How did you handle transitioning out of high chair at Disney?

[pixie08]

We have two trips planned this year one in August and one in November. DS will be four right before our Disney trip. He is at the phase where he is not liking the high chair but he will get up and walk away or stand on the chair if he is done. At home we try for booths because it keeps him confined but I don't think I will have that option in Disney.

We were there this past December and he used the high chair but they are on the small size and I am hoping he will not be uncomfortable as it was hard to get him in and out (they are usually the smaller plastic ones as opposed to the wood ones).

How did you all handle this age in Disney? Just force them into the high chair or was your child sitting nicely by 4?

 

[pixiegoose]

Both of mine have been out of the high chair well before age 4. Heck, when we went to Disney last time, our youngest was only 2.5 and we only used high chairs at our 2 table service meals. The rest of the time, she sat/kneeled on the seat and did a pretty good job. If you think he’ll be problematic without a high chair, start practicing without it now and reinforce correct restaurant behavior.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We have two trips planned this year one in August and one in November. DS will be four right before our Disney trip. He is at the phase where he is not liking the high chair but he will get up and walk away or stand on the chair if he is done. At home we try for booths because it keeps him confined but I don't think I will have that option in Disney.

We were there this past December and he used the high chair but they are on the small size and I am hoping he will not be uncomfortable as it was hard to get him in and out (they are usually the smaller plastic ones as opposed to the wood ones).

How did you all handle this age in Disney? Just force them into the high chair or was your child sitting nicely by 4?

some you may not want to think about but the park I work at has had wooden highchairs crack with a heavier child close to yours size including one child who's bare leg got pinch in crack, which is probably why you are seeing more plastic chairs

 

[ElenaRN]

My kids were also out of high chairs probably by age 2 or 2.5. They probably sat on our laps for a little bit each meal and then sat or kneeled on the chair. For me that is less annoying than them trying to climb out of a high chair.

 

[jacknsally19]

We have always brought small toys and art supplies to restaurants for our child to do when they are finished eating and/or waiting for food. Even in WDW! Perhaps this will encourage your little one to keep sitting ?

 

[KrazeeK120]

I’d say work with him at home. My son is 2.5...we graduated him to a booster seat at home at 15 months and to booster seats at restaurants around 2. He just sits in a chair at places that don’t have booster seats. I like using booster seats where I can because it helps him reach better, but he manages fine without one if he needs to.

 

[heather913]

My son has been in a booster since around 2 and now he's just about 3 and won't sit in a booster at all. I would work with teaching him how to sit correctly and to sit patiently and wait until everyone is done with their meal.

 

[TOBS2010]

We transitioned both my kids into boosters around 15 months too. My youngest still uses a booster at 2.5, where as my oldest was more independent and was sitting in a regular chair by now. I would echo the PP saying to work with him at home even at your own kitchen table. And I stock up at the dollar store and Targets dollars section with little things---at four you can look for little puzzles that are in small tins, flash cards, small coloring pack, little notebook and some crayons etc. When we know we have TS ADR's I grab something from my hidden stash to bring out when my kids start to fidget. A few extra bucks spent prior to the trip are a lifesaver to my sanity during a meal. Both of mine have kid Kindle Fires too----if they are having "a day" I have no shame in bringing them in my back pack as reinforcement if I need it. Desperate times, call for desperate measures. lol

 

[mjkacmom]

None of mine were in a high chair at that age (and I was a big fan of them, holding my kids captive. They were on boosters or on their knees by 3 the latest.

 

[pixie08]

Haha well at home he hasn't been in a highchair for a while. We go out to eat quite a bit and use booths, boosters or highchairs if need be. We go to a lot of signature dining and so that is where I am wondering how I will handle it. I do bring activities and such (or even an iphone or ipad if need be) and he is pretty good but he likes to get up. Most of my friends who I have travelled with still use high chairs in those situations, or maybe if the chair has arms I will let him try and sit. Seems like most people let them just sit in chairs so I guess we are at that point. It's just the Disney factor and him wanting to explore that makes me nervous lol.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[pixie08]

I’d say work with him at home. My son is 2.5...we graduated him to a booster seat at home at 15 months and to booster seats at restaurants around 2. He just sits in a chair at places that don’t have booster seats. I like using booster seats where I can because it helps him reach better, but he manages fine without one if he needs to.

Thanks. that is what I am hoping. We use booster seats or knees at home but I guess I am just going to have to try a chair if that is what is available!

 

[2019TripIdeas]

^I'm sure if you practice enough at restaurants at home you'll be fine. If you think he'll be the one wanting one, you could always remind him that high chairs are designed for babies and young toddlers and since Disney has so many of those, there wouldn't be enough to go around.

We switched my kids from high chairs to boosters around 15 months at home (we preferred the booster since a high chair takes up space). We were done with booster before age 2. Same deal at restaurants. That's not to say their restaurant behavior is perfect [we hit our limit at around 1.5 hrs]. My little girl is just 4 now and knows she has to sit on her bottom in a chair and wait for food, etc... my son just turned 2 and he's more likely to want to sit on our laps after we're done eating but before we have the check. For now, I'm okay with that. Maybe you could see if your guy would like something like that?

For what it's worth, don't feel bad if you're using baby gear longer than other people. My best friend still uses stroller, crib, high chair etc for her 3 year old. Doesn't make either of us a better parent, just different schools of thought.

 

[Thing 1]

We established restaurant rules really early on for both of our boys. We ate out a lot and we liked nicer places and it was important to us that they know how to behave in nicer restaurants. One of the first rules, at like two, was you never get out of your seat. We always did booths if there was a choice but if not ,no biggie. Distractions and activities are good but we always tried to engage the boys as much as possible in our conversation. If the wait is long or the meal pace is slow; an adult can take the child to a safe location near by to walk for a few minutes. Getting out of his chair at will can be very dangerous in a busy , fast paced restaurant.

 

[lolomarie]

I have a very active DS3 and also love to eat out. The hardest part of the meal for us is after we order and waiting for our food. We always use this as an opportunity to take a break by walking around the restaurant with either myself or DH. Usually there is something neat to look at or an open kitchen to watch, and if not we will just take a trip to the potty. After the meal is done we nearly always get dessert and so sitting nicely and waiting for that is usually incentive enough. Those are my handy tips! Good luck.

 

[pixie08]

I have a very active DS3 and also love to eat out. The hardest part of the meal for us is after we order and waiting for our food. We always use this as an opportunity to take a break by walking around the restaurant with either myself or DH. Usually there is something neat to look at or an open kitchen to watch, and if not we will just take a trip to the potty. After the meal is done we nearly always get dessert and so sitting nicely and waiting for that is usually incentive enough. Those are my handy tips! Good luck.

This is a good idea. Yes my son loves to eat out but he is active as well and you are right, waiting for the food is the hardest part! I guess there is no harm in taking him for a walk in a safe place or outside!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

This is a good idea. Yes my son loves to eat out but he is active as well and you are right, waiting for the food is the hardest part! I guess there is no harm in taking him for a walk in a safe place or outside!

if nothing else take a trip to restroom and wash his hands before meal arrives been there and done that. I have been know to have a small car or 2 in my purse when traveling with grandsons

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

Deleted. Sorry, didn't notice the old date.

 

[wendlle]

We took our DD to WDW for the first time when she was 19 months. She wasn't using a high chair at home but we did have trouble containing her to her seat. We tried to utilize booths as often as we could so we could "trap" her in there LOL it worked! WDW has quite a few QS places and TS places with booths. The rest of the time, she really did stay put, I think it was because there were so many people around she just knew not to get up and run around plus there was so much to look at.
Also those light up spinning toys they sell at night do wonders for occupying fidgety kids.