Disney with a 17 month old

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

Does anyone who has visited WDW with a 17 month old have any tips/suggestions/hints to share? I know she will be able to go on the rides without a height restriction, but are there other things that she might particularly enjoy doing? We are going in February, if that makes a difference?

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[Belle72]

My little girl loved character breakfasts at that age. Monorail rides were a big hit too. Simple things like surrey bikes around the boardwalk- she was in the front "basket" buckled safely in. She enjoyed the hotel pool too, although it may bit hit or miss for that in February. I haven't heard this often on the boards here but Epcot was one of her favorites- less congested feeling and less intense atmosphere. The world showcase shows were great and the gardens were colorful and soothing. Have fun!

 

[JAM3]

My dd also loved playing the Winnie the Pooh water play area. I know it will be a little colder than when we are there, but if you have a change of clothese and a nice sunny day it might be worth it. It is in MK right across from the Pooh ride. It has a little house, small water geishers, bridges and a couple of other play things designed for little ones!

 

[nateryan]

My DS's first trip was when he was 18 months old. Looking back, I wish that I let him walk more. I was nervous that he would be in the way or something. He didn't like having to be in his stroller all the time.
We did many Character Meals - the first one he was very scared, probably because Eeyore surprised him from behind. He finally came around by the end of the trip. He enjoyed 'Ohana Breakfast Character Meal - the maracas were a big hit with him.
There is play areas in each Park - have fun!
Bring plenty of snacks - there isn't too many toddler friendly kiosks around. We brought Nutrigrain bars and fruit snacks. Funny what you remember.
See Affection Section (Petting Zoo area), PhilharMagic, and Playhouse Disney on Stage.
Take lots of Pics and have fun!

 

[Honeymooner04]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1589306

I just wrote this trip report of our visit with my dd who was 15 months old at the time of our trip. She had a blast, as did my dh and I, so much so we are going back in a little over 2 weeks! Have a great trip, Feb. is a great time to go!

 

[surfer_ed]

We did it with DD, now 3. She loved the Pooh play area the most as well as Small World and Dumbo etc. Not too keen on getting up close and personal with Charcters but loved waving at them from afar. Also not too keen on Fireworks.

 

[DreaGirl]

We leave for our trip in 9 days, so I'll let you know when I get back. I have a trip report, so I'll write all about it there.

 

[Brygida]

Does anyone who has visited WDW with a 17 month old have any tips/suggestions/hints to share? I know she will be able to go on the rides without a height restriction, but are there other things that she might particularly enjoy doing? We are going in February, if that makes a difference?

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

I have a "top ten" list that I've done each year for my 1, then 2, then 3 year old. Hope it helps.

We recently visited WDW with our 16 month old son. Using his screeches of delight, screams when we were about to leave, and the sheer joy/awe on his face, I have come up with the following list of his favorite activites during our 6 day stay.

#1 - Pooh's Playful Spot at MK - especially the fountains of water shooting up from the ground - lots of screeching and smiles

#2 - Thomas The Tank Engine train table at toy store in England, EPCOT - So engrossed, he would not leave. Had to carry him out kicking and screaming.

#3 - Pools at Wilderness Lodge - Toddled straight for the pools every time he saw them.

#4 - Cinderella's Carousel at MK - Tried to run... fell... tried to run... fell... till he reached it.

#5 - It's A Small World - fascinated by the clock in the loading area.

#6 - Seeing a zebra and then an elephant at Safari in Animal Kingdom - dumbstruck at the live animals that were close enough.

#7 - Castaway Creek at Typhoon Lagoon - happy, wriggling, almost fell asleep in my tube.

#8 - Pooh and friends meet at toy store in England EPCOT - when his turn was up and I walked him out, he turned around and walked right back.

#9 - Getting a Mickey Mouse balloon on Main Street - I attached it to his stroller for hours of entertainment.

#10 - Strolling around the walkways, geysers, waterfalls at Wilderness Lodge - Actually, being in his stroller anywhere in WDW, could cause him to spontaneously erupt in smiles as he turned to look at us pushing him.

Brygida

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

Thanks, everyone! These are great tips. We already have character meals scheduled, and I will remember to bring extra clothes in case it is warm enough for water play. I had not thought about snacks, either. I'll remember to pack those.

I will also go look at the trip reports, and I'll definitely read the upcoming ones.

Thanks again!

 

[merlinspride]

My family just got back a few weeks ago, with two little ones in the family. My DD is 16mths and my neice is 18mths. My DD was just barely walking and my neice had been running since 11 months. We had our stroller for DD and my sister rented Dis Stroller for my DN (Neice). Both girls LOVED everything, alittle overstimulating, but had a blast. They both loved the little parades, as they werent as crowded. There was one in front of the country bears in MK, it was Woody and Jessy from Toy STory. They pulled all the kids up and did hte Hokey Pokey, my DD just loved to watch and dance to the music. DD loved the rides, but got a little scared in Snow White as it is has some scenes in the dark. DD was fascinated with the people, characters, sights and sounds. Loved being pushed in her stroller. As we werent sure how much walking either girl would insist on, (NO FLAMING HERE PLEASE) we brought two of those child harnesses. For our peice of mind, I know how quickly someone can get between me and DH in a crowded space, well you know. At the end of the night, we would take them swimming, which also seemed to expend that last bit of energy and oddly enough calm them down for a hard nights sleep. Best new tip....Disney Bottle Straps. Buy two for the stroller. Just loop them around the frame of the stroller on each side and on one side you have a sippy cup tether and the other side a stuffed animal tether. Because Mommy only likes to play fetch so much with baby before she gets tired of that game. Have a great time!!!!

Steph

 

[bzzymom]

I took DD when she was 11 months and 19 months. She loved to play in the play areas, she loved the carousel and the rides that go around...dumbo, aladdin's magic carpets etc, but her most favorite thing, I thought, was the parades and the characters. She loved the music and would dance and bounce and she wanted to touch every character she saw. It was really fun to watch.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

Parades and characters-- I can do THOSE!

And the bottle straps (is that what they are called?) sound like a GREAT idea... I'll make a special note of that one. Can I just get those in WDW? Perhaps at the shop in the WL?

How did your little ones do with things like PhilharMagic? Did they watch the show? Keep the glasses on?

What about the Haunted Mansion? (I am actually thinking that my 17 month old will be fine with that one-- it's my 4 year old I'll have to worry about! )

 

[GiGi30]

Just returned with a 2 year old and a 5 month old!

-Take breaks in the afternoon! I made sure they stayed on her nap schedule! That normal routine was great for them!

-Bring snacks/juice. As someone said, there aren't many baby friendly food options for snacks. Also, pretty much all we saw juice wise was apple juice. Luckily, we ordered some Capri Suns and Juicy Juice from Garden Grocer!

-Take a change of clothes in the parks with you daily. I used them alot!

-Take advantage of the Baby Care Centers. They were so welcoming from the heat and just nice to have a place to nurse and change my 5 month old, feed and change my 2 year old, and just let her get out of the hustle and bustle for a bit. They have a play area with videos, chairs, and some toys! This is a great service they provide!

She loved Haunted Mansion, Small World, PhilharMagic, the Carousel, Pooh, and to my delight, Carousel of Progress. She also loved the People Mover ride. She adored the characters.

Just expect the unexpected and I found that following my kids lead on how they were feeling never steered me wrong. Good luck!

 

[merlinspride]

They sell the bottle straps at every soda cart. Each park has a different one. Basically thay look like a lanyard with an adjustable elastic strap at the end. For about $2 or $3 they were a lifesaver for us. As for Philharmonic, my DD was afraid of the Dark and that was really loud so it was a definite no for us....however my DN loved it. Depends on the child. Oh...here is somehting I didnt know. When you first enter Mainstreet in the MK, there is a barber shop. They do a Child's first haircut, it is only like $14 and I read that they get a special pair of Mickey Ears that say First Haircut included.

Steph