2 year old at WDW

[Mimi Q]

My youngest DD is going to turn 2 years old just a few days before we leave for a 9 day trip to WDW next month. This trip seemed like a great idea months ago when I made the reservations. However, I think she is going through the terrible two's a little early. She doesn't want to stay in her stroller and she's begun throwing temper tantrums. We also have an 11 year old DD, so I don't want to cancel the trip. Does anyone have any advice on traveling to WDW with a 24 month old child?

 

[MinnieGi]

Two is a wonderful age to visit WDW!! DD went when she was a new two and also at two and a half and both trips were wonderful. For a two year old you do need to take your time and make sure you get a nap or just some relaxed time in away from the parks every afternoon. It will depend on you two year old what rides she'll want to see and if she'll like the characters. I would approach both carefully and see her reaction. Our DD loves the characters and easily approaches them and gives them big hugs. But she does not like any of the villian characters and she absolutely does not want to ride anything like HM, POC, Buzz. She love all the tamer sweet rides such as Dumbo, Pooh, Indy Cars, TriCeratop and she also loves all the shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney, Lion King.

Our DD really enjoys the pools too. You know you're DD will probably feel the vacation attitude too and be easier to please and handle. Our DD has always been super easy at WDW and both DH and I are so relaxed minor behavior problems really just aren't upsetting!

Just FYI all my baby books mentioned the "terrible two" may start around 18 months and last into the third year. So your DD sounds right on schedule! You know every age has their up and down side. So defiently take that trip!!

 

[drtaylor]

We're going in July 2004, just got back this past July. We took our DD-7yo and left our DS-1yo here with the grandparents. He will be turning 2 in April 2004. I was glad to see what you had to say about 2 yo at DW. But what do you think about him in July with the heat? We did fine this past July with our DD. We spent the afternoons in the resort pool and did the parks until 1:00 and the evenings.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

We did Disney with our girls when they were 10 months & then again when they were 22 months- The biggest advice I can give is to make sure you take breaks in the afternoon and let your child have a nap! Downtime was a big thing for us otherwise the girls got cranky. It broke up the day and made our vacation more relaxing also.

 

[HeatherC]

I too have a busy little two year old! We are going next month and I think it will be interesting. I have two other kids age 5 and 7. This is our third trip in a year and a half so I'm more relaxed about this one.

However, my little daughter is about 2 1/2 and a complete maniac! She will not stay in her stroller...can undo a five point harness and races everywhere with sheer joy! She is hysterical, but can be exhausting. I think I am actually going to buy her a little harness. I HATED this idea up until this child. Now I think it may be a good idea for safety because she is so quick and fearless. THis way she wouldn't have to sit in her stroller all the time, but we could keep a "reign" on her if you know what I mean. SHe may be happier with a little more independence of walking and we may not have to panic every two seconds. It may make my older two a little more relaxed too.
Just a suggestion for you to consider too.

What do other people think? Am I a mean mommy? I never thought I would ever consider a harness for my kid.

Heather

 

[jendon1997]

During our last 2 visits to Disney World we have used a harness for our daughter. She was 2 1/2 this last visit. She actually loved being on the harness. She thought she was the leader. I even had a few people come up to me in the parks and asked where I had purchased the harness. When I said we brought it with us, they were disappointed. The parks can become very crowded and I used it more for safety reasons than anything else. Children are too fast. So, you are not a bad parent!! Others will be envious and actually wish they had thought of the idea of a harness.

 

[HeatherC]

Thanks! That makes me feel better. It really is a safety issue when you have a child who will not or cannot stay with you. My oldest daughter used to just walk next to me. It would have never even entered my mind before. I, too, think she will like being on a harness for a little while. She can still feel independent but not get lost in a split second.
Heather

 

[tjmw2727]

IMHO the best way to keep them in a stroller when you need to is not to force the issue other times.... I did use a harness and also a "hand holder" whatever works! For my oldest holding hands and offering the stroller "for safety" or when she was tired was great. My 2nd dd had other ideas LOL. I had to use the fanny pack harness or the "hand holder" on a belt LOL. At Disney however it was a different story, there is sooo much to look at, hear and even smell that they get a bit mesmerized. I would plan lots of walking time so that when I do need them to ride it will be welcome! Lots of snacks and down time help as well as taking time to visit the play areas and fountains to blow off steam. Have fun.

TJ

 

[homeschooler]

several times to Disney. We drive 2.5 days and believe it or not, I LOVE IT. We stop every 2 hours-not negotiable. I run the kids around the park and make them go potty. They earn 'spending money' by being well behaved and cooperative and one a day we stop at a Walmart-K-Mart type store and they can get a goodie. (generally the cheapy toy I would never approve of any other time-even if the plastic cowboy and indians won't last long, they will probably be lost on the drive anyway and it is something they don't have)

I stock up on 'art' stuff we don't usually have or use. I buy a dry erase board and pens. I will get dark construction paper and chalk. Depending on the age of the kids, there are some self contained toys by Little Tyke and Polly Pockets that I might buy and pack to bring out when they are particularly good but I can see that deteriorating.

I pack FOOOOOOOOD Carrots, apples, crackers. We also have candy, cookies, etc but I find that the healthier snacks go much faster than the junk. We also buy at least a case of bottled water and usually pick up more on the way. Again, there is soda in the car but the water goes very fast.

We usually take a book or two that sounds good to all of us. (Invisible Man, Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc.) and DD gets hoarse reading out loud. Books on tape don't work the same because we can't interact.

I definitely agree with the pool. One time we hit bad weather and had to stop without a pool. DH hid in the bathroom while the kids jumped on the beds and ran around the room until they were tired and could sleep. I didn't know if DH would survive.

The only other 'secret' is to stop. When you see a beautiful site or the kids want to walk in the stream, stop and let them. The trip is much more enjoyable.

 

[prplcrzy]

Mimi, our kids are the same age!! (Dd is 11 and ds turned 2 in August) We just got back last night from 11 days in the World, we had a great time.

I can't offer you any help on the stroller problem, I fortunately can still contain my ds in his stroller.

As others have mentioned, the break in the afternoon will be a lifesaver. When we were at the Disney parks, we took a break and let ds have his nap in the hotel. If at Universal, he fell asleep in his stroller and got a little nap in.

He liked alot of the rides I didn't think he would, such as HM, HISA, POC & Barnstormer. He liked all of the 3D attractions too, Muppets, Philharmagic, etc.. and loved all of the fireworks (MK, Epcot & Fantasmic).

Pools were a big hit as well, he loved playing in the sand bottom pool of the Beach Club (we stayed at Boardwalk, but since the slide was closed, we could use Beach Club's pool!!!!)

There is so much for them to do and see that the terrible two's take a break there (for the most part anyway). Go by her cues as to what she can handle and what will send her over the edge.

Have a great trip, I'm already having withdrawals!

Nancy

 

[Mimi Q]

Thank you for all the helpful replies and suggestions!