Preschoolers and line-ups?

[snickerboo]

My little guy just turned 3 last week, we'll be in Disney in just over 2 weeks. Something I'm concerned about is delaing with him in line-ups. I'll take some snacks and toys in the backpack but that won't sustain him in a really long wait. He'll love the Pooh playround and the fountains at Ariel's Grotto but I'm concerned about the long lines at other popular little kid attractions. If we do parent swap, can one of us take one child adn the other parent the other, or can only the parents swap? What have you done to make this part of the parks better for your little ones???

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We took DD while she was 3. I think good planning is essential with little ones.

We arrived at MK when it opened. We started at Fantasyland and made use of Fastpass. We hardly waited in any lines.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm nervous about this too.

 

[Jesussavedme]

Yes, fast passes are a good choice.
Also, what we do is my DH will do the waiting in line and I take our 2 year old to walk around nearby. Once Dh is closer to the front of the line, we will jump in line near a railing (where we can climb over with our 2 year old). It's easier than staying in line for the 30+ minutes while he swings and rocks the dividers or tries to put his mouth on the chain or has a complete melt down from waiting!!!

Good luck!

 

[HopperFan]

Arrive early, go straight to Fantasyland, and use the extra hours - especially in the am. We found that we could do all of Fantasyland before the park officially opens on those days.

Utilize FastPass, child swap is for when a child is too small for the ride but both parents want to experience so that doesn't help, some rides que outside (Peter Pan, Snow White, Pooh) so it could work for one parent to wait in line while other is with child, but many you just have to get in the line.

Fast Pass is truly your best bet. Try to time getting a pass, then go see characters....get a pass, then go to play areas....get a pass, then eat a meal. Really can make the time pass quickly for the child to have that as a plan.

 

[lorrainesy]

I usually don't have much trouble in the lines. A lot of the rides(pooh, buzz, hunted mansion) have so much going on in the lines that it keeps my nephew distracted. When he does start to complain about waiting or he is tired of standing i distract him with a fruit snack.....another thing that helps is we let him take pictures in line. We use a Digital so any pictures that don't come out great we just delete and he can take more.....actually a lot of his come out pretty good. This year we bought him his own digital so I'm sure the lines wont be a problem, he'll keep busy testing out his new toy

 

[OurMsBrooks]

Just a tip: if you don't get on Dumbo first thing in the morning, pretend it doesn't exist! The line never looks that long, but that ride takes so long to load and unload that you feel like you're standing there forever.

I am a night owl, except at WDW. We have three kids, and it does take some serious engineering (and coffee), but we try to be among the first people through the gates. You can do so much in the morning that it's worth the extra effort to be there early (and for me, it's a huge effort!). This way you cut down on the problem of little kids waiting in line by being there when there are no lines.

I'm with the previous posters: if you're there when lines are long, fastpass is your best friend.

We also find ourselves playing 20-questions and I-spy from time to time. This can be a little dull for the grownups, but the kids do get a big kick out of it.

 

[malnikki]

Pooh's Playful Spot will be very popular with the little one. DD loved this part of MK. We had to drag her out a couple of times

Oh, Fast Pass is great- whoever came up with that concept just rocks



Next WDW vacation November 2006 with the family oh and the in-laws are coming too (separate rooms)

 

[chr1972]

We took DD while she was 3. I think good planning is essential with little ones.

We arrived at MK when it opened. We started at Fantasyland and made use of Fastpass. We hardly waited in any lines.

What time of year did you go?