Should I bring my 2 year old?

[JerseyMouse]

I am staying at the Beachclub next month with my daughter (4) and my husband. (My husband will be in a conference most of the time.) I had originally planned to leave my 2 year old son home with his grandparents, but am now reconsidering.

I am debating on asking my mom to come along with my son. Do you think this is a wise decision? The beachclub says it holds 5 people in a standard room, but do you think we will be "comfortable". Can a 2 year old sleep in the day bed (if I bring the bed rails from home). Or, would I have to rent a porta-crib (are these clean?)

Also, do 2 year olds really enjoy the parks, or are they just too young?

Thanks for your input!

 

[kacaju]

If you can swing , I'd bring Mom with you. My dh was just at a conference at the Boardwalk Inn (across the lake from Beachclub) We left all 3 kids home with Grandma!!
But, if your dh will be gone most of the time (like mine was) you will have plenty of time to explore on your own. While it would be fun for you and dd, there is plenty that a 2 year old could enjoy. Would you feel guilty once you were there, thinking of your DS and how much he could have enjoyed it??
You can walk to Epcot and take a boat to DHS.

 

[snoopy5386]

I would take him, but probably leave your mom at home. You would be fine with two in the parks. I don't think a bedrail would work on the day bed there, but maybe others will have different experiences. And check with your DH first. We have accompanied DH to three conferences and I think have been univited to any future ones Every time he says we are never doing this again, but then I talk him into it. Then again, 2 of them were at Disney.
DD sleeps super crappy in hotel rooms, he feels guilty for not seeing us all day and night and resents having to sneak around the hotel room while we are sleeping. Conferences in general are very stressful for him (he is a huge introvert) and us being there adds another layer to his stress.
Sleeping wise if you brought your mom, what might work is you and DH in one bed, grandma and your 2 year old in the other bed, and the 4 year old on the daybed. We have done 5 adults in a room at the Beach Club so it is doable as long as everyone gets along and has the right attitude.
And yes 2 year olds can enjoy the park. DD loved, loved, loved meeting the characters at two, those memories I have are priceless.

 

[christa112]

There are tons of stuff for 2 yr olds to do at the parks. I don't understand why you wouldn't bring him.

 

[susykt4]

We took our son for the first time when he was 2 years, 4 months. The trip was supposed to be all about our princess-loving daughter, who was 4 at the time. My son was a really difficult toddler who NEEDED to be kept on schedule, HATED crowds and hated characters like Santa Claus. We decided to take turns taking him back to the resort-or just staying there with him.

The kid SHOCKED us!!! He LOVED Disney World! He loved the rides, he didn't mind the crowds, he ate well, slept well and even (gasp) loved the characters. The boy that couldn't be taken to the mall for an hour didn't have one tantrum or meltdown. We did return to the resort by his 8pm bedtime every night, but we NEVER had to take him back to the resort early or stay out of the parks. We were so glad we took him!

 

[tjmw2727]

I won't try and persuade you as to what you "should" do but I can say-

Yes, the daybed would be fine for a 2yo if he can sleep with bedrails. You could also use a complimentary pack n play which was very clean or brand new every time we used one.

Depending on how much time your going to be in the room it could be a little cramped with 3 adults and 2 kids and FWIW you will be charged $25 per night for the extra adult.

Having done WDW alone many times with my dd's who are 2 years apart, personally I LOVED the time with the kids by myself. The first time we went to the parks solo my dd's were 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 and we had a blast. DH was in meetings all day and we hit the parks.

My 2yo loved the parks, every ride was a "boat" every show was great and they both did fantastic at that age. You will be able to sit 3 to a row in everything they can ride so that's not an issue. Pool time and play time was much easier for me as they had each other to play with too!

Honestly, taking it slow and going at their pace was one of the best parts of touring alone with them. I would not have enjoyed it as much if my Mom or Sister had joined us. It was just a more relaxed pace and we all had fun.

If you are used to doing the zoo, mall, grocery store etc with both kids then WDW will be a breeze especially staying at the Beach Club.

I recommend a double stroller and a backpack for a diaper bag.

If you do decide to go for it post again and I will give you some of my other "hints & tricks" on going solo with two young children.

TJ

 

[tlh0726]

Take your son. We have a 4 DD and 2.5 DS. We live 45 minutes from Hersheypark and have had season passes the last 2 years. I take the kids by myself on numerous occasions and we do the waterpark area as well as the rides. Definitely do the stroller and make sure you clearly state that as soon as they leave the ride they need to get into the stroller (we use a wagon at Hershey).

IMHO you will regret not taking your son, especially when you see your daughters expression and the oohs and ahhs during the trip, but even more when she returns and starts telling everyone about the trip. He may 2 but he understands.

As for taking your mom, that is totally up to you. Having the extra set of hand and eyes are a bonus, but all of my experiences with taking other people along (even when you were the one doing the favor for them) you end of changing your plans to accomodate their requests. But then this is her grandchildren and it would be priceless to her to share their joy. If she is in good health and keep up with 2 energizer bunnies running for the entire day, then do it.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I personally could not leave my 2 year old at home if I was taking my 4 year old to Disney. If your oldest was 9 or 10 and was big enough to ride the big thrill rides I could see it, but at 2 and 4 they likely would be very happy doing the same thing. My 2 are 2 years apart. DS has been at 20 mos, a little over 2 and almost 3. He is also a VERY high needs kid but he really does great there. I think all the action really keeps him busy.

Take your 2 year old! I promise that your 2 year old will have a fun time!

 

[sha_lyn]

There are tons of stuff for 2 yr olds to do at the parks. I don't understand why you wouldn't bring him.

 

[lucigo]

I can't say what is best for you, but if I were in your situation I would ask mom to come along, and if she said no I would probably want to take just the 4yo so you could have some good quality time with her...but honestly I could never leave a 2yo at home even with mom so I would probably take them both LOL

 

[nessz79]

I would take them all, but mostly just because I love Disney with my mom. It depends on you and your relationship with her, but I say go for it.

As for the 2 year old, there is SO much for all ages, but especially all-aged children. We brought our son when he was just shy of 2 and he had so much fun. Take it slow.

 

[maidenfairy]

I didn't take our youngest when he was two. The original plan was for the grandparents to come along and help. They suggested staying home and keeping him. At first I was against it, but he was really in the terribles and he would have been a mess. He spent that week with his grandparents and had a great time getting one on one attention. Also it gave us some one on one time with our oldest before he started school. It worked for us. Now we all are going. The youngest is almost 4 and I think he'll enjoy himself more.

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

I cannot imagine not taking him. ALthough I would probably leave mom behind. I am used to handling the two of them out by myself. We have been taking ours since 18 months old and they love it. Does he still sleep in a crib? You could always get a crib. YOu could also put mom on daybed, both kids in bed with bed rail. We will be taking a 5, 8, and 11 month old this next year. Both of my kids remember things about going when they were 2. They bring up odd things they remember about that trip. For what they don't remember, you will remembr and many memories are just priceless. The beach club pool will make a great and easy break that both of them can enjoy.

 

[ColleenG]

I would definately bring your 2 year old. All Disney hotels provide Graco pack-n-plays that are immaculately clean. There is so much that a 2 year old will love at Disney. Wherhere or not you bring your mom I would say is up to you, if your DH will be tied up in meetings a lot it would be nice to have the extra help.

 

[Hayloburger]

Bring him. We went a few years back with our kids...my daughter loved it at that age....there is so much to look at and see, they are fascinated by it all. I rented the double stroller and she fell asleep in that....when I had them alone, and she was sleeping, I would hit the playgrounds, water play areas, characters, or a show. Take a beach towel or something your child's head to rest on while they sleep (it's also good for laying over the stroller to keep the sun out).

 

[lilybrooke14]

We took our 2 year old in October, and she had an absolute BLAST! She sobbed when we got home because she wanted to go "back to my hotel." There is not a day that goes by that she doesn't bring it up. She's decided that next time she's going to ride the Yeti and Splash Mountain (I have no idea where that came from) and she nearly passed out from excitement when we got the new vacation planning DVD yesterday. Every time she sees a bus she freaks out. She thinks every bus and every plane go to Disney World.

Um, so yeah. I'd try to take him.

 

[Elmo888]

Okay, I'll be the the one - leave the 2 yo at home if you can! We took a 2 yo, and I wouldn't take one on purpose...LOL!

We had to take our 6 yo (she was about to turn 7) - she was just due to have her first Disney trip. And we didn't have anyone to keep our 2 yo for a week. I don't think that the 2 yo managed to get a lot out of the trip. I think that she enjoyed herself much better at 3 yo. And 2 year olds, as you know, are a lot of work. At 3, she was potty trained and easier to feed (no bibs, etc.)

Just my 2 cents!

 

[maidenfairy]

I wasn't the only one! Thank you for posting.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Yes take him. My dd's first trip was at 2. She doesn't have many memories of, none really but she was into it then. She got to ride on a lot and it worked out pretty good. She travels well. hehe Took nap easy in the stroller and everything. This from a kid that didn't nap too. I do recommend a comfortable stroller meaning something they can recline in and something appropriate for your height(or others who will be pushing him) because we had an umbrella and it was a little pain to recline her by rolling on the rear wheels and keep her laying back to avoid her head in her lap.

The sleeping situation will work out if you work at it. My dd was sleeping in regular beds by 19 months cuz her little thigh was all bruised after many times getting stuck in the slats of her crib so I didn't have that worry, plus I stay off site with family.

 

[disney_family_1247]

I could personally not live with the guilt of explaining to my two year old why he had to stay behind while I took his sibling to Disney World .

Two year olds have a blast there. I have three kids, and we go every year, so I've been with a two year old many times. If you want an extra set of hands and some adult company while your husband is off at the conference, then bring your mom. As long as you are all friendly, you should make it sharing a room.