crusing with a 2 year old

[joeleshand]

1st time using this board, I am interested in hearing if anyone has travelled on dcl with a 2 year old, I am thinkin of going next April 05 my son will be just turning 2, my 2nd son is 11. Just wanted to get pros and cons Iam getting nervour about going with him thinking it might be too much trouble.
Also has anyone done both east & west, which did you like best, again with a 2 year old and 11, what would be better.

thanks alot
Leslie

 

[goodstarr]

Hi and welcome to the DIS. First, I have traveled with a 7 month old and can tell you that I still had a great time. I think that I would have been miserable if I left her at home and constantly thought about her during my cruise. Your 11 year old will probably be in the clubs so you don't have to worry about him much, which gives you more time with your 2 year old. And don't forget about the Flounder's Club for your younger son, for those times when you want to visit the adult areas at night. For much more detailed information, hop on over the the Disney Cruise Line forum. Good Luck

 

[joeleshand]

Thanks for your advise, you are right I would not enjoy myself if I left him at home.

 

[kasar]

We've done 3 Wonder cruises (all 3-day trips). You will have a ball!

2 year olds are tough anywhere, aren't they? It won't be your most relaxing vacation ever but still fun for everyone. But I feel I must point out that toddlers (in diapers) are not allowed in the pools which may be a huge problem for you if he sees everyone in there and wants to go too. They may let the little ones in one of the Mickey ears in the pool now - I don't think they always did.

Make sure to check out the cruise forums on this board - it's so chock full of info and it's how I got hooked on the DIS boards.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My son was 2 when we took him on his 1st cruise. It would have been fine if we had 1st seating for dinner. They assured us when we booked, that when I got on the ship, I could switch from late to early. WRONG!!! I tried everything but to no avail. So he was falling asleep before dinner ended, but the plus was he was awake for the shows. We all did fine. Had a great time. He talks about it still. We were supposed to do a 7 night last year but DD Haylee came along so we had to cancel. We're doing a different kind of vacation this year and may try another DCL in a couple more years.

 

[joeleshand]

Thanks for all your help, keep it coming

 

[kaseyC]

We have done it and are doing it again! Our eldest DD began cruising at 18mos and has 4 under her belt. We will be cruising Fall of 2005 with all 3 DDs. They will be 8,4 & 2. We are cruising Disney again because of the great child care options.
Just keep in mind that you probably will need to adjust your vacation to their schedule.
Do not forget to work in that nap time.
My DH would also switch off a couple of evenings, where one of us would hang in the cabin with DD while the other would go "out" for some me time. I would usually find the piano bar and sit and read with a Bailey's. DH would head to the ships Sports bar.
Have fun planning!

 

[joeleshand]

Thanks for responding noticed you are a dvc member we are also have you ever exchanged points for the cruise???? Our home is bwv I love all the resorts, but have never done the dcl.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

My daughter was almost 2 on our last cruise. She loved it. There were a few adjustments we had to make (having to miss a few activities due to a tired toddler needing a nap), but we still enjoyed ourselves. We put her in Flounders during dinner 4 nights. (After the first two nights of me having to leave the table with her before the main course was even served, we decided Flounders was a good idea for her and for me.) It was hard not being able to take her swimming. ("A diaper is like a tea bag. . . .") But I hear that now they allow diapered babies to swim in one of Mickey's ears.

We have been on both the Eastern and Western routes, and we prefer the Eastern because of the extra day at sea.

 

[joeleshand]

Thanks for your reply, I was wondering about the eastern or western, think we going to take the eastern for the same reason.