Toddler on Rides?

[Tamazon19]

Our first trip to Disneyland since the children have been born. The youngest is 18 months. Can I take her on any of the calmer rides that don't have height requirements? She doesn't need to sit on my lap. Thanks.

Tammi.

 

[CalGal]

The first time I took my son to Disneyland, he was 21 months old. We went on lots of rides. He loved it! I didn't take him on the Haunted Mansion, but we went on most of the other rides that didn't have height restrictions. He did cry getting on to Pirates, but that was only because he didn't want me to hold his hand getting into the boat. He hadn't learned to be afraid at that age, so there was no problem on the dark rides.

I've been to DL over a dozen times since that trip, but it was still the most memorable one. It was so magical watching my DS interact with the characters. Perhaps my happiest memory ever is watching him clap along with the music of the Main Street Electrical Parade with such joy in his eyes. My videos of that trip are so priceless.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

 

[Sonya in Boise]

You will have so much fun. Anything without a height requirement is fair game.

My youngest daughter was about that age for her first trip and she had so much fun on everything. Like CalGal, she didn't know better to be afraid of dark rides and loved just about everything. Pirates was one of her favorites. She did get a bit scared on Pinocchio, but I think that was more the jerkness of the ride, but the Whale at the end is a bit frightening.

Start off slowly, with bright outside rides. Fantasyland in the morning is always good. Ride dumbo, teacups, carrousel, story book canal boats, then maybe small world for a bright cheery inside ride, Jungle book, I haven't ridden it yet, but Pooh should be a bright cheery ride also. If those seem to go well, move on to the dark rides.

I know you didn't ask, but my biggest piece of advise is to be at the gates at opening time, actually we get there 30 minutes before, and head straight to Fantasyland. It is usually very slow in the mornings, Saturday morning is my favorite day there. You can do most of those rides in the first hour and if you want, head to toontown afterwards. Somedays Toontown opens later than the rest of the park and you can be one of the first in there also. If you have a few adults in your party that want to go collect the fast passes, have them meet you in fantasyland. They can collect a fast pass and ride the big rides, then meet up with you. the Fast passes can be used later in the day when the crowds get there. Even if it's past the time on the fastpass, the CM will still take them. They just have to be for the same day.

More than you asked for, but I hope you have a wonderful trip and take more film than you think you need. It is expensive in the park.

 

[hookedup]

You will have a blast we bought AP's on my son's first b-day and have done so the past 3 years. This past trip was a milestone for us since my son was finally 40 inches and able to go on stuff he never could.
That being said I can certainly testify to the fact that DL with a little one is very fun. We went on everything that did not have a height requirement and baby swapped on the ones that did.

My son loved all the rides in Fantasyland - and as Sonya advised above - go there first! It gets crowded quick and nothing has fast pass. He also loved riding on the cars on Main Street and the big train, and HM and Pirates (until he was about 2 and then they scared him)

But to this day his very favorite ride - and I am not kidding here - is the PARKING LOT TRAM.

Have fun!!!!

 

[MateasMom]

Are you planning to go to DCA as well? Personally, I would start there. I would go to flicks fun fair because those rides are outside, nothing AT ALL scary, and very bright and stimulating. -- Also, be careful in Toontown! Your little one won't be old enough for Goofys bounce house or the Roller Coaster, If older siblings are going to go on those attractions, I'd split up the team for a little while so that toddler doesn't feel shafted.

 

[mrswortham]

My youngest was a wee 6 months old when he first experienced the Peter Pan ride. Not only did we take him on Peter Pan, but we took him on Small World, and others as well, we just held him in our lap, and there was no problem. He loved it, and the CM's didn't seem to mind at all.

 

[Tamazon19]

Thank you so much for the great info and the tip on Toontown. We leave in 10 days. Tammi.