Have you ever taken a 2 1/2 year old to WDW?

[jcemom]

If you have... What were their favorite things to see/do? What did they enjoy the most outside the parks?

It appears that DD and I will be going solo next Spring, most likely during the Flower & Garden Festival. I'm having a tough time deciding how many days we'll need because I don't know what children that age would enjoy.

I have some ideas of course: Crystal Palace because she LOVES Pooh, maybe a Princess breakfast if I can get it because she LOVES Cinderella...I assume Fantasyland is a must...but what else?

Also, what is considered "down time" with a child that age? I know I've read how important it is to take time from the parks, and DD will probably still be napping. But if you take a day "off" in the middle...what do you do all day? How about in the evenings if we're not seeing fireworks or something?

TIA

 

[tink2]

I've taken two 2 1/2 year olds and both were and still are very different children. DD was very laid back and DS well, was not. They both did great- though DS tested us a little more. Both loved Crystal Palace, CRT, and Garden Grill- this is more of a 'relaxed' character meal. Both loved Fantasyland- except Snow White's scary Adventures- DD screamed her head off throughout the ride and DS cried a little. Both loved Magic Carpets at MK.
Highlights for both were:
MK: parades, Fantasyland, magic carpets, buzz for DS, train
MGM: Playhouse Disney is a must!!!, VOyage of little mermaid, muppets 3D- though DD took glasses off, parade, fantasmic- though is scared DD a little at this age but not DS
Epcot- the countries are neat, character bus
AK- safari, festival of lion king, pochontas show

These are the highlights I can think of. Both LOVED character meals- these were wonderful with DD who was terrified of characters the first day. By the end of the second character meal, she was sitting in their laps!!! Both loved fireworks- though we are taking cotton for DS's ears this year. We never left the parks. We were there at opening and left after the night shows. They took naps in the stroller- DD was no problem and DS took a little more work to get him sleep- but he did. If they fell asleep at night, we just let them sleep and carried them to the bus. That being said- we had help! My parents were with us, along with my brother and his wife and kids and my single brother. So, not leaving the parks was easier for us. If one child was asleep, someone would not ride a ride and sit with them or stroll them around the park.

Definitely try to get CRT- wonderful, wonderful, wonderful if you have little girls! NOthing beats the castle with the princesses. If you don't get it, try for PSB- we're going to try to do both this year b/c DD 5 loves the princesses so much. There is a Cinderella dinner at Grand Floridian. She can also be found at Toon Town Square sometimes. Also, when we were there in NOv. at MGM- the princesses came out once a day around 1:00 for about 20 minutes. This was not widely known, but if you weren't there when they first came out- you wouldn't get to see them b/c people flocked to them. We saw a bunch out our first day at MGM and asked- so we were ready the next day we were there and saw Jasmine(DD's favorite) with Aladdin and managed to see Pochontas too. Cinderella was there but we had already eaten at CRT and Jasmine is my DD's fav. right now.
Good luck and have a magical time!!! The best advice I can give is to realize that everything may not go according to plan. I love control and I had to accept this the first trip with DD who was 6 months at the time- again, I had help! Anyway, when things get difficult- and they probably will once or twice- take a deep breath, watch your child's eyes light up, and enjoy the magic of WDW through your child's young eyes- priceless!

 

[castlegazer]

My son went when he was one and when he was just over two. Our highlights of the last trip were Dumbo and Crystal Palace. He loves Pooh too and this was HUGE for him - its what he talks about to this day and what he tells people about - I ate lunch with Pooh!

Dumbo was such a huge hit as was Small World - NOT Haunted Mansion (I get the bad Mommy award for that one because it broke down in the popping up head room). He also loved the train a lot. We only did MK on this trip. We took him to 'Ohanas also which he wasn't wild about. He loved Spectromagic a lot! Its an easy age - they really like everything and can ride most of the rides. We didn't need to break as often either.

The prior trip we did CRT and he slept through it. We also did all the parks but it was much different then than what you are asking about - your day pretty much revolves around naps and time out of the stroller at age one.

 

[castlegazer]

Oh, but I guess I should point out timing with the wee one. In our day at MK we didn't make early entry but tried - it just isn't easy telling a 2 year old to wolf down his Mickey waffles because we need to make the parks by a specific time. We did Fantasyland - Dumbo, Philharmagic, Small World, and Pooh. We walked over to Crystal Palace for lunch - a long lunch. Then we went back to Fantasyland to see Belle and her story time and over to ToonTown for a bit and onto the train - then we had to get to 'OHanas for dinner.

On Paper it doesn't seem like we got much done - but you do move a little slower and stop and smell roses a lot and look around and see out of the way areas a lot - and seek out the best places for diaper changes while across the park from the nearest baby center. Plus my son also still naps so you need to accomodate a little time in the middle of the day to either seek out a shade tree (my favorite nap area is down in the rose garden in MK under the pavillion by the water) or head back to the hotel.

I also should mention that a very big highlight of our trip when he was one was the 3pm parade - he loved it! We had to miss it for lunch with Pooh this time around. Instead we saw Spectro which didn't quite match up for him in his excitement level, but it was neat all the same.

Basically you get about a half park done a day with a 2 yo - even AK because its hot there.

 

[admepo]

I think everyone else pretty much covered rides and things.

I do want to mention to bring bathing suit/swimming diapers and let your child experience the water misters, sprinklers, etc in the parks as a good way to cool them down.

Also, as far as breaks or days off of the parks - we like to spend one day at least between the hotel at the pool and around the grounds and at Downtown Disney looking at the shops and playing.

We recently returned from a trip to WDW in July with my three sons ages 6, 3, and 11 months. We always stay on site because we find it easier to take frequent breaks during the day with the kids for a nap or swimming, etc.

Whatever you do - just enjoy it and your children will too!

Melanie

 

[jcemom]

Thank you all for the great tips! We will definitely be staying on site, but I'm not sure if it will be at a Value or a Mod, depends upon any discounts and how my final budget looks.

DD is potty training now...she's doing excellent at home but I haven't "tested" her in public places yet. She's fine when at relatives' homes or out for quick trips (under an hour). But with 8 months until trip time, I'm sure we should be in great shape by then. Of course, along those lines, I've read several threads concerning the auto-flush Disney toilets, LOL. I'll be sure to take something for that, I think I've seen band-aids and post-it notes mentioned for covering the sensors. I certainly wouldn't want to scare her right back into diapers, lol.

I should have mentioned that she's been once already at age one, but has changed SO much in the past 3/4 year that I can't imagine the difference in the next 3/4 year. It helps to hear what has worked for others!

Funny story about the HM castlegazer! I actually had that on my "list" because I love it so much...then I remembered those popping up people. They startled me because I hadn't been in so many years so after giving it a moment's thought I figured we should skip that one, LOL. Snow White I was unsure of because DD really likes her ("White" and "Rella" are the only princesses she knows right now) but if I remember correctly there's a lot more of the Witch than there is of Snow White, so we should probably skip it too.

As far as personality, she's fairly agreeable (probably as good as they come for a "going-on-two-year-old"), VERY active (a monkey at heart, I think), and she's not afraid of anything that we've come across yet. Right now she does nap for a solid 3-4 hours every afternoon, but I'm sure that will decrease by then.

We will definitely make it a point to hit the sprinklers! If I wasn't so sure DD was a monkey, I'd think she was a fish, LOL. Climbing is her favorite thing, water a close second.

Any other suggestions for an "off" day? Has anyone been to Fort Wilderness where they have the petting farm? What about a water park--is she too young for the kid's area?

 

[sha_lyn]

DD was 2 1/2 on our first trip. She love the Pooh lunch at Crystal Palace, HISTK playground, dumbo (DH says everything in Fantasyland)
funny story... she loved the 3D, but most toddlers do not.... Anyway..... During the snake scene in HISTA DS (who was 10) jumped like crazy, DD however just said "cool snake"

 

[sarahsmom73]

We took our DD 2 1/2 at the time for Easter... She is an early riser which worked out great! We headed to the parks for opening, stayed until 11:30 - 12, went back to our resort to swim and have a PB and J lunch box from Tubbi's, napped and then headed usually to EPCOT in the evenings! It worked like a charm! She was never cranky!

We took our 1st day as a rest day was we got into MCO at 11:30 the night before.. We just hung out, swam, did the playground, the Boardwalk and DTD..

CRT is AWESOME! If you decide to do this don't forget your camera and get an autograph book! DD loves showing everyone her autographs from "Cation"!

 

[R4racing]

My DD was 2 1/2 on her last trip. Her favorite rides were Small World, Dumbo, the flying carpets, Goofy's Barnstormer (she was so proud she met the height) and also the flying dinosaurs at AK. She did not like the 3D movies, but then again, didn't really watch tv at that age, so I think it was more the sitting still vs the show itself. She also wasn't really into the Playhouse Disney show, but most of the other kids in the crowd seemed to love it.

She is now 5 and still mentions how Snow White was kind of 'freaky' and so far she still says she will skip it on the next trip.

The only 'meltdown' I recall was on the race cars, we didn't get a green one (they only had 2 green ones running on the whole track) and that was her fav color at the time. She was upset during the whole drive because she wanted a green one.

My DD napped either on the rides (safari and dark rides) or in her stroller at the parks. At night she we did Downtown Disney area and the hotel pool. One night we walked from Epcot to Boardwalk.

 

[jcemom]

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to give me so many detailed hints and tips! Thank you SO much! I am taking notes!

I don't think DD has much chance of making the height requirement for the Barnstormer, she's teeny tiny for her age. I have a Cinderella dress I bought on our last trip that I've got put away because it's too big. Maybe I'll save it and give it to her as a surprise on the trip for CRT if we get it, or maybe 1900PF if we don't get CRT. I love surprises! I'll probably try to allow two mornings for MK so we can do Fantasyland twice as that seems to be everyone's favorite.

I might have to just play it by ear as far as the napping goes. She napped in her stroller sometimes last trip but she was only one then. Come to think of it, I may be the one needing the nap, LOL.

I'm still wondering about Fort Wilderness...anyone been there?

 

[Auntmeme]

Our ds was 2 1/2 when we went last October. He loved all but

1. Muppets - hated it
2. Bugs life - had to take him out

REally loved dumbo ride had to do it more than once & Buzz Lightyear

We did an early dinner at 1900 & ds loved Cinderella. She came over 2x hugs & kisses all around - it was the best! Crystal Palace with Pooh was a highlight but seems a little rushed.

For down time we head back & do a nap and/or swim at the pool. Ds did like downtown disney playing with the legos.

 

[jcemom]

Does this sound like a "do-able" rough outline? (I do know that we may not follow the "plan" and to be flexible--don't worry! Also, I'm considering moving the trip up to February for cooler weather and less crowds...unsure right now...this is the "plan" I would consider for February.)

We would be flying in, arriving to WDW around 2-3:00, it's a 2-hour flight non-stop from Pittsburgh, taking a towncar to our resort.

Saturday-arrival day/ dinner at 'Ohana and watch Wishes from the Poly
Sunday-Animal Kingdom, leaving whenever we're ready for a break, evening open (*see below)
Monday -Epcot, lunch at Garden Grill, leaving whenever we're ready for a break, evening open
Tuesday -Magic Kingdom, lunch at Crystal Palace, leaving after lunch for a break, evening open
Wednesday -MGM Studios, possibly staying all day for Fantasmic (it's as early as 7:00 in February), maybe arriving a little later than park opening as we wouldn't be doing RnRC or TOT
Thursday -"no parks day" maybe Fort Wilderness and Hoop De Doo Review
Friday -Magic Kingdom with Cindy's breakfast if I can get it, possibly staying for the parade, maybe Wishes if we're up for it since it's our last night
Saturday -head for home

I'd probably use one of the available evenings or Thursday morning for Downtown Disney, another evening for Spectro if it's offered (usually on Tuesday), I'm not sure if we'd try to see Illuminations or not, I'd have to see how things were going/how tired we were. If I couldn't get Cindy's breakfast then I'd try to fit in 1900 PF for dinner either the first night or before Spectro or Wishes or on an evening where we weren't planning any parks. Does that sound reasonable with a child that age or is it "too much?"

Edited to add: I might need to "flip" some of the days around when the schedules are released depending upon if/when Spectro might be...but is it the "right" amount of days for each park do you think?

 

[Barbday62]

We just got back with our 2 year 11 month old grandaughter.

We had am umbrella stroller for her but one day at epcot she needed to use her baby brothers full size to sleep in. We had a stroller fan and it humed her to sleep. It was raining so hard so we threw a poncho over her and the stroller and she slept cool and comfy.

Her favorite thing to do was imprompteau water fountains. We found a lot of them in Epcot and Sea Wr4old on the say we went there. She loved to run in them. Carry a bathing suit just in case. Her pull up got pretty weighted down one day when we forgot to bring it. We tried to keep it in the back pack most days along with water shoes and a towel.

In Epcot she loved making a mask in Mexico, she loved the boat ride, the loved playing drums in one of the little villiages. We decided to slow down the pace and see things through her eyes.

In MK her most favorite spot was the little playyard next to the train station in Toon town./ She also loved playing with the stove making the cake raise and lower in Minnies Kitchen. Its so much better to go at their pace and you will be bored unless you change your thinking to see it through their eyes.

She loved Dumbo, the carrosel and the roller coaster in toon town best for rides.

One night I took her to the poly beach (Just grandma and granddaughter) to watch the fireworks. We sat on a beach chair her in my lap and we went ohhh ahhhh and loved that memory so much.

Animal kingdom she loved the saffarri ride best. Her favorite was the girraffs. She also got into getting autographs with characters almost everywhere. We avoided long lines and steerd her to shorter lines.

In MGM she loved meeting JOJO, and bear in a big blue house show but the highlight for her was the Honey I shrunk the audience play set. Just be ready to do slides yourself so you dont lose your little one.

Down time for us was most days about 3ish. We went out about 9am and returned about 3ish for a short swim then lay down time. SOmetimes we got a nap most times not. We went back out for dinner and afterwards sometimes but not always. She still takes one nap a day at home.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by Barbday62
One night I took her to the poly beach (Just grandma and granddaughter) to watch the fireworks. We sat on a beach chair her in my lap and we went ohhh ahhhh and loved that memory so much.

Oh, I so hope it goes that well for DD and I...that's exactly the kind of "moment" I was hoping for!

 

[Barbday62]

I forgot to tell you we got there about 30 minutes early and I let her dig int he sand. She loves sand and the sand is so white and different from anything we get here in Washington. We cleaned up in the pool right before the fireworks started.

 

[roserae]

Originally posted by jcemom
Does this sound like a "do-able" rough outline?

I think your schedule looks great, except I would flip-flop Wednesday and Thursday...but that is just me, making the down-day more in the middle. We did Fort Wilderness on our down day last January and was a bit disappointed. I thought they had a big play area...they don't. And my dd wanted nothing to do with the ponies. So if you don't think dd will ride ponies, I don't know that I'd bother. It could be that I missed something, but I didn't think it was all that great. The walk from WL to FW was nice, however.

A lot of people I know thought we were nuts bringing a 2 1/2 y.o. to WDW. Saying "She won't remember it". Well, first of all...not true, she still talks about it and we also watch the video we made a lot, but even if she didn't...I would remember it! It is a GREAT age to take a child! 2 y.o. are basically happy doing anything. My dd had a great time even when we were resting on a park bench. She just ran around in circles having a ball. Also, 2 y.o. don't ask for everything they see and don't complain about not getting to do this or having to do that. They just go where you tell them too. That is how my dd was, and since you said your dd was agreeable too, I'm sure you'll have the same experience.

Have a great time. The weather in February is really nice, but MAY be a bit too chilly to play in the water at the parks. We are going next month and look forward to being able to let dd do that this time.

Oh, I wanted to add about the Haunted Mansion. My dd did fine on this ride. She didn't act apprehensive at all going on the ride and did fiine all through the ride. As we were leaving, I here her say mostly to herself, "I did it!" My dh and I just cracked up. Like it was a personal challenge to her. She was just learning to talk at the time too...made it even more funny.

I HIGHLY recommend buying Disney's Sing-a-long Disneyland Fun. It goes a long way in preparing your child for what to expect...as far as how big the characters really are AND there is a song all about the Haunted Mansion. So we always talk about it when it comes on and kind of make a joke saying, "Ooooo, it's so scary!" While we smile and laugh. I think this may have helped her be comfortable with it too. Anyway, just a thought.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you! I'm sure DD will want to play in the Poly sand, LOL. I also have no problem with moving the "down" day! Maybe we won't do FW and I was undecided about the HDDR anyway, it's so long. We'll see. I'll be sure to try to find that Disneyland video also. I know DD wants to watch the planning DVD all the time, LOL. We prefer the Where Magic Lives one to the Magical Gatherings one but she mostly just likes to watch the MK segment over and over again...and over, and over...LOL.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

My DS just loved WDW at 2!!!

His faves:

the WL pool

the kiddie area at BB

the boneyard at AK

all character meals

all parades

all of Fantasyland

Buzz

the Tomorrowland TA

the train

the monorail, buses, and ferry boats were some of his favorite attractions!!!

the parades

We did bring snacks, drinks, a stroller and a change of clothes everywhere we went. We napped and swam every afternoon, and got to the parks for EE (he is a morning person) where lines were nonexistent.

Another fave--feeding the ducks at the WL dock.