Almost 2 Visiting Advice

[Bangerang]

My DH plus extended family and I will be visiting in Jan. with our then 23 month DS. We are staying at VWL so we can get in much needed naps.

What advice/tips do you have for staying sane and making it a pleasurable trip?

Also, what rides or other attractions work best for that age?

Is there any prep work we should do before going?

Thanks,
Amy

 

[crazywig]

just returned a few weeks ago with ds, 2.

my biggest tip is a harness! i bought one right before the trip and even though i didn't get a chance to try it out before we left, he did great in it. it was absolutely a lifesaver to me especially while waiting in ride queues.
also my normally 'content to sit in his stroller' toddler decides at disney he'd rather walk, thank you very much so the harness was great.

as for rides, we took him on everything that didn't have a height restriction (he even did great on haunted mansion and pirates!), plus the 3d shows. he wouldn't wear the 3d glasses but he seemed to have a good time anyway.

the key is to go at his pace to avoid meltdowns.


have a great time!

 

[madison12]

We took our then 23 month old DD in December. We are normally up early to the park and stay all day kind of people. Last visit it was much more laid back. If she got tired and wouldn't nap in the stroller we called it a day. We didn't leave to go back to the hotel to take a nap (she would have fallen asleep on the bus anyway) It was a great visit. She didn't know to be scared of things like the HM or POC. We are going in September and she will be almost 3 and I don't think it is going to be as easy.

 

[alloyd1170]

We took our just 2 yr old son back in Feb and had a blast watching him discover everything. Before we went I showed him the WDW planning dvd, and Sing Along Songs Beach Party to prep him for the trip and size of the characters. We took our own stroller (Chicco Caddy) as its small enough to deal with on the buses, but comfy for him to nap in. The first day we arrived at noon-checked into the CR, had lunch, then headed to MGM where we did a few things (Playhouse Disney, Shrunk the Kids set, parade, Fantasmic). The next day we waited for the rush to be over, then rode up front in the monorail (a huge hit with train loving ds) to MK. We headed straight for Fantasyland. When ds saw the castle, he got excited (must have recognized it from the videos), We rode Dumbo, Carousel, Peter Pan (sort of a waste for all of us), Small World (huge hit with ds), Haunted Mansion (scared ds), Philharmagic (Muppets 3d too at MGM-scared ds). We headed back to CR for a nice lunch and a little nap for ds, then back to MK to reride some things, and hit a few we didnt do that morning (the Indy Cars were a huge hit-we let ds drive too). Then we saw Spectromagic and Wishes. I was glad I had the stroller dealing with the crowds! The next day we headed to AK and Epcot where we did a few things. Departure morning we had breakfast at Chef Mickeys-another huge hit. As for the characters, theyre huge compared to a 2 yr old. I think the Sing Along video really helped prep ds for them. He was scared of the ones not on the video, but went right up to those on it. I got an autograph book and took pics of ds with each character and put them next to the signatures. I also took lots of pics and video which ds looks at all the time. Oh the harness is a lifesaver especially in lines. Our son is a bolter and will take off in no time. However, I modified the harness by taking the leash part and attatching it to a childs fanny pack. That way ds could carry some snacks and when not in use I just tucked the leash into the back of his shirt (great for photos when you dont want a harness showing in them). I also got him a childs id bracelet that he wears 24/7 ( www.childsid.com ) It has a design on front and info on the back including my cell. Just remember to go at your childs pace, take advantage of baby swap and fast passes. Dont forget sunblock, water, hat, bubbles (great for waiting in line-you cant take your stoller in line and dont fret when you come out and youre stroller is gone-CM move them so mark them so you can pick them out easily), snacks, umbrella or rain coat, etc. Have a great time! We're heading back in Jan for one last free trip with ds!

alison

 

[sartello]

We did the Sing A Long songs videos that actually are in the park. I'd have to dig it out because I can't think of the name of it now, but it had the characters in the costumes that are in the park.

We also tried to schedule a show shortly after lunch everyday. That gave us a chance to sit in the A/C for a while, but everytime, my daughter fell asleep on my lap. We didn't have to leave the park and she got the 30-45 minute nap she needed to get through the afternoon. Now, understand, my kids go to bed REALLY early, so that short nap works well for them.

I've never bought into leashing my kids. They knew full well, they held a hand or we would leave. Granted you have to be willing to walk out of the park if they won't hold your hand. We haven't had the problem, and I've been shocked by the families that will stand in line four rows in and allow their kids to play out at the front row while they talk on their cell phone. It does require paying attention, which this family I talked about obviously didn't do.

Shelly

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by crazywig
just returned a few weeks ago with ds, 2.
my biggest tip is a harness!

On our trip last summer I brought a "leash, " for lack of a better word, that attaches to the wrist for my son who just turned 3 because he is a wanderer. We had tried it out at home, and he actually liked it. We ended up not using it at WDW, but we talked about it a few times. Luckily he was pretty good about staying in the stroller. This year I'm bringing it for my son who is almost 2. Unlike the oldest, my youngest son doesn't really understand the concept of danger at this point. Perhaps I am a bad parent, but I felt more secure knowing that I had that option. I read a lot of positive comments about the harnesses and straps on the DIS Family board. Post a question there if you want more info.

The other recommendation I would make is to take an afternoon break for nap and swimming. It helped stop the kids from getting cranky later in the day.

I also brought lots of little snacks into the park. Small bottles of bubbles help when waiting in line. We did all the rides that didn't have a height requirement except for the scarier 3 D shows. Muppetvision was fine without the glasses, but I remember my niece being freaked out for days from Honey I Shrunk the Kids. We bought one of those light up spinning toys at the Disney Store and we used it during dark rides like Haunted Mansion. It also helps to talk to your child during the rides (hope that's not too obvious).