Just back from 1st trip with a 3 year old

[Jenn Lynn]

We just returned from our first trip with DD who is 3.

Some things we experienced:

DD did NOT want to go on the rides. We asked her if she wanted to go on Dumbo and she said NO and was crying in line and even when she got in Dumbo with MIL. Once we got started she was all smiles. We learned after that day NOT to tell her what we were going to ride/see. It avoided the tears and tantrums. When we got in a show that might be noisy we woul tell her and she would be fine. She usually sat on our lap and hugged us and would watch from the side. As soon as we were done with the ride/show she would be talking about it and loved it.

DD is usually a child who wants to walk everywhere. At the parks she wanted to ride in her stroller. Worked great for us!

She LOVED the characters! We spent time in lines getting autographs since she liked them so much.

Playhouse Disney was a huge hit! And so was meeting JoJo and Golith.

We always took afternoon naps. The one day we didn't was BAD! Never again! Always take a nap.

DD also loved WDW transportation. I think it was her favorite 'ride'! I think it was because she did not have to be in her carseat to ride. She would say "WHEE" when we would start moving.

We flew down and she did great on the flight (her 3rd). She sat with MIL and they entertained each other.

Any questions please ask!

 

[princess-rn]

Glad to hear your trip went well. We leave in LESS THAN 2 WEEKS *YIPPEE* for the first time with a 2 yr old in tow (we went for our honeymoon 4 years ago) I'm VERY excited..but a little nervous. He's a very very very very active child and will try his best to fight sleep. I've really encouraged my husband (who's a big baby himself.. that naps are a MUST. I will show him your thread too.

Thanks for the report and advice!!

 

[BevS97]

glad to hear you had a good trip - where did you see JoJo? My DD is really into JoJo at the moment, so that would be a great surprise for her

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by BevS97
glad to hear you had a good trip - where did you see JoJo? My DD is really into JoJo at the moment, so that would be a great surprise for her

JoJo and Golith were in MGM. Down by Who Wants to be a Minnionaire they have 2 silver 'trailers' set up. JoJo and Golith came out of one and Daisy and Donald out of the other one at different times. Only JoJo signed the book because Golith didn't have any fingers.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I totally agree with you about naps. My kids are now 4, 5 and 7 and we still go back every afternoon for a swim and nap. I don't think we'd survive without them. Don't you think 3 is such a great age for a first trip. DS was almost three the first time he went and dispite so many people tell me that he wouldn't even remember it - he remembered everything! That's why we have to go every year now (not that I mind!). So glad that you enjoyed your first trip!

 

[mjmcca]

My 4 yo would not nap. We went back to the room and he he just wouldnt do it. His younger sister would .I left her inthe room with My hubbys cousin and took my son for a long drive down I drive inthe car thats when he finallt fell asleep. I couldnt do this every day so some days when we went back tot he room he ehlped me do the laundry. Other days we walked around the resort. Sometimes i would just let my daughter sleep in the stroller and we would stay in the park.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by DisneyMomx7
I totally agree with you about naps. My kids are now 4, 5 and 7 and we still go back every afternoon for a swim and nap. I don't think we'd survive without them. Don't you think 3 is such a great age for a first trip. DS was almost three the first time he went and dispite so many people tell me that he wouldn't even remember it - he remembered everything! That's why we have to go every year now (not that I mind!). So glad that you enjoyed your first trip!

DD talks about a lot of things that I thought she missed. She keeps asking to go back to the hotel. LOL!

We are hoping to go again in December 2006.

 

[RPrincess]

Glad your trip went soooo well! I have been told by many as well that my almost 4 year old would not remember or enjoy going (including my mother in law who thanks it is a waste) Well we will show her when we email her the pictures of us having a blast!!! My son keeps asking me everyday if he can go to Disney today. We leave in 2 weeks!!!

 

[cl1067]

I just wanted to say that for anyone that says a small child will not remember, they are wrong. The first time we went my oldest dd turned 2 a couple days after we returned. Over the next few years she would talk about stuff we saw and did...espescially the character breakfast with Pooh, when she went three years ago for the second time, she remembered parts of her first trip and wanted to do those things again. So they do remember...and even if they don't, they will know the love that went into the trip when they are older and look back at the pictures.

 

[Bugsmom73]

We leave in a little over a month and a half, DD is just starting to give up naps but DS still does and we will go back and rest.

 

[BevS97]

My dd's first trip she was 3 1/2 and her 2nd trip she was 4 1/2, she absolutely remembers things from both trips - she's nearly 7 now. Why would they not remember? and what difference does it make - my younger dd will be 13 months on her 2nd trip, she was 4 months no her first - no she won't remember that trip, but I will.

 

[disneygirl319]

That's great that things went well with your DD. My DS is 3 and we're going to MK/MVMCP and Epcot next month. We just went to AK a few months ago and he really enjoyed it. The only drawback was that he wanted to go on ALL the rides--even if he was too small (and it's not like AK has alot of rides!). He did get upset when he wasn't allowed on certain rides. I think we'll have less of a problem with MK and Epcot though.

I do have a question about strollers though. I don't plan on taking one with us since we're staying off-site. I don't want to be dragging around his jogging stroller--or even our umbrella stroller, just too much hassle.

I DO want to rent a stroller. Does anyone know what the strollers at MK and Epcot are like and/or have any suggestions about them? I saw the ones at AK and I wasn't too impressed so I'm worried that I will regret not bringing my own.

Thanks!

 

[momof3greatboys]

Regarding the strollers that you rent. They are great. They are low to the ground so it's easy for the kids to get in and out. But they do have seatbelts in case you don't want them to. They are made of a hard plastic and are a very different style from any stroller you would buy at a store. There is a "net" on the back for storage and a canopy to keep them out of the sun. Very easy to push around. Good luck, Have fun!
Michelle
"momof3greatboys"
Going Back in 56 days!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Jenn Lynn
Thanks for the JoJo and Goliath info. They are big in my house. So much so that my DDs age 5 & 2 are going to be Goliath for Halloween!

I'm glad you had a great trip!

 

[tinkernelllec]

I agree with everyone saying the "little ones" have a great time in WDW and REMEMBER what they see and do. I was 3 for my 1st trip to WDW and I remember being carried on my dad's shoulders and all the characters when they would come out of the castle to start the day at MK. What a madhouse that was!! I know my DS 4 now, remembers his 1st trip (18months) and every year after. My 2nd DS who is 22 months will have a ball this year too, just like his brother did. WDW is for the kids, What a great time they have.

About the naps.........my kids are good sleepers, they nap in the strollers or in those nice dark air conditioned shows. My youngest,who was 9 months at the time, fell asleep in ITTBAB!!!!

 

[TiggerStac]

We were there during hurricane Jeanne...almost a month ago. And my son hasn't said too much about our trip since then. Well, tonight he was talking to my parents on the phone and said "Gran I ent (went) on Splash Mountain with mommy and daddy...we went down a big hill and got all wet" Now, he is just 3 and this was almost a month ago. We haven't talked to him about it since...he was a terror when we were there. We didn't get the picture at the end, because it actually didn't even look like he was on the ride, the place where you hold onto (or at least I hold onto for dear life) is blocking him. So, they can't say they don't remember. This was his 3rd trip to WDW and we went on the cruise this past March. He remembers Mickey Mouse on the boat, too. He talks about that all the time (we have tons of photos).
When they are younger, it's all about your memories. Me and my son got to enjoy my grandmothers last trip to WDW with her before she passed (and my grandfather too). That is a memory that I will cherish forever. I inherited my disney nuttiness from my nana. I have a pic of me, my son at 5 months old and my nana w/Mickey Mouse on my fridge. Her last trip and his first..a trip I will never forget!!!

 

[mjmcca]

I dont think it is about memories.Who cares if they dont remember it. If they dont remember should i take them to the park? the movies? If you are worried about them not remembering stuff then you would never take them anywhere. I want them to go and explore and have a fun time. If they remember thats great. If not its worth it as long as they are having fun.

 

[ryanmilla]

We took our DD just after she turned 2yr last August. No one thought she would get into it or remember it like everyone else in the thread heard as well. Well, not only did she love it she has asked about it everyday since. We filmed the trip and transferred it to a DVD, so she used to watch it several times a day once we got back. Seeing how much she loved it and only at 2yr we bought into the DVC. Now we are heading back during Thanksgiving for our first DVC trip and she is thrilled (as are we).

She is truly a Disney nut, like her daddy. During the first trip, she LOVED Mickey, Minnie, Pooh and a lot of the Playhouse characters. Since that trip she has moved onto the Princesses, so now she can't wait to have breakfast with the Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and see all of those characters. She also, now has a little brother and keeps talking about how she is going to show him Disney World. HE may not remember it though only being 2 1/2 months, but at least we are getting the "magic" in him early.

 

[mrskay9]

I can't tell you how much I love this board!

I'll be taking my daughter then 3.5 years old, so the trip report really helps. I will just have to play it by ear whether we tell her we're riding rides or not. She's the type too that will love it when she's on......but sometimes getting her on it is hard.

She also fights sleep so I think this napping will be an issue. If she's trying to give them up at 2.5, I think by 3.5 we're in trouble!

Thanks for the report!