Tips for keeping a 16 mos old happy at WDW?

[bellarella]

Ok, we might be totally insane, but we have planned a trip in January and our youngest will be turning 16 mos old. Our older two are 6 and 4, so there should be no problems there. My parents are coming too, so we will have a 4:3 adult to kid ratio. But I'm still wondering how to best work this so everyone is happy. I know we will probably leave for him to nap at least once a day. I'm planning on bringing a stroller that reclines (any suggestions for an inexpensive one? I have a Graco Metrolite, but it's pretty big). I'm also bringing a Beco (which is along the same lines as a Bjorn, but way more comfy and accommodates older children) and a sling. I'm figuring we'll push him around in the stroller and then in lines we will put him in a carrier. But he is a man on the move, so I need to be sure to give him some walking time too. How do you recommend I swing that one? He's my late walker (started at 11/12 mos) so at 13 mos he's definitely still a "toddler" in the true, drunken sailor sense of the word. I'm guessing in 3 mos he'll be pretty steady on his feet, but still with the crowds.....

So what tips and tricks do you all have for toddlers and WDW? We have scheduled all of our TS meals to be character buffets so that should help on the eating front. I just don't want this to turn into the trip we regret!

Also, are you able to have people "hold" a spot in line for you and duck in at the last minute with a squirmy kid? For example, if my parents stood in line and then when they got towards the front I swapped out for them with my DS? My big concern is how to handle the lines without meltdowns.

 

[LaraK]

To give "running time" check out the playgrounds scattered around the parks. In MK there are playgrounds in Fantasy Land (my kids fav) Toon Town (two, one wet and one dry) and Adventure Land (a perfect place to wait while the "big people" ride Splash or BTMR.

We took DS at 9 mos and 15 mos. He was fine. A little afraid of dark/loud rides, but usually ok when we got going (Ellen's Energy Adventure was the only exception). He also did fine in lines. Try taking some bubbles and some finger food in baggies to kill time.

Make sure you save time for "down time". The parks are overstimulating and you will need a little time away every day.

 

[KristiKelly]

I don't think the lines would be too bad in January (unless you go during MLK week). We went in Sept with our 3 kids, youngest DD 14-1/2 mo and had just started walking. We had no trouble keeping her happy. She loved everything and there was always something to distract her from getting too upset.

My biggest suggestion would be to make ADR's. Try to plan all meals the same time all 3 kids are used to eating. I know with my kids, when they get really hungry, there is no reasoning with them. We took my Mom & brother with us and this was probably the hardest for them. They are used to eating late and we were usually eating by 6:00.

As far as going back to the room for naps, that didn't happen all that much for us, she was at the age that she would sleep just as well in her stroller.

She loved all the rides especially Small World. Have a great trip!!!!!!

 

[Nanu57v]

First of all--I'm jealous you have a BECO. I waited too long and had to settle for an ERGO.

Second, DD was 18 months when we took her to WDW. She definitely loved the playgrounds because she had time to move. She also enjoyed the Pop Jets at Pop Century because she could also run a lot and not get hurt when she fell.

She did not like the buses. I ended up singing many a tune to keep her happy. I bought a couple inexpensive toys just for the trip for the buses, airport, lines, etc.

Although DD rode around in her stroller, she also liked walking and holding our hand. If she didn't hold on though, she went into the stroller. We just took a Jeep Umbrella Stroller with a hood this time (pink of course!). I got it because it had a sunshade and it reclined, though not like the Graco Quattro Tour we have. It basically does two positions:up and down. The sunshade also didn't do much, but in January I'm sure it'll be just fine. It was only about $40 or $50 I think. Its cheapest in black, and I think it also comes in blue.

Sadly, we hardly ever used the ERGO. I think she rode in it twice...it just took up too much room in her backpack. (We used a backpack as a diaper bag).

I would definitely plan to hop back to the resort in the afternoon for some downtime. Even if he naps in the stroller, it'll be some time to run around and be free. We noticed our days went best when we woke up early (DD is NOT a late sleeper) and hit the parks at opening, returned to the hotel after lunch and went back out for dinner and the rest of the evening.

 

[Nanu57v]

I missed the swapping question. People aren't usually receptive to adults getting into line. I know you'd just be swapping, but the people you cut in front won't know that. What we did with DD is: DH would wait in line along, then I would hand DD over the fence to him at the last minute.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

You've already gotten some good tips here, so I won't repeat too much I hope. I like to keep some toys attached to the stroller with links of some sort, so they can't be lost too easily...nothing expensive of course, and I will sometimes clip them to my sling rings for waiting in longer lines. Small ziplock baggies of snacks are a must, they help with the wait too. At the risk of getting flamed...have you considered a harness? Target has a really cute one that looks like a backpack...animal choices are dog, bear or monkey, and it looks like the critter is hanging on the toddlers back, and the tail is a leash. My 18 mo DD just used hers for the first time, and liked the freedom, but couldn't get away from me!

My favorite Disney stroller is a Maclaren, we have the Quest model. It's a high quality umbrella style, reclines enough for a nap, only weighs 12 lbs and has a carrying handle. I've got a monster Graco, but I can't deal with it and the baby by myself, especially on Disney Transport. If given the choice, DD always chooses the Mac, so it must be comfy for her.

 

[disneylandkitty]

leashes are for dogs not children

 

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by disneylandkitty:

leashes are for dogs not children

An unnecessary remark, to say the least. But since you started it, the use of a leash is really none of your business. You might try convincing a parent of an over-active toddler who wandered off that 'leashes are for dogs not for children". It only takes a second, and all the armchair quarterbacking is wrong.

If you choose not to use one, fine. If you choose to use one, even better. You know what is best for your circumstance. I personally never had to use one, but I did consider it, and I was prepared to respond to smart-aleck-comments-from-know-it-alls with "better a least now than seeing my child on a milk carton. Mind your own business."

 

[KristiKelly]

leashes are for dogs not children

The OP was asking for tips not a debate.

 

[bellarella]

leashes are for dogs not children

If only people would treat their children as well as their dogs

Let's see, pros of "leashes":
1. Allows a child a sense of freedom they don't have being harnessed in a stroller.
2. Keeps them safe by not allowing them to run off unexpectedly.

Cons:
1. What other people think of them.

This my third kid. I'm long past caring what "others" think of what I'm doing. That was a first time parent, rookie move. Now I figure out what works for my children in my family. Just because it works for me doesn't mean it needs to work for you, but there are as many parenting philosophies as their are parents. Goodness knows I get as many weird looks for "babywearing" as others do for using "leashes." And we all hear the complaints about stroller use and those parents who let their kids walk unrestrained. I've long ago given up trying to validate my choices through the approval of others and am a much happier parent because of it.

Anyway, thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm going to keep my eyes out for a Mac stroller, I have heard good things about them. And I had considered the "leash." I did try that with my first DD when she was about this age (it was a "fanny pack" that she wore and had a tether you could attach to it). What I found was that she just liked walking around objects in a circle and tangling herself up in it and it was more of a pain than anything. LOL.

I also love the bubbles idea. Gymboree sells some that blow very tiny and last a long time, so I might get some of those, to go with the never ending supply of snacks. I'm hoping the beco or sling will keep him pretty happy, since he is used to snuggling in them. But he also has a thing about wanting to be kept moving, so that will be a challenge.

 

[bellarella]

First of all--I'm jealous you have a BECO. I waited too long and had to settle for an ERGO.

Sadly, we hardly ever used the ERGO. I think she rode in it twice...it just took up too much room in her backpack. (We used a backpack as a diaper bag).

I'm hoping I love the Beco. I had an Ergo I returned because it was too bulky. I hear you can wear the beco around your waist and just roll it down when your child isn't in it, which would be perfect. DS is great in his Mei Tais, but I don't want to have to deal with long, dangling straps at Disney. I also have a sling I can use in a pinch, but that will kill my shoulder after awhile.