Ride/event advice for little ones at WDW

[ngl]

We will be traveling to Disney with family that includes a 2.5 year old and 2 one year olds. While we have been there many many times before, it was before children arrived in our lives! With that in mind, any advice as what are "must dos" for children this age and what we really should avoid? (besides roller coasters, Splash Mountain, of course!) Much appreciated!! Thanks.

[djp0630]

Ok, I went to WDW with my 2 young children, DD3 and DS1. DS1 loved It's a small world and the Carousel. DD3 loved Snow White's adventure. Also Peter Pan & Pooh's ride. We went on Dumbo, but it wasn't her favorite. She liked the Magic Carpet rides better. Fantasyland is awesome. DD3 also loved all the characters and Barnstormer.

Two rides that scared DD (and she doesn't scare easily) was It's a Bug's life at AK and the Haunted Mansion. She wanted to go again on the "Ghost ride" (as she called it) a few hours after she rode it, but was initially a little scared. It's really very dark. It's a Bug's Life terrified her and still talks about the huge scary bug and spiders. I would definitely avoid that. Some kids are scared of 3D movies in general, but DD3 & DS1 loved Mickey's Philarmagic. It's such a great show, that I recommend it. DS1 didn't like the glasses the whole time, but did like it for the most part.

Young kids can ride most things, just not things with height restrictions. Fantasyland, The Seas at Epcot, Figment at Epcot, the Safari at AK, , the Lion King & Nemo shows at AK are really great with kids. Definitely spend most of your time at the MK.

[minnie1012]

My 13 month old liked Country Bear Jamoree, Winnie the Pooh and Its a Small World the best. Mickey's Philarmagic scared her mainly because it was very loud. One part of Nemo scared her too because it was too loud. We skipped Its a Bug's Life because a few people told me their kids were scared. My older daughter was scared on the Great Movie Ride but the baby was fine on that.

[Claire&TheBoys]

I've taken my kids at that age (2-2.5-3) and truly, my kids loved everything. My youngest LOVES Mickey's Philharmagic and it's so cute to watch him react to all the 3-D effects. Everything in Fantasyland is a hit, plus they've loved the "pirate ride" and even Haunted Mansion. Every time we get off HM, my youngest says, "do it again!"

At Epcot, Spaceship Earth was a favorite, especially the new little cartoon at the end. Also, the Nemo ride at The Seas, Imagination, the boat rides at Mexico and Norway.

At AK, the Nemo show is a must-do. The Safari is great, too.

At DHS, Toy Story Mania and the Playhouse Disney shows are my kids' favorites.

Disney is wonderful with kids. Enjoy your trip!

[kmk1180]

I bet your kids like Playhouse Disney.
So at HS the show is a must.
But also look into breakfast with Playhouse Disney Characters at H&V.
Little Mermaid will be big there too.

EPCOT, mine like Nemo, Figment and Spaceship Earth.

Ak, Safari, Nemo and Boneyard.

MK. The whole place. Any ride they were able they liked but you could live in fantasyland at that age.

[djp0630]

Oh forgot to add, that DD3 was scared of the trolls during Maelstrom (Norway boat ride), so I would skip that as well. Every boat ride after it, she asked if there would be monsters in it.

[kpgriswold]

Spend alot of time at MK, maybe skip Epcot on this visit.

All the Fantasyland rides will be a hit. Our kids were totally freaked out by the Haunted Mansion, even as elementary school students. See how they do in the Pirates line before you make them get on the ride.

Also skip Stitch @ MK and Tough to be a Bug @ AK. Muppet show at DHS was OK for some reason.

Just a note: don't feel like to have to skip all of the coasters if you love these. Do a rider switch, or let one adult plays with the kids in one of the playground area while the other rides. It's your trip too!

[james'mommy]

Avoid Bug's Life and Mickey's Philharmagic. DS was 3 and Bug Life scare the bejeezus out of him. He's 7 now and still won't do Bug's Life. He's warmed up to Philharmagic now. He loved Buzz Lightyear at that age. I think it was the bright colors and the spinning space ship.

[mickeyluv'r]

Every child is different. This becomes clear EVERY TIME this subject is raised. One mom recently posted that her son hated DINOSAUR! and a host of folks responded that their kids LOVED DINOSAUR.

Even if you know your child, it may be difficult to predict how they will respond to a given ride. The mom who started that thread said her son was normally a 'daredevil.' We don't know your child at all, but you do.

Start a thread on IaSW and you'll get a host of folks who are terrified of the singing dolls. Really. Still lots of others really find Snow White's cardboard cutouts to actually be scary. I've been going on that since I was a small child, and always knew it was very fake.

Many folks also have certain kinds of motion sickness: drops, spinning, etc. may bother them. Still others are claustrophobic.

You may make a choice to play it totally safe, or you make a take a chance and see. IF your child reacts badly to anything, it may be possilbe to find out what about that attraction that bothered them. I like the idea of using strategy over simple avoidance.

The other thing that Ilke is to give kids tools for dealing with rides. Not giving them suggestions while they are in line for a particular attraction - but giving them some tips before they go to WDW - that they can close their eyes for scary parts, count while going down drops, Cover their ears if it's too loud. You can also have them sit in your lap onthe 3-d movies - like It's Tough t be a Bug (though that one may be a good one to avoid - the screaming of other folks alone would scare most kids. Folks have REALLY gotten carried away with SCREAMING on that one in recent years! It SO annoying!!!!)

Also, many kids will read you very well. If YOU are thinking they will be scared - and your body language gives that away - then maybe it's best to avoid the ride. If you are relaxed, they are more likely to be relaxed. On the other hand, it is important to be honest. Rides are equally a way to build - and damage - trust. Trust trumps the importance of going on any attraction.

One suggestion I do have is to get an autograph book for the two and a half year old. Many characters sign names so that small kids can figure it out (Pluto makes his "o" to look like a paw, Mary Poppins makes an umbrellla). you won't have to do EVERY character, but the child will probably get a HUGE kick out of having some of them sign the book. It is also great for letter recognition.

[aidtrismommy]

I guess I am going against most of the advice which is to do mostly fantasyland. While I agree fantasyland is wonderful and a must-do, it is really crowded and hot. Most of the queues are outside and the lines are really long. Definately do it, but utilize fastpass and EMH to really maximize your time. There are excellent rides for young children in all the parks. ANything without a height restriction is allowed. Stay away from Bug's life though (IMO) Also take them to play in the playgrounds. There are several of them, just look at your park map. Kids love simple things and love to just explore and play. That is always a must do for us. My kids also love the jungle trek and other walking path at AK. Try everything and don;t limit yourself to fantasyland.