Orlando with Toddlers

Despite its reputation as a kid-friendly place, Orlando with all its theme parks - Disney's Magic Kingdom, SeaWorld, Universal Studios Florida, Epcot, etc. - isn't a fits-all-sizes destination. Traveling there with toddlers can be most challenging of all: they're more mobile and fun-seeking than babies, but they don't have the attention span, patience or ability to enjoy rides and attractions designed for older children.

So if you're headed to the theme parks with a tot or two in tow, try to remember these dos and don'ts:

• Don't push your youngsters into activities they're not ready for. Even rides and shows aimed at toddlers can be too much for some kids. Give your little one a chance to watch from a distance first, describe what's going on, then ask if she'd like to give the attraction a try.
  
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• Do expect meltdowns, and commit to keeping your cool. Toddlers are volatile little people, and anything - even nothing - can set off a temper tantrum: a spilled snack, a bumped head, a glimpse of another child with a toy he wants. When your tot goes ballistic, stay calm, take him as far away from other people as you can, to as quiet a spot as you can find, and firmly but gently talk him down. A threat to leave the park can be a good wake-up call … and if it doesn't work, be prepared to walk out with him, at least for a while (check in at the gate so you'll be able to re-enter).
  
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• Don't try to do everything in one day. Most parks offer the option of multi-day and weekly passes; you can also find occasional specials on admission. SeaWorld, for example, has featured a "SeaWorld Orlando Anytime" option that lets you validate a one-day ticket so it's good for admission over the next seven days at no extra charge. That way, you can spend half-days at the theme parks - about as much as most toddlers can handle - and have time to unwind at the hotel pool or play area.
  
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• Do bring along, or rent, a stroller. Orlando's theme parks are nothing if not huge, and even adults will feel their feet ache after a day of exploring. A stroller gives your child a break when walking becomes too much and saves you from having to tote 35 pounds of cranky, squirming munchkin. Besides, a stroller also provides a place to stow purses, backpacks, cameras and shopping bags so you don't feel so much like a sherpa.
  
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• Do get copies of theme park maps before you visit, and plan your routes in advance. Most park Websites feature printable maps, and tourism boards and travel agents can also provide park maps. By knowing exactly what attractions you want to hit first, you can save your tots needless wandering, visit a couple of features you might want to enjoy first, then take the kiddies off to the spots they'll enjoy best. Good choices for toddlers include Shamu's Happy Harbor in SeaWorld (sand play area, tunnel slides, a splash area and kids' rides), Dino Land USA at Disney's Animal Kingdom (a gentle dinosaur ride, carnival games and a play maze area with slides and a gravel pit where kids can "dig up" a mammoth fossil), and the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure" at Disney-MGM Studios (a playground filled with tunnels, slides and oversized props that make kids feel like they're exploring a giant garden from the movie).
  
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