Keeping a toddler occupied at RD

[famy27]

So, if I want to get maximum value out of RD, how early do I need to be there? I've heard some people suggest 30 minutes early. I have a 19-month old who will not be a big fan of just standing in one place for half an hour. For anyone with small kids that does RD, how do you keep them occupied? At least with SB lines, you move a little bit every now and then, and lots of the queues are interactive now. But RD is just a bunch of boring concrete. This is probably an overly-ambitious plan, but I think I will need to do it for HS as least so that we can get on everything without ridiculous lines (although it does seem counter-intuitive to stand in line to avoid standing in lines).

 

[Bean786]

We get there around 8, pulling Into the lot. And I front of MK by 8:25. We get a pretty decent spot for the morning show. We normally bring part of the babies breakfast with us, banana, dry cereal. We take pictures, sing songs and then the morning show starts. This isn't based on summer crowds or holidays, we've never gone then so maybe you need to get there earlier.



Eta: I'm not sure about DHS sorry. We only do it for MK.

 

[ShayBells]

It goes faster than you think. And there's always something to look at. Just bring breakfast. Your smartphone something. You'll bring a stroller right? Just give them something to do or point things out. Play I Spy lol. But it goes faster than you think. Trust me my kid can't sit still five minutes. But he did good at all rope drops. Depending in the time of year 30mintues to one hour beforehand is good enough.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[bastos]

Our now nine year old really hated the heat - and waiting - when she was four. In 2009, she really let loose about how upset she was. Knowing that we really couldn't calm her down much, people backed up around her.

We MIGHT have taken advantage, and slipped forward toward the openings. Just a bit...

 

[tndisneyfan]

I would try to be there at least 45 minutes before opening. I agree with a PP, bring breakfast to eat in line and bring your smartphone.

 

[pixiemama91]

45 min should be good. Thats when we were there on our last trip. It does go by really fast and our DD3 didn't mind the wait. there is tons to look at and once the show started she got really into. We just told her that we were waiting for Mickey to come and say Hello and let us into the park.

 

[Woodmnky]

Good luck. My son was not going to eat breakfast and quickly became bored with everything we offered. He is generally pretty active in the mornings and was not happy to be confined to a small space (stroller/carrier/plot of ground). MK Is a bit different since they crowd everyone into the courtyard, but for the other parks you may be able to have one person stand in line and then another can take the toddler to run around in the back area.

Each morning my son declared that he want to go back to the room and play and was not happy until he got to meet a friend and remembered why we were there.

 

[disnut8]

Pipe cleaners. Small hand puppet. Cheap Disney card set (Dollar Sore?) just to hold up and ask about characters. Or any card set from a favorite TV show or game.

Basically, anything to hold your child in your immediate view. If there are other kids around and they look bored, ask a parent if they can join in and share the moment.

I would normally advise bubbles but people have put a huge poo-bah on that and your child might want to run around and another poo-bah on that as well.