How to handle 20 month old in Line

[owenoliviamom]

Last time we went to Disney, we took my then 2 1/2 year old son. He was fantastic and stood in line - even the long ones, like a champ.

This year, he's 4 and my DD will be almost 20 months. She is a bit more challenging to handle and I am really concerned about waiting in the lines.

Anyone have any tips on how to handle it? Anyone ever wear kids on the back, in mei tei's, etc??

Help!

Thanks!!

 

[jmrdavis99]

I don't have any tips, but am anxious to hear any responses you get. We are taking ours in late May; the youngest will be 21 months. He is squirmy when you hold him & hates to hold hands. I need lots of ideas for keeping him busy!

 

[katied]

I took DS at 18 mo and 20 mo. I didn't really have any issues. I did have a carrier, which was nice at times, but he did generally want to be free. He would stand at times, be held at times. He had to learn some boundries - like no crawling on the ground. Lots of hand washing necessary.

Key methods of entertainment - a small child friendly fan. It fascinated him (it was soft bladed, and would stop if you touched it). Stickers (make sure they are a decent size and don't get eaten). Snack foods/cheerios.

Overall, it was fine. There was so much going on in terms of people and other kids around, that he was fascinated and much easier than generally at home at that age.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

It honestly depends on your child. I've gone to Disney a lot with my children and other family members' children. My daughter was fabulous but my nephew who was 19 months could NOT sit still (and I wouldn't expect them to either!).

My advice is to minimize wait times in lines by using fastpass or going at odd times or just going to the rides that don't have long lines!

Come prepared with something to entertain the child and food & water!!! Very important to keep them fed (even some cheerios will keep them happy and occupied). Bring something they can put their hands on (some type of toy) and bring lots of antibacterial or wet wipes for them and the toys that get thrown on the ground

Don't keep them in the stroller when you are WALKING from place to place. Let them walk and explore and wear out a little bit. That way, they will be happy to sit in their stroller while in line to take a rest

My best advice is to not get upset if they do. If you have to get out of line, that's fine! Don't let it ruin your time. Go find a nice spot to relax and you'll be amazed at the things you can find when you just need to sit or have a time out with your toddler.

 

[bearlyanne]

We spend time looking at pics that we have taken on our digital camera..and take silly shots of ourselves,

 

[Schmeck]

Don't keep them in the stroller when you are WALKING from place to place. Let them walk and explore and wear out a little bit. That way, they will be happy to sit in their stroller while in line to take a rest

Unless the child has special needs and is using a designated stroller as a wheelchair, strollers are not allowed in the queues.

 

[ophelia2002]

My youngest was 23 months when we went the first time. Me and my older daughter would wait in line until we got closer to the beginning- meanwhile DH would take the younger one to go look at stuff to keep her busy. I would text DH when we were near the front and they would then join us.

 

[tjlovespooh]

Your kids sound a bit like ours - DS (at 17mo) was beyond excellent when it came to waiting in lines but DD (at 16mo) was terrible any time she wasn't able to move around. I used a hip carrier some of the time and she seemed comforted by that - and it saved my back/arms. Here's a link to the one I have (not only is it comfy but it's also very easy on/off - which is why I took it instead of my Beco): http://www.scootababy.com/

 

[Schmeck]

My youngest was 23 months when we went the first time. Me and my older daughter would wait in line until we got closer to the beginning- meanwhile DH would take the younger one to go look at stuff to keep her busy. I would text DH when we were near the front and they would then join us.

If the queue winds inside a building, that means you are going past over a hundred people - not something I would opt to do, as some people may not let you pass (line cutting).

 

[BBG-BLT]

Fast Pass, Fast Pass, Fast Pass...

The other thing we would do is bring snacks it would take awhile to eat lollipops, fruit snacks. Bring a toy that you only bring out when on line. And then just breath ... a lot

 

[ppan77]

Fast Pass, Fast Pass, Fast Pass...

The other thing we would do is bring snacks it would take awhile to eat lollipops, fruit snacks. Bring a toy that you only bring out when on line. And then just breath ... a lot

Ditto that!! We relied on fastpasses and she loved the characters! So we would visit characters while my ds went on some other rides. Looking at camera pics and stickers !! Good luck! You never know what they will love or hate. Mine hated the parades and fireworks(loud noise).

 

[GingerJay]

Use fastpass as much as you can. If you have to wait in line, only choose lines that have little wait. A lot of the time, the lines have interesting stuff and you can tell stories or play little games-but it is tough waiting with little kids who don't have much patience.

 

[pilotwife_02]

My son was 2 when we went and a few tricks we used were a travel magna doodle (this was his favorite toy all week) to let him play with while in line, our phones to look at pics, stickers worked wonders too!

I second fastpasses and even pointing out all the stuff in line. For instance while waiting in line for the Jungle Cruise we made a big deal out of all the surroundings.

Also, enlist the help of your 4 year old. I was amazed at how my 3 year old entertained my 2 year old while in line. He would point stuff out to him and it was so cute hearing their conversations: talking about breakfast with Mickey or about how he couldn't wait to meet McQueen later that day.

 

[MommaB]

I'll 2nd (3rd. 4th?) Fast Passes and snacks. But I also swear by my Ergo baby carrier! It has saved my arms on two Disney trips this spring. We also make lots of friends in line, she loves seeing the same people every couple of bends in the line. We play I spy with princess dresses, mickey shirts, fun hats and easily recognizable apparel. It works like a charm for her!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We took DS's Vtech kid-proof camera. It had games on it that DS would play with in line. It was great. If you don't want to go that route, looking back through existing pictures on your camera works for us too. We did autograph books too, so that was something we would revisit to kill time in lines too. Or just take a crayon and some paper.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Sing songs.

Play "I Spy" or "Simon Says".

Don't stand in long lines.