Best plan for 2 1/2 year old girl

[santana202]

At the end of April I am bravely taking my 2 1/2 year old daughter to Disneyland by myself. My wife and I are traveling to the LA area for a baby shower and durning the shower I am taking her to DL for a little daddy/daughter time. Since we just have the day, I would love to hear some suggestions for the best plan to make the most out of the day without overwelming her and making the best memories possible for both her and I.

 

[mouseymommy]

My DD is almost 2, so I can tell you the rides she was just crazy over! She liked Pooh, carousel, Dumbo, Pirates, Casey train, basically all the FL rides. She loved Small World too. If you have hoppers, she might like Bugs land in DCA. How awesome to have some Daddy daughter time! Have fun!!

 

[limace]

My daughter loooooooved Tiki Room as a toddler-though YMMV on that one, definitely, as the thunder storm is scary for a lot of kids. She's always been a fan of loud noises and, unlike her big sister, is never overstimulated . Autopia can be a blast for that age, as they love to "drive myself!!!".

 

[skiingfast]

If it can be for more time than just during the shower, get there early when she would be up anyway.

If she gets tired try to get on the train or monorail and make circles to give her a good energizing nap. If you are in DCA, lots of fun for young ones and in my experience better, in the Aniamation Building.

Maybe DM can meet up later?

 

[NiceOneSimba]

My DD was just that age this fall, when we took her for her first trip. We watched some ride videos before we went, and showed her the trip planning DVD so she'd have some idea what the parks were like. I think it helped a little bit--she knew we'd be riding rides and seeing the princesses, which was honestly all she really cared about.

She loved the Princesses and Pixie Hollow! Most of the indoor Fantasyland rides were too scary, but not Alice, which she LOVED. Teacups, Dumbo, Carousel, Casey Junior, Small World...all hits. She was freaked out by Monstro, and spent most of the Storybook land boat ride telling everyone who would listen about the scary whale. She loved poking around in Toontown, especially Minnie's House. She really liked the parade (it was the only chance we had to see Tiana). She liked Little Mermaid, King Triton's Carousel, and the Bugs Land rides at DCA, and enjoyed the Muppet movie, too.

You'll have a great time!

 

[cgh]

That's the age DS was when we first went. His favorites were the monorail (favorite), casey jr. train, dumbo, winnie the pooh, small world and toon town, carousel, tea cups. I would probably go to fantasy land and work through those. Oh, and the cars!

Winnie the Pooh is by Splash mountain.

ETA: Dark rides scared him. Made the mistake of doing Mr. Toad's Wild ride fairly early. Did Peter Pan and he thought it too dark too. Fine in it but afterwards said he didn't like it. Winnie the pooh was fine though. I'd start out with the open rides then see how she does before doing dark. (staying away from Alice, pinochio etc.)

 

[nannyz]

Everyone has given you excellent suggestions.
I would just like to add that your daughter may not remember your time together at DL, but you will remember it for the rest of your life.
Enjoy!!

 

[coaches24]

My DD was that age when we went and she had a blast. Her fav rides were pooh and the carousel. She also liked pirates after the first time but was a little scared at first when first getting on the boats. She loved small world, and all of toon town (didn't go on gadgets coaster or RR, but loved playing on Donalds boat and goofys house). She didnt know the princesses then so we didn't do the PFF but we did do Tinker bells house and she liked that.

Only rides we did that she didn't like were the rocket ride near Buzz. She did Dumbo once and said she liked it but didn't want to do it any more after the one ride.

All slow rides were a hit for my timid DD. didn't like fast and high rides. Also get her a first time pin from city hall. Got my DD lots of extra attention.

 

[todzwife]

DD was almost 2 and loved:

Tiki room
Merry Go Round
Dumbo
Casey Jr. Train
The big train that goes all the way around the park
Pooh
Alice
Small world was her FAVORITE
She enjoyed Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show, but my daughters absolutely loves music.


Feeding the ducks and watching people go down Splash was also a favorite.

She loved meeting characters, but yours may not.

She LOVED the parades!

She did not like Pirates. The drops made her stomach feel funny and she clung on to me like she was going to die.

 

[lwilkison]

At the end of April I am bravely taking my 2 1/2 year old daughter to Disneyland by myself. My wife and I are traveling to the LA area for a baby shower and durning the shower I am taking her to DL for a little daddy/daughter time. Since we just have the day, I would love to hear some suggestions for the best plan to make the most out of the day without overwelming her and making the best memories possible for both her and I.

We did this (oh my) 2 years ago now.

Do Not ride "snow whites scary story" first...it is scary

When you first arrive (especially if you go at opening) hop on the train @ the entrance and ride it all the way to Fantasyland...even if you have to wait 15 minutes for first train you will beat everyone walking down main street and have about 1 person in line ahead of you for the "Princess fantasy faire"...then hit up "small world"...and peter pan...dumbo...tea cups! they are all there!

Our DD loved loved loved fantasyland and by about 1/2 through the day she was ready to ride "gadget go coaster" in toon town...she loved it! It was quick as well!

Even if you have just 1/2 a day...fantasyland is great! If your DD(disney daughter) loves the princesses check out the BBB (Bibbity Bobbity boutique)...she will love it daddy!

Have a great daddy/daughter day! My DH sure does love those precious days when the two of them get together without mommy

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Sounds like so much fun! Everyone gave the ideas I was going to. My dd was 2 1/2 when we went on our first trip. She is a bit of a daredevil, so she went on EVERYTHING she could. She loved bugs land in CA..so yes if you get park hoppers, try to make it over there.

Also don't forget to share a churro

 

[basketballmom]

Two years ago, our family took my brother in law's family for their first visit. By choice, I took their 2 1/2 year old with me a lot so they could enjoy the bigger rides.
She loved all of the above rides and also Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters, riding the Mark Twain, and she especially liked climbing up into Tarzan's treehouse.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I just remembered and I'm not sure if someone already posted it... Playhouse Disney in DCA is AMAZING for that age. I'm so excited to take my DD (who is 2) on it this year. It's a good place to rest if you get tired too

 

[santana202]

Thanks for the Heads up on the train to Fantasyland. We will take you up on that for sure!

 

[santana202]

Also, thank you all for the great advice. I am so excited to take her. I know we will both have a blast. I plan on getting there early to get a good spot in line and if all goes as planned, I would like to get a little nap out of her on the monorail so we can stay until at least 5 pm. That way we should get to do a lot of fun stuff, and she won't get too tired out. I guess the most important thing (as with anything concerning a 2 yo) is to go with the flow and make changes as necessary.

How about food though? Any favorites? I would like to take meal time as an opportunity to sit and relax so she doesn't get to over stimulated and I Dad can rest his feet (probably more the later) lol

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

The Hungry Bear and French Market are great rest spots. Hungry Bear is fun ambiance by the water, watching the ducks..etc. Nice and cool spot to sit.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

i agree Hungry Bear would be great- even if she wakes up from the nap- a restroom near by- pretty good food- lots of ducks to keep her entertained- and its kinda secluded to relax a bit... we took our son that age and he loved everything Disney had to offer that he could ride- even the scary ones- loved balloons ....now 2 years later he is kinda growing into the scared mode from the characters- although he has a crush on Minnie Mouse- likes them all from afar but up close freaks him out.. Every child is different- just go with what she likes and let her lead you- it will be a trip you will never forget! She might forget- but you will always have those precious memories! Enjoy!

 

[coaches24]

Also, thank you all for the great advice. I am so excited to take her. I know we will both have a blast. I plan on getting there early to get a good spot in line and if all goes as planned, I would like to get a little nap out of her on the monorail so we can stay until at least 5 pm. That way we should get to do a lot of fun stuff, and she won't get too tired out. I guess the most important thing (as with anything concerning a 2 yo) is to go with the flow and make changes as necessary.

How about food though? Any favorites? I would like to take meal time as an opportunity to sit and relax so she doesn't get to over stimulated and I Dad can rest his feet (probably more the later) lol

I think you can find something at any of the quick stop places. If your DD is anything like mine (very picky) there are only a few things she will eat throughout the park. We brought gold fish crackers and those were a life saver as DD loves them and we could throw a few in the cup holder on the stroller for her if she got cranky.

We expected our kid to fall asleep mid afternoon in her stroller but she never did in 3 full park days. She lasted from park opening until somewhere between 8 and 9 at night. But then she was OUT for the night sleeping through F! and WOC on back to back nights. We did stop and rest at lunch and dinner time taking our time to eat and plan what to do next.

On the rides, we were not able to pass through FL without stopping at the carousel every time. And tom sawyers island was a hit as well because she got to run around and explore stuff without a big crowd. But with only one day Im not sure you will want to use that time on the island.

 

[Goofy's_Gal]

I've been taking my dd to WDW and DLR by myself since she was 10 months old. The best advice I can give is just follow her lead. The best times have been when I didn't stress about trying to get everything in and rushing around. I LOVED watching her watch everything - the parades, the lights. She would have been happy (and maybe still at age 4) to ride the Carousel all day.

You will have a great time....enjoy your daddy/daughter day

 

[lisachrystine]

I just asked my 3 year old what her favorite ride was when we went in December and she said "Winnie the Pooh!" She loved meeting Tinkerbell and the princesses. She also said she liked Little Mermaid at DCA.