Does four extra months age make a difference when doing WDW with a two year old?

[branv]

Go ahead and chortle at me BTDT parents. We deserve it. But we are first time clueless parents. LO has thankfully made it through his first 7 months with us relatively unscarred (though technically right now his nose is a little orange. Who knew sweet potatoes could do that?!). We are planning his first trip for after he turns 2, and trying to decide between the first week of November and the first week of March. The back and forth on the merits of each is a whoooole other post. But one biggie is that we honestly don't know if there will be a big difference in traveling with a 2 yr + 2 month year old versus a 2 yr 6 month old. Crazy, huh? Our breadth of knowledge extends to now, under age one, when oh heck yeah is four months extra time a huge difference in development. I assume by then the changes come farther apart, and that the only change might be a growth spurt (though at that age, I'm assuming any height gain would maybe push him into Barnstormer territory, but that's it). But as I said... clueless. Should those four months be a factor when deciding on traveling with a 2 year old?

 

[mickeygirl14]

Gosh...I miss those days when they were that little! I don't think the 4 months should affect your plans, but yes, there could be big developmental changes happening. I would say, mostly, in vocabulary and speech. I wouldn't delay a trip though for 4 months just for that though. LO's have such a great reaction to seeing it all in person - it's the best part of the trip. I would make the decision based on what works best for your family. Either way, plan on down time during the day for naps or rest time.

 

[Cobern]

I can say from experience that those 4 months *can* make a huge difference. We took our daughter at 2 months shy of 3 so she could truly enjoy everything (and she did!)

One of the BIGGEST things I could see with waiting until 2.5 is starting potty training. That is the age my daughter started and seriously I don't think she left the house for like 2-3 weeks.

 

[Heidi K]

I can say from experience that those 4 months *can* make a huge difference. We took our daughter at 2 months shy of 3 so she could truly enjoy everything (and she did!)

One of the BIGGEST things I could see with waiting until 2.5 is starting potty training. That is the age my daughter started and seriously I don't think she left the house for like 2-3 weeks.

I tend to agree. My youngest is currently 2 yrs + 4 months and she has changed SO much in the last 4 months--much more verbal, more social, etc. She also can handle going without a nap or can delay her nap occasionally, which is nice. So I wouldn't make age your only deciding factor, but I would consider going with your later date. We'll be going to WDW when she's 2 yrs + 8 months, and I'm getting really excited about how much I think she'll enjoy it by that time.

And definitely, delay potty training until after your trip! So difficult to travel with a newly potty-trained toddler who needs to go NOW.

 

[ebradley23]

I'm right in the middle of the age group you're asking about - also a FTM. My LO is exactly 2 yrs 4 mo. We planned our first trip with LO for Sept. He'll be 2 yrs 9 mo. I keep thinking life is getting easier and easier the older he gets, so I am glad we have planned the trip as late as we did age wise. I can tell a complete difference developmentally from just the past couple of months. Even though my LO has always been verbally advanced, his communication skills seemed to have surged in the last couple of weeks. He can have actual conversations now unlike his parroting of us just a few weeks ago. The more he is able to communicate, the less we're dealing with meltdowns. Also at 2 my LO was completely freaked out by mascots of any sort. Our Santa pic from this past Christmas was awful. Just in the last month, he's overcome the fear. Easter Bunny pics were smooth sailing. I'm optimistic we'll get a great reaction when he meets Mickey for the first time now - I wasn't so sure last month when I booked the trip.

The nap issue is a biggie too. He can go with short catnaps now instead of always needing a two hour mid-day nap.

While I don't think you would regret taking your LO when he is younger, I think it will be more enjoyable for everyone if you wait.

 

[MyAnna]

We took our LOs at 17 months, then 2yrs 2 mo. At 2yr 2 mo, they didn't like Santa, but mickey and his gang were ok. They certainly remember things about the trip and are ask to go back to "Mickey Mouse's house". I think the trip can be enjoyable either way. We do plan on going back right before they are 3, just so we can get a last trio before their tickets cost.

 

[Aliceacc]

Any particular 4 months can make a huge difference... but the problem is in which 4 months you choose and which direction those changes go.

Your son might be ready for potty training (though my son wasn't at that age)-- it's easier not to be in the midst of that at WDW. Or he may not. He may be deep into the terrible twos, or he may not. He may be more independent, and thus more likely to try to run off, or he may not.

There's no predicting which age will be better for your son. So go by the date that's better for the family as a whole.

Have a great trip!

 

[branv]

Wow! Thanks so much for your help! I'm so glad I swallowed my "this is probably a stupid question" pride and asked. I'd been around two year olds before, of course, but not in a day-in-day-out capacity, so these are things I simply needed to hear It kind of warms my heart to hear we're in for seeing those amazing developmental leaps for a while. And what an excellent point that better verbal skills can help lessen tantrums. Hadn't thought of that!

I had assumed potty training wouldn't be an issue bc I have a boy. And everything I keep hearing is that boys are notoriously slower than girls on that front. Maybe he'll be advanced on that front . I know a lot of people prefer to wait to travel until their kids are trained, but I'm the weird one that would far rather deal with diaper changes and hauling the paraphernalia than the middle-of-the-long-line, "I have to go... NOW."

The whole gamble on when will the terrible twos or growth spurt grumbles occur is definitely a hard one. Goodness knows you can't predict those! Take a gulp and take a breath, go ahead and make the reservations, right?

Now perhaps I need to do a part II post: first week November vs first week March -- pools and avoiding a frozen momsicle.

 

[rachael95]

We had planned to go with our DS in early April this year. He was 2 yr 1 mo. We decided to wait until late September just because of work schedules. But I'm glad he's going to be a little older. He'll be 2.5 exactly when we go. At his two year check up, he was 33.75 inches. So I'm pretty confident he'll be at the 35 inches with shoes on mark for barnstormer when we go. Since he loves the movie Planes, I think he'll get a kick out of that ride. He is also communicating much better and (aside from this week since he's on Prednisone and that's been a terror having a toddler on a 'roid rage, only one more day to go!) he's hardly ever having tantrums that last more than a minute. We do plan on holding off potty training until after the trip if possible, though daycare may start training him sooner. But yes, I think it would be tons easier dealing with a diaper than an accident.

 

[Princess Melody]

Yes, that 4 months can make a big difference!
We live locally and go weekly and so far 1.5-2.5 has been the hardest age to take her. Farther away from 2.5 she got, the better she got about sitting in her stroller (which she's always hated) and waiting in line. Closer to age 2 all she really wanted to do was spend time on the playgrounds and would frequently have a meltdown when it was time to leave.
Barnstormer is 35 inches but she was already that height at her 2 year check-up so that wasn't an issue.
She just turned 3 and we are working on the potty training now but I haven't found that to make it any more difficult other than having seen pretty much every bathroom at MK the past couple weeks due to insisting we stop and try so often. You can always put them in pull ups if they are training/recently trained. Pull ups are really no different than diapers other than that they are slightly more expensive and pull up and down like panties (which huggies slip on diapers also do, and for what it's worth I always used on my daughter after age 2.5 in theme parks so I could easily change her standing up if the changing table was small or dirty or there was a line for it).

 

[nat8199]

We took our kids in October when they were 2.5. It was great, but I think that they would have enjoyed it more just 4mo later. Now at 3yo I think it would be even better.

Anyways... 4mo can make a HUGE difference in the 2s, and even in the 3s. Now that my DD is well into the 4s I don't think 4mo would make as big a difference.

 

[lucyem]

I had assumed potty training wouldn't be an issue bc I have a boy. And everything I keep hearing is that boys are notoriously slower than girls on that front. Maybe he'll be advanced on that front . I know a lot of people prefer to wait to travel until their kids are trained, but I'm the weird one that would far rather deal with diaper changes and hauling the paraphernalia than the middle-of-the-long-line, "I have to go... NOW."

We took our oldest to WDW when he was 2yrs9months. We drove from the Northeast, 24 hours of driving time spread over three days. He was potty trained when we arrived. He did not like going while sitting in his car seat.

 

[Crystal824]

I think your son will have a great time at either age. We took our DD at 9 mo., 20 months, 2 years and 4 months, and 2 years and 10 months. She was different developmentally each time, and all the trips were wonderful. At 2 years 10 months, she had opinions on what she wanted to do and was definitely more verbal. The 2 year, 4 months, she still went with the flow of things, but still had great reactions to things, more so than at 20 months.

 

[MSSANDRA]

BTDT mom who had an orange baby too!!!. I even called the doctor . I agree that those 4 months can make a difference but not necessary for the better, though it could be. Two year olds are so unique. tey start to discover they can have an effect on the world!!! It's anyone's guess what type of personality or timeline your little one will develop in the next couple years so it is really just a guess and will still be one when you book. I agree that once you decide on a time, try to structure other changes around that time. All boys are not harder to train. One of mine was trained by 2, the other right about the time he turned 3. I agree that diapers are easier than potties at WDW! Just think through thing like nursing and taking bottles and passies and if your chosen time to stop these happens to be close to your trip, just wait until afterwards. If you take the age out of the equation, I think you will enjoy the first week of November. Weather is great and you avoid the spring break crowds,

 

[SEA333]

Wow! Thanks so much for your help! I'm so glad I swallowed my "this is probably a stupid question" pride and asked. I'd been around two year olds before, of course, but not in a day-in-day-out capacity, so these are things I simply needed to hear It kind of warms my heart to hear we're in for seeing those amazing developmental leaps for a while. And what an excellent point that better verbal skills can help lessen tantrums. Hadn't thought of that!

I had assumed potty training wouldn't be an issue bc I have a boy. And everything I keep hearing is that boys are notoriously slower than girls on that front. Maybe he'll be advanced on that front . I know a lot of people prefer to wait to travel until their kids are trained, but I'm the weird one that would far rather deal with diaper changes and hauling the paraphernalia than the middle-of-the-long-line, "I have to go... NOW."

The whole gamble on when will the terrible twos or growth spurt grumbles occur is definitely a hard one. Goodness knows you can't predict those! Take a gulp and take a breath, go ahead and make the reservations, right?

Now perhaps I need to do a part II post: first week November vs first week March -- pools and avoiding a frozen momsicle.

Oh wow....Please reconsider the potty training thing. I'm sorry to call out whoever told you to delay it, but that is the worst advice I have ever heard! Potty train your child when HE is ready to potty-train, not because it is a convenient time for mommy! If it so happens to be on your trip, it happens to be on your trip. If your son is truly ready to ditch the diapers, it will not be a big deal. if you are that worried about it, I'd choose the earlier time over 2 1/2. If your DS wakes up dry or goes several hours without wetting, he is ready! If you wait because you don't want to deal with it, you could be looking at several more months or years before your son decides he is going to play the potty game.

Personally, I love 2 1/2 year olds. They are my very favorite age group. I used to teach, and starting off in my career, I taught a 2 1/2 year old class at a preschool. It was the most fun I've ever had at work. And I potty trained a LOT of kids at that age, and those whose parents didn't have "time" to do it when the kid was ready, paid for it later in diapers and stress when their kids were 3 1/2-4 years old and refused to potty train.

At 2 1/2, kids (to me) start becoming more of a preschooler than a baby. They have more words, can communicate better, can listen to reason (within limits...no 2 year old is perfect!), and some may start being able to skip naps or become more schedule-adaptable. They can use a spoon or fork on their own, can put their own shoes, pants, and socks on, drink out of anything, and follow simple directions.

Lastly, don't think that because he is a boy that he will not be ready to potty train at 2 1/2. My oldest was completely (night and all) trained at 2 1/2, and younger DS was completely trained by 26-27 months. In both cases, one morning, they woke up dry and I put them on the toilet, and we never looked back. In neither cases did I expect to start potty-training them that day, but I knew enough not to let the opportunity go! And for my oldest, it was two days before we leaving to go out of town. We put a diaper on him for the car ride, but made a few stops on the 5-hour trip for him to go to the bathroom. He stayed dry the whole trip.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

The biggest different for our son during his second year was his verbal skills and his opinions. As another mentioned as a younger 2 he would just happily do whatever we brought him to do, as an older 2 lookout if you did not ride Astro Orbiter right at this very moment. I remember routing ourselves through the parks so he wouldn't see certain attractions because if he saw something he had to ride it right then. There's no convincing a 2 year old that you will go back later. It was even tough being on the Tomorrowland Speedway once he saw Dumbo halfway through the ride!

We've taken my son 6 times and he's just barely 4 now. Every trip has been lots of fun, so I'm with the others, go when it's best for you. As your son develops you may want to adjust your timing to fit his specific needs.

In case you want more details, the link in my signature next to "Trip report from our first DVC trip" is from when my son was just about to turn 2, while the link next to "Trip report with a potty training toddler" was around 2 years 8 months.

 

[ameliahyde]

Oh wow....Please reconsider the potty training thing. I'm sorry to call out whoever told you to delay it, but that is the worst advice I have ever heard! Potty train your child when HE is ready to potty-train, not because it is a convenient time for mommy! If it so happens to be on your trip, it happens to be on your trip. If your son is truly ready to ditch the diapers, it will not be a big deal. if you are that worried about it, I'd choose the earlier time over 2 1/2. If your DS wakes up dry or goes several hours without wetting, he is ready! If you wait because you don't want to deal with it, you could be looking at several more months or years before your son decides he is going to play the potty game.

Personally, I love 2 1/2 year olds. They are my very favorite age group. I used to teach, and starting off in my career, I taught a 2 1/2 year old class at a preschool. It was the most fun I've ever had at work. And I potty trained a LOT of kids at that age, and those whose parents didn't have "time" to do it when the kid was ready, paid for it later in diapers and stress when their kids were 3 1/2-4 years old and refused to potty train.

At 2 1/2, kids (to me) start becoming more of a preschooler than a baby. They have more words, can communicate better, can listen to reason (within limits...no 2 year old is perfect!), and some may start being able to skip naps or become more schedule-adaptable. They can use a spoon or fork on their own, can put their own shoes, pants, and socks on, drink out of anything, and follow simple directions.

Lastly, don't think that because he is a boy that he will not be ready to potty train at 2 1/2. My oldest was completely (night and all) trained at 2 1/2, and younger DS was completely trained by 26-27 months. In both cases, one morning, they woke up dry and I put them on the toilet, and we never looked back. In neither cases did I expect to start potty-training them that day, but I knew enough not to let the opportunity go! And for my oldest, it was two days before we leaving to go out of town. We put a diaper on him for the car ride, but made a few stops on the 5-hour trip for him to go to the bathroom. He stayed dry the whole trip.

Hmmm. Is this a potty training advice thread or a Disney advice thread?

 

[SEA333]

Hmmm. Is this a potty training advice thread or a Disney advice thread?

It's a thread where the OP asked been there, done that parents what she might be able to expect, development-wise, between the ages of 24-30 months, when it comes to deciding when to bring her little one to Disney.

As with my other advice in my response (not related to potty-training), I focused on what she might expect with a 2 1/2 year old - and offered her some of my "been there, done that" advice since she called out the fact that she did not have a whole lot of experience in the 2 1/2 year old arena when it comes to potty training before/during a trip to Disney, which she might very well be doing in a few months.

I believe I responded *TO HER* appropriately.

Have a nice day.

ETA: One of the things I love about this "Family" board is all of the great advice that people can freely give, even if it doesn't directly relate to Disneyworld

 

[ameliahyde]

It's a thread where the OP asked been there, done that parents what she might be able to expect, development-wise, between the ages of 24-30 months, when it comes to deciding when to bring her little one to Disney.

As with my other advice in my response (not related to potty-training), I focused on what she might expect with a 2 1/2 year old - and offered her some of my "been there, done that" advice since she called out the fact that she did not have a whole lot of experience in the 2 1/2 year old arena when it comes to potty training before/during a trip to Disney, which she might very well be doing in a few months.

I believe I responded *TO HER* appropriately.

Have a nice day.

ETA: One of the things I love about this "Family" board is all of the great advice that people can freely give, even if it doesn't directly relate to Disneyworld

Sorry, I thought she was asking more so about the experience of her child at Disney at a certain age, and not about potty training. Don't know what's up with the all caps, but I wish you a nice day too

 

[SEA333]

Sorry, I thought she was asking more so about the experience of her child at Disney at a certain age, and not about potty training. Don't know what's up with the all caps, but I wish you a nice day too

I understand!

All quotes are from the OP. Maybe I was reading into it wrong, but it sounds like she was asking for general 2-2 1/2 year old advice in the context of her planning the trip:

“But one biggie is that we honestly don't know if there will be a big difference in traveling with a 2 yr + 2 month year old versus a 2 yr 6 month old”

“I assume by then the changes come farther apart, and that the only change might be a growth spurt (though at that age, I'm assuming any height gain would maybe push him into Barnstormer territory, but that's it). But as I said... clueless. Should those four months be a factor when deciding on traveling with a 2 year old?”


“I had assumed potty training wouldn't be an issue bc I have a boy. And everything I keep hearing is that boys are notoriously slower than girls on that front. Maybe he'll be advanced on that front . I know a lot of people prefer to wait to travel until their kids are trained, but I'm the weird one that would far rather deal with diaper changes and hauling the paraphernalia than the middle-of-the-long-line, "I have to go... NOW.’”

As you can see, I only responded to her comments about potty training. I did not broach the subject. But as all of us moms know, you cannot help but talk about potty training when you are talking about 2 year olds, DisBoard or not. It's pretty much a given

And you were wondering about my all caps for the *TO HER*? Simple....I used them so I could clearly get my point across that I was answering appropriately to the OP's questions, not to you.

Hope that helps!



(BTW - *did* you have anything to add to this thread, or are you just here being difficult?)