DL/DCA Best Rides/Ride Order for Toddlers

[anc876]

Taking DS2 for the first time in a couple of weeks using 3-day hoppers (Sun-Tue). DH and I haven't been to DL since 2003, and never to DCA. DS2 is at that age where we'd expect him to be fine with kind of "scary" rides like Snow White and Haunted Mansion.

At DL, I have read to hit Fantasyland and ToonTown first. Peter Pan, Dumbo, etc. After those areas, ??? He loves Nemo so we'd try to go on the submarines at some point.

What are your plans/suggestions with toddlers or what was your experience? We do plan to take a break at our hotel mid-day, unless he seems to sleep fine in the stroller. I'm mainly interested in what lands/super popular rides we should try to hit first to avoid lengthy lines. Thank you!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I think we have all read/heard tales of many a parent starting their child out with the dark rides and then their child would not get on any other ride.

Thus a graduated approach is usually best. I would start him out with some of the calmer rides first, probably Dumbo and Its a Small World, then after he sees that IaSM isnt scary, but rather fun, then graduate to Peter Pan if the line is not too long by that time.

Then head over to DCA and mix in Little Mermaid and all of the rides in Bugs Land.

The key is to graduate up to the possibly "more scary" rides.... by building up to them you can better gauge how you child will handle them.

Also be sure and take advantage of early entry....those rides in FL get really long lines quickly but if you do early entry you should be fine.

 

[AnneUCSB]

I think Small World is your best bet with a little one who may be nervous. It's bright and cheery inside and very slow. Peter Pan can seem quick and is quite dark. Dumbo may also be a little daunting to a little one if it's their first ride. Definitely go with IASW. Have fun!

 

[DharmaLou]

has he been on any rides before? We were back in Minnesota visiting my family last week and I took DD (turns 4 next week) to Mall of America and let her pick what rides she wanted to go on. Her favorite ended up being the flying swings (just like the Silly Symphony Swings) despite the fact that I never in a million years would have thought she would like them. She also loved one that dropped her like a mini ToT.

If you have anyplace that has safe rides to go on, I'd give him a little trial run on something. He might surprise you with what he likes!

 

[anc876]

Yes, he has been at theme parks and on rides before, so we think he'll have a blast! Thanks for all the suggestions. =)

 

[smiles33]

If your DS2 likes rides, I definitely would hit the "popular" rides as early as possible (especially if he's an early riser). For instance, DD3 (who was 2 at the time), really likes driving cars at a local amusement park so I thought she would love Autopia. Thankfully, we hit it super early one morning (before 8:30 am?) and walked right on.

Other open-air rides were a hit (she, like her big sister, didn't like dark rides). I have a detailed list of what rides each kid tried on the last page of my trip report (linked in my signature).