Help! Tips with 21m old in lines!

[twodancingprincesses]

We are going in July for first time and wondered if anyone had any tips to keep my 21 month old DD from running away from us while waiting in lines for rides. I hear we cannot take the stroller through the lines. Can I take an umbrella stroller? She is so hard to keep still and hates to be held. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[disney kat]

My son is a few months younger, but weighs 35 lbs (just to give you an idea). We put our ergo carrier in the stroller basket and pulled it out when we had to park the double stroller. It was a complete lifesaver in line...absolutely could NOT have done it without. We were able to go on so many rides as a family, and I was more than happy to prove my husband wrong!!! He thought I was nuts for bringing the ergo. I kept my son on my back during the rides and just had to lean forward, but I could have taken him out and put him on my lap. I wasn't always the most comfortable, but it wasn't too bad. He even fell asleep in it on the safari ride! It was so nice to have my hands free...that doesn't happen too often for me!

 

[moparop]

We had our backpack leash with us for my 21 month old. We were there in January, so there were times where we let him wander a bit, because crowds were low and it was easier on everyone.

ETA: You cannot take an umbrella into lines either. They are very strict on the stroller thing.

 

[Cloudwatcher]

Bring something to entertain her. I brought bubbles with us in the park for when we had to wait in line for something. DD made several friends with these (only outside did we use them, I didn't want anyone falling inside due to wet floor).
I also had on me at all times stickers that different CM's had handed out so that if I need them I could bring them out.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas:

* have a snack/drink when waiting in lines
* have some dumdum lollipops or other special treat on hand if the situation gets desperate!
* look at pics in your digital camera
* pull out a little light up toy or mini-fan w/child-safe fan blades
* play I-spy
* read autograph book or park map

 

[Minniemouse07]

Ds turned two while we were there in December.

We used the stroller most times while walking around the park.

When ds got tired or we knew he NEEDED to sleep, we popped him in the Beco carrier (similar to an Ergo). Both dh and I used it in a front carry (ds prefers it).

While on ride/attraction lines ds wore his monkey backpack/leash. He wasn't thrilled to put it on, but in the long run it was best for him because it gave him the freedom and independence to explore w/o us losing him!

As for amusements... he is addicted to Thomas the Tank Engine and pretty much anything else w/ wheels. Invariably we would get on a line and ds would drop to the floor...lay down... and play w/ his vehicle of choice. Took him about half a day to get down the idea that he needed to pick up his vehicle and move 10 ft when asked.

I would find a new or beloved object that she can play with while on lines... ds was so well behaved! I did have to get over the fact that he spent his vacation laying on the ground all over WDW property though!

 

[Jajone]

We just returned from WDW during Easter week with our 21 month old. He has always hated strollers, so I had time to plan what we were going to do. We decided on purchasing a monkey harness from Walmart. $10 I think. He loved it! We let him walk most of the time and he was willing to sit when he needed to. We also would never plan to go at a busy time again. We went with extended family who wnated to go then. We have been going since our kids were 3 & 1. They are now 8, 6, & 1. We prefer the off season for heat purposes with a little one as well as lighter crowds so we can let him walk at ease.

 

[laughinplace199]

We just got back with an 18 month old. We just held DS in the lines. I brought the Baby Bjorn, bubbles, and some small toys to help us through the lines, but we didn't need any of those things. Most lines are set up so there's something to look at while waiting.