Taking two year old daughter to Disney

[disneybound1976]

We are taking our two year old daughter to Disney in July. We have been numerous times, but this will be a first with a little one. I've heard different things from different folks.

One question, besides the obvious...(Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, etc) which rides are a 2 year old not permitted on as far as the "well known" attractions?

Also, on the rides that she can't get on, curious how we handle that? I've heard we could all get in line together and when you get to the loading area one parent gets on and the other parent waits with the toddler...and then when the ride is over they let the parents switch out....or does one parent have to wait in line while the other finds some shade and then after riding that parent has to wait while the other goes and gets in line? (Gee I hope not!) Any ideas or suggestions welcome! Thanks!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

No, you can't get in line together but, you can all go up to the CM ask for a baby swap pass. The first group goes through the line (or fastpass line if you have a fastpass). Then the second group (up to 3 people) can go through on the baby swap pass.

Hope that helps. Oh and we took our 11 month old on everything that didn't have a height requirement last year.

 

[disneybound1976]

Oh boy....well, not looking forward to one of us having to wait off to the side with my daughter for an hour and a half on some of these rides. Oh well...have to take the good with the bad I suppose!

 

[reginaastralis]

Your best bet is to utilize the fast passes. It's worth it with a little one. That way you won't have to wait outside with her while someone else is standing in line for very long.

Also, and just a word of caution ... my friends little girl didn't like any of the rides really. She was scared of the dark. I just feel like that's a proper warning. We haven't been daring enough to take Julie back on Snow White since March, when the witch really scared her. Of course, she's a year older than your little one ... so it really depends on how your child does with the dark.

 

[Disneyolic]

We took our daughter to the MK when she was just over 2 last fall. She loved everything she could go on. We are going back in June when she will be just 2 weeks shy of 3. She is already talking about going on Pirates, "Yo Ho, Yo Ho!" and going in Cinderella's castle. Besides it being a bit hard with the things she can't go on, it's so much fun with everything she can go on and experience!

 

[all4fun]

Your best bet is to utilize the fast passes. It's worth it with a little one. That way you won't have to wait outside with her while someone else is standing in line for very long.

This is excellent advice and usually what dh and I do, unless the wait time isn't too long. We also carry cell phones so the one who is watching ds can wander to another area and its still easy to find each other. Another thing we like to do is when one of us riding say, Space Mtn the other will take ds on Buzz ride or to the Stitch's Great Escape attraction (he loves those). If there's another kid-friendly ride in the same area this is another option to consider as long as the wait times look pretty similar.

hth!

 

[penguincrazie]

Why couldn't she go on Haunted Mansion? We take DD on everything the doesn't have a height requirement. I am pretty sure we took her on this in January - she was 17.5 months old.

 

[disneybound1976]

We will check out the fastpasses. I'm not familiar with them as of now..but will inquire about them once at Wilderness Lodge.

Which of the main attractions can a 2 year old ride on that don't have height requirements?

Also...which rides at the other parks? Epcot, Universal?


Thanks so much for the info so far everybody!

 

[MsLeFever]

At the Magic Kingdom the height requirements come into play on the 3 mountains, Stitch's Alien Encounter and Goofy's Barnstormer (although that is only 36")

 

[Tikicampers]

If you're going to do Snow White, do it after you do another ride. We took our son on it first thing when he was 18 mo. He got very upset by the witch, and it took a while to get him to go on another ride. I would say do Pooh first just in case something scares your DD later.
Also, the Disney website lists all height requirements.

 

[Disneyolic]

Check out this link for All Ears. It has all ride restrictions and a brief summary of each ride. This will help you.

All Ears - WDW Ride Restrictions

 

[reginaastralis]

A quick run down on fastpasses, there is MUCH more info I'm sure.

If you're really set on doing some of the Mts for you and your husband, your best bet is to hit them up early in the day and get the fast pass. Let's say you get to MK at opening, go to Tomorrowland and get your FP for Space Mountain. An hour later, you're able to get another FP for a different ride, we usually head of to Splash Mt, the hour between gives us time to hit MOST if not all the rides Juliette can do in Tomorrowland. Once you've gotten your FP for Splash, you then have another hour to do the rides nearby, and then get your FP for (wow, my brain just broke ... the last mt.). Anyways ...now you have all three FP and you can go back and get a ride anytime during the day, once your window is open.

I'm afraid I'm not making sense, since I'm supposed to be in bed ... so let me clarify. On the fastpass, it'll print out a time to come back. Say 2-3pm, however, they are good anytime after 2. It'll also have a time printed on it, when you're able to get another FP, an hour later.

If we're serious about rides for the day, we get our FPs in the morning, like I described, and if the line isn't long, we usually do a babyswap in the morning after getting the FP. That way, you ride twice.

And just a word of caution, depending on when you go ... Fantasyland can have some mega wait times, though your dd can go on those rides with you.

I would do a quick search on the forums about FPs if I'm not making sense. I love Disney with all of my heart, but not all the CMs tell you the right info. It's better to learn before you get there.

HTH

 

[Liltx]

My first loved everything at 15 months my second hated everything at 15 months even the train. There is just no way to predict how your child will react. I would say to start with all of the non dark rides first. Also try to get in alot of carwashes before you go. I think that kind of simulates some of the rides (loud, dark, sort of bumpy). My dd2 is getting much better now, didn't even cry in the tunnel of the zoo train. DD4 hates PoC. I know we will still have a good time even if we have to take turns or skip some rides.

Have a wonderful trip!

Monica

 

[DW Dad]

We took our DD when she was 2 and she also went on everything in MK and Epcot without a height requirement and loved all of it. If there was a requirement we took turns taking my DS6 on rides he could go on, and the other took her on the rides without the requirement.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

We did as previous poster and took our dd on anything without a height requirment I will be honest she was a little scared in Huanted Mansion, Pirates, and some of the 3d shows. She just covered her ears no freak outs. We went in October so lines weren't horrible. We did fast pass the whole time worked out great. I was expecting it to be a lot worse. It was a very relaxing vacation.

 

[Gillian]

Since you've been before, I personally think the most important thing with a little one is to just go with the flow and not worry about seeing and doing everything! Make the trip about having fun with your kid and skip the big, long lines this time (or use fastpass if you must go).

Our 2 year old surprised us by being afraid of every dark ride. She is essentially fearless in real life, but didn't even want to go on the Pooh ride. Just be prepared for anything, because you never know how your child will react. Also, some 2 year olds do not like the characters much.

You might find the Tour Guide Mike service helpful. Even as experienced WDW visitors, it saved us time and helped plan our days. There is a link on the theme parks board.