Taking 3 yr old and July heat...

[indymom1]

We are thinking of going to DW July 2005 with our sons...one will have just turned 3 and one will be almost 9. I know all about taking breaks in the afternoon and going slow but how is it really to take a 3 year old into DW?? Did they enjoy the rides?? Were they afraid of the characters?? Was the heat too much for them?? Any tips or advise you can offer taking a child of that age would be great. Maybe I am overthinking everything but I am really starting to worry about the heat especially with my little guy. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Safari Steve]

I just had some friends down with their 3-year-old. Last year he was afraid of the characters and didn't like some of the rides, but this year he couldn't wait to meet the characters and walked right up to them. He also did well on rides and shows as long as Mom or Dad was holding him during the loud/scary parts. He did not like fireworks at all.
That being said, every child is different and just because Alex liked the characters at age 3, that doesn't mean that your child will take to them. Only you know your child. How does your child feel about Santa Claus or similar characters he has encountered at home? How does he deal with fireworks? Movies? Does he walk alot, or does he like to be carried/pushed in a stroller?
Asking how 3-year-olds do with the parks seems a little like asking "Do Italian people like to wear brown socks?" observe your son in similar situations and be prepared.
Good luck.

Edit- make sure you have something water-based that he will drink. If he likes water, stock up on little bottles. If he would rather have juice, take juice boxes or pedia-lyte or whatever... Hydration is #1 key to dealing with the heat.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Keep your son dressed in cotton!!!! It will keep him cooler than those cute souvenir polo shirts.

Also--ask him while there if he is interested in seeing characters. If he agrees to see whomever--go ahead and wait in the line--but then when he is next...let him decide if he would like to go up to the character. IF you have to pull him screaming to see Mickey--it isn't worth the stress.

Start with the easier rides (like Pooh) then progress to those that have some scare factor (Peter Pan, lastly Snow white--if you think he can handle the witch). If he is of the height limit for rides such as Splash and Big Thunder--start him off with Goofy's barnstormer. If he is excited about that ride--then progress to the others. Go at a relaxed pace--if you stress over expecting him to have fun and he doesn't--it will show and cause the situation to cross over into all out anxiety over being there. As the previous poster suggested--how does your child react at Santa's train ride at the mall and those type of things? IF he hates those, the you could be in for trouble--if he loves them, then you are set.

My kids have been going since 11 months and 4 months of age--now at almost 4 years and 19 months ...they are pros. My oldest even asks to go on Snow White and Haunted Mansion even though her head is buried into my side. And we have always done the relaxed approach to characters and let them decide if they would walk up to the character or not. The best place for low stress meeting of characters is the judges tent in Mickey's Starland. It is AC'd for the wait and the meeting, and in the room you can just hang back while every one else greets the characters. If he decides when they are all done that he doesn't want to meet the characters--then you just continue out...but he will be able to see that all the other kids are loving the characters and are out to do know harm.

One last character tidbit--the fear lies in that children do not expect a mouse or a dog, or a chipmunk to be bigger than they are...prepping ahead of time for this would be helpful (in real life, they are mommy and daddy size to be extra cuddly--for example).

Good luck and enjoy the trip!

 

[legalkill]

I remember the first time we took our kids to DW they got fevers during 94 degree weather. They weathered it amazingly well. The stroller is a must, yours or a rental, of course plenty of liquids. Mine were scared of the characters at that time (4 and 2). We appeased them with food and drink and long rests at strategic locations.

We are leaving today for DW. They are now 8, 6, and 3. taking the girl for her first time since she was in he mommy tummy the last time we went.

We had practice with 5 kids playing ball (our two and 3 cousins) for being outside all day in the heat. So just be patient when they are tired take a long lunch and snack breaks. Strategic ride placements helps put a rest back into them. DW works magic on kids for not being tired and endurance.

We are testing a proximity alarm for the 3 year old. She like to wander off. Hopefully we will not have to use it.

 

[Magic2000]

We've been taking our kids since they were a little over a year old; and mine have all done fine in the heat! As the others have said, be sure to allow some down time! Take it slow - and you'll all have a great trip!!!

I would also suggest getting one of the spray misters. My little one loves to sit in the stroller and play with it - and she loves to spray her sisters!!

Enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[YCFAN]

My three year old loves the little "mini" fans you can buy at Wal-Mart. They also have cute ones in the Disney store with characters on them that light up when they're spinning. Of course they cost a little more($9.95 vs. $2.99). Not only do they cool him off but it keeps him occupied when standing in line. At the beginning of the week he didn't approach the characters at all but by the end he was hugging Piglet! One of best times he had was waiting on the curbside for Spectromagic. He made a little friend from China about his same age. Neither one could talk to the other but it really didn't seem to matter. They just had a good time playing together. I have a 16 year old also and one of my most fond memories with him in WDW was sitting on a bench in Epcot watching the ducks. Just go at his pace and you'll find not only will he enjoy the parks better but so will you.

 

[darlene9947]

We were down there last July with my 2 grandsons. One was 18 months and the other was a month shy of 3. The baby was scared of the characters at the beginning of the trip. We ate a late breakfast with Mary Poppins and Tigger and Pooh at the Grand Floridian. He was scared at the start but when he realized that Pooh was there, he finally enjoyed himself with the characters. We have the cutest pix of him & Tigger playing on the floor!

Both little guys absolutely loved the monorail. I think it's their favorite ride. I bought the monorail playset for them to play with at my house!

Go back to your resort during the midday!! DO NOT TRY TO STAY AT THE PARKS DURING THAT TIME! It is much tooo hot. Let them cool off in the pool, and maybe take a nap. Makes the afternoon touring more pleasant.

Give them lots to drink and definately take the little mister fans. They are a lifesaver in the summer.

Enjoy your trip!

Darlene

 

[mansionfan]

My 3 year old DS has a blast! Bring lots of fluids and sunscreen. Do some "indoor" attractions and try to stay cool.

 

[MomCanWeGoYet?]

We went last summer in July with our kids, then 3 and almost 5. The characters were by far the best part for us. My son hated the pooh ride, and that pretty much was the end of rides for him, but he LOVED seeing everything, doing the character meals, riding in the stroller, etc. Drink, drink, drink....we filled their water bottles with gatorade....we went back to the WL each afternoon for a nap. We just tried to remember that we can always go back to Disney, so not to push them and try to everything!!

 

[legalkill]

Just got back with three year old (well 3 in july) she did not get lost or anything so that is a plus. She loved the characters that we saw, cause "Stich kissed me, Stich loves me" I have to say that she is not afraid of anything and she wanted to go on all the rides. Even the boys chickened out on some things though they rode more than i thought (7 and 5); they are scared of the characters though their sister is not.

Ponchos and Sunscreen!!!!

We bought one spray bottle which was a mistake... all were fighting over it and it got left at the room the next day.

The 3 year old loved the shows so that is a must. Especially Tarzan Rocks, Lionking, ariels, and beauty and the beast.. plus a good rest break. The 3d shows were ok also good break opportunity.

 

[Missy1961]

I went to a Disney store on Saturday--the Disney fans were on sale--half price! I bought one for each of us!

 

[suerob]

We have been in May and December with kids. They ranged in ages from 15 months to 6. They December trip was much more enjoyable because we didn't have the heat to deal with. The first time with the kids was in May and they had record highs in the 90's. My dd that was almost three then was miserable about a third of the time. I think we made this mistake of trying to rush and do everything and not always taking afternoon breaks. She was a bit afraid of the characters at first but after watching her big sis with the characters she couldn't get enough of them. The first character she hugged was Minnie Mouse. I think if you just take your time and make sure everyone is well rested and has plenty to drink, and oh the fans, can't forget those, you'll be okay. From my own experience there's nothing worse than a tired , hot, cranky child. We are actually going in August this year and even though we have to deal with the heat, I know we'll be happy to be there.