Must see's and do's with a toddler?

[bweagle]

Thanks to these boards my DH and I have had amazing trips to WDW while we've been married. I've learned so much that has made our trips so special. Now I feel like I'm starting all over again since our next trip will be with our son. What are the "special little things" that I can't miss out on when I take our son to WDW as a toddler? TIA

 

[disneydragon]

The Bear in the Big Blue House is a lot of fun, if your toddler enjoys the television show!

 

[KimberAnn]

My 20 month old enjoyed:

1) Playhouse Disney (MGM)
2) Festival of the Lion King (AK)
3) The playground in Mickey's Tootown fair (MK)
4) The Honey I shrunk the Kids playground (MGM)
5) Boneyard (AK)
6) Dumbo and Alladin Carpets in MK and Trysertop (sp?) Twirl in AK
7) Anyplace that squirted water at her!
8) Cinderella's Carousel (MK)
9) It's a Small World (MK)
10) The train at MK
11) Tigger hunting in Pooh's Hunny Pot ride in MK

There is really soooo much they can do. This is only a fraction.

Have a GREAT Time.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I should get commission from this, really, I have told so many people!

Crystal Palace! Excellent food, Pooh Bear - and my DS loved it!

 

[peanutzmom]

My son was 18 months for his first MK trip, and he loved the Tiki Bird show, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, and Winnie the Pooh ride. My daughter was 2 1/2 her first trip, and she adored Buzz Lightyear, the Mad Hatter Teacups (we didn't spin them, just rode them around), and Pirates of the Caribbean. She's my little daredevil, though!

 

[peanutzmom]

Oh, I forgot about Toontown!! They both love going through Mickey & Minnie's houses and riding the Barnstormer. I think there's a height restriction on that one, but I know my DD was tall enough when she was 2 1/2.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

our sons were 21 months and 3½ for their first trip. Their favorites were:

Magic Kingdom:

-breakfast w/ Pooh @ the Crystal Palace (don't forget to try the breakfast lasagna....mmmmm yummy! )
-Dumbo
-Pooh ride
-Cinderella's Carousel
-did I mention breakfast w/ Pooh? well, it's worth mentioning again...they had THAT much fun.
-It's a Small World
-Teacups
-Tomorrowland Transit Authority
-Spectromagic
-playing in the streams of water from the spitting camels outside the Magic Carpets of Aladin
-Buzz Lightyear
-and the monorail (which I realize isn't a MK attraction....but to them it was! )

MGM:

-Playhouse Disney
-Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
-meeting Buzz, Woody and Jessie at Al's Toy Barn

Epcot:

-Journey Into the Imagination
-the lights in the sidewalk outside Innoventions
-the "dancing water fountains"
-the boat ride in the Mexico pavillion
-meeting Koda & Kenai from Brother Bear
-the Living Seas

Animal Kingdom:

-the Safari ride
-Triceratops Spin
-the parade
-Flights of Wonder (gotta love having an almost 2 year old yank on your shirt to say "BIRD!!! Mama, BIRD!!!!" over and over )
-Camp Minnie Mickey
-just walking the trails to see the animals
-the Boneyard

I kept seeing a lot of people say that you can do AK in ½ day so that is what we planned. We found we REALLY wanted more time here. The kids absolutely LOVED it. We felt MGM was more a ½ day park for us b/c the boys weren't really into sitting for shows; they wanted more action.

The only other thing I can think of was that they LOVED the lego play area at DTD as well.

You will have a fantastic time! The only thing better than Disney Magic is seeing Disney Magic through the eyes of a child!

 

[raisindiskids]

We just got back last month with our 13,9,7 and 3 year old sons. While the three oldest boys went on space mountain. My son Alex(3) came upon a talking trash can. When the trash can noticed him it went right up to my son and started talking to him. My son was talking away to this moving,talking trash can with such amazement. The trash can asked my son for a hug goodbye and got the biggest hug from my son. It brought tears to my eyes. He told his brothers he had a new friend. This trash can is usually found near the buzz lightyear ride.

Just a little warning though. The next night while eating in China at Epcot waiting for Illuminations to begin I started throwing the trash in a similar real trash can and immediately traumatized him. He fell to the ground crying hysterically screaming at me stop because it was his friend and I was hurting him.

This is truly one of the most memorable of the precious moments at Disney.

 

[castlegazer]

We had a great time at off-the-beaten path areas in WDW with our one year old. He loved running in between the pillars in the pavilion next to the water in the rose garden in MK - it is great place to take a break - get away from everyone - and get out of the sun. He also loved Belle's story time at MK. He loved playing in the Main Street Cinema building and playing with all the picture areas.

He loved the Italy pavilion in WS because of the carnival performers who were so wonderful with him - it is very nice to take a break, have a biscotti together and watch these performers. They love the children and will play peekaboo. He also loved the fountains at Epcot too. He loved Living Seas and it was tough to get him out of there - many ramps to run up and down on.

He really loved the safari at AK - and Donald's Breakfastsaurus is a must now for us. He also loved seeing the tigers.

Its the little things with a toddler that are so precious. We did very few rides - just stuff it seemed and all the "stuff" was great and relaxing for all of us.

 

[deb305]

ditto on the little things. We took DS Jan 03 when he was 1yr old. Rides were okay, but the little things had him in hysterics. At MK the Birds around Pecos Bill/Adventure land that dive bomb for your french fries, Cinderella's show in front of the castle, Toontown Mickey and Minnie house, The train, and fireworks.
AK was his hands down favorites, stroller level was just right for seeing animals when you come in, and he loved both animal trails there. The biggest hit in AK were the roaming musical groups, especially the African drummers. Thought he would have a coronary when he got to see Bear,Stanly, Tigger and Roly on stage at MGM. Epcot was a big hit with the Garbage can act in Futureworld, The Living Seas, and all of the native country performers in World Showcase. Just remember to go slow and let him guide you. World Showcase is a great place to introduce him to new foods.

 

[tink2]

I've taken DD and DS as toddlers- and still are. Both love most of the attractions mentioned above. DD4 still doesn't care to ride Buzz- doesn't like Zurg. Neither liked Snow White's Scary Adventures in MK- as a matter of fact, it scared DD4 so bad we had to ride Small World with her about 5 times before she'd try anything else! DS2 1/2 didn't like Peter Pan too much- kinda dark. We didn't even try it with DD after the Snow White ride. Both liked Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM- but keep in mind, DS knows this movie b/c of DD- not sure of your DS will know the movie or not. Both liked the Indiana Jones stunt show- we were surprised.
Both loved all the parades- especially at MK and MGM. The only thing about Spectromagic is the dragon float- scared DD and she cried the rest of the parade!(she is a scardy cat isn't she! lol)
Anyway, have a great time! WDW is magical with a toddler- their eyes just light up at everything!

 

[KTSMOM]

We took our 2 yr, almost 3 yr old, last September and she loved all the rides that were in Fantasyland. We also went to the character breakfast buffet at the Contemporary resort and she had a blast there. Mickey, Minnie and friends came around to each of the tables and signed autograph books and took pictues. Don't forget the autograph books, my DD just thought that was the best to have all the character sign it. I have to read the signatures to her at least once a week!

 

[sillysully]

Raisindiskids - that is one of the cutest stories I've heard! Thanks for making me smile. Can't wait to return with my 3 little ones!

 

[GEM]

Hmmm . . . I read somewhere (maybe Deb Willis' site?) that the playgrounds - Honey I Shrunk The Kids and the Boneyard - were only for kids age 4 and up. Anybody know the scoop on that?

 

[deb305]

We took DS 1yr to both HISTK and Boneyard playground. There is a toddler area in both, but you really need to hover over them. Lots of bigger kids running around,as they should, and DS was almost trampled. Unfortunately, just like adults, some of the kids had great manners, others pushed and shoved their way to what they wanted. When we go back in Oct DS will be almost 3 and DD 6.5, I intend to supervise both in these playgrounds. BTW they both loved playing in them. DS likes the musical stepping rocks in HISTK, as well as the water stuff in Boneyard