First Trip in Jan 2004

[diswisher]

HI,

My husband and I are taking our 2 1/2 year old son and my mother to WDW in January 2004. We are all first timers. I would love any tips you have to offer. We're staying for 7 days at the Pop Century. If you could only go to one character meal which one would it be? Is La Nouba really worth the extra $? This is a dream come true for me, it sounds silly but I've been waiting my whole life for this trip

Thanks

 

[bjakmom]

Hi diswisher and welcome to the Dis! My family will be there in Jan also! I have done the Pooh character breakfast at Crystal Palace in MK - lots of fun (this trip we're going there for dinner). This trip we are also trying Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary - might be a good one for you to try with a 2 year old - very casual atmosphere for kids. You are going to have a blast!! I started taking my 'baby' (now 26) when she was 2 - this trip will be the first with my new granddaughter (4 mos) and all my big kids, too!- remember to take it easy and not try to see everything - good reason for a return trip some day - and far more enjoyable!

 

[diswisher]

HI-me again,

I PS'd the following: Garden Grill, Crystal Palace, O'Hana and the Story time Princess Breakfast at Akershus. (I didn't want to over plan

We are going at the time the Marathon is on, has anyone here been there at that time? What will crowds be like?

We are so excited!

 

[roserae]

Hi! We will be there this January too, but I believe after you. We are going Jan 17- 26 with our 27 month old. Can't wait! Not our first trip, but it will be hers. We are going to take it slow and just do what she wants to do.

La Nouba is so worth the money, but not with a 2 1/2 year old...at least in my opinion. I wouldn't take my dd. If I'm going to spend that kind of cash, I want to be sure I'm going to see it and not be dealing with a child who may or may not enjoy it.

We will also be going to the Crystal Palace. DD loves Pooh...actually, she loves all the Disney characters, so we can't go wrong! We have truly indoctrinated her to all things Disney.

I think your PS's look good. Your right, you don't want to over plan. I would roughly plan at which park you are going to be on which days and plan for a nap each day. Beyond that, I would just follow your son's lead and enjoy!

We are huge planners at my house and actually have a laminated schedule with PS's, parks, rides, naps and everything scheduled in, but believe it or not, it is only a guide and it isn't strict. It is just to make sure we do the things we want to do most first and fit other things in as we can. There is just so much to do and see at WDW, that you need to have some kind of plan even if it is just a rough idea. You don't want to go to a park and waste 20 minutes trying to decide what to do first. Too expensive to waste time like that....again, of course, my opinion.

I think 2 1/2 is a great age to take a child. I can't wait to see my dd reactions to everything! Have fun!

Stacy

 

[myboysmom]

We really liked Liberty Tree Tavern in MK. Last Christmas Eve we had a 4:30 seating (at first I thought too early, but proved to be just right with two 3 year olds). Served family style, think Thanksgiving dinner. Characters came around often and the kids liked the mac and cheese.

 

[bjakmom]

We'll be there marathon weekend also and from what I've read the marathon on Sunday morning really only affects bus/car transportation- the runners must be up in the wee hours of the morning, so I don't think many of them hit the parks afterwards. We're staying at Boardwalk, so will either take the boat to MGM that morning, or walk to Epcot - that way we won't be held up in any traffic delays. Reports are that the weekends are a bit more crowded, but the week before and after are supposedly pretty quiet in the parks. Won't it be great if we get a freak 'heat wave' (75 would be nice!) that week?!(but not on marathon day, I won't wish that on the runners!)