Advice on 2 year olds

[momanddadof2girls]

We are wanting to take our 6 & 2 year old daughters to WDW and we are wondering if the 2 year old is too young, won't remember WDW and be exhausted the entire time. The trip will cost a lot of money and we want the kids to have fun. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

 

[disneymarathoner07]

Ok. Last January My husband and I took our 2 daughters 4 (almost 5) and almost 2 1/2. My four year old loved it and remembers everything by us just talking about it--we are going back this October so we are talking about our past trip a lot lately. My 2 1/2 year old remembers more than I thought. We had breakfast with the Princesses at Norway in Epcot--she remembers that. She remembers the fireworks. She remembers the magic carpet ride at MK--(the "camels" spitting at her). She remembers riding the monorail. She remembers meeting all of the characters. Now--being scared. She had never acted scared of anything before, so we started off pretty much letting her ride anything that she could. She got really scared at mickey's philharmonic--not sure if it was the 3-d effect or the sound (it was a little loud). She also got scared at Pirates of the caribbean. I know I probably should have thought that out a little more--but I really thought she was a little young to realize "scary" vs. "non-scary". She also freaked out on Spaceship Earth. There is nothing scary at all about that--which makes me think that all of her being "scared" had to do with the darkness of these rides. Everything else that she could ride, she did and loved!! I made a scrapbook of our Disney Adventures. We took a picture of the girls getting all of their autographs. They love flipping through that scrapbook and seeing all of the pictures. Now everytime we talk about fireworks (4th of July, etc.) she thinks we are going to Disneyworld to "Cinderella's Castle".

Have fun!!!! Amanda

 

[ctc917]

son who gets very cranky without a nap and things went well.

We did have to slow our pace down from our other trips before the 2yr old but that was ok, we still got to see everything we wanted to see, but at a slower pace. We didnt go back to the hotel for naps after the first failed try we just went back earlier in the evening and made sure we ate early for dinner and he fell to sleep early and my husband went out with our older son at night while I stayed at the hotel.

The only hard part I had was keeping him busy for the 3 hour plane ride to get there other than that everything else was pretty good.

As to the 2 yr old remembering its surprising what they do remember we are planning to go back this April and we have been talking about the trip and he was asking about rides that he went on and if we could do that again, so they do remember right now I dont know how much he will remember when he is 15 thou.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask

ctc917

 

[Snow Shoe]

We took our 2 yr old grandson to WDW last Oct. He had a great time. He loved the water fountains in the Sidewalk at Downtown Disney and at the entrance to World Show Case. He also really liked the totem poles near the Jungle Cruise. He also liked the typical rides, Dumbo, etc. Have fun, take a lot of pictures, and rent one of disney's strollers for multiple days.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

The 2yr old wont remember any vacation you take her on, but you will and she will have a blast.
Dont try to do it all and the memories you have will last forever.

 

[Melissa]

Don't try to do it all, stay at a monorail resort if you can. If you gear your trip around your kids and their levels of energy and patience you will be fine.
Don't go in the summer! Get to the park at opening, especially MK Fantasy Land. My dd did her 1st trip at 2, it was great. Watch out though you will create a monster. I know we did!

 

[CheshireAllieCat]

Take LOTS of pictures! HAva was 2 1/2 when we went this past October, and she really does remember a lot more than we thought she would, but what she loves the most is going through the album of the pictures we took! (Which, of course, is probably why she remembers it so well...)

The trip only lasted a week, but the memories will last forever, (unless she totally wrecks the book, which is likely with how often she drags it out!)

 

[beagle744]

Our first trip was when DS just turned 3 and DD was 8. We hit the parks early and went on all the mild rides DS would enjoy first before the lines formed. Then we moved on to some other mild to medium attractions until lunch.

We usually had lunch in the park around 1 or 1:30pm. After lunch, DS and I headed back to our room for a nap and a swim while DH and DD stayed at the park to enjoy the bigger/wilder rides. We would meet up for dinner somewhere and return to the park to enjoy the evening attractions (parades, fireworks, etc..)

This worked out well for us because DS and I were refreshed to enjoy the entire evening and DH and DD could get on all the big rides while we were gone. We avoided afternoon meltdowns this way and no one felt they missed out on anything. If there was something I wanted to do but missed out on while back at the room, my DD was always game to do it second time with me in the evening.

Your 2 y.o won't remember, but you'll remember how much fun they had while there. Like a previous poster said - take lots of pictures!

 

[The Sweetness]

Heres what I think... I had my dd14 to WDW more times than I can count in the 90's the first time, it was for her 2nd birthday. I couldnt say what she remembered, but I REMEMBER. She was so happy, so delighted in every ride, show and character meeting. Also, we have volumes of pictures of her virtually growing up at WDW (at least a dozen trips from '93-99). It was really wonderfull, and the memories still are. We cant wait 'till Ariel is 2, so she can experience the magic too

 

[cabowser]

We took our 6 year old, 5 year old (who has autism) and our 18 month old. All of them remember the trip a lot. Even my little one asks to see the movies that we took over and over. I can't wait to take them back again. I guess it won't be until June of 07, but I am pretty excited about it.

Jan

 

[Queen of 3 princess]

Our family just got back from our 1st trip. We went the week of Jan 16. Really just went for our older girls who are 7 and 5. We thought our 2 year old was too young and just was along for the ride. Were we sooo wrong. She had a blast. She loved every ride she went on. She was mesmorized by the shows and even liked the 3-D movies. Liked the characters from afar but not up close. We were at the parks all day long, everyday. We didn't leave for nap or rest time. She was great all day and never once fell asleep in her stroller. Most nights we stayed for the night shows and she loved them too. I know she won't remember most of this but our whole family had a great time and will always have these family memories. Now I have an excuse to go back

 

[mommystieg]

DD#2 made her first trip to WDW when she was 26 months old and she had a BLAST!! She remembers a lot of things from that trip and our memories are priceless. You won't be able to see and do everything so pick what is really important and use that as a guide for your days. We had plans to be up every day and in the parks from open to close but by day 3 we hit the wall We knew it was time to slow down a little when we couldn't wake the kids up. We took our own stroller and rented a car--Disney transportation is awesome but it can sometimes take over an hour to get from one place to another. We stayed onsite but still found that going back to the room for a midday break ate up a lot of park time. DD#2 napped in her stroller or during some shows/attractions. Go and have fun--it will be worth it

 

[2diamonds&a~gem]

DD is 28 months & we are leaving Feb 5th for another week. She has already been 3 times Oct04, Dec04, Oct05... she doesnt remember the first two but she had a blast & we took lots of pic's and she loves to look at them. She remembers the last trip as she has been talking about it since we got back & she is beyond ready to go back this weekend. I really think these trips are as much for DH & I as we didnt get to go to WDW when we were kids, so it is all new for us & to see it with her is amazing. We never left the park for naps, if she fell asleep in the stroller, we just walked around or watched the parade or just found a bench to relax. (and have a mickey bar)
Your daughters will have a blast! And I think you will too!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

They will have fun and you will too! My 2yr DS has been there twice and even if he doesn't remember it -- I know he had a great time. He LOVES to watch the videos and look at the photos now too!

My advice:
Stay on property.
Bring your own stroller.
Get used to going on Small World over and over and over ...

 

[jmatias]

We took our kids to WDW in January 2005 when DD was 1. It was a great trip with wonderful memories. In July 2005 we went to Disneyland and she still remembers things from that trip.

We just watched video from our July trip this morning and DD loved watching it and didn't want it to end. She wanted to watch Disney videos all day.

So...go and enjoy...you'll still remember more than the kids but what they remember will surprise you....and take tons of pictures and videos...they grow soooooo fast!

 

[mytwotinks]

My youngest was 2 on our first trip. She had a great time. We split up a couple of times so that my 7 year old could do some of the bigger girl stuff, but I was really amazed at how much we could all enjoy together. We stayed at the POFQ and that worked out sooooo great. We always got a seat on the bus and the resort is so much smaller than the others for getting around. She just turned 4 and remembers much more than I thought she would. She remembered enough to be very excited when we took her back at 3 1/2! The way I figure, your 6 year old will only be 6 once and that is such a magical age for Disney. How can you keep away!?!?!?!?

 

[minnie29uk]

We are wanting to take our 6 & 2 year old daughters to WDW and we are wondering if the 2 year old is too young, won't remember WDW and be exhausted the entire time. The trip will cost a lot of money and we want the kids to have fun. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

I first took my son at 11 months.This year he is 3 and a half and it will be his 5th time!!!My daughter went last year at 17 months and we are going again soon.They both enjoyed themselves.I had a great time watching them enjoy everything.We usually come back to the villa so kids can have a nap.Try not to go in hottest month.Have plenty of iced cool water and the WDW strollers are great for keeping them in shade.
You are never too old or too young for Disney - its great,

Lynn

 

[momanddadof2girls]

Thank you everyone for your advice. We have decided to go and leave in 9 days! We are so excited!

 

[MayMom]

I hope that I can add something informative. I read a book once about how a child inquires intelligence and what makes a child "gifted." I always remember one point in the book when someone raises this question on the boards. The author said that every experience that a very young child has in his or her early life teaches him and increases intelligence. Making everyday experiences into learning opportunities increases the chances of a child being gifted. Therefor, IMO the experiences that a young child has at Disney will add to their learning and intellectual development. It is a great opportunity to allow your child to see, hear, taste, etc. many new things that they haven't experienced.
Personally, I feel that a large part of the magic of WDW is designed for our littlest people. NO, they may not remember it, but YOU will never forget the look on her face when she sees the castle or Mickey Mouse for the first time. They truly believe in ALL of the magic in this special place....more than any other visitors that travel to WDW........ I have many friends that waited until their kids were 10 years old to go to WDW and were very disappointed that the kids didn't like it. IMO - they waited too long. Yes - their kids remember it, but in some cases - they don't feel the magic.

 

[teresajoy]

every experience that a very young child has in his or her early life teaches him and increases intelligence. Making everyday experiences into learning opportunities increases the chances of a child being gifted. Therefor, IMO the experiences that a young child has at Disney will add to their learning and intellectual development. It is a great opportunity to allow your child to see, hear, taste, etc. many new things that they haven't experienced.
[/U] - they don't feel the magic.

I will have to remember that the next time someone asks me this question! My son was 4 on his first trip (old, in my opinion!) I like to say that my daughters first trips were when I was 7 and 3 months pregnant. I am pretty sure they enjoyed it even then! Arminda turned one on her first trip (and took her first steps while we were down there!) , and Lydia turned five months on her first trip. We have pictures of Lydia in the stroller laughing at Timon. I will try to find the picture and post it. She had a blast, and so did we.