Tips for trip with 2.5 year old

[jollygreen]

We'll be at DL in early September. We went last year when our kid was almost 1.5 and he was scared of the drops on Pirates (but liked the rest) and didn't like being thrown around on MMRR. Prior to last year, I hadn't been to any Disney parks since 2019 and primarily to WDW. I've only been to DL one other time and there's still a lot I'm not familiar with.

It'll just be him & I for 1 day and then my husband and mother-in-law will join us for day 2. I was planning on doing DCA the first day but I'm open to doing 2 days at DL, I've never been to DCA and wanted to check it out. I'm just not sure what rides would potentially be good. I've heard that some of the "any height" rides aren't recommended for toddlers because they can be dark & scary. I kind of want to try Pirates again to see if he'd handle the drops better a year later.

 

[ChrissyLou]

My kids are adults now, but I loved taking them at every age. Each trip was different based on their age/height - what they liked, character interactions, new attractions or what was being refurbished at the time, we always took our own stroller (well stocked with anything that might possibly be needed) and I can't imagine not having one especially with a toddler, that would be my first suggestion. Each child is so different, my daughter at 3 1/2 loved Pooh (which had just opened) so we rode that way too MANY times, (I'd recommend that for his age), but she hated It's a Small World as she didn't care for the dolls, but she loved the Matterhorn and none of the dark Fantasyland rides ever scared either of my kids, but you just don't ever know. I'd suggest start with Fantasyland and do the non-dark rides first: Dumbo, the Carousel, Storybook Land Canal, Casey Junior, then work into Peter Pan (it's dark, but not scary), they did tone down Snow White and you can gauge his reaction, visit the newly redone Swiss Family Treehouse, of course there's the Jungle Cruise, ride the train around the park, or take a ride on the Mark Twain or Sailing Ship Columbia. Oh and the transportation rides from one end of Main Street to the other can be fascinating for little kids too. Disney trips with littles are amazingly magical, even when you're limited with what you can and can't do. Their reactions are so memorable and that is what it's all about to me, I say relax and do what works for them. A good place to just let him wander (while being close) is Pirate's Lair. If you do DCA, there's the Little Mermaid, Golden Zephyr, Jumpin Jellyfish, Redwood Creek Challenge (a good place for him to run around), I think there are some others too. I didn't check height restrictions or refurbishment schedule, so I apologize in advance and don't forget to use the rider switch for the adults so you can ride some of the bigger, more exciting attractions.

 

[Pluto468]

If you've never been to DCA it's worth checking out. Will you have hoppers? There will be some fun things for your 2.5 year old, even if he doesn't like dark rides.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

DCA is fun for that age, plenty to see and do. For rides, you’ll have Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, two of the rides in Cars Land (Mater and Luigi, as long as he’s 32 inches), Golden Zephyr, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal Around (non-swinging cars), Toy Story Midway Mania, Jessie’s Carousel, even Spider-Man Webslingers unless you think he might get scared.

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is WONDERFUL for him to run around, climb, explore.

There are cute shows he’ll probably like such as Turtle Talk with Crush, the Disney Jr show and Mickey’s Philharmagic. My kids also love the bread factory tour, ha ha.

DCA has a nice baby care center for diaper changes, nursing, feeding, and has little potties and sinks for toddlers.

 

[jollygreen]

My kids are adults now, but I loved taking them at every age. Each trip was different based on their age/height - what they liked, character interactions, new attractions or what was being refurbished at the time, we always took our own stroller (well stocked with anything that might possibly be needed) and I can't imagine not having one especially with a toddler, that would be my first suggestion. Each child is so different, my daughter at 3 1/2 loved Pooh (which had just opened) so we rode that way too MANY times, (I'd recommend that for his age), but she hated It's a Small World as she didn't care for the dolls, but she loved the Matterhorn and none of the dark Fantasyland rides ever scared either of my kids, but you just don't ever know. I'd suggest start with Fantasyland and do the non-dark rides first: Dumbo, the Carousel, Storybook Land Canal, Casey Junior, then work into Peter Pan (it's dark, but not scary), they did tone down Snow White and you can gauge his reaction, visit the newly redone Swiss Family Treehouse, of course there's the Jungle Cruise, ride the train around the park, or take a ride on the Mark Twain or Sailing Ship Columbia. Oh and the transportation rides from one end of Main Street to the other can be fascinating for little kids too. Disney trips with littles are amazingly magical, even when you're limited with what you can and can't do. Their reactions are so memorable and that is what it's all about to me, I say relax and do what works for them. A good place to just let him wander (while being close) is Pirate's Lair. If you do DCA, there's the Little Mermaid, Golden Zephyr, Jumpin Jellyfish, Redwood Creek Challenge (a good place for him to run around), I think there are some others too. I didn't check height restrictions or refurbishment schedule, so I apologize in advance and don't forget to use the rider switch for the adults so you can ride some of the bigger, more exciting attractions.

Lots of good info, thanks! He liked Jungle Cruise and Small World last year, he'll probably still like them this year. Gauging what he'll be okay with a year later is hard, though. I'll definitely need to check out some ride videos and get an idea. He's 35.5" now and I'm assuming he'll grow before September, not enough for the 38" rides, though.

 

[jollygreen]

If you've never been to DCA it's worth checking out. Will you have hoppers? There will be some fun things for your 2.5 year old, even if he doesn't like dark rides.

I haven't decided on tickets yet, so park hoppers are definitely an option!

 

[jollygreen]

DCA is fun for that age, plenty to see and do. For rides, you’ll have Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, two of the rides in Cars Land (Mater and Luigi, as long as he’s 32 inches), Golden Zephyr, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal Around (non-swinging cars), Toy Story Midway Mania, Jessie’s Carousel, even Spider-Man Webslingers unless you think he might get scared.

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is WONDERFUL for him to run around, climb, explore.

There are cute shows he’ll probably like such as Turtle Talk with Crush, the Disney Jr show and Mickey’s Philharmagic. My kids also love the bread factory tour, ha ha.

DCA has a nice baby care center for diaper changes, nursing, feeding, and has little potties and sinks for toddlers.

Thanks! Definitely sounds like there's a good amount for him to do! And I think he'd love the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, he loves being outside and climbing things.

Good tip about the baby care centers! They've never really been on my radar before.

 

[queso2992]

I am taking my 3-year-old (almost 4) next week. It's his 3rd time to DL, and he's been to WDW a few times too. As others have said, just enjoy what he can do now! Mine just passed 40" (he's pretty tall for his age), and he's SO excited to ride the "big kid" rides as there are several that have 40" height restrictions. But that probably wouldn't be possible if we hadn't gone before and ridden other rides. I'm all about exposing them to things and working through the feelings, so if I were you, I wouldn't stress too much on what he might be scared of. Just try different rides and adjust from there. Both of the ones you mentioned (Pirates and MMRR) are on the more intense side for the all ages rides, so I would think he should be fine on the rest!
Also, I definitely recommend DCA for you and him. There are quite a few rides with no height restrictions, plus Cars Land is just fun. If he hasn't seen Cars, I highly recommend watching it before you go. It feels just like Radiator Springs from the movie.

 

[Pluto468]

I haven't decided on tickets yet, so park hoppers are definitely an option!

That's the way I'd go, then. DCA isn't necessarily an all day park, so you could go to Disneyland in the afternoon or evening afterwards. Although if your son is still napping maybe you won't be in the parks all day anyway. My 3 year old napped in his stroller sometimes at the parks.

 

[LKing]

Thanks! Definitely sounds like there's a good amount for him to do! And I think he'd love the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, he loves being outside and climbing things.

If that is the case, check out Tom Sawyers Island and Toontown.

Fantasyland Theater and the Hollywood Backlot Stage will have characters and dancing for that age group. He would probably enjoy the Better Together parade in DCA. I think Disney Junior should be open by then as well.

 

[danceintherain]

I would probably skip the stuff that scared him last year. My kids just haven't changed their minds that quickly. I'd be more likely to let him re-ride stuff that he really loves, than try to ride everything once.