? for Parents of Preschoolers

[idoteech]

We are going to WDW December 14-20. One DD is will be 8 mo. old and the other DD will be 3 1/2. The 3 1/2 year old is scared of lots of things, so I want to be careful that I don't begin the trip with her getting scared and not wanting to do anything further. Boy, wouldn't that be fun?!?! Any suggestions on what to do first? (AK will be our first park)

Also, we are going to use ABBF and Wegoshop, but if anyone has any other suggestions for the 8 mo. old, I would appreciate it. I know they'll both love it at Christmas time. This is our first trip with the kids. We are bringing grandparents and my sister (who lives in Florida and is my DD3's eyes) is coming for 3 days. Note: We are flying non-stop on Delta.

Things to avoid?
Things not to miss?
Things to pack that are a "must"?
Advice? Tips?

Guess I'm needy.

Thanks in advance!

idoteech

 

[prplcrzy]

Some of my suggestions are:

have her watch movies and get used to the characters - face characters as well as others (face being Cinderella, Snow White, others being Mickey, Pluto, etc..)

if she's afraid of the dark, bring a small pen type flashlight that she can shine at her feet if the dark is too much for her

as for parks, MK has sooo much for the younger crowd, things you may want to avoid Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, definitely Stitch ride, the Mountain rides (but she's probably too short for those anyway)

research a ride before you take her on it and start small and work your way up (maybe do Dumbo, then Pooh, then maybe Buzz and Peter Pan) - take things at her speed, if you push too fast, it could set her off

Have fun planning your trip, only 32 days until I get to go Home!!

Nancy

 

[laurietg]

Hi. We took our DD who just turned 3 to Disney the first week of October. She normally isn't scared of things-she loves rides. I really didn't think we would have a problem. We took her on the boat at Mexico in EPCOT. I would have never described it as scary, but looking at it through my DD's eyes. All I can remember are those skeletons hanging....

After that, she was frightened of every other indoor boat ride. (including it's a small world). She isn't scared of any other type of ride. She loves to go fast, twirl, go high-anything. It was those darned skeletons. So, my only advice is what you seem to be planning already-stay away from anything that may ruin all the other rides for her.

Have a great trip!

 

[Nank]

My DS is 4 1/2 and he is scared too. But we managed to talk him through things, but I don't see reasoning with a 3 year old.

go to Dinosaur (land) in AK. They have a nice big play area, not scary, just fun. I"m not sure about the safari, you are far from animals, but it is a big bumping jeep type ride.

In MK, we dragged him on Pirates because we didn't want to go separately. I just told him to close his eyes if he was scared. And I had to keep telling him that the things were not real.

However, he did 100 times better than I thought he would. He was great, well behaved, no whining. Just a blast. He LOVES characters so we did alot of character meals and hunting down characters and getting pictures and autographs.

have fun.

 

[rchristiansen]

Go to Pooh's Playful Spot first. We went the first week it opened and were hyping it up to my DD who is 3. Everytime we were at MK she wanted to go back to "Pooh's Playground." There you can see the tea-cups, Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh Ride all at once - so after she gets bored in the playground she will have a variety of fun choices "just accross the street".

We had to go to the Playground at least 4 times.

Sure, it's "just" a playground, but it was the highlight of my DD's trip.

My DD is "scared" of many things. But we told her she could hold our hand or she could sqeeze our knee if she was afraid. We discovered that most of the time she would just say she was scared of something and then truly enjoy it afterwards. For example, she loved Pirates and wanted a pirate treasure map and eye patch after the ride. She also was nervous about Buzz but when she was on it she had fun. So unless your DD is having an ultimate meltdown, take her on the rides that may be a bit "scary" to her - she may like it. You'll be able to gauge her while standing in line. If she becomes really upset, then just get out of the line, but if she is slightly nervous - go for it. She's probably nervous about the fact that this is something she has never experienced before. That seemed to be the case with my DD.

I'd wait to go on any questionable rides until after doing the tame rides like Small World, TTA, Dumbo, Tea Cups, CoP. I may even avoid Winnie the Pooh's ride at first as it is a bit dark. Ease into the darker rides after riding the tame ones.

Then the reverse is always true - my DD was SOOOO Excited to go on Goofy's Barnstormer. She was cheering and getting all giddy as we climbed the roller coaster hill - but as the roller coaster sped down the hill she screamed and yelled "I DON'T LIKE THIS RIDE! I DON'T LIKE THIS RIDE" - Go figure.

 

[mamaminnie]

Some of my suggestions are:

if she's afraid of the dark, bring a small pen type flashlight that she can shine at her feet if the dark is too much for her


I agree with the small flashlight. It has saved my family on many rides. The dark can be really scary.

 

[don8life]

In AK avoid It's tough to be a bug.

I suggest you get Birnbaum's guide to WDW. One of them has the specific instructi0ns for dark, loud noises etc. There is a kid's version and an adults. Reqad through and see which one has theses insructions before you purchase.

That happened to me one year and we had a miserable trip. I thin my kids were 5 and 2 at the time but it was our second time and we had done these things beofre so I figured they would be ok. NOT!

 

[stacy6552]

For the baby, be sure to bring a carrier. There are loads of places that you cant take the stroller and the carrier will become priceless. Also, if yu are up to finger foods, get some stick on places mats that you can put down on the table. I think babies r us sells them.

 

[rt2dz]

My first question is are you avoiding rides that your 3 1/2 yo might be afraid of because your DD is normally afraid or if you've just read/heard that many children are frightened of certain rides? My kids have never been afraid of anything (except DS#1 is afraid of the queue at Haunted Mansion--not the ride itself--and DS#2 at 15 months started the week afraid of characters--over it at the end of the week).

One of the things we did was famaliarize the kids with the rides/shows and what would happen (with It's Tough To Be A Bug, for example, we went over what the bugs would be doing).

My biggest suggestion would be, if your DD starts to balk at anything, just get out of line ASAP--no matter how long you've been there.

Dinoland at AK has a Dumbo type ride that's a hit and the Boneyard playground that is always a big hit. They also have a great parade. If your DD likes zoos, do the trails and DO NOT UNDER AN CIRCUMSTANCES miss Kilmajaro Safari. Festival of The Lion King was a huge hit at every age and Rafiki's planet watch was another favorite.

At Epcot my kids enjoyed Journey into the Imagination and spaceship Earth. They are not a fan of Epcot.

MK you can't go wrong with anything in Fantasy Land (Snow White maybe being an exception) and Toon Town. We have to ride Goofy's Barnstormer literally 12 times in a row.

MGM do playhouse Disney. I know there were others that were a hit, but I can't think of what right now.

 

[DisneyPhD]

In AK avoid It's tough to be a bug.

I suggest you get Birnbaum's guide to WDW. One of them has the specific instructi0ns for dark, loud noises etc. There is a kid's version and an adults. Reqad through and see which one has theses insructions before you purchase.

Good advice. Same with the spend time at the playgrounds. Most of the other AK rides that doesn't have a height requirment should be good. If she the 3 year old is doing good you can try TTBABug later. Trisuartops spin is good (DH called it dino dumbo.) along with the bone yard.

At MK rides to do later when you know how DD is handeling things are
Buzz (can be over stimulating for some, don't do it 1st, but it isn't scary)
Snow white (rather scary actually)
Hunted mantion (not a surprize here)
Pirtates (another no surprize.) She might be ok, but start off slow and yet her choice.

We always start in Fantsy land since it can be so crazy there and it is good to get it "out of the way" So much to do and not much of it is scary.

Oh and bring your own stroller (double would be good since it is a lot to walk for a 3 year old) and a rain cover for it. This can be very important. No one wants to ride in a wet stroller.

I agree with the small flash light. Also a new toy right near the start (like a light spinner) can help keep them enterained when unsure or waiting and helps to keep them from asking for every other thing they see.

 

[3littleHalls]

We have been going since my oldest was three(but she is a thrill seeker) but definitely get the free dvd from Disney....watch it lots...talk about what characters you will see(you will see some just in passing) and talk about what rides you see in the movie...Dumbo ride....all the way to scary ones. Just let them know they won't ride those! The big characters are very good at recognizing that younger kids are scared of them and will stay back. Face characters are much easier to take pictures with if you kids are fearful of characters. I reccommend the Passporter or a book on touring WDW with kids. They let you know if the ride is dark, loud, or scary. It's A Small World is awesome for begining riders!! I don't reccomend any 3-D attractions(those still scare my thrill seeker) Beauty and the Beast Show(MGM) is very good, Festival of the Lion King(AK) is awesome! But start months before you go with saying what you will see and do. We start making comments like..."I want to ride the Dumbo ride two times!!" and then my kids will say "Maybe three times!" or "I want to see Buzz Lightyear...he is my favorite" Parades are a good way to wave at the characters and see they aren't so scary. Have a magical trip!!

 

[rchristiansen]

We didn't realized Tough to be a Bug at AK was NOT for preschoolers until we saw the signs in the queue. The CM directed us to the back row on the left so we could make a quick exit if necessary. After a few minutes my DD was wanting to leave - again not freaking out or crying, just told us she was scared. So it was VERY easy to quickly leave. My DH took her out and I stayed behind. About 5 or 6 kids total left the show. There was a CM waiting for those poor little kids and gave them butterfly finger puppets. That was her most favorite thing she got during the trip.

 

[idoteech]

Thank you all SO much for your advice. I will bring a sling for my 8 mo. old. There is no way I can carry a carrier around in addition to the strollers. She already weighs over 18 lbs. (cute as a button I might add), so I'll need the sling for the places where strollers aren't allowed. I can't carry her in the carrier (way 2 heavy!!!).

I think my DD3 will be okay. She wants to talk about WDW EVERY night before she goes to sleep, so I know she'll enjoy it.

Again, thank you all. You have made my trip much easier to plan for...

idoteech

 

[Brygida]

We are going to WDW December 14-20. One DD is will be 8 mo. old and the other DD will be 3 1/2.

Also, we are going to use ABBF and Wegoshop, but if anyone has any other suggestions for the 8 mo. old, I would appreciate it.

I assume you will not be renting a car from your post.... I recommend that you do rent a car.

It is most important with little ones. If you absolutely won't, then at least bring a car seat with you... if you need to take a taxi you will need one (I'm thinking of in an emergency).... unless your sister lives nearby and can help out in a pinch.

My son (12 mths at the time) deteriorated so fast at our last trip to Disneyland. He went from a runny nose, to having difficulty breathing, an ear infection, and a high fever within a couple hours. Called in paramedics.... got the entire Disney staff in our room in the middle of the night. He needed to go to a hospital, but the paramedics could only take him to the nearest one. With a few questions and reading between the lines of what the Disney medical staff was telling us, it was clear that we should take him to a local Children's Hospital instead (a couple miles further then the nearest hospital which was obviously not well thought of). Long story short... we got in our rental car and went.

BTW, my son was put on steroids for a while, and has been on asthma treatments ever since that trip last April.

My advice is to think of what you would do.

 

[mitchwebb]

I agree with the poster that said watch some of the videos. There are cute sing a longs of Disneyland (much of the same rides as MK) and AK (Flik's Musical Adventure). We own them but I have seen them at our local Hollywood Video. My four year old was two the first time she went to DL and knew what to expect from a lot of the rides.

Good luck and make sure to do Small World before any of the dark rides even the Fantsyland ones.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I assume you will not be renting a car from your post.... I recommend that you do rent a car.

It is most important with little ones. If you absolutely won't, then at least bring a car seat with you... if you need to take a taxi you will need one (I'm thinking of in an emergency).... unless your sister lives nearby and can help out in a pinch.

My son (12 mths at the time) deteriorated so fast at our last trip to Disneyland. He went from a runny nose, to having difficulty breathing, an ear infection, and a high fever within a couple hours. Called in paramedics.... got the entire Disney staff in our room in the middle of the night. He needed to go to a hospital, but the paramedics could only take him to the nearest one. With a few questions and reading between the lines of what the Disney medical staff was telling us, it was clear that we should take him to a local Children's Hospital instead (a couple miles further then the nearest hospital which was obviously not well thought of). Long story short... we got in our rental car and went.

BTW, my son was put on steroids for a while, and has been on asthma treatments ever since that trip last April.

My advice is to think of what you would do.

So sorry you had that experince with your son. Glad he is doing better, but sorry he still needs treatment.

I have to say that we have been to WDW, oh let me count it up now........... I think 6, we might be missing one. Ok 6 times with kids under the age of 4 years old. (some 2 kids, once 4 kids, counting my friends) The 1st 2 times my DD needed medical treatment, once for an allergic reaction to penicilin, the 2nd for a ear infection. Both times centra care came and picked us up (they had a car seat in the van.) The frount desk was very helpful with the situation also. In addtion, many taxies in the area have car seats if needed. (if you are going to call one.) BTW, centra care took great care of us both times (and took us to a pharmacy also, sometimes they have the med right in the center.) It gives me some peace of mind knowing they are there. Both times they said it was better to get the van transportation because they will take you to the least busy center. (and know what doc's are working there, and which are the best.) Both times we had the same driver, Art. He was great and was there with in 20 min of when we called (both times.)

Anyway of those 6 times, only twice did we have a car (and that was because we were also going to Vero Beach that trip.)

You can get away with not having a car. Yes, it can be nice, but it isn't a nescessity. One of the things DH likes about going to Disney is getting way from having to drive.

DME does not need car seats (as in a bus) and most town car services will provide them free of charge. We did bring our own car seat when they were still in the infant one because it can be used as a place for the child to rest and carrier.

 

[idoteech]

Wow...that scares me to death, but thank you for the last post about centra care. We have 2 medical insurances and we are also buying trip insurance that has medical also up to 100K for each of us, but I am praying that neither gets sick on the trip. I will wash their hands ALL THE TIME, and hopefully God will spare us that experience. Many people have asked me: Why would you want to take an 8 mo. old to Disney. Well, we would possibly wait, but I want my DD3 1/2 to experience it and I think my DD 8 mo. will love all the lights, characters, etc. at Christmas time. I do pray that they don't get sick though.

Thanks again for all of your advice.

idoteech

 

[DisneyPhD]

Wow...that scares me to death, but thank you for the last post about centra care. We have 2 medical insurances and we are also buying trip insurance that has medical also up to 100K for each of us, but I am praying that neither gets sick on the trip. I will wash their hands ALL THE TIME, and hopefully God will spare us that experience. Many people have asked me: Why would you want to take an 8 mo. old to Disney. Well, we would possibly wait, but I want my DD3 1/2 to experience it and I think my DD 8 mo. will love all the lights, characters, etc. at Christmas time. I do pray that they don't get sick though.

Thanks again for all of your advice.

idoteech

That is why I posted it, to let you know that kids get sick, but there is good doctors there. Yes kids get sick, but it isn't the end of the world. Both times it took most of a day out of our trip, but not the whole day and our DD got very good care. (she was 8 1/2 months old (Dec 2001) and 23 months old (March 2002). In fact come to think of it that 1st trip was the same week as yours and we had the BEST time. It was such a great trip, such a great time to go to WDW. You guys are going to have the most fun (we go after Christmas this year, Jan 4 to 11th.)


We do try to get a flu shoot every year just in case.

Our youngest was 9 months old our last trip. It was great. I think our next trip is going to be much harder (she will be 17 months old this time!) She loved everything about disney world. She loved the sights, the sounds, the people. She was so happy and enjoyed her self so much. (she went at both 7 months and 9 months this year.)

Have a great trip. Your 3 year old will have a great time!

BTW did you know that sing along songs at WDW (beach party, Disneyland fun, AK, and camping) are all avilable in DVD now at cost co (and other places too I think.) They were $9 each. Those are GREAT for the age and so good for getting a kid ready. Start with beach party!