How do you entertain your toddler while in line?

[Angeliki19]

I was planning on bringing our ipad for him to watch a show in his stroller, but I just read that you can't bring strollers in line, which of course makes sense. This is my first time going to WDW as a mommy and I never really thought about this until now. I couldn't get DS to stay still in the Santa line at the mall for 5 minutes, let alone an hour wait to get on a ride!!! What do you do?

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We don't wait an hour to go on rides! Make rope drop and prioritize!Come up with a good touring plan. Use fp's. There are lots of sites out there that can help you figure out how to not have to wait. If a ride is really that long of a line we skip it all together to be honest. There is no ride that is worth that sort of wait... especially with a toddler!

 

[MWGreene]

There are so many things to look at in the line you will be fine. It's not like waiting at the fair. The lines are designed to get you excited about the ride. The only two boring lines that I can think of right now are dumbo and the magic carpets. Just play a lot of "look at that" games and you should be fine!

 

[ccgirl]

I was planning on bringing our ipad for him to watch a show in his stroller, but I just read that you can't bring strollers in line, which of course makes sense. This is my first time going to WDW as a mommy and I never really thought about this until now. I couldn't get DS to stay still in the Santa line at the mall for 5 minutes, let alone an hour wait to get on a ride!!! What do you do?

Yup...no strollers as you have found out. Like the others, we have never waited 60 minutes for a ride. Get there as early as you can and use fastpass - it's free! As far as what to do, I do what would cause the other guests inconvenience. For example, a quiet game of "I spy". There lines are not just bare lines. There is usually plenty of things to look at and they are usually moving so you don't want to do anything that would cause the line to slow down. For example, letting your child sit down and color. Not saying you would do that, you just mentioned you had never been there as a mommy and I actually saw someone do that.

It is a very different trip with children. We go at their pace and we end up missing a lot compared to when we go just DH and myself. It is wonderful to see it all thru their eyes though.

 

[Button]

Hi,

My 11 month old decided he'd take the opportunity to have a cheeky sleep whilst in my arms. Nice and heavy for us and slightly frustrating we have a fab picture with him & lotso zonked out.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

I always did snacks & when she was done snacking (which was almost never) I brought a small note pad & stickers for her to put on the paper...(of course depending on the age possible a pen or pencil too)

 

[scrappinginontario]

I have an extremely 'busy' 2yo and this is becoming a concern to me too although I know she may settle a little between now and August. I like the idea of the paper and stickers.

 

[ccgirl]

Hi,

My 11 month old decided he'd take the opportunity to have a cheeky sleep whilst in my arms. Nice and heavy for us and slightly frustrating we have a fab picture with him & lotso zonked out.

Thanks for bringing this up. When my children were under 18 mths I always brought some sort of baby carrier to wear in the event my children were napping. I used the Baby Bjorn and faced my son out. You wouldn't believe how often he slept in that thing and we could still ride all the mild rides with him in there and he wouldn't wake up. We were so lucky!!! I will admit, I forget it once in line and he slept in my arms. I thought they were going to break!

 

[growinupdisney]

We have never waited more than 20min for a ride and that was during the week after Easter, so like other posters said rope drop will help with the long lines as well as FP.

To your original ?....my dd4 in the last 3 years has never really been an issue in line...we talk to her about whats going on around her, about the ride we are getting ready to do, eat snack, stickers, etc. I might bring her leapster this year ( we will have a 12 hr drive) but not sure if it will be necsessary. She has an older brother and sister that keep her occupied as well. She is a very content child anyway so I have never really had issues.

There is soo much to keep them entertained that I'm sure you won't need the ipad....my dd16 and ds14 on the other hand will be the ones to get bored but they have ipods for that!