3 year old, what do you do in the parks and where do you eat?

[Bete]

I have no experience with children at parks.

Anyway, I would like to know how much time do you spend in the parks each day? How much of a nap do you do or not? Do you just let them sleep in the stroller or do you go back to the resort?

What are some of the braver rides to try with a 3 year old? For example is Soarin' a possible ride for a small child or not?

Do you stick with just quick service and character meals? Is it possible a three year old would last through the Candlelight Processional or is it too much to ask?

What scares a 3 year old in the parks? This child has been rather sheltered. I've heard It's Tough To Be A Bug can be a little intense; what other rides or attractions should we stay away from?

Do you bring toys as a distraction for long waits in the ride lines? What works well?

I appreciate what ever info you can provide in this regard?

 

[sommergirl25]

I have no experience with children at parks.

Anyway, I would like to know how much time do you spend in the parks each day? How much of a nap do you do or not? Do you just let them sleep in the stroller or do you go back to the resort?

What are some of the braver rides to try with a 3 year old? For example is Soarin' a possible ride for a small child or not?

Do you stick with just quick service and character meals? Is it possible a three year old would last through the Candlelight Processional or is it too much to ask?

What scares a 3 year old in the parks? This child have been rather sheltered. I've heard It's Tough To Be A Bug can be a little intense; what other rides or attractions should we stay away from?

Do you bring toys as a distraction for long waits in the ride lines? What works well?

I appreciate what ever info you can provide in this regard?

We spent every day, all day in the parks. Usually he would just fall asleep in the stroller (which hasn't happened since he was in infant). We did at least 1 table service and 1 quick service a day. My little guy would have ridden anything. He rode test track and Soarin and loves it. I wish I would have taken him on BTMRR. He also wasn't scared of anything in the parks, however, we didn't do Its tough to be a bug for the pure fact that I wouldn't even like that. We went in Feb and so lines weren't ridiculously long. The longest was TSM at about 45-60 minutes. I didn't bring anything. We distracted from the waiting by dancing, singing, and playing games like I spy. I think less is more. Don't overwhelm yourself with packing a bag for distraction when Disney does distraction so well. There is so much to see! Have fun. This was such a magical trip for all of us but especially for my 3 year old. He still talks about it all day, every day.

 

[AlixaLock]

I have no experience with children at parks.

Anyway, I would like to know how much time do you spend in the parks each day? How much of a nap do you do or not? Do you just let them sleep in the stroller or do you go back to the resort?

What are some of the braver rides to try with a 3 year old? For example is Soarin' a possible ride for a small child or not?

Do you stick with just quick service and character meals? Is it possible a three year old would last through the Candlelight Processional or is it too much to ask?

What scares a 3 year old in the parks? This child have been rather sheltered. I've heard It's Tough To Be A Bug can be a little intense; what other rides or attractions should we stay away from?

Do you bring toys as a distraction for long waits in the ride lines? What works well?

I appreciate what ever info you can provide in this regard?

I think this is a tough question to answer because all 3-year-olds are very different. For us, we always stayed in the parks all day, because I personally think maneuvering a child that age in and out of the parks multiple times is too time consuming. She wasn't a napper at that point, but would definitely rest in the stroller.

We have a rule in our family, everyone who is tall enough rides and we take turns picking. So, by 3/4 my daughter (she is on the short side, so she was definitely closer to 4 for some of these rides) had done everything except the Space, Everest, and Rockin' Roller Coaster. She tolerates Tower of Terror (but it is intense,) loves Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Pirates etc ... Star Tours is one of her absolute favorites. She also loves Soarin', but I can't remember if she was tall enough by 3. I thinking she was 4. She's not overly fond of Tough to be a Bug, but she can sit through it and hasn't been emotionally scarred. I guess my point is that, they you won't really know what they like until they try it.

We do lots of sit down meals and I always have a small coloring book and crayons or a small toy for my daughter to amuse herself with at meals. I also have my iPhone (on mute) if we're heading to a particularly long meal like Citricos ect... I don't find in the parks that too many distractions are necessary. She usually has a little toy in her pocket to play with or we chat and play games. Again, if it got really sticky and we were stuck somewhere I wouldn't hesitate to break out the iphone for her to play with or I could read to her from the Kindle app ...

3 to 4 was the age where I really felt my daughter started to love Disney! She was more accustomed to walking, although we did use a stroller and she was really able to do so much! The one thing you have to expect is a slower pace ... everything takes longer with a kid in tow and you just have to accept that. You also have to accept the fact that you'll need to adapt whatever plans you have. They will get sick or hungry or cranky and you'll need to address those needs. Keep those things in mind and you'll have a blast!

 

[wfjny]

My kids have been going to Disney since they were under a year old (now 8,11 & 18). Our stages:

When we could stop bringing formula
When we could stop bringing baby food
When we could stop bringing diapers
When we could stop bringing spare clothes

We still bring a stroller (for other reasons), but we now walk into the parks bagless. We love it.

Depending on your child, you may or may not want to avoid:

MK:
Stitches Great Escape (Darkness, scary)
Carousel of Progress (Long, Hard to Exit)
Haunted Mansion (Not very scary, but if things popping out scare the child. The initial room also is in total darkness, and screams)

AK:
Bugs Life
Dinosaur (very intense)

Epcot:
Universe of Energy/Ellen (very long, no way out)

HS:
Lights, Motor, Action
Indiana Jones (both due to explosions)

Again, you may or may not want to avoid anything with fireworks.

One suggestion that I do not normally make, if questionable, take a look at the ride on you tube...

And remember, at that age, everything is real! Good luck, and have a blast...

 

[ses1230]

A lot is going to depend on the child. With my oldest, we would stay in the park all day every day and she was content to sleep in her stroller. When younger DD came we discovered that she was the exact opposite. She would not sleep in the stroller and would be miserable unless we left the park for a nap.

Like pp, we also let them ride whatever if they are tall enough. But, we don't do ITTBAB because I'm scared of it, lol.

The CP is a tough call, again depends on the child. We went last year and the girls were 7 and 4. The 4 year old fell asleep but the 7 year old loved it. The lines can be long though depending on the narrator, etc but you could consider the dining package.

For meals, we go out to eat even at home so they are ok in a restaurant. We have always done character meals, when they were very little it was better than waiting in line for the characters.

 

[CourtneyL]

Depending on how crowded it is, you might be able to see (and hear) the candlelight processional from outside the theater in the courtyard of the American pavilion. When DD was 14 months old we caught the CP on accident. We happened to be in the area right before it started so we sat on one of the planters in the courtyard and watched. About half way through DD was still interested so we moved closer at stood at the rope to the theater.

 

[Spunky946]

We went when dd was three it was over christmas week, so we took breaks. We all needed them. Dd is short so she did not ride a lot. We eat out a lot, so my kids are used to restaurants.

You could look at you tube for rides to see what is intense.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Since this is a discussion that goes beyond theme park attractions and strategies, and deals more with how to handle a three year old, I've moved it to the Disney for Families forum.

 

[ghtx]

The usual caveat applies (every child is different, and you know your child best).

But my advice is to plan on hitting RD every morning (since kids that young are usually up early enough anyways), then staying at the park until about 12 or 1 (eat lunch in the park or back at the resort). Nap time for 2-3 hours, then head back to the park from about 4-8 or so. I skip nighttime at the parks with kids that young.

Soarin should be fine if the height requirement is met. ITTBAB could be scary.

 

[ElenaRN]

We went in June when DD was 2 1/2.

We mainly ate breakfast in the room or at the hotel. Lunch was a quick service and dinner really depended. Some evenings we had ADRs, others was another counter service.
We also made sure to bring lots of snacks (pretzels, fruit pouches, etc).

We spent pretty much all day in the parks.

DD was never a good napper, so we never went back to the room specifically for that reason. She usually fell asleep in the stroller, which is not something she EVER does at home.

DD HATES fireworks. She hated It's Tough to be a Bug (too dark and scary), Pirates (cannons) and Nemo (dark and scary sharks). Though she did love Goofy's Barnstormer.

We didn't really bring anything for the lines. Hubby had some videos on his phone for emergencies, but she usually just talked to the other kiddies.

 

[Bete]

I think this is a tough question to answer because all 3-year-olds are very different. For us, we always stayed in the parks all day, because I personally think maneuvering a child that age in and out of the parks multiple times is too time consuming. She wasn't a napper at that point, but would definitely rest in the stroller.

We have a rule in our family, everyone who is tall enough rides and we take turns picking. So, by 3/4 my daughter (she is on the short side, so she was definitely closer to 4 for some of these rides) had done everything except the Space, Everest, and Rockin' Roller Coaster. She tolerates Tower of Terror (but it is intense,) loves Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Pirates etc ... Star Tours is one of her absolute favorites. She also loves Soarin', but I can't remember if she was tall enough by 3. I thinking she was 4. She's not overly fond of Tough to be a Bug, but she can sit through it and hasn't been emotionally scarred. I guess my point is that, they you won't really know what they like until they try it.

We do lots of sit down meals and I always have a small coloring book and crayons or a small toy for my daughter to amuse herself with at meals. I also have my iPhone (on mute) if we're heading to a particularly long meal like Citricos ect... I don't find in the parks that too many distractions are necessary. She usually has a little toy in her pocket to play with or we chat and play games. Again, if it got really sticky and we were stuck somewhere I wouldn't hesitate to break out the iphone for her to play with or I could read to her from the Kindle app ...

3 to 4 was the age where I really felt my daughter started to love Disney! She was more accustomed to walking, although we did use a stroller and she was really able to do so much! The one thing you have to expect is a slower pace ... everything takes longer with a kid in tow and you just have to accept that. You also have to accept the fact that you'll need to adapt whatever plans you have. They will get sick or hungry or cranky and you'll need to address those needs. Keep those things in mind and you'll have a blast!

Good tips and thanks. The last paragraph was definitely good information.

 

[Bete]

My kids have been going to Disney since they were under a year old (now 8,11 & 18). Our stages:

When we could stop bringing formula
When we could stop bringing baby food
When we could stop bringing diapers
When we could stop bringing spare clothes

We still bring a stroller (for other reasons), but we now walk into the parks bagless. We love it.

Depending on your child, you may or may not want to avoid:

MK:
Stitches Great Escape (Darkness, scary)
Carousel of Progress (Long, Hard to Exit)
Haunted Mansion (Not very scary, but if things popping out scare the child. The initial room also is in total darkness, and screams)

AK:
Bugs Life
Dinosaur (very intense)

Epcot:
Universe of Energy/Ellen (very long, no way out)

HS:
Lights, Motor, Action
Indiana Jones (both due to explosions)

Again, you may or may not want to avoid anything with fireworks.

One suggestion that I do not normally make, if questionable, take a look at the ride on you tube...

And remember, at that age, everything is real! Good luck, and have a blast...

I'm not thinking like a three old; I'm over 60. I get this point; thanks.

 

[Cappscom8]

My three year old loved every ride he was tall enough to ride. This included "Living with the Land", "Soarin'", "Tower of Terror" ( his favorite that he still talks about five years later), and just about every other ride. The one thing that terrified him was Wishes. Go figure.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Three's can vary so much. Whether he is 40 inches or not is a big factor. His nature is also a huge factor. When DS was a preschooler, we just played the day by ear but never went open to close. Rests at the resort were need some days.Most often we did not nap, but late afternoon rest and a different park after dinner worked well. Some days we did just stay in the parks then call it an early day. We never really pushed or even introduced many of the 40 inch rides too early as we knew we would have another trip soon. We have always did at least one sit down per day with a preschooler. Character meals are so fun but our boys never really ate good at them, and i burn out at them so we mixed them with more adult, signature dinning too and kids always enjoyed and did well at these too. breakfast in the room worked well at that age.

A few rides cautions I see, though some kids are fine with these:

MK:
Stitch
HM- my DS still does not like it!
The mountains are so dependent on the child. DS liked BTMR but not Slash at that age.

AK:
Dinosaur--way fast, rough and scary
ITTBAB- never bothered mine but have seen some kids freak there.

Epcot-
Nothing sticks out that a 3 year old could ride. Both TT and Soaring are pretty mild and good first tries to bigger rides.

HS
TOT-is scary for a preschooler
Car stunt show- LOUD
Great Movie Rides- scares a lot of kids but mine loved it
TLM show- One people do not think about but have seen a lot is kids get really scared in this one.

Start small and increase as you judge the reaction.

3 is a fun age! enjoy.

 

[AndreaA]

We have a rule in our family, everyone who is tall enough rides and we take turns picking.

You mean they HAVE to ride something even if they don't like it? Good grief, *I* would hate that, nevermind my kids! If I had made my 3yr olds go on BTMRR just because they met the height requirement I probably would not have been able to drag them onto any other ride. Heck, after sitting through Philharmagic they were asking at every ride "will it be too loud??".

For us, the following did not fly at 3:

Philharmagic - yes it seems innocuous, but it is SUPER LOUD and my boys are both very, very sensitive to sounds, so they basically cried through the entire thing.

Stitch - didn't even attempt

Bug's Life - ditto

We spent every morning in a park and headed for our resort (Wilderness Lodge) by 1-2pm. Worked out great, and often the boys fell asleep in their strollers on the ferry ride from MK to WL. We never went back for fireworks (big fright inducer for both boys) but plan to do that this year. They never actually napped in the afternoon, but they would relax for 30-45min watching television and then we'd go to the pool for the afternoon.

We ate the majority of our meals TS. I hate QS, especially with toddlers and a stroller. Juggling food, jostling through crowds, trying to find a table? No thanks! They were great at meals. One of them did fall asleep during two signature dinners.

We followed Josh's (easywdw.com) touring plans/tips and they worked like a charm. We often weren't leaving at 1 because we were tired, but because we'd just already done everything once or twice!

 

[GatorMama]

My three year old was scared on Maelstrom and Pirates of the Caribbean but he said he wants to ride the both again.... He's short at almost four so none of the headliners are on the docket for us

 

[AlixaLock]

You mean they HAVE to ride something even if they don't like it? Good grief, *I* would hate that, nevermind my kids!

Yep, that's what it means. Everyone gets to pick and if she picks Small World (which makes me crazy) I ride with smile on my face. Then it's my turn, and then daddy ... No one person makes the rules or dictates the trip. It won't hurt anyone to ride something that isn't their preference and it's something that we all have to do in life. I love to watch her smile through Small World and I'm trying to teach her the joy of having a generous spirit and seeing the joy in other peoples happiness in addition to her own. We are very lucky and don't have motion sickness issues or significant fears of heights, the dark etc ... Obviously, that would make a huge difference.

Goes without saying that this is what works for our family, but it might not work for everyone. Was just sharing my experience. I certainly never meant to imply that this is the only way and apologize if it came off that way.

 

[texasroni75]

Our son was 5 on our last trip and even then he was still scared of some things. Surprisingly, some of the effects of Philarmagic freaked him out the most (he did NOT like the air blowing on his face). It's Tough to Be a Bug he sat with his eyes covered nearly the whole time. He was too short for a lot of the really scary stuff and likely a 3 year old would be too. We did not attempt Haunted Mansion with him. Every trip even our youngest kiddos LOVED the Safari, the Jungle Cruise, and the slow-moving rides like Nemo, the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico, Living with the Land, and things like Dumbo and Aladdin Carpet ride.

We do breakfast at the resorts (either in room or food court/in-resort restaurant). We learned that on our first trip that this was crucial. DH and at least one kid would be cranky every morning we opted to wait to get to the park to eat in the morning.

We did not do naps back at the resorts too often because our group didn't seem to need them. We had no meltdowns without the break because our youngest kids in the group had no issue napping in a stroller while one parent watched them. And it gave the other parent a chance to take the bigger kids on some grown-up rides. Some kids have trouble sleeping in strollers though. It really depends.

Take your time at mealtimes. With all the excitement, sometimes it took a few extra minutes to get my youngest to wind down enough to eat a full meal.

We always make lists of the attractions we really want to see, being realistic about how much we can accomplish in any given day in the park (taking into account time for bathroom breaks, meals and lines). Sometimes we could do more than we anticipated, other times we had to skip attractions that had too long of a wait. And like other posters mentioned: Be flexible and watch for cues about what the 3 year old likes and doesn't like! Trial and error works

 

[kmb584]

Seeing Disney through the eyes of a child is incredible!

My daughter (4) has been to WDW 6 times with trip 7 in October. On her first trip (15 months) I twice attempted a nap at our resort; both times failed. She was so excited with all of the new sights and sounds that she would not sleep at all, thus meaning it turned into a very early night with a very cranky baby. On day 3 I decided to just put her in her stroller at her regular nap time and low and behold, she fell asleep within a minute or two and slept for a solid 2 1/2 hours. From that point on we've done stroller naps. Every child is different though so I'd suggest first attempting a nap at the resort as it will give you a chance to rest as well.

Some days we do RD, other days we don't. A typical day for us is open (or close to it) to close. I've found that time flies while in WDW and with all of the attractions each park offers it's incredibly easy to pass an entire day.

"Braver" rides tend to come with a height requirement. How tall is the 3-year-old? In April my daughter just hit the 40" height requirement for Soarin'. I wasn't sure how she'd react to the ride itself but she LOVED it. She even waited patiently in a 75 minute stand-by queue with me to ride it again. The Barnstormer might be a great idea as the height requirement is only 35". The first time my little one rode it (she was 3) she hated it and I was the Mom with the crying toddler getting off of the ride. Later in the week she wanted to do it again so I cringed a bit and off we went. She belly laughed throughout the duration of the ride! The Haunted Mansion is another idea. While it's not a thrill ride, it does tend to spook children, including my daughter. She's been on it twice but has refused to ride it on our last 4 vacations.

We do all sorts of dining while in the World, everything from QS to Chef Mickey's to California Grill. My daughter knows that while we're out in public, be it a restaurant or store, she has to behave or we'll leave. I try not to do character overload as the meals are expensive and the food mediocre. I'd much rather spend my money on signature restaurants.

Try to FP the most popular attractions as those are the ones that are going to see the longest wait time. Or ride them at RD then grab a FP! The AM EMH are awesome for getting the headliners out of the way with little to no wait. We don't often stand in long lines (75 minutes for Soarin' was the result of my daughter begging me) so no, I don't bring toys. If she starts to get antsy I'll bring out my iPhone and let her play an app. Kids also tend to make friends with other kids in line and that has kept my daughter occupied as well!

 

[Bete]

Everyone, thank-you for your replies. It has all been very helpful. I have a greater understanding, now.