A Little Help Here?

Grannies, Grampies, Memaws, Pawpaws, Opas, Omas…whatever you call them grandparents can be an invaluable asset on your Walt Disney World vacation. In my experience, I’ve found that toddlers and grandparents often like the same rides and attractions…it’s a small world, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Enchanted Tiki Room come to mind. If you can spare the extra expense, why don’t you offer to take them along-your treat? Although, I know many a grandma and grandpa who would be willing to fork over the money for some good quality time with their “grandbabies.” Just don’t forget to show your appreciation and offer Gramps and Grammy a little alone time.

Saving Money on Souvenirs

Or Curing the "I Wants"

Hopefully your child hasn’t hit that stage where they want every little thing they see in a store yet (lucky you), but even if they have there are easy, money-saving solutions that you can plan for before you leave home. I suggest buying several Disney toys, games or little gifts before leaving home. Something you’ve purchased at a national chain store will be much cheaper and just as much of a crowd pleaser. If you have enough planning time, you can hit sales and pick up things when you see them on clearance.

Don’t forget to check on the outlet section of disneyshopping.com! You can often purchase the same items that you can get in the parks for less than half of the cost, especially in the off season. The same goes for t-shirts, bathing suits, and other items that you’ll be tempted to buy at WDW. I recommend buying at least one small gift for each child for each day you’ll be gone. I’ve purchased coloring books, board books, Disney CD’s, Etch-a-Sketches and Magna-Doodles which are all great for the long ride or flight there. Dolls, cars and action figures are other great ideas! At any given time, I have a bin hiding in my closet full of fun gifts that I’ve picked up on the cheap in anticipation of our next trip. (Bonus: If I feel like my daughter’s been really good and deserves a reward, I’m stocked up on some really cool stuff that I pull out as if by magic!)

One “souvenir” I purchased ahead of time on Ebay for much cheaper than in the parks was “Pal Mickey,” an amazing plush doll that plays games, tells jokes and, when taken to WDW, becomes your own personal tour guide! Through Disney “magic” Pal Mickey knows where he is in the parks and what’s going on at any given time! He gives hints like, “Hmm. Somethin’ tells me Belle is over in France about now. Let’s go say hi!” and “”I hear the wait is pretty short at Tower of Terror!”

A fun tip I got from Disney on a Dime by Chris and Kristal Carlson (an indispensable resource if you want to save money on your WDW vacation) is to buy a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head Doll before you leave home and buy Disney-specific accessories at the Once Upon a Toy store at Downtown Disney. You can buy a flat-rate box (approx. $18) and cram as many accessories as you can into it; as long as the box closes-you’re good to go! Most people take up a lot of room fitting Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head in there, but you’ve already got ‘em! (Note: Mr. Potato Head is recommended for kids ages 2+, so please save this for your toddler who’s 2 and up!)

If you’re really stretched in the budget department, try some of these FREE souvenir options! Make your own home-made autograph book before you leave home and be sure to bring a few different colored Sharpie pens. Make it your mission to get autographs and pictures with all your kids’ favorite characters. When you get home, you can make this into a scrapbook using park guides, room keys/park tickets, napkins, coloring book pages your child has colored and best of all…all those pictures of your child with their favorite characters!
Souvenirs do not have to be a drain on your budget or your patience. With a little planning you can have some wonderful souvenirs to remember your trip by and best of all you will have a happy toddler…well, at least until the phone rings, or the toilet flushes, or the dog barks…oh no.


Resources:
Carlson, Chris and Kristal. (Disney on a Dime: Money Saving Secrets for Your Walt Disney World Vacation.) Branford: The Intrepid Traveler, 2006.
http://www.disneyonadime.com/

A Place to Hang Your Hat...or Your Mouse Ears For That Matter!

There are many guides that recommend staying off Disney property in order to save money. I disagree for a couple reasons (1) I don’t think the amount of money you may save is worth the stress that is added and (2) when you stay on Disney property you get the Disney magic 24 hours a day for your entire vacation and that is priceless! There is no doubt about it, you WILL find better deals on hotel rooms just off Disney property-that’s how they compete! You will need to take in to account more than just the dollar signs when making a decision on where to stay on your trip to Walt Disney World.

I think the biggest advantage of staying at a resort on WDW property is the Disney transportation! At most WDW resorts, you can practically step right out the door of your room and onto a bus, monorail or ferry that will take you anywhere you want to go on the WDW property! When you want to come back to your resort for a mid-day nap break, just hop on your bus and you’re back! Compare that with having to rely on your hotel shuttle that is often shared with all the guests of several hotels. If you’ve got a crabby toddler, it is simply torture to have to wait a half hour for your crowded shuttle to show up and then take the half hour ride back to your hotel room with a screaming child. And what if the shuttle shows up and it’s full!?! You’ll have to wait for the next shuttle!

All the Disney resorts have some type of restaurant or food court so you don’t even have to leave your resort to eat. Many of these options are very affordable and in the last few years Disney has made giant leaps in the effort to provide more nutritious food choices in their parks and resorts. From the most affordable food court to the pricier sit down restaurants, you can always find something to tempt your palate (and more importantly, that of your toddler) very close to “home.”

Disney also offers a few family-friendly perks that you can’t find anywhere else. When you schedule a wakeup call, a random Disney character will call your room at the appointed time (think Mickey, Goofy, Stitch, etc.) The service is free and it’s absolutely magical watching your child’s face light up when they answer the phone and Mickey is on the other line. One unofficial perk is the Disney cleaning staff that has been known to arrange your child’s toys into funny little scenes, write a sweet note on a Magnadoodle, and various other little surprises you might return to after a day in the parks.

Having said all that, I recommend families with toddlers stay at one of Disney’s All-Star resorts. They are some of the cheapest that Disney offers at less than $100/night and they are big on Disney magic! Our favorite is the All-Star Movies resort; how can you go wrong with giant Dalmatians (Hint: there are exactly 101!), a Fantasia themed pool, and huge Buzz and Woody dolls on the buildings? A close runner up is the Pop Century resort which celebrates pop culture with larger than life replicas of things that will take you back to your childhood-whichever decade that may be in! There are huge bowling pins, giant foosball players, an enormous laptop and so much more! They even have humungous Disney characters that coordinate with the decade that their movies were released! Okay, I’m getting excited just thinking about it.

Whichever resort you choose, though, you can be sure that it’s packed to the brim with Disney magic 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year!

Before you buy your tickets...

Before you buy your tickets...

It’s important to try to stay as close as you can to your toddler's normal home schedule. I suggest writing out a tentative schedule before you ever make your reservations. Plan which park(s) you want to see on each day, nap times, meal times and even some swimming time at your hotel! I generally say that the older the child, the more they’re willing to do. BUT, as you’ll hear from me quite often, only you know what your child can and cannot handle!

Here’s an example of a daily schedule:

Notice that there are only a few times listed. Life with a toddler is unpredictable, so technically YOU are on THEIR schedule. Be flexible, don’t push them to do too much and you’ll all have a much more enjoyable time! Anything in BLUE…is my tip for you!

8:30am-Take a bus to Magic Kingdom (get there early for the opening ceremony!)

9am-Magic Kingdom opens!
Head to Fantasyland and get a Fastpass for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Stop by the Tip Board at the end of Main Street closest to the Castle. Check to see if Belle is reading stories in Fairytale Garden today and show times.

Must do in Fantasyland: it’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel & Ariel’s Grotto.

Bring in your own snacks to keep the little one happy and busy during attraction lines! I like those packs of chips or cookies that are only 100 calories-they’re great for mom and dad, too!

Noon-Head back to your resort for nap/rest time.

1:30pm-Head back to Magic Kingdom
Go to the City Hall building
Pet horses at the Car Barn (Make sure to wash hands afterward!)
Take a ride on a Main Street Vehicle or take the train.

3pm*-Dreams Come True Parade (Get there early to get a good spot!)

3:30pm-Head LEFT from Fantasyland to Liberty Square! (Most people naturally head right in the morning at Magic Kingdom, so attractions on the left will be less crowded!)

Liberty Square Must Do’s: The Haunted Mansion.

Only you can gauge your own child to know what they can handle! My 3 year old can handle The Haunted Mansion, but it doesn’t mean everyone’s can!

Frontierland Must Do’s: The Country Bear Jamboree, Tom Sawyer Island.

Adventureland Must Do’s: Pirates of the Caribbean, Grab a Dole Whip, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, The Enchanted Tiki Room.

Mickey’s Toontown Fair Must Do’s: Donald’s Boat, The Barnstormer, Mickey’s Country House, Minnie’s Country House, Judge’s Tent, Toontown Hall-of-Fame. Don’t forget to bring swim diapers and bathing suits into the parks-Each park now has at least one water-play area!

Tomorrowland is more fun at night when it’s all lit up! Try to finish up your Magic Kingdom day there and head to the evening parade and fireworks!

Tomorrowland Must Do’s: Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Buzz Lightyear, and The Laugh Floor Comedy Club.

If your toddler thinks fireworks are too loud or scary or needs an earlier bedtime, I suggest heading back to your hotel early. Plus, you can avoid the crowds of people leaving the parks at the end of the day!

9pm*-Wishes! Nighttime Spectacular, Park Closes (Wait for the crowds to dwindle down and check out the main street shops. Who wants to be waiting in line for a bus or monorail when you could be in the Magic Kingdom?)

10pm Wind down at Resort/ Bedtime Don’t forget to schedule a wakeup call for 8:03am tomorrow! (If you schedule an off time, like 8:03, you’re more likely to get a wakeup call from Mickey! If Mickey’s busy, you may receive a call from Goofy, Stitch or another character!)

*Check the Tip Board daily for current parade, show and firework times as they may change daily.

How to Take Your Toddler to Walt Disney World…
and Return With Your Sanity!

Taking your toddler to Walt Disney World doesn’t have to drain your patience, budget or fun! This blog will be filled with tried and true tips for taking your toddler to the “mouse house.”


The toddler years are a great time for your child’s first trip to Walt Disney World! It’s wonderful to see the Disney magic through your little one’s eyes. Unfortunately, the number one complaint I’ve heard from parents who’ve made the trip with little ones is that they tried to do too much! It’s important to take the time out for naps, snacks, and maybe even a little water-play every day of your trip. Is it worth seeing one more attraction, instead of heading back to your hotel for an hour for a nap, if you’ve got a cranky 2 year old on your hands during the fireworks?

A little advance planning will go a long way toward making your stay at Disney more enjoyable for everyone.