how many days for a 2 year old at Disneyland?

[kailuagirl]

Hi everyone!! We are planning to take our daughter who will just be 2 to Disneyland in June. How many days would you recommend going, 2 or 3?

Also, any suggestions or recomendations? Rides to avoid? Must see/do's? It's our first vacation with her so it's all new to me. Thanks!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I would recommend going 3 days. If you could stick a "break" day in between those days just to hang out and relax, that is what we like to do.

My DD2 LOVED Heimlichs Chew Chew Train at DCA, that and the Tiki Room were her favorites. She also liked Peter Pan, Autopia, Pooh, Small World, Jungle Cruise, Buzz, Dumbo, Storybook boats, Casey train, Carousel, Alice, Teacups, Golden Zephyr (DCA), HM, Pirates and even the Matterhorn, but I probably wouldn't recommend that for most 2 year olds. She turned 2 in December and went on it this past March and wasn't too sure of it at first, but then wanted to go back on it.

I would say to probably avoid the dark rides like Snow White, Pinnochio, etc. because those can be scary for kids. Hope that helps!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hi everyone!! We are planning to take our daughter who will just be 2 to Disneyland in June. How many days would you recommend going, 2 or 3?

Also, any suggestions or recomendations? Rides to avoid? Must see/do's? It's our first vacation with her so it's all new to me. Thanks!

Normally I would say go commando and do the 5 days for the price of three...But...My friend just got back with her DD 2yrs old, and she only went for one day; she cut her trip short. I thought for sure her DD would love it, but she was just not relating to the characters, etc., and was scared of the rides and music. So they bailed early and went to San Diego zoo, Wild Animal park and Sea World -- and she loved that! She got to feed the animals too. Maybe she just wasn't exposed enough to Disney Characters or something?
...Not to discourage you, but 2 yrs is a bit young. At that age, imo, it's mostly for the parents benefit so they can see their kids reactions and videotape it for posterity. (Unless one is an AP holder and their kids practically grow up there, it's hard for the young ones to remember much of anything.) I 'remember' that I went to DL several times before the age of 6 because I have pictures that tell me so. But I don't actually remember any of it from that age; I wish I did. Maybe you can play all the Disney movies for her and show her the rides on Youtube. Hopefully she'll remember it when you get there and won't be scared. Good luck and have fun!

 

[ballarinamom]

We took DD for the first time when she was 2. She had a great time. But we watch Disney movies non stop. She was and is a huge fan. We did get off to a bad start though. It was raining when we first got there and ducked into Honey I shrunk the audience. She DID NOT LIKE IT!!! She is almost 8 and still is not interested in seeing it! She loved all of Nug's land at DCA (Obviously we did not do Tough to be a Bug). She also loved Jumping Jelly fish.'

She got scared on Snow White because it is more focused on the witch/queen. And she didn't like the train wrck part of Mr Toad's because it was somewhat loud. But she loved Pinocchio and all of the rides that Kayla's mom mentioned. We were there for 3 1/2 days. She has never been much of a napper. She power napped for about 20 minutes in her stroller each day and we got out of the park around 9:00 each night (usually with her sleeping in her stroller on the way back to the hotel)

 

[mechurchlady]

Definitely bring your own stroller as park rentals are small and not as comfty as a McClaren for example. I would go for the 5 for 3 but instead of attacking the parks commando style I would do it at a slower pace. For me the one thing that stands out about Pooh and Fantasyland rides is how dark they can be. Snow White has skeletons and some kids may seriously believe they are about to get hit by a train as Mr. Toad used to unnerve me because of the ride's ending.

Casey Jr. is a fun little ride and a bit like a roller coaster which makes it a good starter ride toward doing coasters. Animation in DCA is a place where parents can bring in the stroller, park and rest. Bug's Land and the outdoor rides at Fantasyland are kid friendly.

 

[tinkerbelt]

We took DD for the first time when she was about 16 months, and she loved it. I would say do 2 or 3 days, but stay at a hotel nearby so that you can take breaks and go to the room to rest and have snacks. At 2, my DD could easily stay in the parks all day with no breaks, but I know that's not typical for a 2 year old.

 

[abouley]

I would also plan for 3 days. Plan to get to the parks early and hit the rides before lines get long and then head back to the hotel in the early afternoon, maybe hit the pool, take a nap etc and then head back into the parks later for any parades, fireworks and use up the FP's you collect in the morning. If you have 3 days you won't feel rushed and can spend more time on things your child enjoys. For example, my kids can spend hours at the water play areas at CA adventure. But, if we're trying to get through the parks in 2 days, we won't let them play for very long. If we have 3 or more days, we enjoy the downtime while they play!

You've already gotten some great advice on the rides. My kids at 2 weren't scared of things yet. It was really when they were 3 that the dark rides started scaring them. Small World is a great ride for the young kids as is Casey Jr, storybook boats, jungle cruise, dumbo, pooh, etc. The bug land at CA is also a lot of fun for kids that age.

I think 2 is a great age to go to DL. It was my favorite age as a matter of fact...not scared of the rides, not potty trained (hated having to run to the bathroom right when we got to the front of the line), but were able to walk some, stand in line nicely, etc!

Hope you have a great trip!

Alison

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I would plan for at least 3 days. That way you can take plenty of breaks and do things outside of the park without feeling like you will not get everything done. You know, I still remember my first trip to disneyland, I was 3. So saying kids dont remember...not true, some of us do Most kids are quite happy there. So much to see and look at and lots of things constantly going on.

I agree with pp. 2 is a great age...a lot of children this age aren't quite afraid yet like a 3 or 4 yr old will be.

Take hints from your dd and go at her pace. Like others said stay away from the dark rides like snow white until you have done rides like pooh and peter pan. Then if you feel they might be ready you can try alice or snow white. Not all kids get scared riding the same rides...some lil ones love the matterhorn while others do not even want to ride the carousel. Enjoy your trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

At that age, know that the trip is for you, not for her.

And therefore, make the trip a length that you wish to stay. If you stay longer, then you can take things easy and slow, which is really good for the littles. My guy is nearly 5, and at the end of last year finally got the words to tell me that he wanted to stay longer, and go slower with lots of breaks. I'm sure he wanted that all along, but I didn't understand that.

So I would actually stay longer than 3 days, but plan for shorter days with breaks and naps. It's amazing how sleep can make a kid who is scared of something into a braver child! (not guaranteed, but possible)