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

[nonzerosum]

Fun thread!!!

1. Ziploc everything and anything. It all started with the infamous 1 gallon ziploc for each outfit, including undies, socks, and hair ties. This was brilliant and I will always do this now. I also ziploced like items when packing....eg. kitchen related things, little surprises to hand out along the way, laundry stuff, etc.. This really eliminated digging around to find an item when you first open your suitcase. Obviously ziplocs for your park bags for wet clothing and items you want to keep dry on wet rides.

2. Hanging mesh closet organizer. I bought some at the dollar store and they are the kind on a round frame (not the squarish kind for sweaters) that have a hole in each compartment to reach in and get your stuff. I found this style helped keep things contained better than the more open sweater hanging organizers. Each organizer has 3 compartments. I hung them in the front closet. In one compartment I put all of the prestuffed restaurant ziplocs (included bibs, individual wet wipes for the table, table topper), in another compartment I put all the wet wipes, kleenex packets, bandaids etc.. and in another compartment I put fun park stuff like glow sticks, stickers, glow pins, etc.. Each night I would go through the compartments to restock our park bag. It was out of the way and high enough that the kids didn't get in their to explore and mess around.

3. Collapsible cloth box the size of a shoe box, again from the dollar store. As soon as we came in the room all lanyards, KTTW cards, kids fanny packs, sunglasse, cell phones and cameras went in here. This is probably my best tip as we are the kind of family that can waste a good 20 minutes hunting for those precious items. These are also the items that you don't want to misplace and that you must have when you leave the room. I will never travel anywhere without this little box. It weighs a couple of ounces and folds totally flat.

4. Camp towel or chamois cloth. Dry off kids--they all want to splash-- in a jiffy and wrings out witout being soppy. Store in ziploc.

5. A gigantic bag of stickers--the kind from the dollar store that have to be peeled indvidually (ie they are not on a sheet of stickers). They usually are at the dollar store in a pouch of 100. We bought 10 different Disney bags (1000 stickers!!!!) in a variety of themes- Alice, Peter Pan, Cars, Disney Heroes, Princesses etc... I stored all the stickers in a 1 gallon Ziploc (of course) and reached for it many times a day. We played games many different games with the stickers (eg. one person selects a sticker and gives clues to others about who it might be, roll a dice and find x many stickers of one theme, etc...), we handed them out to other kids, we stuck them on table toppers while waiting for food, etc... These stickers were a godsend and we still have loads left over.

I have more suggestions but my DS has a high fever and needs lots of cuddles right now.

 

[adell557]

Fun thread!!!


3. Collapsible cloth box the size of a shoe box, again from the dollar store. As soon as we came in the room all lanyards, KTTW cards, kids fanny packs, sunglasse, cell phones and cameras went in here. This is probably my best tip as we are the kind of family that can waste a good 20 minutes hunting for those precious items. These are also the items that you don't want to misplace and that you must have when you leave the room. I will never travel anywhere without this little box. It weighs a couple of ounces and folds totally flat.

Love this!!!! ON my list.

 

[SandJ77449]

Does anyone know what type of milk they sell at the parks?
Is it like what they have a McDon*lds that expires in six months? Or, is it the normal grocery story type?

Our little guy just started drinking regular milk, and I want to make sure we know where to purchase it.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Ziplocking each outfit was the BEST...I had never done it before, but I will ALWAYS do it now..I just threw the clothing packets into each kid's suitcase and put their initial on the outside...Then when we got to POR I threw their baggies into the drawers- it took 10 seconds to unpack...then the kids easily got themselves dressed every single day. I wish I had packed myself this way!

 

[newtowdw1]

Zip-locks of every size! Take extra empty ones with you.

In my park bag everything went into zip-locks of diff. sizes. During security I didn't have to worry about little things slipping away.

Nail clippers, hands-down the best tool for snipping those wires in toy packages.

Neck-coolers...we went in August. The day we didn't have them everyone melted.

Don't be afraid to take a melt-downer behind a bush and have an attitude adjustment. DH have fond memories of the bush at AK where DS's attitude was adjusted!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Outlet covers for the hotel room.

pack extra, extra pacifiers if your little one needs them...first year we took our kids both were using them...started with about 10...towards the end of the week we were down to 2 and the shop at the resort only had the infant size.

 

[kelma]

LOVE this thread

I've seen tons of great ideas and even though I've been to Disney lots with my kids, I've never even thought of some of them - you people are geniuses!

We do lots of the things other folks have listed - but we do a couple I haven't seen here yet. I like the idea of laying out the clothes each night, but I actually take it a step further. We do our bathing at night, so, while we're at Disney, our kids sleep in the shirts and undies they're going to wear the next day - shorts too if they're comfy enough. I have 4 kids and this saves lots of time in the morning.

Second is a safety thing. We take pictures of each of the kids in the morning before we hit the parks. I've never had a child get lost, but I always think it would be very helpful to be able to show people who they're looking for (also to help refresh the memory of this mom of many as to what that particular child is wearing that day )

Third, last year, I hit the Disney store near us when they were having a sale and picked up 4 of the spinning light up things that they sell in the parks for $12-15 for $2-8/each. My kids were absolutely thrilled to have them especially the evenings we made it back out.

Finally, pick up lots of glow sticks at the dollar store - all kids love them and it makes it easier to see your little one at night.

Can't wait to see more great ideas - keep them coming!

 

[Mandychelle79]

Take more medicine for the kids than you think you will need.

We had motrin and tylenol, ending up buying cough syrup and vaporub when we were there

Sweatproof Suntan lotion

Paper bags for protein spills ( dd puked during breakfast at chef mickeys)

Give them their own money to spend for suveniers ( split over the days)

 

[mrstomrice]

Lots of great ideas! This is what works for us!

We get to whatever park has early emh and we get there at opening...we walk on every ride we want to ride (do Dumbo 1st in MK). We go to the hotel midday if needed, then go back to the park at night.

We order baby needs and snacks from gardengrocer.com.

Haircuts at the Harmony Barbershop...too cute with gel and pixie dust.

We store our stroller under the seats that are meant for ecv's and wheelcahirs, assuming they are not needed. There is a huge space there and they fit perfectly. We'll wait for the next bus if it means being able to sit and store the stroller after a long day with 2 ds's.

We ask for the free water ice at any CS and pack the mix-ins to help with taste. Sometimes we just add the water to the mister fan for a cool breeze.

We bring small gifts that Mickey leaves in the room after a long day. DS loves Mickey's daily surprise. This trip we may leave a letter each day, one for each day and spell MICKEY during the week for 1 big surprise at the end.

Ziploc bag with outfits...worked so well for packing and dressing! I also pack the cameras in one daily, just in case

For meals, we do 2 a day, usually. We try for a brunch and an early dinner/

Have a great time...the memories are priceless!

 

[lpoeppelman]

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!

WOW! These are all great tips. I would not have thought about stickers to keep them busy and I would have totally forgotten to take some pool toys along. This is great. Keep the ideas coming!

 

[lpoeppelman]

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.

Great tip! Thanks everyone. Keep em' coming.

 

[adell557]

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!

I found them at walmart 1.37 for 14 of them. They were in the paper goods aisle and yes they are "hefty" the brand. The cups are animal print on the cups. Hope that helps. I haven't ever seen them at our grocery store, only at Walmart.

 

[adell557]

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.

Very important, what we do is write our cell phone number on their arm or leg and tell them to find someone who has a badge and show them the number and tell them that you're lost and they will call mommy and daddy to come get you.

 

[adell557]

Does anyone know what type of milk they sell at the parks?
Is it like what they have a McDon*lds that expires in six months? Or, is it the normal grocery story type?

Our little guy just started drinking regular milk, and I want to make sure we know where to purchase it.

The milk is in little cartons, kind of like at elementary school. I believe it is lowfat milk. Just a word to the wise, if you are going in the summer time, milk can cause sick stomach in little ones b/c of the heat. Can get to 90 or so in june or july. Gave my daughter Chocolate milk at the park and it made an appearance again later, unfortunately. We learned juice and water during the day and milk for breakfast and dinner once it cooled off.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

I found them at walmart 1.37 for 14 of them. They were in the paper goods aisle and yes they are "hefty" the brand. The cups are animal print on the cups. Hope that helps. I haven't ever seen them at our grocery store, only at Walmart.

Thank you! I will check at the soonest opportunity and report back. Fingers crossed!

 

[SandJ77449]

The milk is in little cartons, kind of like at elementary school. I believe it is lowfat milk. Just a word to the wise, if you are going in the summer time, milk can cause sick stomach in little ones b/c of the heat. Can get to 90 or so in june or july. Gave my daughter Chocolate milk at the park and it made an appearance again later, unfortunately. We learned juice and water during the day and milk for breakfast and dinner once it cooled off.

Great! That is the kind of milk we need.
Thanks for the advice. This will be his first trip, so all these suggestions are great to keep in mind. Glad I found this thread!

 

[mom2aredhead]

I found them at walmart 1.37 for 14 of them. They were in the paper goods aisle and yes they are "hefty" the brand. The cups are animal print on the cups. Hope that helps. I haven't ever seen them at our grocery store, only at Walmart.

So I just checked google - the cups are part of the Zoo Pal line.
I've bought the plates, bowls and silverware before. Never saw the cups, but I'll make sure I look now...

Thanks!

 

[Disneygirl26]

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.

I have to second this tip I always stressed the same when my kids were younger, we lost DD16 when she was also 6 in Sesame place it was the worse 20 minutes of my life I panicked I didnt even think to go to the lost children area when DH said lets check there she was also in the lost child area eating cookies and playing games.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Very important, what we do is write our cell phone number on their arm or leg and tell them to find someone who has a badge and show them the number and tell them that you're lost and they will call mommy and daddy to come get you.

That is why we had the silicone bracelets w/ our cell numbers on them. I'm not warm and fuzzy about writing on my kids limbs after I tell them they can't write on themselves! ... I try really hard to not do things I tell the kids they can't do (other than biggies like driving, using knives, etc.).

With my luck my 2yo would end up w/ marker all over him!

 

[Minniemouse07]

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.

We played "Find the CM" with our 6yo every day of our trip. Since CMs are always wearing different outfits we thought it important that dd be able to identify one if she needed assistance! Dd loved playing the "game" and thankfully she never needed her bracelet or a CM!