Potty training questions: before or after our trip to WDW?

[puffkin]

We kind of had the same situatioin last year. He was poop trained since age 2 but wasn't pee trained. He was ok at home (nakey butt) but not out in public. We were really going to work with him when we got back from our October trip. Well on the way to the airport he decided he didn't want to use diapers anymore and we came home with a fully potty trained kid (he was 30 months). Luckily we had brought pullups and diapers, but he really only had 1 accident the entire week!

Just be careful about missing that "window". Most kids have one and you don't want to delay training if they are ready....because it will be much harder to wait. It really wasn't that big of a deal, we just asked him before every ride and bus ride and he did fine. He had the Pull Ups for backup but he never really figured out that they were glorified diapers.

 

[Usandthekids]

We went to Disney in 2007 when our oldest was 3.5. He has autism and was still not using the potty at all. The first day he saw a line at the bathroom, thought it was a ride, and had to go. It became fun for him to wait in line and go to the bathroom. He has never worn a diaper since.

However last time we went right before our second oldest turned 4. Although he had been potty trained before he turned two, he had an accident at splash mountain because he didn't want to get out of line.
Go figure!

 

[everylastbreath]

Wait until after the trip.... newly trained kids need to use potty constantly, and they don't realize they need to go until it's almost too late- why put them and yourselves thru the possibility of accidents, just wait.

 

[emmababy]

We were in the same scenario as you around Christmas time, and our trip was the end of March.

We did potty boot camp at home and dd took to it quite quickly. By the time we left for Disney, she was done. Not scared of public bathrooms, never had to get out of line. Only had one accident the whole trip and that was only because her dad wasn't there and she had to go and I had the baby and couldn't take her.

So, it is completely up to you, but I say if the kids are ready to do it now and if they aren't ready then don't do it yet. I found it great to have only 1 in diapers at the parks!

 

[crisi]

We went to Disney in 2007 when our oldest was 3.5. He has autism and was still not using the potty at all. The first day he saw a line at the bathroom, thought it was a ride, and had to go. It became fun for him to wait in line and go to the bathroom. He has never worn a diaper since.

That may be the best 'potty training' story ever......

 

[DonnaO]

Yes, I am the oddball. But here is why. We go to WDW 2x a year and I found that with BOTH of my children, it worked in our favor. Now, I am not saying to start in WDW, but if you are on a roll, keep going! Yes, you may have an accident (we did on Living with the Land and outside Space Mountain), but the incentive for them to "wait" is much easier when they know that they will not be changed immediately. Plus, there is always a potty nearby. I also didnt use pull up (dont believe in them) and used plastic pants and cotton underwear. One or two accidents and your child will be potty trained by the time you get home. Trust me on this. Both of my children were potty trained by 28 months. I DO NOT recommend trying to potty train if you are driving down. It is too hard for them to hold it at first while you are between exits.

Hope that helps.

 

[mwatson011]

Well, I say train them when they are ready, whenever that is...here is my background...

dd 2.5 wanted nothing to do with the potty until dd 16months thought it was fun...

dd 2.5 joined in when her little sis was filled with m&m's and stickers

dd 2.5 was trained within a week, and immediately did not need a diaper overnight. we have had no accidents, and she is almost 4 now. I truly believe it was because she decided she was ready, and her body and bladder were matured enough for her to control them. My mother will swear that I am a horrible mother for not having her potty trained by 12 months. I am serious.

dd 16 months still to this day wears a diaper to bed and naps, and she is almost 2.5 now. Our trip to Disney sealed the deal on her day time potty training, we kept her in pullups and she didn't have an accident all week. After Disney she was all about the panties, and has an occassional accident.

If I had my choice, I would wait until they were 3 if they had no desire to train before that. Once their little minds are made up, and their bodies are matured enough to control their bladder, they will potty train themselves.

As far as the bathrooms go at DW, I took the girls with me, one at a time, and we went before we left the hotel, after meals, after snacks, and if I had to go in between, I made them go, and with that structure, we didn't have a constant need to run to the next potty. Also, the bathrooms at DW are cleaner than any I have ever seen, and there is a family potty that is a secluded room with a toilet and a sink and an actual door, so the noise from the rest of the bathroom is not an issue.

I love the idea of the post it note, I will have to bring these next time, we always get caught with a flush mid-stream!!!