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

[dsneygirl]

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.

This is a great idea! We have spent many mornings scrambling trying to find everything.

 

[disneydoc2004]

This is awesome! Keep the tips coming!!!!!!! I hope I can add some myself after our trip!

Wendy

 

[gillenkl]

I would recommend a Camelbak if you child is large enough to wear one.

Also, we purchased small handheld battery operated fans and water bottles with fans attached - cheap from Walgreens or CVS.

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

if your kids are peanuts like mine the lifejackets at the pools didn't fit - make sure you bring their own or the suit with the float in it. I need to pick one up this summer for my 2.5 yr old who only weighs 22lbs.

i know every one says sneakers but we wear fisherman sandals - they are comfortable, the toes are mostly closed, the kids spend all sumer wearing them, they are able to get wet and they allow ventilation which is key on those hot days.

ID for the kids - I made ID cards for my kids for each DH & I to carry. with height/wt/vital stats on them(so when panicking i don't forget) - each kid also wears a bracelet with our cell numbers - they love their special jewerly!

we also pack the days outfit in ziploks

Food Tips : buffets are our friends when you have picky toddlers , cut back to 2 meals a day, bring snack bags

Have a fridge in your room

we buy a half gallon of milk (kept in above fridge)for early morning while getting ready and mix with Carnation instant breakfast in the girls sippy cups we have milk for a couple days this way, we also keep juice boxes in the freezer and pack them in the diaper bag in the morning - they keep things cool and thaw out during the day to drink.

we are driving this year so if anyone has packing tipps let me know - I am already using ziplocks and squeezing the air out of them. and possibly doing laundry while at the resort.

I am sure i will think of more

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some tips that worked for us:

* pack non-perishables in your suitcase and eat breakfast in your room so everyone can eat while getting ready...saves time and money and the first line of the day won't be for food.

* bring a small cooler bag w/your own drinks and snacks into the parks. Eating familiar things, especially when you don't have to wait in line for it, is priceless! I usually bring in long lines or shows for a snack break.

* consider a sling or hip hammock for babies/toddlers. These are great for lines where strollers aren't allowed and you can ride many rides "wearing" your baby. Just make sure it's not too hot.

* Just for Mom and Dad: bring some coffee-to-go cups if using the coffeemaker in your room. I also pack some coffee and filters.

some oldies, but goodies from the Disboards:

* take a pic of kids 1st thing in am so you know what they are wearing, in case they get lost.

* to reduce luggage, ship supplies like diapers, formula, snacks, swim diapers, suntan lotion, etc to yourself in care of your resort.

* pack 1/2 the clothes you need and do laundry

Oh, Yeah, VERY IMPORTANT:

* bring favorite blanket from home

* take them potty regularly whether they have to go or not...when they decide they need to go will always be a bad time (you are in the middle of a long line, show, just got on the bus, etc)

 

[adell557]

Here are some tips that worked for us:


* take them potty regularly whether they have to go or not...when they decide they need to go will always be a bad time (you are in the middle of a long line, show, just got on the bus, etc)

AMEN to that, in the middle of huge wait on POTC and DD says, I have to go potty, luckily I was with hubby, and he stayed in line we went potty and came back, but I am sure people in line behind were annoyed. Now we make a stop at potties as we see them.

 

[Loubbylou]

My last vacation to WDW was Oct 2007 with DH and DS (3), here are my tips:

We bought my DS a toddler backpack with a parent strap attached, I know alot of people dont like the idea of putting their child on a 'lead' but we only used the parent strap when we were in a very busy area of the park. Also DS was able to carry his own change of clothes in the backpack and he really liked that.

I would definately take some fruit into the parks, we found it very difficult to buy fruit just as a snack alhough grapes do usually come with the kids meals, my DS loves fruit and it also helps keep them hydrated.

Travel Hand Sanitizer - kids want to touch everything I took a small travel one and then I didn't have to find a restroom every time i wanted to give DS a snack.

Micro Towels - They are smal enough to fit in a backpack or the bottom of the stroller and come in very handy on hot days when the kids want to play in the water zones.

I would also agree with other people who say take your own stroller. If you think it may to much hasle try looking at like this: the cost of one week of stroller rental equals the cost of one character meal.

Finally if your child has a favourite character dress them in a t-shirt with the character on and if they have a small toy of the character bring that to the park too. We did this with my DS and Scooby Doo and Spiderman, Scooby, Shaggy and Spiderman made a real fuss of him and DS was over the moon when Minnie tried to steal his Mickey toy.

Hope you find these useful have a great time at WDW. Wish I was going too.

 

[adell557]

My last vacation to WDW was Oct 2007 with DH and DS (3), here are my tips:

I would also agree with other people who say take your own stroller. If you think it may to much hasle try looking at like this: the cost of one week of stroller rental equals the cost of one character meal.
Hope you find these useful have a great time at WDW. Wish I was going too.

If you are needing a double try the equivalent of at least two character meals:
$31x7days=$$217 YIKES
$15x7 days=$$105 STILL YIKES

Stroller prices at WDW have jumped quite a bit from last year.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Here's my biggest tip. Are you ready?
RELAX!!!!
So many people get all stressed out packing every do dad known to mankind and they try to see every single corner of the parks. They even schedule bathroom breaks! So relax and enjoy your trip. Let the kids get full of ice cream. Let them eat popcorn for dinner if they want. No you don't have to see every single character for it to be magical. Enjoy the children, take it slow, and don't sweat the small stuff. Before you know it the vacation is over. Who wants to look back and all you remember is how stressed you were trying to make every minute perfect? Every minute is perfect. Just live in that moment.

 

[lpoeppelman]

Bump. Just wanted to see if there are anymore tips out there.

 

[tzolkin]

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!

just a note with these cups... they won't replace a sippy cup for a very young child.

my mom bought these for my son's birthday last night. they work well and are very cute, but the top is made of a very thin plastic (slightly more sturdy than a soft drink cover at a fast food place). my niece (16mos) immediately chewed on the sippy spout and broke it. the other kids (2-4) were fine and the lids stayed on well.

 

[MrsR]

ID for the kids - I made ID cards for my kids for each DH & I to carry. with height/wt/vital stats on them(so when panicking i don't forget) - each kid also wears a bracelet with our cell numbers - they love their special jewerly!

Where would I buy ID bracelets?
Thank you.

 

[jarong]

Here's my biggest tip. Are you ready?
RELAX!!!!
So many people get all stressed out packing every do dad known to mankind and they try to see every single corner of the parks. They even schedule bathroom breaks! So relax and enjoy your trip. Let the kids get full of ice cream. Let them eat popcorn for dinner if they want. No you don't have to see every single character for it to be magical. Enjoy the children, take it slow, and don't sweat the small stuff. Before you know it the vacation is over. Who wants to look back and all you remember is how stressed you were trying to make every minute perfect? Every minute is perfect. Just live in that moment.

I second this. You know that there are a million great rides which your DD will love, but they don't want to leave Pooh's Corner. Guess what, you came on vacation to relax, so do it and let her enjoy herself.

Don't try to pack in every ride. It's okay if you miss a few things. I usually have 2-4 "must-do's" at each park. The rest is just at the whimsy of my kids.

 

[nemomama]

If you go during the hot summer months:

- Put a thin cotton receiving blanket in your stroller for you child to nap on (if they will nap in the stroller), this way when they sweat it will just go on the blanket and they won't be sitting in a sweaty stroller later.

- A RayShade or any other UVB blocking sunshade is a must for your stroller


As others have suggested, try not to overpack! Disney is still civilization!
Great tips so far!

 

[dsneygirl]

My last vacation to WDW was Oct 2007 with DH and DS (3), here are my tips:



I would definately take some fruit into the parks, we found it very difficult to buy fruit just as a snack alhough grapes do usually come with the kids meals, my DS loves fruit and it also helps keep them hydrated.


.

Actually this is one thing I really like now. Every park has a fruit stand somewhere (Ak by the safari, Liberty Square on Main St) we often got DS melon or grapes as a snack. Not much difference in price to ice cream.

 

[luvwdwfla2]

When we went my son was 4 and did not like loud noises so we brought ear protectors that fold up, the kind used when cutting the lawn. It really helpped to lessen the noise on rides and fireworks. It helpped him alot.

Also follow the childs pace and be willing to take breaks. In planning I thought I had figured a relaxed pace compared to when DH and I used to go ourselves. Once we got there I realized I needed to slow down even more so we would all have a good time. POOL breaks were very important.

 

[Grumpy'sWife]

There are some really great tips here!

I also would like to know where to get the plastic ID bracelets.

 

[Minniemouse07]

There are some really great tips here!

I also would like to know where to get the plastic ID bracelets.

We ordered our silicone bracelets from here. I ordered four for less than $12, including shipping...and they arrived in less than a week.

 

[Loubbylou]

We got our ID tags from wal-mart.
Pack of 3 was about $10. They were bright yellow and our 3 year old could not get his off, although the 7 year old could.
We wrote the numbers of the pay as you go mobiles that we also got from wal-mart on them.
Thats another good tip. UK travellers it's MUCH cheaper getting the phone our there. We checked, and it was even cheaper to by at wal-mart than it was to order US sim cards on-lin and have them shipped to the UK prior to travel. Only drawback is you have to wait till you get to a wal-mart to get them, but if there is a real emergency after landing, but before wal-mart you can still use your UK mobile, it just costs about £2.50 a minute!

 

[disneymom727]

I haven't read all the posts yet but am planning on going back and reading them all when I get a chance. This may have already been said but I highly suggest getting an autograph book especially if your child may be a bit scared of the characters. My son was freaked out until we got the book. He could just hand the character the book and step back. Eventually he felt comfortable enough to take pictures and give hugs, etc.