Potty Trained or not at WDW

[Hillbeans]

If you know that your child may/mat not be potty trained for your next trip would you push it or wait until afterwards? I know we just got back but i'm thinking about our next trip and how different it will be with a 3 yo instead of a 2 yo and all the potty issues involved.

 

[meandtheguys]

IMHO I know with my boys that if there was anything that might disrupt the process, I waited. They are 2 1/2 years apart, so I waited until after each birth and adjustment to deal with potty-training. Of course, if they had shown any inclination, I might have changed my mind, but diapers have never been as issue with me. Fussing with the race to the bathroom in parks and in lines would be difficult, and you really just want them to see success in the process. Besides, you can spend your next visit collecting trinkets for a potty-training surprise basket! Good luck, and just let your "mommy instinct" decide!
Michelle

 

[Fizban257]

Our 18-month-old DS is showing signs of being ready for potty training early (a man can dream--no?), but we're definitely waiting until after our early-July WDW vacation to give it a try.

 

[vic32]

My DS was in the middle of training. We had 2 accidents, but it was O.K.. I justed took him to the potty after every meal, and when he would give physical clues.I think 2 accidents for a whole week in the World is pretty good!!!Good luck!!

 

[crisi]

My son was 3 1/2 on the last visit and not yet potty trained.

One week before we left, he started to show real signs of being interested (before it was just Mommy pushing, this time it was him). Deciding that I didn't want to deal with accidents at Disney, I said "nope, you'll have to wait to wear underwear until we get back."

We had a lovely trip in pull ups (my son has never been interested in using the potty when wearing pullups. Even now when he wears them to bed, he goes and then changes his pull up).

We got back, he put on underwear the next day, and hasn't had an accident since (over a year).

Potty training starts when mom or dad thinks there may be signs and starts working towards it. It can often take a very long time, (years, in my daughters case - we are SOOOO close) and there is really no difference between a child who is in the process of potty training and one still in diapers except Mom's motivation and the fact that occationally poop and pee go straight into the potty. Potty mastery is nearly instantaneous and happens when your child decides they are done with diapers and has the control.

 

[Magic2000]

Thankfully, all three of my girls potty trained very easily, and early. My first DD was trained by 18 months, and it was so easy! My other two were closer to two years of age.

For my youngest, we were going to Washington DC on Amtrack right after she turned two. So she had been potty trained for about 2-3 weeks (where we hadn't had any accidents during the day, and only one accident at night). Any way, I bought the pullups for her and told her they were her "VACATION big girl panties". I still took her to the bathroom as usual, and we used them like real panties. She did great with it - no accidents!!! (The reason I brought the pullups is because I was afraid we'd be somewhere and I wouldn't be able to find a bathroom fast enough).

Again, I would try it and see how your child is doing. Good luck!!!

 

[paperboy]

My Ds will turn 3 on our trip.(Disney Knows) Anyway, I was going to start potty training this summer..he is showing signs of readiness. However, I left it up to his dad..since he will be runniing him to the potty for an emergency in the parks. My DH said please wait until we get back. He had the same thought..if we are in line and we have to run a far distance to get to a bathroom...he is not a big fan of messes! So he asked not to start training until after we get back.

I think it depends on the parents. I am not a big fan of starting and then giving pull-ups...for my kids I think it would give the wrong message. So alas..5 more months of diapers..then hopefully by 3 he will be soooo ready it will take a week or two.

Good Luck in the process!!!

Paperboy's Wife

 

[peg2001]

If a child was really ready and wanting to potty train, I think I would go ahead and start. However, other than that, I would definitely wait until AFTER a big vacation.

While having a potty trained child is easier than dealing with diapers, diapers are definitely easier than being in the throes of potty training!!

Peggy

 

[ZachnElli]

We had to deal with this last trip. DD was 2 1/2 exactly. She wore pull-ups and did go potty when she wanted, but we didn't have to rush to get to a potty. But we went in July and you sweat so much, you don't have to go as much and she rarely went in the pull-up. I'd definitely wait, but take him/her in with you or dh whenever you go and encourage them to go too. Good luck!

 

[CEDmom]

The year between 2 and 3 is huge as far as developmental progress. A child who is ready can be trained in a few days. It's when we parents push that the trouble begins. Anyway, I'd just play it by ear, if your child wants to use the potty right before your trip I wouldn't discourage it. Our DD is almost 4 and was trained just before her 3rd b'day. We went on vacation just after she was trained and what we did was put a pullup on over her underpants. She knew that it was just a precaution and to tell us if she had to go. We did this again while traveling to/from WDW last month. It really minimizes the cleanup if an accident should happen. Also, just because a child uses the potty during the day doesn't mean they'll stay dry at nap or bedtime. Our DD is still using pullups at bedtime.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I would think about how far away the next trip is. If she has just turned two and the trip is next year when she is turning three, I would not plan potty training around the trip. I would watch for the signs that she or he might be ready and then follow their lead. Many kids are ready by 2 1/2 and waiting can make the whole process much harder. That being said.I would not start potty training with -in three months or so of the trip. If you start early and are still not at a comfortable place at the time of your trip, just put her back in pull ups for the trip. My DS trained with in one week of starting and he had just turned two. Some kids take a year or more and are 3 or 4. Just follow your child's lead. I think that diapers are easier, but that might not not be what is best for your child.



jordan's mom

 

[Bell Family]

Our DS will turn 3 on our trip. He has been daytime trained, with some accidents, for several months now. He still wears a diaper for nights and naps. My concern is the naps. If we are in the parks and he dozes in his stroller, we may encouter the accidents. I also have the same concern about the airplane trip (as we are flying from CA). He conciders pullups to be diapers (as do I) and he is a big boy who does not need them except for nightime. So I guess I will pack a change of clothes each day - at least shorts and t-shirts don't take much room. We are staying in a timeshare, so we can do laundry.

I can relate to the running... to the potty. We were in line for the storybook canal boats and were going to be on the next boat when he decided that he needed to go NOW. Since I was alone with the kids that night, I was not sure what to do. Just then the fireworks started so they were not going to load our boat until after that. The family in front of us had the same issue come up. So I was able to leave my daughter in the line as us two moms and kids dashed to the restroom. We made it successfully and returned in time to see the end of "Believe" and ride the boats.

My advice...check if they need to go (or make them try) before you get in any long lines.

 

[veraletta]

I would use pull ups, as my daughter had her son potty trained and it was only for about a month before we left and she was sure he was going to do just fine.
well it was on one of the rides, that we had wished she would have had him in his pull ups, as he had to go really bad.
it broke my heart as he was asking for us to take him to the restroom, and we couldnt do a thing about it.
we had asked him before we went on this ride as I knew it was going to be a long ride but he said no .

Well we were on the ride, that was dark and you couldnt get off the ride because it was moving, it was called Universe of energy.

well its a long ride, we were worried about him the whole time, I finally took a blanet and covered him up, so she could put a diaper on him, that she got from her sister who had a one year old.
he ended up holding it but after that. we went and brought him some pull ups at walmart

That way we could take him to the restroom, when he had to go but on the long rides it was good to know, we didnt have to worry about him making a mess.
just to be on the safe side, I would put on pull ups..
That ride had to be a good 30 minutes...

 

[rlduvall]

A little different take on this. We were having a time potty training our "over" 3 year old son. Everyone was hassling me about it, even my husband, but I kept telling them what the doctor said, "They'll learn when they are ready. Life is too short to sit in the bathroom for hours." Anyway, the minute, yes, I mean the minute, I said "Your father and I will hate if we have to go to Disneyworld without you because you're not potty-trained," (I know, kind of mean, lol) he mastered it, NEVER having an accident. (men, they're so stubborn). Anyway, can't wait to take him in September. It's been over six months since he was potty-trained. He is convinced it is his reward because he potties in the potty chair. If only he knew I would have never gone without him, lol. I do dread the "potty calls" in the middle of the lines, though. lol

 

[tricia]

rlduvall - I love it. My DS was stubborn too. He was just over 3 and ended up being trained in one day with no accidents ever. When they are ready they are ready. My 2nd DS is just 2 and I would love to have him trained by the time we go back to WDW in Feb. or April (not decided yet). I guess I will just have to see if he is as stubborn as his older brother.

 

[crisi]

We tried that with my daughter, and had no luck.

They, as you said, potty train when they are ready and not before. Particularly stubbon children, like my daughter, cannot be bribed. At one point, in despiration, I even promised her a Disney cruise if she'd get potty trained (well, I want to go, and she needs to be trained to use the kids clubs).

She is nearing four, and is getting pretty good. Occational accidents if she is distracted, but we seem to be nearing mastery.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

DD 4 1/2 decided about 3 weeks after her sister was born she wanted to wear big girl panties. I was hoping to have her out of diapers before the baby was born, but I didn't quite make it. She was just shy of her 3rd birthday when she decided it was time.

Having said that, 6 months later we were at WDW, and I cannot count the number of times I made teh mad dash across (insert park name here) with DD in arms trying to get to bathroom in time! Of course, being the mom of a newly trained toddler, when I looked at a park map, I memorized the location of all bathrooms, not attractions! But the good news is, no accidents in the parks, but one peeing in the bushes incident in the AK parking lot.

Fortunately (or is that unfortunately) DD 19months is already showing an interest in potty training, even using the potty several times, but I know she will not be fully trained by this August's trip. So this time I will bring plenty of diapers, and still memorize the location of every bathroom in every park for older DD!

 

[Samandmom]

We went to WDW last year in October. I was 6 months pregant and knew when we came back that I needed to start my DS 2yrs old. He started to use the potty occasionally. Then when my DD was born in January there was too much excitement and he lost interest in the potty. Then a few months later he started to use the potty again. I noticed he was staying dry in between each potty time. So I told him that he could start wearing pull-ups which were big boy underwears. He was so excited because they had mickey mouse on them. We then went to WDW this year in April and he only went potty occasionally in our room. When we came back I took the advice of of pediatrician she said let him wear real underwears. And that worked he has been without pull-ups for about a month now. He has the occasional accident. He does still wear his pull up at night time.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Have you thought about using cloth training pants when at WDW? For the child that thinks that "pull-ups are for babies" you may be able to fool them into thinking that cloth training pants are just special underwear. There would still be a little mess to clean up if they had an accident, but it wouldn't be as bad as it would with just underwear.

 

[baloo722]

4 & 1/2 & still in diapers? anyway, our little one just turned 2. she will try the potty once in a while, but we are not pushing until after WDW!. we leave on Wed, after that we'll encourage it more.

when we were there 3 years ago, our daughter, then 2 & 1/2 decided that she was going to stop using the diaper. Bang, just like that, no more diapers. pull ups at night. I think she wanted to see every bathroom in WDW!