Need Suggestions for 3 yr old to do while waiting

[Atotty]

Last year dh and then 2.5 yr old sat a lot outside rides waiting for the rest of us to ride Space Mtn, Splash Mtn, etc. All those things youngest dd is too small for....there aren't that many she can't do. But I want to be better prepared. One of her highlights of the trip was getting to see a duck poop while sitting on a bench across from Splash Mtn. LOL

Does anyone know if they're going to extend the Kiddie Concierge days? I know it was originally scheduled to run only during those really busy Easter/spring break weeks.

This is what I've got so far. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. She, of course, could get to ride/see some things like Country Bears or Tiki room while we ride something else. Then we'd ride/see them together. But I don't think dh will want to go very far from where we are so it's easy to meet up again.

MK
Play at the small playground near Splash Mtn's exit
Ride railroad all the way around
Ride People Mover (ok...I know it has a new name...but I can't remember it...it's the people mover to me

Epcot
Isn't there a playground at Mission Space? I think she can do everything at Epcot except MS and Test Track.

MGM
Any suggestions? The Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground will be closed while we're there.

AK
The Boneyard
Walk down some of the Discovery Island Trails
Ride the Train

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

Presuming it's a warm weather visit and the fountains are up, those are always a good option. Carrying a small bottle of bubbles is good, and making shadows with your hands is good, too, if the sun cooperates.

Unless she's really short for her age, I would think that she could ride Test Track. I don't recall seeing a playground near Mission Space; the only ones I can think of at Epcot are in WS, though the sparkle sidewalks seem to be just as good for most little kids.

 

[leahannpen]

Originally posted by Atotty
One of her highlights of the trip was getting to see a duck poop while sitting on a bench across from Splash Mtn. LOL

LOL!!! Gross! We once watched a piece of gum on the street. It was just laying there, waiting for someone to stop on it, yet noone did! Quite entertaining, especially when someone would just get sooooo close! We'd all groan in unison! (I wasn't about to pick it up, but we did alert a CM.)

Originally posted by Atotty
Ride People Mover (ok...I know it has a new name...but I can't remember it...it's the people mover to me

It's the Tomorrowland Transit Authority or TTA. I quite agree though...the WEDway People Mover is the REAL name, to me! Just remember, it does get really dark in there on some parts, and can scare, so be careful.

If anyone else has some ideas, I'll take them too. DS just turned 3 and this is a concern for me too.

 

[HappyMommy2]

We used fastpasses and baby swap for the "big" rides to minimize the waiting time, but sometimes there was a bit of a wait.

EPCOT:
While I went on Mission: Space at Epcot, DH took the kids (then 3 and 1) to Ice Station Cool and they had a blast sampling the sodas (especially since the kids don't get to drink sodas at home!). While DH rode M:S for a second time, I played with the kids at the nice little air conditioned play area inside (go on through the M:S gift shop to where the interactive games are; that's where the play area is).

While one of us rode Test Track the other took the kids to the small interactive fountain that's right there nearby--that was lots of fun too.

At AK, we got ice cream bars from the nearby stand and ate those in the shaded area in front of Dinosaur while DH and I took turns riding the ride (DS 3 was tall enough but I didn't dare let him ride that one!). While DH rode Primieval Whirl we just walked around for a while--the Triceratops Spin is right there, though, so if the line for that wasn't too long that might be an option.

Your ideas for MK are great. We rode TTA about 3 times while DH did Alien Encounter. DS 3 went on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, but obviously DS 1 was too little so he and I waited at the cute little play area at the entrance to Splash Mountain. It might be a bit young for your 3-year-old but at least it's a place to get out of the sun and rest/play a bit.

To me, one of the best things about WDW is that, as you said, even the littlest kids can ride on almost all the rides! Have fun!

 

[Atotty]

Thanks for all the great replies!!!

 

[Earstou]

Never used it at WDW, but I used to carry sidewalk chalk with me. My kids would draw or write messages. It was always fun to watch the smiles appear on other tourists faces when they saw the colorful sidewalk.
I don't know if the CMs would let you do this, but I know it really entertained my kids while waiting for shuttles or DH to get rental car.

 

[mm lover in Ia]

While my DH and DS rode Big Thunder Mtn my DD who was 2 at the time went into Country Bear Jamboree and she really liked it. Not a real long show but it was cute.

 

[oogieboogie]

The little toddler play area in Toontown right in front of the train station. Excellent area for toddlers to play in - has a couple little slides, a play house, a mother duck and her ducklings statues, a frog statue etc. Very nice, and you can sit on the ground and rest your feet.

Take her on Indy speedway. Let her drive the car while you press the pedal. (Warning: you will get jostled! )

Take her on Buzz lightyear. Watch COP.

IASW over and over again!!!!

Let her play in the fountains of Epcot. Go down Innoventions. Viking boat play area. Journey into Imagination play area.

 

[my3princes]

I have tried all of the above. The bubbles work great. I also carry the glow in the dark multi colored bracelets with us. My little one like to hold them and toss them it doesn't matter if its dark or not he likes to play with them. The light up spinners are a hit too. He plays with ours at home with the lights on. Snacks also help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
... Carrying a small bottle of bubbles is good, ...

Just don't blow bubbles while you are standing in line. It's not that nice getting the bubble soap on your clothes or in your face just because you are standing close by.

 

[Atotty]

Originally posted by oogieboogie
The little toddler play area in Toontown right in front of the train station. Excellent area for toddlers to play in - has a couple little slides, a play house, a mother duck and her ducklings statues, a frog statue etc. Very nice, and you can sit on the ground and rest your feet.

Didn't even notice this one last time. Thanks!!

 

[McKelly]

I brought different colors of pipe cleaners for my kids to play with in lines. It worked well, because I could bend them to fit inside my fanny pack when they were finished.

 

[RHarnish]

One of the things we did with DD while waiting was to see how many characters we could name as we reviewed the letters of the alphabet...A=Ariel, Aladdin...etc. Bubbles worked, as well as a small clip type flashlight, and a small personal fan for keeping cool! We also enjoyed many turns on the Carousel, but had serious fright issues with Snow White.

Enjoy the trip!