Taking an almost 2 year old for first time.. QUESTIONS!

[Freiden8]

* Will this be difficult?
* Is is too early for DD to enjoy?
* Going Jan 2007, good time to go?
* We were thinking about resort choices.. What is more important, monorail access or getting a home away from home resort for the kitchen and separate rooms?? OR, scrap both ideas and go to a moderate because DD really won't care?

 

[tricia]

I took DS2 for his first trip when he was 20 mos., and his second when he was 32mos. True, he does not remember the first trip, but we do, and have the pictures to show him. He did have a great time while we were there. We think it is worth it, we love WDW and loved sharing it with a child that age. Everything is new to them, and to see it through their eyes is awesome.

We stayed at a value resort cause I am very budget conscience (cheap )
We brought our own stroller and DS napped in it at the parks. Just found a quiet place to have a cup of coffee and let him snooze. We did get a few gorceries before we checked in, mostly to just have cereal for breakfast, and snacks that DS was used to.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We took DD at 13 months, 22 months & 25 months and will be going again at 34 months. It is SO worth it. The 13 month trip she of course doesn't remember but had a wonderful time - we did too. But these last two....I don't know if it's because it is still so recent or what. But she will randomly bring up the "parade" and talk about "party" (we went to MNSSHP & MVMCP both) and she tells us about Tinkerbelle flying over her head. And when she sees the commercials with the castly and fireworks she says "Me there." - "one more time??" so I think it's accurate to say she enjoyed the trips and remembers them. She loved it and I think is already addicted as her mother. Oh...and I think January 2007 will be a great time. We were looking at our next trip being then....but she'll still be under 3 and free in September and won't be in January. Have fun planning!!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Oh...and I forgot to mention. We stayed value too - and Sammi enjoyed the resort as much as anything else. And the buses were a ride of their own. So if you are planning based on the child stay value and spend more on souvies. I can't wait to go back to All-Star Movies because Sammi loved it!!

 

[mommystieg]

We first visited WDW in 2002 when DD#2 was 26 months old and she had a BLAST!! We stayed at POR -- we rented a car and brought our own stroller. DD#2 remembers some things from her first visit but the memories we have are priceless. Go -- you will an awesome time

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

My DD was 22 months on her first Disney trip. The best thing we did was bring the video camera. She does not remember the trip, but she thinks she does. She will say, "Mama, do remember when I met Snow White and she kissed me on cheek?" She only remembers it because she watches the videos all the time. She loved the characters. I would not worry about your child not remembering it because you will.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We took DS for the first time at 2 1/2 and DD first time at 15 months, then our latest trip was last September, she turned 2 during the trip.

Granted my DS who is now 7, is alot easier to manage. USUALLY no whining. no naps needed and we can do everything with him. But he really isn't into the characters like he was when he was younger.

DD LOVES to see all the characters. You can just see the look of awe on her face when she sees one. She is alot more difficult to get around, whining more, naps needed, earlier bed, diapers etc. But it is the best ever. IMOP, 2 is the best age to visit WDW.

 

[emsip]

We took our son last year when he was on 15 months and he had a lot of fun. As far as what he will remember, you can never tell with kids. We did not think he would remember the trip, but realized we were wrong when we got home. Now whenever we sing the It's A Small World theme song, he smiles and shakes his head just like singing dolls .

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

DD was 22 mos. on her first trip and 26 mos. on her second. She still remembers bits and pieces and brings them up randomly (which means we usually have to decipher what she's talking about).

PROS
Everything is portable today.
Still under the age limit for most character meals (a BIG plus).
Gets into parks for free.
Will be amazed at everything and can ride most things with you.
Forces you to slow down ––*and enjoy your surroundings through new eyes.

CONS
Changing diapers. You have to lug 'em around wherever you go.
Might need a crib if not ready for a regular bed.
Naptime. Our dd slept in Cosmic Rays while we had a soda and enjoyed the cool air.
Some rides might be too scary (even Pooh scared our DD on the first ride).
Early bedtimes mean shorter days.

Hope this helps. We want to take DD back before she turns three.

 

[Camno's Mama]

We went last year when ds was just under two, and he had a great time. He doesn't really remember it, but he loved it while we were there. He especially loved the parades and the castle. Mickey, too! The rest was kind of above his level of understanding.

We stayed off site at a house. It was nice because he still had to observe an early bedtime most nights (not the best sleeper, so we really had to stay on schedule), and we could eat at home whenever we wanted to.

You'll have fun!

 

[Rowlf]

When we took DS at 15 months, we stayed at the Polynesian. The monorail access was great, since he will NOT nap in a stroller. We took him again at 27 months and stayed at AKL. It really wasn't that bad driving/taking buses from there, but the monorail access was very nice. (We had to take buses from the Poly to AKL and MGM anyway, so it really doesn't matter all that much.)

If it is possible for you, I'd really recommend doing concierge with a little one. You can have easy-to-get breakfasts and snacks, and, at nap time, one of you can go to the lounge and get some (semi)quiet time.

 

[DebIreland]

My DD was 22 months on her first Disney trip. The best thing we did was bring the video camera. She does not remember the trip, but she thinks she does. She will say, "Mama, do remember when I met Snow White and she kissed me on cheek?" ......

Awww, that is so cute!

 

[DebIreland]

Is is too early for DD to enjoy?

Well, our girl was 15 months and as you can tell from my sig she was miserable.


Seriously, your DD will have a ball. Whether you choose a monorail/boat/bus resort, the transportation is great in my opinion. There'll be a lot of other people there with babies too. Yes, you need to fold the stroller before getting on the bus but it's really not much trouble.

I guess the kitchen would be handy but not essential - we stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter (loved it!!) and then onto Wilderness Lodge. We had the fridge in both places and we had groceries delivered from a wonderful place called wegoshop (www.wegoshop.com) so all our baby's necessities were looked after. Oh, and even though we had the boat to MK at Wilderness Lodge, I still preferred the buses. We had to fold the stroller in either case.

You could also consider renting DVC points at a home-away-from home resort if you have your heart set on one. Members of DVC who decide not to use their points often rent them out - there is a board here on the subject. That's what we're hoping to do this year. But wherever you stay, I'm sure you'll have a ball.

 

[cruiserkaren]

I replied to your post on the resorts board too! We took DD when she was 1 1/2 weeks shy of her 2nd b-day and it was the best! She had a blast! Go, Go, Go! You won't regret it. As far as them not remembering, I'm not so sure. DD to this day, says "me ride Dumbo, tickle tummy!" and we DON'T have a video of it. Who knows? I think January would be better than when we went in September. It was extremely HOT! Almost miserably hot.

 

[Danaans]

took Grandson at 14 months....there was some things he missed becasue of naps. etc, but he seemed to enjoy it, and besides you make the memories and remind him of it.....

he's the one on the end...my daughter is holding him up....here he is standing with his sister and his cousin....

 

[drteeth3]

We took our daughter Kaitlyn at 1, 2 & 3 and had no problems at all. She LOVES the charecters and getting autographs. Some say its hard and the kids are not going to remember it, but I say thats just not true. You will have some fantastic video and pictures that are just priceless. My daughter loves to watch are disney videos, she calls it the Kaitlyn show.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I took my youngest when she was 11 months, 21 months, and 33 months. I would have to say she was easier (less afraid of things and actually ate better) at 21 months than 33 months but she (we all) had a great time on all 3 trips.

I really like the Poly but I also have 2 other children who were 6 1/2 and 4 1/12 on our last trip and with 3 small kids and 2 strollers we really appreciated the ease of transportation there. I also really love the relaxed atmosphere of the Poly but with just 1 child I think you could easily stay anywhere and you DD would LOVE the value resorts. We travel with a friend so now that my youngest is 3 and we are a party of 6 we'll be going to POFQ. Can't afford 2 rooms at the Poly.

 

[momto3disneyfans]

I took my new 2 year old in September & she loved it. I really think she does remember dancing with Donald Duck at Chef mickeys. Pop Century was great for us, way better than when we stayed in Port Orleans, because of all the buses! I would caution you, though, going in January. Your baby is so much more likely to get sick during that season! We went in December, also cold and flu season, and we caught 2 things on the bus. My poor 7 year old threw up all the way home on the plane. Well, poor people who had to be on the plane with us, too! No matter what, you'll have a great time!

 

[Kahana-ri]

* Will this be difficult?
* Is is too early for DD to enjoy?
* Going Jan 2007, good time to go?
* We were thinking about resort choices.. What is more important, monorail access or getting a home away from home resort for the kitchen and separate rooms?? OR, scrap both ideas and go to a moderate because DD really won't care?

Difficult? Depends on what you consider difficult. It WAS hard to with our son at 20 months, but it was still easier than I had expected. I went with the preconceived notions of schedules and preplanned for the unexpected. Joke was on us.

Enjoy it? DS LOVED WDW He had the best time. Loved the characters, the rides, the shows and character breakfast. He got a kick out of riding the WDW buses best of all. DS was on the whole time. He won't remember a darn thing, but his face and actions were priceless.

We stayed at the POP and everything was wonderful. This September we plan to stay at Coronado Springs.

Hope it helps.