Taking my 2yo for first trip - advice please

[twissie]

I have lots of questions about my trip in September. I am booked to travel by Eurostar and stay for 5 nights in Cheyenne.

I've been twice before but never with a toddler so any advice for things to do/see/places to eat that i otherwise might miss would be much appreciated.

I'm also toying with the idea of upgrading the final night to DLH but as the budget is quite tight I'm not sure if we will ready feel much benefit or if its just upheaval for not much gain? I'm thinking about taking advantage of pool and children's play areas? (And I can't deny that I really want to stay there too!)

Can anyone also tell me exactly how the food works for a 2yo? I've done a bit of reading but can't quite grasp it, I know it's free but is that only if she eats from our plates? Does she get separate free drinks or can we take her own juice?

 

[tennisfan]

Kids under 3 eat free in buffets, other table service restaurants its hit and miss. Some have had their child being given a meal etc for free others have had to pay if they don't eat from your plate.

Regarding the DLH I wouldn't do it for one night personally as its a lot of messing around changing hotels. TBH out of all the hotels with pools the DLH is the most disappointing as its much smaller then the others.

 

[fccabs]

WHen we took our 2 year old last year we had to pay 5 euros for him to have a plate of pasta (or he could have had chips) at Cafe Mickey. This didnt work for us as he prefers meat to carbs so after that we paid for him to have a child's meal and he ate 3 courses happily. We had a good time with the characters at Cafe Mickey on the day we arrived and would heartily recommend doing that. At the counter service restaurants we again ordered the children's meal but to be honest he could easily have eaten from our plates as you get quite a lot. Drinks weren't free and we paid quite a lot for bottled water for him.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Congratulations on your booking

I can't help much with eating (it's a while since mine were wee) but i'd definitely recommend doing Extra Magic Hours in the morning if you can. Your lo will probably love the rides in Fantasyland and you'll get lots done early, that you would spend ages queuing for later in the day.

I think moving to the DLH for one night would be a hassle too - and probably very, very expensive. I don't think you'd be able to upgrade as such, but may need to cancel your last day at Cheyenne and make a new booking for the last day.

Playhouse Disney show in the Studios is great for little ones as is the Animagique show. I think there is an outdoor play area at the Cheyenne if I remember rightly. There is also a play area beside Captain Hooks ship in Adventureland and one in Frontierland, near the Chapparal Theatre. I think it's called Pochohontas something

 

[twissie]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm just so excited about taking her that I want everything to be as good as it can be!

I think you are right about changing hotel being more hassle than its worth, will save DLH for another trip when she is old enough to really appreciate it.

Thanks for explaining the food situation, hopefully she will be happy to eat from our plates. It is a few months away though so I'll see how she goes with her appetite, at least I know I can get her a children's meal if necessary.

I definitely have Cafe Mickey high on the list of priorities, I just really hope she isn't frightened of the characters. She already recognises most disney characters, even out if context, so I'm hopeful that she will love them like I do!!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I too am taking my 2 year old (well he'll be two and a half by then) in September for the first time so I am looking forward to seeing the responses you get. I also toyed with the idea of having our last night at DLH, but it really is too much hassle. For our Disney wedding (without a child too) we moved to 5 different locations and it was a bit if a pain as we lost out on precious time at the parks, it did however make the whole holiday feel a lot longer (which is never bad!).

Hope you get some good advice, when is September are you going? I am going 4th-8th.

 

[twissie]

I am going 11th to 16th so I'll just miss you

I can't wait to see it all through new eyes, I'm sure it's going to be a totally different, and maybe a bit more magical (if thats possible?) with dd on this trip.

 

[tinks_1989]

We took our DD at 6 months 12 months 18 months and 20 months. We couldn't get enough of the place

We had an amazing time the character interaction is brilliant with little ones. We have so many amazing memories from our trips to DLP with her being that small. She is a character nut now and loves them.

We have done Cafe Mickey x3, Auberge and Inventions x2 with her.

 

[Everything Eeyore]

I took my son when he'd just turned 2 last year and had a lovely time. It did take us five times as long to get round things though lol and we never saw all of both parks but I didn't expect to see everything anyway.

I'd agree that it's probably more hassle than it's worth to change hotels for one night.

Most of the time we would buy a children's meal for him even though he was under 3. Most restaurants were very good with providing a high chair and some sort of activity for him before the food arrived, usually in the form of stickers (it was Halloween).

I'm sure that you'll have a wonderful time

 

[K11C12]

We r going in October with our two sons who will b 2 and a half and 18months its out first trip away with them and our first trip to dlp.

We r staying at the dlh and I also wondered what to do about the food - my eldest son is not a good eater and won't eat any proper meals so if I bought a child's meal it would b wasted however my youngest is a great eater but I'm still thinking he would b better eating of my plate!

It's good to know the restaurants will give them things to entertain them while we wait for food!

 

[Lisa_C]

We r going in October with our two sons who will b 2 and a half and 18months its out first trip away with them and our first trip to dlp.

We r staying at the dlh and I also wondered what to do about the food - my eldest son is not a good eater and won't eat any proper meals so if I bought a child's meal it would b wasted however my youngest is a great eater but I'm still thinking he would b better eating of my plate!

It's good to know the restaurants will give them things to entertain them while we wait for food!

You would be best at the buffets - both kids are free and they have a massive choice!