Ten Lessons I learned about going to Walt Disney World with toddlers
I spent weeks and months prepping and studying for my Disney trip with our toddlers. In the end: we did 25% of the stuff I wanted; used 90% of the stuff packed (VICTORY); and came home exhausted and ready for planning our next trip.
Lesson One: Be prepared for Toddler Shock
If your SO is not the primary caregiver, prepare yourself for toddler shock. By that, I mean, my husband is a great hands-on Dad; but he still spends most of his days at work. Like many working parents he is around for the hustle and bustle of the morning and swoops into the house at night for bath and bedtime. After 48 hours at Disney my husband declared, “Disney sucks.” “No, my dear sweet husband, being responsible for twin toddlers 24 hours a day, with no additional help sucks.”
For some families, Your Disney trip might be the most time you spend, non-stop, as a family. Plan accordingly. Giving each other some time out during the day helped immensely. And it made an impression on my husband that he carried home with him: a new appreciation for how much work I do on a day-to-day basis.
Lesson Two: Cast Members are amazing.
Not a single employee (and they employee upwards of 79 THOUSAND people) was anything other than professional, helpful, and energetic. Regular readers know that J struggles with frequent vomiting (especially if he starts coughing). And our first day while running around an empty conference room during ‘movie under the stars’ (It was pouring rain). During a coughing fit, he vomited into a bag of blocks. The CM whipped out gloves and towels from her fanny pack. She quickly and efficiently helped clean him up. The important part, for me as a mom, was that she took the time to reassure me that it was no big deal. Her attitude (which I am sure is the product of good training and experience) gave me so much comfort. And it reassures me to know that even though the special needs of our needs are minor, they were looked after.
Lesson Three: Stress is everywhere, but Happiness is contagious.
Everywhere at Disney you see kids and parents melting down to one degree or another. But, there is a magic in the air generated by Cast Members who love their jobs and people experiencing pure joy. And it puts a smile on your face. It makes even an introvert want to tell people, “have a Magical day.” It’s hard to explain; almost like Christmas Day. I can’t even count the number of indulgent smiles people cast on my children. It was genuinely exciting to see the Castle light up. Spotting Mary Poppins. Avatar Flight of Passage deserves a special comment. I haven’t done anything as an adult that so completely immersed me in delight. We rode it three times. Someone gave us balloons that we kept for a day and then we gave them away again.
Lesson Four: For a picky eater – Food glorious food.
As a picky eater with a food allergy my food expectations were low. We didn’t even have the Disney highlight foods (too cold for Dole Whip, no time for browsing food in Epcot). I have a serious Orange allergy (weird, right?) and every time we ate in a new restaurant a chef came out and discussed it with me. My sister’s kids have a number of food requirements and Disney is the only place she ever relaxes about food because she knows she can trust them.
Lesson Five: Autographs are the best.
We quickly got in the routine of asking characters for their autograph (have your books open, pen uncapped and nib down). So when the Donald Duck we met was left handed it threw me for a loop. I asked several unsanctioned Disney Princesses for their autographs (read as: when a parent was present, and a girl seemed likely, I would ask them for their Princess Autograph). One little Cinderella was too shy and declined. As I walked away I could hear her father explaining to her that I thought she was actually Cinderella and that she looked so very beautiful *heart grows six sizes*.
While we waited for Daisy’s autograph I got a little Elsa’s autograph. Her baby sister (who was not much older than my boys) was visibly sad that I didn’t ask her. When I asked her if she wanted to sign, her mom told me she did not know how to write yet. But her big sister quickly told us that she could help. And she stood behind her baby sister, helping her move her pen (and it was all I could do to not cry and hug everyone). My last one was a Snow White with her mom. Little Snow White busted out her absolute BEST cursive.
Lesson Six: Kids absorb ALL the things.
My boys came home saying “Ladies and Gentlemen” to get people’s attention. And I overheard J telling K, “Please No smoking” during some pretend play! But I know they also were exposed to many things during our trip they don’t get to see in our small town life. Families of all possible permutations, guests and Cast Members with a variety of abilities, people speaking all sorts of languages, people wearing religious garb, you name it, we saw it.
Lesson Seven: You will shout out your toddlers in public.
And, if you are like me, you will never embarrass yourself more. I don’t want to call my kids names, I tend to call them ‘Sir’ (so much nicer than “hey, Jerk Toddler”). In a crowded lobby one of my toddlers darted in front of a man in a motorized wheelchair. And before I could even think twice I yelled, “SIR, WATCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING.”
As soon as the words flew out of my lips I wanted to die. I snatched up my kid and tossed him at my husband so I could chase down the flustered fellow. He was beyond gracious when I approached, apologized and explained. I cannot stand the idea that I embarrassed him. And I selfishly cannot stand the idea that some bystander (who didn’t hear my apology) thinks I yelled at a guy in a wheel chair. I swear, I do not yell at people my toddlers cut off while running around like maniacs.
Lesson Eight: Things go wrong at Disney.
Rides break. Logistics go wrong. And you may end up the ‘victim’ of any number of unforeseen circumstances – like running out of spare dry pants. An elevator malfunctioning when you are waiting with a double stroller packed with two toddlers and 20 lbs of gear is enough to make you cry. A pipe broke in the hotel and flooded Chef Mickeys. The steam train (which I promised my kids for MONTHS they would get to ride) gets temporarily closed while you are there.
Cast Members repeatedly stepped up with stickers, alternatives, suggestions, and support when things went wrong. It didn’t soothe the Mom Guilt, but it helped smooth things over. I didn’t expect temperatures in the 40s and 50s. And that isn’t something going wrong, but it is an example of how my expectations didn’t always match reality. You may think three changes of toddler pants and underwear are enough for one day, you could be wrong
Lesson Nine: Everyone gives you advice about Disney. Take it all with a grain of salt.
Some of it will apply and some will not. One of my twins wore his “Mickey Watch” and never lost it for one moment. My other toddler couldn’t care less about the magic band. Definitely download the My Disney Experience app. I used it to unlock my hotel door when I left my magic band in my room. We only used extra toys/activities/distractions once. This left me lugging around a bunch of magnatiles, glowsticks, and bubbles that everyone said I would need that never got used.
Lesson Ten: Disney with Toddlers: WORTH IT.
The misery of flying with twins, the meltdowns (both adult and child), the disappointment of not getting to do something on your list. It was all worth the moments of awe – when the first parade rolled down main street, when the castle lit up for fireworks, the magical pictures with Mickey. The moments my toddlers won’t remember. But I will.
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