here now, need advice

[Rhetts1stWDW]

We are halfway through our 2nd of 5 park days and its been a hot mess so far. Our 19 month old screams on the buses, screams in his stroller, screams when he has to walk. We've tried four attractions (safari ride, nemo show, pooh and dunno) all of which were traumatizing. We tried stroller nap yesterday and going back to the hotel today, equally unsuccessful. We have tickets to MNSSHP tonight which will go to waste. The only things he has liked are bouncing off the hotel room walls and splash fountains. Any advice on how to salvage this trip? Should we push on and hope he starts to enjoy it? Stay in the hotel the next 3 days? Fly home early? This miserable mama would appreciate any advice.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! That sounds hard. My son occasionally has days like that at home...so I imagine we will have some temper tantrum days in the parks too, but that sounds like a lot. Is this semi-normal behavior for him? Do you think something else is going on - too hot? Getting sick? Getting molars?

Can you guys just go enjoy the things he likes and take turns staying with him while the other goes off to do some other things?

Best of luck, I hope your trip has some happy moments that make it worth it.

 

[timandjanl]

So sorry you're having a bad time. Does he enjoy the pool at all? Maybe you can just swim with him for part of the day and then try a park date his nap? Does he like the train ride around the parks? Or if he likes animals maybe the petting zoo at AK or there is the Boneyard where he can dig and run around.

 

[arielmomma]

Oh honey! Sounds like you need one of these

I'm so sorry to hear that your vacation is off to such a rough start. When my daughter was a toddler, we had some seriously rough spots during one of our trips. Maybe not as bad as yours, but to us, it was pretty nerve racking. We found it really helped her to let her play in as much water as possible: every fountain, every splash pad, pool time, etc. She even played in the rain. She also loved the water fans. We assumed it was the heat, and part of it probably was.

Later on, after she could talk, we discovered that she gets sinus headaches every time we go to Florida related to allergies. We now give her claritin everyday when we are down there and that took away her headaches. You are in a new environment. It is something to consider.

I hope your vacation gets better soon!

 

[Rhetts1stWDW]

We thought this trip would be okay because we have traveled a lot with him and he is usually very laid back. I just don't know what to do at this point, I feel like I am torturing him.

 

[EagleScout]

Disney is a lot of sensory overload as well - as others have sugggested, maybe try some low key options - swim in your resort pool (I know you spent all that money on park tix, but as you are seeing, not worth much if screaming). Try to keep him cool and ensure he is not overheated or sunburnt. I know it is an extra expense, but have you considered renting a car for the next two days - then the travel around is just the "home team" in something at least approaching familiarity. And maybe he might even nap in the car? Our son (now 3.5) can have serious "moments", and on our last trip (at beach club), his favorite days (by far) were the two where we spent most of day at pool (mostly lounging in zero entry/beach area), then walk around boardwalk, then just walking into back corner of epcot for quick service dinner at japan and just one ride. And on a prior trip (when he was 20 months), his single favorite attraction at disney was probably the hedgerow "maze" (only about 2 feet tall) in back of england pavilion, because it was quiet and shaded and he could just walk around and literally smell the flowers for about an hour. And if you do want to try a character experience, I highly recommend if u do anything, do the one at swan (garden grove) - not to be confused with madhouse Of similar name in land pavilion at epcot. The one at swan is a buffet, so no waiting for food service, almost never crowded (largely b/c not on dining plan), and only has two characters - goofy and pluto, so pretty low key.

 

[SamSam]

So sorry your little guy is having such a hard time, it's difficult at that age because they can't tell you what's wrong!

We took our twin 2 year old grandsons in May and did a very laid back trip. they loved the splash area at the resort (Kidani), they loved the buses, and they loved the kidcot stations at Epcot.

They also like the Lion King Show and the petting zoo area at Animal Kingdom. The Jungle Cruise and just being strolled through Magic Kingdom. Truly what they like the best was the balcony in our room and the splash area at the pool (Kidani). Every child is different and all you can do is try and see what he likes. I hope the rest of your trip goes better!

 

[EagleScout]

You also mentioned he does not want to walk or be in nis stroller - vacation is not the time to teach new lessons (in my opinion- I know others disagree), if he is happy with daddy carrying him, then carry him - he is only 17 minths.

 

[JennLen]

Maybe putting him in a backpack carrier? He can he carried and see over all the people but without the stress on mom and dads arms.

 

[ilovebassets]

How about going to DHS? The Disney jr live on stage was our sons favorite when he was 21 months old (and sick to boot...tough trip though not quite so hard as yours). And the beauty and the beast show is low key. You can skip the animation show and go on the back entrance of the animation academy and see some characters and other interesting things. The monorail was also a favorite as was the magic kingdom train. Anything too loud or too enclosed was a no go. And the resort pool was also a favorite.

 

[ilovebassets]

And how about just wandering around the world showcase and taking in the sights?

 

[KalamityJane]

I agree with Disney Jr Live - we have seen that show SO many times - it's a great place for little kids and very engaging.

 

[KalamityJane]

Also, what about keeping him in a swim shirt and shorts - maybe he is hot? Then you can quick let him run through fountains on your way to attractions. One thing I have learned about Disney and small kids is to not have any expectations. This trip, you may get to see every single water feature Disney has Seriously though, we had one of those trips last time, some of my favorite times from that trip were the parts where the kids were in the fountains, and we were able to just sit and relax. Sometimes I would take the kids so DH could go on rides, he would have switched off for me but I was pregnant with #3 at the time and couldn't go on much. Maybe you could do that?

 

[Rhetts1stWDW]

Thanks for all the tips and words of encouragement! We decided to give MNSSHP a try last night and it was awesome. He finally started to cine out of his shell. We watched (and loved!) the parade. Rode 5 rides without tears. The curiosity and good mood carried on into today and we've been enjoying EPCOt. Hopefully we keep it together for our remaing 2days

 

[Woodmnky]

Thanks for all the tips and words of encouragement! We decided to give MNSSHP a try last night and it was awesome. He finally started to cine out of his shell. We watched (and loved!) the parade. Rode 5 rides without tears. The curiosity and good mood carried on into today and we've been enjoying EPCOt. Hopefully we keep it together for our remaing 2days

Glad to hear this. Hopefully the rest of your vacation goes better.
We took DS on a Disney cruise in Dec and he loved it, so we took him on another in May. He spent the entire week insisting that we take him back to the room to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It was miserable. We didn't eat a single meal together for a week because one person had to walk him around the ship or be in the room with him at all times. Toddlers can be so indecisive at times.

 

[SamSam]

Thanks for all the tips and words of encouragement! We decided to give MNSSHP a try last night and it was awesome. He finally started to cine out of his shell. We watched (and loved!) the parade. Rode 5 rides without tears. The curiosity and good mood carried on into today and we've been enjoying EPCOt. Hopefully we keep it together for our remaing 2days

Thank you for letting us know how things went. I'm so happy for you...and him, that things turned around and you were all able to enjoy yourselves. There's really no telling how toddlers how react to anything, so we just have to go with the flow.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Thanks for all the tips and words of encouragement! We decided to give MNSSHP a try last night and it was awesome. He finally started to cine out of his shell. We watched (and loved!) the parade. Rode 5 rides without tears. The curiosity and good mood carried on into today and we've been enjoying EPCOt. Hopefully we keep it together for our remaing 2days

So glad things have turned around and your party tickets didn't go to waste. I hope you can all enjoy the rest of your time there! Hopefully you can looks back and laugh at some of these moments someday.