Help, Need advice for Disney Trip with 18 month old?

[mass02703]

I'm concerned about my upcoming trip in 9 days and would love some advice. We are traveling with about 10 people, one of them being my 18 month old daughter that just learned to walk. She does not like to be held for more then a few minutes and will squirm, kick and scream to get down. She is great when in her stroller but if she is out then she wants to be down and run all around. I was in line at a sale yesterday. I did not have the stroller because the outlet was on the third floor of a factory building (would not have taken her if I had known this). She was great walking around with me because we were moving and she could walk holding my hand. When we had to wait in a 15 minute line it was disasterous. She was trying to run all over the place, pulling away from me and was not going to be held. I wanted to cry when I started thinking of the lines at Disney. What are we going to do?

 

[mommy*RN]

My DS was the same way when we went when he was 18 mo old. I had my worries too. What happened wasn't so bad though. We would be in line and he would kick and wiggle and we'd put him down for a few moments holding his hand. If he was good he stayed...if he started trying to run for it...well then he got picked up again. It was a battle at times, but worked. Since we were in line there were lots of people around and that made a bit of a difference too. Plus the few rides I'm thinking of there were lots of things to point out to him and he could look at.

Just do your best...that's all anyone can ask for. Kids will be kids!!

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[JeninTN]

I have similar worries w/ my twins that will be 18 months for our trip. They are at the stage that if you don't hold their hand, they run away from you as FAST AS POSSIBLE. I worry about entertaining them, but DH says the stimulus of all the new things around them will be distraction enough. Let's hope so.

 

[mommy*RN]

I have similar worries w/ my twins that will be 18 months for our trip. They are at the stage that if you don't hold their hand, they run away from you as FAST AS POSSIBLE. I worry about entertaining them, but DH says the stimulus of all the new things around them will be distraction enough. Let's hope so.

Your DH is right...but there will still be the battle of the wills at times...quite the norm at their age. I also found having something on my shirt that my DS could fiddle with or chew on made him better at staying in my arms. A hood string, or unbreakable necklace (leather cord), camera bag strap all were good distractions for a few moments.

Anyone who is there and is a parent will know what you are going through and will hopefully be understanding if your kids act out a bit. Don't fret about it too much and focus on having a great time!

 

[olivia's mommy]

We went last year when DD was 18 months and this is what we did:
- used Fast pass AS much as possible!
- Kept a bag of goodies that had stickers, crayons and a colouring book, little toys etc
- Offer drinks and/or snacks
- Got her to sing a song or dance
- If nothing worked, then one of us would go for a walk with her and come back when the line was moving up

Don't forget that it's not just the lines for the rides, you will also be waiting for shows like Lion King, Nemo, parades. So come prepared with LOTS of distractions. I brought her favorite things from home as well as little things she had never seen before. I bought tons of stuff at the dollar store so it was cheap.

Have fun and don't worry!!!!

 

[daddy1243]

My wife and I are also planning a trip next year with our 18 month old son. Are there any hopes of seeing any nighttime entertainment (Wishes... IllumiNations) without having a raging, overtired kid on our hands?

 

[MrsJD]

My wife and I are also planning a trip next year with our 18 month old son. Are there any hopes of seeing any nighttime entertainment (Wishes... IllumiNations) without having a raging, overtired kid on our hands?

My DD was 27 months when we went...so a little older. I saw Illuminations, Fantasmic, The parade at MK. To be frank, the only one I found to be worth it was Illuminations. It's not in grand stands so they can run and play a bit. My best suggestion would be to arrive to the show as late as possible. First off, it will limit the waiting period and having to sit still. Plus you will be closer to the exit to get out faster! I wish I had figured this out while I was there instead of coming up with the idea a week after getting home!

Side note: Fantasmic at hollywood studios was a bit scary, but DD did okay.

 

[sabrecmc]

We first took my daughter at 20 months. The key? Realistic expectations. Don't try to do everything. Take lots of breaks to let your child just play at one of the playgrounds, cool off, etc. There are some rides like Its a Small World and the carousel that kids love that usually are not that crowded. Go early to the extra magic hours and get Dumbo and stuff like that done. Go back to your hotel in the middle of the day and swim and rest. A well-rested child is a happy child!

While in line, there are lots of things to look at and point to and make a game of doing. We played ring around the roses, I spy, etc. Make sure to have snacks, drinks and if there is a teddy or binky or whatever, definitely have that available! Have lots of help. Sounds like you have a big party, so commandeer a few of them to assist with providing distractions.

Our trip was really great. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[vettechick99]

I am writing a trip report (link in siggie) about our time at WDW with an 18mo. We had a great time, but you definitely have to go on their schedule. DD is not a good stroller napper, so we went home every afternoon and took naps. And sometimes she slept for 4-5 hours! This last trip a few weeks ago (23mo) she went to bed at 5pm and didn't wake up til the next morning. That meant we lost an entire afternoon/evening. Disney really wears them out!

We also never got in a line that was more than 10 mins. That's just about the limit they can take - they can only people-watch for so long before they want to get down and run.

We spent a lot of time at the playgrounds. She loved running around in there and had a ball playing with the other kids. I just wished they had a bar at the MK so I could sip cocktails while she played!

"Go with the flow" needs to be your new motto!