Wow… Disney with Toddlers is DIFFERENT

[ddbowdoin]

Currently in the air, thanks Delta WiFi!

My wife and I have been to Disney many , many times. Engaged there, honeymooned there, cheap … expensive trips, everything in between. Short ones, long ones, stays off and on property etc.

Our kids are 5 and 3, two pretty hyperactive boys with some personal choices to avoid handheld devices. My kids watch TV but don’t own an iPad and they’re never handed a phone.

Safe to say, bringing our children was a long time goal for us. We just did a 4 night / 5 day stay at the beach club with the lads and holy smokes, that was the ultimate test of patience!

We utilized early morning access and limited trips to 1/2 days to avoid the insane heat. We had a backpack of snacks, books, small toys etc and yet none of that eliminated the tantrums.

Disney with toddlers is an exercise in the highest of highs and lowest of lows. We cried during shows, we were ready to tear our hair out at times. We seemingly never had any “cruising speed” moments.

I loved it but wow I was not actually prepared for that experience. I thought we prepared ourselves for slower pace but I suddenly saw so many moms and dads dealing with the same stuff everywhere we went.

To all the parents out there… woof, we’ve got this… despite the many bumps along the way.

 

[RememberWhen]

It’s a roller coaster for sure.

 

[DCLcruiser]

This will be me in 2 years or so. It terrifies me.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Fwiw, it makes me feel better to read posts like this! I feel like in most places I read comment after comment about the joys of “seeing the magic through their eyes” and how kids just sit in the stroller and “take it all in”. Then I despair because my son spent half his time screaming about something or complaining, lol.

I will say, he’s five and a half now and I feel like I’ve seen huge leaps in self regulation recently. I’ve heard many parents say around six or seven is when children grow into semi reasonable human beings. So take heart, you may be close!

 

[RememberWhen]

Honestly my sweet spot was about 2 years old. Old enough to enjoy the rides and characters. Young enough to pick up and transport easily. Took a trip with my youngest when she was 18 months old and it’s my favorite memories of the park. My current 8yo (and the small one who’s now 4) are sooooo whiny….

 

[Plowboy]

Currently in the air, thanks Delta WiFi!

My wife and I have been to Disney many , many times. Engaged there, honeymooned there, cheap … expensive trips, everything in between. Short ones, long ones, stays off and on property etc.

Our kids are 5 and 3, two pretty hyperactive boys with some personal choices to avoid handheld devices. My kids watch TV but don’t own an iPad and they’re never handed a phone.

Safe to say, bringing our children was a long time goal for us. We just did a 4 night / 5 day stay at the beach club with the lads and holy smokes, that was the ultimate test of patience!

We utilized early morning access and limited trips to 1/2 days to avoid the insane heat. We had a backpack of snacks, books, small toys etc and yet none of that eliminated the tantrums.

Disney with toddlers is an exercise in the highest of highs and lowest of lows. We cried during shows, we were ready to tear our hair out at times. We seemingly never had any “cruising speed” moments.

I loved it but wow I was not actually prepared for that experience. I thought we prepared ourselves for slower pace but I suddenly saw so many moms and dads dealing with the same stuff everywhere we went.

To all the parents out there… woof, we’ve got this… despite the many bumps along the way.

Welcome to parenthood!

 

[Calmdownnow]

My sister and 1 took 3 little ones and an older disabled child on frequent trips. We learnt:
* the constant sensory stimulation -- visual, audio etc -- was too much for a full day when they are really little. Do 5 hours max (preferably with an early entry, cooler temps) then head back to the hotel for pool time or room time. Heading out again in the late afternoon/evening
*hydrate not just with drinks, but with fruit snacks (apples, grapes, melon etc) , and with water sprays
* kids that are too old to need naps during the day, seem to need naps during the day at Disney -- maybe to process all the sensory stuff -- so let them nap, even if they are sleeping through the parade
* build play time in, either with toys in the room, coloring books, or on the jungle gyms in the hotel grounds
* swimming pool time in the evening -- with fewer people in the pool -- can be more relaxing with little ones than mid-day madness with kids every where and stress levels high as you keep track of yours.
* if you've got several kids with you, even ones you think are too old for a stroller, take a stroller and "swop out"; the toddler will want to walk at some point, and the older kid will need some sitting in the shade time
* if the little one has been in a stroller most of the day, let them run and stretch their legs around the hotel paths where there are fewer people
* outdoor disney movie nights are great for relaxing the kids, even if everyone has seen the movie before

I'm sure lots of people will have other tips.
*

 

[flynnibus]

Good news... you survived!

Everyone has their choices, and children are all different.. we did our first with our three when they were 3, 7, 8. By 3, when armed with an umbrella stroller we could manage without the big baby baggage or huge strollers. We still did full days, etc.. but the umbrella stroller offered the right balance of allowing the youngest to rest and we weren't so mobility hindered either. The older two were old enough to be their own motivators and mature enough to handle instructions and limitations. The youngest could enjoy the M&Gs, we still did autograph books back then, etc.

But even then, while we have great photos and memories for the rest of the family.. the youngest doesn't remember any of it. Three years later when we took them again, the youngest was 6 and they have much more concrete memories... but even those are more our memories than theirs.

Now I wouldn't have wanted to deprive the older ones due to the youngest.. but I am a proponent of 'waiting' in the sense till they are old enough to really enjoy the experience. I think 5+ is kinda the sweet spot in terms of balancing all the pros and cons.

That said, still loved our trips.. and have memories like this one when they were in the car after a full day of the MK This was when the youngest was 6.. and they could manage going all day and into EMH late into the night..

 

[ddbowdoin]

I cried this entire show, my 5 year old already wants to go back. The hook is in!

 

[drizgirl]

My boys are 2 years apart. Those preschool years are some of the most amazing, most exhausting years of my life. It's no coincidence that our third didn't come for 5 years after, and only when I was ready for the potential energy of what I assumed would be a third boy. (Turned out to be a girl, but I had to be ready in case it was another boy ).

Glad you made some great memories. What a great commitment you have made not resorting to screens. I commend you. Screens weren't an option for us back then, so I know it's possible. And challenging.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We started going to WDW when my DS was 8yo and went back many many trips throughout his childhood years. He grew up with a love of Disney and that continues still. He still arranges when he can get time off work to go with us as an adult. Soooo many great moments and memories of us as a family at WDW.
I hope you too have many opportunities to go back with your kids. Yes it can be tough when they are tired or cranky but that's part of being on vacation anywhere and you will even look back in time and remember those difficult days with fondness. As my DW always said to me... They grow up fast and before you know it they will be out of the house and on their own. Fortunately we have a great relationship with our DS and he enjoys being in our lives which doesn't always happen with parents and kids. I think Disney helped us with the relationship we have and it was all worth the money and time we paid for those trips.
Enjoy your kids to the fullest.

 

[Phonedave]

I used to know where you could buy underwear and pants in both Magic Kingdom AND Epcot.

My kids are a lot older now, and if they for some strange reason needed to, could buy their own underwear.

We still laugh about some of the things they did when they were little (that were not quite so laughable in the moment) and I am sure you will too.

 

[Calmdownnow]

I used to know where you could buy underwear and pants in both Magic Kingdom AND Epcot.

My kids are a lot older now, and if they for some strange reason needed to, could buy their own underwear.

We still laugh about some of the things they did when they were little (that were not quite so laughable in the moment) and I am sure you will too.

My sister still refuses to sit opposite my youngest at the dining table because she got covered in gunk every time he knocked his soda over, splattered ketchup across the table, or accidentally spilled her drink/food as he shook a wobbly table when Disney dining. (He's a grown man now....)

 

[meggo819]

the constant sensory stimulation -- visual, audio etc -- was too much for a full day when they are really little.

Your whole post is great advice, but this is the thing that stuck out the most to me. I think someone’s experience will vary from kid to kid, based on this! It may not have been the best ages for OP’s kids, but kudos for giving it a try! My 3 girls are surprisingly better behaved when we’re at Disney. I make it clear before-hand that any tantrums will mean missing out on whatever fun ride or activity is next. And they love Disney, so they are on best behavior.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Your whole post is great advice, but this is the thing that stuck out the most to me. I think someone’s experience will vary from kid to kid, based on this! It may not have been the best ages for OP’s kids, but kudos for giving it a try! My 3 girls are surprisingly better behaved when we’re at Disney. I make it clear before-hand that any tantrums will mean missing out on whatever fun ride or activity is next. And they love Disney, so they are on best behavior.

That's how we handled our son when he was growing up. Any time we were out to dine in a restaurant or went anywhere in public he knew how to behave properly or we would get up immediately and leave. We would always get comments from others sitting around us about how well behaved he was and it was a pleasure to see a child who knew how to act properly in a restaurant.

 

[graphite1326]

Never went until our youngest was 6. No strollers, no backpacks with diapers and bottles, It was great. Glad we waited until they were older and appreiciated it more. My youngest shook hands with Buzz Lightyear and said he would never wash that hand again. I will say it again I'M GLAD WE WAITED. After reading OP coments boy am I gald we waited.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Never went until our youngest was 6. No strollers, no backpacks with diapers and bottles, It was great. Glad we waited until they were older and appreiciated it more. My youngest shook hands with Buzz Lightyear and said he would never wash that hand again. I will say it again I'M GLAD WE WAITED. After reading OP coments boy am I gald we waited.

We were advised by friends to wait until DS was old enough to remember the trip, which we did. Lots of parents want to go in the infant stage to get those first baby photo memories and go as early as possible. Watching parents with younger ones with them and how they are frustrated with baby and kid issues Ive always wondered if its really worth dealing with the fussiness and less ability for couples to do all the things you look forward to when you cant take a younger one on rides, break the day up with naps, deal with interruption of schedules babies have set. Whatever works for them. I guess it's worth it to them.

 

[Phonedave]

Ive always wondered if its really worth dealing with the fussiness and less ability for couples to do all the things you look forward to when you cant take a younger one on rides, break the day up with naps, deal with interruption of schedules babies have set. Whatever works for them. I guess it's worth it to them.

That is called having a kid. It pertains not just to WDW, but to life in general when you have kids.

I guess when I took my kids to WDW when they were small (not infants, but small) I went in with the same expectations that I had towards my life with kids in general. They are kids, you are going to have to adapt, it may be WDW world, it may be dinner plans, it may be wanting to sleep in late. Kids are going to throw wrenches into your plans - that is what kids do.