Toddler Training Program

[CuteAndFluffy]

We are headed to the World in around 7 weeks are are trying to get our 16 month old ready for the trip. He's a pretty easy going kid, but we're trying to give him some experiences to help him not be quite so overwhelmed once we're down there.

So far we have:
*been to the mall to work on walking long distances and to practice holding hands in public
*gone to the movies to get used to watching things on big screens in the dark
*gone to the zoo to practice listening in the midst of distraction
*checked out a Clifford story time to get used to seeing a character up close

We've also been working on getting around without a stroller. Mommy's and Daddy's shoulders need some training up, too.

What other suggestions do you all have for getting the little one ready for the trip?

 

[mrs.sammich]

We used youtube with our boys. Find the rides that could be questionable for your child, pirates, haunted mansion, etc... Almost all the rides have some posting that someone has taken while they were on the ride. We watched them first, to make sure they were 'clean.' The boys loved watching the clips and we could prepare them for the rides, parades and even some shows. It's crazy how much 'prep' time/options we have for trips in our modern society. I know my parents didn't 'train' us for anything- throw ya in the car and go!
Have a great trip!

 

[tyzzle]

Personally I have been getting my 2 yo DD used to sitting in her stroller again. She doesn't really like it that much, and I know that in the parks it will make it easier to get from point A to point B if she just sits and lets me push.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

I think at that age there is not *that* much you can do but maybe prepare yourselves for really thinking ahead about signs of getting overwhelmed and tired.

Are you planning on going back to the resorts for naptime or napping in the parks?
Are you using a crib or pack and play?

The 1st time we vacationed with our son we realized he had never slept in a pack and play-only a crib-and he would had a hard time. With our 2nd kiddo we got her used to sleeping in there before our 1st vacation so that would not be as much of an issue.

Don't forget the typical snacks/drinks your little one is used to-that always helps! If you don't have a strap to keep sippy cups or other toys hooked onto the stroller I might get one before I left.

I am sure you will have a terrific time-enjoy!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would count on a 16 month old walking VERY little in the parks. There are a lot of people and a LOT of walking. I would take a good stroller and plan on using it most of the time. Your little one might be ok walking in the lines but all those people can be overwelming so they might not be willing. A toddler is very low to the ground when most people are so tall

The character visit was a great idea!!
Maybe try a few day trip to encourge naps in the stroller.
Eating out in resturants??
Will the sleeping arrangments change???

Just be very flexable and the trip will be fine.

 

[brergnat]

I agree that taking a 16 month old with no stroller is a bad plan. WDW is HUGE. The average visitor walks 5-7 miles per day!!! A 16 month old can't handle that. Plus, think about when you go into stores to shop around. Will be a HUGE pain to have to keep track of a toddler in a store. They tend to get very crowded, and unless you feel like carrying your child all day, I'd really re-think that plan. Plus, he'll likely pass out from exhaustion every day a couple times, even if he doesn't nap that much at home.

I think, overall, you might be over thinking this. Unless your child has issues with new experiences and being flexible (mine both did as infants/toddlers, due to ASD), you really don't need to do so much prep work. He's 16 months old. He'll go along with whatever you are doing, and you'll have to judge by his reactions what he likes and what he doesn't like. I can tell you right now, I think he'll NOT enjoy any of the "indoor movie shows" at WDW. They are pretty intense experiences. My kids who are 5 and 4 STILL don't enjoy those.

I'd plan to take it slow, and follow his lead. If he's cranky, let the "plan" go and tend to him. Try not to do everything. He's only a baby...you have YEARS to see and do everything at WDW.

 

[Totoro]

I agree with previous posters, you will need a stroller for a 16 month old. I cannot tell you have many times we just put my child in the stroller and just zipped off. The stroller is also good for holding jackets and snacks. WDW is the one place that was built for strollers...plenty of places to park it everywhere you go. We had some friends leave a stroller behind for a 3 year old and they ended up renting one because it was too long and tiring for a child to walk.

Be flexible and if you know there is something that you child doesn't like, then just move onto the next thing. You are bound to find something that you child will fall in love with...even if it means riding Small World over and over.

 

[Mrs D]

Our trips include: DS3 and DD14 mo -then DS4 and DD2.5.
I will still plan to rent a double stroller (from MagicStrollers.com) on our next family trip (2011). After that perhaps DS will ready to walk the entire day. The average day for us (which we always return for naps, even the 4 yr old who doesn't nap at home napped at Disney) is closer to 8-10 miles a day. There is NO way I'd carry around a little one for that long, especially day after day.

At 14 mo. DD loved the characters-from arms length. She was just apprehensive about them coming too close. She did great on all ride but found Philharmagic too loud. We road It's a Small World multiple times (it was Many Adventures of Pooh and the Carousel this year). On the trip at 14 mo. she was certainly the easier child of the two.

Learning to hold hands is a great thing to practice. I would also get some type of ID. I made Silicone bracelets with our last name and If Lost call (my cell#). The kids wear them on their ankles (they are youth sized) so they don't bug them and don't fall off. Some people make dog tags, pet tags or use WhosShoes IDs. Some people write in sharpie marker on the kids for arms.

Have favorite snacks on hand and little distractions (dollar store toys or bubbles) to advert melt downs.

Enjoy this magical trip!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

First--Thanks for the replies! I appreciate the input. The suggestions about Youtube and making sure the kiddo will be used to basics like the Pack N Play and Stroller were great ideas. We do plan on getting some sort of ID--maybe the tattoos? I know there isn't a lot I can do at home to get him ready. Really, a lot of the things I'm working on are skills he would pick up anyway, the trip to Disney has just accelerated the time line.

Second--Just to be clear, I didn't say we were going without a stroller. What I meant by that statement was that we are working on skills for outside the stroller--like stay close to mommy, wait in line without being held, hold hands when we walk. He is just learning to navigate the world on his own two feet. While I know he'll have stroller time at Disney, but there is an awful lot of time in lines or in holding areas where being able to stand on his own will help us all.

Third--While I appreciate all the input, I'm not really asking for suggestions of how to have a toddler at Disney World. I see those threads often and have a pretty good idea of tactics to keep everyone rested, watered and happy. I'm more asking about what other skills or experiences at home can help mitigate the culture shock of Disney. For example, if he had had a bad reaction to seeing Clifford at the book store, we might seek out more characters before the trip to get him acclimated before we go--or know to avoid them once we're there.

 

[everylastbreath]

Just wanted to tell you, my daughter did the same thing with my GS (then 2yr) just before our 1st trip to WDW, she would take him for walks, making him hold her hand, WORKED BEAUTIFULLY!! He is now 4 years old, and ALWAYS holds your hand outside, anywhere- Every parent should practice this, it's something that once they learn, they always do!!

KEEP IT UP!! Have a blast in Disney

 

[alexensmom]

I am getting my DS used to dark places. He doesnt sleep with a night light but I want to keep him used to being in darker areas. We get our flashlights out before bed and play "tag" in his room. We have been taking him to the mall to ride the little cars. All of a sudden he doesnt like them to move so I am hoping he will warm back up to them.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I am getting my DS used to dark places. He doesnt sleep with a night light but I want to keep him used to being in darker areas. We get our flashlights out before bed and play "tag" in his room. We have been taking him to the mall to ride the little cars. All of a sudden he doesnt like them to move so I am hoping he will warm back up to them.

Oh, I'm sure he will. Especially once warm weather is here again and you're out taking walks in strollers and riding bikes.

I like the idea of Flashlight tag! We'll have to play a few rounds before we go.

 

[ktlm]

DD was 2, but the best thing we did was to get books of the Disney characters. There are some little box sets that have board books (I've seen them at Kohl's, Ross, and occasionally Target), and you can also get little golden books or other Disney books, such as the book club line. We found a ton at Half Price Books. By the time we got to WDW, DD knew who all the characters were. She went nuts over them when she saw the characters in her favorite books were "real".

 

[happymommy]

I think the most important thing is to follow your child's cues of when a rest is needed, or something may be overwhelming (my DD was 2 our first trip, and she was very shy of characters, so we picked up on that and didn't take her close to them).

Also, taking inventory of the day bag daily, for snacks, dry clothes, maybe a little toy for distraction if needed, etc... It's fun to get Disney related items, to bring the whole experience home. My kids loved stuffed Disney toys to sleep with on vacation.

We traveled a LOT when our kids were babies and little (I mean a LOT), even I did alone with them when DD was an infant and DS was 2. But if you haven't, then maybe explaining what the hotel room will look like, and what you expect the nighttime routine to be like helps. Show a photo of a hotel room, explain rules maybe (like I used to TRY to explain to my kids that the hallways should be quiet as someone may be sleeping, so they aren't allowed to shout or run). We found pack and plays only worked for so many nights, then someone would end up sleeping with me and DH. One thing we bought that was perfect when my DD was still in a crib (and even years later) was the Aeorbed sleep away bed. It's a bit smaller than a twin bed, with raised sides. My kids thought it was so comfortable! I would put a flat sheet down on the floor underneath it, for cleanliness, then make it up like a nice little bed.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[brymolmom]

I would do the stroller too. I had a friend who never did at that age and she often commented on it - but then when I went with her I realized they spent half the time carrying the little one. She was a tiny thing but that is NOT a vacation for me. My kids knew when they had to get into the stroller (would complain occassionally) - and then I would give them time out of the stroller between close rides and at places like Ariel's Grotto to let them stretch their legs.

 

[southernprincess1]

Maybe take your child on some kiddie rides. The first time we took our boys on a carousel one of my boys hated it. He would not sit on the horse. They also would not sit and ride on the little cars or horses that you put a quarter in. So we practice on those all the time. If they can't handle a small ride then they won't like a big one like Dumbo. I would hate to plan our trip and pay for it and my boys not ride anything. Another thing I'm planning on this summer is going to a local amusment park for a couple of days, although I know this can get expensive and I don't want to use our Disney money.

Have a great trip! Oh, and thanks for the suggestion about characters, I haven't thought of that!

 

[southernprincess1]

Andi,

I just thought of another thing we're doing. This isn't really training but a suggestion. I've been collecting small quiet toys for my boys to hold while we wait in lines. Just something new to hold their interest. I've found that the kids meal toys are perfect for this. The Disney store also has a section of small toys so I may get some of those too. Then when it's time to get on the ride I can just stick it in my purse.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Andi,

I just thought of another thing we're doing. This isn't really training but a suggestion. I've been collecting small quiet toys for my boys to hold while we wait in lines. Just something new to hold their interest. I've found that the kids meal toys are perfect for this. The Disney store also has a section of small toys so I may get some of those too. Then when it's time to get on the ride I can just stick it in my purse.

Jenny--great ideas! I've been collecting things like this to put in the big easter eggs (less candy that way and the kiddo doesn't know it's an old happy meal toy!) and after that I can just stash them for Disney. Brilliant!

We've done carousels before and he's loved them. There's one at our mall that we'll need to try before we go, just to make sure he hasn't developed any sort of aversion to them.

Great ideas everyone!

 

[brockash]

Personally I have been getting my 2 yo DD used to sitting in her stroller again. She doesn't really like it that much, and I know that in the parks it will make it easier to get from point A to point B if she just sits and lets me push.

That's exactly what I was thinking. We've been taking walks to get her used to being in her stroller, since she thinks she's too old for it now. There's no way I'd be going to WDW without a stroller for her, and I highly doubt that I'll be allowing her to walk very much at the parks, so I have to get her used to the containment again