Help for someone with little kids.

[AdamsMum]

Trying to help my niece plan her first trip since she went with me and family in 1992. She now has little ones of her own, 3 yrs and a baby who'll be 18 months at the time of travel, so he'll definitely be able to sit up on a ride vehicle next to a parent.
I'm a disney annual visitor, but it's been quite a while since I travelled with little kids. I've already covered, not trying to do it all, resting mid day at least in an air conditioned area, and taking a pool/no park day at least once.
Question: How much will the 18 month old be able to do besides shows?

I'm recommending 2 MK days, 1 AK. They want to do Epcot for Frozen, but with EP in the current state of construction I think they need park hopping for that. Is there really enough in Epcot (not dissing Epcot, it's my favourite park) to make all that walking worthwhile? They are thinking of skipping DHS which I think is a good decision.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Our young kids love Epcot. Figment, Nemo, an aquarium, Elsa, and even the Mexico ride. Our 7 year old is still angry we skipped Epcot last trip(well the kids skipped it. Wife and I went back for evening F&Y while they were with Nana)! But yes I think it can easily be done as a hopper. If they don't want to update their entire holiday to park hoppers you can upgrade that single day when they arrive.

Skipping HS is probably a good idea until at least one of the is 38" tall.

 

[JZCubed]

Trying to help my niece plan her first trip since she went with me and family in 1992. She now has little ones of her own, 3 yrs and a baby who'll be 18 months at the time of travel, so he'll definitely be able to sit up on a ride vehicle next to a parent.
I'm a disney annual visitor, but it's been quite a while since I travelled with little kids. I've already covered, not trying to do it all, resting mid day at least in an air conditioned area, and taking a pool/no park day at least once.
Question: How much will the 18 month old be able to do besides shows?

I'm recommending 2 MK days, 1 AK. They want to do Epcot for Frozen, but with EP in the current state of construction I think they need park hopping for that. Is there really enough in Epcot (not dissing Epcot, it's my favourite park) to make all that walking worthwhile? They are thinking of skipping DHS which I think is a good decision.

The young children will not know the difference with Park sequencing.

I would base my Park choices based on what the adults want.

FWIW, waiting on the line to get into the bathroom is as good as a ride for most young children.

Do not overthink how to occupy the time for the children.

Think about how you can occupy your time when Park stimuli forces you to leave the Park.

Also, FWIW, before we traveled with our young child, I had read the 4-hour rule-of-thumb in the guide books. Kids have a 4-hour window of opportunity before they either neither a change of scenery and/or a nap. We would spend 4-hours in a Park, then lunch, have pool time - regroup. We might have also just gone into a Park after dark to enjoy the fireworks (with a child sleeping inside a stroller)......because......

Because we were always amazed at how many (very) young children could be found frolicking in the Parks at late evening hours (or even past midnight). Late-afternoon naps sometimes meant going back into the Park 'late' with a child - because they don't really know the difference when sleeping inside a stroller.

And if the 3 y.o. argues about being in a stroller, that argument stops after their first power nap and awaking to enjoy rides in the dark.

Finally, Shows are limited at the moment. Some little children dislike the Shows because the light get turned down.

Best advice for Parents - bring a sense of humor and be prepared to disregard every plan you made.

 

[sponica]

My 20 month old loved Epcot. I'm of the view that when you go with little kids, you should go where you want to go and not where you *think* the kids want to go.

Case in point, my daughter LOVED elephants and I thought she'd LOVE Dumbo. She tried to climb out...mid-air. She enjoyed everything that wasn't a ride and once we realized that rides were more than likely a no-go, I didn't pursue them. We did Frozen Ever After, which she did enjoy until she got wet, and the Nemo ride, which she tolerated.

I'm not in the "no park day" camp...maybe a lighter day, where you do the pool in the AM and then go to Epcot, seeing as it opens later.

 

[lanejudy]

If they don't want to update their entire holiday to park hoppers you can upgrade that single day when they arrive.

No, this is incorrect. Hopping is "all or nothing" and must be purchased for the length of ticket, not a specific date.

OP -- I also think the young kids will enjoy Epcot. DD could spend hours at the aquarium alone when she was young. Whether or not to do it as a hopper may depend on how many days they plan to be at WDW and how many park days. It may (or not) be less expensive to add a day to 1-park-per-day tickets vs adding hopping for the full ticket.

 

[Brett Wyman]

No, this is incorrect. Hopping is "all or nothing" and must be purchased for the length of ticket, not a specific date.

Ah thats a shame. We are AP so I didn't know. Thats for clarification. Not getting much ticket discount on a 3 day ticket then. Maybe best to buy a 2 day and 1 hopper.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Ah thats a shame. We are AP so I didn't know. Thats for clarification. Not getting much ticket discount on a 3 day ticket then. Maybe best to buy a 2 day and 1 hopper.

As far Disney with small kids, there are some good suggestions here. Kids that age won't have any expectations, so whatever parks they do, they will have fun. There is a lot to do with small kids, it may not be every ride but that's ok, they think everything is fun. Many parks have a lot for young kids to occupy their time outside of attractions. Few tips-

• Make sure they know their kids heights before they go so they don't wait in line for an attraction only to be disappointed they cannot ride.
• if they love specific characters, think about where they could see them and make plans for that park (consider DHS since the Disney Junior dance party is happening and has those characters around)
• Decide if they will need naps and if so, will they do breaks for naps or try to stroller nap. Our kids were good stroller nappers but as parents, you know when your kids have a meltdown and when you'll meltdown-LOL so plan to take breaks as needed. As you mentioned, a good way to manage this is make some midday/late afternoon ADRs so you have a guaranteed place to eat/rest in AC or resort breaks.

As far as the hoppers, for a first time visit, I don't recommend people do it especially since I think hopping can be confusing/overwhelming to a new planner and with as frequently as park policies are changing, I would not add it.

Just an FYI, it's def more money to buy a 2 day regular 1 park/day ticket than 3 days of regular tix. For an arbitrary day in August, two adults, 3 days reg one park per day would be about $750, vs, $500 for 2 days of regular park tix and 1 day park hopper would be over $400, putting you @ around $900. When you could just spend the $900 and get three days of hoppers.

While epcot isn't necessarily a full day park to a lot of people, I doubt with small kids they'll be needing to be in the parks all day anyway. A good itinerary for new to Disney families with kids that age is usually 4-6 days max and 2 days at MK and one day only at the other parks with a possible break day if the schedule allows. If they are nixing DHS, I get it. I know it's not a full day park for us and my kids are almost all teens. I think as long as they do their research on what they would like to do with the kids and have some items they'd like to see, maybe ride solo using rider switch if they want, they should have a great time. I think when our kids were little, we really just played it by ear. We never had high hopes and that really helped manage our expectations.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Just an FYI, it's def more money to buy a 2 day regular 1 park/day ticket than 3 days of regular tix. For an arbitrary day in August, two adults, 3 days reg one park per day would be about $750, vs, $500 for 2 days of regular park tix and 1 day park hopper would be over $400, putting you @ around $900. When you could just spend the $900 and get three days of hoppers.

Thanks for doing the math! I do agree with your other point about hoping with young kids. Ideally 4 days is what they need. Not sure if thats possible or not.

 

[Rory607]

Do they need an entire day at Epcot? Probably not. But is it fun with little kids? In my opinion, yes. My kids have always loved Turtle Talk with Crush and the Nemo ride, even as babies/toddlers. And they could spend hours in the building looking at the fish.

And I think World Showcase is a good chance to take things slower. The miniature train in Germany was always a favorite spot. The other parks always seem to move at a faster pace and have constant movement to get to another ride. I enjoy Epcot as a chance to relax a little bit more.

 

[tinkerjo]

OP- I suggest watching Tim Tracker on YouTube. Their little guy, Jackson is 19 months old and you can kinda see what rides they take him on. I just watched an episode where he is almost tall enough for barnstormer!!! I would think the kids could do a LOT, especially in MK. Even though I agree new visitors shouldn’t hop, I would think they could do some 1/2 days at the other parks. AK and HS don’t have much for that age group but there may be some rides they can do child swap with so the 3 year old can ride a few bigger rides with mom and dad. Maybe do 1/2 day park- break/pool- evening at another park for supper and a couple rides. Definitely 2 days MK!! If they don’t want hoppers pick day 3 the parents want to do (but make it in between the MK days)

 

[hpsalb]

Travel with our boys at young ages, we’ve discovered:
- They typically need a mid-day break. WE typically need a mid-day break.
- They like the pool/resort as much or more than the parks. Plan for mid-day breaks or a rest day to enjoy the resort.
- Take some food, snacks at least. They go from fine to hangry in 30 seconds. It’s easier to toss a lunchbox or bag of snacks in the stroller than deal with a hangry child in a food line.
- My boys are not great at waiting in lines and the toddler stage was the worst. Small distractions help and don’t attempt long lines if Child Swap is not an option.
- After about two rides, they need to run or roam for a bit. For example, my boys love Tom Sawyers Island.
- Less is more. Everyone being happy > doing everything. Pick a few things to tackle, anything else is a bonus.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

The 18th month old will be able to do so many rides! At Magic Kingdom most of the rides will work. At Epcot there is Spaceship Earth, Nemo, Journey into the Imagination, Frozen Ever After, and the Mexico ride. My kids always enjoy Epcot a lot. Plus we get them treats as we push them around World Showcase. In Animal Kingdom the 18 month old can do the safari, the spinning dinosaur ride (I forget the namr), Navi River, the walking trails with animals, and the Boneyard playground if that opens. That playground is my kids' favorite part of Animal Kingdom! I agree with skipping HS. It's not great for little kids. I took my kids at ages 14 months and 20 months, and they enjoyed MK, Epcot, and AK a lot.

 

[AdamsMum]

Wow! I knew I'd get great advice on the boards. These responses are really helpful. I'd forgotten that with little kids they're just happy to be anywhere with mom and dad. We both worked full time when my kids were small so vacation time was precious. Thanks for all the ride suggestions, I was racking my brain trying to think of what they can do. I created an advice document and I'll definitely pass your suggestions along.

 

[Techniwreck]

Our young kids love Epcot. Figment, Nemo, an aquarium, Elsa, and even the Mexico ride. Our 7 year old is still angry we skipped Epcot last trip(well the kids skipped it. Wife and I went back for evening F&Y while they were with Nana)! But yes I think it can easily be done as a hopper. If they don't want to update their entire holiday to park hoppers you can upgrade that single day when they arrive.

Skipping HS is probably a good idea until at least one of the is 38" tall.

Don't forget Turtle Talk!

 

[Feberin]

My older kids were just turned 4 and almost 2 last trip. I highly recommend a baby carrier for waiting in lines. It was so much easier to wear my daughter on my back instead of holding her in our arms or try to keep her in one place. Plus a few times she snoozed in a long line.
We didn't follow typical recommendations but had a great trip. We park hopped 4 out of 5 days including three parks in one day. We didn't go back for naps. My youngest stroller napped and my oldest refused to nap period. We turned k in around normal bedtime except the first and last night. That worked better for us. My kids loved Living the Land. We rode it more than any other ride.

 

[jppeek]

We took our 22 month down a month ago and he was great at MK but the other parks were a bit of a waste for us. HS seemed way overcrowded and we left after about an hour. Epcot (while my favorite park) just didn’t seem to keep his attention for some reason and he got very fussy (I think part of it was the long walks between attractions). For us the MK days we’re by far our best and most fun days with the little man.

 

[Lilsia]

Best advice that I can give you is to make sure that you stop often and make the kids drink and have a snack. It is very easy for them to get dehydrated. We would go on a ride or two, stop and drink and small snack, go to the bathroom, then go on another ride, repeat. Little ones will also be entertained by watching the duck or playing in the splash pads. They need to "run it off" every once in a while too. Take it at their pace, keep them fed with good food(no empty carbs like mac and cheese), give them plenty to drink, and they will do great.