HELP!!! Trip w/ 2-yr-old!!!

[MrsTink04]

October will be DS's first trip to WDW (at 22 months). I am SOOO excited, but a little nervous, too. He is 16 months now, has never slept/napped anywhere but his own crib...has never really been more than 45 minutes away from home. What do I need to do to get him ready? I am hoping to take him to see my out-of state family before WDW, so we will at least be able to get an idea of what he is like away from home, but visiting family will be a completely different thing than WDW. Any and all suggestions are VERY appreciated!!!

Oh, and does WDW have travel cribs or pack-n-plays for rent? How do you about getting one? Would a blow up bed from somewhere like One Step Ahead be better?

 

[miksilver]

A tip that I always used when travelling with my baby was to NOT wash the blanket(s) you will bring with you on the trip before hand. That way, they will smell like home and they will feel more comfortable.

Another trick that came in handy for us was when the baby was in the pack-n-play or crib at a hotel we would cover it up with a big blanket, almost like a bird. She loved the little cave we made and it would calm her down and she would fall asleep. After she was alseep, we would remove the blanket. That trick saved us a few times when sharing a room in hotels and on cruises.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

We live pretty close to Disney, so we take DD 2.5 all the time. No worries...2 year-olds do fine at Disney! We've been going for overnights since DD was 2 months-old, and DD2 will spend her first week in Disney at 3 weeks-old Anyways, DD still sleeps in a Pack 'N Play, so we just use the ones that Disney provides (we stay in DVC, though...not sure about regular Disney hotels). DD is a poor sleeper at home and at Disney, so no difference for us there I'd do a blow-up bed if DD would sleep on it, so maybe that's a good option for your toddler? Have a great trip with your toddler!

 

[turtlegirl1]

We're headed to WDW in August, 2 weeks before DS turns 2. If I think too much about the trip (flight, sleeping, napping, tantrums, etc...) I start having anxiety attacks!!

Any helpful hints from you seasoned DISers would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Avonlady1001]

Disney will give you a pack-n-play for free at any of their resorts, just ask. I'd put it in your reservation ahead of time.

We went when my dd was 1 then again when she was 2. Bringing an unwashed blanket is a good idea, we do this too. Also, I bring her unwashed sheet (after she's slept on it a night or two) and one or two of the animals she normally slept with. She's never had a problem sleeping. We were in POR and put her in the closet area and closed the curtain. This way we could still watch TV (with the volume low) and she'd sleep.

We're going in a few weeks & it'll be the first time she'll be sleeping a "real" bed (she's in a toddler bed now MUCH lower to the ground.) Debating on the bed rails. LOL

Have a great time!!!!!

 

[pixiefairy]

I'm in the same boat for the most part! My youngest will only be about 13 months when we go. I like the ideas of not bringing freshly washed blankets and the cave idea. I am hoping he'll do well. All the resorts have pack n plays or portable cribs from what I understand. I think you can rent a regular crib from somewhere, as well. Obviously, that would be for an additional fee. Good luck!

 

[everylastbreath]

OMG- You guys are in for the Best Disney Trip EVER.. I think toddlers are the absolutely best age to take to Disney, everything they see is magical, Don't stress it - just relax and enjoy your trip, believe me, He will sleep when he's tired and eat when he's hungry and He will SMILE & LAUGH ALOT!! Just take it slow and watch his face, that's really where the action is!

Pack & Plays are available at hotel, but we found it was easier to just let my GS sleep in the bed w/his Mother, We did bring his blanket - I would have to say that was probably the most important thing to bring, like the idea of not washing before you go, but I don't think that would have mattered to him (but maybe to other toddlers it would help) - Only advice I would give is to be prepared - read these boards and gather as much advise as you can and there will be so many things you haven't thought of, but bottom line is - All will be fine even if you forget to bring something, there are plently of places to buy whatever you forgot- main thing is just take things very slow and enjoy everything!!!

 

[everylastbreath]

We're headed to WDW in August, 2 weeks before DS turns 2. If I think too much about the trip (flight, sleeping, napping, tantrums, etc...) I start having anxiety attacks!!

Any helpful hints from you seasoned DISers would be greatly appreciated!

Oh Turtlegirl, I just had to reply specifically to you- I understand exactly how you feel, because I felt the exact same way (we brought my then 2 year old GS last August) and I was confident when I originally booked and as it got closer I started to feel exactly the same and it was the most wonderful trip ever, so much so that we are going again in August (too)- (with an almost 3 year old!) - let me address your issues one at a time:

Flight- You may have an issue with his ears flying, bring lollypops, but you might just have a screaming child on your hands for about 15-20 min. believe me, no one else will hear him as loudly as you do, just comfort him the best you can.

Sleeping/Napping - He will be so exhausted from all the activity he will sleep anywhere trust me on this one.

Tantrum- Believe me, my GS is no angel, he throws tantrums with the best of them, but I can only think of 1 or 2 he had in Disney and they were both at a Mall, never in the parks, there is so much for them to see and do, most tantrums are when they are either bored or tired, so keep that in mind and you'll be fine.

Relax, it is going to be the best trip ever, when you see that little smiling face, nothing else will matter. Feel free to read the post I wrote after we returned last year ( http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565254 ) You will be looking forward to this trip more than ever.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Just make sure you are relaxed. Your DS will pick up on it if you are felling stressed. Allow yourself plenty of time to get places so you won't be too stressed.

We (My DM, DNiece20, and myself) took my DD to WDW for the first time when she was 2 and 9 months. It was her first time flying and longest trip away from home (before that we had driven down to San Diego for a few days a few times) I was worried she would be scared flying, etc. but she was a real trooper! Since there were 4 of us flying we separated into 2 groups of 2. I figured there was no way a single traveler would seat next to a 2 y/o. Boy, was I wrong. On all legs of our flights someone sat next to my DD. Little did they know she was a talker (even then!). She bent their ears for the entire flight except for the brief time sleeping. Luckily for me, she is now a seasoned flyer and has never had a tantrum onboard (or even at WDW)

As far as sleeping went, we took our own stroller (A blessing in the airports to carry things to the plane) and she took most of her naps in it, at the parks. If she fell asleep while leaving the park I was able to keep her in it all the way to the car and sometimes managed to get her in her car seat before she woke. I didn't try to schedule nap times since I knew coming from CA that the time change would mess things up anyway. There was one a.m. where she fell asleep on the first ride of the day (KS at AK) I think it was about 9 a.m. The change in her sleep schedule got to her.

On that trip we also had to deal with her not wanting to use the automatic toilets. If your DS isn't potty trained yet at least you won't have to worry about that!

Bring plenty of things to amuse him on the drive or flight. Pack away some surprises to give to him (wrapped) for those times when you want to distract him. Of course you'll want to bring snacks and beverages as well. If you are driving you'll obviously be able to bring alot more items to keep his interest while he's not napping).

Make sure to take alot of pictures and/or videos. He won't remember the trip but you will and looking back over them over the years is priceless. It's amazing how fast the grow!

Don't over plan too much. Make sure to have alot of down time. WDW resorts have play areas for the kids as well as pools. My DD8 still loves to play in the playgrounds and swim.

Oh, and he should do fine in your room. As others have said, you can get a Pak n Play for free. Just set it up out of the way. One of my DD's favorite part of our trips is all of us sharing a room. She loves to be able to sleep in the same room as the adults. Oh, one more thought-if your DS has a special nightlite, etc. bring it and but it in the room. Also, for me, I like to sleep with a fan on, all the time. So I also bring a small fan that attaches to my headboard. It cools down the room and the white noise helps block out outside noises.

Oh, and one final thing (I promise) make sure to bring along at least one change of clothes (I bring water shoes/crocs too) into the parks as there are places where kids (of all ages) can get wet. Even in October in can be hot.

Have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

You could take a couple motel-trips before your trip, to get him used to being in a different place. Go to the zoo then stay overnight at a nearby motel.

That and making sure his diet isn't too changed at Disney are my suggestions. My guy can't eat the Uncrustables or Dole Whips at Disney b/c they are full of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, and turn him into a "dragon", so we have to make sure his diet stays good and unprocessed while there. Before we figured that out we dealt with more meltdowns than we needed to deal with.

But with sleeping, we've traveled with him since he was 3 months old, so he is used to motels, and we have always had a family bed, so he's always right there between us, no strange new place to deal with. Very convenient!

 

[susykt4]

We took DS for the first time at age 2 and 4 months. (The trip was "originally" mainly for our princess loving DD 4.5 at the time.) We were terrified because DS was majorly dependent on schedules, didn't like sleeping in different beds/situations, didn't like Santa or other costumed characters, didn't like crowds, had plenty of tantrums and on and on. Definitely a bit of a difficult child, lol.

We had an agreement before the trip that we'd take turns taking him back to the resort or even just staying at the resort if he couldn't take it anymore. The kid did great! He loved everything about WDW. He loved the buses, the rides, the food and even the characters! (Oh, he wasn't overly crazy about the shows, but still...) He never had a full-blown tantrum and slept well at nap and bedtime. We did go back to the resort at his usual naptime every day except one when he slept through the World Showcase at Epcot. He loved the trip as much as his sister and talked about it for the entire year until we went back again.

Our biggest mistake (and many will disagree) was taking his carseat on the plane. It was horrible trying to keep him in that seat for three hours while he struggled and kicked the seat in front of us. We gate checked it on the way home and it was MUCH easier.

 

[wrighter]

On our first trip to WDW my DD was 17 months. I was worried that we would miss out on our DS's joy because we would have to be "dealing" with her. But we were thrilled to see that she was very into it! We'd pass Dumbo and she'd hoot and holler, try to get out of her stroller. It was a wonderful and memorable trip.

My best advice is this - and I know it isn't a popular theory, but it words for us: We like to plan our vacation "touring plans" around our kids' schedule, rather than vice versa (trying to get our kids' schedule adjusted to the vacation schedule.) Our kids are early risers, so we would have "regular" breakfast in the room, and be at the parks by opening or shortly thereafter. We'd stay through lunch, maybe do another hour or so, and then head back to the resort for nap/swim, etc. On a good day we'd head back to the park for the evening, but don't underestimate the fun of just hanging around the resort pool. We have gone twice now, and am proud to say we haven't had any huge meltdowns (by them or us!) and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we really try to adjust our vacation to them. And we let them be our guide. And we also try to be "yes" parents on vacation, rather than the "no" parents we normally are on any given day. We try to say no as little as possible - we found it makes everyone happier.

You can rent full sized cribs from A Baby's Best Friend (you can google them.) They are an Orlando based group that rents all kinds of baby items to vacationers. We rented one on our first trip and were quite pleased with it. It will come with everything you need to put it together, and linens. We did bring our own linens though. Don't be leary of "putting together a crib." We were shocked at how easy it was, and we are much better at knocking things down than putting them together. It took us about 15 minutes. It was safe, sturdy, and clean (although I did wipe it down with wet wipes - I'm a wet wipe kinda girl.) Bring lots of those, too - to wipe off grubby little paws.

My last piece of advice: ringpops. We travel with a huge stash of them. Whenever a meltdown is imminent, or boredom sets in (like on the busride back to the resort) we bust those out and everyone is happy. And quiet! They are also usually messy, but I'll take messy over miserable anyday. Some people might balk at giving a two year old a ring pop - but there is no stick to bite off - the plastic ring part is big, and the pop itself is huge. No choking hazzard and it takes forever to get through.

Those are my tidbits, for what they're worth. Good luck! You're going to have an awesome time.