Toddler at After Hours Event?

[hilltopper152]

Considering staying at the campground in early Sept and making a trip of no parks other than maybe a water park visit. We have wanted to do Not So Scary for a while and thought it would give us a little MK time without buying tickets for parks. Our daughter has been to Disney 3 times already and will be 23 months if we were to go in Sept. Does anyone think there is a chance we could make it work at the event? We have pushed bedtime back to 10-11 before but obviosuly had to account for naps and rest the next day. Just curious if anyone has taken that on before?

Thanks!

 

[Haley R]

We’re planning to take our 2 year old for the first time this year. He usually stays up until around 9 at Disney. We may try to push his nap a little further but we’ll have to see how he’s feeling. I’m hoping to watch the parade and trick or treat. Anything else will be a bonus lol.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I did MVMCP when my daughter was 3 and we loved it!! She partied from about 4-9 then crashed in her stroller. After that I people watched, watched the parade, stage show and was making my way out around 10:30 when she woke up. We turned around, went back to the party and closed it down! For me it was all about realistic expectations and knowing my daughter might sleep some/all of the party time but I was okay with that and was so glad we went!!

 

[HeiHei2018]

Every kid is different. When my daughter was 5, she was so worn out by 7 pm that I carried her screaming out of MK. And that was our only park day. Thankfully she outgrew that and is a park warrior now, but I’m still not sure we will make it to midnight for EEH You know your kid and your tolerance for getting a screaming kid onto bus or monorail late at night.

 

[Marthasor]

Every kid is different. My DS would not have done well at an After Hours event when he was that age and I didn't attempt to take him to any until he was about 7 years old. Even then, he didn't make it through the whole event. If you go to WDW often, you may want to consider doing this another year.

 

[RoseGold]

My kid took a nap and nailed it. You know your kid.

 

[Selket]

I agree it's kinda up to your kid. We went when my son was little and he would nap - we brought his own stroller. The other issue could be if the weather is bad (stormy or rainy) - that's always a challenge. You can't control the weather though! I'd say go for it and enjoy what you can and not worry about the rest.

 

[hilltopper152]

We have done 4.5 months, 9 months and 14.5 months. Each time was different and made sure to never push her and react with plenty of breaks. We usually avoid hot times which helped. We plan to relax during day and take plenty of naps. I'm hoping to get in early and let her fall asleep in stroller if need be. Just wondered if little ones found it fun still.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just wondered if little ones found it fun still.

JMHO but I really feel after hours parties are for the parents of toddlers. At that age they don’t know the difference between a regular time in the MK and an after hours party. If you’re going because you want to enjoy the party, go! If you’re going for the sake of your toddler I’d save the money and go during the day when your child is more likely to enjoy them self.

 

[hilltopper152]

JMHO but I really feel after hours parties are for the parents of toddlers. At that age they don’t know the difference between a regular time in the MK and an after hours party. If you’re going because you want to enjoy the party, go! If you’re going for the sake of your toddler I’d save the money and go during the day when your child is more likely to enjoy the self.

Good point. Well we are aware a 2 year old won't remember any of this so we consider most of it fun for us to witness. We decided to make it no park days but never been during the fall so seemed like a good idea just to see decorations and get the "fix" for the money. Maybe more enjoyable for us like you say honestly but hope she can trick or treat at least some. Will the fireworks happen earlier or is it at the end of the party? She likes those a lot.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Good point. Well we are aware a 2 year old won't remember any of this so we consider most of it fun for us to witness. We decided to make it no park days but never been during the fall so seemed like a good idea just to see decorations and get the "fix" for the money. Maybe more enjoyable for us like you say honestly but hope she can trick or treat at least some. Will the fireworks happen earlier or is it at the end of the party? She likes those a lot.

While my daughter was a bit older, we did the same thing once and had a great time! We did a water park only trip once in order to qualify for FD the following year. While I didn’t plan to do any parks the Halloween party offered the perfect opportunity to enjoy some party time and visit the MK.

Have fun if you go!

 

[Haley R]

Good point. Well we are aware a 2 year old won't remember any of this so we consider most of it fun for us to witness. We decided to make it no park days but never been during the fall so seemed like a good idea just to see decorations and get the "fix" for the money. Maybe more enjoyable for us like you say honestly but hope she can trick or treat at least some. Will the fireworks happen earlier or is it at the end of the party? She likes those a lot.

I just recently looked up the fireworks and parade time because we’re planning to go. The parade is 9:15 and fireworks are after 10. I’m not sure if our son will even make it to the parade

 

[hilltopper152]

I just recently looked up the fireworks and parade time because we’re planning to go. The parade is 9:15 and fireworks are after 10. I’m not sure if our son will even make it to the parade

Yeah was hoping for fireworks closer to the middle of the event. Maybe we will see it from the boat. Ha maybe the parade can be a goal to get to.

 

[Haley R]

Yeah was hoping for fireworks closer to the middle of the event. Maybe we will see it from the boat. Ha maybe the parade can be a goal to get to.

That’s gonna be our goal lol. If we make it to the parade then I’ll be happy and if not at least he’ll get to trick or treat

 

[MamaMermaid]

My kid could never hang that long because he wouldn't nap, wild thing -- you know your kiddo best!!

 

[RoseGold]

JMHO but I really feel after hours parties are for the parents of toddlers. At that age they don’t know the difference between a regular time in the MK and an after hours party.

Couldn't disagree more. I think the extended hours at 18 months are what hooked us on Disney. Riding Dumbo during fireworks and they just let us sit on barnstormer. Late night is totally different. Even little kids get that.

 

[pigletgirl]

My kids were always done right after fireworks. We didn't get back to the room till 1130 or so and we felt (at the time) we got our monies worth out if the experience.

I will say though, I'm excited to attend a party this year without kids.

 

[Aimeedyan]

If I can get past the ridiculous cost, we may do the Christmas party this year. Mostly for me - I really want to experience it (I've done the Halloween party before) but this will also be the last year our toddler is free!

He has never fallen asleep in his stroller (serious FOMO going on) but he is a night owl like his mama so I think he can hang.

 

[hilltopper152]

Couldn't disagree more. I think the extended hours at 18 months are what hooked us on Disney. Riding Dumbo during fireworks and they just let us sit on barnstormer. Late night is totally different. Even little kids get that.

After hours at Hollywood studios before covid was the best experience I had at Disney with wife. Post covid we now have a kid so know things are different. I want to believe we can have a experience like what you had. sounds fun

 

[ktlm]

DD has been going to MVMCP or MNSSHP since she was 2. It has always been the highlight of our trip. She was closer to 3 than 2 on her first party night and it was MVMCP (she was scared of Halloween stuff as a toddler). I wouldn't think about trick or treating at the party at that age--- it is basically just a long line where they throw candy into your bag as you go by. I think your time would be better spent doing other things. (Disneyland has characters on the trick or treat trails-- but unless they change something at WDW it does not). We even went to the parks during the day on party days- she would just stroller nap and did well with that.

My DD loved all the characters as a toddler/pre-schooler- that is where most of our party time was spent. Age 2, she did nap in the stroller some as it got later in the evening. I remember that we were there on an extremely crowded night when she was 2 and tried to get a spot for the first parade an hour ahead of time and could not find a good spot. We decided to give it up and do the second parade. She fell asleep in her stroller before the parade as we waited for it--- we woke her up when it got close and she got excited by it and was dancing around (again Christmas party- she would not have liked the Halloween parade at that age)- and then after it was over, she was asleep in her stroller again before we got out the gate and we watched the parade by the Emporium so that tells you how quick she was out cold. By the next year at age 3, we were dragging her off the Barnstormer at 11:45 with her screaming for one more time (don't feel sorry for her-- she had ridden it 14 times in a row without having to get off as there was no line--- I gave up after 11 and DH couldn't make it past 14).