Question about letting our daughter (briefly!) watch our son at WDW

[dotgirl]

I'm new to this board - I just found it today, and it's already been a big help to me in planning our trip. We're taking a family trip to Walt Disney World next month with our 11 (almost 12) year old DD and our 15-month old DS.

I don't anticipate needing much time away from DS, but who knows how he'll behave once we're there. Our DD babysits him at home several times a week, but always while we're there - it's more of a "Britt, please go play with Riley in his room while we make dinner" type of thing - she's never watched him alone. She has taken a babysitting course and is very good with him, but I don't think we're going to have her do any signficant babysitting during the trip.

However, I'm wondering if it's reasonable to think that she could easily watch him in his stroller for the 10 or so minutes it would take DH & I to occasionally go on a ride?

Thoughts! Please.

 

[the kabuki]

You could take advantage of the baby swap. When you go to the entrance of the ride, tell them you'd like to do a baby/child swap. Then hubby goes on ride with the older one, while you stay with the baby. Then when they come off the ride,you show your child swap tix to CM and you can go on like with a fastpass to the front of the line with your older one(yes, you can take up to 2 extra people with you). Works out great for the older kids, they get to ride twice, once with each parent.

I have 3 kids , DD11, DS7 and DD3. My oldest does the same as yours ,watching the little one while I'm making dinner. I don't think I would personally leave her to watch the other one while I went on a ride. I would just be too worried the whole time and probably not enjoy it. It only takes a second for something to happen, her attention to be diverted, etc. Just my opinion.

 

[campingcorgi]

One thing to think about, too, is that the line may be muchlonger than 10 minutes. Also think about how you'd feel/she'd do if the ride broke down and you got to sit for an extra half hour or so.

I think I wouldn't feel comfortable, but I'd judge by the crowds and your little one's behavior when you are there.

 

[dotgirl]

The babyswap is a great idea! I hadn't known about that until I read these posts. That'll be perfect for us - thanks!

 

[minkydog]

I would not leave an 11yo in charge of a 15 month old. Too many things can go wrong, none of which would she be prepared to deal with at an amusement park. Either do baby swap or take turns riding and save the big stuff for another time. Or betteryet--leave the 15month old at home and have a really great time!

 

[calena]

Wait and see how busy the rides are. Some of the lines were almost nill when we went last year. My mom and dad went with us and at times would take a break and sit down on a bench. Your daughter could do this and they could have a break. In some rides you could even see them sitting there. Also, if you use fastpass, she would have a better indication of how long you will be. The baby swap is also great. It is a magical place. Enjoy!

 

[lclark0621]

Wait, I am confussed.

Wont your DD want to go on the rides to?

And why wont you be bringing your DS on the rides (as long as there is no height restrictions)?

I don't see any thing wrong with your DD watching at home, in your own house, where she knows where everthing is, where you are, etc.

But I would never leave an 11 year old with a 15 month old in Disney World while I went on a ride. First, you dont know what can happen to the ride. You dont know if your DS will have a major breakdown while you are on the ride, etc.

And wont your DD feel left out that she has to babysit her brother, rather then go on rides?!?!?!

If there is a height restriction do the baby swap. That way your DD gets to ride the ride with Dad & Mom! Twice for the wait time of once. Not a bad deal for her. Plus you each get to ride the ride.

If there is no height restriction all 4 of you can go on the ride together.

 

[dotgirl]

Our DS is 15-months old. He's not able to go on many of the more "jerking" rides.

In addition, our daughter has *requested* that she be allowed to "help out" and "keep an eye on Riley" occasionally.

I do like the idea of the baby swap, and the rest I'm going to play by ear.

 

[lclark0621]

Our DS is 15-months old. He's not able to go on many of the more "jerking" rides.

In addition, our daughter has *requested* that she be allowed to "help out" and "keep an eye on Riley" occasionally.

I do like the idea of the baby swap, and the rest I'm going to play by ear.

Ok... Our DS was 9 months old when he went to Disney the first time. And he will be 21 months old for his next trip.

He went on everything last time, except the rides with heigh restrictions. The only thing that held him & us back were rides that he was obviously to small for (Tower of Terror, Space & Spalsh Mountian, etc) So I am not to sure what you mean by "jerking rides".

Baby swap is the best idea for going on the height restriction rides.

Personally, DH & I dont feel the need or desire to go on rides our DS can't. We went to Disney before he was born & went on everything already. And when he is bigger, we will go on all those rides again.

This trip maybe different, since we have friends going with us. So we can use some combination to all go on all the rides while someone always is with the kids who are not big enough. But most likely while they are riding the "big thrill rides", DH, and I will be with our DS, taking him on something we all can enjoy.

 

[dotgirl]

I guess we just have different ideas about what rides we're comfortable with DS going on.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Mortlives]

If there's anything DD doesn't want to go on, and she wants to help by watching the baby while you 2 ride, I'd strongly suggest walkie-talkies so she can squawk if there's a problem.

<Donning flameproof suit> I don't think there would be a problem with leaving the two of them together if you and hubby want to ride a ride together and she doesn't want to ride. You know how responsible your daughter is, and whether or not she could handle it.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[dotgirl]

We were planning to leave her one of our cellphones (we have two), if we do decide to leave her with him for a ride. (They have a "walkie-talkie" feature, in addition to being useful for regular calls.)

I guess I should have been more clear - she *wants* us to allow her to watch him while we go on a ride. She's been very insistent that it's not fair if we don't ever get to go on a ride together.

Anyway, I've gotten lots of good input, so thanks to everyone.

 

[Tissa]

I'm sure everything will be fine. Have a great trip

 

[tmfranlk]

I guess we just have different ideas about what rides we're comfortable with DS going on.

Thanks for your input!

If you feel strongly about this, then by all means go with your instincts. I am not intending to contradict you, but just want to give some additional information. I just wanted to second the opinon that DS may be good with a lot more rides than you think. Is this your first trip to WDW? If so, you may be thinking of the rides similarly to carnival rides. DD started on Dinseyland rides when she was 5 weeks old and rode them weekly from about 4 months to 20 months (when we moved from So. Cal.). At 15 months, she did everything without a height restriction at WDW. I find Disney rides to be among the smoothest rides out there. The only jerkiness that I can think of off hand is when some of the rides stop to unload and because it is a predictable time, you can easily prepare for it.

That said, I believe that you should do what is best for your family, though I hope that you will at least consider taking DS on a lot of the rides. He is at an age that he will love the scenery and action in a lot of the rides.

 

[G00fyDad]

I have a DD10 and a DS2 and IMHO, as mature as DD is she still is way too young for this. AS the earlier poster stated, too many things could go wrong. Someone could snatch the both of them up before you got off the ride and that would be it. Gives me chills thinking about it.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

It sounds like you have a kind and thoughful daoughter. I however agree that leaving her alone with a baby is not such a good idea. It is rare to go through a line, on the ride and back in less that a half hour. I would look for other safer ways for her to help. Let her entertain the baby while you two stand in a food line in view of them both. Have her "introduce" the baby to the characters. Let her pick the rides she thinks he will enjoy. Remember a baby that age has no preconceived fear about things like HM. Loud noise or darkness might be a factor however.
The baby will be fine with whatever, I would try to focus on her wants and needs. Adjusting from only child to big sister after 10 years would be tough on any kid!!

Good luck!!!

Jordans' mom

 

[nbandfour]

I'd just like to add that if a CM sees the two kids without an adult, you could end up with the little card they hand out. (I think it has Simba on it and saying something like, "Please stay with your cubs.") I know this because my 13 year old and 7 year old were handed it as they rode the transit authority while dh, ds, ds, and I were on space mountain. Not sure what would have happened if my kids had been younger. Maybe some sort of intervention?

NB

 

[dotgirl]

Interesting - I didn't know that. Good to know.

Anyway, my husband and I have been discussing this, and feel that the babyswap will be the perfect answer, so we're going to go ahead and use that for any rides that DS can't go on.

Thanks to everyone for the input.