What our 2 year old liked/disliked at Disney

[Rachel77]

Hi Everyone,

I had so much help for our trip in May from the boards, I wanted to pass on some stuff that we found out with taking our 2 year old - hopefully it will help anyone in the planning stages!

First of all - 2 is not too young at all for Disney! I had quite a few people ask me why we were taking DS when he was so young. They said he wouldn't get it, and wouldn't remember it. Well, we went the 1st week of May, and we still hear about the monorail, teacups (Mad Tea Party), and Mickey about every night. He had a wonderful time, and truly got the whole magic of the experience.

Here is a breakdown of the rides DS liked/didn't like so much.

EPCOT
This was the 1st park we went to, so we really had no idea how DS would react to the rides.

Spaceship Earth - this was the 1st ride, and it was a mistake for us. DS didn't like the darkness of this ride. 5 seconds into the ride, he was pushing at the screen trying to get the ride to shut off. We talked to him the rest of the ride, trying to distract him, but he said 'No more rides' for a good three hours after that.

Nemo -DS loves Nemo, so we thought this would be an okay 2nd ride to try. It was okay, but still quite dark and loud for him. He was getting a little uneasy when it came to the shark scene, and was glad when we moved past that. The ride shut down for a couple of minutes right before the end and that also made him uneasy - but at least it didn't shut down at the shark scene - I don't know what he would have done with that!

Character Connection - this was great!! DS loved meeting all the characters. He was a little nervous at first with Goofy - I don't think he was expecting Goofy to be quite so tall, but had a lot of fun with all the others.


Animal Kingdom
The safari ride - DS loved every minute of it! Before we even saw any animals, he was excited about being able to ride in the safari vehicle

Lion King Show - another great moment! We were in the back row, which was a really good thing, because as soon as the music started DS was jumping up and down dancing along and clapping.

Rafiki's Planet Watch -another love. DS loves trains, so just going to Rafiki's Planet Watch was fun for him. He liked petting the goats, but his favorite moment was meeting Rafiki. I was thinking that Rafiki might be a little scary for him, but he ended up being one of DS's favorite characters. Rafiki pretended to pick his nose and then acted all embarrassed that he was caught at it - the rest of the day DS was giggling saying 'Rafiki pick nose!'

Parade - DS liked this, but it was the end of the day and HOT, so he was mostly entertained by playing with the mister we had gotten him. Also, we had an incident at the parade with a parent and child cutting in front of us 1/2 way through the parade and constantly banging and holding onto DS's stroller. Because of this, I just have not so magical memories of the parade, and decided it would be the only parade we would go to during our vacation. This was really the only rude incident that we had during our week.


Magic Kingdom
Before I mention the rides, I want to say it was really incredible seeing the Magic Kingdom through DS's eyes. This was by far his favorite park. If fact, he had so much fun there, we went there 3 days, instead of the planned two, and skipped out on Hollywood Studies.

DS loved the shows in front of the castle - especially the fireworks that Mickey set off! We spent close to 1/2 hour by the camel that shoots water by Aladdin's Magic Carpets. We also spent quite a bit of time on the bridge that connect the castle area to Tomorrowland. While walking across that bridge, DS spotted some ducks in the water, so we just sat there and watched the ducks for awhile.

Push was also a great non-ride hit. Push was so great with DS! Push asked his name, and DS couldn't believe it when he heard a garbage can talking to him by first name! They also played chase, where DS chased Push around in a circle. DS thought every trash can at Disney was magical after that and would say 'Hi!' to them all!

Railroad - we rode this two times around the park DS loved it so much!

Winnie the Pooh - loved it!

Peter Pan - really, really loved this one!

Dumbo - another hit

Snow White - we didn't go on this one due to hearing on the boards it could be a bit much for little ones

Mad Tea Party - I think this might have been DS's favorite ride. We did this on an early entry day, and rode it three times in a row with no wait.

Aladdin's Magic Carpets - DS liked this one, but liked the camel next to the ride even more

Haunted Mansion - DH and I did a baby swap on this one. I was really glad I did. The ride wasn't scary, but it was dark. With DS's reaction to Spaceship Earth I don't think he would have liked it. Also, a couple in the doombuggy ahead of me kept on screaming throughout the ride. If the darkness didn't scare DS, the screaming would have for sure! I don't know if it's typical for people to do the fake screaming during this ride, but if it is - that might be something to keep in mind.

Tom Sawyer's Island - this is one I really thought DS would like, and he didn't like it at all. The caves terrified him. It was also a really hot day out, and the heat just seemed worse on the island. DS was done with it in about 5 minutes, and then there was quite a line for the raft to get back, so we had to wait for the 2nd raft.

Mickey's Toontown - one thing for this, is to be careful if you're there when it just opens. Some people can be a little kamikaze with the strollers while rushing to get in! I saw one man get run over by a stroller, and had to limp over to a bench. We stayed back a little bit, so were out of the main group moving forward.

Goofy's Barnstoomer - DS seemed to do okay on this one. I think he was a bit surprised though, and wasn't expecting it to be so wild. I'm not a roller-coaster person, so I can't really judge how 'wild' it is. DH loves roller-coasters and he rolled his eyes when I called it one, and said it was a completely tame ride. I guess just not for wimps like me! DH sat in front and took a picture of me and DS riding right behind him. In the picture both DS and I have wide eyes, so take that for what it's worth At the end of the ride, DS said 'All done - no more', but I would think that most kids that are tall enough should do just fine.

Buzz Lightyear - DS really liked trying to shoot the aliens. He sat on my lap and controlled the gun.

Small World - DS liked this ride. We had eaten at Pinnochio Village Haus for lunch, and I think he enjoyed watching the boats for this ride more than actually doing the ride. He had a great time waving at all the people as they were coming by in their boat.

Summary

The Baby Care Stations at each park are incredible, and the CMs at each one were extremely helpful.

As far as characters, DS couldn't get enough of them, but if a child is a little intimidated, the way things are set up, they will be able to keep their distance if need be. We ate supper at the Crystal Palace and even had a CM come up to us to ask us if DS was okay with characters. She said if he wasn't, they could have the characters just wave to us from a distance.

We went back to the hotel each afternoon for some quiet time. DS is a difficult napper in the best of times, so with everything that was going on, he was really refusing to nap, but just being able to hang out in the room and get out of the heat and away from the crowds seem to recharge him.

We did have one blow-up at a restaurant. This was the 2nd to last day of our vacation, and I guess one was bound to happen sooner or later! We were eating at le Cellier, and were just about finished with our dinner when DS decided he was DONE! He took a toy car I had brought for him to play with and launched it at my martini glass - which shattered everywhere. Some glass went onto DH's plate. Our waitress rushed right over and cleaned everything up. She also asked if DH would like a new filet since his plate had glass in it. Now, bare in mind, we were almost done, and DH had maybe 2 bites of steak left. We were not expecting her to say anything like that, especially since it was not her or the restaurant's fault at all. We said 'no thank you' and apologized to her. She was so sweet and sympathetic. She said 'Don't worry about it - Disney is a lot to take in, and even adults lose it from time to time.'

All in all, it was a great vacation!!! Disney goes out of its way to cater to those with young children.

[KGH]

sounds like you guys had a great trip! Thanks for reporting!!!

[StephanieCG]

Thank you so much for your post that is great advice! I have to admit I'm a little nervous about our upcoming trip too. DD isn't one for sit down meals, and your Le Cellier incident sounded familiar to me...we've had stuff like that happen too.
I never thought to warn the kids about the ride being dark. How did he do with movies? Did you see Philharmagic or any of those?
Isn't cute how little ones are amused with the smallest things, like the little ducks or waving to boats? That sounds like my dd too.
Great advice and info, sounds like you had a blast!

[WTP]

Sounds like a great trip! Thanks for the tips, as we will be taking our DS for the first time at 2 yrs and 3 mos old. I think we will be doing MK first, so hopefully he will love it!

[Rachel77]

Originally Posted by StephanieCG

Thank you so much for your post that is great advice! I have to admit I'm a little nervous about our upcoming trip too. DD isn't one for sit down meals, and your Le Cellier incident sounded familiar to me...we've had stuff like that happen too.
I never thought to warn the kids about the ride being dark. How did he do with movies? Did you see Philharmagic or any of those?
Isn't cute how little ones are amused with the smallest things, like the little ducks or waving to boats? That sounds like my dd too.
Great advice and info, sounds like you had a blast!

Ooh - I forgot to mention Philharmagic. He did great with that one! I wasn't sure how he would do either because it was dark, but this one didn't bother him at all. He completely cracked up at the end when we pointed out that Donald was stuck in the wall behind us I don't think he really got the whole 3D effect, because his glasses never really stayed on, but he seemed to really enjoy what he saw. We didn't see Honey I Shrunk the Kids, or A Bugs Life.

It is so great how they appreciate the small things. DS was even amazed just seeing the palm trees. We're from Michigan, so he doesn't see too much of those around here LOL!

The one good thing with the restaurants at Disney, is they all seemed pretty loud. Any noise DS made just blended in. I don't even think any of the other tables were aware what happened! I didn't want to risk another outburst after that one though, so I took DS to the Canada kidcot station and DH stayed in to pay.

[Rachel77]

KGH and WTP,

It was great trip!!! I'm normally always ready to go home by the end of vacation, but not this one!

WTP, I think that's a good idea about doing MK first. I think if that would have been our first park, DS would have been more comfortable with the rides and might have handled the Epcot ones better.

[HawkeyeMickey77]

Sounds like a really fun trip. I'm taking my two boys in Sept. Oldest will be 4 & 1/2 and the youngest will be just a month shy from his 2nd birthday. Getting on the boards and reading everyone's experiences is really getting me pumped up!

[longing2Batdisney]

sounds like a great trip!!! Great thread--thank you for sharing
just wanted to let you know our trick w/DS2.5 with the dark rides. I brought glow sticks w/ us and when we went on HM, Nemo, and other things I thought may be too intense even PoC I just pulled out his glo stick and put it away when we left the ride. It kept him content when something made him a little uneasy.

[Rachel77]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeMickey77

Sounds like a really fun trip. I'm taking my two boys in Sept. Oldest will be 4 & 1/2 and the youngest will be just a month shy from his 2nd birthday. Getting on the boards and reading everyone's experiences is really getting me pumped up!

Not too much longer and you'll be there!!! I know just what you're saying. I think I lived vicariously through everyone else's trip posts for about a year before we went!

Originally Posted by longing2Batdisney

sounds like a great trip!!! Great thread--thank you for sharing
just wanted to let you know our trick w/DS2.5 with the dark rides. I brought glow sticks w/ us and when we went on HM, Nemo, and other things I thought may be too intense even PoC I just pulled out his glo stick and put it away when we left the ride. It kept him content when something made him a little uneasy.

That is a great idea with the glow sticks!

[kmk1180]

We had simular likes with our two year old.
only I would add.

Epcot-Journey into Imagination.
he liked the ride, loved the interaction afterwards

AK-The Boneyard.
I know 's just a playground but he liked it.
Triceatop spin...Dumbo with elephants. Diffinate thumbs up.

MK-just about the same experiences, only I would add
Country Bears and Jungle Cruise...ours like both of those.

And as for what "everyone else said"...who cares? it's not their trip.
and the memories YOU will have make it worth while.

Your right, WDW is best watching through the eyes of your little kids.

[Fall1]

Thank you so much for this post! I think this will really help us for our October trip, thanks!!

[RMulieri]

We had an issue with HM.My 4 yr old wanted to ride so we did.The stretching room was ok till people started SHRIEKING all around in the dark.so of course that set her off.She liked the ride itself.So the 2nd time we went on we asked a CM to bypass the stretch room, and just boarded a doom buggy.Well than the group in the buggy behind us were also screaming so loud we couldn't hear anything but the loud screaming.After that DD refused to go back on.So screaming by others is quite common and hard to control which is usually what scares the little ones more than just the darkness

[EKimberlyE]

Originally Posted by longing2Batdisney

sounds like a great trip!!! Great thread--thank you for sharing
just wanted to let you know our trick w/DS2.5 with the dark rides. I brought glow sticks w/ us and when we went on HM, Nemo, and other things I thought may be too intense even PoC I just pulled out his glo stick and put it away when we left the ride. It kept him content when something made him a little uneasy.

That is such a great tip. We are taking our 2 1/2 year old and 6 year old in Sept.

[teach22180]

Originally Posted by Rachel77

Push was also a great non-ride hit. Push was so great with DS! Push asked his name, and DS couldn't believe it when he heard a garbage can talking to him by first name! They also played chase, where DS chased Push around in a circle. DS thought every trash can at Disney was magical after that and would say 'Hi!' to them all!

This is just adorable, and I appreciate you sharing your good information!

[w-family]

Great points, I am glad you had so much fun!

I have three little ones and found each one different when we have gone at various stages. My youngest was two when we went last time and he was petrified of Philamagic, to the point that you could feel him shaking. But you really never know how they are going to react.

There are certain rides I know from experience to avoid, Bugs Life ( a CM told us not to worry, just take the glassed off if they get scared - don't listen the kids were both petrified!); Drew Carey's Sounds Dangerous, Honey I Shrunk the audience and my little one hated Indiana Jones on our last trip. He doesn't like loud noices.

I agree totally with your comments that going at was worth it. If I had a buck for every time someone commented/criticized us for going with youg kids, we could afford to go at least once a year! It is a different type of experience; not a commando, hit every ride in the park, stay till close vacation. Some of my best memeories with the kids have been sitting there watching them discover some little thing that no one else has noticed or playing in the water ship in Toon Town.

We head down shortly with a group of 13, the majority whom have never been, ranging in ages from 53 to 2. I cannot wait!