toddler on rides

[whys_of_ma]

Hi everyone! I have read so much good information here, but there is still something I can't get my mind around...

I will be bringing my 3.5 year old and my 13 month old son in January. I know that I can bring my 13 month old on any ride without height restrictions. BUT, how exactly do you keep a toddler from crawling out of the ride cart/ standing up on the seat, etc. Especially on rides with one lap bar/ no lap bars. I would like to hold him in my arms at all times.

I don't know, please help me, this has me up all night. I can just picture me fighting with him on Peter Pan, freaking out trying to get him to sit in his seat.

 

[WantToGoNow]

You can hold him on your lap on almost all rides - my ds was 6 months old his first trip and I'm pretty sure he was held, not sat on the seats.

 

[Hannathy]

I would certainly hope that by 3.5 a child could follow directions well enough to stay seated on a ride! Don't they listen and stay seated in the car? a grocery cart? a kiddie ride at a local carnival? EVen the plane ride down. Unless they are afraid they should be able to stay seated on a Disney ride. You will also be with them to remind them if it is a case of trying to see better.

If you are truly worried practice now before you go with dire consequences if they don't stay seated. Also explain that if he doesn't stay seated then he CAN'T go on any rides at Disney-and make sure he knows you mean it. Start reiterating this before you go.

 

[whys_of_ma]

I would certainly hope that by 3.5 a child could follow directions well enough to stay seated on a ride! Don't they listen and stay seated in the car? a grocery cart? a kiddie ride at a local carnival? EVen the plane ride down. Unless they are afraid they should be able to stay seated on a Disney ride. You will also be with them to remind them if it is a case of trying to see better.

If you are truly worried practice now before you go with dire consequences if they don't stay seated. Also explain that if he doesn't stay seated then he CAN'T go on any rides at Disney-and make sure he knows you mean it. Start reiterating this before you go.

Well, I was referring to my 13 month old. My 3.5 year old isn't a toddler.

 

[whys_of_ma]

You can hold him on your lap on almost all rides - my ds was 6 months old his first trip and I'm pretty sure he was held, not sat on the seats.

That is good to know!!! I think it would be easier to bring a baby than a toddler. At 6 months Ben would have sat in my lap easily. I am just worried about him being a big toddler and squirming. I am such a worry-wort!

 

[figment3258]

I brought my first daughter when she was 11 months old and she was very miss independent she sat on our laps with the lap bars very nicely once the ride starts they forget about moving around. We never had a problem. My youngest we brought her when she was 15 months she she did great our the lap also even on toy story mania . Don't worry you will be fine.

 

[AirGoofy]

My youngest was 15 months for her first trip to Disney and we had no problems. As with everything Disney, the rides have pictures and tell a story from the moment you get in line to the end. She was so amazed, this was never a concern.

 

[disneyfan97]

We took my son at 12 and 16 months, and he did fine both times sitting in our laps on the rides. He was really so in awe of the rides that it wasn't a problem. And it helped to have him on our laps if there was a loud or scary part.

Good luck!

 

[whys_of_ma]

thank you thank you thank you to all the helpful replies. I definitely feel less nervous now!!

 

[Saturn23]

Thanks for posting this, I was wondering the same thing! Good to know they're entertained and distracted enough to not want to crawl out of the ride

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

My hope is that your toddler will be so excited for what's about to come that you won't have to worry about fidgeting!

You may have some difficulty with the sit down attractions (Tiki Room for example...) Have a back up plan, something for your toddler to hold/play with during that time. I bought a spinning flashlight for DS2.5 when we were there for the dark rides in case he got scared. Something like that may work for your 13 month old - anything to keep the mind occupied!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Well, I was referring to my 13 month old. My 3.5 year old isn't a toddler.

I don't know why that struck me as so funny! That's what I was thinking when I read that comment, too.

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

It's an unnerving feeling! Been there! I'll bet every horrid thought has gone through your mind and then some! You can lap your DS or when you realize that he'll definitely not stand (hopefully!) on rides, you can sit him right next to you and put your arm around him. Chances are he'll be so entranced by the ride he won't stand, but kids are unpredictable.