[tinkerbell0219]

All experienced travelers with children......please give me your best tips for traveling with a 15-month old toddler to WDW. We're flying and spending 9 days at the Poly. Give me your best hints, tips, etc....Thank you!!!!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell0219

All experienced travelers with children......please give me your best tips for traveling with a 15-month old toddler to WDW. We're flying and spending 9 days at the Poly. Give me your best hints, tips, etc....Thank you!!!!

DS was 3 1/2 when we took him the first time, so I'll give you my perspective, FWIW.

First, while I've never stayed there, I understand that the Poly is a great place for families with young kids. There are lots of places to play.

Second, get the day started early, no matter which park you're planning to hit. MK, get there at rope-drop and plan to take a break around 11:30. Maybe go back to the Poly for lunch and a nap. Then start out again around 3:30-4pm. It's best to avoid crowds and sun and the mid-afternoon downpour.

Epcot will be a little different, as most young ones don't get a real charge out of it. You'll need to play it by ear.

Animal Kingdom should be fun, but you should also plan on getting there at rope-drop as well. AK is TORTURE when it gets hot. Since you're there for nine days, you should probably plan on going there two different mornings.

Most importantly, don't make a hard schedule for anything other than dinners, and at least one Character breakfast. Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary is highly recommended. Make a reservation early as it books up quick.

Let the day flow and be prepared to be responsive to an overwhelmed child. Kids can go from 60 to 0 in a matter of minutes.

You'll have plenty of time to do all the good stuff, so just relax and have a good time. And take lots of pictures to share with us.

[karliebug]

Here are my best tips: bring disposable bibs, bring child size fork and spoon (i carried mine in a toothbrush holder), bring your own sippy cup and lots of wet ones. Slather on sunscreen and make sure he wears a hat. The Florida sun can burn yankee skin surprisingly fast. Reapply it to him often. I agree to start early and take an afternoon nap break before heading out for dinner. Don't be surprised if your toddler is afraid of the characters, you may need to view them from a distance at first. Bring your own umbrella type stroller (with a canopy, if possible) ,that will save you $8 a day. We also bring a picnic type jug filled with ice water from the hotel each morning and hang it on the side of the stroller. Make sure to bring enough diapers because you will pay dearly for them at disney if you don't. Also,all the resort food courts have microwaves and toasters, so if your little one is partial to poptarts or spaghettios, you can bring your own from home. I also bring snacks like goldfish crackers, juice boxes,granola bars,etc. It saves money and we always have something to munch on in the park.

[bumble]

My best advice is to go back to your resort for nap time. You can't go wrong with that. Then everyone is refreshed

[disneygrandma]

Poly is a great place to stay with a toddler - I am a grandma of four grandsons and we have been going to disney since the first one was 9 months. He is now 9 years old. We have found out that one of the things we appreciated the most was taking a baby back pack carrier. The little one is up and and able to see everything and they seem to love to be up with the adults. They even make ones with a little cover to keep out the sun. Make sure you use sun screen and (if they will) have them wear a hat with a brim around all sides - be sure not to miss behind the neck with the sun screen.
Also Disney has a guest center for small children at most of the parks. Check on the map when you enter - it is a great place to go to feed/nurse or to change a diaper/clothes. Sometime the little ones just need a quiet place to sit for 10 minutes or so - they are great for that also.
Be sure to take lots of pictures - my grandsons love to watch themselves growing up at disney. I recommend that you find a spot and have your little one stand next to something that every time you go back you can take their picture at the same place and watch them grow up.

[BuzzLightyear]

We took our son at around 15 months also. Just take it easy and know ahead of time that you won't be able to do/see everything.

- ship all you disposables (diapers etc..) to the resort ahead of time. This was a great help to us

- Don't bring your carseat on the airplane if you are flying. Its just not nessasary , IMO

-bring your own stroller (not one of the larger ones though)

Have Fun!!

[tinkerbell]

we started taking our granddaughters when they were 6 months and have taken them every year. they are now 12 and almost 15 :)
take lots and lots of pictures :)
make use of the baby care centers they are wonderful for a break.
Use the baby swap when / if you need to on rides like Splash Mt. and other height restricted rides.
enjoy it .. your making some very special memories, I know because every day we talk about our years there with the girls :)

[karliebug]

Oh, here's one more. If you want to buy milk for your little one, buy it from the resort gift shop rather than the food court, it's much cheaper. By the way, if dad wants a beer, it's cheaper in the gift shop than at the bar,too.(In case both of you need a bottle at the end of the day)LOL

[Thia327]

Go at his/her pace - There's nothing worse than a cranky toddler at WDW

We took our dd when she was 11 months, 18 months, 2 yrs, 27 months.
She was ok with the characters when she was 11 months at 18 months she was a little leary, the last 2 times she's gotten better.

I always bring our carseat - she sits in it on the plane and then we use it in the rental car.
I also bring - Motrin, thermometer, Vapor rub (the ac change can make them get a little congested and not able to sleep), Gas drops (even if you don't normally need them - they may get an upset stomach because of the change of enviornment), Diaper rash ointement.

They don't sell Cheerios in Disney so if your child likes them make sure you get them before you get there.

Juice - I get the small bottles Gerber makes. I don't need to worry about keeping it cold and unlike juice boxes it's closeable.

[lewisfamilydunn]

We have been to Walt Disney World 3 times with a toddler (4 times next week!!) Here is a GREAT TIP: make sure to pack a container of bubbles. While you are waiting to ride Dumbo, Tea cups, Peter Pan -- the kids will love to "pop" the bubbles. Plus you become an instant favorite among the other kids waiting in line. Hope this helps.

The Lewis Family

[KarenT]

Wow bubbles what a fun idea.
My DD is 4 she has been to WDW 9 times, the first time she was about 9 months old.
The baby cares centers are great - a nice peaceful break from the day.
I can't agree enough with get there early. It is hard for little ones to wait in line. The earlier you can get there = less wait time. We were at the MK the Sat before Easter. We were there at 7:45AM. We were able to go on all the rides in FL, Splash Mountain, BTMR, Goofy's Barnstormer and Buzz before 10:30. Some we went on twice. So even at a busy time--getting up early pays off!
Go back to your room take a nap or a swim and head out later in the PM.

You know your child the best.. when they start getting cranky...leave the park ( we learned this lesson the hard way )

It is no fun when everyone is crying!

Take your time...and go at yur child's pace. Do the things they want to do.
( I think I have been on It's a small world 100 times, or atleast it feels that way!)

Something fun for the airplane ride is play doh. I bring one can , and we have all sorts of fun with it.
We bring our own stroller, but not our own car seat. We brought our carseat once on the plane. It was the worst flight ever. She hated being in it, and the way it is positioned, when they move their feet, they kick the seat ahead. Total pain in the butt!

Have fun and enjoy the trip. The Poly is a great hotel for families. My DD loves the ALOHA hotel!

[Disney6]

We have traveled with our 3 oldest all at age 6 months or less and yes, take advantage of that nap time and also go at their pace. They may not remember the trip but the look on their faces and in their eyes are pure Disney magic.

[sepa]

my nephew who is 18 months old, and our family just got back on wed. he also had a blast. the biggest problem we hd for the poor boy was the heat. what ended up happening was that we would have to go back to the room around noon for a nap break. also make sure to drink LOTS of water-not soda-but water. we actually went to all the stage/dance/music shows. he had a blast dancing with woody. take a lot of breaks. also, we stayed at Coronado Springs and they offered microwaves. ask for it at the time of check in. and you can get a frig for (i think) $10 day. buy some milk from the local grocery store and cereal and walla- you have a good, healthy breakfast, or snacks or in our case- a nice late night snack. have fun and stay cool!!!!!!

[queensmama]

Be sure to do atleast one night time at the parks. Let him enjoy the fireworks and spectro. This was some of DD favorite this year. Oh and as far as the sunscreen goes they now make a SPF 65 for the little ones. And yes dont for get the back of the neck and TOPS OF EARS. Keep a travel size inyour bag to reapply while in the parks. Lastly, I recommend that if he is really independent and wants to walk on his own, buy a leash. Yes I know some people hate them, but those with toddlers just love them. Always keep a tag with your name and number on the inside of his clothes, just in case the unthinkable happens.