Should we go with a toddler?

[Ohpair]

Our daughter is now 16 months old and I’m in need of a Disney fix . I don’t fancy the flight or heat of Orlando with her so was wondering if DP would be an option?

I’ve only been once to DP and that was the first year it opened – has it improved? (I was a little unimpressed but am sure that was due to the fact I only had Florida to compare it too, oh and it was a school trip!).
How long should we go for? We will only be doing the small rides but would like to take our time and she does still take time out of the day for her nap.
Where is the best place to get a good price? Would like to think I’m getting some sort of ‘special’ deal (I’m a real bargain hunter & don’t like to pay full price for anything!).

Am I mad for even thinking about this? Should I just wait a couple more years then take her to Orlando?

A very confused
Katy

 

[Hedgehog]

Dear Katy,

NO you are certainly not mad!!!!
Our 2 1/2 year old is now a Disney Veteran!
He has been to DLP at the ages of 12 weeks, 1 year, 15 months and 2.

We started taking him there as we didnt feel ready to face WDW either.

Since being 1 our J has got a lot out of all his trips. He loves the characters and the rides he goes on. And the parades and shows are great for him too.Even though they dont understand what its all about they love the music and colour.

The characters are all great with little ones too. They are very gentle and seem to take extra care and time with them. We have a great video of J being fed by chip and Dale!

It is one of the easiest places you can go with a toddler. Loads of top quality change areas, hundreds of high chairs (cute Mickey ears) and each park has a baby care centre which sells nappies and food, as well as being a quiet haven for feeding etc.

Cots are provided in the hotels.

I dont know anything about good deals but i do know the nearer you stay to the park the better, so you can nip back for naps etc.

Hope that helps.

Kirstie

 

[Ohpair]

Kirsty - thank you so much! That’s what I wanted to hear.

I spoke to hubby last night and he said he couldn’t think of anything better! (this is the man that said Disney is for kids!). It will be nice to go at a slower pace than Florida & enjoy the holiday through Molly.

Just have to plan and book some thing now.
How long do you think we should go for? 4 or 5 days. I plan to stay in Disney but am not sure which hotel - Money is not a huge issue (but it all adds up).

Any advice gratefully received.
Katy

 

[Disney owl]

Yes Katy go your DS will love it. We first went when our youngest DS was under 2 & we all had a great time.

Can't recommend a hotel because we stayed at Camp Davey Crockett , we've 3 kids!! which I can recommend. Staying there means you've to use your car but it's quiet with a great pool.

I'd definately choose a hotel with a pool.

We went in June lovely weather & no crowds but the parks do close earlier.

We hired a buggy at the parks too & found this the easiest option.

 

[Disney owl]

sorry as soon as I read my reply I realised that Molly is a girl not your DS sorry!!!!!

 

[Hedgehog]

Hello again.

Personally as regards hotels, i would reckon you'll really appreciate proximity to the park with a little one.

We've stayed at most of the hotels.
DH is a pure fairy tale. Nothing compares to it in terms of luxury or location. Also the characters are around every breakfast time. If you request a ground floor room you'll get a little patio and access onto a lawn which could be good for letting off steam.

New York is lovely, but the theme is more adult i'd say.

Newport Bay and Sequioa are both really nice and have great pools, better than DH! However it will take you 10 mins to walk in each day.

Regarding a pushchair, i'd take your own. The hire ones dont recline and offer little shade.

Regards,

Kirstie

 

[sharon78]

Yes Yes Yes you should go,our last visit was october we stayed at sequioa lodge,went for 4 nights with a 3 day pass,we have two childen that loved a dip in the pool each night after the park closed.We had fantastic weather and there were no crowds the wait time was no more than 5 mins for a ride.The halloween festivity's are great not scary at all.

Oh and also the walk from Sequioa lodge is not a huge problem no dought you will still have a pushchair and there are mini buses that take you to the gate about every half an hour.

Hope this has been some help


Next visit WDW Oct 04

 

[Bexx]

We took our DD when she was two and a half, and I'm planning to go again when she's five and her new little sister will be two. It really is a very easy place to take a small child on holiday - it's pure entertainment for them all the way

As for the hotel, next time I will splash out on the Disneyland Hotel as I'll have to cope with two of them and as we go in December it's so easy to get back to for a warm up. But last time we stayed at the Hotel New York and when the children are older I will stay there every time. Yes, the lobby and bar have a more adult theme but -

The Parkside Diner is a very nice, reasonably priced (for Disney) place to eat, which I think is important in the hotel you're actually staying in.

It's just that little bit closer to the park than the others (apart from the DH, of course) It doesn't make a huge difference, but it's all in it's favour.

The rooms are actually much nicer than they look in the pictures, and, like the DH, they are more spacious than the Newport Bay or Sequoia Lodge. They also have room service which can be very useful if your DD is too tired for a meal in a restaurant.

And, unlike the DH which is considerably more expensive, it's not much more than staying at NB or SL.

Apologies to those who are sick of me getting so evangelical about the New York, but I think it's an underated hotel! JMHO

 

[Ohpair]

Thankyou so much for all your positive thoughts. I've now decided that it is the right thing to do ...... although looking at the prices it makes Florida look cheap!.
But I know that in my heart of hearts, Florida really would be too much (I can wait for 2006 for that one).

So I'm off to plan - I've got all the brochures although I have no idea who is best to go with.......
We have decided on June & I think 4nights & 5 days this should give us a slow pace but long enough to make it a 'holiday'.

Any tips and idea's to help us on our way will be gratefully received as this is all very new to me.

Thanks again
Katy

 

[motherearth]

hi, we,re goin in 3 wks with 3 kids aged 10,4 & 20mths. goin eurostar direct from ashford and staying in explorers. will let u no how it goes.

 

[WDWfan uk]

If you don't want to splash out too much on hotels, I think the Sequoia Lodge is a great moderate choice. It is only a 10 minute walk from the park and a popular choice with families.

The Newport Bay is lovely too but it is very large and a convention hotel and I preferred the Sequoia with family and I chose the Newport for a trip with a friend.

Make sure when you've checked in that you go straight to the Concierge desk to book all your breakfasts! Depending on who you book with, if they state ( I know Cresta and Bridge Travel do) that to have a breakfast in the park you need to book this in advance with them, I'd recommend you do this. If you are able to choose a time, remember you will need to allow enough time to get up, get over to the park and then to the restaurant in Fantasyland.

I really would recommend visiting at a less crowded time - see the thread at the top of this board for french school holidays. Also bear in mind that there is quite a clamour for the characters when they appear and that it can get over-enthusiastic in DLP and the DLP hotels at times. I'd carry Molly in your arms and stand your ground so that she can enjoy meeting with the characters stress-free!