Disneyland with an 18 month old

[snuggle26]

Me and my husband are thinking of going to California in November and mabey spending a day or so at Disneyland. Can anyone tell me about their experiences going to Disneyland with an 18 month old. Was it worth it? What rides did you go on? What were some of your childs favorite things/moments? Any information would be really appreciated
Thanks so much
Lisa

 

[MsYumiBr]

At that age we spent many hours in Toontown until nap time where we usually went to Golden Horseshoe. Is it worth it? That is a personal choice. I had annual passes for my oldest daughter and me. The baby was free. In Main Street definitely visit the baby center. It's just cool to have a pampered baby diaper changing experience. Then head over to Fantasyland to Toontown. Small World was a must do on every trip. They liked that a lot, clapping hands to the music and singing! Of course they liked Pirates too so go figure. Of course go see Minnie's House and visit Mickey. I'd get the photo first while you are fresh. There's nothing like the "hard day at Disneyland" look you get later in the day. lol. Autograph hunting for her wasn't until she was older but she had her sister to go up to the characters with. Toontown isn't the same as it was before. They don't have Bounce House or the Nut House or tree slide anymore. They do have that ship and they liked honking the horn. The water fountain used to make noise when you stepped on the gold circle things. Trying to keep them out of the fountain was another story. The hardest thing for first timer little kids is learning the whole stand in line thing. You may encounter meltdowns a couple of times but then they catch on. Just expect it. They also liked Fantasyland. The carousel is a must do. You can do Dumbo too. That's a fun 2 person thing. Casey's train was their first "roller coaster". Storybook was kind of boring and a lot of kids have issues with the whale mouth tunnel but at that age, they may not understand yet. Depending on your child's personality, the dark rides like Pinocchio, Snow White and Peter Pan and Mr. Toad's may not be a good idea. You can spend time in Tomorrowland and go talk to Stich in Innoventions. You can take the train to New Orleans Square and go to Critter Country and visit Pooh and Friends and go on the Pooh Adventures ride. That's pretty much all they can tolerate. Remember to try and keep the regular nap time schedule and they will be able to enjoy more of the park afterwards. You may even be able to watch a parade if you are lucky. The mid-afternoon one is the best bet. We liked Tiki Room but once again my kids were never afraid of anything and liked Pirates. Haunted Mansion was a little intense but one of the singers looks like my dad so we always yell "Hi Grandpa!" which took out the scariness of the ride. Tom Sawyer Island is also a great quiet place to get away from the crowds for a bit. Just be warned, I lost my oldest in the caves once and was too big to go in after her. She eventually came out but I haven't been back since. The girls were usually asleep by the 8:00 parade so we usually went home before dark.

Is it worth it? Of course it is! Just watch people stopping in front of your stroller or doing the stroller jump. Keep your wits about you. It is annoying but just be glad they are on their feet and not driving a car. Be prepared for the overload meltdown, especially if you don't take the nap advice. The 2 year old I went with the last time although didn't have meltdown, did throw up that evening. Too much excitement. Now he hugs me every time he sees me because I'm the Disney lady. lol!

 

[hlbtimes2]

Both our kids had their first trip around 22 months- so just slightly older then yours will be. They were great trips! There are lots of rides that little ones can go on- Fantasyland rides, Pooh bear, buzz lightyear, autopia, pirates (if its open when you are there), haunted mansion, the whole bugs land area in DCA, the new Mike and Sully ride, the vehicles on main street.

For the adult rides you can do child swap (one parent rides while the other waits with the child- then the 2nd parents enters usually through the enterance to ride with out the long wait). Its not perfect because you do have to ride alone, but it makes it so you can go on some favorites if you want to.

 

[Mom2Joce]

The other posters have given great feedback. You have to know that going with an 18 month old will be a "for the moment" trip for them. He/She will not remember anything so go in knowing that!

The youngest I took my daughter was 10 months. We did parades, shows, a few rides, danced to music at Club Buzz, and walked around experiencing the atmosphere at both parks.

Calif. Adventure has Playhouse Disney PERFECT for that age (all ages really), the block party bash which they will enjoy, bugs life (all rides for the real little ones) and bugs life has a water splash and play area...that is really fun! Monster's Inc. ride (very 18 month old friendly), the Animation Building is SO fun for this age with movie clips playing on large screens with music and a HUGE area to dance, watch and take it all in! Also in this building is Crush the animated interactive talking turtle (soooo cute).

Disneyland has trolley's and trains and such that run up and down main street that are fun, a parade, small world, dumbo, casey jr. train ride, carousel, petting zoo (I think it's still there?), toon town with Mickey and Minnie's houses (and others) that you can walk through and enjoy (really fun), Jungle Cruise, The boat that circles Tom Sayer's Island, Winnie the Pooh ride.

Is it worth it? Like others have said, it's a personal opinion that you'll have to make HOWEVER, to me...Heck Yah it's worth it! I enjoy being in the parks myself just for the atmosphere alone.
Just have to decide if it is for you guys

If you have any questions PLEASE feel free to ask away

 

[npealer]

My DD went 3 times last year, 16 months, 19 months and 23 months, every trip was a different experience. Sometimes she loved the rides and the next time she hated the same ride. I am sure some of it is ages and stages and some is being overtired.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! My DD is now 26 months and a total disney freak. Ride swaping is great, and as long as it is not a rollercoaster Kids at that age can pretty much go on anything.

 

[kjh]

DDs first trip was when she was 15months. SO WORTH IT.
Block Party Bash if your little one likes to shake his/her booty.
Parade of Dreams to watch him/her look in awe at all the different characters.
Small World was DD's all time fav, she must have rode it at least 10 times a day.
Carousel, every kid loves riding them.
DD got scared on Peter Pan though.
Dumbo is a classic.
Character meal if you could squeeze one in.
DD slept through Fantasmic and Remember.
Tea cups if your stomach can handle it.
Get a silhouette done.
Watching their face is so magical. In the end you'll realize that it could be SO worth it.

 

[TSRE]

Thought I would throw my two cents in - the thing that made trips with very little ones worth it (we have done it with each of our two kids) is that they enjoy things that they won't later. They are so amazed by everything, even just looking at the flowers in the shape of Mickey, etc. Even though my kids are not too much older now, they are already into different things. It's fun to see their reaction at every stage, I think.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I was barely 2 when my parents took me the first time and mom says I was terrified of Mickey Mouse, which surprised her since I got really excited every time I saw him from 50 miles away in whatever department store they took me to. So, your child may not like the characters. 6 months after they took me to Disneyland, my parents took me to Mickey's 50th Birthday party at a local camera store and I was just fine, so you never know. There will be things your child enjoys, so you can easily do it. We've made many trips to Disney with little kids, and loved it every time. Just use baby swap for other E-tickets you want to go on.

I would recommend staying away from It's Tough to be a Bug in DCA. I've heard that it terrifies little kids. Not sure how an 18 month old would handle it, but better to be safe than sorry.