Attractions for 2-yo daughter?

[F5CHASER]

For those of you who have taken children around 2-yo age to WDW, aside from the obvious height restricted rides, what rides are not advisable for kids that age? I'm wondering if the dark rides like Peter Pan or Snow White would be no-no's as well? Please help.

 

[TiggerPU88]

Some are frightened of the dark or of loud noises. Our son loved both of those rides when he was 12 & 16 months old. I doubt he'll be afraid on this trip, when he'll be 24 months.

I would read up on all the rides so you are prepared as to what they entail.

Have a great time!

-- Adrienne

 

[disneysteve]

Our DD wasn't afraid of anything at that age. She did every ride she was big enough to get on and had a great time.

Steve

 

[F5CHASER]

Thanks for the info. What about the characters? I know toddlers develop differently, but do most 2 year olds tolerate the big characters well or is there a fear factor?

 

[disneysteve]

Again, my DD had no fear at that age. She went up to all of the characters freely. But some kids are different. One thing I hate to see at WDW is children screaming hysterically because Mom or Dad just has to get a picture with Mickey even if the kid is terrified.

Steve

 

[kimba]

You know your kid best and what gets them upset. I say don't push anything. My 1st two kids at that age did have some sensitivities to dark, loud rides but my third would do anything!

If your child is a little afraid of things then I wouldn't do the Haunted House. That scared my 7 year old!

Have fun! That is what it is all about.

 

[mommyflower]

We took my DS last aug and he was 1 1/2 at the time. He had a blast. He really liked the parades. He loved, and I mean Loved the characters especially Mickey. And we had been worried about this because we live close to Sesame Place and he likes Sesame Street, so as a test we took him there to see the characters. He hated them and cried. There must be something about disney though because he liked them all even the bad guys! We did fantasyland except for Snow White (I remember being afraid of the witch at 8, so I didn't want to take a chance with DS) We did toon town a lot. We always went right as it openned, I think 10 AM, because the Pooh characters would be there at the rope while you waited to go in. Also we did playhouse disney (one of my ds's favorites) and little mermaid. We actually did Fantasmic! I was afraid he wouldn't like it as he is sensitive to loud noises even now. I was ready took get up and leave at the first sign of fear, but he loved it. When Mickey was dancing around and the fountians were going and the fireworks were going off my DS was jumping up and down with excitement and at the end he clapped and cheered for Mickey He also liked the animals in AK and the living seas in Epcot. Good luck!!
I can't wait till we take him back in dec.

 

[F5CHASER]

Thank you so much for the info. I am really hoping she handles things as well as your child did. Especially the characters and Fantasmic. I think she'll be fine with the fireworks displays as she absolutely loved the 4th of July this year. Laughed and smiled all night long!

 

[2MuchOhana]

We were there for our DD's second birthday in July and will be going back again in December. All you can do is try. Each child is going to react differently. Our daughter was really scared on a few of the rides mainly because of the surprise bursts of air or loud noises like thunder (Journey to Imagination, The Winnie The Pooh Ride). The Little Mermaid show at MGM had mixed reactions; but we had to leave the Tiki Room because she was so scared. This is the same little girl that adores fireworks. Go figure.

As for characters, she was a little intimidated at first. If your child is too scared don't push it; but I found they tend to really warm up to them. Although our daughter loved The Princesses the best! It might be a good way to start.

Good Luck! And most of all Have Fun!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by F5CHASER
I think she'll be fine with the fireworks displays as she absolutely loved the 4th of July this year. Laughed and smiled all night long!

A great way to avoid the loud noise of fireworks is to watch the MK fireworks from the Contemporary. There is an observation deck on the roof (15th floor) though they have stopped letting people up there if you're not dining at California Grill. If that's still the case, you can watch from the landing of the stairway on the 4th floor Concourse level. A lot of folks gather there to watch the show. Its a great view and you don't hear all the loud bangs.

Steve

 

[mcnuss]

This is a very useful tool from Family Fun. Give it a try:

http://family.go.com/travel/disney/tool/thrillseeker_tlp/

 

[Doc and Family]

Our youngest had his 2nd BD in WDW.
He loved all the rides.
He liked most of the characters, from about 5 feet away, any closer and he would run and hide and cry.
Now at 4, he tackles them.
My niece, however, at 2, tried to tackle them. But, they both had a great time.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Took my DD at 2 1/2.

I think prep work is the key. We got the Disney for Kids book and read it over and over. Discussed the rides.

Showed her pictures of the characters with people so she got a sense of size.

Also, you can get a free Disney planning video/dvd. Watching that help her get some of the images in her mind. It goes through the Pooh ride and other such attractions.

She loved Pooh, Peter Pan, the Cinderella show in front of the castle. Epcot and making the masks was a huge hit and allowed us to see every country. She loved the Living Seas and declared the 'elevator' down her favorite ride. Don't forget to check out the Nestle cookie making in the food area.

We didn't do the other parks. We felt that was enough at that age but we did spend a lot of time at Downtown Disney.

Have fun.
Karen

 

[MinnieGi]

DD went as a just turned two year old and at 2 1/2 last year. She adores the characters. Loved to give them hugs and kisses and get her picture taken with them. I should clarify all the "nice" characters. She would give the villians a look over and not want anything to do with them! Same with the parades, she loved all the "nice" characters and cheered for them, but when the villians came down she just turned her head away. She didn't cry of get upset at them, just doesn't want to look at them and turns her head! Since we know she doesn't like the scarier events or people we have not taken her on Snow White or in the HM. She has gone on Peter Pan and liked it very much but closed her eyes when she saw Captain Hook! We also know we will not attempt Fantasmic until she is much older b/c of the villians. However she loves the fireworks at MK. We are going to try Illuminations with her again this coming trip. The first time she saw it at age 14 months we were sitting at the edge of the lake and with a good view to the "fireball" globe on the lake and she screamed when she saw that!!! So we're planning on sitting further back this time and I think she will enjoy the show. Go with what your child can handle and you'll have an awesome time!