DHS with a Toddler

[dalyes]

My kids are 4 and 2.5 and we're planning a half day at DHS starting with an early res at Hollywood and Vine.

Our first trip my daughter was 2.5 and she really liked the park - all of the things people mentioned previously - Muppets, Disney Jr. Live Show, meeting the characters, the great Movie Ride and she LOVED the parade. She still isn't tall enough for "big" rides - well, almost. She needs to grow about an 1/8th of an inch in the next 2 weeks.

Last year we skipped DHS because the Disney Jr. Live show was shut down for a revamp. Because of that, and a character breakfast we scheduled at Tusker House we opted for a half day in AK which we like much less than DHS.

 

[tulipgrl7]

My son at 4 loved the Star Wars ride and had never seen the movies before. We probably rode it 4 times that day he liked it so much (thankfully it wasn't busy).

I think he liked the back lot tour. I waited out with our sleeping daughter.

Toy Story Mania is a family favorite.

Though my son was tall enough last time, my husband wasn't ready for him to do TOT. We are going in the spring and our son will be almost 6 and Dh still doesn't know if he is ready for our son to ride it HA! Can you tell what kind of ride my husband doesn't like!?

 

[ilovebassets]

We went with our one and three year old boys in October. I actually think DHS is a great place for characters. Right after rope drop, you can easily meet three different characters very quickly near the sorcerers hat. In the animation academy building, you can also meet another three or four characters in a relatively short time.

As far as attractions go, our boys love the disney jr live on stage and the auto stunt show more than anything else. The auto show is very loud though. The little mermaid show is also a must for us. The beauty and the beast show is also relatively enjoyable. We like the toy story Ride but can't be bothered with the headache of getting fast passes for it. We will probably do it on our next trip with FP+ though.

 

[rainboots]

Does anyone have input on Fantasmic! with this same age children? (3.5 & 6.5)
Scary? A must see?

 

[TwinkleKS]

We went to Fantasmic in December with two five year olds and a three year old. We sat near the back and they enjoyed it. I wouldn't sit down front with really young kids.

 

[Miranda Danda]

Sounds like it would be a good idea to split one of our days between AK and DHS. For those who suggested Star Wars and Jedi stuff, had your toddlers ever watched Star Wars? Or did they just think it was cool?

My DD5 was barely 4 on her first time doing JTA and had no idea about anything SW related. After fighting DV, she fell in love with him! She watched every SW movie when we got home from our trip and she still watches them all the time. She knows all the characters and my mom even made her a girly DV costume for Halloween. Now, we are planning a trip for SWW just because she is OBSESSED with SW.... thanks to JTA!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

My DS is 4 and he loves DHS. He's upset we are not going next month (only going to MK before a cruise). He loves TSM, he wanted to ride it over and over again. He loves seeing characters - Lightning McQueen, Phineas & Ferb, Buzz & Woody, The Incredibles, Wreck it Ralph. He loves loves loves the Disney Jr. stage show!!! He also did Star Tours, Great Movie Ride, Backlot Tour and he really enjoyed Lights! Motor! Action! We did the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose and he enjoyed eating pizza there but he LOVED our dinner at Sci-Fi Dine In. It was 9pm and that kid was still going. We spent all day at the park from opening to past closing. He also enjoyed Fantasmic but he had seen it before. Next time I plan on doing a breakfast or lunch at H&V now that they have Jake, Handy Manny, Sophia and Doc....he would be in heaven!

 

[momofmaz]

Is Toy Story Mania an actual ride? For some reason I was under the impression it was like playing a video game?

Are the shows easy to get out of if your child gets bored? My son will watch tv shows but we have gone to live shows at places like Busch Gardens (Sesame Street Live) and he wasn't even interested.

We may have to go just to meet Woody and Buffy!!!! I'll have to check out times as it gets closer.

 

[FigmentFinder]

They do leave the aisles open so it's easy to leave or you can sit towards the back. If you aren't near an aisle to leave you run the risk of stepping on people. My 2.5 year old DD really enjoyed the show, but she sits well at Sesame Place shows.

Fantasmic was fine for my daughter, I was afraid she would be scared of it. Some children may find it loud or scary. It's pretty long and you must arrive early if you want to get a seat.