Kids same at home as at Disney?

[AMYSER]

We are going to Disney last week May, 1st week June. And we're 8 total, 2 young kids (9 and 3) . And I wanted to do one PS a day to ensure if we wanted a sit down meal that day we could get in. I'm afraid w/ a group that size, if we don't plan a little we won't get in at all. The mother of the 3 year old, is a little concerned w/ all that "restaurant" time.
Would love to hear your thoughts?
Thank you so much!
Amy

 

[DisneyArk]

We've taken both of our sons when they were 3. The boys loved the character meals and Whispering Canyon (at WL). Both trips we found that we had to cancel some of our PS's. Our sons were just worn out at the end of the day (mental and emotional overload). They really needed some down time to relax. They actually asked to play with their toys in the hotel room! Both trips we found that it worked best to eat at our hotel a few nights and let the boys have "free time".

So if the 3 year old does not do well at sit down restaurants at home, then you might not want to do a sit down meal every day. What if you plan a sit down meal with everyone else while someone takes the 3 year old to play? For instance, eat lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern and let someone take the 3 year old to Tom Sawyer's Island to play.

Good luck and I would recommend splitting from the rest of the group a few times and letting the 3 year old do whatever he/she wants. At that age my sons really wanted to "stop and smell the roses" - they did NOT want to be rushed through the parks daily. The preschoolers really notice a lot of little things - it's so cool!

You can always cancel your PS or have fewer people show up. So make a plan now and then adjust it each day as you see how the 3 year old is doing.

 

[imfortune8]

We use a late lunch for some down time in the afternoon. I would seriously suggest this if you are not plannning on going back to your hotel for a break (which I don't). You get out of the heat, away from the craziness of the parks and just unwind. As for the mother of the 3 year old's concerns, I am guessing she has never been to a disney restaurant. Do your research and find places that will hold the childs attention. My 2 year old loved the sci-fi movie clips at Sci-fi drive in. The character dining is also great. Plus, I think on vacation you need to eat at least one decent meal - not counter service to say sane. Especially with the 3 year old. Little people just don't eat well with all the park stimulus going on around them. Just my opinion!

 

[minkydog]

I also have one child who doesn't do well in sit-down restaurants. For that reason we usually only make PSs for lunch and wing it for supper. The kids love to eat at the food courts.

One great thing we discovered is room service! Not only do the kids love to be waited on, they can eat on the bed in their jammies! We usually do this once or twice during the week for supper. It's not really more expensive and it's way worth it not to fuss through a restaurant meal. We order one meal per two kids, with extra salad or fries; sometimes the adults share meals or eat appetizers. Then we all go swimming.

Cathy--mom to John, Eleni, & Christian (aka Ants-in-his-pants)

 

[Gymbomom]

I also bring my toddler entertainment for dinners. I always carry a bag of small Disney figurines (the plastic ones). My children have always liked lining them up. You could bring matchbox cars.
I brought sticker books, or just packages of stickers to put on paper.
Whatever I brought I pulled out for dinner times. That was the only time they saw those things, so they had something to look forward to.

 

[kilee]

When we traveled w/ 9 last fall we made sure we had several PS's. At the time we had 3 kids in our group-- 10, 5 & 16months. We all got to sit together-- which wouldn't of happened w/o our PS's. The kids really enjoyed the character meals and buffett's. I think they like going to get their own food.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Last October, Dh & I ate at The Brown Derby about 6:30 p.m. There was a very large party with what looked like a two-year-old eating there and they had brought a portable DVD player. The child was watching a Sesame Street video and eating, being VERY good, while the grown-ups drank a bottle of wine and ate. They looked like they were having so much fun. I thought that was a GREAT idea at a sit-down restaurant and a good compromise for the whole group. But that's if you don't mind your child watching TV.

 

[AMYSER]

Thank you all! Lots of great advice. Very much appreciated!
Have a great day!
Amy