What your #1 Tip for travelling with kids to WDW?

[mikamah]

I keep hearing take breaks during the day and as I am making my itinerary it seems like these breaks are more of a 4 hour hassle than anything else??? An hour each way to the resort??? Is it worth it??? I am a NEW MOM so I am not being sarcastic I am honestly asking....thanks

I think with an almost 1 year old, if she will sleep in the stroller at the parks, you may not need to go back to the hotel, but with toddlers and preschoolers, they are less likely to sleep at the parks, and may need to just get away from all the stimulation. We are early risers, and will hopefully be at the parks early, head back between 11-12, lunch, and rest or nap, and maybe head to another park for dinner and the evening. My son loves swimming, and my guess is we will spend a lot of time at the resort pool.

 

[Princess1967]

I keep hearing take breaks during the day and as I am making my itinerary it seems like these breaks are more of a 4 hour hassle than anything else??? An hour each way to the resort??? Is it worth it??? I am a NEW MOM so I am not being sarcastic I am honestly asking....thanks

It depends on how well your child handles sleeping in a stroller in a chaotic environment. I was fortunate, when my dd was still napping, I'd just tell her it was naptime and she'd go to sleep in her stroller right in the middle of the parks, so we didn't have to make the trek back. Some kids need the quiet to settle down for sleep. But I highly recommend that if you're going to stay at the parks all day, bring your own stroller from home, so that your child is as comfortable as possible.

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

It depends on how well your child handles sleeping in a stroller in a chaotic environment. I was fortunate, when my dd was still napping, I'd just tell her it was naptime and she'd go to sleep in her stroller right in the middle of the parks, so we didn't have to make the trek back. Some kids need the quiet to settle down for sleep. But I highly recommend that if you're going to stay at the parks all day, bring your own stroller from home, so that your child is as comfortable as possible.

OH I agree about bringing the stroller from home I just bought The Maclaren Quest it reclines and is so comfy looking....pray it works out....its the 4th stroller we have bought still have em all for different functions and we only have ONE BABY 10 months old! HHAHAAHAH!

 

[woodchuck]

I would get their hights before we would go so they know what rides they can and can not go on. That way there would be no melt down (lol) because they can not go on a ride that they want to at the last minutes.

 

[Disneytwinz]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but If you are traveling by car, make grab bags to take along with trinkets that will keep the school age kiddos busy. Some ideas are:
sticker book w/ stickers
travel journal and special pencil
crossword puzzles
paper dolls
glue stick and paper
beads
books
blank calendar
Handheld games
window clings and non-sharp plexi-glass to stick them on.

 

[DisneyMama2H&O]

I have looked everywhere where can I find these and are they near the other dish soaps????

We found the Dawn Wash & Toss at our local grocery with the other dish soaps. I think we also saw them at Target.

On another note. We don't actually schedule our breaks into the day. We have DS5 & DS2 plus our friends DS4 & DD7. We sort of see how the day goes. With that said we almost always take a break it's just at different times of the day. When our first DS was only 18 months he would sleep in the stroller anytime anywhere. He could and still can sleep through anything. On the other hand because he was able to nap and we kept going when we did finally return the hotel he was ready to play and we were very tired. We take our breaks as much for the adults as we do for the kids. Keep in mind that a break doesn't have to mean going all the way back to the hotel room. Sometimes we just hop on the monorail and get off at the Poly or GF or head over to the Boardwalk and just walk around. Just find a place that's air conditioned with comfy chairs and relax.

Last year we went with some friends. It was our first time traveling together (same ones we are going with this year). They decided that their DS3 & DS6 (at the time) didn't need a break when we were at MGM. DH & I decided to take ours back to the WL for a rest and swim. Boy, did they regret not coming with us. Their DS3 had a huge meltdown and ruined the rest of the evening for them.

 

[ms.ojo]

This is a terrific tip. Thank you!

My tips would be:

1. Don't assume a child between the ages of 5-7 is ready to walk. It's a lot easier to use a stroller and conserve their energy. Amazing how many more meltdowns you can avoid by this one simple thing, and..

2. Take twice as much money as you think you'll need and twice as few clothes and you should make out just about right! LOL

ABSOLuTELY! DS6 last time we went was SO much better in a stroller. It let him rest during some of the longer walks and kept our kids (dd3 had her own stroller) in a controlled place when making that morning dash to the first rides!!! I actually dread the day they won't be in strollers LOL! Our next trip ds will be 7 and we've decided to rent a stroller for him. He is fine w/ this. Would never DREAM of using one here at home....but at Disney, he knows how helpful it is.

Love the tip on 2x MORE the money....2x LESS the clothes! We always end up buying some Disney wear...and somehow my kids never get as dirty as I think they're going to get. Except the day I don't bring a change of clothes for them w/ me...then they're trashed! LOL

 

[fanofdisney]

Go at their pace. If they want to stop and look at a tree or something, do it! They take things in differently then we do. It only frustrates them when we try to rush. Like another said, leave before the meltdown! Go swim or nap or something.

I read in the UG that if you carry formula for babies, just take the powder. Ask the vendors for hot water as you need it, then you don't have to find something to heat them up with.

Oh, and keep your kids hydrated! With lots of water! Not pop, juice, or sips here and there. They won't always recognize when they need to drink.

 

[babynurse1]

Thanks so much for the stroller for big kids tip. My two little boys are 7 & 5, and since they no longer use strollers here, we were thinking of skipping it. However, once I saw your tip, Im reconsidering. There was a SpongeBob stroller on sale at WalMart, perhaps I'll get that and they wont think of it as a "baby" stroller. Do I dare bring SpongeBob into the House of Mouse?

 

[LaraK]

Oh, and keep your kids hydrated! With lots of water! Not pop, juice, or sips here and there. They won't always recognize when they need to drink.

One of the great things we got at Disney the last time we went was a straw with Micky on it that actually screws onto a water bottle. I still use them to this day. The kids can then hold their water and walk along sipping out of their cool Micky straws....it was a little expensive (don't remember how much) but we've used it at all sorts of functions.

 

[Princess1967]

One of the great things we got at Disney the last time we went was a straw with Micky on it that actually screws onto a water bottle. I still use them to this day. The kids can then hold their water and walk along sipping out of their cool Micky straws....it was a little expensive (don't remember how much) but we've used it at all sorts of functions.

Does anyone know where this can be found? Sounds like a great idea...

 

[Disneytwinz]

Does anyone know where this can be found? Sounds like a great idea...

I bet the disney store would carry them!

 

[Disneytwinz]

Did not think to take strollers for my girls since they will be ages 4 1/2. This will be a must take item. I think I will be looking into getting a double stroller.

 

[lovehoney]

Does anyone know where this can be found? Sounds like a great idea...

We bought ours at the snack cart next to Pooh's playful spot. They only fit some water bottles. I'm not sure which size they fit.

 

[Princess1967]

Thanks for the info on the water bottle straws. We don't have a Disney Store anymore in my area. I'll check on-line or else look while we're down there.

 

[momoftwodisneykids]

Take time out for nap time and don't feel like you have to stay at the parks until the last dog dies. Until this year when DD turned 4 (and can go without a nap and not turn into Ms. Hyde), we always took the time to leave the parks and catch a nap in the afternoons. It gave us a break from the craziness of the parks and gave us all a chance to relax and unwind a bit before the evening's activities. Also, we try to make sure we get back to our hotel at a reasonable hour for bed, instead of staying until the park closes. The crowds can be daunting and if your little one is overtired to boot, it does not make for a magical time. Besides, one of the best places to catch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom are from the ferry boat as it is going back toward the TTS. JMHO.

Joanne

 

[disneyde]

This year I bought infatable pool float the long kind for 3 dollars on clearance so that my girls can sleep on the floor on these smaller blow up mattress they even have a pillow elevation....so that my sister and I can have a bed each to ourselves......my girls are 3 and 5 should work great......towels in the stroller seats for when they get wet and when they need a sun shade.

 

[kaysmommie]

We have all heard the usual tips... tying ballons to strollers etc! but what is your number one tip to share with other parents?

Mine... if your travelling with a baby who is using bottles or kids with sippy cups, before you go buy a box of Dawn wash & toss dish cloths, cut each cloth up into 6 or 8 pieces, carry a few of the pieces in a baggy to the parks then use them to wash the bottles/cups. Stops them from smelling and makes them reuable so you don't have to carry as many bottles.

Anyone one else got a tip to share?

I have looked in every store here and can't find these Dawn wash & toss. Is there any specific store that has them? I checked Walmart, Target, Kroeger, and Ingles and they don't have them.

 

[minniebeth]

We've done Disney every year for 7 years now, with 3 children since they were very little.
I'm repeating, but I can't stress enough our top tips...
Strollers even for the older ones,
Packing lightly...doing wash is easier than trying to keep track of lots of stuff in your room!
Taking breaks or leaving for the day while everyone is still having fun to swim, enjoy your resort or activities other than the parks
If taking a break in the middle of the day is not feasible, perhaps skipping day of parks to swim, play or do other WDW activities... there are a ton of them!
When it is hot, bringing a bandana to soak in cold water to tie around wrists, loosely around their necks, etc.
Lots of little snacks that are not too sugary or salty
Lots of water
Take lots more pictures...you never take as many as you really think you are...and a lot of candids not just posed! You won't regret having a lot of pictures, but it beats saying "I wish I had one of..."
Disney is definately a live and learn experience but these boards help tremendously!

 

[writersblock42]

My top tips are
1. Bring more water than you think you will need (freeze water bottles overnight so that at least until around 11-you have cold water to drink), then switch whenever you go back the hotel room.
2. Eat a sit down lunch instead of a sit down dinner. This is epecially good for the hot days. An hour sitting down eating in AC can be very relaxing and get the kids ready for more touring.
3. If you can't leave the park for a nap/break-the Hall of Presidents is a nice, cool, dark place to get a short nap. But I would try to take a mid-day break.
4. Remember the Ts of why children cry-Tired, Thirsty, Too hungrey. If you make sure to take care of these before they happen-you will have a better trip.