First time mom here with question about 2 1/2 yr old.

[ppony]

We'll be bringing my son when he's a little over 2 1/2. I know we're going to take it at a slow pace and not push him but how many days can I resonably book. We were going to go with 4 nights but we're thinking about bumping that up a day or 2. is that too long for a child that age? We realy do plan on taking it easy as I will hopefully be PG by that time.

Thanks for the help!

 

[beattyfamily]

Our first trip to WDW was when our DD was 2 1/2 and we did 8 days (4 land/4 sea) and she was fine. She didn't want to come home and cried the last day.

Our second trip was this past December and our DD's were 14 months and 4 years. We stayed for 7 nights (2 at Universal and 5 at WDW) and they were both fine. The little one just went with the flow and enjoyed herself even though she got a little sick. The older one had a great time except this trip she kept complaining about the boring lines and none of them were more than 30 minutes, most being about 10 to 15 or less. She was more easy going at 2 1/2 than when she was 4!!

Needless to say, we're going again this December and they'll be 2 and 5.

 

[CatOne]

Just returned about three weeks ago and our 2.5 year old dd is asking every day to go back!! We stayed 5 nights and barely felt like we were there!! We are booked with 7 nights in Dec. and cannot wait to get back. I think you will be just fine. Our dd was so upset the day we left I tried hard to talk my dh into staying another day but to no avail. Hey, at least I got the Dec. trip!! Have a great time!!


Happy Day
CatOne

 

[Spinning]

Personally I feel the longer you can stay at WDW the better. We always try to have at least on full down day. We hang out swim have a relaxed lunch and dinner. I think it rejuvinates everyone. We have gone with our kids when they were 3 months, 15 months, 18 etc....I think this last trip we were able to go almost every day from morning to night our kids were 3 and 5. Well we still had one day off. But it was great

 

[HenryMom]

We just got back 5/25 and took our ds, also a bit over 2 1/2. I agree with the others here who have advised staying as long as you can. We were there five full days, six nights, and used four-day hoppers.

We did MK, AK and MGM but skipped Epcot. Although I feel like we got to do a lot, I would have loved to have had more time. We did parks in the morning (early) then rested & swam in the afternoon, then went back for a short time in the evenings. It worked great, mostly because of all the tricks & tips I learned from this board!!

I am hoping to post a trip report soon, but until then please feel free to email me at secretmom2@hotmail.com and I'd be happy to share!

~HenryMom
FQ -- May 2001

 

[MandaMom]

PPONY -- this is not too long. I just got back on 5/28. We were there 8 days and 7 nights. My 20 month old DD loved it. I would think that your older toddler would be just as captivated by all the sights and sounds. In fact we are planning to extend our trip for next year.

Don't stress over it. Take it easy on yourself and your small one. Go at your toddler's pace. My husband and I resolved from the outset of our trip that this trip would be my DD's trip. We tried to plan "age specific" activities or known activities she would enjoy.

To our surprise her favorite park was Epcot. She enjoyed the dancing waters there and we were able to take in the parade as well as illuminations.

We toured every park with her. In fact we met up with my sister in law and her two sons aged 4 and 9. Our DD was the trooper of the bunch. She didn't seem at all fazed by the heat or even the smoke from the fires effecting the area while we were there.

Just go and have a good time, it's Disney World. Plan things but be flexible. We had a wonderful meal at MGM
Studio's Hollywood and Vine. We took advantage of the Fantasmic Dinner buffet. It was wonderful we all enjoyed the food and even though at the end of the meal my DD threw up ( she had caught a cold prior to the trip and was congested ) I persevered, I didn't want to ruin the experience for everyone. These things happen. I ran to the Baby Care Center located to the left as soon as you enter through MGM's main gate. I always come prepared and I washed down my DD, stuck her yucky clothes in the big ziploc's I brought for just such an emergency and I changed my own shirt (also packed in my backpack for an emergency situation)
I could have also used another pair of shorts but I used it as a learning experience. Take advantage of the Baby Care centers. The locations are listed in the maps given away when you enter the park. They are an invaluable tool when you have a baby. They serve as an oasis in the formidable heat that the parks at WDW will be exposed to. It is a welcome retreat, air-con a place to sit and watch Disney movies and feed your child in a high chair.

Anyway sorry this is so long. If you need any help at all feel free ask me or if you'd like email me. Just leave your own email address and I will drop you my email address. Good Luck, enjoy your time with your little one.

 

[ppony]

but I clicked the new thread buton rather than the reply button. See my "I feel so much better" thread.

 

[Cameo]

Definitely stay as long as you can. Last time we went with our 20-m-o DD, we stayed 6 nights. It was just too short. You do go so much slower with the little ones, taking it easy and taking naps, etc. Plus, it takes kids a few days to get acclimated so they don't enjoy as much the first few days. Then once they are used to the place, the room, the bed, etc. it gets easier for them and they have more fun. That was our experience anyway. Stay longer and relax!

 

[sha_lyn]

I agree the longer the better. You can take things slower if you have to and still get a good bit done. We went for 8 days and stopped at a motel on the wya home. the next morning my then 2 1/2 DD asked if we were going back to WDW. She did not want to go home.

 

[melme26]

My DD is now almost 4 (in 1 month) and we went for 5 nights when she was 2.5. She done great and cried when we were leaving and still talks about the trip. We could have stayed longer and she would be fine with that. We were at the parks when they opened, left by 1:00pm and took a several hour break everyday at our hotel. Then hit the parks again by 5:00 or 6:00. The best thing we took was her umbrella stroller. She even slept through illuminations in it. The longer you are there, the easier pace you can take!