emilyrachael
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2009
I just got back from a 5 night trip with my 6 and almost 2 year old. I thought I'd post a few things that might be helpful for families with little kids:
- Don't over look the first aid station! During the middle of the day at AK, my 6 year old was complaining of a headache. We stopped by first aid and they gave him a dose of Children's Tylenol. This saved our day!
- Security was much more thorough than in the past. The guards would search through every pocket of a bag, take things out, open smaller bags in the bags. We packed pretty light, but it took a while for people with large, full bags to get through the line. You might want to consider this in your packing - organize things inside your bag in clear plastic bags to make it easier to search, etc. Plus, give yourself extra time for security.
- It was challenging to find areas for the almost 2 year old to run around and get some energy out at MK. The Dumbo play area is too overwhelming and the little kids' area in the center is tiny (although my 6 year old LOVED it.) While Splash Mountain is still closed, it was quiet back there near the line and restrooms and we were able to enjoy the small play area (but it closed for refurbishment on our last day.) Chip and Dale also come out there and have time to interact since it's not busy. Epcot and AK were easier (we didn't go to HS.) He loved running around the Imagination fountains at Epcot and Rafiki's was a hit at AK.
- Baby centers were good for diaper changes, but I wish I had brought pull-ups for quick standing changes when he was only wet. Getting him to lay still with all of the excitement was not easy.
- I was disappointed in the more limited options for sides to get with kids meals at most locations. I remember there used to be more. One cast member did say they were having trouble with fruit like the packaged grapes going bad too quickly.
- Rider swap was great for 7DMT, BTMRR, and EE. We always had fastpasses for everyone and they did ask. I'm not sure what the answer would have been if we said no. They often have a cast member setup just to do rider swap or other issues at the entrance, so look for the person with the Ipad scanner! Make sure you have the little one with you when you go up to request a rider swap. I saw several people being turned away because they left the baby with grandma or someone else. You don't need the baby to be there when you use it - just when you get it added to your account.
- We had some bad luck with roller coasters being down at park opening. We trekked all the way to EE at AK rope drop just to find it closed. Check the app to make sure rides are open being walking all the way there. BTMRR had a good amount of downtime, too, in the mornings.
That's all I can think of right now. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
- Don't over look the first aid station! During the middle of the day at AK, my 6 year old was complaining of a headache. We stopped by first aid and they gave him a dose of Children's Tylenol. This saved our day!
- Security was much more thorough than in the past. The guards would search through every pocket of a bag, take things out, open smaller bags in the bags. We packed pretty light, but it took a while for people with large, full bags to get through the line. You might want to consider this in your packing - organize things inside your bag in clear plastic bags to make it easier to search, etc. Plus, give yourself extra time for security.
- It was challenging to find areas for the almost 2 year old to run around and get some energy out at MK. The Dumbo play area is too overwhelming and the little kids' area in the center is tiny (although my 6 year old LOVED it.) While Splash Mountain is still closed, it was quiet back there near the line and restrooms and we were able to enjoy the small play area (but it closed for refurbishment on our last day.) Chip and Dale also come out there and have time to interact since it's not busy. Epcot and AK were easier (we didn't go to HS.) He loved running around the Imagination fountains at Epcot and Rafiki's was a hit at AK.
- Baby centers were good for diaper changes, but I wish I had brought pull-ups for quick standing changes when he was only wet. Getting him to lay still with all of the excitement was not easy.
- I was disappointed in the more limited options for sides to get with kids meals at most locations. I remember there used to be more. One cast member did say they were having trouble with fruit like the packaged grapes going bad too quickly.
- Rider swap was great for 7DMT, BTMRR, and EE. We always had fastpasses for everyone and they did ask. I'm not sure what the answer would have been if we said no. They often have a cast member setup just to do rider swap or other issues at the entrance, so look for the person with the Ipad scanner! Make sure you have the little one with you when you go up to request a rider swap. I saw several people being turned away because they left the baby with grandma or someone else. You don't need the baby to be there when you use it - just when you get it added to your account.
- We had some bad luck with roller coasters being down at park opening. We trekked all the way to EE at AK rope drop just to find it closed. Check the app to make sure rides are open being walking all the way there. BTMRR had a good amount of downtime, too, in the mornings.
That's all I can think of right now. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
