Park tips for toddler

[LadyShea]

I have visited Disneyland dozens of times as I grew up in SoCal and visited WDW 5 times. All were before we adopted our son, though. This is our first trip as parents and I want to ensure we all have a good time! Our DS is 20 mos and we are going Sept.22-29th

We will be staying off property as the time share condo was a gift to us from a friend, though disappointed I am not turning down free deluxe accommodations!

So, I think I have done some good prep, but am afraid I am missing something important. Here are some questions I have, and I would love any tips anyone has in general!

I ordered what I hope to be a nice stroller; light weight, folds up small, shoulder strap for carrying, but it reclines and has a sun shade. It was my understanding the rentals don't recline, so I thought this would be best. Good idea? Bad idea?

I put all the locations of the baby centers on my itinerary, but is 20 mos too old to use them? Seems like a quiet place for a diaper change or just a break and a nice rock if he gets overstimulated.

Because we're staying off property, leaving for a nap isn't very convenient, though it can be done. Are there any quiet places we can walk around (all 4 parks) to let him have a snooze in the stroller, or should we just suck it up and go back to the hotel for a few hours each day? I thought at Magic Kingdom a ride around on the train might be a nice break, and Animal Kingdom walking the various habitat areas and leave the more active stuff for when he is awake, but I am not sure about Epcot or MGM

We live in a similar climate so I am all set on sun protection, bug protection, etc.

I am so excited!

 

[rrobin3051]

we went in july with our almost 2 year old. He is a baby use to schedule and his own room, but let me tell you he did just FINE!! We too stayed off site and went back in the afternoons, sometimes before he fell asleep, others after. If he fell asleep before we got back I just left him alone in the stroller and did some store shopping, because of the ac. He slept for a nap in the stroller about an hour and half to two hours. I was suprised. Other times we went back later in the afternoon around 3 after he had slept. That was nice because we all swam as a family. Is your stroller sturdy enough to hold bags on it. I took a bookbag instead of diaper bag and hung it over our stroller. Worked out great. I kept a soft sided cooler in the basket of the stroller. I will say my son got alittle more attatched to his "mimi" blanket than before. We had to have it with us in the stroller. Other than that I couldnt believe how easy he was. We would revisit the parks after dinner and again stay until we wanted alot of times closing. He fell asleep again at night, and at night he was easier to move in and out. Durring the day we didnt touch him...lol. At night I took him on rides like progress of carosel, for the ac and my enjoyment and he slept right through, never stirred even after putting him back in the stroller. Good luck and have fun. Morgan is a very schelduled baby but did really great. I will enclose some pics of him sleeping just fine..lol.

oh another tip: take pj's so you can change him at night before he falls asleep and maybe some little swimmers if you let him play in water at the parks. Like in toontown..they were a saving grace for me.

 

[Ellester]

First of all, the baby care centers are very nice and your little guy is certainly in the right age range! They are a nice place to recharge, change diapers, etc. There are plenty of good nap places in the parks. Last trip, our ds took a few snoozes on the the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. We just stayed on for several loops. The train would also work well. At Epcot, most of the pavillions have areas (in the air conditioning) to sit and rest while parking a stroller. I would be sure to use the playgrounds in each park also. A little time to just run around and have free play does wonders for keeping little ones content. It will be plenty hot so be sure to keep him hydrated and sunscreened. I would try to find a clip on stroller fan. It may be hard to keep it attached when he is awake, but it will be more comfortable for him when he's asleep for sure. He will most likely be more comfy in his own stroller, although you will have to fold and unfold it for trams and buses. We have never gone back for a nap, even when we stayed at the Contemporary with little ones! Just wastes too much time in our opinion, at least for us. Have a wonderful time!

 

[PistonsFan]

My son was 23 months old last year when we went. I would definitely seek out the baby changing stations - they were very nice. It's also a nice place for the adults to get a drink, use the restroom and relax for a minute. We stayed offsite and did go back every day for nap time. My son will fall asleep in a stroller, but he doesn't get the same kind of rest he does in his bed. My son is horrible when he doesn't get a nap, so for us it wasn't worth pushing him - we just took a much slower pace than we would if it was just the two of us. We didn't see everything that we wanted to see, but now we have an excuse to go back this year!

 

[timmac]

At night I took him on rides like progress of carosel,

Is "progress of carousel" the ride where they show time in reverse?

On a more on-topic note, I was recently at a local theme park with my wife and four kids, the youngest being 2 months old. We found that he slept most of the time, but when awake, did enjoy things like the train ride where he could be held, and look out at everything going on.

 

[rrobin3051]

Is "progress of carousel" the ride where they show time in reverse?

On a more on-topic note, I was recently at a local theme park with my wife and four kids, the youngest being 2 months old. We found that he slept most of the time, but when awake, did enjoy things like the train ride where he could be held, and look out at everything going on.

it is the ride where they show the progress through the 1900's, starting with the 20's I think.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

Is "progress of carousel" the ride where they show time in reverse?

That was my favorite ride back in the day. I hope it's open this fall when we go.

 

[timmac]

it is the ride where they show the progress through the 1900's, starting with the 20's I think.

I'm guessing you didn't pick up on my (admittedly not _that_ funny) joke?

 

[LadyShea]

Thank you for the tips, and for sharing pics of your beautiful little ones

 

[LisaFB]

Diaper changing... oh something I forgot to think about! LOL We're going in Oct with our kids for their first trip. DS will have just turned 2 and isn't potty trained yet. DH & I haven't discussed yet whether we're going ot try to head back to our hotel for naps or try to stick it out and hope DS sleeps in the stroller. I think we'll probably try the stroller thing, though, since he's passed out in it in other local theme parks. Plus DD will be almost 4 and barely naps anymore.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Our 18 month old fell asleep on the Tomorrowland Transit (people mover). Also he napped in his stroller once, but it was terribly hot (last September). Mostly we took him back to the hotel room for the afternoons.

Have fun on your trip!!

 

[Poohtigeey]

When considering going back to your hotel, keep in mind when you're going(September). The hours might already be shorter than in summer. AK closes at 5:00 in the off season so you couldn't realy nap and get back to that park. You absolutely need to take your new stroller. The rentals have to stay in the park so you'd be carrying him back to the car! My daughter will be turning 2 at the World, and I am doing the same planning as you! Have a great trip!