Disney with Kids part 2

I do not have kids but I wanted to help out those of you that do to make your Disney memories filled with more magic.  This is all based on some random observations by my Mommy and me during our many runDisney trips.
There are little details, E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!  You may be excited to see your child ride on Dumbo for the first time but don't drag them down the street.  There is a lot so see and smell as you walk down Main Street USA.  Let your child take it all in.  They are likely in sensory overload so take things slow.  You may even see a lot of fun little things that are there for the kids just as much for the grown ups.

The peanuts in the concrete at Story Book Circus, the squirrels on the pillars, the "Goofy" things at the Goofini roller coaster.  Seriously, second aid!  

Lots of people have their strollers.  Label your stroller and do something so that it stands out for you.  Also, if you can bring your own umbrella stroller that should be more than enough for your little person.  Your child(ren) should be old enough to do most of the day walking on their own two feet.  Most lines you need to park the stroller anyways so they will be standing or you are holding them.  The stroller is great for them to sit in at the parade, take a nap in it during the afternoon while you grab a long and leisurely lunch.  Also, don't walk more than 2 across because it causes traffic jams.  Please don't stop in the walkway.  If you need to stop for some reason move over to the side so traffic can still flow.  

About that stroller.  FOLD IT UP BEFORE the bus gets there to pick you up.  You cannot take it on the bus open.  This saves the people in line behind you from having to wait as well as from you struggling to take all your stuff out of the stroller and the stroller also deciding to not want to fold as easily as it usually does.  Take a picture of how you are getting to the park.  Is it by monorail, boat or bus?  Take a picture of your little on their way over.  Their faces are usually full of excitement.  They may start randomly talking to a nearby kid or stranger about what they are going to do that day.  

Take pictures of the ride signs and your fast pass tickets that you may get.  You can use them later to help scrapbook or recall some small details from your trip that you may have forgotten with all the business.  At the end of the day take the time to send yourself an email about all that you did, things that were said, feelings and such that you may forget by the time you get home.  This will help you to make a better scrapbook of the trip or blog about what you did.  

 

If your child is in love with one attraction go on it over and over again.  They may not be big enough to enjoy some of the attractions that you want to or it may not be appropriate for your child (scary, dark...).  Disney has a ride swap where one parent waits in line and when they are done they swap places with the parent waiting with the child(ren).  The second parent basically gets a "fastpass" to the front.  

Make sure to take time to sit down and eat.  I cannot tell you how many kids fall asleep on the bus back to the resort at the end of the day and the parents wake them up to feed them dinner upon returning for the evening.  That's fine except the kids are practically sleep eating.  Disney will also give you a glass of ice water for free so if you want to bring a water bottle to pour it into after instead of the paper cup it's a great idea.  

Take pictures of your food.  Make sure to pick places to eat that have food your child will enjoy.  Not all places will offer food that your little likes.  You may bring food into the park (as of this time) so feel free to give your little snacks they will like to keep the grumpies away and keep them going.  

Take time to sit down and relax.  A great time to take a break is an hour or two before the parade.  Scope out a good location and sit down.  Send one parent to get food and have a "picnic" lunch or dinner while waiting for the parade.  And when it comes to the parade and kiddos meeting characters what photo do you want:

 Same parade but the one with your kid in it (ok, I am a big kid, we all are at heart) will be much more memorable.  Their face when they walk up to that character instead of their back while they get a hug.  Their interaction with the character as well as the posed character photos are the ones that you will love most.  And don't forget to stay for the fireworks.  Your child may be at their meltdown point but think of the meltdown when they hear/see the fireworks while waiting at the bus stop.  Stay and let them fall asleep in your arms as you leave the park--don't let them sit in the stroller since you will have to move them to fold it up.