Had a great time with little ones!

[mom~of~2]

We never would have gone to WDW this early (thought our girls would be too young).... but, DH had a conference in Orlando so we decided to just check it out for a couple of days. Wouldn't you know it - we had a fantastic time with our little DDs (3 1/2 and 20 months)!! We loved every minute of it (well, except going through security at Orlando airport ).

Our first day, we strolled over to MK just for a peak (a very easy walk from the Contemporary) and we ended up running right into the start of the parade! I will never forget DD's face when she saw all of the characters rolling by... this was just the first of many special memories that we made on this trip (and we only stayed 3 nights!). We ended our trip with a dinner at Chef Mickey's - just incredible! My normally shy little 3-year old was bursting with energy as each character came by to personally greet her. I was shocked as she interacted with and hugged all of the characters. WDW truly is magical!

So... I can't stop thinking about our great trip and now I want more (just got back yesterday)! I'm probably crazy but I'm thinking of looking into a trip this fall. I recall reading something about a special magical hour for little ones but nothing came up in my search and I can't find any other info... Anyone know if this is happening again this year?

Thanks!

 

[JKMJ441724]

That's the thing about Disney - it's addictive.

Plan away!!! We want to hear all about it

 

[everylastbreath]

Anyone who does not understand has never gone to Disney w/a little one! They make the memories magical, because in their eyes it's all MAGIC! Those little faces make the trip, so glad you experienced something so special!

 

[southtexasmom]

Glad you had such a great trip!

My best memories of all our Disney trips are not the rides or the characters but is seeing my kids faces light up when we walk into MK every year. Its priceless.

 

[Mom of Poppins]

Our first trip was when our oldest DD was 17 months and we were officially bitten by the Disney bug. So many people told us not to do it. They said we should wait until she was 7 or 8. Well, much like the "magic" of Santa, they need to be young enough to believe in the "magic" of Disney. I completely cherish those early memories. We are preparing for trip #4 with the kids this May -- we now have DD 5, DD 3 and DD 1.

 

[kressfamily]

We have been several times starting when my first DD was 2 1/2. We are leaving in three weeks with our now 4 year old and her 18 month old sister. my husband will also be at a conf. so I will be alone in the parks for a few days with them both. Crazy but I have been to Disney enough now that I know what to expect and it is really starting to feel like home.
We were there in Sept. and the early hours you are talking about are the Magical Beginings hours that they did geared for preschoolers. They are just like regular EMH at MK but instead of the big rides opening it is just fantasyland rides. The characters are out and playing games with the kids, and adults too! We have some great pictures. I dont know when they plan to do that again. We were there last year for free dining and happend to catch the morning hours for preschoolers too. (but you dont have to have preschoolers to get in for that EMH, plenty of big kids there too. The only requirement was to be a resort guest.)

 

[solstice621]

I loved reading your post! I am so glad you go to experience that. The magic is amazing isn't it??? I still get teary-eyed thinking about our last trip to WDW, when DD was 22 months. Even at that age, she looked around for characters everywhere, and she said a few first words that trip - one of then being "castle"! I will never forget those moments.

Have fun planning your next trip!

 

[mom~of~2]

We have been several times starting when my first DD was 2 1/2. We are leaving in three weeks with our now 4 year old and her 18 month old sister. my husband will also be at a conf. so I will be alone in the parks for a few days with them both. Crazy but I have been to Disney enough now that I know what to expect and it is really starting to feel like home.
We were there in Sept. and the early hours you are talking about are the Magical Beginings hours that they did geared for preschoolers. They are just like regular EMH at MK but instead of the big rides opening it is just fantasyland rides. The characters are out and playing games with the kids, and adults too! We have some great pictures. I dont know when they plan to do that again. We were there last year for free dining and happend to catch the morning hours for preschoolers too. (but you dont have to have preschoolers to get in for that EMH, plenty of big kids there too. The only requirement was to be a resort guest.)

Thanks so much for the info! I hope they do this again this year.... playing games with the characters would be a dream come true for DDs (and me - I can't even imagine how cute those pictures would be!)

Have a great time on your upcoming trip - and good luck handling the parks on your own!

 

[MiniGirl]

Our first day, we strolled over to MK just for a peak (a very easy walk from the Contemporary) and we ended up running right into the start of the parade! I will never forget DD's face when she saw all of the characters rolling by... this was just the first of many special memories that we made on this trip (and we only stayed 3 nights!). We ended our trip with a dinner at Chef Mickey's - just incredible! My normally shy little 3-year old was bursting with energy as each character came by to personally greet her. I was shocked as she interacted with and hugged all of the characters. WDW truly is magical!

And so the obsession begins!! I enjoyed WDW as a child, but it wasn't until I watched my children's faces during Wishes that I became a Disney Freak. Welcome to the group and the DIS. You're in for a great ride.

 

[bellebud]

but I'm thinking of looking into a trip this fall.

A-ha, you've been bit!! Welcome!!

This is just what happened to us... our first trip w/ kids was when dd was 3 1/2yo and ds was 21 months old... that trip was SO magical! we went in May, and as soon as we got home, I planned another trip for the fall. From then on we've been going every 6 months to a year (doing trips to other places to, but I *have* to go at least once a year to disney... yes, I'm spoiled!)

Enjoy all your future trips...

 

[bedillamouse]

OH this sounds so wonderful...we are going for the first time at the end of May with our 3 and 1 year old. My DH did not want to go with the kids so young. But my whole family is going so he said OK because of my whole family going and it might be the last time we can all go together. So I'm hoping we will have a similar experience and my DH will be bitten...I've been a Disney freak for a longggg time. Plus I want those magical looks on my kids faces!!!

 

[mom~of~2]

Yes, the obsession has begun! WDW took us by surprise - we really didn't think we'd enjoy it this much. I just wish we had planned a longer trip.

OH this sounds so wonderful...we are going for the first time at the end of May with our 3 and 1 year old. My DH did not want to go with the kids so young. But my whole family is going so he said OK because of my whole family going and it might be the last time we can all go together. So I'm hoping we will have a similar experience and my DH will be bitten...I've been a Disney freak for a longggg time. Plus I want those magical looks on my kids faces!!!

Well, my DH actually admitted to me that he got teary eyed when we first walked into MK and he saw how excited DD-3 got (DH is NOT a very emotional person!). Of course, we walked in right as Mickey's float was rolling by in the parade... what a special memory!

DD-1 was really just along for the ride... (honestly, I think her favorite part of the trip was running down the hallway to our hotel room!) However, she was truly in awe of her surroundings and the expressions on her face when she saw the castle and the characters were so sweet! She also laughed harder than I've ever seen when she figured out that water was coming out of Donald's Boat! So cute.

Have a great trip!

 

[ddawnmommy]

that is so funny! I wanted to take my first child (ds) while he was young enough for everything to be "magic" so we went just before he turned 5 and my dd was 18 months. It was great for both. We went 3 years in a row and now we have not been in 3 years. They are now 9 and 6 and we are going in July. I cannot wait to see them experience Disney at these ages. I think it is so awesome at any age and still magic. Here's to many more magic trips for us all!

 

[mygirl]

congrats on your magical trip!

taking your kids to disney is truly special. dh (before he was dh) and i went to wdw with friends a while back. dh was totally "anti-mickey" the whole time - not his idea of a fun trip. i convinced him to go back last sept with our 3yr old and 13 month old. not sure who had more fun - rugrats or dh ! i found myself getting all misty eyed over the silliest things. so, needless to say, we were also bitten by the disney bug.

can't wait to get back this fall for more magical memories...

 

[kmk160]

Can't echo all of these thoughts enough!!
We have taken ds, who will be 5 next month, 5 times. His first trip was at 18 months and dd's was at 4 months.
Each and every time I walk into the Magic Kingdom with them, I fill with emotion and cry those happy tears.
No child is too young to enjoy the magic of Disney.
Glad you had such a magical time.

 

[LoveKermit]

I almost get teary reading all your stories.

We took our 7 month old....in August. I know people thought we were crazy but it was my husband's celebration and that's what he chose (and I refused to fly all the way to Hawaii with DD).

We think we have to go again in Oct. She'll be 22 months. It's great to hear that she'll get something more out of it. She cried at all the characters last time.

My SIL is one of those "wait till older" people. They took their DD when she was 4 (and again when she was 5). Now, they have a son and they're not going until he's about 4. That will make their DD 10! How patient. But how torturous.