Traveling with a Toddler

[VAis4DISlovers]

Hello DIS community. This is where I will do my planning for my family's upcoming cruise on the Fantasy (Oct 27-Nov3). In my cabin, it will be me me the DH and our DD, who will be 2 when we cruise.
On top of any random goodies I post along the way, I will absolutely post the following:

• packing list- with reasons for items that seem random
• travel itinerary
• events not to be missed
• tips for traveling with a toddler
• Disney trips & tricks.
• fish extender planning/ideas

Along the way I will also be posting about events and activities I find for the teen groups and college club because in our second cabin I'll be planning for my two brothers (16 and 19).
This is my DH's first Disney cruise, but my 4th and DD's second-- We are SOO excited! We're coming Mickey!

 

[VAis4DISlovers]

I'll be editing this information throughout, for now it's going to be in a simple list form, as things get closer I"ll start organizing it into categories and such.

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• Bring some clothespins. They are great for hanging up swimsuits, etc.
• -Bring some Lysol or other "fragrant spray" for the bathroom.
• -Bring an inexpensive hanging shoe rack...those pockets are great for tanning oil, cameras, etc. Keeps it organized and easy to find.
• nightlight
• small extension cord with 3 outlets
• extra duffle bag in luggage for the return trip home. Get a tough duffle bag and you can stuff a good bit of clothes in there and reserve your actual suitcases for strange shaped purchases that we always seem to be able to find.
• extra ziploc bags. They come in very handy for packing just about anything that you would want to keep contained. They also come in handy for keeping food sealed - or packing small snacks for land excursions.
  
• -pillow case OR frame mat with markers for character signing

In the Day Bag-
swimsuits

bring plenty of small bills ($20's or less) if you choose to do ports on your own -- as you will likely be told (by cabbies, store owners, etc) that they cannot break anything bigger
Remember to bring one dollar bills to tip the folks who deliver your room service orders.

 

[VAis4DISlovers]

If you are a "foodie" be sure to tell your head waiter and ask for recipes as they will happily share.

If you don't ask, you don't get. If you have a special event happening in your family, and would like something special - ask! They might say yes, they might say no - but if you don't ask, you don't get.

use the showers at the gym- guys get free shaving kits, full-size showers (great for "big guys").

clothespins, not just for your laundry, but also for keeping your towel on the chair.

GS has single doses of "stuff" like tylenol, ibuprofen, bandaids, etc. Just ask. They also have discrete bags of emergency "supplies" when your daughter needs them and the ship is in port (so the gift shops are closed). And WHY can't that child count to 28?????

I would also suggest bringing cash (I might have missed this on your list) on Castaway Cay to mail any post cards you want to send from there. The post office only takes cash. We printed address labels for our post cards too - for the people to whom we wanted to send them. That way we didn't have to carry the address book and could buy the cards on board or use the ones in our stateroom.

 

[VAis4DISlovers]

If traveling with an infant or toddler, consider the babies travel lite service that will deliver diapers, formula, etc. to your cabin. And, if you order directly from their web site it is cheaper than using the DCL link!

get onto Castaway Cay early and snag a free wagon or jogging stroller for the day (on the path).

contact the diningg room on occasions where baby keeps you from starting/finishing dinner, they sent a plate up to the room for us instead.

I always carry a small clear cosmetic bag (clear so you can see everything in it easily) filled with things that might come in handy. It doesn't take much room, and I saved someone's luggage once because I had duct tape. IN that little bag I carry the duct tape, a small sewing kit, highlighters (for the Navigators), post-it notes (to leave for family or friends or your steward if you need to request something), string, rubber bands, paper clips, and a pair of small scissors. The only thing we have ever had a steward even hesitate to bring us was a pair of scissors.

 

[VAis4DISlovers]

this has different names: Wendy and friends Tea, Princess Tea,...It is free but you need a ticket and they go fast. As soon as you board, go to Guest Services, and get on the list for tea. They will have different days available but it is very limited. They introduce your Princess or Prince by name, show the proper way to pour tea (apple juice) and how to hold your cup. They also show you how to dance then take pictures. I was on the Wonder this week and had tea with Snow White.

 

[VAis4DISlovers]

I'm a dodo, this should've been started on the DCL board... I've moved it over so please follow there if you think it can help your family too!
Click here to jump
Happy travels!