[jo-jo]

Hi all. This Sept I maybe going to disney mainly to babysit. My DD and SIL want to have a relaxing vacation. Not even go to the parks that much. I felt that can't be done with a toddler who doesn't even sleep thru the night and goes from 6 am to 8-9 pm with just an afternoon nap. And runs around the rest of the day ( no wonder she is so skinny). So I offered to come along. Well, I'm thinking what rides/shows would be good. I don't what to cause problems for other guests. MK has a lot but what about MGM and Epcot. I even thought just taking the boat loop from MK to Fort wilderness to WL. So I'm looking a way to use up four or five hours a day, so her parents have a chance to do whatever. The rest of the day I will have to suffer by myself. Any thoughts?

[Erin]

Well, I have a baby, too, and at MGM - there is a TON for her to do! It's almost ALL shows at MGM, plus that really cool playground. So, you can definitely do the shows like Playhouse Disney and Beauty and the Beast!

Also, at EPCOT, Miss Caisley loves Maelstrom and the El Rio De Tiempo ride. She also likes Spaceship Earth and FIGMENT! (her favorite!!!!)

She tolerated the Honey I SHrunkt he kids show, but she loved the IMagination STation after Figment...

she loved the sidewalks that light up at night...

I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out...

[jo-jo]

I forgot all about the playground at MGM. And playhouse disney just didn't dawn on me. I love beauty and the beast. Last year DGD loved Lion King, so I think Beauty would be a big hit too. I'm just concerned going into a show or a long ride and having a baby getting upset. What about country bear? Do little kids find that fun?

[Erin]

Originally Posted by jo-jo

I forgot all about the playground at MGM. And playhouse disney just didn't dawn on me. I love beauty and the beast. Last year DGD loved Lion King, so I think Beauty would be a big hit too. I'm just concerned going into a show or a long ride and having a baby getting upset. What about country bear? Do little kids find that fun?

My daughter loved it! She loved Buzz, Country Bears, CoP, TTA, Tiki Birds, and iasw the most.
:c)

[tiptonsara]

My DD really likes the country Bear Jamboree. The best suggestion I have is that always give her time to run around. My DD is now 2, and sometimes a 30 minute show gets her antsy. We found that if we let her play a little and walk around before the show, she would do great. If she was stuck in a stroller and then had to sit through a show she would start wiggling.

Remember, there are tons of familys there. THere will always be someone's child that is upset. And just about everyone is understanding of children getting upset or hard to handle. (We have seen some terrible ones.)

Another suggestion, we always keep some snacks or toys in our bag. Those small disney play figures (like jo-jo) were very handy. When Madison gets antsy, she just starts playing with her toys. A coloring book and set of Princess stickers got us through a 2.5 hour meal at Flying Fish with no problems in May.

Have a great time!

[alandjen]

The Boneyard at AK is a great playground for kids that age. We went last year when our twin daughters were about 20 months old.

They loved Dumbo and the similar rides (i.e. Alladin's carpets and Triceratops Spin) as well.

[millermouse]

We recently traveled with a 17 month old to WDW. I understand your concern. Our son is very active!!! and has been from day one. Just keep in mind that you need to plan each day around your child's temperment THAT DAY! We sometimes have unrealistic plans as adults that babies don't give a care about!!!! Also, he loved Figment and Spaceship Earth at Epcot!!! Just keep an open mind!!!!

[Campbell87]

There will be tons for her to dowhen your there, Iv never travelled with a youngster but Im guessing even things like the train ride around MK and maybe even the monorail could be fun aswell, if she likes characters then the meet and greets around the parks would be great fun, In EPCOT I think one of he biggest hits might be taking her around all of the KIDCOT stations, Iv seen kids sit there for ages while their parents browse that country.

[jo-jo]

Thank you for all the great ideas.

I was just saying to my DH as long as I don't have a plan to go on certain rides, we'll be fine. I figure I can let her run her little legs off in Epcot. The park area behind England that might be a good spot to run and do bubbles. There is also that walkway in MK behind toontown that looks like pretty quiet area.

Which brings me to another question. How well do those wrist to wrist restraints work? Another reason to find some quiet areas to walk in, don't want to "clothesline" anyone. She'll walk holding hands but sometimes you just want to let her "loose" and run around.

As far as toys, when my kids were little and we took planes to grandparents, I found pipe cleaners were great toys. Bend them to make things and never have to worry about losing pieces. But I think getting some of those little figures would be a great idea.

I won't have to worry about trying to make it thru any meals. I might end up getting her a CS meal sometime, but I think she will be hitting the character meals with her parents.

The boneyard, is that sand? Don't the kids walk away with 40 lbs of sand in their clothes?

So thanks again, I'm feeling more confindant that I can keep up with my DGD.

[Tinkerbelle67]

I just wanted to add that in MK and Epcot, there are the play areas that have water features, pack her swimsuit and water shoes and she can run and play. There's one in Mickey's Toon Town and one by Ariel's Grotto in the MK. In Epcot I seem to remember one by Test Track. It's a possibility MGM and AK have them too, I just never noticed them.

[bribren]

Take her to the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness. Lots of playground space, mabye a hayride. You could do this via a boat from the MK if she starts to lag a bit.

Another Idea is to do the monorail loop. Very relaxing to spend a few hours visiting the resorts...

[ARIEL]

Originally Posted by Erin

Well, I have a baby, too, and at MGM - there is a TON for her to do! It's almost ALL shows at MGM, plus that really cool playground.

Huh? I am lost....what playground at MGM? I cannot think of where this is for the life of me princess!
( sorry for light thread jack )
Apart from this, yeah, there really is lots to do at pretty much all the parks. Probably the least to do is at Epcot but MK, MGM and AK you will never be lost for things to while away the hours on. Even the boat trips to the parks and resorts and the monorail kept our DD ( 21 months at the time ) well entertained. Bless you for helping them too. I think it is really neat of you

[jo-jo]

Originally Posted by ARIEL

Huh? I am lost....what playground at MGM? I cannot think of where this is for the life of me princess!
( sorry for light thread jack )

I forget where it is exactly in MGM, but I'm sure she is speaking of the "honey I shrunk the kids" play area.

[ARIEL]

oh yes of course! I totally forgot about that one! thanks jo~jo

[alandjen]

Which brings me to another question. How well do those wrist to wrist restraints work?

We didn't use the wrist-to-wrist restraints, but we have used the ones that are basically chest harnesses. I think those have the advantage of allowing the little ones to have both hands free and unencumbered. (advantage for them, that is. For the parents, well, I guess that depends on the child).

I thought they worked pretty well.

Whatever you choose, if you haven't used them with this particular child before, I'd suggest a few practice runs before you leave. Try a park, or a shopping mall, etc. It'll give you practice on quickly getting the thing on and off, which will make a ton of difference in terms of not exhausting the little one's patience, and it'll get them used to the feel of it.