too late of a reservation could cause a meltdown.

 

[jj1403]

This is great thank you!

 

[princessreilly]

I always carry snacks, sippy cups and a change of clothes. Nothing is worse than a hungry or wet child. And when they get tired and not ready to leave, hit a sit-down attraction like TTA or Carosel of Progress. This was an immediate hit for us!

 

[snickerboo]

Snacks and lots of 'em!!! Little ones are much happier in lines if they have something to snack on, and if they are neither hungry nor thirsty! And don't necessarily worry about the snacks being super-healthy. Your little one is not going to eat carrot sticks or apples when other kids are going by with Mickey ice creams. We take things like goldfish, Disney-shaped fruit gummies, cookies, pb & j, juice boxes, etc.

 

[dsneygirl]

Buffets! With a toddler this was the easiest for us. DH and I could take turns and each get to actually eat our food while it was still hot. Also Ds could eat whatever he felt like at the time. And Under 3 is free.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

Snacks and lots of 'em!!! Little ones are much happier in lines if they have something to snack on, and if they are neither hungry nor thirsty! And don't necessarily worry about the snacks being super-healthy. Your little one is not going to eat carrot sticks or apples when other kids are going by with Mickey ice creams. We take things like goldfish, Disney-shaped fruit gummies, cookies, pb & j, juice boxes, etc.

I love the idea of Disney shaped gummies, etc. I know our Kroger stocks that kind of thing so we'll be hitting that up. Thanks!

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

I have also found for my kids who are 2 and 4 I can get the hefty throw away sippy cups from walmart. They are made like a throw away coffee cup except they have sippy lid and are animal print. Then when I am done, I just throw everything away.

Do I find these in the toddler/baby dept or over in the paper napkin/cup/plate dept? Is "hefty" the brand or just your description of them? Thanks for the idea--they might be better than the take & toss for my crew!

 

[Tinkermommy]

Here are a couple of others I live by:

1. Bring a hat. As cute as baby sunglasses are, mine never kept them on. But a hat with a wide brim (wide enough to cover their neck) is great.

2. Bring a thin, light blanket. When my DS sleeps in the stroller, I drape the blanket over the stoller. Keeps the light and heat out.

3. If you bring your own stroller, get an extra rain poncho to cover the stoller when it rains. Just be careful how you position the neck hole!

4. If you rent a stoller, bring a towel from the hotel. It can be used as a seat cushion and if it rains, you can wipe down the stroller or whoever else is wet!
Just bring it back to the hotel!

5. In addition to an extra outfit, bring a gallon size ziploc bag or plastic grocery bag to put the wet or soiled clothes in.

I hope these help!

 

[Mickeyorbust]

I hate to sound like miss gloom here, but mine would be to make sure your kids know what to do if they get lost. I always remind my girls, "I know it's scary when you're lost, but, try to keep calm. Just stand where you are for a few minutes. I will be looking for you. If you've stood there for a while and I haven't found you yet, go tell someone who works there you're lost. Look for the uniforms and name tags. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred people in line at the shop, walk around them and tell the cast member you're lost. They will take you to the Lost Children area and that's where I'll go. I will not leave without you." Lost DD13 in DW when she was 6. She did exactly as I had told her too...infact when we got to Lost Children she was having a fun playing games with the cast member.

 

[iheartdisney]

OK, I'm going against the crowd here, but if you are planning on a mid-day break, PACK LIGHT! A small diaper bag is fine for a half day at the park! What do you need? Snacks, cups, diapers, wipes. Sunblock before you leave for the morning, and again before you go back. You don't NEED a change of clothes and shoes for everyone in your party. especially if staying onsite. In case of a dire emergency, you are a short ride away from all of your luggage. The human body has the ability to dry. As a mom of 3 under 5, believe me, I hae learned this as the years have gone by. PACK LIGHT!

We like to pack one diaper bag with the snacks and diapers. Then I'll pack one small purse sized bag with camera, wallet, pin lanyards, etc. Ya know, the important stuf. when it is time to park the stroller, the big bag stays, the valueable bag goes with us on he ride and to explore the land. If someone wants to steal my bag, they are welcome to my diapers!