Toddlin' through Disney

[Ptarmigan6]

Does anyone have suggestions for how to secure your antsy toddlers during rides/shows/ attractions? My little man (who will be about 2.5 yo) during our trip never seems to stop moving. I have images of him leaping out of our boat during POTC! What works?

Also, for those of you with toddlers, do you try and do shows, or is that just asking for a meltdown? Advice, please!

 

[epsmith921]

I personally like to sit the kiddo on my lap if possible and essentially use my arms to "hug" her or make my own lap type belt for her with just one arm.

The other helpful thing we found was to have her sit between the two of us if you are able with the ride configuration and have another adult.

 

[slzer0]

Following.
I plan to wear him when he's unruly but refuses the stroller, but I have the same fear about POTC lol. He's too big to wear on a ride.

Technically I could wear him in a hip carry seated, but the only carrier that I have that is comfy for back carried is the Boba bad I can't hip carry in that.

 

[supertinyluckycat]

How old is he right now? I've found a huge difference between 2 and 2.5. My daughter is 2.5 and we've done some local theme parks this summer. The only issue I really have with her is the waiting in lines. She has never tried to stand up on a ride and she also is the type of kid who is constantly moving. As far as shows go-all kids are different but if it's something that my daughter is interested in she will sit and watch. She actually sat quietly through a 2 and a half hour play of the wizard of oz the other day. I've had good luck with telling her what I expect from her before we do something- otherwise she can get a little crazy.

 

[slzer0]

He turned 2 in March, our trip is in November, so he'll be closer to 3.

Right now he us a little wild child, rough around the edges.

We are working on "inside voice" and not immediately screaming when he's displeased. Its going to be a long road.

Right now I can picture him screaming and struggling and missing the whole ride because he doesn't want to sit.

We are practicing patience. And my hair is turning grey.

 

[slzer0]

Lol I just realized you probably meant OP.

 

[Ptarmigan6]

How old is he right now? I've found a huge difference between 2 and 2.5. My daughter is 2.5 and we've done some local theme parks this summer. The only issue I really have with her is the waiting in lines. She has never tried to stand up on a ride and she also is the type of kid who is constantly moving. As far as shows go-all kids are different but if it's something that my daughter is interested in she will sit and watch. She actually sat quietly through a 2 and a half hour play of the wizard of oz the other day. I've had good luck with telling her what I expect from her before we do something- otherwise she can get a little crazy.

He's 28 months right now. He'll park it on the couch for "Nicky and Ninnie," but I wonder how long we'll be able to sit through the Lion King show before hearing "All Done!!!"

 

[puffkin]

My DS2 is wild (I thought DS8 had been a wild child until this one came along, holy cow!). He did just fine at WDW last month. You know his signs....if he is close to the breaking point, don't try to squeeze in one last show/attraction. Water/cheerio type snacks can help. Make sure he gets enough sleep on the trip. Just beware of where the nearest exit is if you need to leave and quietly do so if you have to. But honestly, he will most likely be fine as long as you don't push him past his breaking point. THere is just so much to look at and watch that most likely he will be fine.

 

[Mainst]

He turned 2 in March, our trip is in November, so he'll be closer to 3. Right now he us a little wild child, rough around the edges. We are working on "inside voice" and not immediately screaming when he's displeased. Its going to be a long road. Right now I can picture him screaming and struggling and missing the whole ride because he doesn't want to sit. We are practicing patience. And my hair is turning grey.

Don't underestimate the magic of Disney. Somehow crazy boys become model citizens. Our sons last went at ages 2.75 and 9 mths old. Our oldest stayed up late at epcot while baby slept. I would never guess we would be out at night as much as we did. But he was captured and did great.

 

[Lupeix]

We went last year when DS was 2 1/2, he is also a go go go kid. I second the sitting on lap/ hug approach. On the other hand kids are so mesmerized by Disney I really didn't have any problem with him sitting still on rides.

I found that seeing the shows on YouTube beforehand helps. DS fell in love with the dream along with Mickey show in Cinderella's castle on YouTube
When he saw it live at MK he was so amazed he barely moved, despite being 1pm in July, I really wanted to get him into a shaded area but he refused until the show was over.
In general though, it is best to book the first show in the morning, toddlers have more patience when well rested and fed.
A good one to do is the Disney junior one, because they can dance and jump around.
We did few shows last time mostly because I had the same concerns you did, we are going next year and I will definitely do more but sit close to the exit in case I have to leave in a hurry.

 

[mpetersen]

Where is the disney junior show? What is it? We live on that channel now

 

[TMEF23]

We are planning our third trip to wdw. My twin sons were 1.5 years on their first trip and 2,5 years on their second ( really 29 months) and will be 3.5 years this trip. I have two rowdy boys who are also working in their inside voices. They also have developed a fear of rain storms. As for shows, we only tried a few because I didn't want to torture myself through them. I knew it would be impossible for me to get the two of them to sit still, so I only picked one or two shows per day. My boys love parades, so they did wait 45 minutes for the electrical parade last year. I underestimated how much they would love Tom Sawyer island, so I am planning extra time there this trip. When sitting on boat rides, we always placed the boys in the middle with my dh and I on the outside. Sometimes they would sit on our laps or between our legs.

 

[Mainst]

where is the disney junior show? What is it? We live on that channel now

@ hs