WDW with Toddler Tips

[michygoomy]

We're leaving in 8 days with DS12, DD10 and DD 17 months. It's been a while since I've travelled with a toddler (it's been a while since I've HAD a toddler, obviously).

Any last minute tips? Packing must-haves? Any advice on food/drinks/dining plan with a toddler? We have a few buffet ADRs and I hope I can find food she'll eat at the sit-downs. Is milk prevalent and available in the parks? I hate to pack it, even in a soft cooler, too worried about spoilage.

Should I watch out for the alligators? She's a little chubby, and I suspect, quite juicy.

We have a split stay: 3 nights POP, 6 nights CBR.

 

[DawnaJean]

Things to bring: Sunscreen, travel-size diaper wipes, swim diapers, sippy cups, baby tylenol or motrin just in case, plastic outlet covers, clothes pins to hang wet swimsuits on the line in the shower, water bottles (and kool aid or crystal lite packets for the older kids).

I packed applesauce cups in the diaper bag each day since fruit wasn't abundant in the counter service in the parks.
Have a great time!!!

Dawna

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You can buy milk almost anywhere. I would try to get a stroller fan. They are our must have item. Bring a few toys for the room. If you use bibs get the disposable kind. I would also pack some snacks that you know she would like (cheerios, goldfish etc.) You shouldn't have a hard time finding food that she likes. Most places offer kid friendly food (junk! )mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, pb&J etc. We didn't have a hard time finding something the kids would like. Even if it wasn't what I would have prefered. Oh well! You will have a great time and don't forget sunscreen especially her little feet! Oh- I almost forgot- swimmies! We got our kids the cutest ones! Spiderman and Strawberry Shortcake at Toys R Us! Have a great time!

 

[Aristomommy]

I bought the disposable bibs, sippy cups and spoons to make the days at the parks easier. I also arranged food and drinks to be delivered to our room through wegoshop as we didn't have a car on the trip. If you have a car, bring plenty of groceries and familiar food. We ordered bananas, juice, wipes, oatmeal etc. to keep in the hotel room. Also bring a comfy stroller that reclines for naps. The rental strollers are a bit big for toddlers, IMHO. There is plenty of milk and snacks available at WDW, but it rather expensive. Take plenty of breaks in air conditioned areas and as long as you are willing to take it easy and slow down your pace, you'll have a great time.

 

[cdrn1]

Check the room carefully for left-behind hazards that housekeeping may have missed. Once I found a pill and another time a small cap from a travel-size item. We do a complete on-our-hands-and-knees check of the entire room when we check in.

 

[Pocohantasfan]

I have 8 y/o DD and haven't had a need for baby/toddler knowledge for a while. However, we're going to WDW in October and my niece and her family are going at the same time. One of her children will be 13 months old when we go. I hear it's hot during October. I like the idea of a stroller fan. Where would we find something like that? What would you do if the child is in a rented stroller? Are there fans that hang or sit in the rental?

 

[deedeetoo]

You should keep your mind open to the possibility of splitting up your group. Your little one may need a nap or some down time while the older ones want to keep going. One of the adults could go back to the hotel with her or try to find a quiet shady spot within the parks so that she can nap in the stroller. The other adult could keep going with the older kids.

We never would take our children to TS restaurants at the age. Dinner time was prime melt down time, especially after a day at the theme parks, but you know your child the best. You've chosen buffets so that eliminates the wait and maybe the older kids can help keep her entertained.

We did bring milk with us to the parks. We had insulated cups and a small insulated carrier (just big enough to hold about two cups, plus a reusuabe ice pack thing that we put in the freezer every night. It stayed cold enough though we weren't there in the middle of summer.

 

[pbharris4]

-Stroller fans (I use 2) www.campmor.com They are $5/ea. Search for a clip on fan. They could probably clip to the shade visor if not the sides of a rented stroller. (I use my own stroller).

-Disposable bibs
-Disposable sippy cups (We would wash them, but if it got lost or forgotten it wasn't a big deal)
-Couple packs of travel wipes (fits in purse) my Dd is really messy
-Swim diapers
-Schedule around your toddler..a happy toddler makes every one else happy too.
-make ADRs as close to your child's eating time as possible that way they are not overly hungry.
-Don't do a park every day. Schedule a day off in between to relax..just think of how tired WE are..they are even more tired.

-Sleep in
- Propel water. If she won't drink regular water..try giving her that. It'll keep her hydrated and tastes good.

 

[labst60]

We just got back with our 14 month old and are heading down again in 2 weeks for a "bonus trip" (DH will be there on business) - here is what I recommend:

STRAWS - I was so happy DD was a good straw drinker before we left - it prevented us from always having to have a clean sippy cup - if she was thirsty, she could drink from any cup/bottle we did.

CHANGE OF CLOTHES/SHOES FOR THE PARKS - I was happy that I brought this with us because playing in the fountain areas in the park really revitalized her and it was nice to change her into clean clothes/dry shoes afterward - our "backup outfit" was always a one piece sunsuit - quick/easy/compact!

CHANGING PAD/DIAPER HOLDER - Past trips, we have just packed our diaper changing supplies in the diaper bag - this trip we used one of those "all-in-ones" that hold a soft container or wipes - 4 diapers and the big cushy pad folds up to hold it all. This was SO MUCH better. No digging for supplies when needed. This didn't fit into the diaper bag, we just strapped the velcro hook onto the stroller and it pretty much stayed put.

We ended up taking our Quest (over the Graco Metrolite) and I am glad we did. The basket was really plenty big for a days worth of stuff for a toddler, tipping was minimal and it took up less space in the hotel room. Next trip, I may take the Graco since I will be flying down/back myself (meeting DH down there) and I can carry more in the stroller through the airport.

THe other thing worth noting is that for the first time (and this was her 3rd trip), she did NOT want to go out in the evening. She was tired and she wanted to sleep from about 8 PM (at home, she goes to bed 9:30ish). A little disappointing, but for the most part, DH and I went with the flow. Most dinners were take-out from Boardwalk area resturants. We did do the dining plan and felt we got our money's worth - character meals were the best because it kept her entertained. We had a couple of nice meals planned and the ones at the BEGINNING of the trip went the best - she just got more tired and less patient as the week went on.

Overall, we had a great time- she is a very active little girl and loves all the people/stimulation. Have a great time!

 

[labst60]

I forgot to add....
we did Blizzard Beach one day and she LOVED that as well - great kiddie area and gentle wave pool - she even rode the family ride raft! I would highly recommend it!

 

[michygoomy]

Thanks for all the great tips! I have a toddler that loves the stimulation of being places with lots of activity (we just got back from 2 hours at Chucky Cheese and she was still rarin' to go) and also sits well for a meal. Let's hope that continues for the trip.

I forgot to add....
we did Blizzard Beach one day and she LOVED that as well - great kiddie area and gentle wave pool - she even rode the family ride raft! I would highly recommend it!

Really---you can do that? We LOVE that raft ride, and I was a little disappointed that we would have to split up to go on it this time. That would be awesome!

 

[Pocohantasfan]

-Stroller fans (I use 2) www.campmor.com They are $5/ea. Search for a clip on fan. They could probably clip to the shade visor if not the sides of a rented stroller. (I use my own stroller).

-Disposable bibs
-Disposable sippy cups (We would wash them, but if it got lost or forgotten it wasn't a big deal)
-Couple packs of travel wipes (fits in purse) my Dd is really messy
-Swim diapers
-Schedule around your toddler..a happy toddler makes every one else happy too.
-make ADRs as close to your child's eating time as possible that way they are not overly hungry.
-Don't do a park every day. Schedule a day off in between to relax..just think of how tired WE are..they are even more tired.

-Sleep in
- Propel water. If she won't drink regular water..try giving her that. It'll keep her hydrated and tastes good.

Everyone has great tips. I have cut and pasted and sending this, along with the fan website to my niece. Also, I wondered about the water parks as we're going for one day. Looks like Blizzard Beach it is. EVERYONE has to have a magical day no matter what their age. That's why we're all going together.