What are some tips that have always stuck with you

[LollieInwonderland]

Would love to hear some tips that you have always used on your trips. This is our second time going as a family My kids are 6, 3 and 18m. We don't plan on going back to the hotel during the day (never know) but we are staying at AOA so this is my first time dealing with the buses lol

 

[InTheWick]

Go to Target and purchase lots of packs of glow sticks/bracelets in their $1 section!!!! They are lifesavers on the buses and in the parks. We were on a bus from the WL to HS for the Osbourne Lights last December and it took 75 minutes bc of an accident! We passed out glow sticks to all the kids on the bus, it was dusk. It kept everyone from having meltdowns! It also keeps your kids from wanting the glow stuff they sell in the parks! It's the best $5 we spent every trip.

 

[myrtleturtle]

Be there for rope drop. Our kids get up at 6:30am every day anyway, so it's a no brainer to go early when there are (slightly) fewer people.

 

[Teacup53]

To keep kids entertained in line try playing Simon Says - at least with the older ones. It can make line waiting a little more bearable.

 

[tabrizia]

You will not see it all. If you are all unhappy, take a break. Yes you might miss Winnie the Pooh, but would you rather see Winnie the Pooh with 3 tired and upset little kids and possibly an upset you and Sig Other, or would you rather remember your trip as fun?

 

[RamrodinTonight]

Bring a tray to Food & Wine. Much easier to haul multiple items and a drink, or two, back to the group.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Temper your expectations when visiting the World with little ones. With planning FPs and ADRs so early, sometimes we have grand plans and a schedule in our minds. Your children may tire more easily than you think, sleep later in the morning, not be able to stay awake as late as usual, want to skip rides/shows that you thought they'd like, etc. You won't be able to do EVERYTHING.

If you are bringing a bag into the park, pack glow sticks (as mentioned above), dollar ponchos, Disney stickers, and snacks that don't take up a lot of space (like fruit leathers or granola bars).

 

[dylans mommy]

Dollar store glow sticks are a life saver. Do not over plan, it will make for frustrated kids and frustrated parents. Bring little snacks for when you are stuck in a long line or waiting for you TS to be ready. Enjoy every moment, take lots of pictures and have fun!

 

[AnnieLytical]

While not directly kid related, I read over and over that people recommend you bring at least two pairs of shoes. I did not heed this advice and ended up buying sandals at the resort. It rained almost everyday - my tennis shoes got soaked and we had to use resort dryers to dry them up. We bought sandals after that and it was just easier to wear sandals during the rain periods than deal with wet, sloshy shoes.

 

[mcuoghi]

Bring empty ziploc bags in various sizes! Great for packing wet clothes into suitcases, containing glitter from princess dresses, and saving wallets/phones from rain/water rides.

 

[HeatherL1985]

Pick your top three things you want to do that day and make it your goal. Anything else you get done is a bonus. We found it kept our expectations in check and prevented us from over planning the day.

 

[MunchkinSweetPea]

Pack a travel sized lint roller to get the glitter from the princess dresses off your clothes, the stroller, your bags, etc. Pack ziploc bags to take desserts or fruit from meals with you for kids to enjoy later. Pack tiny Tupperware containers if your kids like crackers and cookies and you don't want them smashed in your park bag. Don't let the online blogs convince you to stuff your park bag to the brim because chances are you wont need 2/3 of what they tell you to pack. Keep an eye on your kids cues as to how scared of something or how tired they may be, it's easier to avoid meltdowns this way. If we stop for one person at the restroom, even just a baby's diaper change, everyone has to try and go. Don't let ADRs be a time suck or give you tunnel vision, there are lots of fantastic counter service options. Keep baby wipes/wet ones on hand to wipe off tabletops and Purell to clean hands before eating.

 

[MunchkinSweetPea]

STAY HYDRATED!

 

[AnnieLytical]

Purell to clean hands before eating

^^^ this is a must! Disney germs are real and will take you down!

 

[ktlm]

Use Body Glide on the feet every morning to avoid blisters. That was the best tip I have ever gotten from the DIS. I used to get blisters every Disney Trip- which shoes or socks I wore didn't matter. I am very blister prone. I have not gotten 1 blister at WDW or DLR since I started using body glide years ago. I also used to get blisters every time I wore a new pair of shoes- now I use Body Glide with new shoes too, and it stops those blisters also.

Another good tip is the big ziplock bags that you can fit your purse/camera/phone etc. in for the water rides. I don't always remember those, but I am always glad if I do remember them.

If your 3 year old likes raisins, when DD was that age we always carried a bunch of the little boxes of raisins. If we were in a long line, we would give her a box and it would keep her occupied in line while she ate the raisins and then played with the box for a while.

Another one that can come in handy if you are not near a bathroom, is that hand sanitizer will get sticky off hands a lot of the time. If a kid gets really sticky hands from eating something, the hand sanitizer can often get rid of it.

 

[smiths02]

Pay for and plan what you really want, but don't overdo it. Try not to promise your children anything.
Freebies and upgrades don't always happen. They aren't necessary for a good time. Even things you pay for can get cancelled or changed.

 

[dizzy daisy]

The best family travel tip I ever got was from a Disney board - pack kids clothes by outfits, in plastic ziplock bags. Undies, socks, hair pretties, etc. All in one easy to grab and go pack. Makes getting dressed easy peasy in the morning. My husband doesn't interrupt my shower because he can't find someone's something, lol. The bags are ready to throw in to the backpack to haul in to the park in case of accidents.

Small bottles of bubbles (wedding favor size) for lines or a distraction during some shady rest downtime. Just a little fun thing to do.

Sharing meals was really the best tip for our first WDW trip - no dining plan. Kids were 3 and 5 so usually we'd order 3 counter service meals and it was more than enough to share. Usually one of the meals would be a kids meal, or we'd order and entree without a side (sandwich with no chips). We didn't overeat, we didn't waste much food.

The best thing we ever bought in the park for happy kids was a spray fan of all things. Kids kindly took turns, they'd giggle and spray each other. They still never fight over it *knocks wood*

I agree with everyone about the glow sticks from the dollar store.

 

[noahdove]

I usually try to get the little ones that I take some small little car of fidget toy that they can
play with while waiting either in lines or dining. I think bubbles are great, however, they do tend
to spill and then the area becomes slippery... I guess they would be best while waiting for a
parade.. also, we have a snack of ice cream while waiting for the parade, fireworks etc.
Glow sticks are wonderful and I do pack clothes in baggies for the kids and for myself I put my
under clothes in baggies and this way I don't lose anything on the way to the shower

 

[Goldilocks07]

Would love to hear some tips that you have always used on your trips. This is our second time going as a family My kids are 6, 3 and 18m. We don't plan on going back to the hotel during the day (never know) but we are staying at AOA so this is my first time dealing with the buses lol

Package diapers and wipes separately in zip lock bags- for grab and go access. Basically put a diaper in a zip lock, then 3-4 wipes in another zip lock and put that in the bag with the diaper. Makes it BEST advice I ever got.
This way when in the parks instead of lugging around the diaper bag you can just grab one of these and run to the restroom.

 

[leahgoogle]

The best family travel tip I ever got was from a Disney board - pack kids clothes by outfits, in plastic ziplock bags. Undies, socks, hair pretties, etc. All in one easy to grab and go pack. Makes getting dressed easy peasy in the morning. My husband doesn't interrupt my shower because he can't find someone's something, lol. The bags are ready to throw in to the backpack to haul in to the park in case of accidents.

YES!!! I did this for our trip. It is more work on the front-end, but it was super easy to get ready in the morning!