Need Help and Tips for taking a 3 YO!

[jennibug]

Hi Everyone,

DH and I are foster parents and currently have 2 wonderful girls in our home and we are taking them to WDW in Dec for Christmas as their presents. We have had one of them for a long time (over a year now) and she will be 11 when we travel so we know what to expect and how to prepare for her. We know that the experience will be vastly different for us as we have been going just as a couple for 12 years but we know what we need

Our problem lies in the 3-yo. We were not expecting to recieve a placement of a 3-yo and have been thrown completely off base as to how to prepare for her.

I've read all the bring your own stroller vs rent stroller and It's Tough to Be a Bug vs Ignoring it with a young one debates. I'm just looking for some tips and some "I wish I had knowns." For example what would you NOT leave the room with? Like a change of clothes for her, baby wipes, your own sippy cup?

Is there anything you definately WOULD NOT do? Such as "I would never take a 3-yo to It's Tough to be a Bug!" We are letting her watch videos of the rides on youtube to prepare her for dark rides like POTC and HM.

Thank you all in advance for any advice you can give me. We want to be as prepared as we can.

PS we already have tons of dining ressies with all the characters and have vetoed the Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique and are planning on MVMCP.

 

[lakoda]

First of all, a big THANK YOU for being a foster parent

Now on to the advice! We have several trips under our belt before having a child, and have now taken our DD twice - at 22 months and at 2 1/2. We always pack the following - change of clothes & underwear (or diapers if not trained yet), wipes, a small flannel blanket, snacks (faves are goldfish, raisins, and dum dum lollipops), juice boxes/small bottled water, a couple of small bags (the kind to dispose of diapers in - just in case clothes get wet or really messy), stickers for distraction (she LOVES them), a few sticky notes to cover the automatic flushers, sunglasses, and hand sanitizer. The small blanket does double duty as a towel if needed, otherwise we use it for extra shade b/c DD will nap very well in her stroller which saves us from needing to go back to the resort. IF we return at night, I bring glow sticks that I purchase before the trip. My "I wish I had known" for my last trip was that DD wasn't ready for the evening activities! She became really tired and grumpy, so we ended up watching Wishes from the boat back to the TTC. Sometimes I also bring a couple of small distraction toys that I purchase at a Dollar Store. I also bring some small activities for down time at the resort.

As far as touring strategy - I think you have a great start in preparing her for rides using youtube. Make really sure she is comfortable with HM (we don't do this one yet, but haven't had any issues with Bug's Life). Order the planning DVD if you haven't already, it helps as well. I also recommend the old DVD "Disneyland Fun," even though it is outdated it helps with preparation especially with seeing the size of characters compared to the size of kids. Keep an eye for the Disney travel shows on the Travel Channel that air periodically, they are good for preparation as well. My reasoning for all this prep is b/c of her past, I'm sure she has had plenty of changes in her short life and I feel that the more she is prepared the better time she will have! Also be sure to talk about how you are getting there (driving or flying) and where you are staying (has she ever stayed in a hotel before?). It's a lot of change in routine, which is fine, just be sure to explain things to her beforehand.

Fortunately, you have some time to plan! You can also get some great help on the Family Board if you haven't already. I hope this is the type of info you are looking for. I'm happy to answer any questions if I can!

Have a magical trip...it is so amazing to introduce children to the magic of WDW

Lisa

 

[chrismom3]

What an amazing present you're giving these children!!
I remember when we brought my son at 3 years old, he was fine with the characters and the dark rides but he wasn't very happy with the fireworks. My husband and I also frequented WDW before we had our son so we were very excited to have him "experience" the MK fireworks (don't remember what they were called at that time - it definitely wasn't "Wishes") and Illuminations. However, once the first firework "bang" went off, he started to scream at the top of his lungs and we needed to get him out of there quickly (and you know how that can be in those crowds!!). My suggestion would be to ease into the fireworks and don't necessarily go for that prime location - maybe watch from a distance the first time and see if she's ok with them. If the fireworks are a no-go for her then you can always watch them from the Contemporary balcony or the Polynesian beach - it's beautifully done with the music piped in.

Also, don't forget that December weather can be fickle. Bring a bathing suit and a jacket!! Oh and if she's potty trained already - make sure to bring those paper toilet seat covers for the parks. My son was potty trained about 1 week before we went and he needed the "entire" seat covered before he would sit on it (I think I used an average of 3 each time).

 

[andylcq]

you are great!

 

[jennibug]

Thank you everyone! These are great helpful tips. We do what we do to help the kids on our area. We also feel that every child deserves to go to WDW and will continue to take the kids in our home when we go.

 

[dragonfly57005]

I would do the stroller (your decision on how to arrange that).

I would have a plan on what you want to do, but then be flexible. If she is looking tired, take a break. Break out some water or a treat and sit on the bench for a bit.

Some of it depends on their personality. I've had a 3 yr old who loved everything and a 3 yr old who was intimidated by all of the people.

I brought a towel from the resort and tossed it in the stroller. My youngest at the time was very intolerant of getting his shirt wet. When it rained one day, I was able to dry his stroller seat off. I also used it on another day for a make shift blanket when it was a bit chilly.

 

[skywaywaver]

Thank you everyone! These are great helpful tips. We do what we do to help the kids on our area. We also feel that every child deserves to go to WDW and will continue to take the kids in our home when we go.

You are a blessing!

Pretty much what everybody else said. My DD was 3 on our last trip but seemed to act older as she had her younger brother who was 1 1/2.

I know people will debate me for hours on this, but I advise bringing hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and lysol. Give the room a quick wipe down when you get there.

Totally second the activities for the room. It can get very boring and frustrating when you are relaxing and they want something to do!

I highly advise the breaks in the middle of the day. Plan for them and then go back later. Or plan for earlier evenings. My DS (who is now 3) is on the verge of giving up his nap but I'm sure that will be postponed by this trip.

Hmm...beware of the "gimmees". Being that you are not as familiar with this child, this may not happen, but it could.

I think my final advice is to get as much healthy food into them as possible. There are fruit/veggie stands in every park and sometimes their own little baggie of baby carrots will make them happy - so worth the cost.

Hope you have a great trip and again, thank YOU!

 

[skywaywaver]

I would do the stroller (your decision on how to arrange that).


I brought a towel from the resort and tossed it in the stroller. My youngest at the time was very intolerant of getting his shirt wet. When it rained one day, I was able to dry his stroller seat off. I also used it on another day for a make shift blanket when it was a bit chilly.

To the OP - We are not stroller renters. Too hard to carry child and stuff at the end of the day. But beware behemoth strollers!

Thanks for towel tip dragonfly!

 

[jennibug]

I will definitely be bringing a towel. Good idea!

We are going to do a stroller but are debating between bringing a little umbrella stroller or renting one. We are driving to and from each park even though we are staying at POR, mainly because of seeing other parents over the years struggle on the bus with strollers and seeing little ones about to fall over they are so tired and having to stand on the bus (and I'm not starting a bus debate, just stating a fact) so we are leaning towards bring our own.

She is potty trained and isn't taking naps anymore, but we will resting during the day even if it is at the park sitting on a bench eating a snack.

 

[momto2js]

I have a 4 and 2year old so I have recent experience about the dreaded 3's and am bracing myself to do it again

I wouldn't make any non refundable plans until you have actually spent some time with this child. We took DS at 11, 18, 24, and 36 months. All great trips except for the trip he was 3. Everything was different that trip. He was scared of the loud noises and thunder terrified him. Do you know how many attactions use thunder as an affect??? Managing his energy was a challenge that we had not struggled with before that trip. It was bad enough that I wondered if we would ever go back.

For my kids, I would not take them during the most crowded time of the year. They really don't have the patients to deal with the crowds and waits. Even if you use fast pass, you will still have limitations. If you have a kid that doesn't deal well with frustration and change, DW at christmas may not be the best choice for a couple of years. Each 3 year old is different. Some role with the punches much easier than others.

The one thing I have learned the hard way: NEVER promise anything you can not deliver!! I am still paying for making this mistake on our may trip. My son wanted to see the "storm trouper parade" for a year he watched it on youtube. We planned our trip to be there for the opening weekend of StarWars weekend. Told him all week on Friday we will see the parade. I was willing to sit on the curb for hours if it ment getting a good seat for him. They have had the parade for several years as part of the event so I figure I am safe. Well wouldn't you know, we go to the park we are prepared for the crowd, just to find out there will be no parade that day because of the reopening of star tours. My family was crushed. We did a few things at HS and hopped to another park. I am STILL hearing about how the storm troupers didn't make it for the parade that day. So anyway, with a preschooler it is better to be vauge with your plans.

 

[lakoda]

Jennibug - I'm with you on driving. We drive in from Texas so we have a car, and we prefer to drive to the parks EXCEPT for MK. It just takes too much time, so we brave the buses for it. DD actually loves riding the bus and still talks about it when she sees a city bus!

As far as strollers, I think you would be fine either way. If I were to rent a stroller, I would bring along a couple of reusable shopping bags - they can hold a lot at the end of the day when leaving the park but fold down small. You can easily through your stuff in there and head out. We bought a Maclaren for our first trip last fall, and it has been great. It is super light and easy to carry for the occasional use of the bus or when riding the trains. We purchased a cupholder accessory which works great for drinks, park maps, and snacks and keeps these things easily available. Either way just make sure to bring something to make your stroller easy to locate! We have a bright Mickey bandana that I purchased at Hobby Lobby for a $1. It can also help to prevent others from grabbing the wrong stroller. If you've never used a stroller at WDW, I want to give you a heads up that the CMs MOVE THEM AROUND! It drives us nuts even though we understand why. You leave a show and think, it was just right here, but no - it is mixed in with a sea of 100 strollers!

 

[Donalyn]

I've traveled with 2 year olds (once each kid) and 3 year olds. Here are my thoughts:

If you have a nice stroller from home, I would bring that. We like having the storage space for things like the extra clothes, water, treats, etc. Also, if the kid is used to a stroller, it is nice to have the normal stroller.

Prepare the 3YO for the size of characters - look how big Tigger is, see how we like meeting Pooh, etc. We call this character prep at our house.

Prepare to split up some. The 11 YO may want to go all day and into the night. The 3YO likely will not be able to.

On the HM - my 3 year old DNephew loves Halloween and ghosts and stuff and was terrified on this ride. (The thunder in the stretch room scared him and it was all down hill from then on.) You never know with this ride. We are going to try it with our kids for the first time this upcoming trip and then will turn 5 and 8 on the trip.

On the nap/break idea - play it by ear. Our oldest DD would sleep in a stroller (our stroller, not a rented one). Younger DD would not. Also, while younger DD does not generally nap at home, at DL she still needed one most days (or we paid for it later).

Take lots of bathroom breaks, even if she doesn't think she needs to go. Nothing worse than standing in line for a long time and then having to leave the line to go to the bath room.

Have a good trip. You are doing a wonderful thing.

 

[budamacdvcr]

What a great surprise for your children! What time of Christmas are you going? We are doing Christmas for the first time between Christmas and New Years (I know, crazy crowds). Looking at tips for this time of year seeing a repeated theme of get to a park early and plan to stay all day as the parks, especially MK, fill to capacity and close so leaving mid-day and coming back may not be an option. If you are going the beginning of Dec you should be o.k. with splitting up the day but ask before you leave a park about returning.

As others provided, remain flexible. If the 3 yo is smiling all day and enjoying and not getting cranky or napping in the stroller keep going if everyone else can. If 3 yo is having a bad day, head out.

With all the Christmas decorations, you do not have to pack back into the car and head to your hotel for break. If at MK take the monorail and check out the decorations at the Grand Floridian or if Epcot use the back exit / entrance and visit the Epcot resorts or realx on the Boardwalk and take in those sites.

 

[deegack]

Can I ask an ot question, we are in the process of becoming foster parents, is it very difficult to get permission to take the children on vacation? I know you can get blanket permission to take them to visit you relatives out of state but a vacation is a different situation.
Thanks