WDW with a Toddler - Going Home

[Euphscott]

Day 7 - Going home and wrap Up
We met our town car a little before our 5:45 meeting time. We killed a little time at check out watching cartoons and a little more coloring. We did not want to leave, but we wanted to be going home. This was one of life’s little irony moments.
The ride to the airport was smooth and uneventful. Brooke was wide awake and alert. We checked in and actually got to leave on an earlier flight (that was a blessing – one hour sooner!). Again we loaded Brooke with Benadryl and toys and food and drink (we’d have tried song, but our plane neighbors seemed to want to sleep). Take off was a snap and again the blinds were a fun toy. But this time, only in the down position. The diva spoke, we listened. After our drink service and some munchies, Cindy took her back to the lavatory to work out the wiggles. Amazingly enough, our favorite flight attendant was on this flight again. She stopped by to say hello and said we looked a lot better this time through! Brooke eventually fell asleep. She remained so until after we started our descent. She wanted to get up and play then, so I begged and pleaded for a few more minutes of good behavior. She rewarded me (and those around us) with only a few minor whines and wiggles. Ahh, we landed. A little longer than normal taxi tried her patience, but we survived. She was able to run around while we claimed our luggage. We live 5 minutes from the airport so her doggies were just a short hop away.

Suggestion if you have a toddler: Know your child and their limitations. We pushed her limits a few times, but thankfully never really went across the line.
Be armed with food and drink. This saved us trouble a lot. We carried a back pack with food, drink, infant Tylenol, some toys and walkie talkies for when we’d separate. Be prepared for shoe removal moments and so forth.
Plan lots of down time and be flexible.
Keep them cool. We went while hot, so we had to work hard to keep her comfortable. But as a result, we were comfortable too.
Take it easy with characters – introduce them slowly and from a distance. If it does not work, don’t push it. Brooke came around on her own. Forcing would have scared her. Also play with the characters yourself, that seemed to make her more at ease.

Again, we did not take a stroller. This was a bit of a challenge at Downtown Disney and resorts since we had to carry here when walking was not working (she’d get distracted and wander) so by the end of our trip my body was a wreck. The massage is scheduled, I plan to get fixed!

Eating was a bit of a challenge, but again, we knew our daughter. She has things she can and will eat, so we worked accordingly. But, it’s Disney, they are prepared for kids.

A final thought about our experience. Cast members and American Airlines service workers are wonderful people. Be good to them. And watch your behavior in the parks. The Golden Rule goes a long way. We ran into MANY rude people that figured they paid a lot for vacation and they were going to get what they wanted at everyone else’s expense. Nothing ruined our time, but rudeness can make it less fun for everyone. (OK, off soap box!)

Thanks for listening. I hope this has been helpful. A little cleaning up and inserted pictures and this will go in my daughter’s baby book. Thanks for sharing in our adventure!

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

 

[pumba]

Brooke sometime will realize that she was a special little girl and had a great time in Disney.......you have touched on some really good subjects here and I hope that others will listen too......it is sometimes horrible to see little kids melting down on the pavement.......I know as an adult we are tired so they must be doubly so too......thanks again to you .....your wife and your darling daughter

 

[Dixielady908]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Even Brooke seemed to have a good time. Thanks for your report.

Denise

 

[LoriZH]

thanks scott for such a wonderful trip report and mostly for the advise, you could not have hit the mark any closer with those words!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for sharing!!!!

 

[Euphscott]

Thank you for all the kind words.

Brooke did enjoy the trip. I know for certain she will likely not remember any of this. But we got to spend time together as a family and spend it in a happy place. We did have the opportunity to work on social skills. She is a better eater, she now knows to put a napkin on her lap (although Chef Mickeys then taught her it was OK to swing it around!) and she is better at behaving on public transportation with people around.

While I would recommend waiting a little longer, some kids can do it. And as parents, you have to be considerate of the child and not go commando.

All that said...if we coudl do it over again, we would have taken a 3 day land and 4 day cruise vacation. But that just has to wait for next time!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Thanks for the tips and reports! I appreciate all fo the details.

Sounds like a great trip and even though your DD may not remember, you will!

 

[kilee]

After reading all of your trip report I want to thank you for all the tips and ideas. We will be taking my 17 month old neice in October. I've been alittle worried, I see we can do it w/ patience and flexibility.