Disney with a (3 months shy of) 2 year old

[kim_o]

The last time I was at Disney, I was 7 and don't remember much. I'm now planning a family trip and want to have an idea of what would be fun for my 21 month old. I'm overwhelmed with the information out there and really don't know where to begin looking or what are the best books to buy and my trip is in 1 week. To give you an idea of how little I do know, I just found out about the wishes fireworks display inadvertantly on another thread. Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.

1. Are there any good books to get that would help sort through all there is to do in disney or what attractions are recommended?

2. What attractions/shows/sites would you recommended for a 2 year old?

3. Where are good places to eat with a toddler?

4. What rides are good for a child that age? Which are not good?

5. I will be 36 weeks pregnant (still feeling very good though). Should I need to rent a wheel chair, where does that happen, how much does it cost?

6. What other questions should I even be asking?

 

[Andyjo0930]

1. Are there any good books to get that would help sort through all there is to do in disney or what attractions are recommended?
There is an unofficial guide to Disney, I'm not sure where to get it, but a lot of people talk about it, just search it and i'm sure you will find it.

2. What attractions/shows/sites would you recommended for a 2 year old?
That depends on your child. I went a couple of years ago and my kids were 1 and 3. In MK, they enjoyed just about everything. We pretty much brought them on anything they could go on without a height requirement. My kids are not afraid of the dark, so something pirates of the carribean did not bother them. I would make sure that you go to fantasyland and do all of those rides there, as i'm sure you child will love them.


3. Where are good places to eat with a toddler?
The place that is closest when your child starts yelling "I'm hungry."
Seriously, again it depends on your child. If they need something quick and won't sit down at a resturant, you are better doing counter services. If you think they would sit in a resturant, try a character dining.

4. What rides are good for a child that age? Which are not good?
Again, anything that your child can go on with the height requirement should be okay for him/her, depending on their own likes/dislikes.

5. I will be 36 weeks pregnant (still feeling very good though). Should I need to rent a wheel chair, where does that happen, how much does it cost?
When you enter the parks, there is a place to rent wheelchairs and strollers. (you can also rent the electric scooters also). I'm not sure on the price.

6. What other questions should I even be asking?
There are tons of questions, and if you think of something specific just ask, i'm sure you will get lots of opinions.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

we took him to Disney because we had a wedding to go to. We were very worried about how he would behave...but he was great!! The key is to take his/her lead. We definately had to leave parks for afternoon naps and we made sure he was in bed by 9pm.
His favorite things were the lego playground at Downtown Disney. Also there they have water that shoots out of the ground...like spinklers. We let him were his bathing suit and he had a BLAST!!!
We did one character breakfast at the Grand Floridian (1900 Park Fare) and he really enjoyed it! WE also ate at Coral Reef at Epcot (he loved the fish), Prime Time Cafe at MGM ( he loved the atmosphere), and at Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge.
And make sure for a lot of pool time!! That was his favorite!!!
Just remember...you won't get to see evrything you want to with a toddler. Just make the most of it and have FUN!!!

 

[webshark3]

Two years ago, my wife was pregnant while we went with a just 2 year old. This year, we're going, and he's 4, and my younger son will be 3 months shy of 2.

Best advice:
My wife went back to the hotel midday to rest, while I kept my son in the parks (gave her some quiet time). He was quite excited, and seldom napped (this will probably not be the normal). I took him on EVERYTHING he was tall enough for, and he loved it all. He also remembered it all our next year going.

All the restaurants are child friendly, so don't worry about it anywhere.

Good book: I buy The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World every year. To give you an idea, we went in 2005 on the 4th of July (2nd busiest day of the year). We went to MK in the evening for fireworks. The park was closed due to capacity, but we could still get in because we were resort guests. The streets were packed to the point where you couldn't move, and I had a 2yr in a stroller. I just remember a phrase from the book about the Tommorowland Bridge often being overlooked at yelled to my family "TO TOMORROWLAND!".

Sure enough, the bridge was still empty, and we got a great spot at the last second for fireworks over the castle.

Great book.

 

[SnowWhite12]

Just got back last night. Took our DD age 25 months. Did not take her on Haunted Mansion b/c I knew it would scare her (but that is closed as of June 6 for renovations). She loved It's a Small World. Rode it every day, and she loved it even more each time. Do NOT take the child on the new Nemo ride at Epcot. She screamed bloody murder the whole time because most of that ride is in the dark. She didn't like Dumbo at all because she hates heights. She didn't mind Pirates of Car., which surprised me. We took her on everything else that we could, and she did good. First time we rode Carousel of Progress, she didn't like it because of lightning in opening scene. Second time, she didn't mind b/c she was so sleepy. We took her through the character meet at Epcot. Loved the characters from afar, but screamed if they got too close. Got cute pics anyway as long as we were holding her on our side away from them. Her faves were just walking around looking at everything and playing in the sprinklers. She also loved to watch the cars go by at Indy Speedway ride. You will have a ball just watching her expressions. We took snacks for her such as fruit roll-ups and animal crackers. For breakfast in room she ate pop-tarts, then for another meal in room she ate meat sticks and a fruit cup. Rest of time we bought her kids meals, such as chicken nuggets with 2 sides of grapes, or grapes and fries. Main thing to know is that you will not get through everything you would by yourselves. Just know that, relax, and have fun. She took naps every afternoon in the room, then we would go back to the park. She is in bed at home at 8PM every night, and she didn't go to bed until midnight every night.