Playgrounds in the parks...suitable for crawlers?

[SDFgirl]

DD will be almost 13 months when we go to WDW and I don't think she'll be walking yet. She crawls like a champ and is cruising moderately well, but she's definitely in no hurry to walk!

Anyway, I *know* she'll need to burn off some energy after sitting in her stroller in the parks for long periods of time.

Are there any playgrounds in the parks where she can crawl around...maybe something with those soft(ish) rubber floors?

I think I remember seeing them briefly before, but those were in my pre-kid days and it wasn't really on my radar!!

P.S. I'm so glad she's on my radar now...

 

[RMulieri]

I am not sure how padded the play areas are, but i will tell you i would definitely be careful letting her crawl even if they were.I have seen some pretty rambunctious kids running around those areas even with a Cm there and I would be afraid someone would step on her or plow right over her.

 

[SDFgirl]

I am not sure how padded the play areas are, but i will tell you i would definitely be careful letting her crawl even if they were.I have seen some pretty rambunctious kids running around those areas even with a Cm there and I would be afraid someone would step on her or plow right over her.

Thanks! I'm sure I'd be about a foot behind her at all times because I know how the bigger kids can be - they need to blow off some steam too, right?

Maybe there will be a little out-of-the-way spot where I can let her crawl...hmmm...

Anyone know if these playgrounds exist? If so where are they? TIA!

 

[imthatgirl]

the only one i can think of that would be suitable for crwaling is poohs playful spot. and thats because the kids may be younger.
they all have padded flooring. but to be honest, there just too many kids to let a little one crawl around.
its not just that kids get rambuncious, i dont think anyone should blame kids for running around a playground designed for older kids. they just arent designed for babies.

 

[RMulieri]

the only one i can think of that would be suitable for crwaling is poohs playful spot. and thats because the kids may be younger.
they all have padded flooring. but to be honest, there just too many kids to let a little one crawl around.
its not just that kids get rambuncious, i dont think anyone should blame kids for running around a playground designed for older kids. they just arent designed for babies.

I am sorry i didn't mean to say that all kids are little hellions or anything like that.i know when my daughter gets to a park( any park)she wants to go crazy and isn't always aware of the littler kids that are there.These places get mobbed too.

 

[KayleeUK]

My 11 month old loved Pooh's playground

 

[SDFgirl]

its not just that kids get rambuncious, i dont think anyone should blame kids for running around a playground designed for older kids. they just arent designed for babies.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep it in mind.

I would *never* blame kids for running on a playground! Believe me, I'm a teacher and I know that kids NEED to run! I know that they will be all over the place, and that's why I'd be right behind DD. Maybe pull her into a quiet corner or try to visit during a less busy time.

I just want to giver HER a place to blow off some steam as well!

 

[imthatgirl]

I am sorry i didn't mean to say that all kids are little hellions or anything like that.i know when my daughter gets to a park( any park)she wants to go crazy and isn't always aware of the littler kids that are there.These places get mobbed too.

they get very mobbed!! sometimes too crowded for my 4yo to be able to run around.
i know you didnt mean to suggest that, i just get deffensive of kids. too many people think just because a child is a bit loud or running around that they arent acting proper. of course there is a time and a place for everything and a playground is the time and the place to run around. i just know there will be those parents there with kids much too young to be there complaining about all the running kids, so i just wanted to prepare the op, so she isnt one of those people.

 

[imthatgirl]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep it in mind.

I would *never* blame kids for running on a playground! Believe me, I'm a teacher and I know that kids NEED to run! I know that they will be all over the place, and that's why I'd be right behind DD. Maybe pull her into a quiet corner or try to visit during a less busy time.

I just want to giver HER a place to blow off some steam as well!

im sitting here trying to think of the playgrounds. theres the honey i shrunk the audience one..this one i do find can be less crowded. mostly because its sort of hidden. so if the park isnt too crowded its a good bet that playground wont be either.
the one in animal kingdom, forget it. that ones crazy. but its also very out in the open so people see it easily.
and poohs playful spot is perfect for little ones. the oldre kids dont care for that one.

 

[SDFgirl]

im sitting here trying to think of the playgrounds. theres the honey i shrunk the audience one..this one i do find can be less crowded. mostly because its sort of hidden. so if the park isnt too crowded its a good bet that playground wont be either.
the one in animal kingdom, forget it. that ones crazy. but its also very out in the open so people see it easily.
and poohs playful spot is perfect for little ones. the oldre kids dont care for that one.

Thanks, I didn't know there was one in AK but I'll try to avoid that one.

Trust me - I know that most of the playgrounds there are designed for kids older than my DD. If the playgrounds are mobbed and kids are running all over the place (as they have every right to), I'm not going to just plop her down in the middle of it all and complain that the kids are acting too crazy.

Just as you get a little defensive about older kids, I felt a little defensive about your post that said something to the effect of, "I don't think people should blame older kids for running." Nowhere in my posts did I imply that I would blame ANY child for doing any such thing. If anything, I would know that MY daughter was the one "out of place" in such a situation and move on to something else.

 

[imthatgirl]

Thanks, I didn't know there was one in AK but I'll try to avoid that one.

Trust me - I know that most of the playgrounds there are designed for kids older than my DD. If the playgrounds are mobbed and kids are running all over the place (as they have every right to), I'm not going to just plop her down in the middle of it all and complain that the kids are acting too crazy.

Just as you get a little defensive about older kids, I felt a little defensive about your post that said something to the effect of, "I don't think people should blame older kids for running." Nowhere in my posts did I imply that I would blame ANY child for doing any such thing. If anything, I would know that MY daughter was the one "out of place" in such a situation and move on to something else.

i was obviously responding to the post where someone said kids get rambunctious and run around.
nothing i said was directed to you personally and im sorry you feel the need to defend yourself. it happens all the time, parents bring their kids into situations that they dont belong and then get mad at everyone else. its good that you arent that parent, i never said you were that parent.
you asked about playgrounds for little ones and i responded. thats all.

 

[SDFgirl]

i was obviously responding to the post where someone said kids get rambunctious and run around.
nothing i said was directed to you personally and im sorry you feel the need to defend yourself. it happens all the time, parents bring their kids into situations that they dont belong and then get mad at everyone else. its good that you arent that parent, i never said you were that parent.
you asked about playgrounds for little ones and i responded. thats all.

Fair enough. It's easy to misunderstand (and be misunderstood) on a message board. Thank you very much for the locations of the playgrounds, I do appreciate it!! Have a great time on your trip.

 

[Lilogirl]

Have you considered the babycare centers? There is one in each park and they each have a "playroom" with a few toys and Disney movies. They are a little small-but no running around. Perhaps enough for your little one to "explore". The one at AK is rather large and they are all airconditioned.

As far as playgrounds in the park. There is a small one in Toon Town in the MK reserved for little ones (From allears-for children under 40 inches http://allears.net/tp/mk/donald.htm). It is across from Donalds boat. There is another small area under Splash Mountain.

Poohs Playground is for ages 2-5 (From allearsnet: http://allears.net/tp/mk/pps.htm) So crawling may not be the best idea. Also there are several water jets in the ground-your little one may get a surprise splash in the face.

As far as Honey I shrunk the kids playground-Per Allears
(http://allears.net/tp/mgm/m_histk.htm) The area is for ages 4 and up. That being said-it is a crazy area! Lots of twist and turns, a crawler could get hurt here very quickly.

Just had another thought-At Epcot there is an open area (seldom used) at the end of the Character spot. She could crawl around there to her hearts content (with little foot traffic).

 

[imthatgirl]

Fair enough. It's easy to misunderstand (and be misunderstood) on a message board. Thank you very much for the locations of the playgrounds, I do appreciate it!! Have a great time on your trip.

thanks!! and i hope your next 3 weeks go by faster than my last 3 weeks did. i swear it took about 2 months to get from august first to now

first trip is always the most magical...so enjoy!!

 

[Schmeck]

Beware of the water jets - don't let your little one get any of that water in the mouth! There have been posts on here about a nasty diarrhea bug that can be found in water the kids play in, pools, water features, etc.

 

[katied]

DS at 13 months loved Poohs Thoughful Spot. He was not yet a walker either. I quickly learned that swim bottoms and a swim diaper were best, as his favorite part was the water.

I did keep a close eye on him but getting stepped on now and again is bound to happen with a crawler, and DS didn't get too fussed about any of it.

He also loved the water spouts at DTD (again, swim bottoms and swim diaper).

At AK, his favorite "play" area was babycare - they have a very nice large room. He also played at the babycare at MK - they had some nice toys there. Don't remember him playing at babycare at Epcot or DHS, but who knows...

Otherwise, I made sure we had a break at the hotel every afternoon for his nap and to play. He would nap in the stroller, but I really felt he needed some "free" time every day.

 

[Dannielle_1]

When my DS was 10 months and crawling, he crawled around in many play areas, even the Boneyard at AK. We were just carefull to have him and my 7 month neice off in a "quiet" corner. They really enjoyed the dig site part of the Boneyard, the texture of the "sand" there was interesting to them. He also enjoyed Poohs spot, Donalds boat area, the playground across from it, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and many others. The play spot by Splash Mountain, we actually found to be the most dangerous, not a big enough area to find a quiet corner and more kids than space, so DS didn't get down there. Older neice at 3 was getting run over there.

We often just let him get down and explore a little around the park in general. Just as long he would not be underfoot so to speak. We aren't germophobes per se, so didn't mind him just crawling on the ground. He actually created a great elephant walk so his knees wouldn't touch the concrete. My favorite spot - behind the perfume store in "France." There is a huge courtyard where there is generally no one.

Another great thing for little ones to check out if you are in Epcot after dark. Have them get down on the ground and check out the lighted sidewalks. Facinating.


At Poohs Playful Spot - Waterspouts

Cruising in China

Relaxing around World Showcase

Pushing the Stroller around Tomorrowland

 

[cel_disney]

We went when DS was 11.5 months old and was just taking his first steps but still did a good amount of crawling if he wanted to get someplace fast!

He had a GREAT time at Poohs Playful Spot, the Laughing Place near Splash Mountain, and in MGM at the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground. We didnt go to AK and didnt have time for playing in toontown, but we loved the ones that we used!!

We also used the open spaces in front of Space Mountain for cruisin room, and DS walked/crawled around The Seas attraction in EPCOT!

DS also loved the water spouts at DTD, but I was an evil mom and kept him out most of the time because I was tired of dealing with him being wet! ha ha!

We didnt have too much trouble with crazy kids - most were respectful if they were there at all!! The Honey, I shrunk playground is definitely the largest and geared a bit towards older kids so you'll need to be most cautious there!!

 

[Ktharee]

Where are you staying? A lot of the on site resorts have playgrounds as well. At the end of the figment ride at Epcot, there is an area where I remember seeing kids stepping on lighted floor tiles. If I recall correctly it was pretty large. Also, and I'm not sure if this was just for the Flower and Garden festival, but in Epcot (in or around Germany in World Showcase) there was a playground. Also in Epcot after the Nemo ride, there is a large area with all kinds of exhibits pertaining to the ocean and the Nemo movie. If it's not crowded, the area is quite large. And lastly and someone mentioned this before, right behind Club Cool at the character spot in Epcot, the area back there is huge and usually empty. Good luck and have a wonderful time!!!

 

[Lilogirl]

Where are you staying? A lot of the on site resorts have playgrounds as well. At the end of the figment ride at Epcot, there is an area where I remember seeing kids stepping on lighted floor tiles. If I recall correctly it was pretty large. Also, and I'm not sure if this was just for the Flower and Garden festival, but in Epcot (in or around Germany in World Showcase) there was a playground. Also in Epcot after the Nemo ride, there is a large area with all kinds of exhibits pertaining to the ocean and the Nemo movie. If it's not crowded, the area is quite large. And lastly and someone mentioned this before, right behind Club Cool at the character spot in Epcot, the area back there is huge and usually empty. Good luck and have a wonderful time!!!

The playground at Epcot is only for the Flower and Garden show, I WISH it was there year round

I thought about mentioning the light up area at the end of Figment and then I remembered all the running around and bouncing in that area. My 4 year old had a hard time playing in that area and kept getting run into.

Epcot really needs a year round playground-one for the little ones and a second for the bigger kids.