First time at WDW: Is 3 days too long with a 2 yr. old???

[amico418]

Hello everyone...

My family (me, husband & 2 year old daughter) live only 2 hours from Disney. We're trying to plan our first trip and my husband thinks 3 days is way too long to go. We planned on going to MK and AK.

He thinks two days is PLENTY!! But, I don't think it's long enough. Our daughter is a very easy baby! She takes a two hour nap every day.

Can anyone help us out before I decide to leave him home?????

Thanks!

 

[arielmomma]

We have been taking our children on week long trips to Disney since they were about 4 months old. They are now 5 & 2. We went in January just before my daughter's 2nd birthday. We were there for 8 days. She did wonderfully and had a great time! The key is to try to keep you children on a schedule that is as close to their schedule at home as possible. We made sure to put them to bed on time, eat meals close to the same time, and my 2 year old took naps in the stroller every day about 1 pm. So long as you do this, your child will be fine! As a matter of fact, I am confident that both of my children had a wonderful trip. I hope that you have a great first trip! I'm sure it will be magical!

 

[RMulieri]

It isn't long enough in my opinion But 3 days is good. It gives you one full day in each the MK and Ak, and one extra day to do what you missed. Plus depending on when you are going depends on how much you will be able to get done per day.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Heck no! DD was 14mo last time and we went for 8 days, and we'll probably do the same next trip.

 

[michael's mom]

I would agree that 3 days isn't long enough (but of course, you are only planning on 2 parks so you could do them in 2 days). We also took DS when he was 14months for 8 days and he did very well.

 

[saraheeyore]

we did 10 days with a 2 year old you will probably need 2 days on MK for all the times they make you go on its a small world and the carousel or whatever ride your child decides they like the best 2 year olds like going on things more than once. I lost count of how many times we went on the carousel and we kept staying on twice each time we went on

 

[BellyBaby]

With our 2 yr old girl, we did 2 days in MK, 2 in Epcot, 1 in AK, and 1.5 in MGM (Hollywood now) plus 1 day in SeaWorld.

It was the most amazing trip ever. She could barely talk, but the princess bkfst in Epcot and Pooh in Crystal Palace were her highlights. Normally, my child is a scaredy cat and runs when the phone rings. So her reaction to the craziness that is Disney was a pleasant surprise. We took her back for her naps.

DO IT! DO IT ALL! You'll be glad, b/c at this age, she really, really will believe that Snow White is THE Snow White, and Pooh is not really a dude in a costume, but the real deal. That phase doesn't last long.

 

[ancestry]

I agree in that I don't think that 3 days is anywhere near long enough.

What I think is more important is how you spend your days. Obviously with a younger child you need to take frequent breaks and/or naps. You need to be realistic in what you do and how much territory you cover in a day. With a young child you probably don't want to do Disney "commando" style like those of us with older children sometimes do.

 

[hopefor4]

I just did 12 days with my four kids, ages 2,6,11 and 13 and it was fantastic!! 3 is a minimum I would do because you want to see a lot without being rushed.

 

[GoinToDisney]

It is a little short to me, but living so close, you could always go back another time. We went for about 8 days when our daughter was 17 months old, and she loved it! Then we went for 8 more when she was almost 2 1/2. We found we like to have 3 days in MK, 1.5 in AK, .5 in HS, and .5 in EP. However, if we lived that close, I could see going for a 3-day trip... although how much of the day is lost in travel/checking in to the hotel, etc?

 

[cogero]

My DDs first trip she was 25 months we spent 5 days since it was a quick trip and it included flying.

We just spent 7 days in July with an 8 month old and we are spending 7 days again in April with a 7 year old and a 17 month old. So I think you are fine

 

[cheerful chickadee]

we're taking our 19 month old for 11 days so 3 days is not long enough IMO! lol Staying longer would allow for a more relaxed touring plan but if you will definitely be going back and don't feel the need to squeeze in as much as possible then 3 days is a fine intro to WDW! Have fun!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Our DS was 2 the first time we took him and we were there for 5 days. IMO it was NOT long enough. I felt really rushed to do everything and just an FYI, depending on when you go it could be busy and the lines for the popular rides that really little kids enjoy the lines are long. Especially at MK. We go for a minimum of 7 days. Next trip will be 8. However with you only living 2 hrs away (I'm so JEALOUS!!!) you might be able to start going more often. We easily spend 3 1/2 days at MK, 2 at Epcot & 1/2 day at DHS. We don't even touch AK because DS doesn't like it very much and neither do we. He's too big for a stroller now and doesn't like all the walking and the fact that there are only a few shows and a few rides he can do it's not a whole lot of fun for him. He's still too short for Expedition Everest.

Personally, I think your daughter would really like a lot of the stuff at DHS. They've got the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, characters for little kids (Little Einsteins, JoJo's Circus, Handy Manny). When we took our 2 yr old there he really enjoyed it more than he enjoyed AK.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!!!