Small children tips

[ashleymrush]

Hi all! Some of you may have been keeping up with my "Oh the guilt!" thread about whether or not my youngest should be brought on our trip with us in June when we take our oldest for his 5th birthday. I'm 99% sure that my DH and I have decided to take DS (almost 2) with us when we go. The input for everyone really helped us a lot. With all of that said I am now in need of a lot of help. I know that we are all going to have a great time and the fact that I'm so familiar with WDW is really going to help but I've never done this with any kids before and want all the help I can get. I thought it might be nice to start a thread listing any tips you might have for myself and others in my same situation.

I want any tips that you may have - dealing with heat, strollers (double sit-n-stand or single umbrella?), keeping them entertained and patient in lines, introducing them to characters, etc. Anything you've got I want it. Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to all the great helpful tips that I know all you DISers are great at!

 

[guinness408]

I would love to hear some tips as well!!

 

[megrod74]

I have 3 kids and we used to live 3 hrs from WDW so I have some experience with this
I prefer a side by side double stroller because its pretty hard to keep track of one, let alone 2. The stroller will take some getting used to. You have to park it in certain areas and then retrieve it later. you will be limited with how fast you can walk with it and how you maneuver through the crowds.
Everything with kids is slow, as you already know. the same goes in WDW. I think the parents' approach to everything (crowds, lines, excitement levels) will influence the kids. You will not see as much with the kids in tow, but you will see things through their eyes which is priceless. Going slow in Disney can be a fun thing.
I personally like going to a park at rope drop and if it's hot, going back to the hotel for a break. I mean like a 4 hour break where you get back to the hotel and swim, nap, eat, shower. then you can feel refreshed for the evening activities.
you might need a break day in the middle of your vacation. My kids have a meltdown if we don't, especially the younger ones.
Have water bottles/sports bottles for each of them and make sure they are drinking from them. pack little snacks too so you don't have to rely on the QS places only.
pack a change of clothes for each in the backpack so you can use the sprinklers in the parks.
get a rain cover for the stroller.
I avoid long lines with my kids. anything longer than 30 minutes is out. No ride will feel worth it.
If I can think of other tips I will post again!
YOu will have a great time!

 

[Ali3jr]

Following!!

 

[Oregoncp]

Great tips

 

[ilovepooh]

Dollar store rain coats were easy to put in my bag and throw over the stroller as quick showers can happen at any time in the summer.
- Also purchase the fan misters before you go because they are refreshing in the heat and cheaper than the ones you'll see for sale there.
- I put ice packs between a white towel and the stroller to keep ds cool while riding in the stroller. I cut the towel to fit around the straps so it didn't fall off. It worked well
-take a midday break/nap! It will make a world of difference at dinner time. At dinner I can usually spot the kids who didn't get a nap or afternoon break from touring the parks. Cranky!
-don't expect to go commando through the park. Slower pace is best for little ones

 

[kiramay]

Use the baby swap any and every time you can. The older ones get to do everything double!

Use a stroller. Have a bag underneath that is easy to get out for buses and bag checks. If there's any chance of rain, we put a cheap poncho over the stroller when we park it. Easy to find too.

Lots of snacks and drinks. Extra clothes and diapers/pull-ups.

Expect meltdowns and prepare for them. Have the older one/s go with dad while you and the little go somewhere quieter for a break and snack. Mine was 32 months or so and we loved the People Mover at MK, the garden nooks at Epcot, and the playground at AK.

Try to plan the day around home schedules; ie meal times, snacks, breaks, bedtime, etc. We went to bed around 8 every night to hit RD every morning.

Plan and then go with the flow.

 

[LaurenPlock]

I would love to hear any tips as well.

On the topic of stroller weather shields, I bought this one the other day: http://amzn.com/B001CUPT76 So far I'm impressed! It has ventilation nets on the sides so the kiddo won't get all steamy on humid Florida days. Just to clarify, I don't own that listing, I gain nothing from anyone purchasing from Amazon. Just passing the info along!

 

[4xmom]

We always made sure to take a child safety leash. I know that some people don't like them, but when we at WDW with 4 kids under the age of 5, having the youngest on the leash helped a lot. She never wanted to stay in the stroller if the older kids were out of it. And she is also the child that taught us what "Code Adam" in Walmart meant!

We always took breaks in the middle of the day (still do even though they are older).

Take a change of clothes (including shoes and undies) in the diaper bag. Nothing worse than a child crying because of a drink spill and having to fork over mega bucks to change them (we paid $10 for a pair of panties after an accident on a trip).

Pack some snacks. A lot of the food can be too rich for little tummies if they aren't use to eating out a lot. We have several problems with this. I also always pack tummy aids now.

 

[tms295psu]

You know your child best is the best advice I can offer. Expect to tour at kid pace. Disney does a great job entertaining in lines etc.

Our kids nap in strollers and would freak if we attempted to leave mid-day for a break.

Definitely take a stroller cover for rain. And snacks!

My kids have gone at dd age 2 alone, dd 4.5 and ds 1.5, and we will return next month at dd 5 ds 3.

 

[megrod74]

tms295psu is right about knowing how your kids handle things. Mine are terrible stroller nappers! So we have to leave to get rid of the overstimulation.

As far as shoes, I like something closed toe that can get wet and dry fast - stride rite has them, keens, lands end. then you don't have to worry about wet socks and shoes.

How do you feel about baby carriers? you will not be able to bring the stroller a lot of places. the only bad thing is they can make you hot. im just guessing that your almost 2 year old will want to be carried quite a bit.

Another safety thing to consider is Velcro bracelets or temporary tattoos with your cell phone # on it.

 

[epsmith921]

Rope drop and afternoon breaks were our sanity savers. We also decided to just go with the kid's flow. We went in September so getting out of the afternoon heat was a total necessity.

I tried to bring as little as possible with us to the parks, so I packed my lightweight diaper bag and then a small crossbody with my wallet and essentials. That way I could separate from the bigger bag easily and leave it in the stroller or with my husband.

Snacks were a big deal. I also would bring a sippy with milk and then an empty one for water/fresh milk later. Making those cut up pre-soaped sponges was awesome for doing dishes in the room so we had clean cups for all of us. I bought a big bag of mickey pretzels our first night and just put them in ziploc baggies throughout the trip. Kiddo still asks for them!

We also tried to keep on the regular schedule as much as we could, so no late nights and fireworks for our DD. I stayed out one night for wishes by myself and my husband met one of his friends and did evening EMH at Epcot.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Tonyslady]

Look into renting a stroller. My favorite place to rent from is kingdom strollers. The will drop off and pick up at your resort. You can also get a fan that attaches to the stroller to help little ones say cool.

 

[Canooknic]

Lots of snacks, enjoy the trip at the kid's pace and take Ziplock bags - we have used so many so far on this trip (keeping souvenirs safe/splitting snacks/wet socks and unfortunately today - vomit catching!!)

Have a great trip!!

 

[Chrispygal]

I am taking my 19 month old daughter next week, so I'll report back!

 

[ashleymrush]

I am taking my 19 month old daughter next week, so I'll report back!

Looking forward to it. Have fun!

 

[Manders77]

You know your kids and we all know all kids are different. I agree with taking midday breaks back at the room , but that's not for everyone. In 2012 when we took DD and DS ( DS was 1 1/2) but he did not stroller nap, so we had to go back and we all napped, it was refreshing. Or the lil one can nap and the older one can enjoy pool time. Our kids loved the nighttime parade/fireworks and with the afternoon nap, they were refreshed enough to stay up till 10 or so. We did not do RD most mornings unless we had an early morning ADR. I let the kids sleep but they were usually up between 7-8 each morning so we got breakfast and headed to park. But I agree with picking what you want to accomplish and don't rush rush rush, take your time and enjoy the little things, especially if the kids throw you off your regular plans, you never know what memories will be made.

 

[neptuneflame]

I followed your other thread, so let me first say that I am SO EXCITED you are bringing your 2 yo. You won't regret it. We took DD at 9 months, 16 months, then at 2.5 years with her 4 month old baby brother rotfl. We are going again in 4 weeks when the kids will be 3.5 and 18 months! Honestly I'm dreading some things about this trip... DD is a lot more opinionated and less fearless now. I'm looking forward to the freedom that FP+ might bring (we are not RDers), but I am a little down that we might not get to reride things I know the kids will want to do!

So here are my tips:
- BABY CARE CENTERS
Not only will you have a soft, clean space to change your LO and stock up on supplies, but these spots provide a nice break in the hectic noise machine that can be the theme park experience. I've seen many an adult napping in AK's while their LOs chilled out in front of a Disney movie. Also, there are nice quiet bathrooms where a shy bladder might feel more at ease.
- We are also stay-in-the-park, nap-in-the-stroller folks. This required constant movement of the vehicle, but it gave us a nice break in a/c shops. We often skip shopping in the parks because we are usually so commando, so it was nice to see things we often pass! My favorite nap-walks are through World Showcase, and the walk between DHS and Epcot.
- Leave before closing. Standing in line at the end of the day with two tired kids might take the last sliver of energy you thought you had left.
- Playgrounds!!! Our DD will do anything for a playground. Luckily, WDW has several. Sometimes she was fine just running on grass.
- Routine. Create a routine within the structure of your experience and project total confidence in it (easier said than done ) By that, I mean, decide who meals will normally go and keep to your home routines as close as you can (for us it's hand washing, for you it might be prayer or seating arrangements or chores like getting utensils), it can be anything small that recreates a feeling of safety. Then pace yourself and keep your kids aware of what's coming next (after breakfast, we're going to get on a bus, then the park...etc). Every night do your usual bedtime routine--bath, books, etc.
- Fears. I read this somewhere on the disboards. It helps if you don't say "ride" because that can be intimidating. Say something that connects with the familiar like "Let's go on a boat!" Also, don't watch YouTube videos hoping it will demystify the attractions. Those videos are always too dark with disembodied audio tracks and can make any ride seem frightening.
- Prepare to HAVE A BLAST!!!!! There is nothing like WDW from your children's eyes. Sometimes the smallest things will make the best memories!

Oh, and don't forget to reward yourself with a nice adult beverage while you push that stroller around Epcot

 

[ashleymrush]

Thanks everyone for the tips! Keep 'em coming if you can. I'm sure there are plenty more!

 

[Spunky946]

Don't be afraid to listen to your kids. If they need a break, take a break. If they need to nap/swim let them.