2 1/2 year old to WDW.....help

[Cruz91]

Our son was 22 months first trip... DD was 3. She's fearless, he startles more easily. Each kid is different - and you can probably judge what yours will like / dislike pretty easily. One good tip is to start with smaller attractions and build up instead of starting with the biggest thing he can ride and freaking him out for the rest of the trip. Things that DS2 didn't like

MK- Snow White (when the queen turns into the witch at the beginning kinda' freaked him out) and Goofy's barnstormer.

MGM - He was good on most everything we tried, including the Star Tours ride. He was tall enough for ToT, but we didn't dare risk that.

AK - Good with everything except Tough to be a Bug, which we left in the middle of.

Epcot - Loved everything we tried, including Test Track and Soarin'.

 

[pumpkin5156]

Our son was 22 months first trip... DD was 3. She's fearless, he startles more easily. Each kid is different - and you can probably judge what yours will like / dislike pretty easily. One good tip is to start with smaller attractions and build up instead of starting with the biggest thing he can ride and freaking him out for the rest of the trip. Things that DS2 didn't like

MK- Snow White (when the queen turns into the witch at the beginning kinda' freaked him out) and Goofy's barnstormer.

MGM - He was good on most everything we tried, including the Star Tours ride. He was tall enough for ToT, but we didn't dare risk that.

AK - Good with everything except Tough to be a Bug, which we left in the middle of.

Epcot - Loved everything we tried, including Test Track and Soarin'.

Good and great advice! Your DS2 was tall enough for Star Wars and Test Track and Soarin? I think my son will be too short for those, and I'm not real sure if he'll even like them. But we have a ways to go, so we'll take it one step at a time!

Did you find that your DS2 needed to have a nap back at the room so he could wake up to enjoy all the nightlife? We really want to enjoy all the night shows, and we're having one early night as it is at the AK, as it closes pretty early. I think my DS2.5 at time of travel will be good one only nap a day. How'd it work for you guys??

 

[Cruz91]

Both our DS2 and DD4 (on our first trip) needed naps to make it to the night shows. On the AK day, we just went to AK and stayed till they were getting really cranky (around 4 for us) and then went to the hotel and swam, then turned in early. Actually - not only did kids need a nap, but so did mom and dad. We're in pretty good shape, but pushing around two strollers and carrying kids off and on through lines and stuff wore us out! We've been back twice since the first trip. On the 2nd trip, they both still needed naps most days, but we weren't as militant about it. On the last trip when DS had just turned 3 and DD was 5, we tried to get a nap every other day at least. We kinda' let them make the call by their behavior.

Both of our kids are really tall for their ages. DD turned 5 in January and we're hoping she'll be tall enough for RnR when we go back in Oct (which is 48 inches). I measured her a couple of weeks ago and I think she was 46-1/2" without shoes.

Let me know if you've got any other questions...

 

[Manda]

We took DS at 2ish and 3ish. On both trips, we returned to the room every day for a nap and a break. I plan on doing that in September as well (he'll have just turned 4). We're very early risers and we park hop. So, we're at our first park at opening and we stay until 1 or 2 and go back to the hotel. We've already been up and moving for many hours by that point. We return in the evening and have dinner and do a lot more strolling and enjoying than riding. I'd guess if you're not a family that gets up early, the nap isn't as important. My son will be up at 6am whether I want him to or not, so we might as well get moving. Then, we go to bed early since I know he'll be up at 6. Honestly, we all look forward to the mid-day break. I'd love to be able to take a nap every day.

He didn't make the 40 inch cutoff even at 3 and I'm doubting he'll make it for the September trip at 4 either. There's still plenty of things for him to do though. The only reason I'm really hoping he makes that 40 inch cutoff this trip is because he really wants to ride Splash Mountain.

 

[chicknoodle99]

We are taking DD in September for her first trip and she will be just over 2.5. Anyway, for those who's children sleep in their stroller can you give me any advice to get her to do that? She used to do it but now she won't (usually!). Should I try a few times at home having her out and trying to get her to sleep in it at nap time? I am sure if she got tired enough (and cranky enough) she would but I have never let it get to that point.

She naps around 1ish everyday and I hate to leave the parks if we don't have to as we are staying at CBR. We will, of course, but I was wondering if anyone can give me some ideas on how to get her to sleep in her stroller?

Thanks in advance,
Stephanie

 

[Gillian]

Plan, plan, plan, but be flexible.

We've take both kids when they were 2. DD was almost 3, DS went twice, at just 2 and 2 1/2.

DS behaved very differently between his first and second trips, so you never can tell how a child will behave. First time he always napped in his stroller (from home) and the second trip he wouldn't at all.

You will need to look at the hours for your trip. On our first one, where DS napped in his stroller, it worked well because it was september and the parks closed early. He doesn't like loud noises, so attending fireworks was not a priority, and good thing, because they don't have them often in September!

Our second trip with DS was march so we were able to take an afternoon break and go back for evenings at the parks or at a nice dinner.

 

[pumpkin5156]

We are taking DD in September for her first trip and she will be just over 2.5. Anyway, for those who's children sleep in their stroller can you give me any advice to get her to do that? She used to do it but now she won't (usually!). Should I try a few times at home having her out and trying to get her to sleep in it at nap time? I am sure if she got tired enough (and cranky enough) she would but I have never let it get to that point.

She naps around 1ish everyday and I hate to leave the parks if we don't have to as we are staying at CBR. We will, of course, but I was wondering if anyone can give me some ideas on how to get her to sleep in her stroller?

Thanks in advance,
Stephanie

That's good that your child is on a sleeping routine. Kids love routine! I've never had a 2.5 year old before, so I cannot give you any tips on how to "make" her nap. When we're out during my son's nap time (which is rare), we just throw a ark but lightweight sweatshirt or blanket over, give him his blankie, and it doesn't take long... But when she is so tired from a day at the MK, I'm sure she'll fall asleep just fine!

If not, take her back to the hotel. Better to have a happy baby than a grumpy one!

 

[tink2]

We took by of my children at 2 1/2. My kids are complete opposites. DD is very laid back and was easy- she fell asleep in the stroller whenever she was tired. DS- complete different story. Not laid back at all and hated naps. However, we managed to get them in and never went back to the room. Having said that, my parents went with us and that made a huge difference. We would get there for opening- not a problem b/c my kids are up at the crack of dawn anyway. We did all the big kid stuff early- fantasyland, etc.. After getting the big musts out of the way, we'd slow down a bit. We'd watch the afternoon parade and have a character meal after that- lunch and dinner. (of course we took many snacks in our backpack- fruit chews, crackers, etc). The character meals provided a 'break' from the parks. When ds needed a nap- one of us would take him to a quiet, shady spot and sit with him until he fell asleep. The rest of the family went on park touring- the distraction of everyone there would keep him awake. Whoever was with him would find a bench and rock him, push him back and forth in the stroller- anything to get him to sleep. Then he would be charged enough for the night stuff! DS was 2 1/2 the year we went Thanksgiving week- so the parks were open pretty late. I think by the end of the week, he'd fall asleep during some of the night shows.
Things neither child liked at 2 1/2- MK- Snow White ride- dd8 is just now getting up the nerve to try it on our next trip- and she is a dare devil!
MGM- Fantasmic- scared them both at this age
AK- Tough to be a Bug 3d show

We personally also liked the strollers that you rent. They have bigger wheels and are easier to navigate in the parks- they are made for places like that. The are hard plastic in most of the parks- but it gave the kids room for one or two things and they both loved them at that age- they thought they were neat! And, at nap time, they had space to lay down and take a nap. It was easier than dealing with the strollers on the bus- did that when they were infants.
good luck! WDW is so magical at this age!!! Definitely have a plan, but then remember that everything is not going to go as planned!!!

 

[TravelinGal]

My comment would be that DS was not afraid of any of the rides at 18 months old. BUT he HATED being sprayed with water during the 3-D shows. Total and complete meltdown every time. (and we even tried to cover him up after we discovered it!)

Consider what time zone you are in as well. your little one will have their body clock set to home.

Naps were essential for us. At 18m, DS would nap in his stroller. At (almost) 3, I'm sure he won't so we'll HAVE to leave the parks for a nap each day.