Parents of Toddlers

[Ash&Wes07]

I'm making my packing lists for our trip next month.

Do you just bring one extra outfit into the park with you, or more? Do you always bring a swimsuit/swim diaper (DD is not potty trained) with you as well?

Is there anything that you just can't go into a park without that might not be so obvious?

We're only planning on spending the morning/early afteroons in the parks and then returning to the hotel for swim/nap. Evening park hours will always be dependent on DD's mood and me (I'll be 31 weeks pregnant).

 

[gatormommy07]

Bring at least one extra outfit with you, I brought 2 last time we went(3/31), just in case, because when my youngest was 1 we had a realy big diaper malfunction, and luckily we had an extra, this time he was potty training, so we brought the 2 outfits, and his one pee accident leaked a little so we changed his clothes, I brought 7 pull-ups and only needed one, but if you are not yet potty training, bring as many pants/diapers, whatever you use, that you will need. Most importantly HAVE FUN!! This is the best age to take them!! They love everything!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I pack something super light for the just-in-case outfit. For example, I knew September was going to be hot, so I found mesh shorts and sleeveless tees (at KMart) for Dneph(3) and DS(3) last fall. They rolled up super small and were cool for the weather. It's worth it to have b/c you never know what will happen at WDW!

We also packed disposable sippy cups (4 ~ $2.19) so we don't have to haul dish soap with us.

Taking along a swim diaper won't hurt either.

One more thing, and yes, I know it's random, but you may want to invest in some Take n Toss utensils too. WDW doesn't have flatware for toddlers.

Good luck!

 

[ccgirl]

I put my kids in their bathing suits with clothes over it. That way then can just take their outfit off and play in the fountains and water things. I carried extra change of clothes for the little one and undies for the older DD so she could get out of her wet bathing suit. We would hang the bathing suits on the stroller and they would dry off quickly. A good tip is to keep the change of clothes in a ziploc bag. That way if it rains they stay dry. Of course, if you had a stroller with a rain cover that helps too. Have fun!

 

[glk2009]

We bring a change of clothes in the recommended ziploc bag and also a small washcloth to help the drying process.

We also bring meds and a mini first aid kit.

Have a great time!

 

[disney*mom*82]

I always take 1 extra outfit and a jacket each day. Doesnt matter how hot it is going to be, we stay out LATE and it can get chilly sometimes. I also take a comb, extra hair items, bib, cup, snacks, diapers, wipes, sunblock, small first aid kit, OTC medications such as tylenol, benadryl, tums, pepto chewables, and a thermometer. We have been several times and you have no idea how often we need some kind of OTC. If it is a real hot day, a wet washcloth in a baggie is good, a few glow sticks, and a few baggies, sometimes we pack lunch leftovers in them or little items that we purchase/need. Ive never packed a swimsuit or diaper for the parks.

 

[gabriellyn]

I always take 1 extra outfit and a jacket each day. Doesnt matter how hot it is going to be, we stay out LATE and it can get chilly sometimes. I also take a comb, extra hair items, bib, cup, snacks, diapers, wipes, sunblock, small first aid kit, OTC medications such as tylenol, benadryl, tums, pepto chewables, and a thermometer. We have been several times and you have no idea how often we need some kind of OTC. If it is a real hot day, a wet washcloth in a baggie is good, a few glow sticks, and a few baggies, sometimes we pack lunch leftovers in them or little items that we purchase/need. Ive never packed a swimsuit or diaper for the parks.

You sound like me! I take EVERYTHING. Of course, now that DS3 is potty trained, I can pare it down a bit, but I know my Baggalini will be stuffed! Luckily, we'll still have our stroller on our next trip, so that can hold quite a bit of stuff I won't be heartbroken to lose if it gets stolen.

I can't tell you how many times that we have needed the pepto or tums on a trip. We don't eat "rich" foods at home, so vacation foods sometimes do a number on our tummies. And ibuprofen has saved us many times as well.

 

[katytrott]

I put my kids in their bathing suits with clothes over it. That way then can just take their outfit off and play in the fountains and water things. I carried extra change of clothes for the little one and undies for the older DD so she could get out of her wet bathing suit. We would hang the bathing suits on the stroller and they would dry off quickly.

I love this idea and will give this a go. I am just wondering, however, how many areas in WDW where there are fountains and water things. Apart from the obvious water parks, the only other place I can think of is DTD in market place, and Epcot, near Imagination pavillion, where they don't really "climb" into it.

Am I missing any others?

 

[ksl5f123]

I love this idea and will give this a go. I am just wondering, however, how many areas in WDW where there are fountains and water things. Apart from the obvious water parks, the only other place I can think of is DTD in market place, and Epcot, near Imagination pavillion, where they don't really "climb" into it.

Am I missing any others?

Well, Ariel's Grotto used to be a big fountain play area - which my kids adored!! Donald's boat is when it is turned on (hasn't been the last couple of times we were there). Also, I have heard there is a water play area in the Boneyard in AK but it was a downpour rain the last time we were there.

Karen

 

[marieNJkitty]

Everyone has some good ideas. Besides an extra outfit, 3 diapers and lots of wipes, we always bring some cut up fresh fruit for the kids to snack on.

We will be at CBR around the same time as you. I will be 30 weeks pregnant. Have a great vacation!

 

[MayzDisney4]

Most certainly an extra outfit. We were there in January and I didn't pack an extra outfit to go into the parks for my DS3. Well lets just say (even though this has not happened in a long time) we had an awful diaper disaster and had to buy him something to wear! (and ended up having one at the end of the night too)

I took plenty of diapers after that point too. My DS proved to me, you just never know...

 

[jlk51496]

I def agree with the extra outfit! I plan on doing this on our first trip as parents with a 2 yr old and 1 yr old in oct..my ques for moms who did it...Does that mean you pack 14 outfits for a 7 day vacation? How often did you use that extra outfit..i tend to be an over packer but I want to know if it is justified on this trip

 

[mjaclyn]

I usually bring one extra outfit plus a bathing suit (or just a swim diaper and rash guard) for the fountains. The kids absolutely LOVE running through the water and it gives them a nice break from the heat. We also pack a few snacks like: peanut butter crackers, goldfish, cheese sticks and cereal bars. We try to buy bottled water from the store ahead of time because the ones in the parks are so expensive. Something else you want to remember is sunscreen and also a sunhat. I actually get a special little 'stick' just for their face so I can re-apply often without making it a huge, messy production.

And Wet Ones! I use those a lot.

Sorry, one more...I agree that bringing children's or baby Tylenol/Motrin and a thermometer is a great idea. You never know when your child will come down with something and it's no fun for them or you if they're miserable in the parks.

 

[DCbride]

We always bring a few small disney stuffed animals, purchased from home. When she is in the stroller, she likes to play, cuddle, etc and that prevents me from making an emergency purchase of a $20 plush that we really don't need.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

I always take 1 extra outfit and a jacket each day. Doesnt matter how hot it is going to be, we stay out LATE and it can get chilly sometimes. I also take a comb, extra hair items, bib, cup, snacks, diapers, wipes, sunblock, small first aid kit, OTC medications such as tylenol, benadryl, tums, pepto chewables, and a thermometer. We have been several times and you have no idea how often we need some kind of OTC. If it is a real hot day, a wet washcloth in a baggie is good, a few glow sticks, and a few baggies, sometimes we pack lunch leftovers in them or little items that we purchase/need. Ive never packed a swimsuit or diaper for the parks.

What she said! Great answer!

What I was going to say was kid tylenol, bandaids, moleskin, sun hats, chapstick, disposable placemats (the kind that stick onto the table -- best invention ever!), glow sticks, and juice boxes. Bring extra juice boxes and you'll make some poor parent's day as they're 30 minutes into a 45 minute wait to ride Dumbo and their 2 year old melts down out of thirst!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I am a very stripped down, be prepared kind of packer. Minimal stuff, maximum impact.

We always have with us:
--An action pack (gallon ziplock with two diapers, one old receiving blanket, half empty or travel pack of wipes--air squished out to save space--I have these EVERYWHERE at home--cars, strollers, purse.)
--one light weight, weather appropriate outfit (in a ziplock (just in case you have a mess and need to pack the old outfit into the ziplock) mesh for summer is gr8!, but light weight long pants and ls shirt is good if you are going morning or evening. Babylegs are also good for changes in weather...take up little room, but can help chilly arms or legs. Socks!! They can help thwart blisters or cover chilly piddies and take almost no room.)
--swim diaper, trunks or suit
--one old, clean altoids tin with bandaids, a safety pin or two, dum-dum lollipop, individual pks of meds for DH and me, kid pepto, neosporin pks, rubberband for my hair, moleskin...you get the idea
--a bandana (usually tied to the stroller to make it easy to spot, but also ends up being useful for lots of odd little things.)
--sunscreen in a ziplock
--take & toss sippy, spoon and fork
--antibacterial wipes (small packs of wet wipes so I don't have to get into the diaper pack)
--camera, batteries (in a ziplock--notice a theme here?)
--a muslin receiving blanket (makes a surprisingly good, quick drying towel! Really!!)
--matchbox cars!!!! (I always have a few on me--there are Mickey Mouse ones I have stashed for our next trip.)
--snack--I try to take as many different snacks as there are planned hours to be somewhere (4 hrs out in the world, 4 different kinds of snacks). May sound fiddly but it helps me plan. Freeze dried food is really light weight and nutrition packed--yogurt, peas, corn, mango. Also a fan of the squeezy astronaut baby food packs (veggies!). Earths best rice crispy treat bars are awesome and hold up to squishing well. You can use old puff containers to hold fruit that can bruise easily (bananas, pears, plums...)


It may sound like a lot, but I can easily fit it all into a small tote (reusable shopping bag size) with room to spare. If there is room I'll throw in glow sticks, more snacks, more snacks, more snacks... For this trip we're planning to use an umbrella stroller with no storage and one of those string backpacks.

I always have to remind myself that we are not venturing into the Yukon, we're just headed to the park for the day. They have just about everything we need (for a price, of course...).

 

[Reese]

I always bring an extra outfit in a ziplock bag, that way the wet one can go back in the zippy bag and everything else stays dry. I also take an extra outfit for my three year old even though she is fully potty trained after a nast chocolate milk spill we learned it just made sense.
I also pack a few small snacks that can pulled out in case of meltdown (I store mine in the hard plastic popcorn souvenier containers that you can buy, they'll hook right on the stroller. Also I carry a pair of spare shoes (my little one has a habit of misplacing hers, I had to collect twice at lost and found last trip). I also make sure I have an extra hat in tow.
I always throw a first aid baggie in a pocket in the diaper bag. This contains a couple of bandaids, tea tree oil and baby tylenol.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

The only thing I'd add to the list is ear plugs for the fireworks/Illuminations. My oldest has always been picky about noise and we'd have been in a mess without them.

The PPs have most of my biggies covered: the disposable stick-on placemats (since you'll likely never sit at a CS table that's clean), take-n-toss flatware and sippy cups (I just wipe them down and stick them back in the bag to wash in the room at night), extra outfit in a ziploc bag (out comes the dry stuff, wet stuff into the ziploc), a couple of juice boxes and packs of fruit snacks for potential meltdown times, sunscreen, and a hat if it's sunny. I try to pack only what's really necessary so we're not pack animals. We figure if we get into a real emergency, we can either go back to the room for a while or find something in the park.

Just don't get stressed out about it. You're going to have a blast, and anything that comes up can be handled. EnjoY!

 

[dismomkris]

Always bring a change of clothes, a bathing suit and a hand towel! You'll be suprised how uselful it is!

 

[LWatson]

Wow I feel like an underpacker. I packed a lot the first time and realized I didnt use over half of it. We usually carry an extra pair of thin shorts (both kids wear the same size now), 3/4 pullups (potty training youngest), 1 sippy cup (back ups in the room), small travel sunblock, wipes, a couple snacks, and whatever us adults need. I keep the other stuff in the hotel room. Oh, but for some reason my kids randomly need extra socks a lot (even around town), so those are always with me.