Need Advice: Taking a 2 YO to Disney

[Al and Kate's Mom]

DH and I have been planning to surprise our 5 YO with a New Year's trip to Disney this year. My mom was going to keep the 2 YO for us while we went, but she has been pretty sick lately, and I'm not sure that she's going to be up for it.

DD2 is a holy terror - really, no exaggerating. She is a runner, hider, spitter, screamer...all of the things that give you indigestion when you see it in the parks. I love her dearly, but this is who she is right now.

Should we cancel the trip all together or try to take her with us? If still go - PLEASE give me some advice on how to handle her at the World.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't know what advice to give about "handling" her, but if she appears big for her age, you may want to bring her birth certificate. We never had a problem with my youngest son when he was 2, he is small for his age. But from what I have heard on these boards lately, the CM's are all but demanding proof that a child is young enough(under3) to be allowed in for free.

It sounds like you will definitely have your hands full if you decide to go. Good luck!

 

[castleview]

DH and I have been planning to surprise our 5 YO with a New Year's trip to Disney this year. My mom was going to keep the 2 YO for us while we went, but she has been pretty sick lately, and I'm not sure that she's going to be up for it.

DD2 is a holy terror - really, no exaggerating. She is a runner, hider, spitter, screamer...all of the things that give you indigestion when you see it in the parks. I love her dearly, but this is who she is right now.

Should we cancel the trip all together or try to take her with us? If still go - PLEASE give me some advice on how to handle her at the World.

I'm with you girl. My son will be 2 when we go next summer and he's CRAZY! Good luck. Curious too see what works and doesn't work.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Generally if you know that it would be a mistake to bring your 2yodd then you should go with your gut and cancel the trip.
Disney will be there when you are ready. Sometimes things happen for a reason.

 

[sassymom]

This reminds me of walking through Epcot with DH pushing our rental stroller with DD5 and DS2 inside. I said to DH not two minutes before how good they were behaving, when I see a woman pointing to our stroller. Thinking we dropped something I go to the front to find our DS on top of our DD arms flying. That was a moment I would like to forget. However the memories of spending a week at WDW with the people I love the most FAR outweighs that one bad moment. To see DS's face when he first saw Woody or Buzz, and our DD's reaction to seeing the castle for the first time was eternally priceless. The rest of the trip we made sure to keep them occupied wether it be "telling" us which way the map said to go, or playing I spy. This is just my opinion as only you know your family best, but if the whole gang can't go wait until they are all ready. There is so much to do and see in WDW it is not hard to distract a smaller one who may be getting tired or cranky. A big thing that also helped us was leaving the parks mid-day to take a dip in the resort pool or relax in the room. Disney's magic is a very powerful thing I wouldn't worry too much. The magical memories you will have will always outweigh any bad moments. We got home and immediately planned our next trip even after what happened in Epcot that day. Sorry this is so long, and again only my opinion I would say go and start those memories now you won't be sorry.

 

[Carl]

I wouldn't take her, but maybe your mother will be much better by then and she will be able to keep her for you. So, I wouldn't give up yet.

 

[paigevz]

Al, I don't know if I mentioned this to you before, but we took a 2 year old to Disney. Dh and I both agreed we would NEVER take another 2 year old to Disney.

You'll just have to weigh.........better to go and deal, or try for next year.

Sorry, that's not exactly helpful.

 

[GeorgeG]

That's a hard call. It might be best to wait a year or so until the "terrible twos" have passed (hopefully).

If the child is really unruly, not only your vacation may suffer, but you mind want to consider the many people around you who will suffer "collateral damage" to their's. The only time I've gone with a 2 yo was with friends. She was pretty good most of the time, but threw a tantrum every time we sat down to a meal. Our friend would wait until everyone around us was visibly annoyed before taking her daughter outside to calm down. The girl, now 22, doesn't even remember the vacation.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We went when a few times with our holy terror in his second year of life. He was 13 months his first trip (we bought APs), 17 months his second trip (my DH had a conference and I tagged along and brought my toddler and the older kids stayed with grandparents) and 20 months for the third trip.

He loved Disney and was better behaved there than at home, but there were certain things that we had to avoid. He had a hard time sitting still for shows, so we avoided a lot of them or sat near the exits and left if he got antsy. I don't really remember meals being a big problem, but maybe I'm forgetting. We did split up sometimes with one of us doing things with the older kids and someone else with the little guy. Then we'd switch. Or we'd do the baby swap. That worked out well because the older kids could ride the rides more than once, going with each parent.

On two of those trips we hired a babysitter so we could have a little time without him in the parks. That was nice, albeit expensive. He did fine being watched by someone that he didn't know, but not everyone is comfortable doing that (and not all kids would do ok with that). Jake was also able to nap in the stroller and was not on a tight schedule, so that helped. He has always loved lots of stimulation, so he really enjoyed everything that the parks had to look at, unless it involved being quiet.

How often do you go to WDW? I assume that this is not a "once in a lifetime" kind of trip and you will return at some point. If so, I'd go for it. Your little one might have a great time and be better behaved there. And I totally understand that type of child--sounds just like Jake was at that age.

 

[luv2nascar]

we took our youngest for her first trip- she turned 2 the day we came home. She was golden. She loves all things Disney and is mostly an angel. We as a family had a magical trip and I'm so glad we went. Can't wait to go back.

My BIL/SIL took there three kids and had an okay time because the kids were so misbehaved. They are bad at home and vacation was no different. If they don't behave at home I would not take them to Disney. Wait until your two year old is better behaved.

 

[MoniqueU]

No amount of hard work watching my kids in the parks and making sure they behaved would deter me from taking my 2 year olds and younger to Disneyland. My kids just grew up there and I have had 4 including one that was just plain stubborn and quick and into EVERYTHING. The memories are priceless. I wouldnt even consider a trip that didnt involve the whole family to a place that was meant for families. I seriously don't get it. People will hesitate to bring their kids to Disney but the amount of little kids I see in Vegas is like wowzers. Go figure.

 

[2sweetangels]

I just got back from Disney in October with my 2 year old and 1 year old DD's. DH was with me and my mother and sister's were with us alot of the times, my 2 year old is a holy terror as well, but she had a blast, true there are alot of rides she couldn't go on, but there are lot's of other rides that she did go on including a mini rollercoaster at the MK.

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Thanks, everyone, for your stories and suggestions!