Disney world with a toddler (22 months old)?

[xxpeplyxx]

ok so we have been Disney world a few times now and are always pretty organised, I generally like to write a checklist and tick each thing off as I pack it that way I know that we have everything, I am a little OCD so a list helps, but my mind seems to have gone blank, and I feel as though I am running out of time, we have 19 days (18 tomorrow) left until we go, we usually go in the summer july/august time and as a result I feel as though it has come around even quicker than usual, I know I still have so much to do, I need new batteries for the cameras, new sd cards, so much I need and so little time haha, I plan to go out next week to currys or somewhere to get the camera bits, but I come to realise I haven't even bought sun lotion yet lol, and haven't yet finished buying my holiday clothes, so far I have one pair of shorts, every one else is well looked after and I've been out and got them everything but I've totally forgotten about myself, so can any of you give me a check list of things I must not go without, especially stuff for the toddler, I have never travelled with him before so I am new to that lol.i will write below what I have packed or know I have already

- so far we have done our Esta's
- booked taxi to take us to the airport
- our passports are in a folder in our house for safe keeping
- I am yet to get holiday insurance, any reccomendations?
- I am booked in with gp to get prescription for meds I am on, will I need to declare those?
- my son has so many clothes so im not worried about that part, and I got swim nappies last week,
will he need one of those nappy covers also to wear under his swim suit?
- my partner has plenty of clothes
- so far for my son shoe wise I have some Velcro sandals and some jellies, was thinking crocs to? but
he is clumsy and I worry he will fall a lot in them?
- we have a stroller that we are taking with us, and have reins so he can get about walking without us
worrying about loosing him
- magical express is booked
- travel documents are all together and ready to go in hand luggage
- got some dollars changed up and they are with travel documents #

I so feel like im forgetting so much though, also I was wondering what I could take on the plane to keep my son occupied, we have seat plus for him so he will at least have a seat and I have asked for a meal for him also on there, I know I should pack plenty of snacks for him which I will do, and will take some pencils and paper, the ipad with his favourite tv shows on, and maybe a couple of books he likes, but what else can I take? someone suggested playdough but will that be allowed on the plane? I can get pre packaged playdough from asda so it would be sealed but wasn't really sure if that would be allowed?

Honeslty any info, hints/tips, words of advice, anything literally I would be most grateful for, I am to be sorted and packed for this time next week then I have no stress in the run up to the holiday

 

[saintrob]

I would take a change of clothes for your son for the plane. When my DS was a toddler I always used to put an extra pair of shorts/T shirt in my carry on - the amount of times his drink/food (or mine) ended up over him is too many to count!

I'm sure you'll have a fab time!

 

[Elise79]

We have taken DD at least twice a year since she was nine months old and these are things we did for her:

I agree with a change of clothes for your DS - DD also had to be changed on the plane as a toddler due to accidents with drinks/food.

I would also recommend layers for him as it will be cold when you leave but warm when you arrive.

Things for the plane - couple of small toys, colouring, iPad with games, book to read. I never took playdoh as I find it messy and wouldn't want to be clearing that up on a plane.

On VA the kids selection on the IFE is good.

Footwear: usually one pair of trainers (properly fitted at that age DD always had clarks) and pair of sandals. Didn't let DD have crocs until she was older.

If you have the Huggies swim nappies that's all you need under his trunks.

I always carry lots of snacks for the plane but remember if you take any fresh fruit, meat or dairy it can't leave the plane. Any other food you can take it in just declare it on the customs form.

Prescription meds are fine just take a copy of your repeat slip with you. (Personally, I don't carry DHs prescription as the meds he has are available over the counter in the US unlike here where they are prescription only but I do take them in the box with pharmacy label on but they've never been looked at)

Most importantly relax! It's holiday and if you forget anything other than your passport it can be replaced there!

Have fun!

 

[Tash87]

Dont buy too many new clothes for yourself in this country, save the money and buy new out there. A good excuse to go shopping!

We first took our daughter when she was 25 months and I made up a lucky dip bag for on the plane with small bits in for every hour or so. I have started preparing for our next trip already lol, in pound land they had some cool Disney gift bags and Disney pens etc.

Also we usually let her go in whsmith at the airport and buy books and a magazine.

We also take the mini, multi packs of children's biscuits and snack items for in the parks as we always found we was caught out for snacks for her when we was out.

Do you have a sunshade for the buggy ?

 

[Tash87]

We will be taking a travel kettle, small plastic bowls, plastic tea cups and spoons with us too. I know it sounds a lot but my children won't want to wait until we get out for brekkie. I don't know if the hotel would provide you with these things to keep in your room ( apart from the kettle )

Does anyone have any experience with this with a onsite hotel?

 

[xxpeplyxx]

Dont buy too many new clothes for yourself in this country, save the money and buy new out there. A good excuse to go shopping!

We first took our daughter when she was 25 months and I made up a lucky dip bag for on the plane with small bits in for every hour or so. I have started preparing for our next trip already lol, in pound land they had some cool Disney gift bags and Disney pens etc.

Also we usually let her go in whsmith at the airport and buy books and a magazine.

We also take the mini, multi packs of children's biscuits and snack items for in the parks as we always found we was caught out for snacks for her when we was out.

Do you have a sunshade for the buggy ?

Yes we do have a sunshade on it already it's the joie mirus, it has a late sunshade so will keep him protected I do plan on doing a goody bag for him but he can't sit still for 5 mins so I'm sure I will just be pacing the plane with him whilst he is awake lol, I'm going to add extra snacks onto our shopping
Order this week to take with us and plan to do a garden grocers order, to order water to take to the parks and get the fruit juice pods to add into the water as e unfortunate won't drink plane water since he was last Poorly and the dr said to try juice to encourage him to drink, no going back now

I am however yet to hit a rain cover for his pushchair

 

[xxpeplyxx]

We will be taking a travel kettle, small plastic bowls, plastic tea cups and spoons with us too. I know it sounds a lot but my children won't want to wait until we get out for brekkie. I don't know if the hotel would provide you with these things to keep in your room ( apart from the kettle )

Does anyone have any experience with this with a onsite hotel?

Wow I had never thought of this!!! Good point I must add plastic bowls and spoons to my list! My son needs food as soon as he wakes lol, he so wouldn't wait until we actually go out to have food

 

[saysib]

Hi, i dont really have anything else to add but we also took my son at 22 months. The flights felt like they took forever but it was probably the most magical trip we've ever had. DS was at a perfect age for the characters, having the buggy made us slow down and enjoy things we'd possibly not have noticed in the past. Were going again this December and he'll be almost 4 and i cant wait to see his excitement again. Are you staying at AKL? Thats where we were and it was perfect for him too. So much to watch, even just sat in his buggy chilling out!

 

[xxpeplyxx]

Hi, i dont really have anything else to add but we also took my son at 22 months. The flights felt like they took forever but it was probably the most magical trip we've ever had. DS was at a perfect age for the characters, having the buggy made us slow down and enjoy things we'd possibly not have noticed in the past. Were going again this December and he'll be almost 4 and i cant wait to see his excitement again. Are you staying at AKL? Thats where we were and it was perfect for him too. So much to watch, even just sat in his buggy chilling out!

Aww thanks for the reply, that's so lovely to here that it was so magical, I cannot wait to take him, he loves being out and about so I'm sure he will have so much fun And yes we are staying at AKL cannot wait, we have only ever stayed at value resorts before so this will be an experience for us all

 

[disneyholic family]

i would take a change of clothes for everyone on the plane...
both in case your luggage gets lost, but also in case of 'events' along the way..

at exactly this age, my daughter became terribly car sick and threw up all over my husband....
(this was when we had to race from kennedy airport to la guardia because we'd missed our kennedy connection)..
of course i had several changes of clothes for our daughter, but none for my poor vomit covered husband...
and given that he's 6 feet 7 inches tall....(2 meters tall for the metric amongst us)..
well, you can't just buy clothes anywhere for someone that tall...
i managed to find him a t shirt in the airport that came down to his waist, but no trousers (he wears a 36 inch inseam)...
what a disaster...

and he had to travel that way from new york to orlando....blech.....

anyway, take a change of clothes for everyone, and several changes for the toddler...

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes I second spare clothes for you. I can remember bringing a change for daughter and not me and needing it, she was all fresh and clean on landing me not so much.

My DD was 22months first time we went have lovely memories of that trip. Booths were good, block her in but she had a bit of freedom to move. Some restaurants do boosters if he is too big for a highchair.

Do be careful with fruit juice on the plane. I once saw an agriculture sniffer dog getting very excited over a toddler in a buggy and the poor mum upset as dog was very near him, turned out he had spilt apple juice on himself on the plane.

 

[Elise79]

Reading Dixonsontour's post reminded of something else - on the plane the have orange juice, apple juice, water or fizzy drinks.

We actually got DD drinking apple juice as well as water before we went as apple juice is really common in WDW so she could have something other than water with her meals. She has never like fresh orange juice.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

....

We actually got DD drinking apple juice as well as water before we went as apple juice is really common in WDW so she could have something other than water with her meals. She has never like fresh orange juice.

Why? You should be happy she likes water. Apple juice is filled with empty calories.

 

[Elise79]

Why? You should be happy she likes water. Apple juice is filled with empty calories.

Because who wants to drink water all the time? With meals we have other drinks why shouldn't I let my DD? Anyway it's not really anyone else's business. I was pointing out that the selection of drinks on the plane and in the parks for toddlers is limited.

 

[xxpeplyxx]

my son loves fresh orange juice and apple juice so we have no issue with that, he wont drink water at all unfortunately so you lucky that your DD does

 

[MaleficentUK]

I took my daughter at about this age and I would say that the most important thing, even for children a bit older, is to bring your own stroller. A park stroller has to be turned in at the gate when you leave or park hop. Your own stroller can be used to take your sleepy little person to the transportation. While you wait for your bus, boat, or monorail, they can continue to snooze. You do have to fold the stroller when you get on, so try to keep anything that stops you folding it in one bag, so you can pull it out of the bottom easily. If there are two of you, you may be able to manage one person carrying a still sleeping child, while the other folds and takes the stroller on board.

Our daughter missed almost every night of fireworks because she fell asleep in the stroller before them. But, we got to see them while she slept.

I also found that it was really easy for little people to get dehydrated and not ask for something to drink. I made sure she had a water bottle with her that she was comfortable drinking out of and wouldn't leak.

Absolutely recommend trainers and reins for when they have energy and need to get out of the stroller.

Have you considered booking one character meal? It can be hard to know how children will react to the huge characters - I saw one little girl hide under a table and scream at a character dessert party at Disneyland Paris - but it is a good way to see some characters, collect some autographs, and have a few pictures, without waiting in line with an impatient toddler.

 

[xxpeplyxx]

MaleficentUK

We have a stroller that we are taking with us so that's all good and there are 3 adults me, my partner and my mum so plenty of hands to make light work besides whoever is left holding our son because he is so so heavy lol I'll happily be the bag holder on the bus home.

My son hates sleeping when there is stuff going on as he doesn't want to miss out, so I wouldn't be surprised if he managed to keep himself awake, but he sure isn't used to such busy days so who knows but we shall go with the flow any ways.

As for character meals we have a few planned, I'm pretty sure he will be fine with them and if he isn't then he is the kid of kiddo that so long as they don't interact he wouldn't be bothered our first meal is Tusker house breakfast, and he is a morning boy so I'm sure he would much prefer meeting them in the am so fingers are crossed x

 

[londontime]

The weirdest thing is, as much as we look in 4 years of nappy accompanied vacationing with the kids we couldn't find Nappy bags ANYWHERE. We always ended up using the sandwich bags. Definitely take your own stroller, as we always found the universal sun shades didn't really cover them up on the rented beige Disney ones.