Toddler Tips

[Sooze]

Hi everyone! I just finished up my latest Trip Report (we took our then 18 month old). I wrapped it up with a list of lessons learned, and I thought I'd share them with y'all

Please feel free to read, follow, or trash the list below!

Lessons learned:

Invest in a mini DVD player and some DVDs of the toddler's favorite character. If you are flying or driving, this will provide some much needed quiet time.

Stash singles in your pockets so you don't have to go digging in your stuff when it comes time to tip someone.

Bring the toddler's lovey (blanket, etc.) but don't LOSE it!!

Bring painkiller for yourself. You will be doing a lot of carrying of the toddler!

If you can get a 1 BR villa by using or renting DVC points... DO IT!! You will love being able to put the toddler in another room for naps.

LET THE TODDLER NAP! If you can handle that in a stroller at the park, go for it! I needed to put the toddler in a BED in an air conditioned room. It made for much happier evenings!

Take advantage of EMH! Toddlers and long lines never work!! Get to the parks early and ride what you can!

Get to TOON TOWN in MK early! Take the train to the back entrance and wait at the ropes.. you and your toddler could get a first glance as Mickey comes out of his house in the morning.

TAKE IT SLOW! Enjoy the little things that your toddler wants to enjoy. Don't feel like you have to ride, do, and see everything. Your toddler will never know what they 'missed'. Now.. if you have a seven year old, that's another story!

Don't buy a separate meal for the toddler. They will get PLENTY off of your plate!

Divide and conquer! If you are going with a spouse, and especially if you are going with siblings that are older... let it be OKAY to split up!! The older kids can handle moving faster and waiting on longer lines. They might even get more special 'alone' time with one parent... trade off.

Don't let your toddler drink pop near bedtime. Trust me on this one.. just DON'T DO IT!!

Definitely do a character meal. Even if your toddler is scared of them... they can wave from a distance!

Sit and watch a parade! The characters come up so close to you. You will also expose your toddler to music, dancing, costumes, and performers!

Finally, and MOST IMPORTANT... bring your bag of tricks. The only moments you will not be working are when the toddler is sleeping. Make sure you have songs, finger plays, silly character voices, peek a boo... ANYTHING to keep toddler happy during bus rides, line waits, restaurant waits, etc. And maintain a POSITIVE outlook on all of the toddler chaos!! Remember, they grow up fast, and the next time you come to Disney, you might miss some of those innocent moments... okay.. SOME... maybe

 

[mandi149]

We are going to disney in 5 days and I love your advice. My DD is 2 and I am so worried. I printed you tips to take with me. I am not sure what to pack for my bag of tricks, but I will go searching for stuff. Thank you again!

Oh, we are going to Chef Mickey---is that a good character meal.

Is the bus rides hard with a toddler?

Thanks again!!

 

[disneyfansx5]

Hi everyone! I just finished up my latest Trip Report (we took our then 18 month old). I wrapped it up with a list of lessons learned, and I thought I'd share them with y'all

Please feel free to read, follow, or trash the list below!

Lessons learned:

Invest in a mini DVD player and some DVDs of the toddler's favorite character. If you are flying or driving, this will provide some much needed quiet time.

Stash singles in your pockets so you don't have to go digging in your stuff when it comes time to tip someone.

Bring the toddler's lovey (blanket, etc.) but don't LOSE it!!

Bring painkiller for yourself. You will be doing a lot of carrying of the toddler!

If you can get a 1 BR villa by using or renting DVC points... DO IT!! You will love being able to put the toddler in another room for naps.

LET THE TODDLER NAP! If you can handle that in a stroller at the park, go for it! I needed to put the toddler in a BED in an air conditioned room. It made for much happier evenings!

Take advantage of EMH! Toddlers and long lines never work!! Get to the parks early and ride what you can!

Get to TOON TOWN in MK early! Take the train to the back entrance and wait at the ropes.. you and your toddler could get a first glance as Mickey comes out of his house in the morning.

TAKE IT SLOW! Enjoy the little things that your toddler wants to enjoy. Don't feel like you have to ride, do, and see everything. Your toddler will never know what they 'missed'. Now.. if you have a seven year old, that's another story!

Don't buy a separate meal for the toddler. They will get PLENTY off of your plate!

Divide and conquer! If you are going with a spouse, and especially if you are going with siblings that are older... let it be OKAY to split up!! The older kids can handle moving faster and waiting on longer lines. They might even get more special 'alone' time with one parent... trade off.

Don't let your toddler drink pop near bedtime. Trust me on this one.. just DON'T DO IT!!

Definitely do a character meal. Even if your toddler is scared of them... they can wave from a distance!

Sit and watch a parade! The characters come up so close to you. You will also expose your toddler to music, dancing, costumes, and performers!

Finally, and MOST IMPORTANT... bring your bag of tricks. The only moments you will not be working are when the toddler is sleeping. Make sure you have songs, finger plays, silly character voices, peek a boo... ANYTHING to keep toddler happy during bus rides, line waits, restaurant waits, etc. And maintain a POSITIVE outlook on all of the toddler chaos!! Remember, they grow up fast, and the next time you come to Disney, you might miss some of those innocent moments... okay.. SOME... maybe

Thanks for your insight. It brought back a lot of memories of visiting WDW with my children when they were toddlers.

 

[Sooze]

We are going to disney in 5 days and I love your advice. My DD is 2 and I am so worried. I printed you tips to take with me. I am not sure what to pack for my bag of tricks, but I will go searching for stuff. Thank you again!

Oh, we are going to Chef Mickey---is that a good character meal.

Is the bus rides hard with a toddler?

Thanks again!!

Have an awesome time!!!

Chef Mickey's is a great character meal. Your little one will probably love seeing the monorail (or choo choo to a toddler!) going by. They have a fun song every 30 minutes (I think) where you get to swing your napkins around. It's also a buffet, so you can get food to your little one quickly!

Bus rides are fine if you have a bag of tricks... and I don't mean physically packing a bag.. I mean all of the games you can play with a toddler. We sang the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" at least 25 times on one trip. If you sit near a mirror on the bus, she can entertain herself by looking in it. Do you have favorite songs that you sing together? Wheels on the Bus? Where is Thumbkin? 5 Little Monkeys?

I don't know about you, but when I'm on a bus and a parent has a fussy toddler, and the parent just looks miserable and beaten down, it's so sad!! But if you stay as positive as you can and keep the kid entertained, it makes for a much happier trip for everyone. Hopefully, so kind folks on the bus might help you keep her entertained, too! We had lots of people play peek a boo with her.

If you have time, you can check out my Trip Report, too! You might catch a glimpse of life with a toddler at WDW!!

Have a great time!!