Advice for taking 2 1/2 yr. old to Disneyland for the first time?

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Hey all!

My friends are bringing their 2 1/2 year old DD to DL for the first time this spring, and they're looking for advice on how to make this a great trip.
They've both been to DLR many times, but neither has been with a preschooler. They will only be spending one day there, and aren't going to DCA because of time issues.

So here's their specific questions:

1. Strollers - is it better to bring your own or rent one at the park?

2. Downtown Disney - what's the coolest place to eat dinner with a young child?

3. Any tips for getting a 2 1/2 year old to like Disneyland and not be afraid?

I should add that their DD loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel, and her current favorite movie is Finding Nemo. They'd love any advice you can pass on!

TIA!

 

[tortugaverde]

1. Strollers - is it better to bring your own or rent one at the park?
I say bring your own, or buy a cheap umbrella one at Target when you get there. For me, it was not worth paying to rent a stroller when I could use my own.

2. Downtown Disney - what's the coolest place to eat dinner with a young child?
The Rainforest Cafe is pretty fun. There are loud noises and a thunderstorm... my kids loved it, but I have read of kids being scared.

3. Any tips for getting a 2 1/2 year old to like Disneyland and not be afraid?
Do not watch the 3D Its Tough to Be a Bug show. We did this in the first hour of being in DCA and my kids were terrified for the next two days. They were fine after they got the idea that the rides were not in 3D (like the scary bug show!). They even rode things like the Haunted Mansion and Pirates, we just "prepped" them for everything they would see and or hear. We would do a running commentary during the ride also... if they seemed like they needed it.
They were totally fine (3 & 5).
Tell them to go on the Winnie the Pooh ride... my kids LOVED that one. We must have ridden it 15 times!


Nemo is going to be tough to ride. If they have an Early Entry to the park... I would suggest doing Nemo then. Arrive early and run to the line. The wait will be under an hour. If you do Nemo any other time... it is over a 2 hour wait.

There is a Mickey Mouse Club House show... It was closed when we went to watch it, so I can not say if it was good or not (but I am guessing it is great.

Hope they have fun!

 

[princessnicchia]

My suggestions:

If their child is the type to be scared of dark or loud noises, avoid the dark rides in FL. They are a little scary for that age group.

Goofy's Kitchen (character meal at the DL Hotel) was fabulous for my 2 year old, she had a blast. And though it's spendy, the kid is free until they are 3!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Hey all!

My friends are bringing their 2 1/2 year old DD to DL for the first time this spring, and they're looking for advice on how to make this a great trip.
They've both been to DLR many times, but neither has been with a preschooler. They will only be spending one day there, and aren't going to DCA because of time issues.

So here's their specific questions:

1. Strollers - is it better to bring your own or rent one at the park?

2. Downtown Disney - what's the coolest place to eat dinner with a young child?

3. Any tips for getting a 2 1/2 year old to like Disneyland and not be afraid?

I should add that their DD loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel, and her current favorite movie is Finding Nemo. They'd love any advice you can pass on!

TIA!

1. Bring your own... then you don't have to spend time in line renting one
2. I agree, Rainforest Cafe... make a ressie (they take them directly through the restaraunt... I think the guy said up to a year in advance), they have great kids meals, and ask to be seated by an animal... dd loved that!
3. Watch some rides on you-tube... do the easy ones first (dumbo, casey jr, carousel) then work up to peter pan, pinnochio... my dd was 3, and it helped that she had seen most of the movies, and we could talk to her about the ride before hand, and knew that she would be with me "holding her tight" the whole time... she did every ride in the park that she was tall enough for (snow white, toadie, matterhorn, pirates, haunted mansion...)

If the park gets crazy busy and (it sounds like they are going to plow through without stopping for naps??) go over to DCA and do Bug's land... its quiet there, and the rides are really great for little ones, and would take up all of an hour or so...

The best tip is to be there and in line a half-hour before the park opens... you can get all of fantasyland done in about an hour if you are in the first group of people through the gates!

--Lisa

 

[DLtorgo]

I would think about your child's temprament before running on to Nemo first. I did that with my DD the same age and she was terrorized even though she loves the movie. It is dark, loud, long and there is no way out. It took lots of rides on Dumbo and teacups for her to get excited again. They love the rides outside so they can see what is comming. Autopia, the train and Jungle Cruise were fun for her too.

I agree watching a video and talking about what you will see ahead is a great help! Also it is so easy to avoid stuff at that age so if they decide to skip Nemo or even a whole land the child won't know and will still have tons of fun!

 

[3card]

1. Strollers - bring your own. No waits for a stroller, no extra cost, easier to spot (usually).


3. Any tips for getting a 2 1/2 year old to like Disneyland and not be afraid?
Key tip above it to be very careful about which rides you choose. Took my daughter on Snow White (I know it's the scary adventure) when she was that age and she still talks about it (scarrry!!!). My kids are now 4, 2, and 2 and they love Dumbo, Casey Jr., Storeybook boats, Pooh's ride, Nemo, and the Bug's land stuff. Agree on Nemo, kids were a bit freaked out at first and my son said "scary part" for a while after his first ride.

 

[avalon451]

If she loves Nemo, and they don't want to wait for the enclosed ride on the subs, they can ask a CM if they can watch the video version of the show. It's the same thing you see through the portholes, but you watch it in a screening room. It's there for people with disabilities who are not able to get onto the subs. I have heard that the wait is usually minimal.

We used most of an Early Entry when we were there to tackle Nemo, and I wouldn't do it again. Cute ride, but if I'd known about the video option I would have done that instead.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Great tips, everyone, thanks! Keep them coming...it's been very helpful so far.

 

[disney-inspired]

Hey all!

My friends are bringing their 2 1/2 year old DD to DL for the first time this spring, and they're looking for advice on how to make this a great trip.
They've both been to DLR many times, but neither has been with a preschooler. They will only be spending one day there, and aren't going to DCA because of time issues.

So here's their specific questions:

1. Strollers - is it better to bring your own or rent one at the park?

2. Downtown Disney - what's the coolest place to eat dinner with a young child?

3. Any tips for getting a 2 1/2 year old to like Disneyland and not be afraid?

I should add that their DD loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel, and her current favorite movie is Finding Nemo. They'd love any advice you can pass on!

TIA!

1. I would say bring your own because it is probably way more comfortable than the ones at the park.

2. Rainforest Cafe

3. Don't force them on any characters, spot them out from a safe distance and see their reaction, if it's curious then take them over if they get freaked out you might want them to remain "at a safe distance". It all depends on how the 2 1/2 year old is. My sister's first trip was when she was 2 and she went on everything her height would allow. She did get a bit spooked on POTC and HM but everything else she loved.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I take my 2.5yo to DL pretty often, but his first visit was at 8 months.

We watch a lot of Disney movies in my house. It makes it super fun for DS when we go on rides for movies he knows, and especially when we see characters from his favorite movies!

It's too bad they can't go to DCA, because their little one would love the Playhouse Disney Live! show and the Pixar Play Parade.

But they will still have a great time!

I highly recommend that they look at the DL map before they go and make a tentative itinerary of rides/shows so they aren't crossing back and forth all over the park all day.

I always bring my own stroller. It's just more convenient for me.

 

[gardengirl2790]

If you are planning a multi-day stay, I recommend making sure the toddler gets a nap/rest time back in the hotel room by mid-day. We took our daughter at 3 yo and she loved DL, but we made sure she had her nap and did not take her on the dark rides mentioned above. I used a great book at the time that I think gets updated often called something like, Southern California with Kids, and the author gave lots of great advice on what rides to go on and others to avoid. We also got our daughter to bed at night at a reasonable time.

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

Don't forget the parades! You might want to consider a character meal.