Traveling with a 20 month old

[MSPeeler]

Hi! We will be traveling this May with our toddler on the Disney Dream. Can anyone point me to the best advice for traveling with toddlers who do not sit in strollers well, squirm out of your arms when carried or run away immediately when put down ? (now that I re-read that.... I'm second guessing this vacation!!!)

I'm not sure how to handle boarding time/delay, dinners, etc. Will I be able to take him to the Nursery mid-dinner if we get late seating, or can I take him and leave dinner with them to feed?

I'm new to ALL cruising. We also have a 9 and 7 year old, but they've always adapted well.... this new kid, not so much.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

If you arrive at the port later then there won't be a line for boarding or to check-in. Hopefully during the cruise he will be distracted enough by everything going around him to sit. Otherwise he screams (although we try and make it so our kids tantrums aren't affecting others vacations.

There's never a guarantee that the nursery will have availability without a res but you should always check if you want. What time zone are you in? When does he usually eat and sleep? Late seating might be too late for your little one. I know mine is asleep before that seating even started.

You might be a candidate for one of those toddler leashes so that he can't get away.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Hi! We will be traveling this May with our toddler on the Disney Dream. Can anyone point me to the best advice for traveling with toddlers who do not sit in strollers well, squirm out of your arms when carried or run away immediately when put down ? (now that I re-read that.... I'm second guessing this vacation!!!)

I'm not sure how to handle boarding time/delay, dinners, etc. Will I be able to take him to the Nursery mid-dinner if we get late seating, or can I take him and leave dinner with them to feed?

I'm new to ALL cruising. We also have a 9 and 7 year old, but they've always adapted well.... this new kid, not so much.

Thanks in advance!

We took our son this past summer when he was two years/two months old. In terms of boarding advice, I would actually choose a late boarding time if I were you. We took the Disney transfers and didn't get to the port until about 1 or 2. We were able to check in and walk right on; we didn't have to wait in a big long line or anything.

In terms of dinner, you could book the nursery IF there is availability. This was an area we struggled a bit. We did not use the nursery. My son is normally very good at restaurants, but DCL dinners take longer than a normal restaurant trip. Once the show started in Animator's Palette, he was entertained there. He had a hard time settling down at Enchanted Garden, so I took him out early and our hostess graciously offered to send my main course and dessert up to our room. We finally broke down and brought the iPhone in airplane mode to our third dinner, and when he started getting a little antsy, we let him watch some Disney Junior that we had preloaded with the sound off so that it wouldn't disturb anyone else. (I know it wasn't the best parenting move, but it kept him calm for the extra time we were there.)

There are also a lot of things you can do to burn his extra energy that are somewhat contained--Nemo's Reef splash area, open house at the kids' clubs, Wake Up with Disney Junior, Pirates and Princess Dance Party, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions about our experience!

 

[Quellman]

Our guy cruised at 14 months and again at 2.5 years of age. We did a little bit of baby wearing at 14 months, but never used the stroller on the ship. Just too crazy. Kids can't get too far when on the interior of the ship since it is generally a series of long hallways. So that helps. On the deck, hopefully they'll not want to bolt off everywhere.

Others have mentioned a little bit of a later boarding time. This is a good strategy since you may likely be able to just walk on the ship. Also, the rooms are available at about 130, so that could give you a place to have a quick bit of down time first day so your tot can get used to the new surroundings.

You can book nursery time in advance, but be aware of the cancellation time. You can certainly have a family dinner, (kids meals come out first) and then take them to the nursery while you finish. Check with the on board staff but they can feed your toddler in the nursery as well.

The first night you will get a flyer that talks about all the toddler programming on the ship. There are a few open houses in the oceaneer club that are fun, like wake up with Disney and Mickey's Puzzle time (includes characters). You will accompany your toddler to the open houses and allows you to share in their fun. Also make use of Nemos reef splash area. It can sometimes turn chaotic, but I have no issue instilling authority when kids aren't playing correctly on the slide area. (If you aren't like me just find a lifeguard).

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

We took our son this past summer when he was two years/two months old. In terms of boarding advice, I would actually choose a late boarding time if I were you. We took the Disney transfers and didn't get to the port until about 1 or 2. We were able to check in and walk right on; we didn't have to wait in a big long line or anything.

In terms of dinner, you could book the nursery IF there is availability. This was an area we struggled a bit. We did not use the nursery. My son is normally very good at restaurants, but DCL dinners take longer than a normal restaurant trip. Once the show started in Animator's Palette, he was entertained there. He had a hard time settling down at Enchanted Garden, so I took him out early and our hostess graciously offered to send my main course and dessert up to our room. We finally broke down and brought the iPhone in airplane mode to our third dinner, and when he started getting a little antsy, we let him watch some Disney Junior that we had preloaded with the sound off so that it wouldn't disturb anyone else. (I know it wasn't the best parenting move, but it kept him calm for the extra time we were there.)

There are also a lot of things you can do to burn his extra energy that are somewhat contained--Nemo's Reef splash area, open house at the kids' clubs, Wake Up with Disney Junior, Pirates and Princess Dance Party, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions about our experience!

Ah yea, we do the tv shows on silent on the iphone as well!! I have no problem doing that if it means my kid is quiet. Otherwise, either my husband or I have to leave the table with him, and we don't prefer that.

Our guy cruised at 14 months and again at 2.5 years of age. We did a little bit of baby wearing at 14 months, but never used the stroller on the ship. Just too crazy. Kids can't get too far when on the interior of the ship since it is generally a series of long hallways. So that helps. On the deck, hopefully they'll not want to bolt off everywhere.

Others have mentioned a little bit of a later boarding time. This is a good strategy since you may likely be able to just walk on the ship. Also, the rooms are available at about 130, so that could give you a place to have a quick bit of down time first day so your tot can get used to the new surroundings.

You can book nursery time in advance, but be aware of the cancellation time. You can certainly have a family dinner, (kids meals come out first) and then take them to the nursery while you finish. Check with the on board staff but they can feed your toddler in the nursery as well.

The first night you will get a flyer that talks about all the toddler programming on the ship. There are a few open houses in the oceaneer club that are fun, like wake up with Disney and Mickey's Puzzle time (includes characters). You will accompany your toddler to the open houses and allows you to share in their fun. Also make use of Nemos reef splash area. It can sometimes turn chaotic, but I have no issue instilling authority when kids aren't playing correctly on the slide area. (If you aren't like me just find a lifeguard).

I'm glad I am not the only one who will be slightly authoritative around rambunctious kiddos. I had my 5 month at the reef and some 7 year old kept splashing my kid in the face, I said something and the mom was like that's what this play area is for. Really? To splash my infant?! But honestly for the most part it's fine especially if you go early.

 

[MSPeeler]

Thank you all so much! This really helps, I will have to remember to put some of his favorite shows on our iPad Mini and bring with us to the table just in case!

He's really in that stage of I'm still a baby but I want to be a big kid. We are currently in central time zone, so it will be one "earlier" than his usual routine. I didn't take that into account* (edited after my brain caught up with my post)

His naptime is usually between 12:30P-1P, so if we board later, would we be able to go straight to the buffet? And then I could lay him down when the room opens up…

Have any of you requested the pack and play/crib for your rooms?

 

[lanejudy]

I just completely confused myself with that reply... let me re-think it

 

[MSPeeler]

Same thing just happened to me, lol.

Late dinner will put us st 7:15 in our time zone. Lately he hasn't really settled for bed till after 8, so this may be an option for the late dinner.

 

[Sarah O.]

We just cruised with our 14 month old. He's not walking yet, but is active and always wants to be on the go. We only brought a carrier and I don't think we would have ever even used anything else. Mealtimes were great with him eating and drinking lots of food that does come early (minus making a mess, which everyone was cool with). Nemo's reef is great for little ones, and we enjoyed verandah time while he would nap. Otherwise, Deck 4 may be a great place when he just needs to run. We had some awesome afternoons letting our little guy crawl all around there (Note - there are a few spots with larger gaps between the normal plexiglass rails..maybe posts to the upper deck, so always walk with him!!). We boarded early (group 7) with no problem. There's plenty to gawk at in the terminal!

 

[MSPeeler]

We just cruised with our 14 month old. He's not walking yet, but is active and always wants to be on the go. We only brought a carrier and I don't think we would have ever even used anything else. Mealtimes were great with him eating and drinking lots of food that does come early (minus making a mess, which everyone was cool with). Nemo's reef is great for little ones, and we enjoyed verandah time while he would nap. Otherwise, Deck 4 may be a great place when he just needs to run. We had some awesome afternoons letting our little guy crawl all around there (Note - there are a few spots with larger gaps between the normal plexiglass rails..maybe posts to the upper deck, so always walk with him!!). We boarded early (group 7) with no problem. There's plenty to gawk at in the terminal!

I don't have a carrier anymore, but was looking at the Boba or Moby since they'll support him better, what did you use? We have a really lightweight slim stroller to bring, folds down really small too

 

[Sarah O.]

I don't have a carrier anymore, but was looking at the Boba or Moby since they'll support him better, what did you use? We have a really lightweight slim stroller to bring, folds down really small too

I would totally recommend a Bitybean - it's super lightweight, works in water well and is crazy compact. My hubby actually uses it alot!! http://bitybean.com/collections/all/products/bitybean-carrot-orange

 

[MSPeeler]

I would totally recommend a Bitybean - it's super lightweight, works in water well and is crazy compact. My hubby actually uses it alot!! http://bitybean.com/collections/all/products/bitybean-carrot-orange

Oh Thank You!! I saw that one on Amazon on sale, but had never heard of it!

 

[Quellman]

Thank you all so much! This really helps, I will have to remember to put some of his favorite shows on our iPad Mini and bring with us to the table just in case!

He's really in that stage of I'm still a baby but I want to be a big kid. We are currently in central time zone, so it will be one "earlier" than his usual routine. I didn't take that into account* (edited after my brain caught up with my post)

His naptime is usually between 12:30P-1P, so if we board later, would we be able to go straight to the buffet? And then I could lay him down when the room opens up…

Have any of you requested the pack and play/crib for your rooms?

We used an iPad the first go around, but he was better at age 2. We only have had second seating for dinner and are also from central time zone. Normally he is in bed by 8, so thats why he had the extra nap.

The buffet is open soon after the embarkation process begins, the other dining location, Enchanted garden, opens up around noon I think.

 

[Mandlz]

My daughter was 18 months our first cruise, and did not like to sit still or in the stroller at all either! We put her in the nursery at dinner time, and they fed her there, and got one of the backpack leashes for walking around the ship. Something like this: http://smile.amazon.com/Goldbug-538...id=1458868754&sr=8-10&keywords=backpack+leash

We tried a carrier, but just wasn't something that was comfortable for her or for us, and carrying her everywhere just wasn't an option. She LOVED having the freedom to move on her own two feet, and Daddy and I loved knowing that she wasn't going to get very far away! We used it again when she turned 2. Best $20 I spent on that cruise

 

[MSPeeler]

My daughter was 18 months our first cruise, and did not like to sit still or in the stroller at all either! We put her in the nursery at dinner time, and they fed her there, and got one of the backpack leashes for walking around the ship. Something like this: http://smile.amazon.com/Goldbug-538...id=1458868754&sr=8-10&keywords=backpack+leash

We tried a carrier, but just wasn't something that was comfortable for her or for us, and carrying her everywhere just wasn't an option. She LOVED having the freedom to move on her own two feet, and Daddy and I loved knowing that she wasn't going to get very far away! We used it again when she turned 2. Best $20 I spent on that cruise

We have that EXACT "child leash"! Had to buy it years ago for our now 7 year old and I completely forgot about it till you posted! TYSM! I think I even know exactly where it's hanging, hasn't moved in 5 years, HAHA!

 

[Mandlz]

We have that EXACT "child leash"! Had to buy it years ago for our now 7 year old and I completely forgot about it till you posted! TYSM! I think I even know exactly where it's hanging, hasn't moved in 5 years, HAHA!

Haha, that's great! Hope it works out for you!!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Have any of you requested the pack and play/crib for your rooms?

We have at WDW, but on DCL, my son slept on the couch bed with a bed rail that they provided since he was in a toddler bed at that point.

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

We've done the pack and play a couple times. We did the rails once he was 2. we always bring our pack and play sheets so it's something he's used to. We've done a bunch of trips with out little one and that first day there's never a normal real nap. It just never works out despite all our efforts.

 

[Imedley200]

We cruised with our 16 month old in Feb (his 2nd cruise) and he was kind of like you described - no stroller, wanted to walk around everywhere! He was a piece of cake on his first cruise (10 months old) and this one was more challenging. We learned that it made a big difference if we took the break to go back to the room and have him take a proper nap compared to trying to nap on the pool deck. I carried him a lot in my Ergo. We went to the Nursery every morning they had the hour of Open House and we went to Toddler Time (we found it late in the cruise because we weren't using the Navigator app). We were on the Fantasy and the Nursery had availability when we wanted it at the last minute. We had late dinner so we tried to sneak in a mini nap (usually during the show) or we had a snack at our normal dinner time and then late dinner. We used the pack and play and diaper genie.

 

[MSPeeler]

We cruised with our 16 month old in Feb (his 2nd cruise) and he was kind of like you described - no stroller, wanted to walk around everywhere! He was a piece of cake on his first cruise (10 months old) and this one was more challenging. We learned that it made a big difference if we took the break to go back to the room and have him take a proper nap compared to trying to nap on the pool deck. I carried him a lot in my Ergo. We went to the Nursery every morning they had the hour of Open House and we went to Toddler Time (we found it late in the cruise because we weren't using the Navigator app). We were on the Fantasy and the Nursery had availability when we wanted it at the last minute. We had late dinner so we tried to sneak in a mini nap (usually during the show) or we had a snack at our normal dinner time and then late dinner. We used the pack and play and diaper genie.

I'll make sure to look at the navigator app for those events. Problem for is will be pulled in many directions I feel with our older 2, and grandparents. I'm sure all will work out, but I will make sure to cut out and hour or two for nap in the room! I'm sure I'll need one too haha!