Toddler Napping at Parks...

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Only one of our daughters ever napped while at WDW. Our little one would just fall asleeping the carriage. We always go with my mom so when she would fall asleep my mom would just bring her into the shad.e At the MK she would nap under the tent near Ariel's Grotto, under the porch at the COuntry Bears or under the Wedway people mover(is it still called that?) in Tomorrowland. At MGM she would take her in the shade near the comissary or near HOney I Shrunk the Kids outdoor play area. In EpCot,she owuld go in the shade wherever we were and the same at AK.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Just so I can prepare my friend. What is the rental cost of the double strollers? Did I see $11 or $18??? Thanks!

 

[MelanieC]

Our kids always fell asleep in the stroller. We learned after the first or second trip to bring our own. It made it easier waiting for buses as well. They are great for using around the resort property. Once they were napping we just took them to some shade or air condition (depending on time of year) and did baby swaps for rides while they slept. This was the best time to get the rides in that they couldn't go on. Space Mountain and Test Track have great areas for baby swaps (although Test Track is a bit loud).

My kids are 8 & 14 now, and it's amazing how much better our vacations are now. They were great back then, but now it's so great not to have to bring strollers, diapers, etc. No naps, no cranky kids etc!

 

[amarberry]

To the OP- instead of renting a stroller (which can become quite expensive if you're going to be at WDW for a few days) you might want to consider bringing your own stroller for your toddler. In addition to the cost factor, your toddler might be more comfortable in his or her own stroller rather than the park stroller. Even if your toddler doesn't use the stroller much at home, you might find it handy to have for outside the parks (walk from the bus stops, Downtown Disney, etc.). It's not uncommon to see 6 or 7 year olds in strollers at WDW. Also, keep in mind that with all the excitement of WDW, your toddler who normally naps might forgo it.

Check out the family board for lots of toddler in WDW suggestions. You'd get a lot of feedback regarding this kind of issue over there.

 

[Pooh Friend]

I read some great places for nap time -- Tomorrowland Transit Authority due to the rocking motion and The American Adventure or Hall of Presidents (A/C and dark lights). Also, in The American Adventure they have a great lobby which you can use for wheeling the stroller around (as long as its not too crowded) and when you walk inside (to your right) there are some nice benches inside an exhibition area which are off the beaten path where you can get a bit of privacy in an air-conditioned area.

 

[MareQ]

The strollers at AK are similar to the ones at MK. Epcot's the same too. MGM looks like those little director's chairs, and on the doubles, the seating is separated, and three kids cannot share that thing comfortably at all.

MGM's double stroller

 

[DisKim]

I bought a cheap $40 stroller about 4 years ago for my son. I got it at Toys R Us. It is really light and folds up small, but it reclines and has a shade. It also has cup holders. We now use the same stroller for our younger son. We call it the Disney stroller. Last year, my son would fall asleep in there and I would usually seek out some air conditioning for him. I would stroll through the stores while he slept. I ended up spending way too much money in the stores. In Epcot, I would stroll through Innoventions with him while he slept. AK was the toughest place for him to nap. It was so HOT there and there was no place that was air conditioned and large enough to stroll through. Their gift shops are all too small to spend a lot of time in.

 

[jgavorni]

......

 

[jgavorni]

Just to warn you, you can not take any strollers into the Land at Epcot. They have people at the front door monitoring for this.

If you have a very small child (mine was a few months old at the time) you can go over to Customer Relations (to the left of Spaceship Earth) and get a sticker that says you use the stroller as a wheelchair. Then they will allow the stroller in the building after getting this. (just a tip!) But when you first try to take the stroller into the building they just say it is not allowed. You have to argue with them to find this out.

 

[MareQ]

Just to warn you, you can not take any strollers into the Land at Epcot. They have people at the front door monitoring for this.

If you have a very small child (mine was a few months old at the time) you can go over to Customer Relations (to the left of Spaceship Earth) and get a sticker that says you use the stroller as a wheelchair. Then they will allow the stroller in the building after getting this. (just a tip!) But when you first try to take the stroller into the building they just say it is not allowed. You have to argue with them to find this out.

Nobody should do this unless they actually do use the stroller in place of a wheelchair. There's no need to abuse any "privledge" Disney extends to those that are handicapped. All others should just deal with the minor inconvenience like everybody else does.

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD was 2-3/4 on her first trip. We brought our own stroller from home. It was very useful at the airport, in the parking lots, etc. We still take the stroller even though she'll be turning 7 on our next trip. She is small though, only 43" and 43#. The stroller is mostly for me, so I don't have to carry everything, and for her, if she gets sleepy or tired. On our first trip she even fell asleep sitting up on the Safari ride. It was our first ride of the a.m. and apparently she didn't have enough sleep. She hasn't napped in her stroller for the past few years, but she did when she was younger. We let her nap in the stroller and then we rode rides (baby switch). When we had 3 adults, sometimes my mom would wait with her in an a/c space, like Tuskers in AK while we went and got Fastpasses, etc.

Here are my tips for taking a toddler:

1. Yes, plan a break in your day-you'll need it.
2. Plan on your child playing in water (if it's hot) sometime during the day in a park. I bring her swimsuit and water shoes. I also bring a beach towel to double as towel and as a cover/padding for stroller. Also handy to sit on while waiting for something, ie. parade, fireworks. In Dec. 2003, we huddled under 2 towels while waiting for Illuminations-it was soo cooollllllldddddd!
3. Bring snacks. My DD loves dry cereal. Either bring them in a ziploc or individual boxes.
4. If it's hot, bring (they're cheaper at home) or buy a mister fan. Kid's love them and so do most adults.
5. When it's hot, I also bring a ziploc with wet washclothes in them. Very cooling on the back of the neck!
6. Be ready for a melt-down. Maybe have a small little souvenir ready to give if she has one. My DD hasn't really experienced a melt down, but I've seen plenty of them.
7. If you DD is potty training (as mine was on first trip) be aware of the automatic toilets. My DD wouldn't use them, at all. There are very few non-automatics throughout the world. However, the baby centers in the parks all have lowered, non-automatic toilets. And the attendants are ver friendly too! Also, just so you know, my DD is still leary of automatic toilets-I have to block the "eye" for her, even now.
8. Don't push your kid. Remember it's a vacation and even if you don't do everything you wanted to do on a day, you'll still be building magical memories that'll last (you) for a lifetime. I say you, because your little one, most likely, will not remember this trip at all. My DD doesn't remember her first one, and only remembers a few things from her second when she was 4.25 yrs.
9. Again, if it's hot remember to use plenty of sunblock and re-apply and have her drink plenty of liquids.

Have a great time!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Nobody should do this unless they actually do use the stroller in place of a wheelchair. There's no need to abuse any "privledge" Disney extends to those that are handicapped. All others should just deal with the minor inconvenience like everybody else does.

Yeah, what you said. I couldn't imagine lying about my child having a disability when they don't.

 

[SnwflkCts]

DisneyDaz - thanks for the concise list of tips. I know the family boards probably have lots of tips too ... but I am "kidded" out -- just teasing! I don't have any children and just wanted to pass on a few tips to a VERY EXPERIENCED mom! She has 6 all together (hers is a yours, mine & ours kind of deal!).

But if she wants to rent a stroller, does anyone know the going rental price of a double?

 

[sticker231]

our kids all fell asleep in the strollers. They all just passed out at one time or the other and we just walked around until they woke up.

 

[jgavorni]

Agreed! My husband has had 3 back surgeries. So that is why we need it. Otherwise he would have to take his walker into the parks.

 

[kaybird]

Universe of energy is a great nap place. Cool, dark, think every single one of the boys slept through this great long ride until they were 10.

 

[Crazy4Disney43611]

For those that have brought their own stroller, how did you get it to the World? Did you check it with your other luggage? Did they let you bring it on the plane like a carry on? I'm trying to decide on how to get a stroller there as the rental strollers don't look very accomodating for napping purposes. Thanks, Sean

 

[gigi1313]

i've only had experience w/delta and swa as far as flying w/stroller kids, but the way it worked with them was that i "gate checked" my stroller which means you can stroll your child all the way to the door of the plane and then take the child out (very important part! LOL! ) and give the stroller to the flight attendant and they will stow it and return it to you as you disembark at your destination...

 

[shelleyz]

But if she wants to rent a stroller, does anyone know the going rental price of a double?

$18 a day or $16 a day if you rent it for length of stay.