HelpAroundTheMouse Clues you in on….
Disney with a Young Child
Every trip to Disney requires a great deal of planning. Disney can be overwhelming for the average adult, but without the proper care, it can be even more so for an infant or toddler. So, you are to be congratulated! You have already partnered with Help Around the Mouse to help you plan your vacation. So, you are on the right track. Although everyone may tell you your child will not remember this trip, it is an unforgettable moment for parents when their child first sees the castle, a real life princess, or the Big Cheese himself. Enjoying time in the Happiest Place on Earth is going to be a part of the fabric (and photos!) of your family life. Let’s do everything we can to insure that the memories we create are happy ones!
Rest is key!
The most important rule of thumb when taking a child to Disney World is to prioritize your child’s at home schedule. Let him sleep when he normally sleeps. Remember, children will not be less tired at Disney. They will be MORE. This commitment will do wonders for his mood.... and your overall vacation experience.
Resort Check in
When checking in at your resort take advantage of the fact that only the person whose name is on the reservation has to stand in line. Take the kids to explore the hotel. Or, simply watch the Disney movies playing in their ‘child waiting area’. As soon as you get to your room, ask housekeeping for an extra set of sheets. Now, if you need to change the sheets in the middle of the night, you’re prepared!
Characters
Character experiences with your children can be one of the best events of your trip. Although a toddler's behavior can be considered unpredictable at best, you can try to prepare them for their first meeting with a Disney character.
• The live character is very different from the animated character. They are very large (compared to a toddler) and can be very intimidating to small children. While watching a Disney planning video, reinforce how nice “Big Mickey” or “Big Minnie” are, and how they want to be friends. It may not come up, but if it does, be prepared to explain to your child that “Big Mickey” and his friends most likely cannot talk.
If possible, it is often wise to arrange it so that your child’s first encounter with a costumed character is with a ‘face’ character. Face characters are those who appear human, such as the princesses, Peter Pan, and Aladdin. It may be a good idea to avoid the "Villain" characters until you know your child is ready to meet them. • Characters a very well trained in dealing with all children. They can often help a child over any hesitancy he may have, and will let your child set the tone for the meeting--- or lack thereof! • Purchase an autograph book for character greetings. Whether you are at character dining or meeting them at the parks, this is big for toddlers. Don’t forget to put your name/phone number/address inside the front cover. Disney will mail a missing book to you if they have recovered it.
Strollers
Strollers 5 - 7 miles a day is a normal walk at Disney. So, you may need a stroller for children who haven’t used one in a while. It is up to you how you gain access to a stroller.
Your own stroller
You will have it at the airport. Is this a plus or a minus? You understand your stroller! You will have it for all transitions. It can be a LONG walk from the bus to your room. Bring a rain cover -- you will need to leave your stroller outside at restaurants and attractions.
Buy a Stroller
It can be cheaper then renting Reclining umbrella strollers are sold at Disney for about $60 Buy one from Target or Walmart if you have a Car. Have Amazon deliver one! We got a cute Minnie stroller for about $20.
Off property Rental
No wear and tear on your own stroller! Delivery and Pick up are to your resort is easy. Help Around the Mouse will be happy to arrange for stroller rental for you, and have it waiting at your resort when you check in. Prices tend to be more economical and strollers more comfortable than Disney’s offerings.
Disney Stroller Rental
Rent near the front of every park and at Disney Springs by the day or for the length of your stay. It will cost you $15.00 per day ($13 length of stay) to rent a "single" stroller and $31.00 per day ($27 length of stay) to rent a "double" stroller.
You will need to budget time to pick up your stroller each morning.
You will not have a stroller to go to the bus stop -- which can be a long walk.
You will NOT be able to leave your sleeping child in his or her stroller on the Disney buses. Make sure you can fold it easily and you can carry it easily onto a crowded bus. And, because of Fire Code regulations, Disney does not allow their guests to bring strollers inside any of the attractions or theaters -- unless it qualifies for a Stroller as Wheelchair designation.
Whether you bring your own or rent, you'll need an easy way to ID your stroller in a sea of others. To make it even harder, Disney has cast members whose job is to move parked strollers so that everything stays looking neat. Tie something personal to the stroller's handle. It doesn't have to be big or fancy, a simple bandana will work. Just make it something you can spot easily.
There are baby changing stations in men’s and women’s restrooms, and most locations will also have a family restroom option as well. Beware that Disney uses those loud, automatic-flush toilets. To prevent frightening your freshly potty trained child, simply cover the flush sensor with your hand or with a small Post-It note until your child is finished. Remove it after your child has left the stall.
There are water spouts coming from the ground at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney Springs. Casey Jr’s Splash ‘n Soak Station in Storybook Circus is all about getting wet! Little ones can have fun getting wet and cooling off. So don’t forget to pack a towel and a change of clothes in your park bag.
Toddlers never travel light and a trip to Disney is no exception. You'll need a place to carry all those little things. A great hint is to try to find a CLEAR tote. Not only will it be easy for you to find what you need, but it will help you zip thru security!
Besides the necessary baby supplies, you will also want to have some things that you can pull out in those moments when your child needs some ‘distractions’. Some healthy snacks are always a good idea. You might want to take a container full of cereal or carrots along with you. Also, at many attractions and shops in the theme parks, Cast Members have rolls of stickers of everything from the Disney characters. Don't be shy about asking for four or five of them. They will calm a child like (Disney) magic.
It is worth noting that straws are taboo at Animal Kingdom for the safety of the animals, so no juice boxes will be allowed. Make sure you bring a sippy cup!
We all know that 'baby care' pretty much takes places 24 hours per day, but it's nice to know when there are 'nicer than normal' facilities available. Disney provides specific "Baby Centers" in all four of their theme parks to make your day a little easier.
The Baby Centers have private nursing rooms, feeding supplies and equipment, diaper changing facilities, and three of them even have play areas set up with toys and videos. And the toddler toilets are NOT the loud automatic flush type that is found elsewhere in the park! Best of all, they're air-conditioned, and usually not very crowded because 'no one' seems to know they're there!
Unless you need to restock any of your supplies, everything is complimentary. Thank the heavens above, their emergency supplies DO include diapers! (Tip: As you should expect, the prices of everything carry that 'this is here for your convenience so we can charge you extra' tax. Try to not 'need' anything - but know they're here just in case you forget something)
No sleeping areas: Having a few napping rooms would have made these absolutely perfect, huh? Unfortunately, they're not available.
Every parents fears it, and Disney is well prepared for it: a lost child. Here are some hints about how to avoid it, and what to do if it happens to you.
Guest relations provides complimentary name tags with space to write your child's name, your name, Resort / location, and cell phone number on it. Attach it securely on the child.
Before leaving for the parks each morning take a full length, digital photo. Don’t have a digital camera or cell phone? Have your picture taken by Disney's PhotoPass photographers when you enter the park. Disney will be able to retrieve this photo if they need to.
Soon after you arrive in the parks, find a Cast Member and use him/her as a prop as you explain to your child that anyone with THIS white name tag will be able to help them if they need it. Disney Cast Members are trained to deal with lost children, and will be happy to assist you with this conversation.
Teach your child to stay put in an open area and wait for you. You're the grown-up and you will find them.
Your children ARE being watched: There are undercover police persons all over Walt Disney World. Although their main job is to look for thieves, they also watch for lost children.
If a Cast Member comes upon a lost child, they will greet the child and reassure them. They then stay with the child for about 15 minutes to wait for the parent. If a parent isn't found, they then take the child to the baby care center in the park, after informing another cast member at their location. The cast member at the childcare facility will note your child's name, physical description, nationality, and clothes they are wearing. They then call the park's guest relations and provide them with the information. If anyone calls, Guest Relations can inform them of the child's location.
Height Requirements
Measure your child's height before arriving at the Park so that children know which rides they will be able to enjoy ahead of time. Disney absolutely will NOT allow a child ride that is ‘close’ to being tall enough. They will be measured at the ride entrance and possibly again at the ride vehicle. They may pass the first test, but not the second. This is one rule that a Cast Member can be immediately terminated for bending.
All of the rides that have height requirements also have a Child swap option. What does this mean? One parent can ride Splash Mountain while the other one waits with the baby. Then, the second parent can ride while the first parent waits with the baby. Your older kids will love baby swap. Disney wants to make sure everyone has a great trip so no one has to ride alone. The older kids will get to ride with Dad and then ride again with Mom, too! Cool!
Always be conscience of where the exits are for any of the shows in case there's a 'disruption' from the youngest member. In any theater, try to sit on the far side of your chosen row. Remember to respect the people around you. If your child is tired, irritable and screaming at the top of their lungs, don't try to wait it out. Scoot out the exit, and meet the rest of your party outside.
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