What are the essentials to take when traveling with a toddler?

[disney-inspired]

We will be driving down to WDW in September with my niece, who will be 18 months old.
What are some things you have brought that you feel are essential?

This will be her first long road trip and we plan to bring a laptop or portable DVD player and plenty of movies. We plan on leaving VERY early so she will sleep for a large portion of the ride but plan on making 2-3 stops on our way down for food, gas and to stretch our legs.

Also, what about in the parks?
I know it's VERY hot in September so plan on getting a clip on foam fan for her stroller but what else helps?

Thanks for your help!

 

[glk2009]

When we traveled to WDW with an 18 month old, I probably brought too much.

But what we usually bring, no matter the age, were meds we might need for all of us, sunblock, sanitizing wipes, extra diapers, Ziploc bags and a few easy toys from home for down time in the room.

For the parks, I would bring a misting fan and a good stroller with a large sunshade (or binder clips to hold a blanket in place as a sunshade).

That's a pretty short answer that doesn't cover food/snacks.

I just think of things that I couldn't easily buy in the parks.

HTH!

 

[glassslippergirl]

For the drive, find out from her parents what apps/phone games she likes and get them on your phone. PBS Kids and Endless Alphabet are great for kids that age. Crayons and paper are good. She will probably just scribble, so I wouldn't waste time with coloring books. A travel magna doodle also works. Stickers-- lots of them-- can occupy for a while. The most brilliant suggestion I've heard in this board is to stop at McDonalds with Playplaces. Let the toddler play and get her food to go. She can eat in the car.

In the parks, focus on appropriate clothing, bring lots of changes of clothes, and change the diaper often. Water shoes are helpful so she can play in water play areas. A hat is also a must.

Always have a cup of water for her and keep it where she can always access it, like on the stroller tray.

Go with her flow. Keep your plans more general, like knowing what park you are going to that day, rather than focusing on an exact order of rides. Know that FP+ poses more challenges when you travel with a toddler. I had a really hard time trying to predict what DS would like, much less what time of day he would enjoy it, so far in advance. We changed a lot if FPs at the parks and skipped quite a few all together.

Have a good trip.

 

[EmilyS90]

I brought TONS of stuff for my daughter to keep her occupied during her first roadtrip last year (she had just turned 4)

And she basically slept or played with my Nook the entire time. So I suggest don't overdo it and bring stuff you KNOW keeps her attention.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

For an 18 month old I would go with short tv episodes of Disney junior shows over long movies. This will get her familiar with the characters, and will hold her attention better than a long movie. My son couldn't pay attention and enjoy a whole movie until he was close to four. Also, play places are great, but not for an 18 month old, she will be way to little.

 

[Thing 1]

Is she with you guys enough that she will be happy and comfortable for a long trip? First of all I would be sure you know her and her routines well.

Trip down: Will she still be backwards facing in her car seat? She really should still be and its much safer. Think through how you will position the DVD player so she can see it and use it for short time periods. Apps on your phone are also good. Having someone sit beside her is key! Hope she will sleep but plan like she might not. Be sure she has any comfort objects like a blanket, or passie etc. Have a bottle or sippie cup and lot of easy fun finger snacks. books, small toys, etc that you can interact with her are great. Plan stops where she can run off a bit of energy. A rest stop with a grassy area and a bottle of bubbles or a ball can do wonders. She is too little for fast food play areas.

Resort: Where will she sleep? As close to where she sleep at home is best. You can rent full size cribs off site. Take any meds, all bath products, a tried and true sunscreen etc. Plenty of clothes, diapers etc.

Park: Consider a carrier/sling to wear her in lines and on some rides. Frees up you hands. A good, reclining/shaded stroller and an easy lightweight bag. We like disposable changing pans, place mats and sippy cups, though we do reuse these. Have plenty of toddle friendly snacks and drinks and a good shaded hat. A change of clothes or two is also a good idea.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if you bring crayons be very careful with them. in hot weather we had a piece of one get missed in carseat during a lunch stop. ended up with a couple of sets of clothes and carseat before we figured out what was the problem, a melted crayon that was sat on into the padding of seat

 

[l4dyj8]

There's the usual diaper bag essentials. But I also recommend a simple clutch or pouch with wipes, mat, diaper, cream and diaper cover. Makes it easy for changing trips... Rather than bringing the whole bag to the bathroom.

For restaurants/meal time: I have a small pouch with a toy, crayons, paper.

I use a pacifier leash (?) to keep the bottle or sippy cup attached to the stroller. It can easily get knock down as you maneuver through the crowds.

Hotel: bring your own baby shampoo/bubble bath. 18 months might be too young but I also bring a few Dixie cups for rinsing.
For both nighttime and nap privacy, Bring a lightweight blanket to the park

 

[disney-inspired]

For an 18 month old I would go with short tv episodes of Disney junior shows over long movies. This will get her familiar with the characters, and will hold her attention better than a long movie. My son couldn't pay attention and enjoy a whole movie until he was close to four. Also, play places are great, but not for an 18 month old, she will be way to little.

At 12 months the only Disney movie she will watch all the way through is Lilo & Stitch. She absolutely loves it!
We don't live in the same state but I think my sister watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with her sometimes.

 

[kwdw]

I'm seconding the something to attach the favorite sippy cup to the stroller!!! I know that sounds minor, but really, one lost favorite cup and then you have a hot, thirsty, cranky toddler. I also might find a way to attach that favorite toy if she needs one in the stroller. In the park - it's the basic care items you need. If you are doing table service meals - you will likely need some small toys to keep her occupied - but otherwise you shouldn't need much to entertain her - there's WAY too much to look at! If she is used to a sling - they do get heavy when waiting in line if they want to be held at that age - so that would be a plus - but if mom doesn't normally use one - that's not gonna work.

The mom will know the kid best - but at that age - my niece couldn't have held a DVD player in the car and that only would have worked for a brief time. Even at 4-5 - it was best if the DVD player was attached to the seat back because she would drop it and then couldn't reach it from her car seat. What did work in the car at that age was "the slow snack" - so being fed took time (Goldfish, Cheerios, etc), a variety of different toys that she would hold in her hand, and being engaged in conversation - even though she knew just a couple words - she KNEW when we were engaging her and looking for her responses. Honestly - road trips were exhausting since she didn't sleep much.

 

[disney-inspired]

Is she with you guys enough that she will be happy and comfortable for a long trip? First of all I would be sure you know her and her routines well.

Trip down: Will she still be backwards facing in her car seat? She really should still be and its much safer. Think through how you will position the DVD player so she can see it and use it for short time periods. Apps on your phone are also good. Having someone sit beside her is key! Hope she will sleep but plan like she might not. Be sure she has any comfort objects like a blanket, or passie etc. Have a bottle or sippie cup and lot of easy fun finger snacks. books, small toys, etc that you can interact with her are great. Plan stops where she can run off a bit of energy. A rest stop with a grassy area and a bottle of bubbles or a ball can do wonders. She is too little for fast food play areas.

Resort: Where will she sleep? As close to where she sleep at home is best. You can rent full size cribs off site. Take any meds, all bath products, a tried and true sunscreen etc. Plenty of clothes, diapers etc.

Park: Consider a carrier/sling to wear her in lines and on some rides. Frees up you hands. A good, reclining/shaded stroller and an easy lightweight bag. We like disposable changing pans, place mats and sippy cups, though we do reuse these. Have plenty of toddle friendly snacks and drinks and a good shaded hat. A change of clothes or two is also a good idea.

• The traveling party includes her parents, her and myself. So no worries there.
• I assume it will be. My sister is taking care of all that. I think they are in the process of buying the bigger car seat as she as outgrown the old one.
• I think this will depend on our transportation to WDW. If we can get a big enough rental, we will take her crib mattress and use it in the playpen in the hotel. If not, then she will sleep in the bed. Again, I will leave it up to my sister to decide.
• She is WAY too big to be carried in a carrier/sling. She'll stay in the stroller, walk or catch a ride with her dad. Since we are driving, she will have her own stroller which reclines and has good shade.

Thank you for the info!

 

[disney-inspired]

I'm flying in to visit my sister in May so I can see what my niece likes to do.

 

[nalajms]

I keep a bunch of "play packs" at home for emergencies. You can find them in the dollar store or dollar section of target. It comes with a small coloring book, 3-4 crayons and stickers. 18m may like them. We just toss it afterwards. My SIL has a small backpack of wind-up toys. She whips it out when we go to sit down to eat.

Car: Kids music CD. My kids can spend hours singing. Lots of plastic bags for trash, and in case there's car sickness. Lots of wipes. If your car windows are not heavily tinted, consider a sun shade.

Park: if you have a ipad or tablet, that's easiest. Sometimes they can't handle waiting. Make sure you know where the restrooms and baby centers are.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

one thing to remember strollers are not allowed in lines or buildings esp at EPCOT. I know it is no strollers in the Seas and the Land. it is an uphill walk into the Land, just keep that in mind

 

[CamandLaineysMom]

All of the above posts are great ideas. I will add another that works well for us. Ring pops! I can tell if one of my kids is going to start whining. Pop out one of those ring pops and they will happily suck on that for a long time! It is also easy for them to hold and pretty big so they can just bite the top off and possibly choke like they could on a regular lollipop!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

• The traveling party includes her parents, her and myself. So no worries there.
• I assume it will be. My sister is taking care of all that. I think they are in the process of buying the bigger car seat as she as outgrown the old one.
• I think this will depend on our transportation to WDW. If we can get a big enough rental, we will take her crib mattress and use it in the playpen in the hotel. If not, then she will sleep in the bed. Again, I will leave it up to my sister to decide.
• She is WAY too big to be carried in a carrier/sling. She'll stay in the stroller, walk or catch a ride with her dad. Since we are driving, she will have her own stroller which reclines and has good shade.

Thank you for the info!

standard crib mattress will not fit in pac n play, it is not a playpen as such

 

[disney-inspired]

standard crib mattress will not fit in pac n play, it is not a playpen as such

Just spoke with her and she plans to have her sleep in the bed but also saw that we can request a pack and play if she needs it and it comes with its own mattress according to Touring Plans