Wow, Ive really been fortunate. My son is a go go go high energy child. His sister was pretty laid back at this age, but they are pretty much the same when traveling with the exception of running off. She would never have run off at that age. He thinks its funny. So, that is an adjustment I have had to make, to have equipment to deal with that difference in his personality in comparison to hers.
He has been traveling since he was just under 6 months old. First trip was a week at the beach, but we had outings at a local zoo, science center, dolphin watch boat tour and time on the beach. The zoo and science center were all day. He has always loved being outside though and loves his stroller. At 10 months we did Disney for the first time and he was great with the exception of puking on me the 2nd day and refusing to sleep in the pack-n-play. He slept with me which is why I dont want to do the value hotels anymore. The bed was too small and I was so afraid he would fall off I didnt sleep well. In the parks, he alternated between my Ergo and the stroller. We also did 4 character meals and he loved meeting characters.
At 15 months I did notice a difference. Once he was walking he wasnt much for standing around in lines. He wasnt cranky, just wanted to take off. We went back to that same beach and did the same outings, except instead of the dolphin watch tour, we did a day at a local mall (for dd and my 17 year-old sitter who was with us to shop for their birthdays) and a day at Busch Gardens. He loved everything except the other characters at the Elmo and Friends lunch. He had only seen Elmo videos, so he wanted nothing to do with the other characters. He did sit in Elmos lap for the picture. I laugh when I look at it because hes got a vice grip on Elmos hand as Big Bird is sitting next to Elmo. Hes also wearing a red t-shirt and almost disappears in the shot.
At 21 months the three of us had an amazing little trip to Orlando to visit Sea World. It was October so it was much warmer there than it was here, but not too bad. It also rained off and on one day. The main problem I had with him was on that rainy day. He was not liking the rain cover on his stroller and would not let it stay down. That was a small stroller so it probably felt like the rain cover was all over him. Were taking a larger stroller on our next trip. He napped in the stroller when he needed to. We did 2 open to almost close days at Sea World. 9am to 5pm on the first day when they were closing at 6pm and we were there 9am to 7pm the next day when they were closing at 8pm. He rode all of the rides he was big enough to ride in Happy Harbor, some of them multiple times. He loved the shows, loved the animals and the bubble machines they had out.
We were going for a 3rd day there, but were warned it would be wall to wall people and that on the previous Saturday, theyd been forced to close the park at 1pm due to capacity crowds. Wasnt my idea of a good time and it was our last park day before going home, so I went online and got us WDW tickets. We arrived just before rope drop and left just before 9pm. We took plenty of breaks and stopped for two meals. He had one melt down. I was in line at Columbia Harbor house and the line is so small, I had dd stand near the line with the stroller. He wasnt happy with this even though he could see me. He kept lunging forward which is his signal he wants the stroller to move, but there was literally no room and I didnt want dd out of my sight so I didnt let her walk him around. He cried the entire time I was in line. I tried talking to him partially because I could see people looking around wondering where these childrens parent(s) were, but reassuring him the food was almost ready wasnt helping. Of course it took a long time. I guess it was because they were just opening. That was it though. He napped in his stroller and fell asleep as we were leaving. We accomplished a lot.
Mickeys Philharmagic 3 times
Small world 3 times
Buzz Lightyear 2 times
Tea cups
Dumbo
Carousel 2 times
Tiana Meet and Greet
People mover 2 times
Jungle cruise
Tiki Room
Aladdin
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
MSEP
Lunch at Columbia Harbor House
Dinner at Cosmic Rays
Shopping
I am just
reading some of this! Sorry but you gotta admit it is a little funny. Im sure when we got with DD2 & DS9 this June I wont be thinking so at the time though, but maybe one day we will look back and laugh. I am cautiously optimistic about it. She sometimes doesn't like the stroller at home so I am also bringing one of those toddler leashes, which I used to mock people for using but I totally see the value for times like this. She doesn't really love that either and I still feel pretty goofy using it so Im not sure how much help it will be but we are coming prepared! Planning on taking lots of cool off breaks since its gonna be hot. Shes not a big napper, she usually sleeps in the car coming/going or she will pass out in the stroller if we are lucky. She can sleep anywhere if shes tired so I dont think we will have to worry too much about naps but I guess we will see. We are going to be getting up a little earlier than we do at home so that might change things. We arent going to have a strict schedule but we do have an idea of things that are "must do's" and a few ADRs.
We are also going back in June. Only its my son that is 2 and my dd that is 9. He will be just under 2.5. I have a stroller, my Ergo and one of the harnesses with the stuffed puppy on it. My son actually likes his harness because it means he doesnt have to hold my hand. Im hoping as long as I manage as I have keeping him sleeping and eating as he does at home and hydrated and his health is fine, well have minimal differences in how he behaves at home. He is not a tantrum thrower in the sense most people see it. When he doesnt get his way, he will drop his head, poke out his lip, let out a deep breath and fold his arms to try to guilt me into giving him his way. Once he did go and lay down on the floor to show his exasperation. It was hilarious.
I have lots of down time scheduled for us to rest and we continue to do outings. The one concern I have is that his attitude towards the characters will change. I keep showing him pictures of him and dd on the last trip so that he is hopefully not surprised by their size. He doesnt recognize that the baby in the pictures is him, but he does recognize dd and we talk about how big Mickey and the other characters are. I have also shown him pictures of little boys his size with characters.
I always let my children dictate the pace on trips. I think it helps us. We are not commando tourists anywhere we go. I try to schedule so that if there is a late night, we do not have to be anywhere early the next morning. Like for our upcoming trip, on our first night we are going to try to see Wishes, but the next day we are only touring World Showcase so we'll sleep in since it doesn't open until 11am. I have some half days in where we tour from early morning to around 2, then head in for the day. I also have a day where we relax at the resort all day. I have some breakfast ADRs and some dinner ones. He is not good midday so (too close to nap time) so I don't have any lunch ADRs scheduled. Lunch will either be CS (if we had a small breakfast) or a snack (if we had a TS meal at breakfast). We'll also make use of midday breaks to get away from the park. We'll see how it goes. I booked the longest trip I could afford so we would have time to relax.
, but he talks about Disney World on a daily basis and can't wait to return. 
In place of my angel I had a "NO!", "NOW!", whining because she didn't get her way toddler. Calm turned to sass and that's just escalated. She behaves pretty well at home but isn't a stranger to the "Time Out Stool" either.
Knowing that I'll have at least 8 hours of UNinterrupted sleep for at least 6 nights in a row is one of the highlights of my vacation, and probably the reason we visit so often! 
