Toddler Advice!

[DisneyMom2000000]

Hey all!

We are traveling to WDW with a 5 month old and 2.5 year old. We are driving because we live in Florida. Anyway, our daily plan is to do parks early in the morning (we have a couple before park opening ADRs), use our fast passes (I've already booked them) in the late morning/early afternoon, then head back to the resort every day for a nap. Nap would be between 2 and 4 or so. Then, as long as everyone is up to it, we'll head back out to a park for the evening.

Questions!

-Would you just take your car to the parks? We are staying on property but the thought of using a bus makes me nervous because of the strollers plus napping. I just think it will be easier for everyone to nap in the car on the way back to the resort. Thoughts?

-EPCOT. I love EPCOT! I don't, however, think it will be the best park for a 2 year old. We are thinking about just spending an evening there for the Akershus princess dinner, Nemo and Friends, and Turtle Talk. Anything else I should plan on? Will I be OK without Fast Passes for these two attractions? We have the ADR for dinner but I think using Fast Passes for MK early in the day then adding them for EPCOT that afternoon (if we can) is the best choice... or just not worrying about the fast passes for EPCOT at all. Also, will the Flower and Garden Festival be viewable after 5 PM? I want to see it but we are in the parks for four days so we are doing Day 1 MK + EPCOT, Day 2 MK, Day 3 HS, Day 4 AK. If we can fit EPCOT in anywhere in the afternoon we will, but I don't want to feel like we skimped on it!

-Anyone know if a half gallon of milk will fit in a fridge at Art of Animation?

 

[glassslippergirl]

I would drive. We have a toddler and like the flexibility it gives us. If you do drive, maybe consider the bus on MK days if the stroller is a concern. It's a bear on the tram, then you have to deal with either monorail or ferry.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

Hey!

We have traveled to WDW 3 times with friends that had toddlers, and for each trip they always took their own car to the parks. The stroller is still a bit of a hassle on the tram, though.

We love EPCOT, too! We had breakfast at Akershus during our Christmas 2014 trip and it was wonderful. Really great character interactions and the girls still talk about it. I would try and schedule your rolling Fast Pass for whatever you can that you want to do. The queue for Nemo might be more interesting and that line moves pretty fast, so maybe try and get FP for Turtle Talk first. Also, the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico might be an option for you guys. (It's a slow boat ride featuring Donald Duck.)

F&G is on my bucket list, so I'm no help there!

From what I've heard, the fridges at Art of Animation are slightly larger than a mini-fridge. I would expect a half gallon of milk to fit. Found a picture!

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/06/07/art-of-animation-resort-kitchenettes-and-room-service-menu/

Hope that helps!

 

[AFwifelife]

Our last trip was to take our 2 year old and 4 month old. We stayed at SoG so we would walk over to Poly for the monorail to MK and EP and drove to AK and HS. On those days we did drive, we just loaded up the stroller and walked to the front. The tram was too much of a hassle and since we were at the parks early, our spot wasn't too far from the entrances.

We went to EP a ton. We went on Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Nemo, and the ride in Mexico altogether. For big rides like TT, we took turns riding and preoccupying the kids with walking around and looking at the cars. At Mission:Space, there's a great play area by the exit. We also spent time in the exit area of Imagination, Innovations, and walking around the WS. There's so much to look at and areas for them to explore.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

I would drive. We have a toddler and like the flexibility it gives us. If you do drive, maybe consider the bus on MK days if the stroller is a concern. It's a bear on the tram, then you have to deal with either monorail or ferry.

Thanks! That was kind of my thought process. If we get there early enough, could we avoid the tram at the ticket center?

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

Hey!

We have traveled to WDW 3 times with friends that had toddlers, and for each trip they always took their own car to the parks. The stroller is still a bit of a hassle on the tram, though.

We love EPCOT, too! We had breakfast at Akershus during our Christmas 2014 trip and it was wonderful. Really great character interactions and the girls still talk about it. I would try and schedule your rolling Fast Pass for whatever you can that you want to do. The queue for Nemo might be more interesting and that line moves pretty fast, so maybe try and get FP for Turtle Talk first. Also, the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico might be an option for you guys. (It's a slow boat ride featuring Donald Duck.)

F&G is on my bucket list, so I'm no help there!

From what I've heard, the fridges at Art of Animation are slightly larger than a mini-fridge. I would expect a half gallon of milk to fit. Found a picture!

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/06/07/art-of-animation-resort-kitchenettes-and-room-service-menu/

Hope that helps!

SO HELPFUL! Thank you!!! I'll look at the Gran Fiesta Tour - FUN!!!

I am hoping we can skip the tram by being early birds. Wishful thinking?!

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

Our last trip was to take our 2 year old and 4 month old. We stayed at SoG so we would walk over to Poly for the monorail to MK and EP and drove to AK and HS. On those days we did drive, we just loaded up the stroller and walked to the front. The tram was too much of a hassle and since we were at the parks early, our spot wasn't too far from the entrances.

We went to EP a ton. We went on Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Nemo, and the ride in Mexico altogether. For big rides like TT, we took turns riding and preoccupying the kids with walking around and looking at the cars. At Mission:Space, there's a great play area by the exit. We also spent time in the exit area of Imagination, Innovations, and walking around the WS. There's so much to look at and areas for them to explore.

Great! Thanks for the EPCOT info. More to do than I thought!!

I am hoping to skip the tram by getting to the parks early. Can it be avoided at MK and EP? We have before opening reservations two out of our four travel days, so maybe we'll be able to skip the tram altogether!!

 

[AFwifelife]

Great! Thanks for the EPCOT info. More to do than I thought!!

I am hoping to skip the tram by getting to the parks early. Can it be avoided at MK and EP? We have before opening reservations two out of our four travel days, so maybe we'll be able to skip the tram altogether!!

It can always be avoided. Just depends on how far you are able to walk

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

I had the crazy idea of only baby wearing the 4.5 month old and letting the toddler walk since we are doing half days... tell me t

It can always be avoided. Just depends on how far you are able to walk

oh we can walk!! I push these kids 3 miles daily at home!

 

[Paigesmom2013]

I would definitely bring a double stroller. We went one September and I tried to wear my 4 month old. That ended quickly since it was a million degrees. I liked being able to put her in the infant seat in the stroller. Then I could also do a few rides alone with our older child while dad sat with the baby.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

one thing are you able to get you toddler out of car and move to bed without waking child up? same problem with buses. one of our grandsons as a toddler fell asleep on way back to resort. then screamed for 3 hours we tried to rest and nap. another thing at MK you can not walk from parking to main gate of park. you will have to take either the monorail or ferry. other than buses no dropping off at gate then parking either

 

[krm222]

I would drive to all parks EXCEPT MK. The parking lot is across the lagoon so you'll park, do a tram ride to TTC and then take the monorail/ferry to the gates. The bus dumps you off right at the main gates and because it's MK they are more readily available.

We got burned with our 22 month old on the AK bus. We had the car at the park but my husband insisted on the bus (!?!?!): it took 25 minutes for one to arrive and when it finally did we stopped at Blizzard Beach. We were the only ones on the bus the whole time. Nearly 1.5 hours later we were at AoA ready for nap. Then when he woke up we had to do the whole thing again to get back! Ugh!!!!

We actually really like Epcot. Our son does too (he's been 22 months and 4 years for our trips). Rides like Figment, Spaceship Earth, Nemo, Turtle Talk entertain him and he likes the music in all the countries. There are some good character meet spots there too. We've done a full day there both times we've gone.

 

[jaceraden]

I can't speak to driving because we rely on the buses and have been very happy with the service over 3 trips.

I can say that EPCOT is my 3 kids' favorited park. We started going when my older 2 were 1&3 and most recently with 1, 4 & 6 year olds and we had tons to do! Even little things like watching the trains in Germany and dancing to the trash can band (?) was very entertaining for my kids. I like going with no plan and letting them lead the way - it's very interesting and rewarding to see it all through their eyes.

Also, I'm a huge fan of babywearing and stroller in in the World.

 

[tinkerbesh]

Seconding the votes for adding more rides: Spaceship Earth, Figment, Gran Fiesta, the Land, and whatever short films they're showing in the old Captain Eo building now. Plus character meet & greets, bits of the live entertainment shows and whatever kid stuff is around World Showcase.

This year with DS (who will be almost 3) for the first time we're going to try coloring at the Kidcot stations, and some kind of stamp thing I think you can get them to do at each country.

 

[caliope]

When we stayed at POR in April 2015, we had our car and drove to every park (my DH refuses to rely on crowded buses). We arrived early (well before opening) and yes, mostly got great parking spots relatively close to the gates and TTC (when at MK). We never took the tram because of our stroller. Even at the TTC, the walk wasn't too bad given how early we arrived. Bigger issue there was then funneling into the crowd waiting for either the ferry or monorail over to the MK. But even that wasn't awful. We just had to be patient (not always easy with a then 2.5 year old!).

We were there for F&G last year and it definitely continued into the evenings. It added a new dimension to our visit that we really enjoyed. Our son also naps fairly well in his stroller and for some reason found Epcot super relaxing, so he fell asleep there multiple times. That gave mommy and daddy a nice respite to enjoy the special drinks and foods of F&G! We strolled around World Showcase several times after 5:00om snacking at the kiosks. All of the Open Kitchen stands are open when the park is.

 

[DVCcurious]

We've only driven at WDW once: the trip when my son turned 1 and my daughter was 3. It was definitely the correct decision to drive at that age with all the "stuff" you have to bring with you.

Also, this is important: you aren't REQUIRED to ride the tram to the front of the park (or TTC at MK). We always opened the stroller and put the kids in it and then walked to the park. I know the parking lots are 'big' but it's not like you won't be walking 8 miles that day anyway, so what's the big deal with a half mile walk (maximum) to the front of the park from your parking spot? And it's so much easier than one parent holding both kids while the other parent wrestles with the stroller trying to get on the tram. Trust me, walk from your car to the front of the park and don't take the tram!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Seconding the votes for adding more rides: Spaceship Earth, Figment, Gran Fiesta, the Land, and whatever short films they're showing in the old Captain Eo building now. Plus character meet & greets, bits of the live entertainment shows and whatever kid stuff is around World Showcase.

This year with DS (who will be almost 3) for the first time we're going to try coloring at the Kidcot stations, and some kind of stamp thing I think you can get them to do at each country.

Those movies in Epcot are called Disney Pixar Short Film Festival and that should not be missed!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hey all!

We are traveling to WDW with a 5 month old and 2.5 year old. We are driving because we live in Florida. Anyway, our daily plan is to do parks early in the morning (we have a couple before park opening ADRs), use our fast passes (I've already booked them) in the late morning/early afternoon, then head back to the resort every day for a nap. Nap would be between 2 and 4 or so. Then, as long as everyone is up to it, we'll head back out to a park for the evening.

Questions!

-Would you just take your car to the parks? We are staying on property but the thought of using a bus makes me nervous because of the strollers plus napping. I just think it will be easier for everyone to nap in the car on the way back to the resort. Thoughts?

-EPCOT. I love EPCOT! I don't, however, think it will be the best park for a 2 year old. We are thinking about just spending an evening there for the Akershus princess dinner, Nemo and Friends, and Turtle Talk. Anything else I should plan on? Will I be OK without Fast Passes for these two attractions? We have the ADR for dinner but I think using Fast Passes for MK early in the day then adding them for EPCOT that afternoon (if we can) is the best choice... or just not worrying about the fast passes for EPCOT at all. Also, will the Flower and Garden Festival be viewable after 5 PM? I want to see it but we are in the parks for four days so we are doing Day 1 MK + EPCOT, Day 2 MK, Day 3 HS, Day 4 AK. If we can fit EPCOT in anywhere in the afternoon we will, but I don't want to feel like we skimped on it!

-Anyone know if a half gallon of milk will fit in a fridge at Art of Animation?

Add Disney Pixar Short Film Festival to your Epcot time. No fast pass needed. It's very new and VERY GOOD!

 

[ArielSRL]

We will have a 2 yr old and 4.5 yr old, so a little different but not too terribly much. My last trip was with a 9.5m old. We will pretty much drive everywhere except MK rope drop. We will probably even drive to MK from our midday breaks because I want the car for the boys to fall asleep in at night on the way back and we can park closer to the room to get me out and carry them than the bus will drop us off (we are at SSR). And we may even have my dad drive the car to MK while my mom, the boys, and I do the bus for rope drop so we have it to drive back to resort at midday breaks. We will either have 2 strollers or a double bc I want my 4.5 yr old to have the option to rest/sleep, too. I'm not even going to do the double sit and stand bc there's no where for him to sleep/lay back.

We are definitely doing a whole day at Epcot but here is where my boys' and your children's age difference comes into play. If Soarin is open, my 4.5 yr old will do that, as well as test track. Also if Frozen Ever After is open, we will do that, too (actually planning another morning in Epcot if both Frozen and Soarin are open and probably Tier 1's).

Full disclosure: my dad has a handicap placard so we get to park up front in the parking lots which makes the decision to drive to the parks even easier.

 

[lazytown10]

I would recommend a double stroller too. I wear my little ones a lot in the park, but sometimes they just want to stretch out in the stroller. It is also nice to pull the canopy over them and block everything out when they get over stimulated.