1st timers with a 2 year old- need help with ride planning

[ginnyhowes]

Hi guys

I have seen lots of advise on what rides to hit first on normal days and MM but I am a bit confused as my 2 year old will probably not want to ( or not be able to do lots of rides)

Obviously me and DH would like ride the bigger rides if possible but our aim is just to have a nice day and let DS2 ride the little rides.

We arrive on labor day which I know will be busy but we also have the next 2 days which i hope will be quieter.

As anyone done a ride schedule when travelling with just a toddler- I would love it if someone could share this with me.

many thanks

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

Take advantage of the single rider lines, this will allow each of you to ride the big rides while the other watches the toddler.
The 2 year old will be loving their time there so maybe you can do the big rides while they take a stroller nap.
Have a good time!

 

[Flitterific]

Hmm...I don't have any kids but I can tell you a little about the rides that toddlers/kids can go on:

~ Peter Pan's Flight: it's a dark ride so only do it if your toddler isn't afraid of the dark, but it's pretty cool and it does feel like you are flying on it
~ Dumbo: you basically go "fly" around but you have the option of maneuvering up and down (can do this slowly or not at all)
~ Storybook Land Canal Boats: I think this would be really fun for your kid as you go around in a boat and looking at the settings of different stories
~ Alice in Wonderland: about half the ride is in the dark but nothing scary in it
~ Mad Tea Party: spinning teacups...the toddler may enjoy it but the adults may get sick!
~ Pinocchio's Daring Adventure: another dark ride...
~ Snow White's Scary Adventures: a dark ride and may not be appropriate for a 2 year old as some of the scenes are "scary"
~ Mr. Toad's Wild Ride: I would think this is a little too scary for a toddler as there are some loud noises
~ Autopia: you drive around in a car on a track
~ Winnie the Pooh: this is a really cute ride but it is in the dark
~ It's a Small World: this is a pretty long ride but very cute
~ Chip and Dale's Treehouse, Donald's Boat and Goofy's Playhouse are just walk-through attractions but kids will love it
~ Finding Nemo: fun if your kid likes Nemo has the patience to look at everything in a submarine underwater

Good luck planning!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

There are a lot more rides that your 2 year CAN go on then can't. In addition to the list that the PP posted, off the top of my head:

POTC
HM
Buzz
Possibly Matterhorn and Gadget's Go Coaster (35" requirement)
Roger Rabbit
Astroblasters
Jungle Cruise
Carousel

Over at DCA:

Bugsland rides
Monsters Inc.
TSMM
Golden Zephyr
Carousel

I realize some of these rides might be scary for young kids and it of course will depend on your child. I would definitely NOT start with one of the dark rides in Fantasyland, might be too scary right off the bat.

 

[LuLusApple]

I take my DGD who will be 2 soon all the time. She rides everything that PPs have listed she's been on all the dark rides and loves them. At DL there are only really the mountains that she can't ride so we have a fabulous time
We collect FPs and use the child swap/switch pass system to ride the big rides later in the day when she is worn out works great we spend 3-5 days at a time and have a blast
enjoy your trip

 

[bumbershoot]

The MM rides have been talked about.

I want to remind you to visit bug's land in DCA! Awesome little land. IMO way more fun for the littles than quite a bit of Fantasyland is...

 

[specialks]

Don't forget about Toontown. It is perfect for toddlers!

 

[letthembelittle]

We just got back from our third trip with our littles. You can read my trip reports from our past trips, I am working on this last trip. I think it depends on your child, my little guy LOVES pirates and matterhorn but not all kids will. My advice is any rides you want to do in Fantasyland try to do first thing as long as it isnt a magic morning day. We found California Adventure was much quieter after the evening parade before they closed. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[cinderella_mom]

If you're going to DCA, bring a bathing suit (or extra clothes), water shoes (or sandals) and towel for your kiddo. The water areas are a great way to cool down a hot kid (and his parents).

 

[spiderdust]

Although most people advise to go on the Fantasyland rides first (since their lines get long pretty quickly), we got on the Finding Nemo ride first on our last trip. M had been waiting for 2 years to ride it (the lines were insanely long when it first opened & it didn't have a Fast Pass) and didn't want to miss out on it again, so we ran straight to Tomorrowland as soon as we got in.

Our (then) 1 year old loved it! There was one part that might have been considered scary (Bruce the shark and friends coming near the window), but you can kind of tell when this is coming up if you're familiar with the movie & can choose to distract your little one away from the window if you're worried about it.

We were still able to enjoy several rides in Fantasyland after that one with not-too-bad lines.

Our 1 year old was a little scared on the Dumbo ride if we went too high... just something to keep in mind. She also kept wanting to get out of the boats and play in the water during the Storybook Canal Boats ride!

I don't think I'd recommend the Matterhorn for a toddler at all... Gadget's Go-Coaster, possibly. Matterhorn, no.

Haunted Mansion might be difficult to get onto since you have to maneuver a toddler while trying to get onto a moving walkway, but you might be able to do the parent ride swap on this one (ask a CM when you're there to see if it's available for that one). It's been a while since I've been on the regular Haunted Mansion (I've mostly been on the holiday overlays with The Nightmare Before Christmas stuff), but I remember it as being a little scary for toddlers (ghosts popping up from behind headstones and such).

 

[ginnyhowes]

thanks for all the great tips- i am going to sit down and write it all out! DH says I am obsessed and its true but I am just so excited!!!

I am totally unsure how DS will go on the rides- he has never been on any sort of ride before!! We are also talking DS14months too but he is pretty chilled out so should be OK!

Definately will try to use the rider swap and the single lines to get on some of the good rides as I LOVE thrill rides!. Thats a great idea about doing that later in the day when the boys are tired and will be happy sitting in the stroller with something to eat high in fat and sugar!!!!!

Both boys love the water so will takwe their swimmers for sure- we are staying at DGC to easy to go back and get changed if need be!

thanks again

 

[jacs1234]

I could go to Disneyland, and ONLY do the rides that 2 year olds can do and I'd still have a blast