Bringing a 2 year old to the parks

[Ron Burgundy]

The title says it all....

What is there for them ? Oh and are they free until 3 years old ?

 

[MrsPMC00]

Both of my girls went when they were 2 (my youngest went the first time at 6 mo, then 22 month and now again at 3). There is PLENTY for them to do, especially at the Magic Kingdom....mine loved Playhouse Disney at Hollywood Studios.....

The title says it all....

What is there for them ? Oh and are they free until 3 years old ?

 

[pooh4evr]

THere is tons for them to do many many rides- (most without height restrictions, pirates, its a amall world, pooh, peter pan, jungle cruise, haunted mansion, buzz lightyear, train, and many others just at Magic kingdom), shows, meeting the characters, parades, and yes they are free until 3.

 

[ktlm]

Yes they are free- which makes it a great time to go. As for what there is for them, I could write pages. We took my DD for her 1st trip last December when she was 2 yrs 10 months. What you do need to realize is that while the room and admission are free for under 3, eating is pretty much only free if they eat off your plate, or just eat the little snack foods they will bring them. My DD is a eater so that doesn't cut it for her. Further, she won't eat a lot of things, and I'm not going to skip out of ordering what I really want just to feed her off my plate. If you order from the kid's menu, like we did, you will be charged even if your child is under 3. As for the parks, DD loved MK and Epcot (lots of princesses) best. She also liked DHS, but was not crazy about AK. There are a ton of rides that the little ones can do, such as Peter Pan, Small World, Pooh, Buzz Light Year; teacups; carousel; train, jungle cruise, Nemo, Journey Into Imagination, Toy Story Mania, Safari and I could go on. She loved most of the shows (Fantasmic was too scary for her taste). Some 2 year olds will sit through shows like mine, and some won't. She particularly loved the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast shows at DHS. She liked the Muppet 3-D and Mickey's Philharmagic 3-D. She loved the parades. Spectromagic was her favorite. Her absolute favorite part was the characters. They are all completely real at that age. She loved the character meals, and wanted to meet every character she saw at all of the parks. She knew who all of the characters were beforehand through a little set of 12 board books and the little golden books. She had a fantastic time. In fact, she did not want to go home. She would have thrown a fit about leaving until we reminded her that Santa would be coming soon, and she needed to be home for that.

 

[KelleyGirl]

When are you going? We found that at that age, we spent a lot of time at the water play areas - and I always would forget a change of clothes. I would suggest quick dry shorts or bathing suits and waterproof diapers if you are okay with letting them get wet. My kids really enjoyed that.

There are plenty of attractions to go on, although at that age, my daughter finally said "No more glasses" , but she still enjoyed the shows.

 

[rmonty02]

You will have plenty to do with your 2 year old at any Disney park (anything with no height requirement). I went when my oldest was 2 and youngest 1. Then again the following year at 3 and 2. I always found that having Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle, or you're best friend along (if possible) even made it more enjoyable. Gives you some down time, even if it's just walking from one attraction to another.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Anything that doesn't have a height restriction as others have said....That is a lot of for them to do... We go at least two times a year and we rarely go on anything that has height restrictions as my oldest isn't quite ready for them... (She almost had a heart attack on Splash Mountain.) The Disney site used to have a section that would allow you to research the best rides for preschoolers etc... That might help in planning.

Just keep in mind..just because there isnt a restriction doesn't mean it will be a good ride for your child..Great Movie ride has some rough spots that scared the heck out my then 8 month old..not my best mother moment taking her on that.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I think the more appropriate question is what is there NOT to do...
Obviously the coaster rides are out. Depending on the personality of the child and their height they might be able to do Goofy's Barnstormer. They will like Minnie's house, Donald's boat, there is a great playground over in the same area (ToonTown)
Pooh's playground area (behind the castle, to the left of ToonTown enterence) is a great place to blow off steam too.
Rides my daughter really liked- carosel, tea cups (we chose not to spin them)
astro orbitor, the train ride around the park, the parade and any presentations. Go early, when it's cooler, and be sure to head back for a nap when it's hot (you may miss parades this way, but plenty of other things to do)
water play areas to cool off (bring extra clothes and a pair of water shoes)
Typhoon Lagoon was great- I loved the pool area at the bottom of the trio of slides (banana blaster, pineapple plunger, etc) Slush N Gusher? Although there isn't a ton of shade there, there are no waves and less people.
We stayed at OKW when she was 15 months and there is a kiddie pool there which was perfect for her. Our next trip we stayed at BWV and the boardwalk was a great place for her to hang out in the evenings.
MGM- we enjoyed so much, they have mini parades of HSM when we were there, loved Little Mermaid, and Playhouse Disney, she couldn't "shoot" but enjoyed rides like Buzz Lightyear and the new Toystory ride (MK and MGM)
height restrictive rides are really the only ones they can't go on and then yo ucan just judge what your child enjoys. They are all different at 2.

Have fun!!!

(we found Crystal palace to be our favorite restaurant for our toddler and us- good food, buffet and characters she knows (pooh and friends)

 

[Grendalynn]

Yes, it might be a bit easier for the parental units to deal when the kids are older, but we took DS1.5 last April and he had a blast. We had to make sure that we did t hings that he could do as well as what the older boys wanted to do. Toon Town is great. Ther are all kinds of little "parks" here and there within the parks for the little ones to stretch their legs at. They can ride many rides and thanks to the Child Swap option, the older kids get to ride twice as many times!!

Kids are free until they are 3 years old.... Even on the dining plan... Its well worth the experience while they are little, almost gives you a chance to try them out at WDW for "free" so to speak... They become "adults" at 10 I think it is. It makes teh trips more expensive the older they get! No matter what you do - have funa nd make it magical!

 

[bradisgoofy]

My DGD will be 3 in May and she has been to WDW three times.

 

[squirrel]

Disney is really nice about the under 3 free.

You can arrive and go to the park one day before she turns 3 and Disney will still consider her 2 for the rest of your vacation.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Thanks for all your advice. I'll just have to convice my wife to go !!

 

[MrsJD]

Thanks for all your advice. I'll just have to convice my wife to go !!

Funny, I am trying to convince my hubby to go!

I did take our DD when she was just over two. Her fave things were:

Water fountains at Epcot
Beauty and the Beast show at DHS
Playing at the entrance of Rockin Rolller Coaster
Philharmagic, MK
Playing in the stores with all the Disney stuffed animals and magnets
Kidcot stops at Epcot
Its a small world
Meeting Belle and Mickey

One thing that didn't work out so well was parades...way too many people and way to hot (April). Also the big nightime shows were probably too much for her too. She tolerated them but would have been just as happy to either go home early or enjoy the smaller crowds at rides. Also, limit waits to 20 minutes!

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[3girls4me05]

Oh it is a great age to go. We went this summer when my youngest was 2y10m. She has a blast. Here are some pics of her favorite times

It's A Small World (forgive the poncho..we caught Faye as she was leaving Orlando)

Ariel's Grotto

Cindy's Caresoul

Playhouse Disney breakfast at Hollywood & Vine

With her sisters before getting on Toy Story Mania (she loved this ride)

And see that child in the middle of that big thing of water? Yep, that is her at Epcot. She spent a good 1/2 hour there. I always had her bathing suit with us so she could completley enjoy the water stuff.

Ok so that is enough of obnoxious bragging mom pictures!

 

[3girls4me05]

Ok I lied. One more and then I swear I am done. This is her eating a Mickey bar. She really love it!

 

[Frecklesx3]

Definitely take them. Make sure you have a stroller and nap time comes easy. There is plenty for them to do and your 2-year old is free. I've done it with all 3 of mine and never had a problem keeping any of them busy at that age.

 

[jejojual]

Two is a GREAT age to take them! You can not beat the look of awe the first time they meet Mickey!

In all seriousness, I still think one of Disney's best kept secrets are the Baby Care Centers. When my youngest was two we were in Disney for a week. When he got worn out, needed a change, or just a little quiet - we'd head for the baby center. They have changing tables, rockers, a small tv playing cartoons and just a general "low key" atmosphere. There was more than once when he took a good cat nap on my lap in the rocker while my DH and other DS got to continue playing in the park "meltdown free"!