Disneyland and Toddler: Advice????

[spacemouseneer]

I have been to Disneyland quite a number of times, but this will be the first trip with our daughter, who will be 23 months old at the time. I wanted to know from any other parents out there, what attractions were musts. I know every child is different and will have different reactions to certain things, but I just wanted some input from other parents who had brought children 2 years and younger.

Thanks.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

if you go to the Disneyland website click on choose an experience and it has an option for Families with toddlers. It is even has printable pages for the kids to color and a map you can printout with all the attractions for toddlers.

 

[Dukland]

We went last year, when ds was just 19 months. We did one character meal, Goofy's Kitchen, and made sure to track down each of our kids' favorite characters. In ds' case, this was Buzz Lightyear and Woody. And Mickey Mouse, of course.

He could also go on most of the rides. We took him on Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World, Carousel, and most everything else. His favorite ride was Pirates of the Caribean. He loved the pirates, and I really think that the store outside the ride was where he discovered Jack, from Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time. Now Jack is an absolute favorite. But we couldn't believe how much he loved the Pirates ride. He must have gone on it at least 10 times. Whenever he could get me or dh to take him.

there are so many things you can do there with a toddler, I'm sure she'll have fun.

 

[Twinprincesses]

We took my twins to WDW at 23 months. Definatly must does are almost every ride at Fantasy Land. Small World and Peter Pan was a huge hit!!! Play House Disney is a big hit too. Carousel, princess meals and characters as well. Go on your childs pace and take lots of snacks and rest often. We actually had a much more relaxing trip then I thought we would when my kids were that age.

 

[imjen]

The last few times we've gone we've had either a baby or toddler. The last time we went my youngest was just under one. This next time she will be about 2.5 yrs. DL is great for toddlers. So much to do and see. We take our toddlers and babies on nearly every ride that they are big enough for. Some of the favorites are Peter Pan, Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, Small World, and the carousel's. I've heard the Storybook Canal and the little train over there are hits too but they always seem to be down when we go. My kids also really like the teacups. And they loved the Playhouse Disney show. Last time my 1 yr old got scared on the Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin and my almost 4 year old didn't care for it either. I would skip Snow White and maybe Mr. Toads Wild Ride. I think it helps to keep on top of their cues of when they are hungry, tired, etc. as sometimes we are so busy we forget and then a meltdown happens. If we could tell she was tired we would stick her in the stroller and lay the seat down (we brought our own so it could lay back) and roll her around until she fell asleep. We'd split up and one person would be with her while the others rode a couple rides. We'd also head back to the hotel by 2 pm or so for a rest. Have fun!

 

[Liltx]

Follow Disney's guide for families with young children. I think it was called Magical Beginnings. They were right on every attraction they recommended. Do not do Mr. Toad's!!!! Freaked out my 15 month old and caused her to be uneasey for a day and a half. She even cried on the train when it went through tunnels after that. She did get over it after that. My 3yo was afraid of pirates. She said half way through she wanted to go back. She didn't cry and sang the song the rest of the day but when asked if she wanted to go again it was a big "NO"! Everything else she liked but we didn't try Snow White, Haunted Mansion. She loved the gadet roller coaster.

Monica

 

[Missus Toad]

I've found that some of the dark rides can be overwhelming for kids. Mr. Toad being the scariest for little ones I think, with Snow White a close runner up. I think it's the dark enclosed space punctuated by loud noises and riotous color that creates sensory overload in some kids.

My kids are okay on all except Mr. Toad (figures!) and HM, but they really love Casey Jr., Winnie the Pooh, Alice, Small World, Teacups, Dumbo and the Carrousel. They even enjoyed Pirates. It's funny, with the HM, my daughter really enjoyed it when she was 1, but now I think she's a bit more wise and wary, so we stay away.

If you try the dark rides, I'd say start with Pooh, then Alice or Peter Pan, then Pinnochio, then the rest.

 

[Amy_Renee]

This is all GREAT info!!! We're taking our 3 and 2 yr. old daughters in December so a lot of this info I'll keep in mind for our trip

 

[ptlycloudy]

Don't forget the water play area in DCA if it is warm, or the popping jet fountain on the right of the Castle. My toddlers loved these. I think that those and the parades were their favorite things. My daughter had to be held back at the parade she was so excited waving at all of the characters. This is about as close as she liked to be with them until I bought an autograph book, then she loved to go up and get their autographs. She wouldn't stand for a picture with them but when she saw them in the parade she would wave and say " Hey there is my friend Minnie and Goofy!"

Since my husband and I had been to DL many times we just did the whole visit at my daughters pace doing things that she was interested in. We only traded off and did a couple of grown up rides each and the rest was all about her experience. It was fun and memorable! Take advantage of the baby care center!!!

 

[Rena75]

I've found that some of the dark rides can be overwhelming for kids. Mr. Toad being the scariest for little ones I think, with Snow White a close runner up. I think it's the dark enclosed space punctuated by loud noises and riotous color that creates sensory overload in some kids.

I was going to say the same thing. My kids were petrified of the Snow White ride when they were little - it's a dark and scary ride. Pinocchio is also dark and has really loud noises.

I guess it depends on the child but we waited years before we took them on those rides again!

 

[kuusimo]

Every child is different. I agree with the dark rides. My two boys were 2 and 13 months the first time we went and they have been 4 times in 3 years. It is our favorite place to go. They are on the shyer side though so we did just Pooh dark ride for a while. They liked Monsters Inc ride last time we were there. Last time we also did Alice and now it is known as the "scary catapillar ride." My two loved Flick's Fun Fair rides. All except the bumper cars. There is a height requirement to ride that one. We rode the chew chew train 4 times in a row once. My best advice is to let them dictate what you do. If they are tired- take a break. If you try to push them, that is when mine at least get more cranky. If you go with someone else, you can trade off going on rides that you would like to do. Disneyland is different when you go with a child. I found it much more magical!

Also, the baby center in Disneyland is GREAT and they have family bathrooms by Flick's Fun Fair at DCA. You can get stickers from the information booths. Mickey's toon town is great if they want to see Mickey and others. Not many rides to do there though for that age.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[bunninose]

My son's first trip to DL was when he was about a week old and we've been going ever since. There's already enough great advice here for rides, etc. so I'll just really hype up the Baby Care Centers (Disneyland's is at the end of Main Street next to Plaza Gardens restaurant near First Aid - DCA's is at the left corner of the Tortilla Factory building in the Pacific Wharf area - also near First Aid).

The centers are quiet, clean, comfortable (heated or air-conditioned) and staffed with at least 2 cast members. The changing tables are NICE - padded, etc. You can have more than one adult in there, so it's nice to not have to do the whole thing by yourself in the regular restrooms in the Parks. Doubly handy to have more adult hands since you can't bring strollers in.

They also have toddler size toilets (my son loves the DCA ones - the seats have "iggly wiggly sides" - read 'scalloped edges' on the seat LOL!) which can be a real life-saver when they're at 'that stage' of having to do it themselves with no help (and when that normally entails touching every surface they can see). If you do cloth diapers, they also have rinse-sinks for those (which I've frankly never ever seen anywhere else in my whole life).

There are private areas with rocking chairs for breastfeeding, and you can buy baby food, juices, diapers, diaper rash cream and other basic stuff (not cheap, but worth it if you really need it). If you find that feeding your kidlet is too hard with all the distractions of the Parks, there are quiet eating areas with traditional high chairs, too.

I direct every stroller-pushing adult to the Care Centers - they're really underutilized in my view, and they are MUCH more comfortable than the alternatives.

Enjoy your trip!! You're gonna love seeing Disneyland through the eyes of your little one! It's truly a magical experience . . .

 

[Dukland]

I agree about the baby centers. We found our way into the one on Main Street our last day of our trip last year. It was wonderful!! Perfectly air conditioned, a nice place to change my cranky 19 month old's swim diaper, little people potties that my then 4.5 year old took advantage of, there were rocking chairs, high chairs, and everything I could have ever needed for my kids. We will be utilizing it more this time around, that's for sure!

 

[CalGal]

If you don't have it, pick up the Disneyland Sing-a-Long DVD/tape. This has been around since before my DS was a toddler; he's almost 16 now. His first trip was when he was 20 months, and it was magical. He hadn't learned fear yet, so none of the dark rides bothered him at all. We went on just about every ride that didn't have an age restriction except HM. While he loved all the rides, some of the best moments were with the characters. In those days, there were not usually big lines around the characters. When DS would spot a character, he'd run up to them and throw his arms around them. The other memory that will live with me forever was watching him watch the Main Street Electrical parade. Watching him clap to the music and seeing the joy in his eyes was absolutely priceless!

 

[KelsiesMommy]

Must do for toddlers: (I have a 20 month old and a 3 1/2 yr old)

DL: Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Casey Jr Circus Train, Peter Pan, Dumbo, TOONTOWN, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Buzz Lightyear Astor Blasters, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Tiki Room

DCA: Playhouse Disney show, Monster's Inc, A Bug's Land, King Triton's Carousel (much shorter wait than the carousel in DL), Redwood Creek

 

[BlueBayou]

One bit of advice: If your child is still young enough to not be scared of rides like POTC, videotape your child on the ride. My now almost 6 year old DD will not go on HM, Buzz or POTC. She will ride TofT, BTMRR and Splash. My DD3 will ride everything she is tall enough to ride.

When DD5's dark ride fear started she would only ride the rides that she had watched herself riding at 14-months. I could just kick myself for not videotaping her on POTC.

Off topic:
The only reason she rode TofT last year is we were with another family and their daughter who is the same age had been on the one at WDW 4 times in a row.

It was our first ride that day. I had never been on it. I was not ready to ride it. I have to work myself up for something like that. They had three separate people measure her because she was so close to the height requirement. My husband offered to go on - he does not like scary rides. I looked at him all excited, thinking I was going to get out of riding, and asked if he really want to go. He said NO! So I went knowing she would chicken out. I kept saying we can leave, we can leave. The husband of the other couple kept trying to talk to me. I finally told him not to talk to me at all. I was nervous and wanted to be left alone. He was shocked - I am not normally a rude person. When it came time to board the elevator, my daughter ran on and buckled herself in. There was no escape for us. She LOVED it. She wanted to go again. I thought it was fun... but I did not want to do it again with her. I spent the whole ride looking at her making sure she was okay.

We went back in December and without the peer pressure she did not want to ride it. But it wasn't like we really pressed the issue.

Have fun on your trip. It is wonderful to see Disneyland through a child's eyes.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

My DS5 is afraid of loud noises; They don't seem to bother DS2 much. Would it make sense to have DS5 (and DS2?) put in some earplugs before going on a dark ride with loud noises? We bought some earplanes for the plane trip, so we could use those...

 

[MulanFan]

I haven't gone yet, so I don't have any experience to share, but FWIW I bought some earplugs for DD and I, since I think many things are too loud anyway lol.

 

[thmar]

Such great tips for toddlers...I'm looking forward to taking my grandson soon!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We went the last week in September with DS6 and DS2. DS2's favorite ride was Winnie the Pooh! He went on it more than 12 times during our stay (since DS6's favorite ride, Splash Mountain, was nearby!)

DS2 did many Fantasyland rides, but missed Snow White, Mr. Toad and Alice in Wonderland because he was napping when DS6 and I went on them. Also missed the Casey Jr. Circus Train (which we skipped altogether.) He loved the carousels (both parks), Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, Autopia, A Bugs' Land, and the moving spotlight in the Animation building in DCA, ha! He kept running around the open area there, giggling and trying to step on it, and we were so exhausted, we just let him. (It was nearly empty at the time; the next day it was very busy, so I had to hold him, though.)