DVC with children under 2

[HFC1969]

Hello
We are planning our first trip "Home" this Fall. We have one child a boy who will be almost 2 at the time of the trip. If everything goes correctly we will have both sets of Grandparents with us to help entertain him. Our plan is too stay at OKW. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

[rbuzzotta]

Seeing WDW through the eyes of your child is an absolutely wonderful experience. I have taken my 3 DD's several times and each one of them has different reactions to different characters/events etc.

We stayed at our "home" for the first time last month and my girls loved it! The older one wished there was a water slide there and my younger ones loved the pool, kiddie pool and big "sandbox"!! The girls loved the arts and crafts at Hanks. MaryAnn, the CM at Hanks was fantastic with them.

I love having the luxury of being able to do laundry, have a refrigerator and stove etc. My girls are very picky eaters and like to snack, snack, snack so having this available to us is an added plus. Now that we are growing the larger accomodations are wonderful!!!!!

WE leave again in 24 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just wish we could have afforded to buy into DVC earlier!!!!!!!

Have Fun!

 

[Pete W.]

Can't help you with OKW as we're BWV owners, but our daughter was 23 months when we visited in April and she had a blast! We did MK-ee which I highly recommend if your son is an early riser as most toddlers are, especially when they're in a new environment.

Plan on eary lunches followed by naps, swimming, etc. before returning to the parks in the early evening.

Don't forget to experience the little things -- they might seem like minor attractions to you but your son might think they're the greatest thing. For example, my daughter's favorite attraction in Epcot was Ice Station Cool because she loved the blast of cold air followed by the sodas (especially the watermelon and apple!) The jumping fountains/water attractions (including Donald's Boat and Ariel's Grotto) are a big hit with kids so don't forget to pack swimwear each day for the parks(including water shoes) and a change of clothes + a towel.

Have fun!

 

[HFC1969]

What is Hanks? Is this a place at OKW?

 

[rbuzzotta]

Hanks is the community house at OKW. It is next to the main pool and adjacent to the exercise room. It is air conditioned and the kids bop in and out all day. They can play games, borrow videos, watch t.v., do lots of arts and crafts, hang with other kids, etc.

My girls loved it!!

 

[HFC1969]

That sounds like a great place. Thank you for the info.

 

[Diznut84]

You will have a great time if you just forget about what are your favorite rides/shows and focus on what your almost 2 year old would plan if he could read these boards (i.e. whatever you do, don't scare him!).

Show him lots of Disney books and movies before travelling, and only go in the rides/shows that are suitable for young children. The more you can get excited about these activities the better. Remember, it's not nearly important that YOU are at Disney World as that YOU are at Disney World WITH HIM. So plan things that you can enjoy together (i.e. character breakfasts, play areas, shows, tame rides, etc.) If you plan this way and are excited about doing all of these things WITH HIM, you will have the time of your life!

Also, since you have made the commitment to DVC, relax and enjoy the fact that you will be returning home frequently (more frequently than you even expect!). Enjoy the really small things, relax, and enjoy yourself. Picture yourself running from park to park and do the exact opposite. Enjoy the pools and time together.

Have a great vacation!

 

[The4OfUs]

You know,speaking of letting the kids plan what they might want to see....I don't know if they even sell this program anymore, but we bought the WDW Explorer program for our pc. Our kids, who were very small when we bought this (not like now, when on this upcoming trip they can now both go on ANY ride they want as they are over the height limit...*sob* My babies!!!), would love clicking around the maps and zooming in on the rides he wanted to go on, seeing little movies and hearing the music. We even brought it on the plane to keep them entertained, playing it on my laptop.

My brother has it now, and is showing his 2 yr old and 4 yr old all the magic they will see in August, even if it is a bit old (Animal Kingdom was not finished yet when they made this program).

 

[HFC1969]

I nver really thought about it, but you have made a great point. Since we are now members we will be returning home more than we can ever know. That makes sitting at the pool and relaxing much more acceptable. I like the thought of that thanks!

 

[ohiominnie]

The4ofUs...
That computer program is GREAT!!! Our kids used to play it a lot too and learned a TON about Disney. And that was even before we ever had a Disney trip planned!!!!

The funny thing is...my dd was reluctant to go on Big Thunder on our first trip...she kept saying it was dangerous. We had NO idea where she got that idea from. After several attempts to find out *why* she would think that she stated "because on the computer program it says 'Big Thunder Mountain has one *dangerous* curve after another!!!'" We had to refrain from busting out laughing!!! Needless to say when we got home we booted up the program and she had quoted it WORD for WORD!!! Poor little thing must have been worried for a long time about that one!! Btw, she loved the ride!

ohiominnie

 

[TnRobin]

I want to imphasis the naps again. This is a must when traveling with the toddler set. (mom and dad like to take naps too )

Also I suggest getting the WDW planning video. I know this sounds strange, but your child will need to get use to seeing how big Mickey really is. Our first trip, Matt would not go near Mickey. he wanted to look at him, but would not go near him. The next trip we did the video thing (Suggestion from the Family Board) and he could not get enough of the characters.

 

[Tiggeriffic]

One of the things that my daughter, who is 4 years old, loved on our trip in April was watching the animals from our porch. We had a 1st floor room with a great view of water and the golf course. We had all kinds of birds come around, plus rabbits as well. Every time we came back to the room and every morning she went out to see what was around. Something simple, but she really loved it. She also really enjoyed playing in the big sand area and playground by the main pool.

When doing the parks, definitely try to enjoy the little things. We have some fantastic pictures of my daughter playing in the water grottos. We even brought her bathing suit one day to Epcot and changed her into it so that she would be able to enjoy it and still have dry clothes to wear afterwards.

Also, many children, including both of mine, get sensitive to the load noises in the rides and/or shows. My daughter was overwhelmed by some of the noise at the shows. We had even bought ear plugs for her to use, but I forgot to pack them. So, we frequently had our hands over her ears for part or all of some of the shows.

Try not to get disappointed if your son doesn't enjoy the things that you expect him to. He'll probably find plenty of things that he really does enjoy.

One other thing that I find people frequently say is "Why do you bother bringing an X year old there. They'll never remember it." My attitude is that even if they don't remember it, that the whole point of a vacation is for the family to enjoy themselves. Also, the kids will remember it for a few years at least. And you'll always have the pictures or videos that you take.

Have a great trip. Bringing young children to WDW can be great. Just try to relax and enjoy!!

 

[TnRobin]

I don't believe the "He won't remeber it" stuff. Matt went the first time when he was 18 mo old. we went back when he was 2. This child who won't remember said upon entering MK -"Dumbo mommy Dumbo" and point in the exact direction of Fantasyland. Yeah he had seen videos with Dumbo, but he remembered how to get there - Through the Castle.

 

[geffric]

The first time we went my oldest was 2 1/2 and the baby was 5 months. We had a great time. Saw a lot of Small World, Dumbo and the Country Bears. I nursed any where it was dark.
We came back home for naps and the kids were so tired that they fell asleep on the bus.
Go early when they are bright and cheery, we viewed characters by a distance and take a stroller so that they can nap.inkbounc

OKW was wonderful and peaceful for the kids. Enough away from it , that they could relax.

 

[HFC1969]

This is so helpful thank you!

I am home sick already and haven't even been there yet! To OKW that is. Please keep the comments and suggestions coming.