mgm + toddler = ????

[nancy drew]

we are trying to decide if it is worth the bus trip to go to mgm for half a day with our 2 year old and 8 month old. i know the 8 month old wont care one way or another, but our 2 year old would probably love the playhouse disney show with bear etc. but is that all she can do there? she will be a "young" 2, having just turned 2 in feb. she isnt familiar with all the disney characters from toy story, lilo and stitch, little mermaid, or beauty and the beast. my husband really wants to go to mgm because he wants to ride the roller coasters (leaving me to sit around and entertain the kids, i suppose ) but i just dont think it is worth the trip there. but then again, i have never been there. so is it better for us to wait until the kids are older and can appreciate it more?

 

[Kahana-ri]

Our son who was 20 months at the time loved MGM. Playhouse Disney twice, pictures with the chracters, Monsters Inc. meet and greet, and while we each rode the Rockin Roller coaster, our son danced along with the DJ and music. There is so much going on the whole time our son was never bored.

 

[belle&beast]

Our DS2 loved seeing Buzz and Woody, Jojo and Goliath and Sorcerer Mickey. We also saw Piglet and Eeyore under the hat when we arrived, so that was really exciting for him. He hasn't seen the Little Mermaid movie either, but he really liked the show and Playhouse Disney was definitely a hit! I think it would be worth a visit!

 

[lauritagoddess]

My DS is 3.5 and MGM was the only washout on our whole trip. He loved Playhouse Disney and meeting the characters. He liked the Honey I Shrunk the Playground. For some reason he freaked out with Voyage of the Little Mermaid and we had to leave after about 2 minutes. The rest of MGM seemed geared much more for older kids or adults. We left after lunch and went back to Magic Kingdom.

 

[DisneyPhD]

MGM is the weak link the preschool/todler ticket. Yes play house Disney is good. Little merrmaid is too (if you like is into it like mine.) Honey I shurnk the kids is good, MGM is a lot to do for a playground and 1 show.

My DD does like more now that she is older. She still won't go on the muppet show though. He likes Lights motors action and the B&B show.

We saw the parade last time and she enjoyed it too (almost 5 years old, her sister was 17 months.) Her sister did too. Don't get me wrong, MGM is worth while, but for me with young kids not as important as the other parks. As an adult is fun, but it needs more things you can just do with out waiting for a start time.

I always say try each park at least once, but if you feel your time is better spent at MK, AK or even Epcot go for it. I mean time at WDW is precious. Use it well.

After all there is time for MGM later when they are older.

 

[linda_loo]

We've been, when the girls were 18m and 3. I think it's worth 1/2 day for you guys, but I am biased, it is my favorite park. I feel more relaxed there, it has never seemed as insanely crowded as MK. We are more leisurely. We didn't do a ton of things there (like what everyone else is commenting on, including A getting scared in "Mermaid"), but it was a nice morning. Plus, there are some cool places to eat, like 50s Prime Time, Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose's.

 

[traci]

You sound like me typing this question last October. My daughter was 8 months old and my son almost 2 years old!

We went to MGM 1/2 day and we got there later on after the "kid-type" attractions had closed. It wasn't crowded so we were able to eat a nice meal and walk around very easily.

I think as long as you time it when the attractions are still open your 2 year old will like it. For us, our favorite park was Magic Kingdom with our babies, but we don't regret spending time at Epcot and MGM. I do think as my kids get older they will appreciate the other parks more.

 

[amarberry]

We had a very enjoyable time with our DD at MGM when she was 14 months and 18 months. Actually, she really had a great time at MGM during the trip when she was 18 months old! She loved Playhouse Disney (especially JoJo),the Little Mermaid show (she'd never seen the movie), and Muppetvision. We also spent A LOT of time with characters during our last trip and the wait to see them at MGM was not long. She loved Sorcerer Mickey (we have the cutest pictures of her kissing him!) and Donald and JoJo always seemed to be out on the Blvd. in front of where Mickey resided.

On our last trip, I think that we spent two mornings at MGM which was plenty even at a slow speed. Both times, we took the boat from MGM to Epcot which was a thrill for DD as well!

 

[NotUrsula]

When DS was very little, I worked out a system to get in almost all of his favorite attractions by lunchtime.

My MGM morning routine went like this: get to the park for opening on morning EMH, and go directly to Little Mermaid and pick up a FP for the first show. Then go over to the Muppets, which should just be opening for the first show without a wait. You will get out of there just before the park opens for gen'l admission, so you can quickly catch Star Tours if your kids are 40". After Star Tours, head directly to the Playhouse Disney show; you should be just in time to get into the first show with about a 15 min. wait. (you won't be up front, but that's OK). When PD is over, cross the street and walk right into Little Mermaid, which should be seating. Again, you will end up in back, but that's usually best with really little ones (don't want to be too close to Ursula.) Unless the times have changed drastically, you should be finished with the show by noon.

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

Don't forget about the Incredibles! My toddler of course loves loves Playhouse Disney (2 times every visit), visiting with Monsters Inc, Buzz/Woody, Mickey, Jo Jo and now the Incredibles (in the old Animation studios). Trick to that, if you don't want to do the tour and movie (which is boring for a 2 year old), go the back way to the computer stations and to visit the Incredibles (just ask a Cast Member). Depending on your 2 year old, (I have a boy), he loved the Indiana Jones and the Lights Motor Action too. It's a little loud, but he loved the cars and motorcycles! We usually do a "relaxing" 2/3 rds day at MGM.
-Virginia

 

[skuttle]

We went with DS the week before Christmas when he was 2 1/2. He enjoyed it a lot. We saw lots of characters....he LOVED meeting Mike and Sully and JoJo and Goliath. Loved playhouse disney and the little mermaid. He even enjoyed pressing the buttons while we played WWTBAM. He enjoyed the parade, too. He loved the new stunt show...it's a bit loud, but he loved watching the cars and motorbikes drive around. He watched Beauty and the Beast with my mom while me and DH rode ToT and RnR. That was the first time he watched Beauty and the Beast and talked about it the rest of the day!

 

[nancy drew]

thanks for all the replies. sounds like it could be hit or miss, but most likely she will have a great time. i think we will try it out and see how it goes.

 

[biggroofy]

Hi everyone,

We are going to WDW next week with DD2. We will go to MGM, and plan to visit the following attractions:

Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Playhouse Disney Live (DD2 likes the big bear)
Beauty and the Beast (not sure if she will like it)
Toy’s story character at Al’s Toy Barn (she likes Buzz Lightyear)

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I say GO FOR IT!!! I happen to think there's A LOT for kids to do there! We go there at least twice EVERY trip. My son is 4 and has been on 6 WDW trips so far and he loves MGM! (he loves all the parks, actually! ) Your toddler will not be bored. Fantasmic is NOT TO BE MISSED. It's a little loud, but still a WONDERFUL show. And don't forget about the Great Movie Ride!