How young is "too young"??

[WindFlower]

I am in the very early stages of planning a BIG family reunion/vacation to WDW. At the time, we will have a 4 year old and a 2 year old.

Is 2 years old just too young for WDW??

Anyone have any experiences they would like to share...positive or negative?

Thanks!!

 

[Kay1]

Two is fine for Disney, IMO. They'll get a lot out of it and get free admission. There are plenty of rides they can't enjoy, but that's true for the 4-year-old as well. My sons slept in their strollers and I always had plenty of juice packs and snacks for them, and we never pushed them to exhaustion.

Have a wonderful reunion.

 

[Magic3forme]

we took our daughters to WDW for the first time at ages 2 & 4. went in April, both their bdays were in Feb. (so they were younger 2 & 4)

they both had the best time ever!! they were soo excited to see the Princesses, the castle, Mickey etc etc.

we were really worried about it, and it ended being a great trip.

We did have to break down and go buy a second stroller. It was too much walking for our 4yr old.

The week we went the temps were in the 90's. so every day we took a break from the parks and went back to the hotel to swim/ nap etc. We were staying off site, so it wasnt as easy as staying on site.


We also took our son when he was 8 mos, and 2 yrs old. Again we had a great time!!

you are never too young or too old for Disney!!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

I am in the very early stages of planning a BIG family reunion/vacation to WDW. At the time, we will have a 4 year old and a 2 year old.

Is 2 years old just too young for WDW??

Anyone have any experiences they would like to share...positive or negative?

Thanks!!

We first took DD when she was 6 months, so I would say 2 is not too young. DD also went when she was 20 months and when she was 34 months. She will not remember it, but she had fun.

At that age she loved the parades, the shows, the characters (except the princesses at 20 months due to separation issues and them looking more like people), and all of the calm rides. She also loved SpectroMagic and the fireworks (sometimes we stayed in the park sometimes we watched from the hotel).

The character meals were a savior for us at that age as well. Some days we went back to the room for naps and others she napped in the stroller.

And I would take a double stroller, know you will not get to see everything, try to stay relaxed through it all, and have a great time!

 

[lovealatte]

I think 2 is fine She won't remember it, but you will! Like others have said, she won't be able to ride a lot of the rides, but you'll still have a good time. and that'll give you an excuse to go back again soon after.

 

[francie57]

We took our daughter for the first time when she was 1 1/2 and we have been going every year since. Our son was under a year for his first trip. My theory is they are never too young.

 

[MayzDisney4]

2 is a great age! My kids were both there when they were 2 and were able to ride most rides (not thrill rides obviously), then enjoyed the characters, the people, the shoes. It was cute to see them recognize the characters from shows or movies.

 

[Winue]

#1... they are free.

#2... my 8 month old went on almost all the rides.

#3... we took my son when he was 2.5 for the first time, and he still has so many memories of this trip.


In my opinion, no age is too young for WDW

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

All three of my daughters have been to Disney when they were under 2. The most difficult time we had was when my youngest was a few months and couldn't sit up in the high chair by herself (stollers weren't allowed is some restaurants) other than that as PPs have said you are never too young or old.

Also if you are going when it is hot use the baby care centers. Last year we would stop every chance we got to change diapers and take a quick break from the sun. Those breaks really helped our youngest.

 

[Fall1]

2 is great!! We took twin DS and DD at age 2.4 for the first time and they had a BLAST!!! Your two year old will love it. Just follow their schedule and make time for naps and you'll be fine.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Our kids were 4 and just-turned 2 on our last trip. I wouldn't trade it for anything AND the 2 year old was still free. Why wouldn't you go?

She got star struck with some of the characters, just stood in awe of Cinderella and Pooh-Bear. She really got what the place was about and had a lot of fun.

We took a full-reclining stroller, so if a kid was tired, they napped in the stroller. Both kids slept at one point or another (DD2 moreso than DS4) but they slept and we went on with whoever was still awake. DH took a bed and a kid, I took the other and the other.

This was DD's 2nd trip, DS's 3rd trip and they did really well.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

2yo is perfect. My ds was thrilled over everything. He napped in his stroller. He *loved* the rides and the character dinners and he was tickled to death to swim his little heart out or dance like a madman in any and all pop-up water he could find. He was 3 mos shy of 2yo and he still remembers the things we did. He loves to look at the pictures and tell us about them. I wouldn't hesitate to take him again.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I think it depends on your attitude and general style. While I have always loved my kids, there are certain hassles involved with taking a very small child, or a toddler who is not yet potty trained, to any amusement park, or on any sort of long trip (be it car or airplane).

I have never been to Disney with a child under 2.5. And I personally would never chose to do so. The decision, of course, is up to you.

 

[princesscharming]

Honestly, I would never want to take my kids to WDW when they were 2. But that's me. Neither Dh or I wanted to deal with the hassle. A lot of people on here will tell you how they did it, and had a great time. But many people on these boards go to Disney frequently. I don't. (I'm hoping to go a bit more often, now that my kids are a little older..) If you go every year or two, it's not a huge deal to have to leave a park early because you've done it before, or know you will do it again soon.

I think you need to ask yourself a few things. Is this a once in a lifetime, or once in a long while trip? If the conversation is going to be something like this:

your child in 10 years: "Mom are we ever going to go to Disney?"
You: "Yes, we did when you were two, honey. You loved it!"
Your child: "I don't remember."
You: "Let me go get the pictures."

...then I personally wouldn't recommend it. If you plan on going more often, then go for it. You won't be stressing about missing things. Also you said you were planning a big reunion. Do you have a choice? Does it have to be at this time? Can you delay? If you have to do it then, you'll be fine. I don't think taking a two year old is bad. There are some nice things to enjoy with little ones that don't cut it with older children. However, you need to realize you'll probably have to leave parks or restaurants or whatever you might be doing to feed, or settle restlessness, or take a nap etc. If you plan to go with the flow, you won't have a problem. But if you were planning on hitting the parks hard and trying to do "everything", you might be frustrated. (It's not that you won't be able to ride ride that your kids are too young for, as there is rider swap. It's just that there are so many things a 2 year old will need to interupt, while something else is going on.)

I would say try to work the plans around your situation, what's best for your family. And if it's not ideal, considering you're working with a lot of other family members, then work your situation around the plans so that everyone will have a peaceful, enjoyable time.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We don't go often at all. We've gone 2 times in the last 2.5 years, but won't return for another 4 years due to the construction.

I'll take a kid in diapers over one who just PT'd any day. Packing diapers leaves room for more souvenirs on the return trip.

FWIW, will my kids remember EVERY moment of the trip? Nope. Not a chance. Will I remember every moment of our trip? Nope. Not a chance (my memory stinks). But I've got a scrapbook full of memories that my kids like to show to every single person that comes over.

 

[t_catt11]

Two is a WONDERFUL age for Disney. My DS (now three) still talks about WDW almost every day. We took some home vidoes while there, as well as a lot of pictures - he loves too look at all of the above, which helps keep his memories fresh.

He had an amazing time on the trip; it was all magical and REAL for him. I cannot urge you enough to not wait - two and four are wonderful ages to visit.

Will they be able to ride every single ride? No.

Will it matter? Not in the slightest.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

two is just fine. We used to think it would be too little but, like many have said-they are free so nothing lost there. There are plenty of family rides to enjoy, and disney is so visual they enjoy just taking it all in.

 

[kwdw]

As you said this was part of a family reunion trip - Go and take the 2 yo!!!

I just went with my DSIL and 14 month old niece (not yet walking) - and we had a great time. There are still lots of rides they can go on, and my niece LOVED character interactions.

I'd get a double stroller, though - with a 4 yo, too. If you don't own one - rent one. We used Magic Stroller and it was great. Others recommend Orlando Strollers, too.

 

[dazza5931]

we took our daughter with us when she was 4 months 15 months and last trip she was 27 months and she loved it recognised most disney characters would recommend to anyone i have great memories of all the trips

 

[YodaGirl]

DD was 2yr4m on her first trip, and she loved it!

Two years is a great age to go.