Leave in 14 days~ Any other great tips for taking a toddler??

[mask_w03]

Ok we leave in 14 days and are driving through the night so our DD will sleep and we will get to SSR at about 9 or 10am. We have 2 days as just the three of us and then my Dad & Stepmom are coming for 5 days. Our plan so far is to get there and see if we can check in, doubt it though since it's so early. Then go to DTD and eat at the Earl for lunch and if we can check in after that, do that and then hit MK.

It just doesn't feel like you are at Disney World till you see that castle!

Day 2 we are planning on AK and Day 3 (first day with Dad & stepmom) to go to Epcto as a warm up for them. My stepmom doesn't really like rides (due to her oldest son spinning her to fast on the tea cups!!).

So what are some tips for while down there with a Toddler? We have our ADRS and tickets to the MVMCP and don't plan on really going back to the room for naps b/c she'll nap in her stroller and will stay up till about 9:30 or 10 at night.

*Can't wait to see Mickey*

 

[Honeymooner04]

We're going in 3 weeks from today so I can totally understand your excitement. When we've taken our DD to DL our best trip secret was just not to push it. If she's had enough then we would take her back to the hotel and let her either nap or just have some quiet playtime. It's definately a different experience going with a baby than it was going as just a couple. I guess what I'm saying is don't rule out the naps! Our strategy in DL was basically hit the parks when they opened, do our thing till about 2 or 3, go back to the room and recharge and then go back out around 5. It worked great. Everyone was well rested and we had a great time!

Have a great trip!

 

[ndgqmiller]

When we went this last Oct we had our ds9, dd6, and dd2. I was very worried about the youngest. She can be very loud and very active. My mother in law even offered to keep her for the week, but we just couldn't go on a family vacation without her. So here is how we did it and it worked out great! Our secert was to either start early like 7:00 or 8:00 we did this on the days we had early ADRs. and then on the days we wanted to see fireworks we would start a little later like around 10 or so. My husband was a godsend, because if we thought she needed a nap I would ride a ride with the big kids and he would walk her around till she fell asleep. She does that better for him. This really did work for us.
Our plan was to go back to the room everyday, but that just seemed like so much work and the one day we felt like everyone needed a nap we did go back, when we finally all went to sleep we didn't want to wake up. We all felt yucky! Hope this helps have fun.

 

[mask_w03]

Thanks for the tips. I know if I just walk around with her in her stroller she will crash, it's worked before. But I agree if it seems like we all need a break we will go back and just play or all rest for a bit. We aren't in a rush so I think that will help this trip. But I've just never done a trip as a family and just excited and nervous about this trip. Going to see family is way different than to a park where you don't really know what to expect.

But thanks for all your tips, I feel better some how now about the trip!

 

[gbrogers]

We arrive in 13 days with DS2, DD5, and DD8. Here are some different tips:

1. Check out a Disney Sing-a-long or two. We do so that our youngest can see what the characters actually look like in the parks. Libraries usually have these in abundance.

2. Invest in a good stroller with a carrying strap if you haven't already. A lightweight McLaren or similar stroller is a real back saver (the longer handles).

3. Start with the really mild rides first. Let your child build up to bigger thrill rides. Same with the 3D movies.

4. Go to the shows - Belle's Storytime, Beauty and the Beast, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Pocahontas & Friends, etc.

 

[kg66]

The first time we went to Disney the girls were 6 & 3. Make sure to pack little bags of snacks he/she likes, small juice boxes/bottles of water, her favourite blankie/baby, small bottles of bubbles(wedding size or party bag size) for while you're waiting in line, small notepad and a pen. Anything to keep him/her busy. We were worried, but it went great. We brought our stroller the 1st year, but at times it was inconvenient, because for example we couldn't bring it on the train, and packing up on the Disney buses was a pain. The 2nd year we rented the double one and it worked great. If you have room in the buget for one I sugges it. They can stretch out better, and the older sibling can rest if they get tired. Plus room for the backpack and our drinks. Good luck. Just wing it.

 

[kg66]

Oh yeah, about checking in early. If you get there and your room isn't available, you can leave your stuff there, and they'll check you in. When your room is available they'll move your stuff there. This way you'll get your tickets, and you can start your day.

 

[mask_w03]

Thanks kg66- we are getting the AP so that won't matter for us with tickets. And we were thinking we'd just leave it in the car in the lot and go to DTD for a bit and then come back. But thanks for letting me know they would just move it all into the room if we left it, didn't know that one!!