Splitting up-attractions for toddler

[kristidiaz1]

We are a family of 4, with an 8 year old and a 2 year old. We will also have grandparents and aunt with us. 1st time at WDW with a toddler.

Does anyone have experience with taking a toddler to other attractions while the rest of the group goes on rides with height restrictions? I know there are fountains, play areas (like by Splash etc) but actual rides etc that will be nearby enough to keep things simple? Grandma won't go on many of the rides that he won't be tall enough for anyway, so rather than sit and wait they could do Buzz for example, while we are on Space Mtn.

Any other combos you've used? For the mountains, Everest/Kali/FOP, RNR/Star Tours/TOT, and Test Track/Space/Soarin? For example, when might be convenient for the character spot at Epcot etc? That type of thing.

Sorry so long..looking for attractions specifically so I can change the nonriders FP to things they will actually ride and can do with the little one. Thanks!!

 

[KrazeeK120]

We actually did most of the height restricted rides when our son was sleeping. At the time (18 months old), he took a good afternoon nap every day, so we did those rides then.

One combo we used was Nemo/Soarin. The Seas pavilion is pretty close to the Land pavilion, so that was pretty convenient.

He happened to be awake when my husband rode Splash Mountain, but he loved the play area near there so it wasn’t a problem. He was also awake when my husband rode TT, but he loved the Chevy showroom at the exit of that ride.

There really is a lot to keep littles busy, even if they’re not on a ride.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Mine aren't two, but they will be too short for Space, FOP, EE. We're looking at Triceratops spin, the boneyard, and the character meets in AK. There's also lots of animal trails right on that side of the park to entertain during waiting times.

For MK, Buzz seems like a good choice. You could book FP for Grandma at Buzz to ride with him while everyone else books Space.

No input on Epcot as mine will be tall enough for everything there.

 

[Crystal824]

I have a son who is 13 mo. and two girls who are old enough to ride most attractions. This is what I did on a recent trip (Granted we skipped a lot of big attractions especially at MK because it was a short trip- it is just easier to do things everyone can do together):

1) Family - Soarin' Baby- Living with the Land
2) Family- 7DMT- Baby- Winnie the Pooh
3)Family Splash- Baby- Country Bears
4) Family- FoP Baby- Navi
5) Family Dinosaur Baby- Triceratops Spin
6) SDD Baby-TSM

Most of these I split the FPs. I got one for everyone in my family at the big attraction and another for just me at the smaller one. We used RS with no problems doing that. For the attractions without a FP, I just used the FP for all of us on the big attraction. On the attractions with little wait, DH and the baby did the smaller attraction again while I used the RS...ie while I did Soarin he took the baby on Living with the Land again. The older girls opted to do Soarin' twice and skipped Living with the Land. They didn't do that with attractions like Navi or Winnie the Pooh due to the lines. I think they got a snack instead.

 

[MomOTwins]

We do this all the time:

MK Adventureland/Frontierland
Older Kids: Splash, BTMRR, POTC (no height restriction, but too scary for our toddler)
Toddler: POTC, Aladdin, JC, Tiki Room, Country Bears

MK Fantasyland
Older Kids: 7DMT, HM (no height restriction, but too scary for our toddler), Barnstormer
Toddler: Small World, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh, Teacups

MK Tomorrowland
Older Kids: Speedway, Space Mountain, Astro Orbiter
Toddler: Peoplemover, Buzz, Teacups

Epcot
Older Kids: Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space
Toddler: Living with the Land, Nemo, Figment, Spaceship Earth

HS
Older Kids: SDD, Star Tours, RnRC, TOT, AS2 (if little one is too short to ride; otherwise AS2 can go in toddler list)
Toddler: Little Mermaid show, Disney JR show, TSM, Olaf/Mickey/Disney JR meet and greets

AK
Older Kids: FOP, Kali River, EE, PW, Dinosaur, It's tough to be a bug (no height restriction, but too scary for my toddler)
Toddler: Navi River, FOTLK, Kilimanjaro Safaris, TriceraTop Spin, Nemo Show, Mickey Meet and Greet, Up bird adventure show

 

[PollyannaMom]

Grandma won't go on many of the rides that he won't be tall enough for anyway, so rather than sit and wait they could do Buzz for example, while we are on Space Mtn.

Absolutely! The posts above have great ideas, and if you Google maps of the parks, you will be able to see which are the closest together.

Also, be prepared for the little one to get randomly interested in things you didn't expect! Just go with it, and he won't even realize he's "missing" a ride.

 

[unrequited23]

At AK we divided the adults into two groups for EE while the kids played at The Boneyard.