Recommendations for nearly 2 year old

[figmentgirl]

Hi all!
In Florida, I am a Disney Veteran. In California, I am a noob
Only been to DL once, and I was 12. I’m 41 now and have a chance to go this Saturday while in town to visit family. Sadly, we arrive at the park at 1pm. No way around this. It will be me, my husband, and our 22 month old son. I have gotten the touring plan for late arrivals with young kids, but I want to hear some opinions from you fine people.

I was wondering if any of you have tips for us on the following topics.
-Rides or attractions you recommend for one so young.
-Tips for how to walk the park considering only having one day and a late arrival.
-FP recommendations?

We just want to show my DS a good time so don’t worry about us. If he is smiling, we will be too. Thanks!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Welcome to DLR! Here are some threads with good information for you:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- a classic thread with very helpful info!
2019 Holiday Time at DLR Superthread: 11/08/19 - 1/06/20! -- Holiday Time at DLR begins this Friday (11/08)! Your son is going to love all the decorations, music, entertainment, etc. You will, too! Check out the holiday parade times, the tree in Town Square, the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks, etc. -- the entertainment schedule can be found on the DLR website and on the DLR app.
Trip In Sept 2019 with 2 year old, advice wanted -- might find some good tips here
How does your son do with dark rides? You can preview rides on YouTube (make sure you're looking at rides at DLR, not WDW or other Disney Parks) to see whether they will be too intense. Does your son have any favorite characters or movies? Any rides associated with those should be winners.
Meeting characters: the Big 5 are usually out in Town Square -- lines aren't too bad -- PP CMs are usually there, but have your camera/phone ready, just in case (and have battery backup, too).
FYI: PP at DLR is a bit different than at WDW -- the PP CMs can roam around and apparently aren't as obvious or prevalent as they are at WDW -- if you see one, ask them to take your photo (they aren't allowed to ask you) -- other guests or non-PP CMs are usually glad to help take photos, too.
Your son might enjoy Toon Town -- DL still has this great land for little ones -- your son should smile a lot there!
Make sure to ride IASW Holiday -- such a magical overlay!
Download the free Disneyland app now and start playing with it to get used to it and to make sure it works on your phone. Have a credit card on file so that you can use Mobile Ordering. Most WDW vets around here agree that CS is better at DLR, so look over the menus on the DLR website to see what will work for your family and where to find it.
Maxpass/Fastpass Superthread: an overview and some strategy -- read the first post in this very helpful thread and ask all FP/MP questions there -- arriving late doesn't automatically mean that FP/MP won't be an option for you -- do some research now to see if this could work for you -- it depends on what rides you will want to do that are on the FP system. MP comes with free PP -- that alone could make it worth getting for just one of you.
Will you be using Rider Swap? Or Single Rider? You and your husband could get rides on things this way while one of you watches your son -- just know that the option is there.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Dumbo
Tea cups
Small world **absolute favorite for 2/3 kids.
Winnie the Pooh

I’d buy some noise cancelling headphones. It’s so loud in the parks. Bring a soft carrier like Lenny lamb toddler instead of a stroller.

My fave Food: French market

 

[midnight star]

Will you have parkhoppers?
Some rides over at DCA are Little Mermaid, Monsters, Golden Zephyr, Emotional Whirlwind, Jessie's Critter Carousel
Other fun rides: Storybookland, Casey Jr, Carousel, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion (could be scary, but I see toddlers on it all the time)

 

[interstate70s]

I second noise cancelling headphones!
My 14 month old loved small world, tiki room, jungle cruise, and exploring toon town. He enjoyed both carousels. He also loved a marching band playing on mainstreet. He was luke warm on Pooh, and didnt like the other dark rides. Now he was a bit younger than your guy and has a fairly cautious personality so ymmv.
We used the headphones a few times and were really glad we had them. His absolute favorite by far though was the Disney Jr dance party show in DCA.

 

[Aurora0427]

If he’s ok with dark rides, our kids both were at that age, Snow White, Toad, Casey Jr Train, Alice, dumbo.... a child that age can ride mostly everything at DLP just like at Magic Kingdom. I’d also look at max pass for you and your spouse, it’s a small world has a fantastic holiday overlay, as does haunted mansion but those lines will be long by the time you arrive. We took our youngest at 15 months and didn’t need noise canceling headphones... I don’t really think the parks are that loud.... we use noise canceling headphones at things like sporting events. But then again our kids don’t have any sensory issues so whatever works for your family!

 

[Becca1007]

One more vote for bringing the carrier (ergo, tula, etc): Your little will want to walk around some and then you'll be able to move quickly throughout the park. Bonus is that they are up where they can see for parades, character meets etc.
Let the little one guide your pace and trip. I might get maxpass on at least one ticket just to have the ability to get ALL the photos. Do a few rides and then take all the cute photos, visit toontown and let him run around the goofy's playground.

 

[figmentgirl]

Thank you! What’s a MAX pass? Looking up now

 

[figmentgirl]

Will you have parkhoppers?

No Parkhopper sadly! Thank you!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thank you! What’s a MAX pass? Looking up now

See this thread linked above: Maxpass/Fastpass Superthread: an overview and some strategy and Disney MaxPass. Basically, MaxPass is FP via your smartphone.