Some tips for those with toddlers/preschoolers About This Page:

[dizzparkmom]

Here are a few tips from our recent trip with our 4 turning 5 year old. They aren't new tips by any means, but definately worth mentioning again.

- You may already know that you can ask housekeeping to deliver bed rails to your room, but did you know that they can probably also bring you a step stool so that your toddler/pre-schooler can better reach the sink in your room. We never even thought about it on prior trips and always had to lift DS up everytime he needed to wash his hands in the room. On a whim asked for one this time and they said it was no problem. When they brought the bed-rails, they brought a small plastic step stool just the right size to help DS reach the faucet. We stayed at the Yacht Club. Not all resorts may have these available, but it's worth asking about if it will make your room more accessible for your kids.

- Disposable paper cups (Zoo Pals): I read about this here on the Passporter boards a couple of weeks before our trip. It was so nice not to worry about rinsing out and keeping sippy cups clean in the room. The lids fit very tight and don't pop off easily and the sippy hole is small enough not to allow for leaking. If your child isn't quide ready to be trusted with open cups in the hotel room, give these a try.


- I found the plastic packaging that a set of sheets came in and packed it with DS's emergency clothes/swim wear & our disposable ponchos. Since it was see-through, it was quick and simple for security to check if they wanted to. Also, it was small enough that it could just stay in the stroller basket all the time...even when the stroller was folded. We never worried that we didn't have what we needed for DS. Also, it was handy to always have his swim suit available for impromtu trips to the water play areas.


- Other than Toy Story Midway Mania, DS's favorite ride at WDW was.....

the $5 Pony ride at Fort Wilderness. It's right next to Pioneer Hall...which is a very short walk from the boat dock. So, if your looking for a quick diversion while at the MK, it's a very quick trip.

- During our flights, we used Ear Planes for DS. It really helped to prevent the uncomfortable pressure on his ears during descent. My biggest problem, however was that I couldn't find the child size anywhere. I tried Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Target...everyplace I tried only had the adult size. In the end, we found them on drugstore.com. So, if you can't find them locally, give that a try.

- There are tons of different ways to mark your stroller to make it more distinct. Before leaving home, we tied a small, simple ribbon on the handle. It probably would have worked just fine. However, after eating at Ohana on our first morning, we found something that worked even better. We took one of the Leis they gave us at breakfast and wrapped it around the handle. It was completely unlike anything anyone else was using and everytime we parked the stroller it was very easy to find afterwords (even when it was moved to the complete opposite side of the stroller parking area).

[Disney 4ever]

These are great tips. I am going this year with my best friend and her Grandson. He will be turning 5 during the trip. I am going to email these to her.

[goofyboysmama]

Thanks - will try the step stool tip

[B.M.]

Thanks.......... I would have never thought about the step stool for my three year old, but that would def. be nice to have.

[eff051102]

Thank you for the tips! I didn't know about the step stool. I'm so glad you
were able to get one.

[DisneyLuv]

Thanks for the tips. These are great! Never even thought to ask about bed rails, but will definitely do so next time as the beds @ POR are high up off the floor and I was worried last trip that they would fall off.

[DISNEY03]

Great tips! I especially like the extra clothes in the see-through plastic. Last time I brought extra clothes in the stroller they got wet during a rain storm. Never thought of those bags, I have so many saved just waiting to be used!

[Colexis Mom]

Thansk for the tips!!

[dzlovesdisney]

Great tips! Thanks!

[Aspen]

These are great tips! Thanks!

[JAJ]

Great tips!! Wonderful to know this for our trip!

[OhToodles!]

I'm using the one about the lei for our upcoming trip - which I read about in yout TR. Thanks for the idea on the cups - I need to look for those.

[MarriedLadyTara]

Those are great tips! I especially like the step stool and bed rail ones. We were going to bring our own bed rails. Now I think I'll call and ask if they're available at the hotel!

Thanks!

[NJMomof2]

Love the step stool tip.
Those cups are neat...wouldn't need straws then! :-) (Do these cups fit straws? My kids don't really use sippy cups...but they look kind of like coffee cup lids...are they more of a sippy cup though?)

[home4us123]

Great tips. Thanks