Things to do with 2 year olds?

[ocwoodmanp]

Just a bit curious. My husband and I love Disney and are soon to close on our DVC in the BCV. We are already planning a trip for '08. We are also adopting from China and she will be 2 years old then. Since we have never been to Disney with a small child I was wondering if anyone had any advice on things to do. We do have pool time set aside.

 

[mbhoxsie]

The parks can be kinda overwhelming for the younger kids... I would recommend doing MK for a day, but take your time through the park and gauge how your DD will warm up to the characters... Some kids can handle it, others can't.. (My DS freaked out at Tigger at 1.5yo, but was hugging Buzz Lightyear by 2.5 years..)

Other fun things...
1) Go to Fort Wilderness.. There is a petting zoo, wagon rides, s'mores, etc...

2) Spend some time at the Community Hall at BWV... While I can't remember how many activities they have for infants, you may be able to color a picture or two...

3) While at DD, bring "swim" diapers... There are fountains there that the kids can walk or run through to keep cool...

4) Pool Hop... Check out the other resorts... SSR has a nice sprinkler fountain.. BWV has a nice kiddie pool and playground... While at BWV, stop by the bakery and pick up some carrot cake... hmmm...

5) If you want a character experience that is not overwhelming, try eating at Gulliver's at WDW Swan... They have character dinners there every night, with buffet service... (Plus DVC members get a 20% discount.) The characters make it a point to stop by every table, but aren't always in your face if the child is sensitive.

 

[rinkwide]

...advice on things to do...

Hmm, that's a tough one. You could take a nap.

 

[starbox]

We took the kids both at 2 1/2 - they were my favorite trips.

I'd suggest:

1. Character Dining - one princess meal and one Mickey and Co. meal

2. Playhouse Disney Live

3. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid

4. Fantasy Land first thing in the morning.

5. Take a bathing suit/ change of clothes to Epcot so she can play in the water fountains.

6. Spectromagic Parade

7. Hopefully they will have re-instated the Cinderella's Surprise show in front of the castle.


AVOID - It's Tough to Be a Bug. Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Dinosaur.

 

[eporter66]

We also adopted a child from China - so let me send my Congrats to you. We are going down to Disney with her in October and she will be two and a half.

We are not sure what rides she will like, but we did book a character breakfast. She seems to enjoy the characters at other parks we have been to (Sesame Place, Six Flags) so that shoud be fun. Obviously the Magic Kingdom has some stuff geared for the smaller kids - so that will probably be where we spend a lot of time with her.

Best of luck - and just have fun

Eric

 

[mom2alix]

Congrats on your adoption!!!

Just back from a trip in May with DS (then 18 mo.), and one suggestion for a Character meal with a small child is Garden Grill - we did several character meals and this was the most relaxed. It also isn't a buffet so it was a LOT easier on me and the veggies were so well prepared that I had no trouble getting the kids to eat them.


I agree with Playhouse Disney Live! It's a really great show for the little ones. DS also LOVED the Donald splash area in toon town, the tea cups, and especially the Pooh ride. Also try a meal at WCC and while you're at WL, the little one will go over that little bridge in the lobby ENDLESSLY! One little boy we saw kept referring to it as the "baby bridge" because all the little ones were walking over it over and over.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Small World was a huge hit with our 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year olds, as was Country Bear Jamboree and Dumbo. Still, the warm water in the swimming pools was probably the biggest hit for the 2 youngest, while character greetings and hugs would be what the 3 1/2 most wanted.

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

go visit the all star resorts especially movies. Also Pop century.

I think she will enjoy the bigger than life icons.

 

[ocwoodmanp]

Thank you all for your advice and good wishes! We cannot wait for the adoption and then the trip to Disney!
-Dana

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

We've gone 2 times with our 2 yr olds. The way we always planned it was this:

Park in the morning, first open till about 1130 (1030 our time)

Then back to the hotel for naps (while the kids napped, we either did or traded shifts by the pool sun tanning)...the funny thing was, as we exited, it seemed everyone else was rushing to get into the parks!

After wake up time and lunch, we'd go back to the parks for the evening, 330 or 4 until we were pooped.

We tried a couple days without naps, and the kids were a disaster...so for us anyway, the naps were a necessity. Plus, we got refreshed and it broke up the day!

Good luck

 

[Granny]

You might want to also check the Disney for Families board http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=1&f=23

There are a lot of threads about little ones at WDW that could give you some good ideas.