Florida with small children

[nattyk]

Hi all,

Love reading these boards

dh and I use to go to Florida alot (before kids!!!!) 9 times, but have not been for about 4 + years. We are planning on going next Sept with our 2 kids - Amy who will be 3 1/2 and Joshua will be 18mts next Sept.

What I need is advise on doing the parks with little ones - dh and I love to do all the rides (we love coaster) but not sure about all the quening with the kids and how they will last the long days and all the walking. What about babyswap on the rides does it work?

We plan to hire a villa and go with friends who all have to kids around the same age.

People have told us to wait until the kids are older - but I can't wait any longer I am in need of my Florida, Disney and shopping fix!!!!

Any advise and tips welcome.

thanks
Nathalie

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Natalie!

'Baby swap' works in different ways for different rides but for all of the rides where your children cannot ride, just approach the Cast Member at the attraction entrance and tell them you want to use baby swap and they will tell you what to do.

Some of the rides with Fastpass give the first rider a pass to give to the people that are waiting and that can be used as a Fastpass. Other rides you will be directed to the exit and then can swap with the adult who has just ridden - but as I say, the Cast Members will help you.


(Each of the park Guidemaps that you pick up when you enter the park, have this facility noted under the heading "Parent/Guardian Switch" and it just says :
"Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions.See a Cast Member for additional information.")

 

[Madjock]

Hi Nathalie,

When we went 2 years ago our youngest was 20 months. There were lots of rides for her to do and loads for her to enjoy, she had a great time and still loves looking through the photo album. We used the baby swap system a lot and it worked brilliantly. Its very easy, as stated just speak to the CM looking after the ride and they will guide you and with fastpasses you don't even have to queue up for ages.

Annmarie

 

[vernon]

You'll probably find that at that age they REALLY take to the oddest things. Characters are usually VERY popular, once the kids get over their shyness. A Character breakfast/meal or two is probably the most efficient way to see most of these without cutting too much into your day. ( IMHO and hour and a half at breakfast is better than standing in 8 queues for 30 minutes each during the day). The various play areas will be popular, particularly those with water (Seuss Landing at IOA has the best of these IMHO but SeaWorld and BG run it close). Instead of having them all standing in queues ( which may turn fractious) I would suggest getting fast passes for the "thrill rides" then leave ALL the kids in one of the play areas (under the supervision of one set of parents ) while two of you ride, then switch roles. Obviously if you find one adult that doesn't want to do a ride at all they can baby mind while the other three ride.

I've also found that kids LOVE the water parks, both TL and BB have great kiddies areas, IMHO the wave pool and copious sand areas for digging at TL makes it slightly the better choice.

With kids of that age they can have a great time, but be prepared it's going to take A LOT LONGER to get things accomplished and at times you need to stake your claim (at parades etc) a lot earlier than you previously would.

 

[WDWfan uk]

....... reading Vernon's post has reminded me - be prepared for the children to be startled by the characters at first. It may not happen, but I remember pointing out a character delightedly to my then small son and he looked rather scared. (No problem at all with the "headless" characters who are free to speak, but just those with heads).

We took it slowly,admiring them from afar, and the next day he was happily standing in the line for photos and autographs with his older brother... which reminds me! Go into the parks armed with an autograph book and a fat pen for Amy. (A fat pen is easier for the characters to hold - it's hard to write when you have paws !)

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

We have been to Florida three times now with our DSs who are now 4 and 5. Our first trip with them was in 2000 when they were 1 year old and almost 2.
Most people thought I was mad.... but I was desperate to go!!

We didn't really have any problems - and they took to the characters straight away. Character meals were a big hit - and still are!!! It does help when you are with another family who have kids - that way you can help look after your kids while you do some rides!!! Baby swap is good - especially in rides that have long queues, but if you have Fast Passes then we found this minimised the need to use baby swap.

It is much more relaxing staying in a villa, than a hotel with small children - they can go to bed and the adults can have a relaxing swim and a glass of wine!!!

There will be loads of things for both the kids to do and plenty of rides to go on - especially Amy at 3 1/2 years old. The playgrounds are great - and my DSs both love them - IOA If I ran the Zoo and Me Ship the Olive and in MK in toontown there is a shaded play area outside Minnies house.


Have fun

Cath

 

[DisneyBB]

We have done all ages from 1 to 9 years. The only difficulty I found was with food when they are not eating proper meals. When our youngest was 1 she lived on chips and baby food brought from home. I find florida to be the most child freindlest place to be, it is all geared up for families. We have been to other places with them and it is harder. I love the fact that when you go to eat in a resturant the first thing they do is settle the kids with crayons etc. Every year they enjoy the holiday in a different way, as they get older they get to do all the "bigger" rides. We made a mistake one year when our 2nd DD was only 4 and took her on a simulator, it scared her so much she would not do anything after that. I mean even the shows! We had a difficult holiday that year. Now we take our time and ensure that they are ready. Our youngest seemed keen on a mini rollercoaster when she was 2 (just 2), she loved it and we couldn't get her off. Have a great time the kids will love it.

 

[nattyk]

thanks for all your advise and tips - I can't wait now !!!!!a whole year!!!! I am sure it will come round really quickly and I will be asking for loads more advise.

thanks
Nathalie