Crazy to take a 2.5 year old to MNSSHP?

[Skwinkles]

Are we crazy to try to take our 2.5 year old dd to MNSSHP? Do you think it's way to late to have her out? I don't want to be one of those parents with a tantruming toddler that everyone else looks and thinks - of course she's crying, it's 10pm. Our plan is to spend the day at the pool and have her take a good nap in the afternoon and then head over to the party for a few hours. (I have no intention of staying until midnight - maybe 10pm or so.) At home if she takes a nap in the afternoon, she will usually stay up in her own bed and play/talk/sing until 9:30 - 10:30 even though we put her to bed at 8-8:30.

[figment3258]

We brought our daughter when she was 11months old. She loved it. We did leave right after the fireworks but we had a great time and truth be told most nights in Disney even when she was that young we were out at the boardwalk till ten or out somewhere. She would fall asleep in her stroller when she got tired. Don't worry your not a bad parent your on vacation.

[buzzmom3]

We are bring our 26 month old daughter, we took her to the MVMCP last year and she loved it! She will fall asleep in her stroller if she gets too tired. Don't worry and have fun!

[disneyfan97]

We took DS (32 months) for his 3rd MNSSHP last weekend! He loves it and he has a great time!! I love to watch his face light-up when he sees all the characters, the dance parties, all the other kids in costumes, etc.

We made sure to get a good nap during the day, and he fell asleep in the stroller right as the 2nd parade (we didn't catch the first one) was starting, but overall a great evening! We pretty much let him decide what he wanted to ride and where he wanted to go. For us, the ""power struggle" is the hardest part of this age, so we just let him decide. It worked out great!

I definitely say Go For It!!!

[DisneyMom81]

Well on one hand, your 2.5 year old could fall asleep half way though the night, and you and DH will have a great time "alone." On the other hand, she could have a meltdown, and everyone will look at you as the worst parents ever LOL. If you really want to go, just take your chances, but realize that you may have to leave early, and waiste your extra $$$ if she has a bad reaction to being out later than normal. If it were me - I'd chance it, and go!!

[2girlsR2good]

Kids are really different. Only you know what your daughter can handle. I had one who could have had a great time at the party, and one who had to be in bed within 10 minutes or so of her bedtime, or she became impossible. Staying up in her bed late when she's not tired enough to sleep is not really a good test.

Why don't you try an experiment? Take her somewhere that is interesting and loud and stay there way past her bedtime and see what she does (an outdoor concert or street festival maybe). Does she perk up and feel like joining the party? Or is she miserable? That will tell you more.

[Lstar311]

My DH, and DS who was 1 and a half were there last year during the time of MNNSHP but we didn't go because I knew there was no way that my son would make it past 9 and if he did he'd be a total grouch the next day. I did not want to waste the money.

However, this year I know he'd be able to handle it and I wish we were going As a pp said you know your child best and if you're willing to take the risk that you DD might not make it then go. I would do it!! Oh, another suggestion can you try a late night somewhere before you buy tickets to it to see how she'd do? Maybe an amusement park or something similar?

[JackJack08]

Originally Posted by Skwinkles

Are we crazy to try to take our 2.5 year old dd to MNSSHP? Do you think it's way to late to have her out? I don't want to be one of those parents with a tantruming toddler that everyone else looks and thinks - of course she's crying, it's 10pm. Our plan is to spend the day at the pool and have her take a good nap in the afternoon and then head over to the party for a few hours. (I have no intention of staying until midnight - maybe 10pm or so.) At home if she takes a nap in the afternoon, she will usually stay up in her own bed and play/talk/sing until 9:30 - 10:30 even though we put her to bed at 8-8:30.

I think she would be fine. It is so busy, no one will be paying attention even if she does have a tantrum! There are lots of wee ones there.

[redlawyer]

We are going with my 2 yr old on Oct 2nd. We took her last year as well. She had fun watching everyone in the crowd and fell asleep in her stroller early in the evening. She did watch the fireworks though. With dd 8 and 6 when they crash we really have to go back to room. But dd2 will just sleep in her stroller, especially if we bring her special blanket.

[Sam'sMom0126]

So happy to have found this thread! We were contemplating taking our 2 1/2 year old on the 25th and you all just helped me confirm our decision to go!!! Like the OP we are planning on taking it easy at the pool that day and having him take a later nap! I figure when/if he gets tired he'll fall asleep in his stroller and if he's crabby we'll had back to the resort! Have a great time!

[Chelley00]

We took our son the first time at 23 months. He loved the party and the candy, but crashed in his stroller right after the fireworks and totally missed the parade. I was very happy he was free! The rest of us stayed until midnight since he was sleeping.

[Mrs. Charming]

LOL, I am taking our DD2, and I didn't even question it. She's been at WDW twice, and I've had her out late. She just sleeps in her stroller, no biggie. I've actually never had an easier time putting her to bed than in WDW!

[MSSANDRA]

when DS was that age he would go to sleep at 7:30 no matter where we were or what we were doing. Considering 2 is free that might not be a bad choice if you did not care about the rides and knew he would stay asleep.

DSD would be fine till midnight as long as he got a 2-3 hour afternoon nap. We were eating Friday night at a resturant at 11:00 after a ball game and he was great. Would have NEVER allowed DS to do that but life changes and it all works out!!