Share your Disney parenting hacks (packing, etc.)

[Daniela Rose]

What do you do to make the trip easier with toddlers?
Ex: packing daily outfits in zip locs, etc.

This is a spin off to my must have travel things with a toddler thread.

 

[Maggie at the Fort]

Carry snacks... Nothing is worse than a hungry kid and long lines for food or nothing they want to eat. (This is true of grown ups too). A quick snack can prevent a melt down and save the day.

Bringing glow sticks and other little trinkets can save money and keep things fun.

Also, my kids have Disney banks. They earn money (mostly a quarter at a time) for chores and save up birthday and other money for souvenirs. Counting it out and converting change to bills is a fun activity the week before the trip.

We talk about rules before the trip. We talk about behavior expectations so there aren't big surprises. This year my seven year old has been very into deciding what rules should be. She has roles to cover almost any conceivable situation at this point. Mine are generally more specific. We talk about what being respectful looks like, what being safe looks like, oh and if one person needs to stop at the potty, we all do.

 

[momto3pirates]

Definitely bring snacks. That way no matter where you are, if someone gets hungry, you are ready. Sometimes my kids find the worst possible time to be "starving"! Like after you've waited 20 minutes for a ride and you are almost up to the front.
Take a picture every morning of the kids just in case they get lost. In that panic you will forget what they have on.
Go at the child's pace. Cranky kids make for a miserable day. Don't push too hard.

 

[LISmama810]

Last time we went, I took "Grumpy Chips." They're circles of card stock with a sticker of Grumpy on each one. Each member of the family is assigned the same number of chips, and each one is worth 5 minutes of being grumpy.

Want a Mickey bar and can't have one? You can be okay with it, or you can use a Grumpy Chip and be as angry as you want for 5 minutes. The thing is, once you've used up your Grumpy Chips, you can't be grumpy anymore.

That begs the question: What happens if someone is grumpy even after running out of chips? I don't know. This worked really well for us last time, so I never got to find out what would happen. But the idea is that it kind of makes you stop and decide if something is really worth throwing a fit over, and usually it isn't.

I realize it won't work for every kid/family, and I don't know if it'll work for us this time (kids are all two years older now) but it's worth a shot. This time I've coordinated the chips to match the color of each person's Magic Band, and I've allotted 10 chips per person. We're driving from Chicago so I hope it's enough.

Anyway, I also pack one of those super thin extra absorbent towels, moleskin pre-cut into various sizes to prevent blisters, those handheld mist things that you can pump by hand, ponchos, baby wipes, a travel thing of deodorant for the grown-ups, and sometimes a couple mini canisters of Play Doh for waits at restaurants.

 

[hollylu1016]

Last time we went, I took "Grumpy Chips." They're circles of card stock with a sticker of Grumpy on each one. Each member of the family is assigned the same number of chips, and each one is worth 5 minutes of being grumpy.

Want a Mickey bar and can't have one? You can be okay with it, or you can use a Grumpy Chip and be as angry as you want for 5 minutes. The thing is, once you've used up your Grumpy Chips, you can't be grumpy anymore.

That begs the question: What happens if someone is grumpy even after running out of chips? I don't know. This worked really well for us last time, so I never got to find out what would happen. But the idea is that it kind of makes you stop and decide if something is really worth throwing a fit over, and usually it isn't.

I realize it won't work for every kid/family, and I don't know if it'll work for us this time (kids are all two years older now) but it's worth a shot. This time I've coordinated the chips to match the color of each person's Magic Band, and I've allotted 10 chips per person. We're driving from Chicago so I hope it's enough.

Anyway, I also pack one of those super thin extra absorbent towels, moleskin pre-cut into various sizes to prevent blisters, those handheld mist things that you can pump by hand, ponchos, baby wipes, a travel thing of deodorant for the grown-ups, and sometimes a couple mini canisters of Play Doh for waits at restaurants.

I will now start using this in every day life!!!!!

 

[danielocha30]

I let my toddler roam "free" to drain energy and any possible stress? after that they would take a drink and snack and back to the stroller where they will probably fall asleep

 

[keepswimming76]

Plan some time during your trip for your child to simply play. For example: the playground at the resort, a kids club at the resort, at MK, Tom Sawyer's Island, at AK the Boneyard. We did a 10 day trip last year and our kids really enjoyed those moments that weren't scheduled fun.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

We used those vacuum space saver bags for packing our suitcases. Also, I brought a pop up hamper for dirty clothes (the best plan ever!!!).

I also picked up glow wands from the dollar store as small surprises, and brought a small baggie of trinkets for Jawa trading in HS.

The kids carried pocket fans in the parks. They aren't as great as the mister fans, but they are cheap, lightweight, and got the job done.

 

[kboo]

I love the idea of Grumpy Chips!

Also - not really a hack, but just keep your expectations realistic when traveling with a toddler. It's not really a huge deal to miss a FP because your toddler was admiring the model train in Germany/the Goofy statue on Main St./meeting characters... etc.

For the babies, we always packed an extra outfit in a gallon ziploc in case of blowout or other clothing disaster. Snacks. A little "money" the kids can spend (when our daughter was 3-4, she had a little chnage purse with pennies in it, and if she really wanted to buy something, we would tell her how much it "cost" from her coins. If it was modest, we'd only make her contribute 1-2 pennies; if it was something we didn't want to buy, we'd tell her it cost a few pennies more than she had. heh.

 

[unrequited23]

A pack of fruit snacks or a lollipop prevented 'hangry' meltdowns from my 2.5 yr old while waiting in line several times.

 

[TOBS2010]

We carried a regular back pack--but I had five different ziplock bags. Made it incredibly easy to find things through out the day---also made it easier to repack when we went through security and have to take things out to quickly put back.
Bag 1: Change of clothes for DS
Bag 2: Snacks for all of us (goldfish, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks)
Bag 3: "Entertainment" (match box cars, crayons, random little toys) to keep him entertained when we were out to eat
Bag 4 (sandwich size): Wash-ups, bandaids, suckers (for it I needed a please don't melt down now bribe), kleenex etc.
Bag 5: Autograph book and pen (super nice to grab quickly at a character sighting)

It was also a huge bonus that if and when we got stuck in the rain I didn't have to worry much about anything getting wet because it was all water proofed. Each morning/evening when we went into the parks I could easily see what I needed to replenish.

 

[ricosuave]

We still do all of these:

For the suitcase, pack a complete outfit (underwear, hair accessories, etc.) in a gallon ziploc back and squeeze all air out. When my kids were little, I was able to do both kids' outfits in 1 ziploc bag. It was nice in the morning bc we'd just grab a bag and everything was in there!

I also pack a cheap pump soap for the bathroom. Those bar soaps get messy.

Pack a nightlight for the room

 

[JinxedSydney]

We carried a regular back pack--but I had five different ziplock bags. Made it incredibly easy to find things through out the day---also made it easier to repack when we went through security and have to take things out to quickly put back.
Bag 1: Change of clothes for DS
Bag 2: Snacks for all of us (goldfish, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks)
Bag 3: "Entertainment" (match box cars, crayons, random little toys) to keep him entertained when we were out to eat
Bag 4 (sandwich size): Wash-ups, bandaids, suckers (for it I needed a please don't melt down now bribe), kleenex etc.
Bag 5: Autograph book and pen (super nice to grab quickly at a character sighting)

It was also a huge bonus that if and when we got stuck in the rain I didn't have to worry much about anything getting wet because it was all water proofed. Each morning/evening when we went into the parks I could easily see what I needed to replenish.

With the exception of 4, this is what I packed for the airplane ride too. After we were grounded in the plane for over an hour, the stewardess complimented me on my girls' manners. I told her it was the "magic backpack."

 

[Daniela Rose]

Ok so spinoff...I need(ok want) a new backpack for Disney. Any suggestions? I love the Disney jansport ones but side pockets for water is a must and they don't have that.

It has to be a supermom worthy backpack. Lol

 

[KrazeeK120]

I hate to be a dissenter, but I'm not sure my son would have comprehended "Grumpy chips" or really even behavior expectations at 18 months old (although I think these are fabulous ideas for older children).

With a toddler, we found it was best to go at his pace. We scheduled FPs for the big rides during his nap (he napped fine in the stroller). Let them run around and blow off some steam as needed. We did the "outfit in the ziploc bag" thing and loved it. As some have said, snacks are a must! We also chose to keep his bedtime the same as at home (forgoing nighttime entertainment), but having a well-rested toddler was worth it to us. He did great and we had an absolutely fabulous trip.

 

[StraightToDumbo]

No matter what...you HAVE GOT TO NAP. Everything will be cool for the first day with all the stimulation. But all that will wear over time and turn into a giant (tiny) ball of exhausted frustration. Nap from day one...every day...and find at least ONE sleep in day.

 

[KrazeeK120]

No matter what...you HAVE GOT TO NAP. Everything will be cool for the first day with all the stimulation. But all that will wear over time and turn into a giant (tiny) ball of exhausted frustration. Nap from day one...every day...and find at least ONE sleep in day.

To add on...what works for one kid may not work for another. We had 4 full park days when we went. Day 1 was a stroller nap...went fine. We went back to the resort on day 2 and DS would not nap in the crib in the room. Totally refused. So he didn't nap that day (thankfully still did OK through the evening). Days 3 and 4 were stroller
naps again and went fine. So now we know not to try the going back to the resort thing next time. But that might work better for your family. Again...depends on the kid.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

As a PP mentioned, a pop-up hamper is very useful for us. I also bring a 5 shelf hanging closet organizer which use for shoes. We have 3 kids, each brings a pair of flip flops for the pool and a pair of sneakers and I hate wasting time looking for lost shoes! This has saved us a lot of time when we are trying to get out the door. Plus, it folds flat and takes up hardly any room in our luggage.

 

[Daniela Rose]

As a PP mentioned, a pop-up hamper is very useful for us. I also bring a 5 shelf hanging closet organizer which use for shoes. We have 3 kids, each brings a pair of flip flops for the pool and a pair of sneakers and I hate wasting time looking for lost shoes! This has saved us a lot of time when we are trying to get out the door. Plus, it folds flat and takes up hardly any room in our luggage.

I bought both those things already.

 

[TristiK]

We did the ziplocs for packing. I ironed everything ahead of time, and then packed their outfits for each day along with undies and hair accessories in a gallon vague labeled with their name and the date. Made it easier on DH to get them dressed while I got ready. Then I could throw their dirty clothes back in the baggie.

Pack snacks in your park bag. We did buy plenty of snacks in the parks, but having Goldfish or Frozen grahams ready to go in lines really helped.

We brought a stroller for our 4 year old even though she doesn't use one at home anymore. I didn't want to invest in a stroller cover, so I bought a shower curtain at the dollar store and used chip clips to secure it when we went on rides.

I also brought glow necklaces from the dollar store. Saved us a ton of money during the night shows and my girls loved passing out the extras to kids around us.