DISNEY with a TWO YEAR OLD - any suggestions/tips?!

[pintradingwedding]

We're staying at Port Orleans.

Thanks so much!

 

[krystalleigh1]

We went last November when my DS was 2 1/2. Here are some things I remember as musts for our trip:

-Daily down time is a MUST. Our first day we tried to fit in a whole day hoping he would nap in his stroller. Not a chance! And my 3:00 he was in melt down mode. After that we went back to the room for about 3 hrs in the middle of the day in it made for a much more plesant trip.

-Schedule more buffett type meals. It's hard for a 2yo. to sit still when there's so much to see and do. Buffetts are easier to get in and out of.

-We brought some simple snacks along and kept them in a drawer in our room. Things like small packages of raisins, pretzels, snack crackers, fruit snacks, individual applesauce cups, etc. Every morning DS choose 1 or 2 snacks to bring with us into the park. And without fail as soon as we got to the park he was hungry. So we gave him his own snaks, that he had picked out earlier that morning, and it saved the "I want that, I want that" tantrums.

-Don't hurry too much. Just take time to appreciate Disney through your child's eyes. I bet he'll point out some things about WDW to you that you would have never considered if he/she wasn't around, or you were too busy to listen to him/her.

-My DS absolutley LOVED the characters. So we made sure to make time for character meets in each park. Epcot is a great place for that. I think it's called Character Connection. A bunch of them under one roof, and not very busy at all.

Have fun! We had so much fun in Nov. with our DS we're going back in Sept.

 

[pintradingwedding]

 

[CraftyCrissy]

We went my youngest was two too. Let's see:

* He may love characters but remember how big they are in person - especially the masked ones - Buzz, Jesse, Woody (my kids were obsessed with TS) Go with him and just hold him by the characters and follow his lead if he wants to go closer or touch them

* Snacks, snacks and more snacks - wipes, wipes and more wipes!

* Bring or wear his bathing suit and extra swim diapers and swim shoes to play on the Donald ship in Toontown and in the fountains

* Its A Small World and Jungle Cruise are great for downtime and isn't scary. Pirates can be! Buzz Lightyear is really colorful and neon and fun to look at all the pictures even if he can't shoot anything

* Pictures Galore!

I'm sure I'll think of more!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We took dd (now 4 1/2) to WDW for the first time when she was 2 1/2. We hadn't planned on taking her, but my mil backed out of keeping her at the last moment. My boys were so excited about the trip that dh and I decided to not postpone it. However, we had some serious misgivings. Ironically, this was one of our very best trips; and dd probably had more fun than any of the rest of us.

My advice: Have a plan but be very, very flexible.

My dd did NOT want to go back to the resort in the afternoon. Her only naps were catnaps in her stroller. She awakened early and stayed up really late. I don't know how she managed it. However, when she dropped, she was DEAD to the world.

We did quite a few TS meals that trip. These were very trying. I don't advise doing more than one or two with a child, unless your child is very patient and well-behaved.

As far as rides go, every child is different; and every child is different during each trip. During her first trip, dd rode and saw every attraction she could. This trip (last week), she was finally 40 inches and so excited to ride the "big kid" rides. Well, she was terrified of nearly everything. She did ride Star Tours, Soarin', and Test Track. She said that she liked them, but she refused to ride them a second time.

This same goes for characters. Some kids love them, and others are terrified. Test the waters and see how it goes.

 

[2poohbears]

You've gotten some great tips so far.

We brought our twins when they were 2 1/2 for their first trip to WDW. They are almost 4 now, and have been there 3 times already! They love it!

-We bring our own umbrella strollers. It's easier IMO. Your child is used to it, you don't have to worry about it being dirty or full of germs, and it's also nice to have since you have to walk from the bus drop off or parking area, and that is a long way for 2 y/o's. Bring rain covers for the strollers. We've used them on all 3 trips at least one day every trip.

-We found eating meals earlier was best. We ate lunch at 11am and dinner at around 5pm. We ate breakfast in the room or at the hotel...usually oatmeal and fruit/applesauce for the boys. Eating earlier meals allows you to avoid long lines in the CS restaurants and long waits in TS restaurants. (We did TS every day because we were on the dining plan...it worked well for us because it gave the boys a little "down time").

-We also went back to the hotel after lunch every day for naps. My kiddos just will not sleep in a stroller. They are far too curious to see what's going on around them. This kept them from getting cranky.

-Expect a tantrum or 2. It happens at home - it will happen on vacation. We kept to the boys' normal sleep routines, so we left the park by 7pm every night except one - when we stayed for the Spectromagic parade and fireworks at MK. They LOVED it, but they had tantrums waiting for the bus. I would recommend leaving the fireworks a little early to get ahead of the crowd.

-We also brought a few little juice boxes with us along with snacks for the boys...teddy grahams, gold fish, etc. Just be aware that you can't have straws at Animal Kingdom...I made sure to have those throw away sippy cups for AK.

-Mine were both afraid of the characters until the 5th day of our vacation. Then something seemed to just "click" and they were fine. Many kids that age are afraid of the characters, so don't be surprised if that happens. I also saw kids that age who LOVED the characters...I think that's something you can't really predict.

-I bought Sing Along Songs at Disneyland so they would be familiar with the characters and Main Street. I think it helped & they enjoyed the video.

-One of them was afraid of all the 3-D movies at that age. The other LOVED them. They're just totally different kids. But be prepared that you may have to leave with your child if he/she is afraid. I made sure to note the exit area and tried to sit as close as I could to that just in case. Sure enough - I had to take that one son out of the movie every time. I think it was the loud sounds that bothered him.

-Definitely bring a change of clothing/socks/shoes so he/she can play in Pooh's Playful spot and on Donald's boat.

There were rides I thought my boys would hate, that they totally loved - like Alladin's Flying Carpets - I thought they would be afraid. And Pirates - they wanted to go back on again and again. Pooh's ride and Small World were also definite favorites at that age as well as Triceratop Spin at AK - and don't miss Playhouse Disney at MGM Studios - that was really fun for the boys!

It was GREAT seeing their excitement during that first trip. It was truly magical and I will never regret having taken them at that age (although my family thought we were nutso). I will cherish those memories forever. The boys STILL ask to look at the vacation videos all the time.

Have FUN!!!

 

[wannago2disney]

travelling with a 2-1/2 yr.old DD and 4 (almost 5) yr. old DS in January. It will be their first trip
Looking for any advice/Tips.
we will be travelling with my mother (nana) and DH's parents (grandma and pa)...not sure if this is going to make it easier or harder

 

[mrstomrice]

I agree with all of the advice. Here's one more piece...get to the parks at emh opening. We were able to get through Fantasyland without a line during Spring Break. This also gives you the time to go back to your room to relax while everyone else is on line in the parks! I forget if you have a boy or not...I LOVE the Harmony barbershop for a cut and some pixie dust! Have fun!

 

[pintradingwedding]

 

[splashmtnfan]

We gave her a disposable camera and have some very interesting shots from her point of view.....my faves... her little feet blocking the view of the people she was snapping the pic of (which was really only their legs anyway)another was a pic of me on the Dumbo ride one of the very few I have of me at Disney.... and my absolute favorite....a pic of us holding hands,not perfectly focused of course but it's just a photo of nothing but her tiny hand in mine...PRICELESS........I never even knew when she actually took these pics. Very surprised when I got them developed!!!
Also lots of water,rest,a toy for the stroller, a small fan with the mister on it if you are going when it is hot... and goldfish crackers!

DH 41
ME 41
DD 7

 

[splashmtnfan]

The only thing she remembers is Toon Town Minnies house refrigerator Microwave etc... Lots of cheese she remembers!!!! Nothing else really stuck in her mind she used to remember splashing in the water there but has forgotten that now.

Make sure you take at least one family photo and a pic of baby by the castle so you can repeat the same every visit and show the changes later on. We have family photo with castle in background everytime and also the two times with her also a pic of her on Dumbo and by Mickey and Walt statue and her with Minnie. I would do these early and then maybe one of them passed-out in stroller so you are not spending the whole trip behind camera lens. I usually get pics out of the way first day and then a just a few spontaneous shots throughout the trip so you can enjoy it more. Oh yea one in the hotel room and in front of hotel make for a way to rmember where you stayed each time

 

[dyna]

Thanks everyone I gonna be taking GS next year when he's almost 3.

I agree to your own stroller I plan to maybe buy one at Target that I been eyeing that is very light weight yet has quite a bit of padding for comfort, tje storage under stroller an cup holders it's only like 30.00. The push handle not as high up as most strollers but I'm short anyway so don't see that being a problem.

We plan to make a short trip out of it only a couple days in the parks main thing I want to do is get DS's 1st hair cut if I can stand to cut off his curls.

Yep the nap a MUST if we do any meals other than CS they will be buffets I agree about the TS meals an the waiting tho I'm already giving GS stuff to do at the table so he can sit there till I'm done eating when he's at my house.

We also plan to take GS to a local amusement park that has characters so we can see before hand how he is with the characters and get an idea of what kind of rides he likes etc I think it will be money well spent.

Also I plan to make GS a bag of stuff he can play with for the ride down to disney all 800 miles, we'll take a ball so that some of the rest stops he can play ball get rid of some energy. Eat at Mickey D's so he can play while we eat I'll let him eat in van after we get back on road. I'll sit in the back with him while he eats so I can help him and maybe we won't make to big a mess.

OH and even if GS happens to be potty trained by the time we go I'm going to use pull ups for disney might save a outfit or 2 if he has an accident in line or attraction etc.

 

[Sazuburns]

We went when my younger son was nearly 2, and my top tip would be to take a midsize or large stroller, the type that reclines flat for naps. We took a Chicco Trekking (similar to the Chicco C1 or the Peg Perego Pliko) and with it flat and the seat reclined it was perfect for daytime naps and also for going out in the evening with a sleeping child. When he was napping, we did 'grown up rides' or things with our older son that the younger one wouldn't have wanted to do, and we used the kid switch (is that what it's called?) so that one of us could go on a ride and the other stayed with the child/ren and then switched.

S x

 

[TimTanyaMichael]

If you are going to AK, and there are 2 of you, the Dino Land playground is a soft, rubber playground that is HUGE, with slides, tunnels, and only ONE way in and ONE way out. Take turns watching him/her and the other one can sit and relax. Your little one will tire himself out while having a GREAT time. As he naps in the stroller, you 2 have a great leisurely stroll around the park, and see everything that you missed.

 

[bzzymom]

I took DS for his first trip to WDW when he was 2. We went in November, it wasn't busy. We did EMH at MK twice when we were there. We were able to get a lot done, he wasn't too tired. We took mid-day breaks. He was great with the characters. I did purchase the sing-along video called "Disneyland Fun". Even though it wasn't the same park, it was similar enough and there were lots of characters in the video.

 

[my2tinkerbells]

Thanks for all the great tips! Karley had just turned 1 last year when we took her and she was so easy going. This year she will have just turned 2 when we go, and let me tell you her attitude at home is so much different now. We're a little worried about vacation. I'm sure she'll be fine though. We do watch Disney singalong songs alot!

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

subscribing my daughter will be 2 1/2 when we go we took her at 10 months and she was AWESOME. As someone else said the attitude has changed a bit here too but she is easily distracted so we should be able to coax her into doing what we want done...which is to be a perfect princess with minimal meltdowns we plan to do halfdays in the parks and lots of pool time...staying at the Poly so I want to maximize my resort time anyway for the money WOAH! I have the McClaren Triumph it reclines all the way back she has slept MANY TIMES in it and has had no problems def. bringng it back to disney this time! good luck moms!

 

[merrywether]

Great tips from everyone. Last year my son was 2 when we were in the World. One thing that amazed me about him on that trip was that he was content to sit in the stroller between attractions and didn't complain. There was so much for him to look at (and he loves to people watch) that he was happy being pushed from place to place. Hopefully he'll still feel that way when we take him again next month!!!

 

[Callalily6]

When our kids were 2 they were both frightened by the dark rides - and a lot of them are VERY dark. We have them both a little lightstick (my daughter got a necklace) that they could squeeze and it would light up. It mostly let me know they were nervous, but it provided a sense of security for them too, and the light was so dim, it didnt bother people around us.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I'm bringing things that I have bought from the Disney store for "line savers", I know that my DS will not like the "wait". But I am also explaining to him that the characters are as BIG as Daddy or bigger NOT LIKE ON TV, just so he doesn't freak when he sees Mickey & he's as tall as Daddy!!