Best Rides/Shows/Activities for Toddlers at WDW?

[labdogs42]

What are some of the best rides and shows for toddlers at Disney? I know there a lot of rides they CAN go on, but which ones aren't to be missed? What ride or show did your toddler enjoy that might seem unusual? Any ideas? 24 days until my trip and I'm getting excited!!

 

[carone0318]

Not unusual, but a must not miss for toddlers is the Playhouse Disney show at MGM. When my ds was a toddler, he also enjoyed IASW - a lot of color and movement.

 

[winjos]

When my DD was a toddler, we took her to DL a lot and a couple of times to WDW. My DS is a toddler now.

Here are the attractions that they like:

IASW -- over and over and over again!
Playhouse Disney -- Bear in the Big Blue House
Buzz Lightyear -- DS loves it, DD not so much
Lion King Show
Pirates
Tom Sawyer's Island -- run off all that energy from the junk food treats
Bear Country Jamboree
Pooh
Transit something or other --- tomorrow land people mover
Energy at Epcot --- dinosaurs
Crush at Living Seas
The Living Land boat ride
The Jungle Cruise
The Swiss Family Robinson tree house
The cars (autopia)
Teacups -- don't spin (DD loved to spin as a toddler - DS not so much)
The fireworks shows --- Fantasmic may be a little too intense

Hope these suggestions are helpful. My DD really likes all rides, my DS is a little more hesitant.

Sorry I didn't categorize the list by park. I was just typing off the top of my head.

Good Luck!

 

[liamandcaili]

When DD was three, her favorite thing was Mickey's Philharmagic in MK. She also really liked Fantasmic!

 

[labdogs42]

Thanks, winjos! That's good info!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

If you go to allearsnet.com They have descriptions of each of the attractions with specific comments about young children. I found this really helpful because I didn't want to be caught on a ride with my 2 yr old that scared her.. or was too dark, loud etc..

I may be a bit over the top, but I used the saved maps from prior trips and circled attractions that were appropriate (with notes)..It really helped to figure out where we wanted to head.

That said...She loved Poohs playground, small world, dumbo ride, alladins magic carpet and even the speedway. at MGM Playhouse disney was a big hit, Little Mermaid was a bit scary at times but not too bad.. At Animal Kingdom, She still talks about the Lion King show..

But allearsnet.com helped me plan.

Have FUN!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

winjos -

Really, the dinosaurs at Epcot? I was planning to skip that one. I'm thinking back in 1991 I rode something at Epcot that involved dinosaurs, maybe with an entire bank of seats that moved out of a theater and past the dinosaurs....is that it? There's no chickening out of that one right? I'd hate for our ds 18M to start screaming and us not to be able to make a quick exit.

Isn't there another dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom? Is it any tamer?

 

[PortieOwner]

Ours loved all the Fantasyland rides especially the Pooh Ride and the Peter Pan ride at MK. He got to the point where he could find the entrance to the Pooh ride on his own, and he happily rode it 3-4 times in a row. He loved the Journey into Imagination ride at Epcot.

He also liked the 100 Acre Wood playground and the Dig Site (?) playground at the AK. He spent lots of time watching the model trains near Germany. And I forgot the Honey I Shrunk the... Playground in MGM. Any playgrounds at Epcot?

A few of the hands-on displays at Innoventions also fascinated him.

The only ride that scared him were the dinosaurs in the Universe of Energy.

Portie

 

[Grendalynn]

Most vividly in my memory for our DS1 and at 2 1/2 he very much enjoyed the Show at the Castle in the MK and Playhouse Disney Live at MGM... And the 3D shows oncehe got the hang of the glasses... Not to mention the ones like Space Ranger Spin, Small world , Stunt Cars, Honey I shrunk the Kids Playground and Indiana Jones. But the first 2 come to mind right away!

 

[clombardi]

The Figment ride in the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT was perfect for a toddler and had no wait.

Although someone suggested it, I would not take a toddler on Dinosaur. I cannot imagine the terror they would feel.

 

[Grendalynn]

The Figment ride in the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT was perfect for a toddler and had no wait.

Although someone suggested it, I would not take a toddler on Dinosaur. I cannot imagine the terror they would feel.

I agree! I did not go on it this past October, DH took DS then 6 at the time n it. DS was totally freaked out and DH said it was definatly one of the best and most reaslistic rides he has been on in a long time. But rather scary for the littler kids. DS then 2.5 had just as much frun doing the little exibits and climbing on the dinosaurs that are right there near the Dinosaur ride.

 

[mdhkitten]

Don't forget to go to Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom. It's neat for kids (and adults, too)! You ride a train there and get to see some of the behind the scenes areas of Animal Kingdom, like where they keep the animals. You then walk to Rafiki's Planet Watch and on the way there are some animal exhibits. Once there, there are more animal exhibits, you can sometimes see vets working on animals, there are usually 3 characters there (Rafiki, Pocohantas, and is is Stanley you other DISers?). There is also a neat petting area outside where kids can get a brush to brush the animals. It's really pretty neat!

Here is a link about it:

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/ak_rpw.htm

 

[weirdpaintballr]

In EPCOT, the dinosaur ride is very slow, but kinda dark and loud. It is the show with Bill Nye and Ellen DeGeneres. The Dinosaur ride, in Animal Kingdom, it almost totally dark, loud, BIG dinos in your face, kinda scary, and very jerky. If you hsve little kids...I would stay away from the one at AK, most especially...

 

[winjos]

The dinosaur ride at AK has a height restriction. It is similar to the Indy ride at Disneyland (car that moves around violently). Not a little kid ride.

My DD loves the Energy ride (she's been on it numerous times from the time she was 14 months) and my DS (who is 2 now) was fine during the dinosaurs. It is loud at times (the Jeopardy theme blares at time). Since the ride is SLOW and dark, there is a chance that the little one may fall asleep!

A lot of kids have a facination with dinosaurs. If your kid doesn't like them or know about them, then don't take them. Use your discretion -- you know your kids. I just know that my kids were fine on this ride.

 

[cosmojacket]

if you search under "magical beginnings" on the offical wdw web site you will find a whole section traveling with small children.

 

[Scotch]

I've read references on the boards to the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground for toddlers. Some how I've never noticed that area on prior trips to the MGM. I was thinking this would be a good place to bring my 2 year old on our next trip. But I just pulled out my Passporter Guide and it says "Kids must be at least 4 year old to play." I take it that this rule is not enforced (since no one here has mentioned an age limitation)? But this age limitation suggests that the playground area would not be safe for a 2 year old. ???

 

[all4fun]

I've read references on the boards to the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground for toddlers. Some how I've never noticed that area on prior trips to the MGM. I was thinking this would be a good place to bring my 2 year old on our next trip. But I just pulled out my Passporter Guide and it says "Kids must be at least 4 year old to play." I take it that this rule is not enforced (since no one here has mentioned an age limitation)? But this age limitation suggests that the playground area would not be safe for a 2 year old. ???

I hadn't noticed that in our Passporter. Strange. In the official WDW site it says in the side bar: "This attraction suggested for Preschoolers".

Well, I guess 4-yr olds are technically preschoolers, but that terminology can be a little misleading since 3-yr olds can be called "preschoolers" too.

 

[PortieOwner]

I've read references on the boards to the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground for toddlers. Some how I've never noticed that area on prior trips to the MGM. I was thinking this would be a good place to bring my 2 year old on our next trip. But I just pulled out my Passporter Guide and it says "Kids must be at least 4 year old to play." I take it that this rule is not enforced (since no one here has mentioned an age limitation)? But this age limitation suggests that the playground area would not be safe for a 2 year old. ???

Ours was 2.5 and had no problems in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. Just go in there with the child and keep your eye on them. The only problem was getting him to leave....

Portie

 

[o2bacelt]

We were there in March.

Our DD loved:

Playhouse Disney Show
Beauty and the Beast Show
Festival of the Lion King
Cinderellabrations
Country Bear Jamboree
Tea Cups (she likes to spin but not too fast)
Pooh
It's a Small World (again and again)
Toontown
The carousel
Visiting with JoJo and Goliath
Living Seas at EPCOT
Imagination and the play ground there
Safari at AK
MK train

I think there's more but I'm drawing a blank.