Toddler Tips

[mom2ian]

Hi, I'm new here so here goes my first post.

I've been to DL about 4 or 5 times as an adult, and never paid too much attention to all the parents with toddlers.

Now I'm going to be taking my toddler - just one week before his 2nd birthday - to DL at the end of July.

I'm lookin for ideas on what to pack/bring for a toddler. We will be flying and bringing our own stroller. I'll definitely pack snacks, water, sunscreen, diaper essentials.

Oh, before I forget, how much are those Mickey Mouse-shaped balloons? I just know that will be my first purchase!

What parents-of-toddler survivor stories do you have?

Thanks for any and all advice!
18 days to go

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well first off i must say welcome abourd and beware to go fearther you will get adicted to this place..lol

Now lets see for a todler in july i would make sure to have something to keep him cool (you could look online at disneyneckcoolers.com there intresting im gona get a few for us.

Take frequient brakes, if you can be in side at a show or restrant at mid day heat (11-4)id guess If you can take brake at your hotel its our plan.

I would figuer out how to jimy rig an umbrella on the stroler lol keep sun off the baby and if tall enought you too
If your gona do nemo do super early on a non ee day, or late night.

Thats all i can think of, oh and learn how to maxmize your fastpass

 

[staley7580]

Take breaks, let him out to play to get some of that energy out, and make sure to keep pushing water on him. When my dd was 1, her favorite part of the trip was splashing around in the pool! Also, watch out for the character's. My dd is still terrified of them, and she also hates all the rides. She is not a Disney baby.

 

[daisy_77]

Hi! to the disboards! Be warned----it is VERY addicting! LOL

Taking a toddler to Disneyland or WDW is fun! It just takes some planning so it is good that you are doing your research.

We are taking our DD who is almost 3 to DL in August and I am getting a stroller fan to keep her cool while she is sitting. It can be brutal in SoCal in the summer.

Definitely make time for breaks and/or naps. We usually have lunch early at the parks, 11am and after that go back to the room for a while to cool off and get rested before going back out. Our DD would sometimes fall asleep in the stroller and we used that time to shop or take turns on the rides that we could not take DD on.

Go to City Hall and get a First Trip to Disneyland (they also have a birthday pin, too).

Use Fast Passes to save some time in line.

I bought my DD a Minnie/Mickey balloon at Disney World. It was foil-ish and had Minnie on one side and Mickey on the other. It was 6.00 or 6.50---can't remember exactly.

Locate the Baby Care centers at each park. I never used them before....so I have no idea where they are. I just use the restrooms....and they can be a little messy. Take a portable changing pad just in case.

I also took at disney princess lunch tote with a ice pack with and extra water and juice for DD ---- she gets thirsty and the prices are at the parks.

There is more....I just need to remember.

 

[mom2ian]

Good advice. I'm hoping ds will not be afraid of the characters. I bought a Disneyland walk-thru DVD from Amazon, and he's been watching that to get "used" to the characters.

He talks about "Mickey" and wants to know when he'll get his Mickey balloon. We'll also be traveling with my 5 year old nephew and the two of them get along well together which I hope will help.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i took my son for first time when he was 3-5months old..and he loved it he loved the charcters and everything i was so happy

 

[daisy_77]

On the flight I would bring small toys, Color Wonder markers and paper, snacks that he enjoys.

My DD is a red head and she BURNS like crazy. We use Banana Boat for kids. This stuff is awesome. It stays on even if she sweats or gets wet. This is the only stuff that did not give a rash. She is sensitive to a lot of sunsreens. Here is what it looks like if you are interested.

Mark your stroller with a bright bandana or scarf so you can easily find yours and so that no one takes yours by mistake.

Take swim diapers so he can play in the water areas at the parks. I have seen some kids wearing their regular diapers and those things looked like they were going to pop!

Take LOTS of pics! And use Photopass so you all can be in the pics.

Get him an Mickey Ice Cream bar! We love em!
I hope you all have a wonderful time! And an early Happy Birthday to your son!

 

[mom2ian]

What is Photopass?

 

[daisy_77]

Good advice. I'm hoping ds will not be afraid of the characters. I bought a Disneyland walk-thru DVD from Amazon, and he's been watching that to get "used" to the characters.

He talks about "Mickey" and wants to know when he'll get his Mickey balloon. We'll also be traveling with my 5 year old nephew and the two of them get along well together which I hope will help.

I think all kids react differently at this age. My DD was soooo scared of the face characters like Mary Poppins and the Princesses but not at all afraid of Mickey or any of the furry ones. It was surprising! Especially since she loves the princesses.

I think that is a really good idea to show him the characters on TV first!

 

[Misskitty3]

I think the balloons run about $7.00 bucks and if you get one, save your reciept because if it pops they will replace it for you if you show the reciept.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

wow i neverknew that ill be sure save reciet when i get my son his thanks for tip

 

[daisy_77]

Photopass is a card that you get from a Disney Photopass Photographer. They are roaming all over the park. When you go to get your first picture taken, ask for a card. That is the card you will use the duration of your trip. Each time you get your pic taken they will swipe the card. On the back of the card it will tell you what to do once you get home. You can buy a CD of all the pics or just certain pics. They also have a new album that you can buy. It is really neat!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

First biggest piece of advice is to take a break during the day. Go back to the hotel to swim/nap/rest. If we take a break in the middle of the day our girls can from opening to closing without a problem. Also, let him take the lead and take the time to see it through his eyes. The girls' first trip to DL was amazing and I loved watching it through their eyes. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in Fantasyland. My oldest had a very happy rotation of Dumbo, The Carousel and the Teacups (which she went on 8 times in row ). Every once in awhile we could convince her to do something else, lol. The characters might be hit and miss. My oldest loved all of them except Tigger, Captain Hook and Cruella De Ville. Sunscreen is a must! I see you're already planning it, but bringing in your own snacks and water are a great idea.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[mom2dzb]

I think all kids react differently at this age. My DD was soooo scared of the face characters like Mary Poppins and the Princesses but not at all afraid of Mickey or any of the furry ones. It was surprising! Especially since she loves the princesses.

My youngest was the opposite. At first she was fine with the face characters but terrified of the characters with the big heads. She's almost three now and has warmed up to them just recently.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I think all kids react differently at this age.

So true! My DS2 was thrilled to meet each character, and in fact launched himself into Goofy's waiting arms near the pool at arrival to the DLH.

DS6, on the other hand, took some coaxing to visit with the characters; he was the one who was afraid! He had asked me (before seeing any characters) if they were real, and I could tell he was nervous. So I explained they were just people in costume, pretending to be the character. I made him promise that he would not tell DS2 or anyone else, and he didn't. So I was surprised when he STILL was scared to approach one!

After DS2 had fun meeting several different characters, I sighed and told DS6 that I guessed DS2's autograph book was going to have a lot more photos and signatures in it. He asked, "Why?" and I told him because his brother was meeting the characters, and getting autographs and photos taken! THAT is what spurred him to finally get in there. (ahhh, sibling rivalry at its most useful!)

 

[abby]

My dd was almost 4 on our first trip and the characters frightened her, they are soooo big. I bought her an autograph so she had a reason to talk to them. Our first character was pooh and he hugged the girl in front of us, My dd looks at me and says "tell him not to touch me" So we approach and I explain she is a little shy, he was great.

The pictures are so funny, the first day or two she stands two feet away from them to get her pic taken, by day four they were putting their arms around her and hugging her and she loved it. EAch kid is different.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

The baby changing station is at the end of main street (if you are walking in from the main gates) on the right hand side next to the photo shop and corn dog cart. They have changing tables, high chairs and little potties and sinks that are toddler size. So cute. They also sell extra supplies like diapers, baby food, bottles and formula I think. Of course it's pricey though

We stop by there whenever we are in the area because those little potties are so much more convenient than taking dd to a regular potty, oh and they sanitize after each use. NICE!

The other thing we do is breakfast in our room, ours has a fridge so we always bring our own milk, juice and cereal plus extra water bottles, sodas and snacks. You can get a cup of ice anywhere in the park for free so if you have your own water or soda you can just fill it up and save yourself like $3 a pop.

Also for us dd really loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I make one every morning and put it in a tupperware so she can have it for lunch with some applesauce, this will save you $5-$6 for each lunch. It's the same as their kids meal but free! Can't go wrong there.

Oh and if it turns out he likes the characters you must do a character meal.
Goofy's kitchen at DLH for brunch/dinner
Arials Grotto in DCA for lunch and dinner I think
Minnie and Friends in the park-in the park for breakfast
They are all buffet with good food and great character interaction. If you don't have a reservation I would suggest Goofy's Kitchen and go as early as you can so you can avoid too long of a wait.

 

[polynor]

We're bringing our 15 month old at the end of July as well. Also with our stroller. We're still weaning him off the bottle and he still likes milk so I was planning on buying the Horizon single packs of milk (that don't need to be refrigerated) as a "just in case". I'm also bring bubbles to keep him amused.

This is our first big trip with him -- I'm just hoping he doesn't melt down on the plane!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We're bringing our 15 month old at the end of July as well. Also with our stroller. We're still weaning him off the bottle and he still likes milk so I was planning on buying the Horizon single packs of milk (that don't need to be refrigerated) as a "just in case". I'm also bring bubbles to keep him amused.

This is our first big trip with him -- I'm just hoping he doesn't melt down on the plane!

My 16 month old dgd is going with us on our trip in 2 weeks. What is this milk you are talking about??? Never heard of it??

We're not sure what to expect with the LOOOOOOOONG plane ride (4 hours), either.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

My 16 month old dgd is going with us on our trip in 2 weeks. What is this milk you are talking about??? Never heard of it??

We're not sure what to expect with the LOOOOOOOONG plane ride (4 hours), either.

I'm not 100% sure this is what polynor meant by "milk pack", but Costco sells small flats of milk in individual, sealed little boxes (kind of like juice boxes.) You may have seen them sold separately at a Starbucks? They come in vanilla and chocolate flavors, and they do not need to be refrigerated.

We buy the chocolate ones for our boys, and I use them in DS6's school lunchbox, because he kept throwing out the milk container, or forgetting to unpack the lunchbox. (Over the weekend, that milk container gets pretty rank!)