Question for DISers who have done Disneyland with toddlers

[dani blaski]

Hi all! I am headed to SoCal in early May for my best friend's wedding. I am bringing my son--he will be 2 mos shy of 3 yo in May--and want to spend about two days in Anaheim. I will only be doing Disneyland, not California Adventure. Is it doable in two days? I don't *need* to do everything, mostly what would be of interest to him. Becasue of work, it is likely we would return in a efw years when he is older. Same deal with WDW.

He does need a good break in the late afternoon--1:30ish--for his daily nap. I plan to stay close, but can't do on-site due to cost. Probably Desert Palms--unless anyone has better suggestions. Also would I need two *full* days, menaing two nights in hotel. I have to drive back to Escondido for the wedding. At this point I am planning and will be booking everything next month.

Additional details: I chose Desert Palms b/c of free parking and free breakfast. Also they have a fridge and micro--important for my little one.

We look forward to your responses!

 

[SeansMom]

What a fun trip you have ahead of you! I don't know your son's personality, but we started mine off early on fair carnival rides so he wasn't afraid to go on anything. For a toddler, I'd start off with slow rides and see how he reacts, unless you already know he'll love dark and/or faster rides. On Disneyland.com you can find height limits, which will tell you what you won't be able to ride on. For example, he needs to be 35" tall to go on Gadget's Go Coaster in TT.

One thing I was unprepared for was how much interest my son had in birds and balloons. He enjoyed them every bit as much as the rides. And, unlike some toddlers, he was not the least bit afraid of the characters.

At this age, I'd say be prepared for any reaction and just go with it.

Have fun!

 

[DizNee Luver]

A number of the motels across from the entrance on Harbor have some sort of breakfast offering.
We took our 2 yr old daughter last March & she loved it!! She was a little afraid of the "dark" rides, but liked Peter Pan & Winnie the Pooh once she got the idea of them.
She really like Dumbo & the Teacups, the carousel & the Storybookland boats. She also enjoyed riding the train & monorail. It's really fun to play in Toontown with a 2yr old. They find all the magical touches there.
She enjoyed seeing the characters & absolutely fell in love with Minnie Mouse. The only character she had a problem with was Brer Fox (because he's one of the few characters with teeth)
Have a great time & just plan on playing things by ear. Your child will guide you thru their experience!!

 

[Misskitty3]

I think 2 days would be a good amount of time. I like 3 full days for both parks!

Probably seems obvious, but in case it doesn't, remember to bring a stroller for your little guy!

If it is going to just be the 2 of you, you might consider making PS's for your meals at Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans. Both offer table service, which can be nice vs. standing in line at a cafeteria type place and then having to manage a tray of food/drinks plus a toddler.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would *highly* recommend reconsidering not doing DCA. Their bug's land area is FAR better for littles than scary weird Fantasyland is, especially if the little has seen a bug's life. I don't recommend the show "its' tough to be a bug", but the rest of bug's land is absolutely wonderful.

The biggest mistake we made in our first two trips to Disney, which were one day trips, was NOT going to DCA. We continue to regret that, even though we saw absolutely no point in DCA during those two trips...big mistake!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I would *highly* recommend reconsidering not doing DCA. Their bug's land area is FAR better for littles than scary weird Fantasyland is, especially if the little has seen a bug's life. I don't recommend the show "its' tough to be a bug", but the rest of bug's land is absolutely wonderful.

The biggest mistake we made in our first two trips to Disney, which were one day trips, was NOT going to DCA. We continue to regret that, even though we saw absolutely no point in DCA during those two trips...big mistake!

I agree with Molly. If you can afford to due a park hopper I would do it. The bugs land area is very well done. It's bright and open and very kid friendly! They also have fountains there to cool off the little ones on the warmer days....which almost become their favorite spot.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

We toured last May with our 'almost 2 yr old', and it was fabulous! Her favorite ride was Pooh, but she also loved the action of Buzz and most of the FL rides. We didn't do Snow White or Pinocchio, because we thought the "dark rides" might scare her, but she did fine on Peter Pan.

Beware the reaction to characters. Our dd was fine as long as the characters stayed about a foot away - otherwise she wanted nothing to do with them. Kids can go one of two ways with character - they love 'em, or hate 'em. So just be prepared!
Another event our dd loved was the parades - enough action and movement to keep her interested, and she loved the music.

A few things we learned:
Bring snacks - lots of snacks. If nothing else, it keeps them occupied in long lines.
I found a receiving blanket was my best friend. Provided extra shade, warmth if it was cool, a large protective "bib" for eating ice cream, suckers, and other messy items that find themselves all over your child! This time I intend to bring several, so I have a clean one to switch out!

Have a fabulous time - you will make amazing memories for both of you!

 

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

We went with our jut turned 4 yo twin boys 2 summers ago and they loved CA... Playhouse Disney was a big hit... and a nice indoor rest! As mentioned by other posters a bugs land is great for younger kids... if hoppers are doable it would worth it!

In Disney Mr. Toads Wild ride did NOT go over well ... it's almost been 2 years and we are planning our 2nd trip and both have already stated they will not be going on the scary car ride...

My tip is to put an identifier on your child "just in case"... we made some laminated tags that stated if found please call my Mom at xxx-xxx-xxxx and the hotel they were staying at... and then we attached it to thier belt loops... we also put this on our "park bag."

I hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[CookingMama]

Desert Palms is a great choice and two days is plenty of time to do DL. I would save CA for another trip or get a park hopper for the second day.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

My 25 month old DD loved the Tiki Room. She also loved the Teacups and Pooh Ride. Those were her favorites. She was also ok on Peter Pan, POTC, Casey train, Disneyland Railroad, Dumbo, Carousel, Storybook boats, Buzz and Alice.

At DCA she liked Golden Zephyr, Monsters Inc., Heimlich's train (LOVED THIS) and Playhouse Disney.

She was NOT a fan of Gadget's coaster in Toon Town or Flik's Flyers at DCA.

She wasn't a big fan of the characters, but after awhile she would sometimes give them a high five.

 

[letthembelittle]

I think 2 days will be fine. We took our just turned 1 yr old and just turned 3 yr old last spring for one whirlwind day at both parks and it was great. I would suggest watching some of the videos of the rides on YouTube, it helped us to know what our little girl would enjoy and what we should wait on. And yes bring a stroller and snacks and baby wipes. Have a great trip!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

A couple of other DCA things - don't forget the Animation Building and the High school Musical show. Also, the Aladdin show is another big one, but get there early, so you can get a floor seat and not have to hike up the stairs to the balcony.

My daughters (3.5 and 2) have been going to DCA and DL since birth (literally Z was 6 days old). They love to dance and watch the GIANT video/music loops in the Animation building - it's our decompression place. Also, the Toy Story Zoetrope is fascinating to kids.

Also, depending on when you go in may, don't forget to check and see if the Electrical Parade is running (they will start it up on weekends for the tourist season sometime around then.) Any child loves it.....

 

[LavenderPeach]

I agree that 2 days should be fine. Don't forget to go to Tom Sawyer's Island. Our 3 year old loved running around through the caves and paths and going up and down the stairs. The only thing he didn't like was the floating bridge.

Also, as long as people are mentioning things at CA that are great for that age, I'll add mine in too. Last time we were there DS LOVED watching the people take off on California Screamin'. We watched from up above and also right next to the coaster and he thought it was so funny to watch them take off. I don't know if that's something other kids would enjoy but he sure had a great time.

 

[clairabell29]

I took my son for his 3rd birthday last fall. BIG hit was the Woody's roundup at Big Thunder Ranch, not sure it runs all year though.

Disneyland's favorite rides were:
Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise (Cover his ears at the hippos!!!)
Piarates of the Carribean
The future house in Tomorrow Land (The piano was his favorite)
Autotopia (fun and similar to his jeep at home)
Dumbo
The characters in toon town (get there at toon town open, you get more 1 on 1 time!)
The Pooh Cornor characters
Pooh ride
The submarine ride, he's a huge nemo fan
The parade
Small world was closed, but a great one for that age

CA:
Monsters INC
Muppet movie
all of Bugs World
Playhouse Disney
Toy Story Mania--rode this probably 15 times!!
The parade
Brother Bear show
Aladin was closed, but a great one for that age
Anamation building with talk to Crush and the toy story animation wheel

As for hotels, since you'll be traveling alone, I suggest the Howard Johnson. It is very close to walk, very clean and the only one with the doors on the inside of the hotel, the others all have doors on the outside or are farther walks. There is also an awesome pool there for him to play in. You can get a great rate here if you call in house reservations and ask for the DISboards discount. It has a fridge, not sure about a microwave, though. If not there then the Camelot Inn and Suites was nice, had breakfast and fridge and microwave and was a bit closer walk. I will be staying at Desert Inn and Suites the end of March. Not sure how nice it is, but it gets good reviews. It is right across the street from the crosswalk and has a fridge and microwave and breakfast. It also has decent rates. For other hotels look at tripadvisor.com you can see how other people liked it and map it to the park on google maps, they have a walking directions option now. You can get inexpensive parkhoppers from
http://arestravel.com/722_DisneylandResort.html.

My biggest tip is bring some earplugs for him if not both of you. Everything at Disney is very loud. My son constantly was covering his ears!
There is cold filtered Water on Main Street next to the first aid center and nursery. A stroller is a must and a leash backpack is nice to have.

Also don't forget the chocolate chip cookie as big as his head at the bakery on Main Street

Most of all, go at his pace, don't push or neither of you will have fun. Have a great trip!!

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

I also want to add my 2 cents that DCA has a lot to offer your little guy...ESPECIALLY if he likes the Pixar stuff and/or watches Playhouse Disney Live on Stage--my 2.5 year old son LOVED it...Handy Manny, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Little Einsteins & Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...very fun!

Also, they loved Monster's Inc. ride, and Bug's Land stuff--Heimlich's Chew Chew Train and the Princess Dot's Puddle Park (or whatever it's called)

Also, the Pixar Play Parade was just about the HIT of our 2 days at DL and DCA...Lightning McQueen (and it's REALLY HIM, I SWEAR!!! AMAZING!!!) lead the parade and Mater brings up the rear...that was sooooo incredible for both of my kids to see...especially my 2.5 year old son...he's a Cars freak!! Plus all of the other Pixar Films...

I would suggest getting a park hopper (it's just you paying, since he's under 3, right?) and at least spending 1/2 of one of your 2 days over at DCA, for PDLOS, MInc and the PPParade, if nothing else.

Have a great time...!! It will be WONDERFUL!!!!