Where are the quiter places in the parks? Do they have babycare areas?

[PaulaSue]

My 2 year old is really going though a tough shy stage. She even is shy to my Mom who she sees everyweek.

It takes her a long time to warm up to anyone and I am getting worried for our trip. Just shopping at our usual places is horrible lately. Plus she is very subborn.

The theraphist said something about sensory overload so I figure I better get a game plan.

Any ideas? I want to make she and I have a great time too and not off in the room too much while the older girls are playing.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have a few ideas, definately use a comfortable stroller she is familiar with and consider letting her bring a "stuffie" or other friend to the parks. Other guests will be less likely to infringe on her "territory" if she is in the stroller.

Here is the information on the babycare centers, they are appropriate for a 2yo. http://allearsnet.com/pl/infant.htm#babystat

Also here is a very helpful link to traveling with a toddler:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/infant.htm

I would also recommend renting or buying the Disneyland Fun dvd - its now available at amazon and I have seen it at wallmart. It shows kids and characters having fun in Disneyland but its enough like WDW that my dd's were prepared for the parks. If she likes it there are others as well.

Take it slow and don't force it, she may be fine just sitting in the stroller taking up the sights and rides. The characters are GREAT about children who don't want to meet them and will not force her.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks for the links! I bookmarked them to print out later.

 

[D&DDisney]

My son has the same issue. In May 2005 we found a quiet place to relax or let the kids run around w/o the crowds.
At MK near Space Mountain, there is an area where you used to board the sky ride (not there any more). If you are looking at Space Mountain, it is directly to the right - near bathrooms and a closed sourvineer store. It is a very quiet area with a few benches to relax on. Because the sky ride is no longer operating, and it is tucked away, we found this to be a great place to relax or let the kids play with their pirate swords w/o having too many people around - unlsess of course Disney decided to put something new in this area.

 

[PaulaSue]

Anyone else?

 

[spiceycat]

there are baby care areas in all the parks - generally near the nurse station.

sometimes though the best solution is to just go back to the hotel.

I know a big problem for you and the rest of your family. but if the child is having a panic attack there is not many things (short of drugs) that I know to calm her down. you certainly don't want your 2 year old on drugs.

she will grow out of it - but right now making her deals with crowds I don't think is a good solution.

I now you want to take her - but is there someone she trusts that you can leave her with while the rest of the family goes?

Hard decision for you.

I also would make sure I was staying in one of the MK resorts - if she has a panic attack you need to get her out of the way fast - these resorts are short monrail or boat ride away.

I am assuming you are doing mostly MK because of her age?

 

[PaulaSue]

I know a big problem for you and the rest of your family. but if the child is having a panic attack there is not many things (short of drugs) that I know to calm her down. you certainly don't want your 2 year old on drugs.

she will grow out of it - but right now making her deals with crowds I don't think is a good solution.

I now you want to take her - but is there someone she trusts that you can leave her with while the rest of the family goes?

Hard decision for you.

I also would make sure I was staying in one of the MK resorts - if she has a panic attack you need to get her out of the way fast - these resorts are short monrail or boat ride away.

I am assuming you are doing mostly MK because of her age?

~~~~
Sorry I wasn't more clear. She DOESN'T have panic attacks. She is JUST shy and takes a while to owarm up sometimes.

Her Theraphist is a speech teacher. (All my girls actually go because of a birth defect.)

I would NEVER dream fo leaving my DD home on a family trip. We are doing all the parks with all the generations.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

There are many wonderful places to sneak away from crowds and sit quietly...

MK = the hidden pathway between toon town and space mtn. There are benches about halfway.....the train runs by occasionally....a few folks will walk by but is basically quiet.
Also in the Exposition hall at the end of Mainstreet (next to Tonys) there is a theatre inside to sit quietly at. And near the Crystal palace is the Baby care station.
Tom Sawyer Island can be pretty quiet too.....

EPCOT= the garden are near the UK....(if band is not playing) The rose garden near Cananda....Italy's plaza area towards the back. Living seas....pick a quiet fish tank to just gaze at....ignore the guests.

AK= Just wondering if she wouldn't LOVE the goats there in the petting area? They are not people.....sometimes the shyest of children love interacting with the animals. Otherwise there are many wonderful benches tucked in the shady areas to sit at....

MGM= not too many choices...but the tables outside the brown derby are a good bet.

Hope this helps.

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks! She loves Animals, I will make sure we look for the petting zoo. (I didn't know that was there.)

She loves the characters (as long as they don't touch her) and rides at Hersheypark (season passes we go every week during the season) so I think she will do well (crossing fingers). All this helpful info will help me make sure we do.

 

[lovesdumbo]

My 3rd child was (is) very much the same way. We see my MIL nearly every weekend and for the longest time my DD wouldn't even look at her. And my DD's speech therapist said she's the most strong willed child she's ever met. She said she wants to know my DD when she's 16 to see how she's turned out.

As far as Disney goes my DD did fine on all 3 of her trips but she wasn't interested in any of the "face" characters. Wouldn't walk up to any of them and at any character meals she wouldn't look at them. We didn't even do any princess meals on the last trip. She did however LOVE Tigger at the CP. I never had any problems with other guests getting too close to her-its pretty obvious my DD doesn't want anything to do with outsiders. I did have to carry my DD more than many 33 month olds on her last trip-she was afraid to walk down the hall in the hotel-but my DD had a great time and she still talks about our trip. She loved the Pooh ride, the Pooh playground, Dumbo and the Carosel. I did use the Baby Care centers to change her diaper as the public rest rooms really freaked her out-she didn't want to be changed where it was busy like the public rest rooms. The Baby Care centers were always very quiet and the changing tables are huge. She was all potty trained this summer until my oldest asked her if she was afraid she'd be flushed down the potty.

I used to really worry about her being ready for preschool next fall but she's been making big strides lately. My MIL told my DH this week that when we were leaving her house the day after Christmas (we saw my family Christmas day) my oldest gave her a hug and a kiss and my youngest did the same all on her own. This is HUGE for her-she usually won't even kiss me! And today she said to me for the first time "I love you". Usually when I say "I love you" she says "NO, I love Joe (my middle child)".

I'm sure you'll have a great trip!