Needs some help from the preschool set experts...

[1stvisit0909]

Some background, I LOVE planning Disney trips. My family has had great trips b/c of that love.

So much so that a friend of mine wants me to help her. Fine and good - except her kids are 4 and 2. I've taken a 4 year old, but not a 2 year old.

They are going in Sept, FD and staying at CSR, going to the MNSSHP. Their ADRs look good, tons of characters, and she is letting me plan their days.

Their fast pass + window opens this week. I have not planned using FP+ - but I think it will be good for them. I think I have a decent plan coming together....

So I am talking to her about when she wants to take breaks/naps etc and working with their ADRs. Josh gives the resort a 3 crowd level and MK isnt recommended (because two short days will have happened with Night of Joy). Touring plans calls MK a "2"

They are flying in on S and plan no park time - just maybe a swim in the pool and early to bed. Normally I'd send them to anywhere BUT MK on a weekend, but how do you not take a 4 and 2 year old there first??! She thinks they will be so excited they dont need a break before their ADR at CRT at 355. I say she knows her kids. The youngest she says will nap in the stroller, and they plan to do Hall of Presidents/indoor stuff after lunch. Because we figure we won't get A&E FPs until later in the trip, I've suggested the following plan: they get a lot done by lunch, and if they decide to leave for a break I think they have time. I've left it VERY loose after lunch - so they could find a shady or AC spot for a rest. They do want to see the parade before the dinner (I suggested watching early in the route. (For the record, the 4 year old is tall enough to ride most things in MK and isnt afraid of anything including crop dusting planes (her uncle takes her up). I used touring plans for the rough times.

Meet Tink 9
Meet Mickey 915
Magic Carpets 930
Jungle Cruise 945
Pirates of the Caribbean 1010
Splash Mountain FP+
Big Thunder Mountain FP+
Columbia Harbor House ~1130

Its a Small World 1230-230
Mickey's PhilHarmagic 1230-230
Hall of Presidents 1230-230

Festival of Fantasy Parade 300

Cinderella's Royal Table *check in at 340-345

What do you think? I want to help them (first timers, and this is the kind of detail she says they want - but I've never taken a 2 year old)

I may need help with other days as well

OH I am also advising they take their time wandering up Main Street the first time before heading to adventureland (one, to let the fantasyland crowds get ahead, and because its their first time!)

 

[Superchikk]

We took our just-turned 6 and 2 1/2 yr olds last year. I think you're on the right track. Leaving the afternoon flexible is a great idea. We did naps at the resort 3 of 5 days, and wouldn't have made it without them. If they have the early dinner ADR, it would be a tight fit to nap that first day. You're right - she knows her kids, and if the younger one will stroller nap, she has an advantage that we did not!

We also went to MK on a Monday when it wasn't the recommended park, but we did not regret it. It was busier than Tuesday, but it wasn't bad.

 

[1stvisit0909]

We took our just-turned 6 and 2 1/2 yr olds last year. I think you're on the right track. Leaving the afternoon flexible is a great idea. We did naps at the resort 3 of 5 days, and wouldn't have made it without them. If they have the early dinner ADR, it would be a tight fit to nap that first day. You're right - she knows her kids, and if the younger one will stroller nap, she has an advantage that we did not!

We also went to MK on a Monday when it wasn't the recommended park, but we did not regret it. It was busier than Tuesday, but it wasn't bad.

Agreed - but she likes the first dinner seating at CRT. She thinks a break on day 2, and then nothing planned before 4pm on the party day will help - then afternoon breaks the rest of the trip.

My kids were 4 and 8 and then 7 and 11, and we still took breaks for rest (first trip b/c of heat, Christmas b/c of crowds).

 

[Sunday]

OK, just my two cents from a 2 year old perspective:

Be prepared for the two year old to lose their minds at meeting characters. Not in a good way. We went straight to Mickey first with my two year old, who lost it immediately and almost didn't recover. And this is a hardy, sturdy, emotionally balanced kid. LOST. IT.

Does your friend have a partner / friend for parent swap on the large rides that the 2 year old can't ride?

I would suggest the following instead...

Head straight to Fantasyland then do:

Under the Sea (it's a good intro)
Peter Pan
Pooh
Enchanted Tales
Dumbo
Carrousel
IASW

Snack

Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets
Pirates

Lunch and nap for little

Fastpasses for the Mountains while the little one naps in the stroller

Wake up for parade

CRT

Air Conditioned Afternoon Activities
Mickey (if ok)
Tink Fastpass
Philharmagic

But that's just my two cents.

 

[Aurora0427]

The two year old may be just fine with the characters, so don't change your plans. We took my daughter at age 2, and she did great. She met Mickey first thing, and wanted us to go with her, but by day 2 she was hugging and high fiving every character we saw. Just ask your friend how she thinks her kid will react. And I always tell people- if you haven't been watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with your toddler, get started before Disney!

 

[1stvisit0909]

The two year old may be just fine with the characters, so don't change your plans. We took my daughter at age 2, and she did great. She met Mickey first thing, and wanted us to go with her, but by day 2 she was hugging and high fiving every character we saw. Just ask your friend how she thinks her kid will react. And I always tell people- if you haven't been watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with your toddler, get started before Disney!

He loves Mickey Mouse. Loves him. My understanding is in the clubhouse is in heavy rotation.

Yeah she has her DH going too.

They will do fantasyland later in the trip. I didn't want to rope drop them first day to fantasyland with all the nutty stuff going on. They are getting 2 1/2 days in MK, plus the party with the option for another evening. If I can get A&E FP for the first day we will switch to fantasyland first, maybe.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

The two year old may be just fine with the characters, so don't change your plans. We took my daughter at age 2, and she did great. She met Mickey first thing, and wanted us to go with her, but by day 2 she was hugging and high fiving every character we saw. Just ask your friend how she thinks her kid will react. And I always tell people- if you haven't been watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with your toddler, get started before Disney!

Ditto, my dd was great with the furry characters at age two.... She didn't like the face ones though, she looked at them like they were crazy. Haha.

 

[savannie]

My best advice for WDW with a 2-year-old is to plan, but be able to throw the whole thing out the window if necessary. My niece is normally an all day trooper, but we all needed a lot more rest than I expected when my DH and I took her the first time.

She would get very tired by the afternoon, though she is usually great even when she misses naps. But even more unexpected was how tired we got. We are both young adults with plenty of energy, but wrestling a toddler all day can really wear you out. She never fussed or threw a tantrum or anything, but constantly pushing the stroller, then parking the stroller, then getting her out of the stroller, then carrying her through the line, putting her on the ride, taking her back off, and repeating the whole process in reverse...it can really wear you down. We came back pretty much every day for a bit of rest in the afternoon, but some days we were too tired to go back to the parks. And we completely skipped our DHS day, and opted to relax by the pool instead.

I'm sure your friend knows her kids well, and she is probably 100% right about their energy levels. But something about Disney can tire you out quickly, so I'd tell her to prepare for that, just in case.

 

[cel_disney]

My advice is to start with rides and not characters for them. My kids are now almost 4 and almost 8, with many visits to the parks from birth.....They need to warm up to the park a bit - it's big, there are many people, and lots of strangers wanting to talk to them - especially 2 year olds. My experience is characters that they can't see when entering the line and confirming they want to visit before seeing is a disaster for a first event of the morning.

If there are characters on Main Street so that they can see them and watch kids interact with them - and then you can ask if they want to get in line or of they want to go on rides - it could work out...or talking Mickey could scar them for the entire trip because they just weren't ready...you just can't be sure, and rope drop is such a precious time of day for going on rides, I wouldn't want to miss it!

I would recommend heading to rides first - pooh, small world, buzz, little mermaid, and don't underestimate the speedway - are all good ice breaking, get to know your disneyworld rides...

When my DS was 1, he loved characters and had no fear....on his second birthday we have a picture of him where he is so scared he looks like he was ready to climb back inside the womb when we saw Winnie the Pooh! It took 3 days of seeing them in meals and parades before he was even remotely comfortable with their hugeness. When he was 3 years old and every year since - he has again been totally fine and more calm....Two is a touch age for these emotions!

A few helpful hints:

- have your friend watch YouTube videos with the kids about some of the rides and some of the characters so they are familiar.
- both of my kids needed strollers at that age - I would recommend a double incase both kids need a rest - especially MNSHP night. DH and I always stay til close with the kids asleep in the stroller!
- I think it's okay to go thru one day without a back to room break as long as they can take a stroller/AC break. The arcade/shop areas in tomorrow land seem most double stroller friendly for a kid nap...

Lastly - make sure she knows everything there is to know about FP+ - she should plan to use it all day long!!! Also make sure she knows about rider switch for the mountain rides!

For rider switch - there are a few approaches - when our kids were that age, we have done it so that during nap time or some other time during the day, DH goes in standby line for ride and we get rider switch, and then tall enough child rides using that Rider Switch card with other parent but without having to Stand in an hour line...this works for us especially when we don't know if the kids will even like it enough to do it again. They age 4, my kids said that the mountains were scary but fun and only could be convinced to ride once per trip until closer to age 6 for my son....the jury is still out with my daughter!

 

[DisMom1981]

Went w 4 and 2 yo last Aug. She is underestimating the impact that the heat can have on the kids. Our first day DD 2 wouldn't drink and was lethargic by 11ish am. Breaks were life savers and we got into a routine and adjusted quickly- just, if I had judged by our first morning It would have ruined the whole trip.

We also lived in Fantasyland most if the MK days.
And loved it.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[1stvisit0909]

Went w 4 and 2 yo last Aug. She is underestimating the impact that the heat can have on the kids. Our first day DD 2 wouldn't drink and was lethargic by 11ish am. Breaks were life savers and we got into a routine and adjusted quickly- just, if I had judged by our first morning It would have ruined the whole trip. We also lived in Fantasyland most if the MK days. And loved it. Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

This is what has me worried more than anything. I've prepared her well, with rider swap and FP discussions, transportation etc. but I think the heat us more than she expects.

I'll also talk to her abt tink. Her thought with meeting tink and Mickey first thing are how much they love both love them, and let the crowds headed to fantasyland get out of the way.

They are renting a dbl stroller.

 

[cel_disney]

Went w 4 and 2 yo last Aug. She is underestimating the impact that the heat can have on the kids. Our first day DD 2 wouldn't drink and was lethargic by 11ish am. Breaks were life savers and we got into a routine and adjusted quickly- just, if I had judged by our first morning It would have ruined the whole trip.

We also lived in Fantasyland most if the MK days.
And loved it.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Yes - this can definitely happen - you need alot of Air Conditioning and TONS of water (we drink smart water mostly in September because everyone sweats SOOO much!). We start hydrating extra the day we fly because the flying starts is off in a bad spot that only gets worse.

To help refresh is mid day, I also take some wash clothes from home, soak in water, put in a ziploc bag in the freezer or fridge, and bring them in our cooler bag to the parks. I usually do a couple washcloths so we can all be cooled off and remove sweat. It makes the world of difference even of you feel sticker 5 minutes later!!

 

[CyndyDan3girls]

Your plan sounds good if they are going to do Fantasyland on another day. But, I would definitely book a 3rd FP+ (maybe for one of the character greets) for anything that morning just so they have the option of pulling a 4th for later in the day after the first 3 are used.

We were there in early June and were only at MK for half a day on our last day (a very busy Sunday - crowd level of 8 or 9 - which we would normally not choose to do). We used our first 3 FP+ by about 11:30, were able to pull a 4th for after that and even had time for a 5th before we left at 1 but decided to shop instead By the way, we were at MK on a very busy Sunday and it was so manageable with the FP+s. Even if the wait was only 20 minutes in stand-by, the FP+ helped us move to the next thing more quickly.

 

[Tropics]

I also second the recommendation to have the kids (especially the 2 year old) watch youtube videos of the characters and the rides. My DD was almost 2 the last time she went. She ADORES Mickey. Seriously, I'm not sure if there is another 2 year old who loves Mickey and Minnie as much as DD. When she saw the characters she did lose her mind, but not in a scared way. She had a complete and total melt down whenever she would have to wait for just one person to see her beloved characters. We have PLENTY of pics of her in tears because we had to hold her back from seeing the characters while we waited in line. And it wasn't just the characters that she knew. She had to meet each and every single character that we passed. Even if she had NO idea who they were she absolutely had to see them and would melt down if we had to wait ( and let's me honest, it's WDW... you have to wait for everything). This was a girl who was super good, patient and mild mannered. And at WDW we frequently had THAT child... the one who was crying and throwing a tantrum. That said, she learned a lot of good lessons on that trip and now she can't wait to go back.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Your plan sounds good if they are going to do Fantasyland on another day. But, I would definitely book a 3rd FP+ (maybe for one of the character greets) for anything that morning just so they have the option of pulling a 4th for later in the day after the first 3 are used.

We were there in early June and were only at MK for half a day on our last day (a very busy Sunday - crowd level of 8 or 9 - which we would normally not choose to do). We used our first 3 FP+ by about 11:30, were able to pull a 4th for after that and even had time for a 5th before we left at 1 but decided to shop instead By the way, we were at MK on a very busy Sunday and it was so manageable with the FP+s. Even if the wait was only 20 minutes in stand-by, the FP+ helped us move to the next thing more quickly.

Yes, they are doing the MNSSHP on Tues, MK in the evening on W and maybe even Thurs, and another full day at MK planned for Friday. I have fantasyland "planned" for Friday - however, I'm going to try to switch FL to first day if I can work out the FP+ for Sunday. I just dont want them having to crisscross back and forth across the park. I think they will enjoy it more if they pick a land and stay there to soak in the details, esp since its both kids first trip.

Thanks for the advice!

What about FP for the parade? they want to see the parade, but I'm not sure if the viewing area is worth it, since they can watch from somewhere early on the route in Frontierland and then head to the CRT checkin?

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I would also suggesting booking 7DMT for the 4yo and one of his parents at the same time the other rides something tamer for the 2yo as long as the 4yo is 38 inches. Watching the ride through video on youtube made me realize it is every bit a "wild" as a coaster we have on the Jersey shore that my 3yo loves (and forces me to ride no fewer than 5x per visit, lol)

 

[1stvisit0909]

I would also suggesting booking 7DMT for the 4yo and one of his parents at the same time the other rides something tamer for the 2yo as long as the 4yo is 38 inches. Watching the ride through video on youtube made me realize it is every bit a "wild" as a coaster we have on the Jersey shore that my 3yo loves (and forces me to ride no fewer than 5x per visit, lol)

yep, plan on getting them FPs for it, but figure I wont be able to score them until their second or 3rd visit to MK. Mom and Dad want to ride so I was going to get them 3 FP and let them rider swap with the lil guy.

The 4 year old is 45 inches, so she can do a lot.

 

[Fsudisney]

OK, just my two cents from a 2 year old perspective: Be prepared for the two year old to lose their minds at meeting characters. Not in a good way. We went straight to Mickey first with my two year old, who lost it immediately and almost didn't recover. And this is a hardy, sturdy, emotionally balanced kid. LOST. IT. Does your friend have a partner / friend for parent swap on the large rides that the 2 year old can't ride? I would suggest the following instead... Head straight to Fantasyland then do: Under the Sea (it's a good intro) Peter Pan Pooh Enchanted Tales Dumbo Carrousel IASW Snack Jungle Cruise Magic Carpets Pirates Lunch and nap for little Fastpasses for the Mountains while the little one naps in the stroller Wake up for parade CRT Air Conditioned Afternoon Activities Mickey (if ok) Tink Fastpass Philharmagic But that's just my two cents.

I agree with this! I have a 5 and 3 year old and we have had APs for the last 2 years. We tend to focus more on fantasyland and just a couple things like pirates and Aladdin in adventureland. Or Buzz! I like the idea of doing the mountains while the little one naps.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Our kids were not quite 2 and 5 on our first trip. I'd definitely head them straight to Fantasyland. It just feels like Disney and the kids are the right age. Skip them past the crazy stuff and go for the classics...I'd do Peter Pan, Pooh, then Dumbo, and Under the Sea (in that order) and maybe throw in the Barnstormer for the 4 year old. Then move to characters...Ariel blew my son's mind when we met her in mermaid form in 2012 when he was not quite 3. Because OMGLOOKMOMIT'SAREALMERMAID! Plus, she's a face character so it's a good way to start them off. Hit IASW and the Carrousel later in the morning. And totally encourage them to leave the park by noon not necessarily for a nap, but rather for a swim. They can come back for the 3:00 parade and then CRT.

 

[Superchikk]

Ditto, my dd was great with the furry characters at age two.... She didn't like the face ones though, she looked at them like they were crazy. Haha.

My daughter (at 2 1/2) was the same way. She LOVED the furry characters, but was very shy with the face characters. Maybe they were too real? Maybe because they talked? I don't know, for sure. She finally warmed up to them more toward the end of our trip, but was never afraid.

We actually did CM for breakfast the first day, and discovered the "kiss" sound the characters make. She thought that was awesome, and spent the rest of the trip trying to get every furry character to "kiss" her. Ha!