Traveling to Vegas with an almost 2 year old...

[kkd]

We'll be taking our first trip in May to Vegas.  I am already thinking of logistical questions, and thought I'd get some travel advice!   We live on the west coast, so at least it's a relatively short flight and no time zone change, whew.   What are some things that I should take with that I might not think to bring?  I am going to borrow a Phil & Ted travel bed from a friend, and we'll take a stroller.  We're staying at the Aria, I haven't stayed at that hotel before.  I don't know the restaurant options at the Aria; what kinds of food do you take with when you go on a trip, staying at a hotel?  Fortunately she isn't super picky, but we also haven't eaten out much, so I don't know what she'll think of that.  I will be attending a conference during the day, so DH will be with her; I won't be free until about 5pm.  I was able to book a suite for a reasonable rate, so at least he'll have some space in the afternoon when she's napping- that should be easier than being in one hotel room.  Oh- and if you haven't already figured it out - she's a first/only child, so I'm looking to you veteran travel moms for advice!!  Thanks!

[thedenverduo]

We've flown a lot and taken some looooooong road trips with ds.  Each time, about a month before our trip, I start taking toys from his stash that he likes to play with.  I only take one every day or two and stick them in a bag in my closet.  He doesn't notice they're missing, and by the time we go on our trip we have a whole bag of toys that are new and exciting to him.  I also walk through the house and stick in some things that are safe for him.  We drove 20 hours to Ohio in December and the toy that kept him occupied longest was an empty ketchup bottle that I had washed out!  So then on the plane and in the hotel room I just bring out one toy at a time and let him play with it until he gets bored and fussy.

[MomtoDandJ]

If you tell the hotel you are traveling with a child, they will bring a small fridge into your room. That way you can store milk or other food in the fridge and won't have to run down to the lobby stores constantly to get fresh milk or baby food. And they do this for free, so just ask!

[MomtoDandJ]

p.s. Tell your husband to check out the children's museum in Vegas. It's about 10 minutes from the strip but really great for kids 2 to 5. Lots of hands-on activities, very clean, and not too crowded.