Tips doing the parks with toddlers

[tessasmom]

We will be spending 3 days at the parks (I know, not enough) in Sep. DD will be 18 months old. I am looking for tips or ideas from parents on how to navigate and make the most of our time. TIA!

 

[buffettgirl]

use the stroller - a lot, even if you say "my child never rides in a stroller at home" bring one anyway. Don't force your child to have pictures with character if your child seems scared. At that age, it's often more about the parent than the child's wishes Take it slow, take it easy and take frequent breaks.

 

[grandmadebby2]

I would suggest getting the free maps they will send you off the wdw website and decide what is the most important activities you want to do. We always start by sections, Fantasyland 1st, then it used to be Toontown for us. By then it was usally time for a nice lunch break, watch an afternoon parade and etc. During the heat of the day we always try to get the kids inside to shows, Mickeys Philharmonic, Country Bears, etc. Take it easy, you won't get to do everything unless the park crowds are very low that day.

 

[JaxJags08]

Afternoon breaks are important for us. We can maybe go the 1st day without one, but we'll be feeling it the rest of the trip. We get there early and come back around 5. Collect FP's in the morning for use later when you return.

Get there at RD to avoid waiting in long lines. My little one wants to wander around, so keeping her in line for more than 20 minutes is a chore. If you do get in a line, have snacks and drinks ready.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We took our son to his first Disney trip as he just turned two, we went as the park opens and went on the popular rides first, we took it slow and let him set the pace and the key thing is Mid-day breaks for him and naps. He didn't have meltdowns b/c of keeping his normal schedule like the times he wakes up, his mealtimes and naptimes. That was our best trip ever was his first time.

 

[disneybliss2]

1. We took our own stroller rather than renting a Disney stroller. The beauty of having our own is that the seat back reclined and it was padded and more comfortable. The added comfort of our own stroller verses the Disney stroller allowed our daughters to take naps on their regular schedules (when they were very little they took two naps--morning and afternoon). They would sleep while I strolled them around. Daddy would take sister on rides while I went through shops strolling around sleeping sister or parked in a shady spot and got rest myself.
2. I also took along a small receiving blanket to curl up beside their head to act as a pillow. Another receiving blanket was brought along for curling up with because my girls were accustomed to sleeping w/ a blanket. I put the receiving blankets in a Ziplock bag (they folded up very tight and thinly so they took up very little space in my backpack). Helped them to sleep better which in turn they were happier when awake.
3. I also put a spare change of clothes and put them in a Ziplock bag and kept them in our backpack. The reason I put everything in Ziplock bags is because we go in June. There's often a rain shower each day in June; the Ziplocks guaranteed things would stay dry.
4. Take along hand sanitizer, extra pacifiers, etc.
5. When my girls first went, I prepared them a little ahead of time by talking about how big Mickey was. I didn't want them to be alarmed by his size (not the little mouse you see on t.v.). They weren't overwhelmed or scared by seeing him then. I wouldn't push your child if at first they seem overwhelmed by the characters. The characters are so patient with the kids and you'll have many opportunities to meet characters if you allow time for it.
6. Plan ahead of time the rides that are must dos, meals, etc. so you don't have lost time while there--with little ones you have to use time wisely before they get cranky.
7.Try some character meals--my daughter at age 14 months loved interacting with the characters at the character meals even more than out in the park (not sure why?)
Have fun and enjoy your trip!!!!!

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Take advantage of rider swap.

We never went back to the resort for naps. The kids napped in the stroller and we browsed Epcot's World Showcase or something like that. You can ride the monorail over from MK without taking them out of the stroller. (You have to take them out for the bus.)

 

[lakoda]

We took our daughter for her 1st trip last September, she was 22 months old. We had a great trip! We followed the UG's recommendations for park days and for our touring plan. It will be HOT in September - we went the very last week hoping it would be a bit cooler. So definitely something to plan for. Our DD was able to nap in her stroller - I was really relieved b/c I hate the idea of going back and forth from park to resort, especially at MK where you waste the most time in transport. Although we will have to do it when she is old enough for the night shows/parades

The best use of your time will be to get there early. And if you aren't interested in creating a touring plan, at least have an idea of the rides and shows that your DD will enjoy. We ate breakfast in the room most mornings to save time, that way we could let her sleep in a little longer.

Which parks on you going to?

 

[lakoda]

I forgot to mention that a few rides have single rider lines - make sure to take advantage of this since there are only two of you. We loved the single rider line for EE, the standy time was 20 minutes but I was on and off the ride in 12 minutes! We both rode while DD was napping. Worked out great!

 

[tessasmom]

Afternoon breaks are important for us. We can maybe go the 1st day without one, but we'll be feeling it the rest of the trip. We get there early and come back around 5. Collect FP's in the morning for use later when you return.

Get there at RD to avoid waiting in long lines. My little one wants to wander around, so keeping her in line for more than 20 minutes is a chore. If you do get in a line, have snacks and drinks ready.

Not to sound dumb, but what is RD? Lol.

 

[tessasmom]

Take advantage of rider swap.

We never went back to the resort for naps. The kids napped in the stroller and we browsed Epcot's World Showcase or something like that. You can ride the monorail over from MK without taking them out of the stroller. (You have to take them out for the bus.)

Again, what is rider swap? Kind of like Wife Swap (a Disney owned show!)

 

[JaxJags08]

Not to sound dumb, but what is RD? Lol.

Not dumb! RD - Rope Drop (park opening). Ideally, you should get there before. Some say 30-45 minutes early, but we've never been more than 15 minutes early and that was still fine.

 

[tessasmom]

We took our daughter for her 1st trip last September, she was 22 months old. We had a great trip! We followed the UG's recommendations for park days and for our touring plan. It will be HOT in September - we went the very last week hoping it would be a bit cooler. So definitely something to plan for. Our DD was able to nap in her stroller - I was really relieved b/c I hate the idea of going back and forth from park to resort, especially at MK where you waste the most time in transport. Although we will have to do it when she is old enough for the night shows/parades

The best use of your time will be to get there early. And if you aren't interested in creating a touring plan, at least have an idea of the rides and shows that your DD will enjoy. We ate breakfast in the room most mornings to save time, that way we could let her sleep in a little longer.





Which parks on you going to?

We are planning MK for sure, maybe World Showcase at Epcot and if we have time I love MGM Studios!

 

[tessasmom]

GREAT ideas!!! Keep em coming!

We were already taking our stroller. Check!
Hoping to stick as close to her regular nap schedule. Check!
Not going to force the character issue, but she's very social. Check!
Always have plenty of snacks, paci's & lovie's. Check!
Working around her entertainment, not ours. Check!

 

[TwoSweets]

We always freeze juice boxes the night before and carry them in a ziplock baggie.

One thing I've found too traveling with our kids ( we travel with 4 little ones ranging from 1 to 4 years old) is that they spend so much time being pushed in the strollers that they need to let off some steam at some point! Take advantage of the play areas that the parks have to offer.

Boneyard at AK, water fountains in Epcot, there is a nice shady path by Dinosaur in AK too with Dino statues. These are just a few that come to mind.


Have fun, seeing Disney through them makes me a kid again!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I don't have a toddler, but I have a DH that has to have his afternoon nap! I say go early, take a cool down afternoon break (nap) at resort, (maybe between 1:00-4:00) then hit the park again after 5 when it is cooler. Maybe even take stroller and hit a few evening EMHs and baby can sleep while you and DH enjoy some romantic strolling time.