Potty Training and Park Tips Please

[lilbuddy88]

So we started potty training about 5 weeks ago and we're doing great. We have maybe an accident every few days. We will be in the parks in approx. 7 weeks we'll be in the World. I would love any tips to help us be as prepared as possible. I fully expect to be doing even better with the training by then but accidents happen so I want to be prepared. So of course we'll have plenty of clothing changes, will go to the restroom often (probably a little more often than usual since liquid intake will be up since we will be outside). But any other tips would be great. Thanks

 

[tmh43]

I have a little fold up potty seat from Walmart that we use when we're out. It fits in DS's little backpack with wipes and spare clothes. It definitely takes the ick out of public washrooms, and adds a level of comfort.

We're in the exact same boat, so I'm interested to see what other people have to say! Good luck, and congrats on no more diapers!!!!! Yay!

 

[ruthies12]

I would make sure you do a bathroom break before any line over 20 minutes. Also if your kid is freaked out by the automatic flushing toilets you can bring a pack of post it notes to cover the sensors with. They make disposable potty seat liners that stick on and are waterproof if you are worried about germs or have a kid who likes to touch everything. If it won't upset your kid you might want to go ahead and consider pull ups for the trip so you can carry around less clothes.

 

[PantherPete]

I'm thinking that if your child is only having an accident every few days now, you will be in really good shape in 7 weeks. We were in the same situation with our younger son on our first family trip to Disney. Once they "get it" the process really speeds up and it looks like yours has hit that point. But vacation does disrupt the kid's system, so accidents will be possible. I'd take a couple of changes of clothes in a small bag and either carry them around or put them in a locker. I'd also take some pull ups each day, just in case it becomes too much for your child. And definitely bring pull ups to sleep in every night. I'm going to guarantee that no matter how nights have been going, a wet bed will occur at least once (and probably more than that).

 

[JessicaW1234]

I remember when my DD was potty training that she was afraid of the loud automatic flush in the bathrooms in the parks (which would sometimes start before she was done)

Bring post it notes to put over the sensor so it doesn't do that.

 

[kcpinwdw]

when we took my twins at 2.5 we were trying to train and it was really hard at Disney, we just ended up using pull ups so we wouldnt have to worry about it. In retrospect they werent really ready. Now we are going back in a week and half and I have one kid totally trained and I'm not worred about it, he hasnt had an accident in months. The other one is totally unreliable so she'll be in pullups and I will try to stick with our training schedule... but you know toddlers, they are bound to have to go mid-ride or mid-show!

PS, i ordered pullups through garden grocer so they'll deliver right to the resort with our snacks and milk, that way I only have to pack 2 or 3 in my purse for the plane.

 

[ForeverAlice]

I didn't wait until my daughter let me know she needed to use the restroom, so I would take her frequently to make sure she wouldn't have an accident. WDW is such a stimulating fun environment that she would more than likely wait too long to tell me, due to her not wanting to take a break from the fun! I like to take her as well when we arrive at a resturant or QS and when we leave. Also I would have her go whenever we were getting ready to leave our room whether she said needed to go or not. I did bring a pull up and wipes just in case and never needed them but I still think it is better to have them just in case. Have a great time!

 

[lilbuddy88]

I would make sure you do a bathroom break before any line over 20 minutes. Also if your kid is freaked out by the automatic flushing toilets you can bring a pack of post it notes to cover the sensors with. They make disposable potty seat liners that stick on and are waterproof if you are worried about germs or have a kid who likes to touch everything. If it won't upset your kid you might want to go ahead and consider pull ups for the trip so you can carry around less clothes.

I would say he is more intrigued with the automatic flushing and wants to make it happen over and over and over LOL. I saw some oversized seat covers at Babies R US. I think I will order a couple of packs to carry. Thanks. I'm hesitant on the Pull ups as I think he associates them with not having to go to the potty. But I have the vinyl outside and cotton inside training pants and they really contain accidents well so far.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Best bottom cloth diapers had a pretty good training diaper system. The cover is cloth and PLU, and you get a seperate insert to snap in. That way you are only dealing with a little strip of fabric vs whole diap. Just a thought for you to consider.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Just keep up the hard work. Once at the parks take potty breaks more often as you will probably be giving your child more water than usual to stay hydrated therefore potty breaks will need to be more frequent. Tuck a trash bag in your pack for the messy clothes and purchase extra underwear in case #2 accidents happen you can just pitch it completely. Also prizes are handy. We use to do one M&M for #1 and 2 for #2 but on a hot day perhaps stickers would work better.

 

[beckydisneyb]

Extra clothes from the waist down and to just make her/him "try" to go often. It never fails they will have to go "NOW" when there is no restroom in sight.

 

[jolene63]

Look at the maps of the parks before you go. Make sure you know where the bathrooms are ahead of time. This will help when your little one tells you he/she has to go.

 

[lilbuddy88]

Best bottom cloth diapers had a pretty good training diaper system. The cover is cloth and PLU, and you get a seperate insert to snap in. That way you are only dealing with a little strip of fabric vs whole diap. Just a thought for you to consider.

Wow thanks I just found these on Amazon and they are not a bad price. I'm going to reevaluate in about 4 weeks. Then I might get these if I feel we need them.

 

[luvpooh]

We leave in 9 weeks and my DS shows no interest in using the potty. None. I can tell he's getting ready to go and will say, let's go use your potty, and he says no, go in my diaper. OK kid, must be nice...

I'm following the philosophy of not pushing him to potty train, he'll get it in his own time, so I'm not too worried. What I do worry about is if he finally starts showing interest any closer to our trip, then I imagine we will be in the same boat! I agree with the PP who said there is more stimulation so more opportunity for the 'gotta go' feeling to be missed.

BTW - I am taking note of the potty training diapers as well as the covers/folding potty seats for when we do need them! So thanks all for those ideas.

 

[walker0829]

I just wanted to say more power to you for training your child knowing a trip was upcoming. My wife decided to take the opposite approach(which she admitted was for selfish reasons) last year. I felt like it pushed him back since he was showing signs of being ready but in the end it all worked out.

 

[lilbuddy88]

I just wanted to say more power to you for training your child knowing a trip was upcoming. My wife decided to take the opposite approach(which she admitted was for selfish reasons) last year. I felt like it pushed him back since he was showing signs of being ready but in the end it all worked out.

Well in all honesty, We travel quite a bit and I pushed it back this summer as we were in Europe for 3.5 weeks and then Florida for 1.5 weeks. I finally said if I keep using travel as an excuse he'll never be trained.

 

[tabistar]

My DD had been trained for a couple months when we took her the first time. It was a mess. She peed in the (cloth) stroller at least twice. We ended up having to line her seat with a poncho so she could sit in it. I would HIGHLY recommend pull ups or some other kind of training pants!

 

[TOBS2010]

Just wanted to add that you might want to consider taking your LO out and getting used to going potty on a few public restrooms before you go. We were in a similar position as you a few months ago. DS used panicked once or twice about going potty out in public places---but now is fine with it. Glad that we didn't have to fight that battle while in Disney. And definitely consider doing pull-ups at night. We have kept him in pull-ups at night even though I think he's good to go without them at this point--but don't want to deal with bed wetting when his schedule gets thrown off in the parks, so we've kept him wearing them for now.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Look at the maps of the parks before you go. Make sure you know where the bathrooms are ahead of time. This will help when your little one tells you he/she has to go.

This!! My son has been potty trained since around march...and he's doing fantastically, but he's a last minute kinda guy...I was super happy to see that on the MDE app, there's a specific tab for restrooms! YES!! this mommy's dream!!!

 

[leeg229]

If anyone has a child that is scared of the automatic flushing toilets remember that BABY CARE located in every park has toilets that are both lower to the ground AND manual flushing. Every baby care location also has mickey stickers that conveniently fit over the sensors of automatic flushers for when you're not near the baby care location.