My tips on travelling with small children

[nucpharm29]

We just got back from WDW last night. We travelled with a 2 year old and a 2 month old. Here are the things I learned from our trip

1. Listen to your kids. If your little one starts having a meltdown in one of the parks, don't just assume that he/she is just misbehaving. Try to first think if he/she could be hungry or tired. I remember one day that DD started to scream and fuss and I was getting so frustrated with her until I realized that it was 10am and we hadn't eaten yet. Also keep in mind that WDW is a lot to take in for a little one--major sensory overload! I thought at first that DD wasn't liking our trip, but she just couldn't process everything coming at her.

2. Do a Character Meal! Breakfast, lunch or dinner it doesn't matter. Characters are scary for the little kids--heck they are sometimes scary for big kids. Anyway, doing a character meal lets your kids get used to the characters as they walk around the room. You also get all the pictures you want with the characters you want without waiting in line after line after line. We did Chef Mickey's and Princess Storybook lunch in Norway.

3. Stay at a deluxe or DVC resort. We've stayed at value up to DVC resort with kids. This time we stayed at SSR and loved it. The extra space and kitchen were great for kids. Also, with deluxe and DVC resorts you get nice ammenties for the kids. SSR had lots of pools and playgrounds to take the kids to and scheduled activities in the community hall for little ones.

4. If you are going to take your kids to a nice dinner with you order their food when you make your drink order. We had our "fancy" dinner at Artist point one night and the waiter asked if we'd like DD's dinner to come out right away. What a thought! Of course I did! Now she had something to keep her occupied and we could have an adult conversation w/o interruption. Also, coloring books are great for this too. And check out the special drinks and desserts they offer for kids. DD loves having her "special juice" served up with a fancy Mickey Straw and her paint the cookie dessert.

5. One mistake we made was not scheduling any down time for the kids. We pushed and pushed and pushed and finally they cracked. We should've had one day to play in the villa and spend at the pool, but we didn't. If you have the time, use your resort to help the kids unwind. It will also help you unwind, too.

6. Use the baby care centers! They are wonderful. I used each of them to nurse DS. The best, by far, is the one in AK. And the worst was Disney Studios. But the fact that they exist at all is a blessing! the CMs in each of the centers were extremely helpful and would bend over backwards to help out. It was nice to be able to have a place to go out of the sun and heat to take DS and nurse him and change him.

7. If possible take your own stroller. Our kids were much happier riding around in a nice comfortable stroller than they would have been in one of the rentals. It also had lots of storage space to hold snacks, diaper bags, baby Bjorn carrier and any souveniers we purchased.

8. And I guess finally, if your little ones do decide to throw a major tantrum in the line for Dumbo, don't worry. Your bound to find another child having a fit in the same line. It's disney, there are lots of kids and lots of tantrums, nobody cares. If they do--big deal, you won't see them again! And have fun! These trips are extremely special times for you and your kids, so take lots of pictures and make lots of special memories.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know!

 

[mommyceratops]

Thanks! We are leaving Saturday!!!!

How were the crowds? What kind of clothes would you recomend to take?

 

[rt2dz]

I have to say I mostly agree with. Wonderful advice, having all this experience also. A couple of exceptions I have are:

4. If you are going to take your kids to a nice dinner with you order their food when you make your drink order. We had our "fancy" dinner at Artist point one night and the waiter asked if we'd like DD's dinner to come out right away. What a thought! Of course I did! Now she had something to keep her occupied and we could have an adult conversation w/o interruption.

I take exception with this not only as a parent of 3, but as an ex-server, restraurant manager, event planner. Not all kids do well getting their meals before Mom & Dad's. It's about a 50-50 split. If you try to feed my kids prior, they won't sit after they eat. We have a "restaurant bag" that we bring with us with coloring books, crayons, small toys, books, etc to keep them busy & occupied 'till the food comes. Then, of course, there are appetizers if they can't wait for food.

My other exception:

6. Use the baby care centers! They are wonderful. I used each of them to nurse DS. The best, by far, is the one in AK. And the worst was Disney Studios. But the fact that they exist at all is a blessing! the CMs in each of the centers were extremely helpful and would bend over backwards to help out. It was nice to be able to have a place to go out of the sun and heat to take DS and nurse him and change him.

We've used them, we've never seen the inside of one on other trips. Honestly, I didn't miss them when we skipped them. Every bathroom (even men's) have a changing table. And 90% of the time in our experience, they weren't convienent when my kids have needed to nurse/eat (depending on age at time of trip). I'm not going to carry a child screaming & hungry to a nursing center, but take care of their needs when needed. I nursed in shows, on rides, in restaurants, shady benches, etc. I also missed out on a lot less by multitasking. Don't get me wrong, while I do think they are overrated (highly over rated), if one is next to me, I'll use it, but I won't go out of my way for it.

 

[krismom]

Thanks for the tips! I, too, thought the baby care station were great! I wish they had one in my local mall!

 

[susieq76]

Thanks for the tips. I have three under three (well until 2/23 when the twins turn 3) and I have taken them to WDW twice (2/5 will be their 3rd time). I agree with some of your ideas, the one I mostly disagree with is getting a deluxe room versus values. The home aways are great but we have the best luck with two value rooms (connecting is guaranteed for those w/ little ones). Why? TWO bathrooms and an entire extra room so the kids can sleep & we can watch TV or other *blush* activities. When we went in 2000 (pre kids) we stayed at the Contemporary. And I loved it but since the boys were born its ASMovies all the way. Also- the boys love Buzz & Woody & that makes them very happy.

I agree that the baby stations are great but I only used one once- just not enough in the areas we were in at the "needed" times. All other times I just nursed the baby in the shade somewhere or let DH change them (much shorter lines for the Changing tables in the mens room).

My big tip- don't expect them to love everything at all times. Kids are human too.

 

[nucpharm29]

I guess I should clarify about the baby care centers. I used them when convenient. Like the one in MGM is in the worst location! If I was around, I used them. But I did nurse during shows and on benches. Like in Downtown Disney, there isn't any other option. But it was really warm on a couple of the days we were there and it was nice to get in out of the heat and sun.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Great tips! Thanks for taking the time to share them!

 

[labst60]

Every bathroom (even men's) have a changing table. QUOTE]

Surprisingly enough, this is not true - when we went with DD (3 months at the time), I was VERY surprised to find that the LADIES' ROOM at Nine Dragons, in Epcot had no changing faciliteis. You needed to leave the resturant to find a ladies' room with a changing table - not so great when you are in the middle of a sit-down lunch!

That being said - we didn't encounter problems anywhere else. We found the baby centers helpful, but not necessary when my daughter was 3 months and again at 7 months. She was breastfed both trips - but we just stopped and fed in a quiet spot whenever she was tired/hungry. We will be taking her again at 14 months and I doubt we will use them much. Our last two trips, we did take mid-day "breaks" back to the hotel room - if we didn't do that, we may have used them more. I will say, it was nice though to know that they were an OPTION if we needed them!

 

[nucpharm29]

Thanks! We are leaving Saturday!!!!

How were the crowds? What kind of clothes would you recomend to take?

It was a great time to go--the crowds were really light. We decided that until kids are in school that we'd go in January from now on. Our weather was really warm, 80s most days. and it only rained one day for a little while. That being said, we brought a little of everything. Some long sleeved, short sleeved shirts and both shorts and jeans. We'd normally dress the kids in layers in the morning and peel stuff off as the day went on and the temps went up. Have a great trip!

 

[sandiegosusie]

Has anyone found the Disney Princess Gummie vitamins? I have a coupon but can't find them anywhere...I think DD5 would love them.

 

[susieq76]

They have them at CVS here.