Navigating the Disney parks with kids can be a challenge. The long days, constant waiting in line, and often high temperatures can send the little ones over the top and cause the infamous Disney Meltdown. Everyone has had enough, your child is crying and you’re thinking. “But this is the happiest place on earth”. There are lots of tips to prevent this including mid day breaks.
I receive lots of emails from readers with questions and I enjoy answering them, but I really love getting emails from readers with telling me how their trip went, interesting things or news they discovered, and tips to share with others.
I just received a great tip in an email from a reader who has just returned from a great disney vacation with her grandkids. She came up with a great strategy to keep the kids satisfied and occupied all day while in the Disney theme parks.
Here’s her great tip:
Before leaving for Disneyworld, I bought my 5 grandchildren each a small camelbak backpack they were very lightweight. When we left for the parks in the morning they each packed their healthy snacks in the backpack and we filled the water containers with water.
When they ran out of water, we went to the Disney food stands (waiting for slack periods so there were no lines) and they each got a large cup of ice water to refill their camelbak reservoirs (free at stands that have fountain drink).
We never had a kiddie meltdown because of dehydration. They always had water available to take a drink on any ride or in any line. The straw sipper on the camelbak was just a turn of their head away to quench their thirst.
There was no having bought drinks and then having the ride operator tell us to throw them away before we could get on the ride. They fit on all of the rides and only on a few did they have to take them off and store them during the ride.
The kids didn’t ask for food and water all day because they had water and were able to pull nuts, trail mix, small cookies, dried fruit and pb&J sandwiches or granola bars from their backpacks when they wanted. It was ideal.
I can’t tell you how many people saw the camelbaks and asked where we got them.
The only small problem is that we discovered that after every ride we then had to use bathroom as a group because they were constantly drinking. But that actually was a timesaver because we didn’t have to stop seven different times for one of the group to go to the bathroom.
The kids (ages 4-9) never became dehydrated and we saved hours and hours of standing in line or trying to carry water bottles (and losing them). They enjoy being in charge of whatever they wanted to eat from the camelbak backpacks and not having to keep track of a water bottle.
Now that we are home they bring their camelbaks on every hiking outing we have because they love them.
I thought this was a fantastic idea! Empowering the kids to choose what snacks to put in their pack (from your healthy selection options) and what to nibble on when will give them a sense of control during an overwhelming day. Keeping them hydrated can only improve their mood too.
Has anyone else tried this?
Do you have other Tips you’d like to share in the comments?
If you are new to Military Disney Tips Start Here
Disney’s Armed Forces Salute FAQ
Information on Shades of Green – the Military Hotel on Disney World property
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