“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
– Walt Disney
Can we talk MELTDOWNS?
We aren’t talking about the adult type (although I’ve seen those!) but the kind that affect your “littles”.
Walt Disney World can be an incredibly overwhelming experience for a grown-up! Now imagine how that can feel for a child!
So here are some tips I’ve pulled together to survive a “meltdown” (and they’re GOING to happen!):
Get LOTS of sleep! If your little ones are under 7: sleep is going to be your best friend. This means you may miss some events (early park openings, later nights). And guess what: that’s OK! An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, right?
Build in a “break day”. Most families will plan a full week at Disney and going to the parks EACH day can get exhausting and overwhelming. I always recommend a midweek “break” where you get up late, enjoy some time at the pool and RELAX!
Throw candy at the problem. This is controversial but it can work: when your little is tired and exhausted sometimes a sugar boost will buy you enough time to escape the parks!
Nap on the go! My twins were fantastic at napping in noisy environments: so we made sure our double stroller had fully reclining seats and they’d snooze while we explored the parks!
Find a “quiet spot”. Shockingly there are quite a few “quiet” spots throughout the parks. I’ll have another email detailing some of my favorites. It’s always a good idea to step away from the action and just breathe!
Don’t skip meals! Kids have tiny tummies and they need to eat often. Add the excitement of seeing Mickey and kids forget they’re hungry!
Give yourself a little “grace”. Meltdowns are going to happen! Use the same tools you’d use at home: stay calm, try a redirect and don’t be embarrassed. (Easier said than done, right?)
Know the escape points of the exits from the rides. Disney is VERY smart about those gift shops as you leave attractions. Did you know that several rides have exit doors BEFORE those shops? I’ll detail that in a future email too!
I remember the biggest meltdown we experienced! It involved lots of tears and frustration and yelling. It was ME who had the meltdown! I joke: but it’s easy to think you can “see” and “do” it all.
Pace yourself and remember: Disney isn’t going anywhere! You can always come back and visit!
Next week I will discuss those “Quiet Spots” in each park! They do exist!
Have a fantastic week!
John
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