Tips for bringing young son??

[DisneyKT]

Hi all, I haven't posted in along while. My family is going to disney at the end of April first week of May. DD8 and DS just under 2. Any advice I must say I'm nervous to bring my son. He is not as easy going as my DD was..

Thanks All

 

[kiddisney]

i think the first thing you have to do is discuss w/the older child that there will be a baby on the trip - we did that w/my older two when we had the baby - and we told them that they should pick the really special things they wanted to do - and we would do them - but w/that in mind we also told them that the baby needed his time and they should accommodate him also - which meant it's a small world - the carosel - and naps (though we did stay in the park for naps) - once this is taken care of i would suggest then going w/the flow - and take in the little things that both kids are enjoying -

 

[DisneyKT]

Thanks Im hoping that he will take a nap in the park to.. I told my DD that were going to have to take it easy this trip. We usually go morning to night.
I know thats not going to happen with son..But boy am I looking forward to this trip and getting out of Massachusetts weather.

 

[DVCRob]

I think mid day naps at the hotel are the key to touring with young kids. I've been with a 10 month old, and 2 year old. Take it easy and have realistic expectations. The time ofyear you are going should help make your trip a little easier. The crowds should be light.

 

[newtodis]

We just took our boys (3 and 15 months) and really didn't have too much of a problem with either of the boys. It was our first trip so we were kind of in our own world anyways and a bit slower than the rest of the park. We made sure that we did the photopass photos in the morning or after naps when the boys were more perky and got much better smiles. I also made sure that I packed lots of drinks/snacks to have on hand. Our youngest is more of a snacker instead of meal eater like our oldest. Our boys do a very good job of working together and we just let each of them "pick" what we would do next; based on looking at a map (with the older) and picking up the younger so he could point or picking up on his body language so he got to see things too. We tried to get him out of the stroller too sometimes instead of having to just ride all the time. For the Wishes fireworks, we rented a seperate stroller for the oldest so they both could have lots of space to spread out instead of in the one double stroller.

Hope that helps a little bit...if you have anything specific, please PM me or post it

 

[TDISFAMILY]

I was nervous to bring my son for the 1st time last year he was 2 1/2. He is normally a very scary child, don't like to go down slides, or swings, scared of local costume characters, and scared of different walking surfaces(ex :wooden boardwalk at the beach refused to walk on it). However he does LOVE watching Mickey Mouse club hose on tv all the time so I was keeping my fingers crossed. Well he totally SHOCKED me went on every ride he could with NO problems even some of the scarier ones for most toddlers like Pirates of Caribean and Norway boat ride. I only booked 1 character meal b/c I assumed he would be scared Well I had to hold him back from running into Chef Mickey's after Goofy before we were seated. I know all children are different, just wanted to tell you my experience maybe it will give you some hope. Keep your fingers crossed don't expect to much and maybe you will be surprised too. Good Luck

 

[dsnymomx2]

I have a 2 year old son and an older daughter (5) and I think I know how you feel. They are totally different! my daughter to is very laid back but not my son. My advice would to be to make sure you have plenty of his favorite snacks on hand and a few treats at all times. My son hasn't napped in a long time but we did try to take afternoon breaks at the hotel, a break can also be had in the playgrounds at MK (Pooh's spot & toontown) Epcot (honey I shrunk the kids movie set) and AK ( in dinoland) these are great places for them to blow off some steam and run around. I also bought one of those child harnesses, I know some people are against them but it was wonderful. When my son wanted to walk around, he could without me or dh having to run after him or, yikes, lose him. It made him feel like a big boy and he got extra attention form cm's and characters ("did you know there's a monkey on your back?") Also beware, that two year olds don't get the idea that you have to get off a ride once its over, my son loved A LOT of rides but was often crying after because we had to get off! a few cm's let him stay on if it was slow otherwise we got right back on the ride if the line wasn't long. Sorry to ramble hope it was helpful.

 

[DisneyKT]

Thanks to all who answered my post. I like to get opinions from people who have been there and done that. I was thinking about the harness and I have to say Im going to get one for my son so I don't have to worry every second he is on the ground. I don't think I will make any dinner reservations this time though.

Thanks KT