2 Year Old Twins

[JohnnyCAZ]

We are headed to Disneyland Oct. 28th (Friday) with our 2 year old twins. I lived in So. Cal when I was a kid and used to attend the park a few times a year. Now, I am living in AZ and this will be the first time bringing our kids....a tradition I am hoping to do annually. We have family in Huntington Beach so we will be staying with them. We will be going around Halloween time and I am sure the kids will love the decorations. The park is only open until 7:00 so I think this is doable without a major breakdown. Do you guys think they are too young to go on Haunted Mansion? Any thoughts or tips on traveling with kids this young?

 

[jdb in AZ]

We are headed to Disneyland Oct. 28th (Friday) with our 2 year old twins. I lived in So. Cal when I was a kid and used to attend the park a few times a year. Now, I am living in AZ and this will be the first time bringing our kids....a tradition I am hoping to do annually. We have family in Huntington Beach so we will be staying with them. We will be going around Halloween time and I am sure the kids will love the decorations. The park is only open until 7:00 so I think this is doable without a major breakdown. Do you guys think they are too young to go on Haunted Mansion? Any thoughts or tips on traveling with kids this young?

You know your kids better than anybuddy else. Do they scare easily? I would take them on a fun "dark" ride first like Small World so they'll know that all rides aren't scary. My sis-in-law took her young DD on Alice in Wonderland first, and it scared the kid for all dark rides for the rest of the day.

Have your twins watch a you tube version of the HM and see how they react.

 

[*luvdisney*]

We took our almost 2 yo to Disney and started off really slow by doing small world and Dumbo...by then she was hooked and would only cry when the ride was over. We mostly stuck to the more "baby friendly" rides the first day and by the second day we did pirates and HM. She did fine on both, I don't think she perticularly enjoyed HM but she just sat quietly and looked around. Every child is different though, mine is a bit of a daredevil. I know my 5 yo nephew was scared to peices by HM. I think when they are 2 and younger maybe they don't realize it is supposed to be scary. Good luck with the little ones and enjoy your moments in my favorite place in the world.

 

[Hoku]

Our daughter was 2 years when we last took her. It was sooooo magical! But even Pinocchio was too scary for her. Those little dark rides scared her so much that it took a few times on IASW before she realized that IASW was not scary at all. Then it became one of her favorites.

I second the opinion to start with IASW then work your way through the fantasyland dark rides and see how they do. How are their language skills? If you think you want to try HM with them, be sure to discuss the fact that the lights go out on the elevator and people scream, so they know what to expect. That, alone, can be pretty scary for kids of any age.

 

[skiingfast]

Try outdoor rides first. Work your way up. The two I recommend for littlest ones are the Railroad from MS to TL. And the Jungle Cruise. Because even little kids are often familiar with the animals that you will view from the ride. Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! If that bear was a dog, it would be like riding through "Ten Apples up on top!" by Theo Lesig, but with less home invasions.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Our first trip to DL was when my younger son was 2yo. His all-time favorite ride was Pooh, and he loved meeting characters (while his 6yo brother was too shy for that.)

The first time we took him on Haunted Mansion he was sort of oblivious to the scary stuff. I think it was with the Christmas overlay, which makes it much more kid-friendly. Both my boys loved that, and still love both versions.

Lots of people told me that DS was too young to enjoy DL, he wouldn't remember it. But somebody else told me, "Even if he doesn't remember the trip, YOU will." Well, he did love it at the time, he believed in the magic and it was so adorable to see. And I have lovely memories from that first trip. I kept a journal and took lots of pictures, so we can relive it.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Unless they're particularly brave I'd skip HM. DS didn't like Pinocchio but did fine on Peter Pan, so he's definitely aware of what things are scary to him and what aren't. Other advice for 2yos is to make good use of the Baby Care Centers--they're a godsend, and to just take things slowly and pace yourself. As you already know, everything takes a lot longer with little ones. You can always come back so don't kill yourselves trying to see/do everything.

 

[mom4princesses]

My kids 2 and 3 were actually more afraid of Pirates than HM. Pirates has the drops (kids didn't like) and the fighting pirate ship that scared them big time. With the HM we just held them in the beginning (they were a little scared) but the ride didn't seem to bother them at all. Like a PP stated you know your kids best but maybe some of our experiences can help you.

 

[Hoku]

Lots of people told me that DS was too young to enjoy DL, he wouldn't remember it.

It really irks me when people say this. Taking young kids is absolutely beneficial - even if they don't remember it!

1) I don't think we generally do things so we can remember them - we do them for the joy of the present moment.

2) Young kids may not remember going at a young age, but these ages are critical times in their development. They may not have conscious memories of it, but the experience will still shape who they become in life and what outlook they have.

3) Like you said, pictures and videos will take the trip into the future.

4) What......We can only take our kids once in their life?? There are plenty of other opportunites for them to "remember" time at Disneyland.

LOL! Anyway, kudos to you for caring about your childs "here and now".

 

[bekkiz]

What was really helpful for my guys was telling the "story" of the ride a bunch of times before we left. We watched a few on You Tube as well. That way they knew that the lights go out and everyone scream on the elevator in HM, but then the lights come right back on. We did that for a bunch of rides, and they dodn't get svared at all.

 

[JohnnyCAZ]

Have your twins watch a you tube version of the HM and see how they react.

That's a great idea, I will give it a try.

 

[JohnnyCAZ]

We took our almost 2 yo to Disney and started off really slow by doing small world and Dumbo...by then she was hooked and would only cry when the ride was over. We mostly stuck to the more "baby friendly" rides the first day and by the second day we did pirates and HM. She did fine on both, I don't think she perticularly enjoyed HM but she just sat quietly and looked around. Every child is different though, mine is a bit of a daredevil. I know my 5 yo nephew was scared to peices by HM. I think when they are 2 and younger maybe they don't realize it is supposed to be scary. Good luck with the little ones and enjoy your moments in my favorite place in the world.

Unfortunately IASW will be refurbished during our visit. We will try Dumbo or an outdoor ride first so they get the initial feeling.

 

[JohnnyCAZ]

Thank you for the advice.

 

[nana50]

You might want to wait until they are older for HM. It is really scary with the dark deep voices. If they go on and are scared, they will be afraid to try anything else. Why chance it. Ride swap with your husband if you must. Disneyland will still be there in a few years. I always wonder about kids who don't get scared on these rides. Is it because they are already desensitized? Both my kids and all 5 grand kids were afraid of these rides until they were in school. My asperger's grandson is 11 and still won't go on HM.

 

[starshine514]

Some other alternatives for warming up to dark rides may be to try Monsters, Inc in DCA, perhaps followed by Little Mermaid (the Ursula part scared my friend's 3 year old, though, so maybe not). Monsters isn't as tame as Small World, but I would rate it as the second most tame dark ride - as long as they aren't scared of the Monsters, Inc monsters, that is!

 

[TahoeMom]

We've been taking my kids to DL every year since DS was 9mos. old. I am pretty sure he went on HM every year. I think the advice to see how they do on other rides first is good - work up to HM. If you do go though, I think the scariest part for kids (as other posters have alluded to) is in the stretch room when the lights go out and lots of people scream. I just would warn my kids it was going to happen and they seemed fine.

 

[JohnnyCAZ]

Some other alternatives for warming up to dark rides may be to try Monsters, Inc in DCA, perhaps followed by Little Mermaid (the Ursula part scared my friend's 3 year old, though, so maybe not). Monsters isn't as tame as Small World, but I would rate it as the second most tame dark ride - as long as they aren't scared of the Monsters, Inc monsters, that is!

Monsters Inc. is actually their favorite movie right now so we will definitely have to ride that one.

 

[JohnnyCAZ]

You might want to wait until they are older for HM. It is really scary with the dark deep voices. If they go on and are scared, they will be afraid to try anything else. Why chance it. Ride swap with your husband if you must.

Nana50 - I am the Husband, lol. I am one of those rare husbands that love Disneyland and Disneyworld. DW is not really a fan since she has only visited Disneyland a couple times when she was younger. I am in the process of teaching my wife and kids the Magic that Disney has to offer.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Another thing to take into account is the noise level on these rides. I never paid any attention to the volume until we took our autistic toddler twins last summer. The outdoor rides aren't bad, but anything you go into will increase the noise level. The girls loved all the bright colors on the Winnie the Pooh ride, but the music was really loud, so by halfway into it, they were stressing out. The liked Peter Pan until we went "down"....so they were uncomfortable with that feeling.

So starting out with rides like Dumbo, Carousel, Casey Jr Train, Storybookland Boats, Jungle Cruise & then try Alice, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, etc. They may not be bothered by any of it or they could be uncomfortable with Dumbo......so just being cued into how they're dealing with it will be your guide. Take advantage of Baby Swap for the bigger rides & have a great trip!!

 

[nana50]

Nana50 - I am the Husband, lol. I am one of those rare husbands that love Disneyland and Disneyworld. DW is not really a fan since she has only visited Disneyland a couple times when she was younger. I am in the process of teaching my wife and kids the Magic that Disney has to offer.

Good for you. I should have looked at your name. Sorry.