ideas for 2 year old girls trip please

[kellymouse]

We are taking our 2 1/2 year old back to DL!
She went last year twice, but was so little she really didn't understand anything yet.
I am SO excited to take her. We are going in December for 2 nights and 2 days.
Any advice on meals, character meals, or must dos and sees please! I have been several times as an adult, but never with a child so I am totally clueless on what to do. We have also never been around Christmas!
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[sonnyjane]

What , if any, characters or movies does she like? Does she recognize any of the princesses? More animated characters? If she does recognize any of them, I'd try to pick a character meal that has that particular character if possible (which the people here can help you do). Same goes with attractions. I think you'll get a much more magical reaction if she recognizes some of them. Maybe even have her buff up on some Disney movies right before the trip to make it fresh

 

[kellymouse]

I think she knows Minnie and Mickey the best, and just loves all characters in general.
We are staying at Paradise Pier.
I'm open for anything, I just want to do one character meal but I don't know which one.
Also, we are unsure of what rides would be best for her. She is pretty adventurous, although probably to afraid of Haunted Mansion or Pirates.

 

[cari12]

It really does depend on your daughter's personality. We just got back from our DS4 and DD6 first visit to DLR. First, our kids were quite scared of many of the characters. They are quite a bit larger than what they look like on TV. After a couple of days of seeing them on a regular basis, they finally got the courage to meet some of them. They were a little disturbed by 6 foot tall Chip and Dale! We had lunch at Ariel's Grotto and met the princesses which they loved - but these were ladies as they expected them to be. So if this may be an issue for your daughter, you may want to skip Goofy's Kitchen and do Ariel's Grotto for a character meal.
As for rides, DS4 found many of the rides too loud but faves included Winnie the Pooh, Carousel, It's a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Monsters Inc.,Heimlich's train (only train running when we were there) and also Buzz Lightyear and TSMM (although your daughter may be a little young for these last 2). Toontown is fun for little ones to explore.
Try not to miss the Playhouse Disney Live show in DCA as it is a great show for the preschool set.

 

[jcw2]

I took my DD's when they were 2&1/2 to WDW...and they loved it, although they don't remember alot of it. They really enjoyed the princess character meals...and if she likes princesses, dresses are a must. The characters really interacted with my girls an they loved it! I did start showing them some of the movies before we went and they recognized Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White and Jasmine. They liked the characters more than I thought they would!
We're headed to DL in 2 weeks and they just turned 5...I can't wait. It should be a whole new experience, now my DS is 2&1/2!! We've been watching alot of Cars and Toy Story!!

My kids at that age were afraid of the loud indoor things like the Nemo show and Mickey's Philharmonic at WDW so we skipped F!, snow white, Tough to be a Bug, and Honey I shrunk to name a few.
My best advice is take it at her pace and enjoy the quality time and not try to do everything!! And take lots of pics!!!

 

[prncssmel]

If she likes Minnie Mouse, she is at the Minnie's Breakfast in DL. Also, usually at Lilo & Stitch, which is in your hotel. Mickey is not at any character breakfasts.

I definitely recommend going to see Mickey and Minnie at their houses. Get there early, as a 2 year old and long lines don't mix sometimes.

At that age, my nephew was only scared at the first part of Pirates (in the dark) - he loved the rest, especially the pigs and dog. His favorit ride was Nemo, but he also like Pooh and Dumbo.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

This post has me thinking about my kids 1st trip ~ DD was a few months shy of her 3rd B~day, my fave memory of her on that trip was her visit with Aurora (this was back when princesses were still able to roam free) A was to the side of her castle and she and DD had a lovely visit ~ DD gave her a flower she had picked . A foto from that visit is in a magnetic frame on our fridge. She also loved the Mickey suckers!

If your DD isn't afraid of characters I'd suggest a character meal- Minnie & Friends ~ the only one in DL is lovely - if she has discovered princesses Ariel's is great and it's the only one in DCA.

 

[Heymy]

I would agree a character meal is the way to go. We haven't done Minnie & Friends for years, but have been to Goofy's for breakfast and dinner with DD2 & DD4 and they couldn't get enough! DD2 danced and cooked with Goofy. Both of my girls love the costume characters and aren't so keen on the "real" characters aka princesses....so it's definitely true that each kid is different. We can't get enough of Playhouse Disney show, Toon Town, Tiki Room and Winnie the Pooh. This last trip DD2 was absolutely fascinated with the Wicked Queen peaking out the window above the Snow White ride. We sat there for an hour each day. The things that will entertain a 2 year old.

 

[kailuagirl]

How exciting!! We took our just turned 2 year old daughter in June and had a great time. I showed her lots of youtube video's of the rides before hand to get her excited and I think it really helped as she wasn't scared of anything. As for the characters, we got her a little autograph book and she was so excited to be like the big kids and went right up to all the characters and gave hugs. It was really cute. We didn't do a character meal, I thought she was too young and I really feel it was a big mistake and would have really liked it so I'm glad you're doing that one.

Have a great time!!! And let her pick her first ride, we did and I think it made it easier for her to not be scared too

 

[sonnyjane]

How exciting!! We took our just turned 2 year old daughter in June and had a great time. I showed her lots of youtube video's of the rides before hand to get her excited and I think it really helped as she wasn't scared of anything.

Have a great time!!! And let her pick her first ride, we did and I think it made it easier for her to not be scared too

I think that's such good advice. When I went yesterday, there were some parents pretty much forcing their 3-ish year-old on Pirates. The kid was kicking and screaming but the parents were intent on putting her on the ride. And, of course, she screamed through the whole thing lol. Really listen to her and see what she has an interest in. Even if something seems scary (like a dark ride), maybe if she picks it, it won't be. I also think the youtube thing is a great idea to both get her excited AND see if it's something she would like.

I also agree you should do a character meal. I don't really remember the ones I went to when I was little, but my parents came away with really great photos lol. Don't think it matters so much if she remembers it, just that she enjoys it at the time.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Choose the outside rides first. Bugs land is a very good starting place. She can get used to the line ups and what the rides actually do, before you introduce her to the darker inside rides.

Our youngest was 2 when we first went and he was very hesitant on anything dark - but loved Dumbo and the teacups and all of bugs land (except the bug show). I am sure he would have loved Toon town (not Roger Rabbit) and would have loved all the gags, but we didn't get there on our first family trip.

You may have to do things singly - you stay with your daughter while hubby rides, etc. Unless you have another adult going who can ride swap with you.