Our Son's First Trip

[Cory's Gal]

We are hoping to take DS on his first trip to WDW in January. He will have just turned 2 at the time we are going. DH and I have been many times as have my parents who will be joining us. We are planning on staying at the BC. Anyone have any good tips?? This will also be his first time on an airplane! We are planning on bringing a stroller and taking naps/breaks mid-day. We picked this time of year so it won't be too hot, we are from Minnesota so even 60's-70's will be wonderful! I know his height will play a part in some of the attractions we will visit. I would enjoy hearing about two-year-old experiences and things that worked and things that didn't. He is a flexible child and lots of fun!!! Thanks in advance!!

Beth

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

We took our daughter when she was 2 just ready to turn three, 3, and will be going again this year when she is four. You've heard it a thousand times, but the best advice I can give is to go back to your resort for a rest during the day. Didn't do that the first time around when she was 2, and it made for a more difficult trip. Did it when she was three, and what a difference! She actually didn't nap, but we all got to swim, shower, and relax in the AC room. And obviously as a mommy knows, bring lots of snacks and juice boxes or whatever into the park with you. I also found that bringing a small scrapbook from WalMart with for character autographs was helpful. I went up to the characters with her in the beginning, but she was so excited to get another autograph she totally forgot to be shy or nervous. You'll have a great time seeing the magic through your little one's eyes! Have a blast!

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Oh, almost forgot... she DEFINITELY did NOT like Snow White's Scary Adventure's. Each child is different, but I've not heard of too many good reviews with toddlers on that one!

 

[juligrl]

Take earplugs or cotton just in case. And a little light necklace or something.

DH and I quickly learned why children under 3 are free. DD, then 2 mos. shy of 3, was very sound sensitive and everything at Disney is LOUD for little kids. Strangely enough, that's what I remember most about my first trip there at age 4 -- being scared of all the noise.

She did have things she loved -- Small World, probably because it's so consistant, no surprises jumping out at you, Tom Sawyer Island, all of the play areas in each of the parks, Tomorrowland Speedway, Swiss Family Treehouse, the teacups, the Carousel, Playhouse Disney and the Lion King were her favorites. She HATED PhilharMagic & Bug's Life.

We gave her a Cinderella light up necklace about halfway through our trip ($5 at WalMart) and we told her that anytime she got scared all she had to do was turn on her light. That worked for her and she even went back on some of the rides that had scared her before. Winnie the Pooh wasn't so bad with her light.

Make sure you pack children's cold medicine, if you don't you'll need it, we didn't and we did.

Snacks -- we took those little 100 calorie packs, lollipops for the plane and cereal bars. Also take water and of course diaper wipes.

Have fun!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Thanks for the tips!! We are getting excited, there is nothing like planning your child's first trip!! I know we will have fun because we are going at HIS pace and not ours! We don't want to make that mistake!

We are going to be going the week after his birthday, I didn't want to go FOR his birthday only because then I would always have to follow suit with any other children we have, and who knows what life has in store for us! Has anyone shopped at the hotel gift shop and had something sent to the room for a gift?? I thought maybe a hat and t-shirt, or stuffed Mickey or something. It wouldn't have to be there when we arrived, just delivered sometime that first day.

For those who have traveled by air a lot, when's the best time of day for a flight?? I was thinking either early morning, (he then might fall back asleep), or lunch time and hopefully could nap a little. What has worked best for you???

THANK YOU!!

 

[juligrl]

We did an early morning flight on the way down and, since we'd been up since 5:00am for an 8:00am flight, both my daugter and I fell asleep.

On the way home, we left about 7:45pm and she slept almost the whole way home, after she'd been going all day -- all week at that.

Have fun!

 

[mrstomrice]

You will have a great time...we just took our 22 month old for his 1st trip...what a great time.

what worked for us:
dvd before the trip to become familiar with characters (now mm clubhouse will do fine)

get to the parks at opening...especially MK. Nothing beats no lines at fantasyland!

go to the harmony barber shop for a cut, gel and pixie dust...priceless! (pm me your e-mail and I can e-mail you pictures)

pop up water fountains (we had one at our hotel, pop) he loved it!

pack small snacks to bring along to the parks

don't overbook sit down meals...it is nice not to have a schedule to live by, and the child won't appreciate them too much

i wouldn't bother with EPCOT. you have to leave the stroller outside the buildings and there is not a whole lot the young ones can do.

our ds took his naps in the stroller some of the days, so a trip back to the hotel was not always necessary

buy some things fom the disney store or disney direct to give them to him there. 2 large stuffed animals are 20 for both and beanie size are 2 for 10. also, shirts are 5.00 a piece so you won't feel the need to buy many character things there.

That's all I can think of for now. My husband always thought that 2 was too young, but thomas still talks about going to disney world! Have a great time!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Thank yout to everyone who has passed along some GREAT advice. We are thinking of taking our stroller with, it's pretty easy to cart around. I don't think I will be renting from the parks because they are the hard plastic and I don't think DS will be comfortable. I know there is the A Baby's Best Friend. Has anyone used this and have any comments about it? There is so much more to think about when it's not just DH and I!!!

Thanks-Beth

 

[juligrl]

We also took our own stroller and it wasn't too bad to cart around, but one thing I can say about those rental strollers is that there were plenty of sleeping kids in them. They must be more comfortable than they look!

What is a Baby's Best Friend?