Squirmy 2 year old! Help!

[chessie2008]

I really want to book our vacation but last year we were able to leave our (then 1 year old) youngest son home with grandma. This year that isn't an option. I don't know if we should wait a year or just go and hope the whole vacation isn't a fight with him. I really, really don't know how he would stand in lines, if he would watch the shows, etc. Anyone else go with a toddler that you just thought would be a nightmare and it end up being okay? I need some encouragement! As far as the shows go - can you get up and walk out of them if your child can't sit still? Thanks!

 

[Nanu57v]

We took DD at two 2 times. She was fine in everything. Of course I don't know your child, but he may act different at Disney. DD was just mesmorized with everything. If she got fussy we had some toys (like notepad and pen) for her to play with. Lines were no problem. I mean, we didn't get in any line longer than 20 minutes because we could just fastpass those rides.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Personally, I thought that the flight would be the worst. However, DD ended up being so well-behaved on the plane. If you are flying, buy some new (yet small and cheap) toys for the plane. We also started flying JetBlue to get the TVs...huge help on the plane!

As far as standing in line, if you are flexible with dates...may I suggest going in September. The crowds are REALLY low and you can basically walk onto most rides with little or no wait. We stick with going to Sept because I can't stand waiting in lines myself...so I can't really expect DD to wait patiently when I'm being antsy.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I understand. We are trying to prepare ourselves with DD(will be 2). When we took DS (then 3) we expected the worst because he was/is a difficult child, but he was so taken back by everything that we didn't have any troubles. I think our strategy for wait times will be lots of snacks. Maybe fruit snacks, crackers, granola bars, ect. We found with DD when she was 6mo that all shows have an exit door and I would try my hardest to get a seat at the end of a row so I wouldn't have to climb over anyone if I had to use it. I only had to leave early twice, Honey I Shrunk and Nemo musical.

 

[Disney Brat]

Dd was the type to never want to sit in a stroller or car seat, she was very strong willed, and with way too much energy; and I too worried about DW and the flight with her. But it did turn out great! The flight was amazing, she acted like such a 'big girl'. She waited in line like she had all the patience in the world. We let her blow off steam at Donalds Boat, and places like that, but overall it was a really great time. For the lines that were really long for the characters, DH waited in the line with a walkie-talkie, and I went and played and investigated the park with DD, he paged us when it was almost our turn. That worked out wonderfully!! I am still so greatful that he did that!! He even ended up with a job offer after the Princesses line....lol I agree with pp to bring some cheaper toys, we did that and she loved it, and played with them once we were there too....

 

[bjgrazi]

Our 21 m/o does not sit still, and hates being in the stroller. He was awesome, he was so thrilled at looking at everything. We'd let him walk a bit, then put him in the stroller. After the third day, he didn't want to walk anymore. He was fine with being in the stroller. On lines he actually was good and we'd play small games with him and point things out. He loved the rides.

 

[toesmom]

I really want to book our vacation but last year we were able to leave our (then 1 year old) youngest son home with grandma. This year that isn't an option. I don't know if we should wait a year or just go and hope the whole vacation isn't a fight with him. I really, really don't know how he would stand in lines, if he would watch the shows, etc. Anyone else go with a toddler that you just thought would be a nightmare and it end up being okay? I need some encouragement! As far as the shows go - can you get up and walk out of them if your child can't sit still? Thanks!

I would take the little guy and try it out. I wouldn't go when it's really hot because that is tough on parents and kids. As for lines and parks, I always used a toddler baby carrier. Lucky for you in the States you can find deals on ebay (my favorites include Ergo and Babytrekker- this one is excellent). That way the 2 year old is on your back or on your front and enjoying the surroundings safely with mom's voice closeby. You would be amazed the difference it can make.

Not only that, but I found the carrier very very helpful in the airport or wandering around DTD. Toddlers don't always nicely sit in strollers (neither of mine ever did - thus the use of the baby carriers). I would invest in a good carrier and enjoy the parks.

Try to encourage the little one to nap if at all possible, makes the day pass easier. And when the kids are so small (some will disagree with this advice...), you don't always have to go to the parks. A 2 year old boy enjoys rocks beside a concrete sidewalk. Go figure. You don't need much to entertain a 2 year old. And some little guys are petrified of characters.

I would go and really consider a baby carrier. I sometimes would forget that he was on my back and just enjoyed the day. When toddlers are walking freely through the busy crowds or you are fighting to keep them in stroller, I think the carrier is a great option. I suggest the ergo or baby trekker only because the weight is so well distributed that you do not feel back pain, and that really makes a real difference depending on toddler's weight.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I thought about one of these b/c it worked out great to have DD in the front carrier as an infant but I guess the questions I have are: were the baby carriers a pain to have to take off and take baby out of all the time when it was time to get on a ride? Also, where do you put them during the ride?

 

[DevilDuckie]

I thought about one of these b/c it worked out great to have DD in the front carrier as an infant but I guess the questions I have are: were the baby carriers a pain to have to take off and take baby out of all the time when it was time to get on a ride? Also, where do you put them during the ride?

If you wear a sling or a soft front carrier you don't have to take it off, you just have to remove the baby.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

If you wear a sling or a soft front carrier you don't have to take it off, you just have to remove the baby.

When DD was 6mo I carried her in a soft front carrier. I didn't take her out during the rides, I just lifted her up over the safety bar while it was closing. But now she will be 2y.o and weighs close to 30lbs, my back would never forgive me if I tried to carry her in the front carrier again

 

[Nanu57v]

I thought about one of these b/c it worked out great to have DD in the front carrier as an infant but I guess the questions I have are: were the baby carriers a pain to have to take off and take baby out of all the time when it was time to get on a ride? Also, where do you put them during the ride?

I got an ERGO for our trip when DD was 1.5, but we hardly used it. It was like as soon as we got her in it, it'd be time to get her out. I used it as a back carry (its all three), so I'd just wear it as a backpack on the rides, or tuck it in our real backpack. But it was too bulky (even though its a soft carrier) to justify brining it for such little use. We didn't even pack it this past fall.