Does anyone have a list of things to do with one and three year olds?

[Jenhwyfar]

I have a 17 month old and a three and a half year old. My girlfriend has a 5 month old and a three year old. We would love to take the kids to Disneyland but what can we do that would fill up a day. We each have annual passes so its not imparitive that we see everything. We just want to make it as enjoyable and kicked back as possible

Thanks!

Jenn

 

[honeymom]

You will never get out of toontown and fantasyland! Trust me, I've gone with young kids.

 

[Jenhwyfar]

Thats for the info What is there to do in Toontown? Last time I was there it looked a little run down. I was there YEARS ago when I was young and full of energy and it just looked alot more pulled together

Thanks for any info

Jenn

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Toontown has all the character's houses... and you can meet Mickey and Minnie there too... Donald's Boat, Chip and Dale's Treehouse... they are all little houses you can go in and play around... plus there is a small rollercoaster and Roger Rabbit Spin (or something like that) ride...

Between Toontown, Fantasyland, and then Bug's Land over at DCA you'll have plenty to fill up a day!! I'd get there early (before the park opens) and get in line and do Fantasyland right away... toontown opens an hour after the park opens... so get your fill of busy fantasyland first, then head to Toontown--if you take it easy, toontown can use up 2 hours... just letting the kids play... then eat lunch and go over to DCA and do bug's land and by then I bet half the kids are asleep in their strollers! Bring extra clothes for bug's land, cause the water area is a blast to play in...

Then you'll probably be all wiped out and ready to go home!

--Lisa

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I've been going to DL with DS3 since he was a baby, and we do a lot in a day!

We have been on:
Peter Pan
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Pinocchio
Dumbo
Casey Jr's Circus Train
Matterhorn (height minimum 35")
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
King Arthur's Carrousel
Alice in Wonderland
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Rafts to Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
Jungle Cruise
Gadget's Go Coaster (height min. 35")
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

We've also been to Aladdin and Jasmine's Storytime, Princess Fantasy Faire, character meals, the parades, etc.

And that's just at DL! DCA has a ton of stuff for toddlers too!

 

[bumbershoot]

Pooh anytime, multiple times in a row.
POTC when DS was 1 and 2 worked, but he has boycotted it while 3.
Dumbo Dumbo and more Dumbo
Astro Orbiter, oddly enough (he just likes the up/down thing)
Astro Blasters since he went on it at 2.
Peter Pan, sometimes, but last time he had to be convinced that he liked it.
Teacups

Honestly, the rest of Fantasyland doesn't work for DS.

Toontown, he doesn't like either ride, but he LOVES running around opening "doors", pulling up on box lids, pushing down on the TNT plunger, and so on. Lots of interactive things to do.

He also likes going through Mickey and Minnie's houses, and Minnie's kitchen is a favorite.

And the little playground of Goofy's house.

Ignore the chip/dale treehouse thing, it's incredibly silly and disappointing.


At DCA bug's land is great (but you probably want to ignore the tough to be a bug show). Expect to ride Heimlich's Chew Chew Train. Assuming there's not a long line, you can ask to go around again (and again and again) without getting off, if the CM is kind (or unkind, depending on your opinion of the ride...I happen to really like it; it's like aromatherapy to me and I think it's funny and sweet and cute).

They have a teacup-type of ride there that I like more than the teacups.

The bumper car ride is very difficult with little ones, b/c of how you have to contort yourself to push the pedal down (especially if the 3 year old wants to steer). I don't think the 1 year old can go on it.

If you're going at a warmer time, and the parent is fine with the kids getting wet, check out the water areas at DCA! See my September trip report for just how wet a kid can get, and bring extra clothes down to underwear and shoes, if you think the kiddo or two might want to get wet.


Other than that, there's lots of stuff to look at, places to sit, places to look around...if you can (learn from my mistakes and) take things at their pace (using rider switch/baby swap) to get some exciting rides in if you wish to) everyone can have a really nice time!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

I will be there with a 3 yr old and almost 1 yr old later this month (Ooh.. it feels good to say that!):

Here's what rides we love for small ones:


These because they are "open" and not scary or confining:

-Dumbo
-Teacups
-Casey Jr Train
-DL Railroad
-Gadget's go-coaster (really only an option for 3 yr old but mine love it and it is a short, easy, "1st Coaster")
-Autotopia

These can be fun but dark or scary depending dds mood:

Buzz
Peter Pan
Pirates of Carribean

These are enclosed rides that ALL my dds have loved at all ages/ moods etc:

It's a Small World (closed right now though, I think)
Winnie the Pooh

Other great attractions at DL for little ones:

-Minnie's House (like a PP, my kids all LOVE her kitchen and can spend forever there

-Play spot by goofy old bounce house

-Tom Sawyers/ Pirates Lair- fun to let them run around but NO strollers so we always had to have good timing for this one

-Crystal Arcade- My girls collect pressed pennies and we love this place and all the old games and things, plus all the fresh candy is a treat for big and small alike!

-Parades- I am not a big parade fan but my little one love them. Kids really feel like that wave is for THEM!

-Character interactions- CHaracters can be scary or the best thing ever in the 1-3 range. The characters at DL are really good at approaching little ones gingerly and getting a feel for their comfort level.


California Adventure has a lot to offer too! Go! You will have fun if you take it slow and especially if you go with a friend.

 

[ironpig70]

yep mine are now 4,4 and 10 and this will be the twins 2nd trip(went at 2) and my 10 years olds 4th. there is plenty to do as posted above. we where scared to take them to see the characters at first seeing how pooh bear was very large. well the cm had to pry my dd who was 2 at the time away from pooh. imho i find it harder this trip with the age difference

 

[lindsnlogansmom]

We made the mistake of taking DS turning 3 at the time on the Matterhorn the first day at the park. He is still talking about that scary ole mountain with a yetti inside. I have no idea how he learned the word yetti! I don't even know how to spell it. LOL Anyway, from that point on he feared the dark rides.

There are very few things in Fantasyland that works for him. He cried on just about everything except Dumbo of course, Teacups, Casey's Circus Train, and Storybook Land. He absolutely loves Buzz Lightyear.

He is a little unsure of Astro Orbitor also. He says it goes too high.

 

[Pamb]

I love this thread! I have a DS that will be almost 3 when we go and I have been wanting to know what we could do to help him have a great visit too. Thanks for all the advice...keep it coming!

 

[Bread&Butterflies]

All of the suggestions so far are perfect for that age...we did most if not all of them. To my surprise dd liked the Matterhorn! Woot!

My dd enjoyed the Playhouse Disney show at CA.
And be sure to stop by the Animation studio next door to see the Zoetrope!
That thing is just about the coolest thing ever!

ETA: oh how did I forget the Tiki Room. DD is still talking about it, and trying to sing the song.

There is so much to do with little ones. Have a great trip.

 

[jernysgirl]

My dd enjoyed the Playhouse Disney show at CA.

I second Playhouse Disney in DCA. I thought the show was super cute! Have the kids watch Playhouse Disney shows at home beforehand (if they don't already) and then they will enjoy seeing the characters come to life on the little stage. In the show was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, & My Friends Tigger and Pooh. Both DS2 and DS1 loved it!

Other than that, I agree with all the other suggestions. (No one has mentioned Nemo yet.... my kids liked it, although it was dark, enclosed, and kind of loud at spots, but if you have Nemo fans and want to wait in line you could try for that too.) And don't forget to schedule lots of time to sit, relax, re-hydrate, eat, watch parades, and fireworks! You'll have plenty of things to do to keep you busy.

 

[Dory'sMom]

Just went to Disney in April with an almost 3 year old and a 16 month old.

In DCA, Bug's Life section, the Muppet 3D movie and King Triton were big hits.

In Disney we spent alot of time in Fantasyland (neither liked the dark rides), on the Matterhorn (3 year old only) and on the trains.

Toontown was a big hit. The park beside Goofy's house was a great place for them to run around and the 3 year old loved the roller coaster (rode it 10 times in a row.)

 

[zukeeper]

Lots of great suggestions, but the one thing that my younger ones could do all day is playing at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This is in DCA and across from Grizzly River Rapids. They have a show, but my kids are crazy for the random fun found running around. Super photo ops as well. Seriously consider spending time here.