Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If the bathroom door can be accidentally locked, cover the locking mechanism
with duct tape or a doorknob cover. Use the security chain or upper latch on the
room's entrance door to ensure that your child doesn't open it without your know-
ledge.
Inspect the floor and remove pins, coins, and other foreign objects that your child
might find. Don't forget to check under beds and furniture. One of the best tips we've
heard came from a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, mother who crawls around the room on
her hands and knees in order to see possible hazards from her child's perspective.
If you rent a suite, you'll have more territory to childproof and will have to
deal with the possible presence of cleaning supplies, a stove, a refrigerator, cooking
utensils, and low cabinet doors, among other things. Sometimes the best option is to
seal off the kitchen with a folding safety gate.
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
YOU'LL FIND THAT SOME PHYSICAL CONDITIONING,
coupled with a realistic sense of
the toll that Disneyland takes on your body, will preclude falling apart in the middle
of your vacation. As one of our readers put it, “If you pay attention to eat, heat, feet,
and sleep, you'll be OK.”
unofficial
TIP
If your children (or you, for that matter) think that wearing socks isn't cool, get over
it! Bare feet, whether encased in Nikes, Weejuns, Docksides, or Crocs, will turn into
lumps of throbbing red meat if you tackle a Disney park without socks.
As you contemplate the stamina of your family, it's important to understand that
somebody is going to run out of steam first, and when they do, the whole family will
be affected. Sometimes a cold drink or a snack will revive the flagging member. So-
metimes, however, no amount of cajoling or treats will work. In this situation it's cru-
cial that you recognize that the child, grandparent, or spouse is at the end of his or her
rope. The correct decision is to get them back to the hotel. Pushing the exhausted bey-
ond their capacity will spoil the day for them—and you. Accept that stamina and en-
ergy levels vary, and be prepared to administer to members of your family who poop
out. One more thing: No guilt trips. “We've driven 300 miles to take you to Disney-
land and now you're going to ruin everything!” is not an appropriate response.
THE AGONY OF THE FEET
IF YOU SPEND A DAY AT DISNEYLAND PARK,
you will walk 3-6 miles! If you walk to
the park from your hotel, you can add 1-2 miles, and tack on another couple of miles
