Disney World in August w/ 2yo...Crazy?

[mommy2kael]

Hello all!
I want to say thank you in advance for any tips or advice you have.
My family and I have never been to Disney World, infact we live in CA and have only been to Disney Land, ONCE!
We saw the offer for the Magic your Way Dining FREE when you book in August and September. We had looked before at prices and just decided it was too much, but with this offer we can afford it. We wanted to go in September, but my DH shares custody of his daughter with his ex-wife and she refuses to okay a week long trip in September, she says missing school for Disney World is not acceptable, even though two years ago she took her out of school for a week in april to take her to Disney World. So...the only time we can go is in August.
We went ahead and booked the trip for the 13th to the 21st, but now I am having some major doubts. I have read some articles that say Disney World is August is a nightmare, even for "big" kids. Since everyone else there is most likely going to be eating at the same resurants as us, we've been told we can count on waiting forever to eat as well.
So, my question is, is it crazy to bring a two year old and try and have a good time? My son will be two in July before we go. Hes a good kid, but he is not one for sitting still. He likes action all the time, so I worry about all the waiting for resurants, etc. We've already made reservations for all our "table service meals" but have been told it can take an hour just to get from our hotel to the parks on resort transportation. We're staying at the All Star Music Resort.
Sorry for the over load of info. Any tips, advice or stories would be appreciated.
Thanks again!

 

[bw2003]

I am sure you'll have a great time. Since there seems to be buzz that there will br problems/delays with the Disney transportation I would rent a car. We rented a minivan for a week and it was only approx $200, so I'm sure a car would be much cheaper. That's what I would do...we rent anyways bc I like to leave/go when i want to and not wanting to wait in lines for buses etc... Good Luck!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Sorry for the over load of info. Any tips, advice or stories would be appreciated.
Thanks again!

Welcome to the Dis!
My first suggestion for you would be to sign up for Tour Guide Mike. In case you haven't heard about him yet, he is the friendly guy smiling at you at the top of the "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" page. Click on that link and for under $20 (not per month, that's just a one-time flat fee) you can get some GREAT tips for how to "zig when others zag" as he likes to say. I signed up not knowing if it would be worth it for someone who's been several times before, but it has been really helpful to me thus far! I would think it'd be even more helpful for someone going during a peak time. Good luck and keep reading this board for more tips!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Sorry about the WDW trip custody issue . Anyhow, if you keep the kids cool (we like SPF clothing, which was prevalent in CA sporting good stores last summer, rather than shorts and sunscreen) and let them play in the water play areas that should help everyone's attitude. I'd expect Disney to offer more busses during any busy period. Whether you have $ for car or not, the trick is to leave for the parks at least 30 minutes before openning. You ride a few headliners with parent switch before it gets too hot and crowded, then do a few things everyone can do until it gets very hot and crowded, then go back to resort. Swim and nap as appropriate then do a few more hours in the evening when it's cooler and crowds wane a bit. We've done WDW in the evenings with a toddler asleep in the stroller - use hearing protection before any fireworks, though. You won't see as much at any time when school is out than you would off-season, but it's better than nothing as long as you realize you can't see it all. It's much better to keep the kids out of miserable lines than to see it all while miserable...
You can get a bit more in by using FastPasses and sometimes splitting up. A few examples may help. When leaving the heat and crowds of the park, check FP times for something you'd like to do - if the time is in the evening when you'll be back, get the FP. While you and the toddler ride the carousel, Dad takes DD and everyones passes to Splash Mountain and, after enjoying Splash, obtain FPs for BTMR while he's there. Then you meet up to share something for everyone while awaiting FP times. Many don't like the running around for FPs or splitting up, but we'd rather do it than stand in lines.

 

[mommy2kael]

I am sure you'll have a great time. Since there seems to be buzz that there will br problems/delays with the Disney transportation I would rent a car. We rented a minivan for a week and it was only approx $200, so I'm sure a car would be much cheaper. That's what I would do...we rent anyways bc I like to leave/go when i want to and not wanting to wait in lines for buses etc... Good Luck!

Thanks for the tip...
What was the parking like? Was it very expensive?

 

[mommy2kael]

Welcome to the Dis!
My first suggestion for you would be to sign up for Tour Guide Mike. In case you haven't heard about him yet, he is the friendly guy smiling at you at the top of the "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" page. Click on that link and for under $20 (not per month, that's just a one-time flat fee) you can get some GREAT tips for how to "zig when others zag" as he likes to say. I signed up not knowing if it would be worth it for someone who's been several times before, but it has been really helpful to me thus far! I would think it'd be even more helpful for someone going during a peak time. Good luck and keep reading this board for more tips!

Thanks!
I will have to check that out.

 

[mommy2kael]

Sorry about the WDW trip custody issue . Anyhow, if you keep the kids cool (we like SPF clothing, which was prevalent in CA sporting good stores last summer, rather than shorts and sunscreen) and let them play in the water play areas that should help everyone's attitude. I'd expect Disney to offer more busses during any busy period. Whether you have $ for car or not, the trick is to leave for the parks at least 30 minutes before openning. You ride a few headliners with parent switch before it gets too hot and crowded, then do a few things everyone can do until it gets very hot and crowded, then go back to resort. Swim and nap as appropriate then do a few more hours in the evening when it's cooler and crowds wane a bit. We've done WDW in the evenings with a toddler asleep in the stroller - use hearing protection before any fireworks, though. You won't see as much at any time when school is out than you would off-season, but it's better than nothing as long as you realize you can't see it all. It's much better to keep the kids out of miserable lines than to see it all while miserable...
You can get a bit more in by using FastPasses and sometimes splitting up. A few examples may help. When leaving the heat and crowds of the park, check FP times for something you'd like to do - if the time is in the evening when you'll be back, get the FP. While you and the toddler ride the carousel, Dad takes DD and everyones passes to Splash Mountain and, after enjoying Splash, obtain FPs for BTMR while he's there. Then you meet up to share something for everyone while awaiting FP times. Many don't like the running around for FPs or splitting up, but we'd rather do it than stand in lines.

Those sounds like really good tips.
We kinda had a plan like that in mind, its just the heat and the long wait for food that is really worrying us.
My two year old is not much for waiting or eating. Usually at home he spends ten minutes at most in his high chair...so two hours in a resturant with food he most likely won't want to eat worries me.
I really appreciate the tips, thanks again.
I'm starting to think, we should just go. Little bit of fun is better than none.

 

[bw2003]

Thanks for the tip...
What was the parking like? Was it very expensive?

We are a DVC Member so parking is free. Not sure if it is free/discounted for people staying onsite?

 

[SaintsdoDisney]

My first trip to WDW was in the last half of August with a 15 month old and a 8 year old and we had a blast! It was hot, so we kept hydrated and rested when we needed to. Over all it was a great trip! We loved the Baby Care Centers in the parks. Very clean and cool. I do not know if your 2 year old is still in diapers or pull-ups, but if he is the Baby Care Centers are worth locating and using when needed.

Oh, and don't worry --- you will have more than just a little bit of fun!

 

[mrstomrice]

We went with our 20 month old 2 weeks ago. he was great most of the trip, from the drive down (2 days) to the different sleeping arrangements. (one melt down in EPCOT on day 3 of the trip...we all needed a break!) I would not rent a car...Disney Trans. is the best thing going. If you do chose a car, parking is free when you are on property at all parks. We were there for busy spring break week, and rarely had to wait more than 5-10 mintues for a bus (we were at Pop, which you may want to switch to, since they have their own buses, at times the All Star share stops with each other) You may find that you don't want as much table service as you have planned for...call me crazy, but it was nice not having to live by a schedule on the trip, especially when nap times are unpredictable with kids this age. We went to each park at opening...even early openings, even though some say not to. There were no crowds at all (7 am opening in MK) We walked on every ride in fantasyland, and felt satisfied to leave by 1, when the crowds were horrible.
Get to AK at opening and get a fastpass for EE, then go right to the safari (my son loved it) and the Lion King show...a must see. Sit to the right wen you enter so you can be first ut of the theater and in line for character pictures, just outside.
Bring a portable misting fan, since it will be hot at they cost around 20 in the parks. Fill it with ice at your room before you go for cool water all day.
have fun and enjoy!