Need travel help for traveling w/20 month old!!

[mask_w03]

I saw the other child travel post, but all the info was mainly for young little ones that can't really move. DD will be almost 20months old by the time we go to Dis next Nov/Dec. She is almost walking now @ 9months and hates being stuck in her stroller and not able to move. We are getting her a seat for the plane for safety reasons and are bringing our stroller since she is used to it and it reclines for naps in the park if need be. She is on most table foods now so food is no issue.

Just any advice for doing the park with a young walking little one

Margaux (New DVC member)

 

[Procrastinator]

We're going through the same planning. Our ds will be 21 months when we go in May. We're not planning on getting him a seat on the plane. I've debated it both ways, and I figure there really are no safety issues. If the plane goes down, it's not going to make much difference whether he's in a seat or on our lap. JMO, though. When it gets closer I might fork out the $100 to get him a seat. I'm thinking we'll bring his stroller, too. Possibly the double since it doesn't take up that much more room and then our 6yo dd can sit in it, too.

I'd really love to hear advice, also.

 

[minnie29uk]

My son was 11 months when we first went.From UK - had to sit on knee for flight.Luckily he loved books,so had ten mini books and a packet of ric crackers (no sticky mess) and a large bottle of juice.Seemed to be a stress free flight.
When it came to the stroller,the mini books could be tied to the handle bars and I baught a helium balloon on the first day to attach to other handle.Both kept him amused when queueing.
Just have plenty of ready made juice with you as he always wanted to be drinking.

Youll have a great time,
Lynn

 

[staci]

We went when ds was 23 months. Did buy him a seat on the plane. He did very well in it, but did end up in my lap for the decent on the way there. He had been sleeping and woke up to the ear pressure and was crying. So I took him out knowing that would help calm him down.

We took our own stroller as well, and a rain cover. Both were great. Even when ds wanted to walk in the rain the cover kept the video camera and all the bags dry .

Take your time and go at the child's speed. Do not get them up earlier than usual and dont keep them up later than usual. They will get more tired than at home. We found ds napped better in his stroller than in the room, so we let him sleep in the parks, but returned to the room every afternoon after his nap for some downtime.

Be prepared that you may be waiting in line for lots of characters! DS fell in love with them. It was worth it for the pictures.

If possible with your schedule, get to the parks as early as you can. It is much less busy, easier to let the kiddos walk a bit, and you can get onto so many rides with little or no wait, which is much better than midafternoon.

Hope that helps you!>

 

[Callalily6]

We traveled with our kids both around the same ages...Best tips I have are:

1. Bring lollipops on the plane - they last longer than drinks and help ears "pop"
2. Eat early to avoid crowds before 11am for lunch before 4:30pm for dinner
3. Keep your child on a schedule - it will help them not be so overwhelmed and fussy
4. Children can be teething around 20 months! Ahhh! Our son cut 4 molars on our last family trip! Bring meds and teething cream, as many of the resorts do NOT have meds for infants (they tend to carry children's Tylenol, not infants - and no Baby Orajel was to be found).

HAVE FUN!

 

[slo]

My youngest DD has been to WDW at 13 months and 25 months and when she returns she'll be 3yrs old.

This year we brought a seat for the plane because we felt she would be more comfortable than sitting on my lap, and I was right. She got in her seat and happily ate her snacks and took her nap.

My biggest advice about traveling with a little one is to be very patient and to take things slow. Don't try to conquer all of WDW because it's not going to happen. Traveling with a little one is a very rewarding experience of which you will never forget.

 

[Kahana-ri]

We just got back from WDW with our DS who is 20 months. He was so well-behaved I was completely flabbergasted. I really thought it would be tougher to have him at the parks. It was like he knew we were going on a vacation and he was on his best behavior.
1. For the flight he slept the whole two hours, no fussing at all.
2. He ate all the same meals we did. We bought a few of his own, but other than that he shared ours. We had plenty of snacks, cereals, juices and water that we packed every day.
3. Originally we had planned to go back to the rooms at his normally scheduled nap times, but that went right out the window the first day and he slept in his stroller. I am amazed at how much noise was going on and he just zzzzzzz'd away.
4. He was so entranced with all the people, noises, lights, characters that he just sat in his stroller and enjoyed the ride.
5. We took him on a few rides that we would not do again. First was the Movie Ride. It was no problem until they started to shoot guns. We also went on the Pirates of Caribbean and he again disliked the firing of the guns off the ship. He loved Pooh, Its a Small World, the night time parade, Toon Town, and Camp Mickey. Play House Disney is a must see at this age. We had to go twice. We also brought him to see the Lion King, which once he figured out who/what was making the loud noises, he really enjoyed himself and danced.
6. Fireworks are a no deal for us. He can not handle the fireworks. We had to hide indoors until they were done.
7. To be honest we bought a lot of toys. Our son would see a stuffed animal or truck and just suckered my husband everytime.
8. I felt comfortable letting our son walk around in Epcot and Animal Kingdom, holding our hand of course. Magic Kingdom and MGM were just a little too busy to have a 20-month old setting the pace.
9. He truly loved ALL the characters. He hugged and kissed all of them and loved being in their presence. We had to pick him off of Pooh-DS decided to sit into his puffy stomach.
I am ever so happy we took him at this age. It was so great to see him enjoy even the smallest things; the rides on the Disney bus, the monorail passing by, the songs playing though out the park. Will he remember any of it, probably not, but I am so happy that we took him this age. You will have the best time and love to see the elation and excitement on your child's face. Have a great time!